I.  Opening Devotion

Chairman Behnke called the Federation Meeting to order at 9:04 am. Pastor Hacker shared a devotion on Luke 21:5-19.

 

In anticipation of Chairman Behnke needing to leave to coach basketball, the meeting’s order changed so that Chairman Behnke could be here for certain parts of the meeting. The following minutes reflect the changes that were made.

 

Motion made and seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carries.

 

 II.  Minutes (cf. previously submitted minutes)

A.  Aug 9 , 2025 - Quarterly Federation Meeting Minutes

 

Motion made and seconded to approve the August minutes. Motion carries.

 

III.  Reports -- Questions, Highlights, Discussion (cf. previously submitted reports)

 

A.  Chairman – Mike Behnke

Chairman Behnke shared his report with the Federation. It was clarified that the call to Mr. Wieting is already a Full-time Call. The call he has received from MLHS is to make his call permanent.

 

B.  Admissions – Jeremy Fischer

Mr. Fischer was not able to attend the meeting. Chairman Behnke gave the report for the Admissions committee.

 

C.  President – Ps. Jason Hacker

Pastor Hacker gave his President’s report.

As part of his report, Pastor Hacker shared updates regarding changes to the Parent Choice program in Wisconsin that will affect MLHS and possibly Lakeshore Lutheran schools. One highlight is that we will be able to choose our own enrollment window that may work best for our school. While acknowledging the concerns that come from having increased enrollment he emphasized as well the opportunities that we have with this blessing.

 

D.  Finances - Pastor Steven Wall

            1.   Profit and Loss 

            2.   Balance Sheet 

Pastor Wall shared the Financial Report and the proposed budget (c.f. Action Items pt. V. A. “Operating Budget for 2026-2027”).

 

A question was asked regarding Synod Guidelines for Called Worker compensation and where MLHS currently is set. It was shared that in recent years there has been active work to be at Synod Code for compensation. The area that we continue to fall short is housing allowance.

 

Motion was made and seconded to accept the budget as presented. Motion carries to approve the Operating Budget for 2026-2027.

 

Chairman Behnke excused from the meeting. Vice-Chair Menges led the remainder of the meeting.

 

E.  Education – Frederick Zimmerman III

Mr. Frederick Zimmerman III regaled the Federation with the report from the Education Committee.

Mr. Ulhorn shared the mindset behind the two calls that we will extend for the PLTW and Spanish sections.

 

F.  Building and Grounds – Mark Mueller

Mr. Mueller shared the Building and Grounds report.

 

1.  Master Site Planning – Jerry Haupt

Mr. Haupt gave the Master Site report. He reassured the Federation that the committee continues to meet regularly to discuss a number of things. (All of these are noted in the report.)

 

G.  Student/Staff Services - Tim Lukasek

Mr. Lukasek gave highlights from the Student/Staff Services report.

 

H.  Mission Advancement - Nathan Brooks

Mr. Brooks presented highlights from Mission Advancement.

 

I.  Transportation Report – Matt Menges

Mr. Matt Menges gave the transportation report. He updated the report that the two southern routes have been consolidated since he initially submitted the report. Mr. Holper is sure that next year we will be back to having three routes. Plans are in place to make sure to use the third van so that it does not just sit for the next year.

 

Motion made and seconded to approve the reports. Motion carries.

 

 IV.  Updates from Previous Meetings

 

  V.  Action Items

A.  Operating Budget for 2026-2027

This was addressed during the Financial Report.

 

B.  Vote on Housing Cap $325,000

Motion made and accepted to approve the Housing Cap at $325,000. Motion carries.

 

 VI.  Adjournment/Closing Prayer

 

Motion made and seconded to adjourn the meeting. Motion carries. Meeting adjourned at 10:13.

Pastor Hacker shared with the Federation that there will be a Call Meeting taking place immediately following the Federation meeting. As with all Call Meetings, the delegates were invited to attend.

Pastor Hacker closed the meeting with prayer.

 

VII.  Upcoming Dates:

Next Meeting -- Saturday, February 14, 2026

 

Closing Prayer

 

By 2026, Manitowoc Lutheran High School will continue to use the gifts God gives his people to serve as a light in the Manitowoc area, to model the ministry of an area Lutheran high school and be a trusted program that reaches out to prospective families at home and abroad.