Board of Directors Meeting, September 18, 2025

Thursday, September 18, 2025
Board of Directors Meeting Agenda
STRIDE Middle School

 3701 33rd St S, St Cloud, MN 56301

Room 310

6:00 P.M.

Board Attendance:

• 
  

  Sara Fromm-Board Chair

• 
  

  Andy Lyman-Vice Chair

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  Tina Barak-Treasurer

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  Aaron Lundblad-Director

• 
  

  Abdi Ismail-Director

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  Carie Essig-Director

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  Ashlee Gibson- Director

• 
  

  Kelly Springer- Secretary

Administrative Attendance:

• 
  

  Eric Skanson-Executive Director

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  Nathan Schwieters-Director of Operations

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  Erin Tronbak-Director of Innovation and Academics

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  Heather Ebnet- Middle School Principal

• 
  

  Angie Lichy-Elementary Principal

School Mission Statement:
STRIDE Academy nurtures individuals while fostering leadership and empowering students to attain their highest potential in a family-centered environment.

1. Call to Order, Pledge of Allegiance, and Roll Call

Mission Statement of STRIDE Academy

2. Conflict of Interest Declaration
   No member of the board of directors, employee, officer, or agent of a charter school shall participate in selecting, awarding, or administering a contract if a conflict of interest exists.

3. Approval of Agenda

4. Consent Agenda
   A consent agenda is a streamlined approach to handling routine matters in meetings, allowing multiple items to be approved together without extensive discussion or debate, saving time for more important topics. Board members have the option to pull specific items from the consent agenda for separate consideration by indicating their request during the meeting.

   1. Approval of Meeting Minutes, August 21, 2025

   2. Approval of Financial Statements, August 2025

   3. Approval of New Hires

      1. Laura Jacobson, 2nd Grade

      2. Lyndee McClellan, Paraprofessional

      3. Emily Rustad, Kindergarten 

      4. Nimo Jama, Paraprofessional

      5. Rahama Hussein, Paraprofessional

   4. Resignation

      1. Cheyane Holan-Ince, 2nd Grade

      2. Makayla Makarrall, Kindergarten

      3. Maddie Strang, Paraprofessional

      4. Fardowsa Hassan, Paraprofessional

5. Public Comment
   The School Board welcomes input from community members and staff.
   Each person addressing the council shall give their name for the record. Each person making a public comment is limited to three minutes. Comments should be kept courteous and professional and directed to the board. After the speaker makes their statement, they will be seated without further comment, dialogue, or debate.

6. Reports

   1. Executive Director Report
      The Executive Director, Dr. Eric Skanson, will provide updates on current programs and key events at STRIDE Academy.

   2. Leadership Reports

      1. Elementary Principal, Angie Lichy

      2. Middle School Principal, Heather Ebnet

      3. Director of Operations, Nathan Schwieters

      4. Director of Innovation and Academics, Erin Tronbak

3.  Standing Committee Reports

   1. Academic Excellence Committee

   2. Governance Meeting-9.16.2025

   3. Finance Committee-9.17.2025

7. Unfinished Business

   1. 702.1 Procurement Policy Discussion

   2. Middle School Building Acquisition Updates

   3. STRIDE Academy Expansion PK and 9-12

8. New Business

1. 25-26 Technical Policy Updates

1. 425 Staff Development- Remove 2024-25 only from Paragraph

2. 620-Statutory Reference Change

3. 624-Statutory Reference Change

2. Grants, Fundraising, and Community Engagement Update

Denise Ziebarth will be present to report on the last year in the position and highlight success stories.

3. Bond Underwriting Company Selection

Announcements

1. October 2025 Board Meeting

Adjourn