Caledonia Public School’s board members met Monday, November 17 at Caledonia Elementary School in room #162. The board held a short informational meeting at 5 p.m., about the flexible learning year renewal starting 2026-2027. Board member Peterson then called the regular school board meeting to order at 5:38 p.m. All board members were present as well as both principals and Superintendent Craig Ihrke.
The board unanimously approved the agenda and graciously accepted the monetary donation from ISD #299 for mini grants. The Consent Agenda was also approved.
The following resignations were accepted: Mason Staggemeyer as junior high baseball coach, Hayden Arians as CAPS Care teacher, and Lakin Benzing as CAPS Care teacher. One new hire received approval – Renee Goetzinger as junior class advisor.
An agreement by and between ISD #299 and the city of Caledonia for normal consideration persuant to Minnesota Statutes 465.035 was approved. Superintendent Ihrke clarified that this is for the strip of land allowing Warrior Avenue to extend to Highway 76 as part of a detour during the roundabout construction.
Middle and high school principal, Nathan Boler gave a shoutout to students who put on the school’s musical performance of “The Little Mermaid.” “They do such an amazing job from costumes to everything else,” he praised. The eighth grade class visited Eitzen’s senior dining as part of the district’s strategic plan. Adamson added his own grandmother and her friends in Eitzen enjoyed the kids visiting. A local food drive will also be held.
Elementary Principal John Wahlstrom shared that the elementary school is also holding a local food drive where donations will go to the local food shelf. Elementary students had the opportunity to see the musical performance at the high school. The fifth graders put on a special Veterans Day program where students interviewed veterans and engaged with history. Wahlstrom stated, “History is really, really cool, especially when it’s tied to your local area!”
Community Education Director Gretchen Juan informed that March’s round of early childhood screening is being planned along with the preschool registration for January 2026, and the ACT in March 2026.
The board listened to a presentation by Shelby Mcquay from Ehlers, Kevin Bills from ISG, and John Huenink from Kraus Anderson about potential building projects.
Bills said the focus is to go through each potential project and put potential cost figures to such. The first building projects discussed were for the middle school and high school. The CTE room with hypothetical additions and renovations would cost roughly $4.4 million. A storm shelter addition and off-hours access to the fitness room would cost roughly $5.6 million. The addition of restrooms, one gymnasium station, and a separate entry for off-hours access for the school’s gymnasium runs $4.9 million. Huenink shared additional potential projects that include roofing at $5.9 million, deferred maintenance at $5.1 million, security entrance improvements, $320,000; lockers, $285,000; storage building, $854,000; common flooring, $320,000; and a press box for $349,000. Huenink explained these figures were generated from a model logistics system that assists in estimating calculations. These figures are to provide a vague idea of costs, not the actual set in stone cost.
Bills then discussed potential projects for the elementary school building. Additional parking and restroom remodeling are potential projects. The estimated restroom remodel would cost roughly $500,000, which includes one set on the first floor and two sets on the second floor. The restrooms would contain new fixtures, finishes, and ADA accessibility. Other potential projects mentioned included childcare room reconfiguration, $673,000; office/secure entry configure, $480,000; and south parking expansion, $712,000. Huenink added that additional potential projects included roofing estimated at $368,000, deferred maintenance at $2.2 million, and rooftop/HVAC equipment at $1.2 million. These figures are vague estimates.
These projects will get critiqued and prioritized; eventually projects will get refined to where they fit the district’s needs.
The board thanked Mcquay, Bills, and Huenink for their time then reviewed school policies and board member reports.
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