2025-2026 MNCS Board of Directors Members
Chair - Adam Specht
K-12 Parent Member
7/2023-6/2026 (1st Term)
Vice Chair - Jean Ische
K-12 Parent Member
7/2024-6/2027 (2nd Term)
Treasurer - Nick Ryan
7-12 Teacher Member
File Folder #436122
1/2025-6/2026 (1st term)
Clerk - Jen Smisek
7-12 Teacher Member
File Folder #1021543
7/2025-7/2027 (1st Term)
Director - Paul Jaeger
7-12 Teacher Member File Folder #435500
4/2025-6/2027 (1st term)
Director - Layne Sherwood
Community Member
7/2025-6/2028 (1st Term)
Director - Madison Kilmer
K-6 Parent Member
7/2025-6/2028 (1st Term)
Director - Kelsie Kluender
7-12 Teacher Member File Folder #478045
6/2025-6/2028 (1st term)
Human Rights Officer - Jane Hibscher
non-board member
appointed by the board to conduct HRO actions and report back to the board as necessary
MNCS Board of Directors: Meeting Dates, Time & Location:
MNCS School Board of Directors holds regular meetings every 3rd Monday* at 5:30pm at the MNCS High School at 210 Main Street in Henderson, MN.
These meetings are open to the public.
* There are some Mondays on which meetings cannot be held due to government holidays/events. During these months the meeting will be held on the following Tuesday at 5:30 pm.
Other MNCS Board of Directors Information & Links
2024-2025 MNCS School Board of Directors Meeting Dates
July 21, 2025 - Organizational Meeting for 2025-2026
2025-2026 MNCS School Board of Directors Meeting Dates
July 21,2025
August 18, 2025
September 15, 2025
October 20, 2025
November 17, 2025
December 15, 2025
January 20, 2026*
February 17, 2026*
March 16, 2026
April 20, 2026
May 18, 2026
June 15, 2026
July 20, 2026 - Organizational Meeting for 2026-2027
2025-2026 Governance Committee Meeting Dates
September 22, 2025
October 27, 2025
November 24, 2025
January 26, 2026
April 27, 2026
July 27, 2026
MNCS is authorized by:
MNCS information on IQS website
IQS is a leader in authorizing innovative Minnesota charter schools, both in Minneapolis / St. Paul and greater Minnesota. We’ve been authorizing schools since 2010, and today authorize over 30 charter schools.
Contact information for IQS:
Laurie Schroeder -- Managing Partner of the Leadership Team
Heather Ross -- Associate Partner of the Leadership Team
Phone -- 651-234-0900
IQS Address -- P.O. Box 580, Hutchinson, MN 55350
MNCS facilities are owned and operated by Community Capital Inc. (CCI):
CCI's Purpose: To purchase, renovate, and operate properties for Minnesota New Country School, which serves approximately 242 students.
Contacts and further information about CCI can be found here