On February 18, 2026 the Osakis School Board met for its regular meeting.
The School Board Certified the results of the February 10, 2026 Building Bond Referendum.
Yes - 558
No - 525
Board Chair Michael Collins said "Exciting election result...we appreciate the support from the community and we will look forward to how that's going to impact our students and community in the future."
Superintendent Justin Dahlheimer commented on the election process, " By law, the school district has to run their elections when they are special elections...we don't get any help other than training from the County." He noted that he was "Really thankful for our election judges, they are experienced as we have unfortunately been through this before, and this was the same process as before."
The next steps, post-referendum were outlined:
The Board will be reviewing information on the design process and bond sale in the coming weeks at a work session to be scheduled in the near future.
Superintendent Justin Dahlheimer gave notice of his desire to not renew his contract, the contract expires on 6/30/2026.
The School Board approved a proposal to hire BetterU Solutions, with representatives Wade McKittrick and Doug Froke in attendance, to handle the search process for the next Superintendent. BetterU Solutions gave a presentations on their process and the next steps. There will be a Special Board Meeting on Wednesday, February 25th at 5:30pm to develop the hiring process for the next Superintendent.
The School Board heard reports from the activities director, elementary principal, and high school principal.
The School Board celebrated the 17% increase in the honor roll by crediting the decision to adopt a device policy that removed cellphones during the school day.
School Principal Brad Hoffarth said: "We had 49% of our students qualify for the honor roll, a 7% increase over last year at this time. Which I would say a big part of that is the electronic device policy--we are seeing it pay back for what we are here for, which is academics."
Board member Trish Mages echoed this sentiment as she asked her daughter about the 1st quarter increase in the honor roll: "My daughter said I guaranty you it is because we cannot have phones in class, it's so much better."
Mr Hoffarth also noted that "The honor roll does include PSEO students...they have semester grades...we do not get quarter grades on them."
In other business, the School Board approved a pending design of a Billboard to celebrate the School's achievements, viewed from the Eastbound direction on Interstate 94. The Billboard is maintained and leased by the City of Osakis; the Osakis Chamber of Commerce and Rose City Canopy donated funds/labor to install the School's design. Future changes to the Billboard would be the responsibility of the School.
The next regular school board meeting will be held on March 18, 2026 at 5:30pm.