A Team Staff News

A-Team Staff,

It was great to see so many people out for our homecoming parade even though we got rained on. Thanks for supporting our kids and community through a fun tradition.

Conferences are coming up - thank you for all the ways you serve our students and families. The partnership between home and school is so important for our students.

Finally, please pay attention to the operating levy information. We have 33 days until the election today and want to make sure all our staff and parents have the information they need to make an informed decision.

Enjoy the fall weekend ahead!

Rick

Below are the candidates names that will appear on the ballot for the general election on November 3, 2026.

• Position #2: Nevin Brede and Maddie Elliott
• Position #3: Shawn Reilly
• Position #4: Laura Knudsen and Sarah Moore
• Position #5: Maureen Eigen
• Position #6 (Special Election for the remaining two years of a four-year term): Kyle Momsen

We welcome the following individuals to our A-Team Staff:

Sue Arnold: Part-time Title 1 Teacher, Non-Public (Zion), effective 8/31/26

Aleicia Claassen: Learning Resource Teacher, MES, effective 9/2/26

Mark Erickson: Bus Driver, Transportation, effective 8/31/26

Jena Haaby: Paraprofessional, EEC, effective 9/25/26

Emma Howey: Kitchen Assistant, WES, effective 9/14/26

Nayeli Mejia: Paraprofessional, VES, effective 8/31/26

Noelle Merrill: Paraprofessional, VES, effective 8/31/26

Gary Milner: Bus Driver, Transportation, effective 8/31/26

Katelyn Powers: Paraprofessional, GES, effective 8/31/26

Amanda Red Earth: Secretary, WES, effective 9/14/26

Belinda Walsh: Part-time Title 1 Teacher, Non-Public (ACCS), effective 8/31/26

Stephanie Wilde: Paraprofessional, VES, effective 8/31/26

The following staff members have submitted a letter of retirement. Thank you for your service and dedication to the students and families of Alexandria Public Schools.

Roger Feiler: Bus Driver, effective 9/25/26 [date of hire: 9/3/24]

Karen Martin: Secretary, WES, effective 12/22/26 [date of hire: 11/17/14]

Karen McGinn: Paraprofessional, AAHS, effective 9/17/26 [date of hire: 9/20/05]

Michelle Thoennes: Technology Support, Technology, effective 9/11/26 [date of hire: 12/3/02]

Policy additions and revisions were included on the consent agenda for a first reading concerning the following policies:

• Policy 516.5 - Overdose Medication
• Policy 537 - Shared Time
• Policy 538 - Student Travel
• Policy 539 - Violence Prevention
• Policy 543 - Lost or Damaged Textbooks, Library Materials and Devices
• Policy 550 - Student Grading and Assessment
• Policy 551 - Early Admission Policy
• Policy 560 - Elementary Student Transfer Process
• Policy 567 - Student Dress and Appearance

The Curriculum/Policy Committee reviewed these policies at their meeting and supports the proposed additions and revisions.

The following policies received a first reading at the August 17, 2026 board meeting:

• Policy 420/542 - Students and Employees with Sexually Transmitted Infections and Diseases and Certain Other Communicable Diseases and Infectious Conditions (renumbered from 420/540)
• Policy 528 - Student Parental, Family and Marital Status Notification
• Policy 529 - Staff Notification of Violent Behavior by Students
• Policy 530 - Immunization Requirements
• Policy 531 - The Pledge of Allegiance
• Policy 532 - Use of Peace Officers and Crisis Teams to Remove Students with IEPs from School Grounds
• Policy 533 - Wellness
• Policy 534 - School Meals
• Policy 535 - Service Animals in Schools
• Policy 806 - Crisis Management

• Michelle Bethke-Kaliher, Director of Student Support Services and Melissa Bright, District Nurse, provided a 2025-26 annual report on the Health Services program.
• Superintendent Rick Sansted provided information on the upcoming operating levy.
• The Board approved a preliminary school levy in the amount of $17,275,144, which is $553,796 lower than last year’s levy, or -3.11%. In other action, the Board approved a contingent resolution to suspend the current Local Optional Revenue (LOR) levy should the November 3, 2026 operating levy pass. (Full press release link and supporting graph below).
  
• The Board approved the work agreement between the District and Custodians for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 school years as presented by Jessie Hjelle, Director of Human Resources.
• The Board approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding compensation and other conditions for certified staff completing READ Act training for 2026-2027.

Sixty Alexandria Area High School graduates and current students have been named 2026 AP Scholars based on their performance on Advanced Placement (AP) exams. The awards given and students recognized include:

• AP Scholar designation was granted to Alexis Bergs, Jeremy Boe, Leah Brittain, Ava Buboltz, Carson Bumgarner, Weston Burkey, Camden Danielson, Mae Denne, Gavin Gilbertson, Isaac Grieve, Shaelyn Groen, Aribelle Justison, Bodin Karlstad, Elsa Lucken, Jakin Miller, Brooke Persons, Jacobo Ramos, Benton Scholten, Nils Stadsklev, Chloe Tickhill, Taylor Tickhill, Ella Walz, Mila Warzecha and Connor Zirbes, along with ten 2026 graduates who received scores of 3 or higher on three or more of the exams.
• AP Scholar with Honor was granted to Esther Bernards, Hannah Hoff, Lucas Klimek, Colton Nolden and Gavin Peterson, along with eight 2026 graduates for achieving an average of at least 3.25 on all exams given and scores of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams.
• AP Scholar with Distinction was given to David Close, Thomas Dutcher, Siegfried Henrich, Joshua Makalinao and Alondra Munoz Cortes, along with seven 2026 graduates who received an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP exams taken and a score of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams.

Athletes recognized this past month as Central Lakes Conference Performers of the Week in their respective sport include:

• Patrick Klecker - Boys Soccer: scored 2 goals and 1 assist in win vs. Bemidji
• Kate Jahner - Cross Country: took 4th place at Brainerd with a time of 20:25
• Tyler Jahner - Cross Country: placed 6th at Detroit Lakes with a time of 17:19
• Avery Warzecha - Cross Country: placed 4th at the Moorhead Section Preview with a time of 20:07

• October 1: WES Picture Day; LES Picture Retake Day (AM)

• October 2: VES Fun Run Day/Fundraiser Ends; WES Fun Run Event Day

• October 4-10: National Fire Prevention Week

• October 7: VES Picture Retake Day (AM)

• October 8: PreK-8 Parent Conferences

• October 12: PreK-12 Parent Conferences; EEC Picture Day, 8am-12pm

• October 14: PreK-8 Parent Conferences; School in Session 9-12

• October 15-16: No School PreK-12; EM

• October 19: Regular School Board Meeting; District Office, Oak Conference Rm, 7pm

• October 20: CCA Picture Retake Day; AAHS Picture Retake Day

• October 21: WES Muffins in the Morning, 7:15-7:45am; MES Picture Retake Day, 8:30am-12:30pm; GES Picture Retake Day, 7:30-11:30am

• October 22: WES Muffins in the Morning, 7:15-7:45am; AAHS Fall Choir Concert, 7pm, PAC

• October 26: AAHS Fall Orchestra Concert, 7pm, PAC

• October 27: DMS Picture Retake Day

• October 29: VES Bingo for Books, 5:30-7:30pm

• October 31: Halloween

Our Vision is to be an extraordinary school district that tailors learning for all, by working together!

Email: jjohnson@alexschools.org
Website: www.alexschools.org
Location: 1410 South McKay Ave., Suite 201 Alexandria, MN 56308
Phone: 320-762-2141
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alexmnschools/

Instagram: @alexmnschools

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_iI9ts5_R87BvAMxvlM69A