Winona Area Public Schools public meetings in 2025
21 substantive meetings from 2025, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
The Winona Area Public Schools board will hold its regular meeting at Winona Senior High School to approve a consent agenda including staffing changes and contracts, accept $29,919.73 in donations, and receive briefings on an audit and a 10-year facilities plan update. Public comment and student reports are also scheduled.
- Approve $29,919.73 in donations including $12,063.73 for Miller Mentoring Program and $3,000 for WMS Art
- Vote on new hires: licensed school nurse at $17,974.90/year, band teacher at $6,487/year, and multiple educational assistants and custodial staff
- Approve contracts: Three Rivers Park Trail Use Agreement, OWL Therapy Agreement, and Amplified Impact Agreement
- Receive audit report from Director of Finance Sarah Slaby
- Update 10-year facilities plan to remove 2027 roofing project and adjust levy projections
REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
The Winona Area Public Schools Board will hear a presentation on a capital project levy from a financial advisor and discuss graduation requirements. The board will also vote on a consent agenda including September transactions, contracts, and personnel changes, and accept donations totaling over $81,000.
- Discussion of capital project levy with Ehlers Financial Advisors
- Consent agenda includes contracts: SHIP Grant, IEA Commissioning, Winona Health nursing agreement, Captivate Media contracts
- New hires: Jeffrey Morgan as elementary art teacher (.14 overload, $11,112.84); Wendy Passehl as supervisor at Goodview Elementary ($13.36/hr)
- Donations accepted: $14,879.95 from Wanek Foundation for WMS STEM; $25,648.57 from WAPS Foundation for grants
- Policy review: 615 Testing Accommodations for IEPs, 504 Plans, and LEP students
REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
The Winona Area Public Schools Board will vote on a tentative three-year contract agreement with the Winona Administrators Association (WAA), approve field trips for the music department to Florida and FFA to Indianapolis, and adopt the superintendent's focus areas for the 2025-26 school year. The board will also hear an enrollment update and approve previous meeting minutes.
- Vote on 2025-2028 WAA tentative contract agreement with costing overview
- Action on Music Department Florida Field Trip request for 2026
- Action on FFA Indianapolis Field Trip request for 2025
- Adoption of 25-26 Superintendent Focus Areas
- Enrollment update as of September 26, 2025
REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
The board will vote to certify the preliminary 25PAY26 tax levy at the maximum amount allowed by law, a routine step to meet the September 30 deadline. Final levy amounts will be set after a Truth-in-Taxation hearing in December. The agenda also includes approval of field trips, personnel changes, contracts, and policy updates.
- Certify preliminary 25PAY26 tax levy at maximum (amount not yet available from MDE)
- Approve contracts: Bluffview-WAPS cooperative agreement, St. Mary's Jim Flim contract, Bayada nursing services, Wesley United Methodist rentals, Cool School Mobile Plunge agreement
- New hires: Crystal Hallin (5th grade teacher, $55,493), Erica Thibodeaux (parent educator, $61,915), Abigail Allen (math teacher, $49,152)
- Donations accepted: $5,000 from Winona Community Foundation for Nordic Ski Team, $300 from Winona Agency Group for girls tennis
- Policy action on 516.5 Overdose Medication; review of policies 202, 404, and 526
Imported Meetings (2016-2025)
The Winona Area Public Schools Board will receive a briefing on certifying the preliminary 25PAY26 tax levy at the maximum amount, with formal action planned for September 18. The board will also hear updates on school reconfiguration planning and enrollment numbers, and consider approving DEI committee bylaws and meeting minutes.
- Briefing on certifying the preliminary 25PAY26 tax levy at the maximum by September 30 deadline
- Proposed revisions to DEI School Board Committee Guidelines for action
- Reconfiguration Planning and Action Steps update
- Enrollment update as of September 3, 2025
- Transition from BoardDocs to Diligent Community board management software
Imported Meetings (2016-2025)
The Winona Area Public Schools Board will vote on several action items, including a new Office Professionals Agreement, approval of donations, and a policy on school-sponsored student publications. The board will also receive briefings on a proposed policy for overdose medications and revisions to the DEI Committee bylaws. The consent agenda includes approval of minutes, fiscal affairs, and numerous personnel changes for the upcoming school year.
- Action on Policy 512 School-Sponsored Student Publications and Activities
- Briefing on proposed Policy 516.5 Overdose Medications
- Action on 2026-2028 Office Professionals Agreement
- Approval of numerous new hires, assignment changes, and resignations for licensed and non-licensed staff
- Information on 25-26 Elementary Class Projections and Reconfiguration Planning
Imported Meetings (2016-2025)
The Winona Area Public Schools Board will vote on updates to 13 policies, including those on weapons, student attendance, and literacy. The board will also hold a closed session to evaluate Superintendent Brad Berzinski's performance. Other action items include approving the 2025-2026 K-12 student handbook and community education handbooks.
- Vote on 13 policy changes due to legislation, including School Weapons Policy and Student Attendance.
- Closed session for the end-of-year performance evaluation of Superintendent Brad Berzinski.
