Minot Public School Board President Mitch Kraft presented the findings of an investigation at a special board meeting on Thursday, Aug. 28, into a complaint he received in June from a set of parents raising unspecified complaints against Superintendent Scott Faul.

Kraft said he initiated and completed an investigation into the concerns, and sent letters to the parents and Faul with his findings and determinations. Kraft indicated he did not have any recommendations to bring to the board as he is not recommending any disciplinary or corrective action.

“My investigation did not result in any determinations that Dr. Faul violated district policy or otherwise conducted himself inappropriately. I could not substantiate the allegations, and that is why I have no recommendations to bring to the board for action,” Kraft said.

Kraft said the purpose of the agenda item was to inform the board he had implemented and followed district policy, as all complaints or concerns regarding the district superintendent must be investigated by the school board president.

Head Start

Head Start Director Karen Knowles brought a request for supplemental approval to seek a grant of $70,477 for materials, supplies and equipment.

Knowles said the purpose of the grant was to fund any nutrition activities with Head Start students and families, through purchasing new kitchen equipment at the main center, as well as a greenhouse and gardening materials.

Knowles said the kitchen equipment to be replaced includes a double stacked convection oven, stove, refrigerator, dishwasher, stainless-steel soiled dish table, clean dish table with a triple sink, garbage disposal and milk cooler. All the equipment was purchased 14 years ago when the main center was rebuilt after the 2011 flood, and have required multiple repairs in the last year.

The dimensions of the greenhouse would be 8 feet by 12 feet, with four 2 feet by 8 feet raised garden beds, with three grow stations for the preschool classrooms. If the funding request is approved, the greenhouse could be delivered by the late spring or early summer.

“This Amish company builds custom greenhouses. It would have glass and planting stations. It’d be on our north lot on a concrete slab with some raised beds so our kids could plant and have the whole effect. Our preschool kids get the planting part, but they don’t get the whole process,” Knowles said. “We would also try to get some parents involved in planting and gardening.”

The board unanimously approved the motion to grant approval to pursue the grant.

Federal allocations

Elementary Assistant Superintendent Bryn Iverson presented the 2025-2026 federal funding allocations to the board and her plan for how the funds will be utilized.

Title I funds saw a decrease of $145,573 to an allocation of $2,707,409. The allocation is based upon the census poverty rates of students enrolled in schools and districts to help ensure all children meet challenging state academic standards. Title I is the largest federal program supporting both elementary and secondary education through interventionists and support staff, teaching methods and materials, and additional training and professional development for staff.

Title II funding increased $26,501 to a total of $668,660, which Iverson said was used to fund the district’s Marzano Growth and Evaluation program, leadership and curriculum training, behavior interventions support, and other school specific requests for professional development.

Title III, which is designed to benefit English learners and immigrant students, increased $1,822 to a total allocation of $12,675.

Title IV allocations are broken up into two parts. Title IV Part A is for well-rounded education, improvements to school conditions to provide safe and healthy student learning as well as the effective use of technology to improve academic achievement and digital literacy of all students. Title IV Part B focuses on community learning centers that provide academic enrichment opportunities and to implement regular academic programs.

Part A saw a slight increase for an allocation of $364,753, and Part B saw a decrease of $95,376 to an allocation of $582,000.

Iverson also explained a portion of federal funding reaches private schools in the district indirectly through the Every Student Succeeds Act via a mandate for equitable participation

Bishop Ryan Catholic School was allocated $19,814.7 of Title I funds, $31,502.70 of Title II, and $17,184.75 of Title IV. Our Redeemer’s Christian School was allocated $23,504.85 of Title II funds and $12,821.78 of Title IV funds.

Announcements

The next MPS regular board meeting, which will be covering the district’s budget, is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 11, at 5 p.m. at the Minot Area Workforce Academy. A board retreat exploring strategic planning and board governance is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 24, at a time and place to be determined.