At the May 19 Fillmore Central School Board meeting, Megan Persons and Kari Thomas addressed the board about a non-profit called Fillmore Central Education Foundation that they are in the process of getting up and running. They are currently working with Corson Law Office to establish the non-profit. The foundation would work to strengthen the connection between families, educators, and the community by providing financial and programmatic support to the daycare and district. Their current goal is to kick off the foundation with a back-to-school event later this year. They have several other fundraising ideas lined up, have applied for a grant from POET, and are planning to reach out to the Preston and Harmony Area Community Foundations for funding as well. “We’re hopeful that we can get this to take off and get support,” Persons commented, adding that they are basing it off a similar non-profit in Chatfield that is doing well.
Superintendent Heath Olstad reported that both the elementary and high school have been very busy lately with end-of-year events, field trips, concerts, plays, and more. At the Senior Awards Night, around $80,000 was given to the seniors. Fillmore County Soil & Water provided trees for the fifth graders to plant again this year. The elementary fundraiser was a big success and raised money for field trips and other special projects at the school. Strength and Agility starts on June 2 with over 100 students registered. The daycare has received a grant from the Preston Area Community Foundation to add a room so it can expand.
Resignations were accepted from Amanda Jansen for JV softball, Jeanette Burns as elementary yearbook coordinator, and Kelsey Biel as TNT advisor. Summer hours for FFA responsibilities for Kayla Koch and Kelsey Biel were approved as were hours for summer band for Emily Hahn Larson. Jessica Bradt and Cari Ledin were approved as Kindercamp teachers, Mindy Wolfgram and Deb Ebner as assistants, and Grace Schwichtenberg and Kaelyn Peters as ESY support staff. Cassie Keene was approved as the seventh and eighth grade volleyball coach and Amanda Thomas as the volunteer coach. Contracts with Melissa Simonson as the mental health therapist, Samuel Barfield as director of maintenance, Kayla Carroll as elementary office staff, Melanie Olstad as the guidance office/testing coordinator, and Brenda Ristau as high school office staff were approved.
The prices for adult breakfasts and lunches for this summer were approved at the same rate as last year with $4 for breakfast and $6 for lunch.
The board approved a quote from Game One to replace the padding in the elementary stage gym as well as a quote from La Crosse Glass to replace door #13 at the high school, and another from Yoder Construction to repair soffit on the north side of the elementary building.
The 2026-27 contract with Tonns of Fun for occupational therapy services was approved along with a contract with Hiawatha Valley Education District for audiology services. Special education contracts with SMEC for deaf and hard of hearing services, a physical therapist, and vision impaired/orientation mobility services for the 2026-27 school year were approved. A contract with eLuma was also approved for a psychologist and speech language pathologist via telehealth.
The student activity fees for the 2026-27 school year were approved at the same rates except for the band fee which was set at $20 for grades 5-12. The cost is separate from rental fees and will cover reeds, valve oil, lesson books, etc. The elementary supply fee will remain at $25 for preschool through 6th grade.
A motion to accept the 2026-27 advisor list was passed. The district’s annual contract with IEA was approved as was the annual membership into MSHSL. The commercial lease with the city of Harmony for the use of an area in the Harmony Community Center was approved for the next school year. Several open enrollment requests were approved.
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