- Action on the 2025-2026 K-12 Student Handbook.
- Action on Community Education Handbooks for ALC Childcare and Key Kids.
- Briefing on proposed revisions to the DEI Committee Bylaws.
Imported Meetings (2016-2025)
The Winona Area Public Schools board will review a long-term school bus transportation services agreement and a 10-year revenue and expenditure projection. The meeting includes personnel approvals for the 2025-26 school year and a first reading of several policy changes. The board will also consider a settlement agreement and the acceptance of various donations.
- 2025-2030 School Bus Transportation Services Agreement
- FY 2027 LTFM 10-Year Revenue Projection and Expenditure Application
- Acceptance of donations totaling $84,144.52
- Employment of Julie Winegar ($80,075), Jessica McCann ($58,477), and Jeff Turkowski ($55,656)
- First reading of Policy 512 regarding School-Sponsored Student Publications and Activities
Imported Meetings (2016-2025)
The Winona Area Public Schools Board will vote on hiring Nathan Warneke as the new Winona Senior High School principal and on a tentative contract with plant operations and maintenance employees. The board will also consider a workers' compensation insurance renewal with a 13% premium increase and approve a resolution for Minnesota State High School League membership. Several personnel changes, including new hires and resignations, are on the consent agenda.
- Nathan Warneke recommended for employment as Secondary Principal at Winona Senior High School at $592.35 per day starting July 1, 2025
- Tentative agreement with Plant Operations and Maintenance Employees for 2025-2028
- Workers' compensation renewal with ICW Group at 13.01% increase, saving $68,379 over current provider's 43.66% increase
- Teagen Berzinski recommended as Junior Student School Board Representative for 2025-2026
- Resignation of Luke Madsen, Principal at WSHS, effective June 30, 2025
Imported Meetings (2016-2025)
The School Board will consider the 2026 final budget and specific budgets for the General Fund, Construction Fund, and OPEB Trust. The board will also discuss transportation contract negotiations and insurance renewals.
- Approval of 2026 General Fund, Construction Fund, and OPEB Trust budgets
- Worker's compensation renewal with ICW Group representing a savings of $68,379
- Liability and cyber insurance renewal via MIST with a 2.2% increase
- Reauthorization of Superintendent Brad Berzinski as Identified Official with Authority (IOwA)
- Review of student admission fees for athletics and activities
Imported Meetings (2016-2025)
The Winona Area Public Schools Board will receive briefings on the 2026 General Fund, Construction Fund, and OPEB Trust budgets, and will consider a final budget. The board will also review staffing changes for 2025-26, including new hires and resignations, and discuss district reconfiguration planning and elementary class sections.
- Briefing on the 2026 General Fund Budget (Fund 01) and other fund budgets.
- Action on a 2025 School Nutrition Budget Adjustment.
- Consent agenda includes new licensed hires (e.g., Victor Pinon Flores, $55,493; Alexa Michaels, $80,075) and several resignations.
- First reading of policies on School Health Services (596), Curriculum Development (603), and Testing Plan (614).
- Action to accept $45,437.25 in donations from various donors for designated purposes.
Imported Meetings (2016-2025)
The Winona Area Public Schools board will consider several 2026 budget items and a geothermal project change order. The board will also receive a briefing on transportation service quotations and discuss district reconfiguration planning.
- 2026 budgets for School Nutrition (Fund 02), Community Education (Fund 04), Student Activity (Fund 15), and Agency (Fund 18)
- Geothermal update change order
- Transportation RFQ briefing with quotes due May 1, 2025
- 2025 School Nutrition Budget Adjustment briefing
- District Reconfiguration Planning and Action Steps
Imported Meetings (2016-2025)
The Winona Area Public Schools Board will vote on a resolution to place teacher Courtney Lawler on unrequested leave of absence due to financial limitations and discontinuance of position. The board will also receive briefings on the 2026 budgets for school nutrition, community education, student activities, and the agency fund. The consent agenda includes new hires, assignment changes, and the reinstatement of four teachers previously notified of unrequested leave.
- Resolution to place teacher Courtney Lawler on unrequested leave of absence effective June 6, 2025
- Reinstatement of four teachers (Gina Johnson, Annie Bade, LaDawn Kovala, Melanie Anderson) previously notified of unrequested leave
- Briefing on 2026 School Nutrition Budget (Fund 02), Community Education Budget (Fund 04), Student Activity Budget (Fund 15), and Agency Budget (Fund 18)
- New licensed hires: Zackary Anderson (Physics/Chemistry, $46,272), Kelli Gapinski (Special Education, $55,493), Bridget Guillien (Speech Language Pathologist, $68,031), Devon Boots Thompson (Occupational Therapist, $55,986)
- Approval of multiple software and service agreements for FY26, including Edmentum, Imagine Learning, and Powerschool Schoology
Imported Meetings (2016-2025)
The Winona Area Public Schools School Board will discuss the 2026 budget development timeline and proposed adjustments. The board is deciding on the 2026 OPEB Debt Service Budget (Fund 47) and the 2026 Debt Service Budget (Fund 07). Additionally, the board will consider a resolution to place one teacher on unrequested leave of absence.
