The bulk of the July 20, 2026, school board meeting in Caledonia was spent in two closed sessions with all board members present, except for the student who is off for the summer.
After reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, conducting roll call and approving the agenda, the board heard from Caledonia resident Mark Augedahl during public comments. Augedahl talked about what things were like when he made mistakes in high school and stressed there “was always a conversation” and parents were notified. He spoke for several minutes about an undisclosed incident and ended with a short prayer.
Board Chair Mike Peterson then announced there would be two closed sessions. The first consisted of the board, Superintendent Craig Ihrke and High/Middle School Principal Nathan Boler to discuss the findings of an investigation. The second would include “Mr. Murphy and the people involved can say their piece,” Peterson added before starting the first closed session at 5:39 p.m. [Ihrke later clarified to the Fillmore County Journal that Mike Murphy is a local attorney involved in the case.]
The board meeting was reconvened around 6:45 p.m. Peterson then did a vote by roll call for a resolution relating to act on the recommendation of the independent hearing officer. The resolution was carried 5-2 with board members Julie Augedahl and Leigh King voting against it.
During Warrior Pride, a donation was accepted towards the purchase of an iron worker, which was followed by the Board Showcase where Ihrke highlighted a “positive review” from the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) to move forward with a proposed construction project.
The consent agenda was approved, which included contracts, staff changes and the approvals of both a 10-year facility maintenance plan and a cooperative agreement for athletics with Spring Grove for the next school year.
District to Ask Voters for Facility Funding Support in November
During the July 20 meeting, Ihrke clarified for the second question that they had shaved off $1.5 million from an earlier survey sent out by switching to renovating the current space. If both questions are approved by voters in November, the amount not to be exceeded is $12.7 million.
The first is for $9.7 million to “address the most critical facility needs.” The second question is contingent upon the first being approved and would add $3 million with funds for to “repurpose space in the high school to expand the Career and Technical Education space, often referred to as the ‘shop.’” The district plans to host informational meetings this fall with tours of the proposed upgrades.
Other Actions and Reports
An annual agreement was approved for school crossing guards, and an annual designation of Ihrke as the Official with Authority for an MDE system. The fall sports coaching and co-curriculum coaching contracts were approved.
Administrative reports were brief. Boler said that all certified staff positions are filled, but multiple paraprofessionals are needed for middle school and high school. Elementary Principal John Wahlstrom was also seeking paraprofessionals. Ihrke is working on the fall newsletter and said the fall workshop will start on August 17. He also highlighted a new online system for appointments. Peterson said the board will review the strategic plan updates at the August meeting.
Under New Business, Peterson said (1) the School Board candidate filing period for the General Election ends on Tuesday, July 28, 2026; and (2) there will be policies to review at the August meeting with approvals in September.
There were no board member reports, and the meeting adjourned at 6:56 p.m.
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