St. Louis County School Board approved hires, discusses referendum

Louis County School Board met at Cherry School on Oct. 27, where the upcoming referendum and capital levy election was still top of mind as members approved new hires and labor contracts and heard updates from Cherry’s principal.
Before moving to the main agenda items of the meeting, Superintendent Brian Masterson stressed the importance of the upcoming referendum and capital levy projects.
The 2142 district is trying to tap into the newly available Seasonal Recreation Property Tax Base Replacement Aid. Districts can receive the new state funding by passing an operating referendum that allocates a threshold quantity of taxpayer money to pupils in the district. The extra funding would be a boon for a district facing a significant budget shortfall.
Also on the ballot is a capital projects measure that would levy a net amount to be used for capital projects, including hardware, software, curriculum materials ,and transportation vehicles.
“Last week the district sent out a mailing to all taxpayers. So hopefully we’re reaching more people, allowing them to get an informed vote,” Masterson said.
Members of the board approved labor agreements for 2026–2028 covering bus drivers, clerical staff and custodial employees.
The board also approved the district’s Indigenous Education Strategic Direction, which will remain a living document subject to future review and revisions.
Andrew Bernard, the principal of Cherry, offered school updates to the board.
Bernard also described new career and technical education courses offered at Cherry, including work skills and experience, emergency readiness, aviation, and woodworking. Because Cherry has multiple newly licensed CTE teachers, several of these classes are eligible for state funding.
Juniors and seniors from Cherry have also participated in college visits and a construction trades event.
A new grant is supporting the Seven Mindsets curriculum, including “Mindset Monday” activities to encourage positive attitudes and student success.
Bernard also described the recent installation of a “reading garden” on the school grounds, which was funded with a $6,000 Lake Country Power grant.

New hires
New hires approved by the board include the following teaching staff:
• Elizabeth Nadeau Temte at Tower-Soudan
• Kianna Vesledahl at North Woods
The board also approved the following coaches:
• Morgan Zollinger at Northeast Range as head speech coach.
• Tom Aune at North Woods as boys head basketball coach.
• Liz Cheney at North Woods as girls head basketball coach.
• Becca Bundy at North Woods as assistant girls basketball coach.
• Adam Hagen at Northeast Range as head wrestling coach.
• Rob Palkovich at Northeast Range as assistant wrestling coach.
• Tommy Teigen at Northeast Range as assistant wrestling coach.