The Kingsland School Board heard concerns over inflation and state funding at it’s annual Truth in Taxation meeting on Monday, December 19, and legal concerns over a conflict of interest regarding incoming board member Steve Tammel’s leadership position with the Kingsland Athletic Booster Club. Truth in Taxation School Business Manager Julie Schreiber gave the presentation. … [Read more...]
Spring Grove School board member Jenny Stender thanked for her service
School board member Jenny Stender received a round of applause for her five years on the board, at the December 19 Spring Grove School Board meeting. Chairman Aaron Solum called the Truth in Taxation meeting to order at 7 p.m. and returned to the regular board meeting at 7:05 p.m. The board approved the 2023 Levy of $665,415, representing a 4.43% increase ($28,205). Board … [Read more...]
Changes are made to Fillmore Central’s SAC program
Fillmore Central Superintendent Heath Olstad updated the school board on the School Aged Care, or SAC program, at their December 20 meeting. He has been working with Principal Jim Peters and Community Ed Director Angi Kaase to tweak the SAC hours due to resignations and staffing shortages. The program will be closed on snow days, but will be open for normal hours on two-hour … [Read more...]
Caledonia School Board says goodbye and thank you to three board members
By Kaitlin Longhauser Caledonia School Board members met in Caledonia Elementary School’s music room #162 on Monday, December 19, from 6-8:04 p.m. Board members present included Matt Blocker, Erin Hammell, Leigh King, Melissa Marschall, Wendy Woyczik, Daniel Small, and Spencer Yohe. The board approved the consent agenda, minutes from the November 21 regular board meeting, … [Read more...]
M-C School Board sets tax levy
Before the regular school board meeting on December 20, the Mabel-Canton School Board held the annual Truth-in-Taxation hearing at 6:01 p.m. in room #50 at the Mabel-Canton School. There were no public comments. During the regular meeting, the board unanimously voted to approve the final levy, $636,307.01 for General Fund, $26,264.07 for Community Service, and $394,095.00 … [Read more...]
R-P School levy increased by 5.13%
Rushford-Peterson’s business manager, Toni Oian, presented a PowerPoint detailing the requirements and information about R-P’s budget for the truth in taxation meeting at the R-P School Board meeting December 19. While revenues for the general, community service, and debt service remained fairly stable, the food service fund decreased by 31.64% due to the COVID funding for the … [Read more...]
Kingsland School Board hears about a van crash and proposed salad bar
By David Stoeger In an update regarding food service at the Kingsland School Board meeting on Monday, December 5, District Superintendent Scott Klavetter updated the board on a project to bring a salad bar to the Kingsland School District. Klavetter said they have ordered equipment for the new salad bar and that it will expand the ability to bring healthy choices to the … [Read more...]
Taxes high in Valley High
At the Truth in Taxation meeting held December 1, the same night as the regular December Houston School Board meeting, several property owners from Valley High attended to voice their concerns about their increased taxes. Valley High is considered its own little community consisting of about 45 homes. Around half of the residents are retired and on fixed incomes. Within the … [Read more...]
Spring Grove Schools recognize three dedicated individuals
Superintendent Rachel Udstuen announced the 2022 American Education Week Citizen Recognition Award recipients at the November Spring Grove Public Schools board meeting on November 21. Awardees are Leanne Kingsley, Roger Housker, and Jenny Stender. The meeting was called to order at 7:01 p.m. by Chairman Aaron Solum. Board members present included Chairman Solum, Stephanie … [Read more...]
Fillmore Central completes audit
At the November 22 meeting, the Fillmore Central School Board heard from Jason Boyton, audit principal for Smith Schafer. There were no compliance issues noted. The firm conducted a single audit due to federal funding over the $7,000 threshold. Average Daily Membership (AMD) for 2022 stands at 265 in grades 7-12, 265 in grades 1-6, and 51 in kindergarten and preschool. The … [Read more...]
Forecasting the future From now until the Class of 2035
Back in 2010, the Fillmore County Journal published an article sharing the projected graduating class sizes per school district in the immediate newspaper coverage area. At that time, schools were experiencing an influx of students in their preschool programs, anticipating the need for more teachers as a result of what became coined the “Baby Boomlet” of 2007. With the … [Read more...]
Rushford-Peterson audit shares good news
CPA Kali Lentz from Smith Schafer reported on the recent 2021-2022 audit to the Rushford-Peterson School Board at their regular meeting November 21. The audit showed a $150,000 increase in property tax levy from the year before with total revenue up from $11,115,285 to $11,764,540. The food service fund showed a $116,000 surplus with a balance of $222,559 at the end of the … [Read more...]
Kingsland School Board appoints Freet, plans gym roof replacement, hears audit review
By David Stoeger The Kingsland School Board had a full agenda before them at their meeting on Monday, November 21. Appointed member On the agenda was to appoint a board member for the next year due to a vacancy left by Jackie Horsman, who resigned on September 30. The goal was for the board to appoint someone to the position so that he or she could attend the Minnesota … [Read more...]
Caledonia School Board approves Art Club, but needs advisor
By Kaitlin Longhauser Caledonia School Board members met in the Caledonia Elementary School’s music room #162 on Monday, November 21, from 6-6:52 p.m. Board members present included Matt Blocker, Erin Hammell, Leigh King, Melissa Marschall, Wendy Woyczik, and Spencer Yohe. Daniel Small was absent. The board approved the consent agenda, minutes from the October 17 regular … [Read more...]
Bluff Country Collaborative hosts Career and Technical Education event
Bluff Country Collaborative (BCC) hosted a Career and Technical Education event at the Caledonia High school on Thursday, September 22 and invited several area BBC partner schools to participate including Caledonia, Spring Grove, Houston, Rushford-Peterson and Fillmore Central. Approximately 500 students attended the event. Area businesses and colleges were invited to provide … [Read more...]