Rushford-Peterson School Board Thanked

September is School Board Recognition Month in Minnesota, and Rushford-Peterson Schools’ staff and students made a point to recognize their board at the regular board meeting September 21. The theme this year was “Minnesota School Boards Help Minnesota Kids Rise.”

Students created a poster thanking the board and a basket of sweet treats greeted the board as they entered the meeting. In addition they were treated to a video full of students and staff thanking them personally for all they do for the school.

The board had no old business and only two items in new business. One item was the proposed levy certification for the coming year. The levy rate was set at the maximum; this can be reduced later in the year, but can not be increased. The estimated 2026 pay 2027 levy was set at $2,791,201; this is a total increase of $55,740, which is a 2% overall increase. The levy was approved with no further discussion.

The first reading of 11 policies was adopted. These policies had no real substantial changes, but only either clerical or changes mandated by the passage of a state law.

Reports

Superintendent Dr. Ben Bernard reported that the enrollment has remained stable from the beginning of the school year; it is down 34 students from last June. Bernard shared that they had a “very good start to the year” with great student enthusiasm and attitudes.

According to Bernard, options to pay tickets and concession purchases will be added to the new Bound app. This will allow for online ticket advanced purchases. Other options will include cash and credit (card and phone pay). There will be additional fees charged for options other than cash.

Bernard shared that the new website landing page is working well, but there are some issues with broken links that are still being addressed. Megan Boyum has redesigned the employment website layout to make the information more accessible.

The recent roof leaks were discussed. During the recent heavy rains, air handlers had brought in rain. Bernard assured the board that staff was remaining on top of the issues.

Elementary Principal Angela Shepard shared details of the beginning of the school year in her report to the board and included many pictures of students enjoying school.

Bernard emphasized the work the social/emotional team will be doing the next few months at the elementary. The poster entitled “Better Together, Be A Good Human Being” gave their focuses for the fall.

MSHS Principal Brent Olson shared details of the direct admission some colleges have been offering for the last three years. With this, students don’t have to apply to colleges, rather the colleges send out information. Students select the colleges they are interested in and those colleges send more information. The University of Minnesota does not participate in this. Only one R-P student opted out of receiving the information since they had already chosen their college. A benefit of this admission is that students don’t need to fill out applications or pay fees to apply.

Luther College is trying preferred admissions this year. Students need to opt in to use it. They then have the ability to see their possible financial aid package.

Olson informed the board that JMC now has the multiple language option; JMC will automatically translate documents shared with parents to their preferred language.

This year the MSHS band and choir concerts will be held December 14. The evening will begin with a combined middle school band and choir concert followed by an intermission and the high school band and choir.

Activities Director Jeff Cole reported that he had taken students to the Three Rivers Leadership Conference and had been impressed by the R-P students, “They really stood out!”

Cole had recently attended the Region 1 meeting which was held virtually. He also attended the High School League Conference and told the board about the possibility of flag football moving into a more active league.

Cole informed the board that visitors to R-P recently had appreciated that the cash option was still offered at R-P for tickets and concessions. Some schools no longer accept cash at all, which has caused problems for students visiting those schools. He felt strongly that it was important to keep the cash option at R-P, but pointed out that region events will be completely cashless beginning this year.