May 28, 2026 Regular Board Meeting Minutes

The Bismarck School Board met on May 28, 2026, in the Tom Baker Room of the City/County Office Building.
President Hager called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. President Hager requested that Dr. Darin Scherr, Business and Operations Manager, call the roll .
Members present: Josh Hager, Jon Lee, Amanda Peterson, and Donnell Preskey.
Member absent: Dan Eastgate
Superintendent Fastnacht led the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.
President Hager asked for any additions, deletions, or changes to the Agenda . It was moved by Ms. Preskey and seconded by Mrs. Peterson to adopt the agenda as presented. Upon roll call vote, Lee, Peterson, Preskey, and Hager voted aye. Motion carried.
For the first Focus on Success, Courtney Crane introduced Sheila Peterson, Wachter Middle School, and Jake Leingang, Legacy High School, to highlight the Peer-to-Peer Program and inclusive sports. The presenters detailed the program's origins, rapid growth, and future direction. Sara Bohrer, Century High School, was mentioned as a valuable addition to this program.
The second Focus on Success showcased the Bismarck Public Schools Foundation scholarship recipients. Tahlia Nygaard, Foundation Development Director, and Stacey Lang, Foundation Board President, presented 47 BPS Foundation scholarships to 28 seniors totaling $73,000.
President Hager announced the time for public appearances. There was no public comment.
Adam Christ, Student Support Services, presented the OE-10 Learning Environment monitoring report. It was moved by Mrs. Peterson and seconded by Ms. Preskey to accept the monitoring report for Policy OE-10 Learning Environment as In Compliance. Upon roll call vote, Lee, Peterson, Preskey, and Hager voted aye. Motion carried.
The Board reviewed Board/Superintendent Relationship Policy B/SR-4 Authority of the Superintendent . Ms. Preskey moved to retain B/SR-4 Authority of the Superintendent as presented, seconded by Mrs. Peterson. Upon roll call vote, Peterson, Preskey, Lee, and Hager voted aye. Motion carried.
Ms. Preskey moved to determine the Board as In Compliance with B/SR-4 Authority of the Superintendent , seconded by Mr. Lee. Upon roll call vote, Preskey, Lee, Peterson, and Hager voted aye. Motion carried.
There were no reports on school visits.
It was moved by Mr. Lee and seconded by Mrs. Peterson to approve the following items on the Consent Agenda: the minutes of the May 11, 2026, regular Board meeting; new contracts; resignations; LHS instructional time waiver; custodial product RFB; custodial equipment bid; and FGA-E8 – Parties Approved to Receive Student Data. Upon roll call vote, Lee, Peterson, Preskey, and Hager voted aye. Motion carried.
Superintendent Fastnacht informed the Board about changes with milk distribution, data breaches and policy change with FGA-E8 – Parties Approved to Receive Student Data, and provided a bond update.
Dr. Scherr presented the financial report.
At 6:37 p.m., Mrs. Peterson made a motion for the Board to enter into executive session pursuant to North Dakota Century Code Section 44-04-19.1(9), for the purpose of discussing negotiating strategy and providing negotiating instructions to administration regarding a potential property acquisition, seconded by Ms. Preskey. Upon roll call vote, Lee, Peterson, Preskey, and Hager voted aye. Motion carried.
At 6:38 p.m., Mr. Eastgate joined the executive session via telephone call.
Individuals attending the Executive Session include Josh Hager, Dan Eastgate, Jon Lee, Amanda Peterson, Dr. Jeff Fastnacht, Dr. Ben Johnson, Brad Barnhardt, and Dr. Darin Scherr.
At 7:01 p.m., President Hager announced that the board is now returning to open session. No formal action was taken during executive session, which was held pursuant to North Dakota Century Code Section 44-04-19.1(9) for the purpose of discussing negotiating strategy and providing negotiating instructions to administration regarding a potential property acquisition.
There being no further business to come before the Board, President Hager adjourned the meeting at 7:02 p.m.
President – Josh Hager
Business and Operations Manager – Dr. Darin M. Scherr, P.E.

6/13 - COL-ND-3435