Thursday, July 17, 2025
Board of Directors Meeting Agenda
STRIDE Middle School

 3701 33rd St S, St Cloud, MN 56301

Room 109

6:00 P.M.

Board Attendance:

• 
  

  Sara Fromm-Board Chair

• 
  

  Andy Lyman-Vice Chair

• 
  

  Tina Barak-Treasurer

• 
  

  Aaron Lundblad-Director

• 
  

  Abdi Ismail-Director

• 
  

  Carie Essig-Director

• 
  

  Ashlee Gibson- Director Elect

• 
  

  Kelly Springer- Director Elect

Administrative Attendance:

• 
  

  Eric Skanson-Executive Director

• 
  

  Nathan Schwieters-Director of Operations

• 
  

  Erin Tronbak-Director of Innovation and Academics

• 
  

  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.

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

II. Mission Statement of STRIDE Academy

III. Swearing In of New Directors

1. Director Kelly Springer

2. Director Ashlee Gibson

IV. Board Organization

1. Election of Officers for 2025-2026

   1. Chair

   2. Vice-Chair

   3. Secretary

   4. Treasurer

2. Establish Board Committee Assignments for 2025-2026

3. Board Members Conflict of Interest Disclosure & Governance Assurances

4. Board Meeting Dates: 2025-2026 School Year

   1. Jul 17, 2025

   2. Aug 21, 2025

   3. Sep 18, 2025

   4. Oct 23, 2025

   5. Nov 20, 2025

   6. Dec 18, 2025

   7. Jan 15, 2025

   8. February 19, 2026

   9. March 19, 2026

   10. April 16, 2026

   11. May 21, 2026

   12. June 18, 2026

V. 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.

VI. Approval of Agenda

VII. 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 June 12, 2025 Meeting Minutes

2. Recommend Approval of Anna Preito, Paraprofessional

3. Recommend Approval of Brooklyn Riggs, MS ELA

4. Recommend Approval of 25-26 Leadership Contingency Plan

5. Approve Designation of Depositories: Choice Bank, St. Cloud Federal Credit Union

6. Authorized Signers at Banks: Board Chair - Sara Fromm, Executive Director - Eric Skanson, Treasurer - Tina Barak, Business Manager - Kelly Rimpila, Administrative Assistant - Mara Kramer

7. Delegation of Authority to make electronic funds transfers

8. Board Chair, Board Treasurer, or Executive Director

9. Kelly Rimpila, or her designee at Creative Planning

10. Designation of St. Cloud Times as the Official Newspaper of STRIDE Academy

11. Approve MDE Designations

    1. Designate MDE Identified Official With Authority (IOWA)-Dr. Eric Skanson

    2. Title Grant programs Authorized Representative- Erin Tronbak

    3. Special Education Director-Cindy Pederson

    4. District Assessment Coordinator- Nathan Schwieters

12. Approve Craig Kepler of Best and Flanagan as Designation of school attorney(ies) and authorization for the Board Chair or Executive Director to access as needed.

13. Adopt the  Federal Mileage Rate reimbursement at $0.70

14. Authorize Administrative Assistant to Perform Certain Duties of the Secretary

15. Authorization to use Facsimile Signatures

16. Authorize Business Manager as Treasurer’s Designee.

17. Confirm/appoint members of the board of directors of the Building Company

    1. Nathan Schwieters -Board Chair

    2. Monica Schraut -Director

    3. Neil Theisen-Treasurer

    4. Cory Heinen-Director 

VIII. 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.

IX. 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 -NA 

   2. Governance Meeting – NA

   3. Finance Committee 7.16.25

      1. Enrollment Updates

X. Unfinished Business

1. Transportation Update and Contract Presentation

2. PTO Policy Revisions

3. 2025-2026 Budget Revisions

4. 2025-2026 Calendar Revision/Update

XI. New Business

1. Curricular Purchase and Authorizations

   1. TCI Science: GRADES 6-8

   2. EL Education- GRADES 7-8 ELA

   3. STEMScopes Math- GRADES K-8

XII. Announcements

1. 8/15/25 Board Meeting at Middle School

XIII. Adjourn