Pelican Rapids board approves two‑year bus contract, hires, and two policy second readings

The Pelican Rapids Public Schools Board of Education approved a two‑year transportation contract and a slate of personnel and policy actions at its May meeting.

In a motion that carried by voice vote, the board accepted a Christiansen Bus Company contract that includes a 4% rate increase for the 2024–25 school year and a further 4% increase for 2025–26. Treasurer Mark Davis summarized the negotiated terms and said the district and the finance committee favored two‑year cycles to provide stability for both the district and the contractor. Davis also said the contract adds an early‑childhood midday busing route, billed at $100 for in‑town routes, in response to parent feedback about midday drop‑offs and pickups.

Why it matters: the change aims to preserve midday transportation for early‑childhood families after the dissolution of a prior Lakes Country Service contract and to limit year‑to‑year price volatility for district budgeting.

The board also approved routine consent items including multiple personnel actions and donations. The consent agenda listed resignations (for example, a prom advisor and a choir teacher) and recommended hires including Jason Beamer (evening custodian), Tara Fitzsimmons (Pre‑K/ECFE coordinator), Megan King (Pre‑K/ECFE educator), Eric Lindbergh (elementary teacher) and Parker Severson (elementary teacher). The board accepted scholarship and student‑account donations detailed in the consent packet.

In other formal business the board adopted second readings of Policy 506 (student discipline) and Policy 806 (crisis management). Each policy passed on the recorded voice vote with no extended discussion on the floor.

The meeting packet and Superintendent27s or treasurer27s reports provided the underlying documentation for the hires, contract and policies; the board approved the items during the meeting and adjourned after setting the June regular meeting for June 12 at 7 a.m.

Sources: statements read into the record and motions recorded on the Pelican Rapids Public Schools board transcript. Quotes in this story are from Treasurer Mark Davis and meeting announcements attributed to the presiding chair.