www.strideacademy.org

Board of Directors Meeting 

August 20, 2026

Middle School Board Room 225

6:00 PM 

STRIDE Academy Board of Directors 

Board Attendance:

• 
  

  Stephen Schueller-Treasurer

• 
  

  Andy Lyman-Vice Chair

• 
  

  Tina Barak-Chair

• 
  

  Pamela Holubetz -Director 

• 
  

  Carie Essig-Director

• 
  

  Kimberly Carlson - Secretary 

• 
  

  Erica Louis - Director

Administrative Attendance:

• 
  

  Eric Skanson-Executive Director

• 
  

  Nathan Schwieters-Director of Operations

• 
  

  Heather Ebnet-Middle School Principal

• 
  

  Angie Lichy-Elementary Principal

• 
  

  Erin Tronbak-Curriculum/SVA

• 
  

  Tanner Bechtold-Technology Director

• 
  

  Niki Krier-Director of Special Education

• 
  

  Kate Hill- Human Resource Director

Organizational Meeting Agenda

1. Call to Order

• Call to Order
• Pledge of Allegiance
 

2. Mission Statement

STRIDE Academy nurtures individuals while fostering leadership and empowering students to attain their highest potential in a community-centered environment.

3. Conflict of Interest Declaration

No member of the Board of Directors, employee, officer, or agent shall participate in selecting, awarding, or administering a contract if a conflict of interest exists.

4. Approval of Agenda

5. Consent Agenda -

A consent agenda is a streamlined approach to handling routine matters in meetings, allowing multiple items to be approved together without discussion or debate. Any Board member may request that an item be removed from the Consent Agenda for separate consideration prior to the vote.

5.1 Approval of July 18, 2026 Board Meeting Minutes

5.2  Personnel Recommendations

5.2.1 Recommended Approval of Employment

5.2.1.1 Symantha Fleck-Caruthers Board Recommendation

5.2.1.2 Ben Carter Board Recommendation

5.2.1.3  Karen Tadych Board Recommendation

5.2.1.4  Jamie Gabrielson Board Recommendation

     5.3.1 Recommended Acceptance of Resignations

        5.3.1.1 - Kaylee Glaim, Grade 1

 5.4. Financials

    5.4.1- June 2026 Financial Report

    5.4.2- June 2026 Supplemental Information

5.4.3- July 2026 Financial Report

    5.4.4- June 2026 Supplemental Information

5.5 Other

    5.5.1- Approval of Activity Stipends 2026-2027

 6. Public Comment  - 

Three-minute limit per speaker. Comments shall be courteous and directed to the Board. No dialogue or debate.

7. Reports

     7.1 Executive Director
     7.2 Cabinet Reports   

        7.2.1- Elementary Principal Angie Lichy

        7.2.2- Middle School Principal, Heather Ebnet

        7.2.3-Technology Director, Tanner Bechtold

8. Standing Committee Reports

      8.1 Academic Excellence
      8.2 Governance-8.18.26

       8.3 Finance–8.20.26
 

9. Unfinished Business

      9.1 Childcare Opportunity at STRIDE -Update 

10. New Business

10.1 Handbooks

10.1.1. 2026-2027 Student Handbook

10.1.2. 2026-2027 Student Code of Conduct

10.1.3. Staff Handbook

10.2 Policy Updates

10.2.1

Policy 521 – Student Disability Nondiscrimination: Updates the policy to clarify protections under Section 504, including protections for disabilities that are episodic or in remission, and adds language regarding the school’s responsibility to consider reasonable accommodations under the Minnesota Human Rights Act.

10.2.2

Policy 524 – Internet, Technology, and Cell Phone Acceptable Use and Safety: Updates technology-use requirements, including prohibiting the use of school technology to create or alter realistic nude images of individuals. Also updates internet filtering requirements and related technology safeguards.

10.2.3

Policy 613 – Graduation Requirements: Updates graduation requirements to align with current Minnesota law, including physical education and health standards, personal finance requirements, credit equivalencies, ethnic studies, and provisions allowing qualifying veterans to receive a high school diploma.

10.2.4 

Policy 621 – Literacy and the READ Act: Updates the policy to reflect recent changes to Minnesota’s READ Act, including literacy screening, dyslexia identification, evidence-based reading instruction and interventions, literacy plans, staff training requirements, and responsibilities of literacy leads.

10.2.5

Policy 710-

Policy 710 – Extracurricular Transportation

Summary of Changes:

• Clarifies that administration determines whether and how transportation is provided for extracurricular activities.

• Requires administrative approval of extracurricular transportation arrangements.

• Employees may not transport students in personal vehicles except in an emergency or unforeseeable circumstance, or with prior written administrative approval in a nonemergency situation.

• Requires vehicles used to transport students to be properly registered and insured.

• Allows the school to charge fees for transportation to optional extracurricular activities conducted away from school.

11. Announcements

11.1- Next Board Meeting 9.17.26

12. Adjournment -