Caledonia Area Public School’s board members met Monday, March 16 at Caledonia Elementary School. Board member Mike Peterson called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m., led with the Pledge of Allegiance, then conducted roll call. Board members present included Peterson, Julie Augedahl, Leigh King and Melissa Marschall. Derek Adamson and Chad Harms were absent. District employees present included Superintendent Craig Ihrke and principals Nathan Boler and John Wahlstrom. Community Education Director Gretchen Juan was absent.
The Agenda received unanimous approval. Peterson recognized Whitney Steele, who will replace former board member Spencer Yohe on the school board.
The board graciously accepted the following monetary donations from Midwest Machinery Co., Caledonia Haulers, Inc., Hammell Equipment-Eitzen, Inc., and Winona Controls, Inc., all towards the purchase of an iron worker. In addition, a monetary donation from The Rotary Works Foundation for the seventh grade class trip to Eagle Bluff.
The Consent Agenda received a last minute addition, to accept the resignation of Brandon Jones as facilities specialist.
The board approved the following:
- Resignation/retirement of Mitch Mullins and Beth McDonald as classroom teachers;
- Resignation of Meagan Sager as elementary special education teacher, Scott Sorenson as head girls basketball coach, Rachel Staggemeyer as junior high volleyball coach, and Jones;
- The hiring of Kayla Lipsey as assistant boys and girls track coach.
In a 4-0 vote, the board approved Steele to fill the school board vacancy and serve until a successor is elected and qualified. Steele’s appointment will be effective 30 days after the passed resolution.
The following programs/positions were approved to be discontinued: the 0.6568 FTE middle and high school Ag teacher and 0.4862 FTE middle and high school choir teacher.
Liza Bruce has been employed as a probationary special education teacher with the district; her contract will not be renewed after the current school year. Superintendent Ihrke added that this is not due to any performance issue, but by law the district needs to repost the position since Bruce does not have the right licensure.
Boys and girls golf has seen an increase in numbers, as a result, Activities Director Sorenson, requested an assistant coaching position for the 2025-2026 school year. There are 16 boys and 13 girls participating in golf. Ihrke added that last time they were waiting on numbers, and now he recommended the approval of an assistant coach. Board member King moved, seconded by Augedahl, to approve such. Motion carried.
Middle and High School Principal Boler, presented his administrative report. He shared next year’s schedule is being worked on, with things changing constantly. For instance, he explained that over 40 students signed up for college World History. There is focus on the Read Act with staff receiving training for the data. Boler informed that MCA (Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment) testing is approaching and ‘It will be here before we know it.”
Elementary Principal Wahlstrom said MCA testing is approaching for the elementary school too, with the science testing already completed. He noted the biggest thing is making plans for the following school year for staffing, especially in that there will be three sections of fourth grade. He acknowledged elementary teachers, Mullins and McDonald, stating both put in a lot of years at the school and that they are phenomenal teachers. He ended his report noting Kindergarten Roundup is being held next week.
New Business
Sue Peterson from ISG updated the board about the school facility planning results from a public survey sent out. She explained that 3,065 postcards were sent out to the community, with a press release and social media. There was a 35% response rate, 1,076 responses. Responses were broken down by age ranges with focus being on the older respondents age 56-plus. Of the responses, 12% were district staff with 88% being community members. More than half of the respondents, 57%, had school age children. Peterson added that 54% of respondents resided in the Caledonia municipality while 10% resided in the township.
Peterson shared what facilities related questions were asked in the survey, where the most identified critical needs were, and identified key pieces. Based on the survey, she informed that the expansion and update of the CTE shop received a lot of public approval while the addition of a new gymnasium at the middle and high school and the expansion/update of the weight room received less support.
Peterson from ISG ended with stating the goal for that night was to provide data and how to analyze said data.
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