Prior to the regular meeting on March 11, the school board had a special board meeting to look at the budget and multi-year financial update. Superintendent Harris stated that the district is currently operating in a budget environment shaped by several significant factors. The primary drivers include declining student enrolment, accelerated inflationary cost increases since the pandemic, increased participation in Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) and new state mandates that introduce additional ongoing expenses. The district has been strategically reducing costs over a five year period to align expenditures with projected revenue levels resulting from lower enrollment. The district has used portions of its fund balance each year to offset annual deficits to allow more gradual reductions from one year to the next and to delay asking voters to approve an increase in the districts operating levy referendum. Harris is recommending a budget cut of $550,000 for the next two years to downsize the budget to the point where an operating levy has the desired stabilizing effect. For the April board meeting, he will develop a list of specific budget reductions for the board to consider. He then gave the board four fund balance projection scenarios which could change if the bill currently in the legislature would increase Local Option Revenue by $200,000 per year. He stated that the district will be asking more from its people to be more efficient, yet want them to like to come to work and to minimize the impact on the students. He then brought up the consideration of a 2027 operating levy election, because there will be a bond refunding opportunity next winter that could offset some of the tax impact if a 2027 operating levy is necessary.
After the first meeting the board reconvened with all board members present except Mark Johnsrud. Also present were Superintendent Ed Harris, elementary principal, Shane McBroom and high school principal, Eric Nelson and student senate representatives Grace Finley and Hannah Tweten.
District Patron Time
Kristie Kayfes, a mother of two high school students, brought up the fact that there is a credit recognition disparity between CIS (College in the Schools) and PSEO courses. When a student takes a PSEO class they receive more credit than a CIS class. She explained the disparity and asked the board to have a committee look at the issue to possibly resolve this.
Mike Sogla then asked the board to accept the donation of the veterans’ memorial as he feels this is something the community needs. Referring to veterans who still feel the effects of their service to the country, he thinks this would be a fitting tribute.
Reports
Student senate representative Grace Finley and Hannah Tweten reported that the Snowball Dance was a success and everyone had fun. The next project is a March Madness event that will have prizes for the winners.
At the elementary, the students are currently gathering donations that will go towards tattoos for teachers. This is part of the Read Deed Move initiative program and all proceeds will support The Landing, a day program for unhoused people. The 10th annual book swap was a success. Each year students bring in their used books and shop for new “used” books. Principal McBroom thanked Kristie Kayfes for her efforts in putting this on. I Love Math Week, headed by Mrs. Meyer, is in full swing this week with many activities and dress-up days to emphasize the students’ work in math. Kindergarten Round-up is scheduled for April 1 and all families of kindergarten aged children have been sent registration information.
High school principal, Eric Nelson congratulated the wrestling teams for their successes at the State Wrestling Tournament. The Gophers were well represented, sending 12 individuals and placing second in the men’s team wrestling. Logan Pearson and Jamison Priebe both won state titles.
Superintendent Harris referred to the previous meeting, restating the need for $500,000-$600,000 reductions in the next two years. The renewal of the food service contract with Taher is being discussed internally and may not be renewed. He extended a big thank you to the Chatfield Education Foundation, Booster Club and the Chatfield American Legion for their donations that reduced the cost of the eighth Grade Washington D.C. trip by $638.30 per student.
Consent Agenda
Under the consent agenda the following items were approved.
- The meeting minutes from February 11, 2026.
- Annual overnight field trips: Art Club-Chicago; fifth grade – Eagle Bluff; eighth grade- Washington, D.C.; 2026 Senior Class Trip – Florida
- Job posting for part-time SpEd para
- New hires: Makenzie Schad, child care assistant; Roy Kratt, seventh grade baseball coach; Sandra Seha, ECSE para; Cooper Halloran, Valleyland assistant
Action Items
The veterans’ memorial donation to the school was again brought before the board. This would a memorial honoring all veterans and be placed below the football field and by the small parking lot. Gary Eisenman thanked the board for their support of this project that is sponsored by the Chatfield American Legion and the Chatfield VFW. Board members had some concern about maintenance but all were supportive and voted to accept the donation.
Eric Nelson presented the board with a revised calendar recommendation for the 2026-2027 school year. The recommendation for the change originated with the high school leadership team and has been vetted by administration and leaders of the calendar groups from both buildings. Because state high school tournaments are earlier than usual and the end of trimester 2 comes at the same time, the changes would not change the number of days in the trimester. These changes would also create a potential five day weekend in March with no school on March 3-5. After much discussion, the board approved the change with a vote of 3-2, with Harstad and Thompson voting against the change.
The board voted to approve the Achievement and Integration plan presented by Nelson. Chatfield receives dollars from the State for efforts to increase student achievement and promote integration efforts with Rochester Public Schools. The school receives approximately $36,000 that supports intervention services and salaries for professional development days.
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