- Action on 2026 OPEB Debt Service Budget (Fund 47)
- Action on 2026 Debt Service Budget (Fund 07)
- Resolution to place LaDawn Kovala (Jefferson/Goodview-EL) on unrequested leave of absence effective June 6, 2025
- Information on School Board Policy 522 Title IX Sex Nondiscrimination Policy
- Update on the Geothermal Project
Imported Meetings (2016-2025)
The Winona Area Public Schools board will vote on resolutions to place six teachers on unrequested leave of absence due to financial limitations, lack of pupils, and discontinuance of positions. The board will also discuss and take action on the 2026 budget development timeline, the 2025 budget update, and several 2026 budget items including debt service, capital/levy budgets, and supplies allocation.
- Resolution to place teachers Gretchen Larson, Melanie Anderson, Gina Johnson, Annie Bade, and Abigail Mooney on unrequested leave effective June 6, 2025
- Resolution proposing to place teacher LaDawn Kovala on unrequested leave of absence
- 2026 Budget Development Timeline and 2025 Budget Update presented for information and action
- 2026 OPEB Debt Service Budget (Fund 47) and 2026 Debt Service Budget (Fund 07) briefings
- Consent agenda includes new hires, assignment changes, and coaching appointments
Imported Meetings (2016-2025)
The Winona Area Public Schools board will consider resolutions to nonrenew 16 probationary teachers and place five teachers on unrequested leave of absence. The meeting also includes briefings on the 2025 and 2026 budget timelines and district reconfiguration planning.
- Nonrenewal of 16 probationary teachers effective June 6, 2025
- Proposed unrequested leave of absence for 5 teachers effective June 6, 2025
- Briefing on 2026 Budget Development Timeline
- Review of 2026 Long-Term Facilities Maintenance, Technology Levy, and Operating Capital budgets
- Information on District Reconfiguration Planning and Action Steps
Imported Meetings (2016-2025)
The Winona Area Public Schools board will discuss the 2026 budget development timeline, enrollment projections, and district support services costs. The board is also deciding on elementary attendance boundary revisions and a contract for the Winona Senior High School chiller project.
- Proposed revisions to elementary attendance boundaries
- Contract award for the Winona Senior High School chiller project
- Acceptance of donations totaling $81,116.55
- Review of 2026 budget development timeline and supplies/materials allocation
- Action on Policy 510 regarding School Activities
Imported Meetings (2016-2025)
The Winona Area Public Schools board will discuss the 2026 budget development timeline and 2025 budget updates. The board is also reviewing proposed elementary attendance area revisions and district reconfiguration planning.
- Approval of Middle School and High School registration handbooks
- Briefing on Elementary Attendance Area Revisions
- Review of 2025 Budget Update and 2026 Budget Development Timeline
- Briefing on proposed FY 2025-2026 holidays
- Information on District Reconfiguration Planning and Action Steps
Imported Meetings (2016-2025)
The Winona Area Public Schools Board will discuss district reconfiguration and the 2026 budget, including a general fund revenue draft and expenditure targets. The board will also consider consent agenda items including personnel changes, donations, and approval of school calendars for 2025-2026 and 2026-2027. A briefing on naming the WSHS "Ag Building" as the "Community Annex" for a school-based health clinic is scheduled.
- Discussion of district reconfiguration
- 2026 Budget Development: General Fund Revenue Draft and Expenditure Target
- Consent Agenda: Personnel changes including new hires, retirements, and resignations
- Action: Approval of 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school calendars
- Briefing: Naming of WSHS 'Ag Building' as 'Community Annex' for school-based health clinic
Imported Meetings (2016-2025)
The Winona Area Public Schools Board will hold its organizational meeting to swear in three new board members and elect a chairperson, vice-chairperson, clerk, and treasurer for 2025. The board will also vote on meeting schedules, legal counsel, bank depository, board member stipends, committee assignments, and several financial resolutions.
- Oath of office for new District 3 member Jack Hedin, District 4 member Monica Siegfried, and District 5 member Martin Stickney
- Election of board chairperson, vice-chairperson, clerk, and treasurer for 2025
- Action on board member stipends (currently $125/month for members, $150/month for chair)
- Approval of Ratwik, Roszak and Maloney as official legal counsel for the district
- Designation of Merchants Bank as district depository and financial institution
Imported Meetings (2016-2025)
The Winona Area Public Schools Board will consider approving the name 'Community Annex' for the building currently known as the 'Ag Building' at Winona Senior High School, which now houses a school-based health clinic. The board will also receive briefings on the 2026 budget development timeline and assumptions, and proposed calendars for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school years.
- Action item: Approve naming the 'Ag Building' as the 'Community Annex' to reflect its use as a school-based health clinic.
- Briefing on the 2026 Budget Development Timeline and process.
- Briefing on the Summary of 2026 Budget Assumptions.
- Briefing on proposed school calendars for 2025-2026 and 2026-2027.
- Approval of minutes from the December 19, 2024 regular board meeting.