Melissa Haahr, District Business Manager, administered the Oath of Office to Elizabeth Orness, senior at DLHS, who will serve as the student representative on the Devils Lake School Board.
The Devils Lake School Board met Monday, Sep. 15 in the Sports Center on the DLHS campus.
Following the Call to Order, Pledge of Allegiance and approval of the agenda, the newest board member, DLHS student Elizabeth Orness, DLHS senior, was sworn in and outgoing board member LeeAnn Johnston was recognized and thanked for her 14 years of service to the community.
Student Outcome Goals goal number 2 “Choice Ready” and GPM 2.2 Essential Skills were discussed/reported on. Superintendent Ned Clooten was optimistic and pleased with the progress the students were making with their goals, especially the Native American students and those recognized as economically disadvantaged students. He believes that now that the school system has filled the two-year vacant position of school counselor, that should help to improve the results of the Choice Ready and Essential Skills goals for all students.
A lengthy consent agenda included approval of regular board meetings, financial report from Aug. 2025, the payment of Bills, Final 2025-26 Budget, Certificate of Levy, Annual Compliance Reports, and “Be Legendary” Board Agenda Calendar.
Tuition Waiver – In-district was also approved, included in the approval of the consent agenda, as were the first reading of the following new policy approvals:
ACCB – Protection for Student Victims of Sexual Offenses;
ACG – Mandatory Reporter Training;
GABE – Human Trafficking and Exploitation Prevention and Awareness
Including 22 policy approvals by committee recommendation.
Under “Items for Discussion and Possible action” the board reported that there had only been one application submitted for the vacancy on the school board, Andrew Sogge. He was invited to stand, explain why he wanted to serve on the school board and answered a few questions posed by the board members. They thanked him for his interest in serving the remainder of the term vacated by Johnston. Then Board Member, Emily Foss made a motion to accept Sogge’s application. The vote was unanimous. He will take his seat at the table in October.
The board will attend the NDSBA Convention as delegates and Sogge was asked to attend, as well, since it is in the ND Century Code requiring new board members to attend. The convention is Oct. 9 and 10.
Clooten reminded everyone of the ribbon cutting ceremony at 2 p.m. on Oct. 6 and the Oct. 14 Charity Ball that will be a Trivia Quiz Competition this year at 6 p.m. in the Sports Center. He invited all groups from the community to form a team and compete for prizes and bragging rights – “It’s for a great cause!”
Next meeting date: Oct. 27, 2025 @ 5 p.m.
Immediately following regular board meeting the Notice to District Taxpayers was the topic of a brief public hearing on the Devils Lake Public Schools property tax levy. The numbers for 2024 and 2025 were compared with past years and questions were asked to clarify the meaning of taxable valuation. The present value of one mill was discussed as was the projected dollar increase of 4.25%, limited to a 3% cap increase on all levies except for Special Assessments and Sinking and Interest.
In the end Clooten explained, “We only levy the dollars we need.”
