www.strideacademy.org

Board of Directors Meeting

September 17, 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 Resources 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.
 

1. Approval of August 20, 2026 Board Meeting Minutes

2. Personnel Recommendations

1. Recommended Approval of Employment

1. 8/28: Jeny Holthaus; Part Time Nurse
2. 8/31: Asha Abdirahman; Middle School Special Ed Paraprofessional
3. 8/31: Rene Ceron; Middle School Special Ed Paraprofessional
4. 8/31: Kayti Joy; Elementary Special Ed Paraprofessional
5. 8/31: Isabella Moreno; Elementary Special Ed Paraprofessional
6. 8/31: Alison Volante, Elementary Special Ed Paraprofessional
7. 9/8: Kame Kubo; Elementary Special Ed Paraprofessional
8. 9/8: Jaweriya Abdi; Middle School Special Ed Paraprofessional
9. 9/28: Hala Alrikabi: Special Education Teacher

2. Recommended Acceptance of Resignations

1. 9/2: Naima Haji; 7th Grade Literacy Intervention Teacher
2. 9/8: Nimo Jama; Middle School Special Ed Paraprofessional

3. Financials

1. August Financial Report
2. August Supplemental Information

4. Other

6. Public Comment

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

7. Reports

1. Executive Director

2. Cabinet Reports  

1. Director of Human Resources; Kate Hill
2. Director of Curriculum and Academics; Erin Tronbak
3. Grants & Fundraising; Denise Ziebarth (Virtual)

8. Standing Committee Reports

1. Academic Excellence

2. Governance; 9.15.26

3. Finance; 9.17.26

9. Unfinished Business

1. Policy Updates – Second Reading

1. 521 – Student Disability Nondiscrimination
   Updates protections and accommodation requirements for students with disabilities.
2. Policy 524 – Internet, Technology, and Cell Phone Acceptable Use and Safety
   Updates acceptable-use rules, internet filtering requirements, and safeguards related to inappropriate digitally created or altered images.
3. Policy 613 – Graduation Requirements
   Aligns graduation requirements with current Minnesota law.
4. Policy 621 – Literacy and the READ Act
   Aligns literacy screening, instruction, intervention, planning, and staff-training requirements with Minnesota’s READ Act.
5. Policy 710 – Extracurricular Transportation
   Clarifies administrative oversight, employee transportation restrictions, vehicle requirements, and allowable transportation fees for extracurricular activities.

10. New Business

1. Policy Updates – First Reading

10.1.1 Policy 709 – Student Transportation Safety
Updates school bus definitions and first-aid-kit requirements for Type III vehicles. STRIDE-specific terminology and dates must be added.

10.1.2 Policy 721 – Procurement Policy
Updates state and federal purchasing requirements and adds employee purchasing limits, emergency purchasing authority, subrecipient monitoring, and conflict-of-interest requirements. STRIDE must designate authorized positions and spending limits.

10.1.3 Policy 722 – Public Data and Data Subject Requests
Adds protections for participants in Minnesota’s Safe at Home program. STRIDE must identify accepted payment methods and designate its responsible data-practices officials.

2. Middle School Drop-In Center

Review and consider a pilot program providing middle school students with supervised before-school care, academic support, and a safe transition between elementary drop-off and the middle school’s regular opening time.

11. Announcements

1. Next Board Meeting 10.22.26

12. Adjournment