After seating new board members Steve Walters and Lisa Schultz, the Houston School Board quickly took care of the organizational part of their January 9, 2025, meeting. In a twist from most years, there were actually two nominations for board chair, Josh Norlien and Mimi Carlson. After a vote, Norlien was chosen as chairman and Carlson was then voted in as vice chair. Mark … [Read more...]
R-P School Board Holds First Meeting of 2025
The Rushford-Peterson School Board held their first meeting of the new year on the frigid evening of Monday, January 13. Chris Grindland called the meeting to order at 6 p.m. He nominated Amy Woxland to take over from himself as chairperson of the board. Other nominations were Ken Sawle as treasurer, and Matt Helgemoe as clerk. All were elected to their respective … [Read more...]
Chatfield Superintendent Urges Patrons to Attend Informational Meetings for the February Referendum
At the January 8, 2025, school board meeting, board members, David Sowinski, Katie Priebe, Josh Thompson, Tom Keefe, Jill Harstad and Mark Johnsrud were present. Also present were Superintendent Ed Harris, high school principal, Eric Nelson, elementary principal, Shane McBroom and student senate representatives Katelyn Rindels and Allia Whalen. An organizational meeting began … [Read more...]
New Chair for Lanesboro School Board
Steve Snyder took on the position of Lanesboro School Board chairman at their January 8 organizational meeting. New school board member Lucas Bergo as well as returning members Sarah Peterson and Mark Holmen were seated to begin the meeting. The following positions were filled with no discussion and unanimous votes: Steve Snyder, chairman; Mark Holmen, vice-chair; Sarah … [Read more...]
Kingsland to Hold Special Election for Proposed Referendum
Kingsland business manager Julie Schreiber kicked off the Kingsland School Board December 16 meeting with their annual Truth and Taxation presentation. “Our funding will trail inflation by about $1,364 per pupil in 2025,” Schreiber said. “It (funding) has been increasing but it has not been keeping up with inflation. In 2026 there is going to be an automatic inflationary … [Read more...]
Caledonia School Board Bids Farewell To Board Member Daniel Small
Caledonia Area Public School board members met Monday, December 16 at Caledonia Elementary School in room #162. Board member Mike Peterson called the meeting to order at 6 p.m., led with the Pledge of Allegiance, then conducted roll call. Board members present included Derek Adamson, Tim Gunn, Leigh King, Melissa Marschall, Daniel Small, Spencer Yohe and Peterson himself. … [Read more...]
R-P Sets 2024 Payable 2025 Levy
After the state mandated Truth in Taxation meeting held at the regular December 16 school board meeting, the R-P School Board certified a levy of $2,632,416; this is an 11.63% increase from the previous year. Toni Oian, Rushford-Peterson’s business manager, presented an informational spreadsheet regarding the district’s finances during the TNT meeting. Oian pointed out that … [Read more...]
Mabel-Canton School Board Chair Cristal Adkins Concludes Two Decades of Service
On December 17, 2024, Mabel-Canton School Board Chair Cristal Adkins presided over her final meeting after 20 years of service, including the last 10 years as board chair and was board chair twice before for two years. Reflecting on her tenure, Adkins said that she worked with 20 different board members and collaborated with five superintendents during her time on the board. … [Read more...]
Chatfield Board Approves Five-day School Week for School Year 2025-26
At a special board meeting held on Monday, December 16, 2024, at 6 p.m with all board members and Superintendent Harris present, the board voted to approve a five-day week for the 2025-26 school year that is very similar to the 2024-2025 calendar. Harris thanked all the patrons who attended the meetings to discuss the four-day week (4DW) and for the large response to the … [Read more...]
Spring Grove School Board Members Thanked for Service to the District
The December 16 meeting of the Spring Grove School Board marked the final meeting for outgoing board members Aaron Solum and Aric Elton. Superintendent Rachel Udstuen graciously thanked both men for their service to the district. Solum served on the board for 20 years, holding the position of chairman for 18 years, while Elton served on the board for four years. Udstuen noted … [Read more...]
Chatfield School Board Votes Against Proposed Solar Project
At the December 4, 2024, school board meeting, board members David Sowinski, Katie Priebe, Josh Thompson, Tom Keefe and Mark Johnsrud were present. Also present were Superintendent Ed Harris, high school principal, Eric Nelson; Student Activities director, Dan Schindler; and Student Senate representatives Kylie Sinn and Jorja Fishbaugher. Board member Jill Harstad was … [Read more...]
M-C Hosts Joint Board Meeting with Mabel and Canton City Councils
Members of the Mabel and Canton city councils attended a joint board meeting hosted by the Mabel-Canton Public School Board on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at the school in Mabel. The meeting has been held annually for approximately the last six years. Attendees at this year’s meeting agreed that it is a useful communication tool, is very informative, and should … [Read more...]
Money Talks as Kingsland Board Hears Audit Report
Jason Boynton of Smith Schafer presented the audit report for the district at the Kingsland School Board meeting on November 18. “Overall we have a clean opinion on the audit and there is nothing of concern to bring to the board’s attention,” Boynton said. “At the end of the fiscal year we averaged 542 students, which is down four. If you look back to 2016 there were 601 … [Read more...]
Spring Grove School Reviews Construction Timeline
Spring Grove Superintendent Rachel Udstuen reminded school board members and the public of the construction timeline at the board’s November 18 regularly scheduled meeting. Chairman Aaron Solum called the November 18 meeting of the Spring Grove School board to order at 7 p.m. Board members present included Aaron Solum, Stephanie Jaster, Kelly Rohland, Rhan Flatin, Angie … [Read more...]
College News
Graduates List Spring 2024 Bemidji State University: Noah Winrow, Rushford, BS, Psychology; Jennifer Knutson, Spring Valley, BS, Wildlife Biology and Certificate, Geography Information Science. St. Olaf College: Katie Lamm, Spring Grove, BA, Psychology University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and Barron County: Brooklyn Wallin, Caledonia, BS, Psychology; Erin Spelhaug, … [Read more...]