At the February 11, 2026 meeting school board meeting, board members David Sovinski, Josh Thompson, Tom Keefe, Jill Harstad and Mark Johnsrud were present. Katie Priebe was absent. Also present were Superintendent Ed Harris, elementary principal, Shane McBroom; Dan Schindler, activities director; and student senate representatives Jorja Fishbaugher and Kyla McCabe.
Reports
Kyla McCabe reported that the student senate had just ended its sale for Bundtlet cakes and will be delivering them on Friday for Valentine’s Day. Jorja Fishbaugher said they are bringing back the Snowball Dance which will be held on March 6.
Dan Schindler, activities director, gave his quarterly report and said there were many successes for a small town. He reported lots of changes in scheduling due to lack of officials and high school league changes. Finding solutions for practice space is a big issue but they, so far, have been able to manage that.
Under school board reports, Dave Keefe stated that the newly renovated HVED space is finished and that classes are being held there with a few things yet to be completed.
According to principal McBroom, Read from the Heart Week is full swing with dress up days for each day. The READ DEED MOVE program was in action last month with an activity to give back. Students made blankets to be donated to the Hugs for Hunter Foundation and were featured on KTTC. (Link to segment-Chatfield Elementary students performing good deeds for the community.) The elementary will have a new DARE officer this year for 6th graders. Fillmore County Deputy Logan Brand will be leading the program this year.
Eric Nelson was not present for his high school report but submitted a written report that indicated that the high school was informed by the Olmsted County Public Health on Monday that there was a single pulmonary tuberculosis case in their school community. They also provided excellent information about the illness that the school was able to use to assess its physical spaces and potentially impacted individuals. Superintendent Harris was able to communicate the matter to parents and staff. He also provided both Fillmore and Olmsted County Public Health Staff with contact information for parents of students that were regularly in close and sustained proximity to the individual with the active case over the past months. He said it is important to understand that exposure to tuberculosis is significantly different and far less infectious than other airborne illnesses such as COVID. Superintendent Harris was able to share accurate information with parents about tuberculosis.
Harris introduced Thad Dahling of ISG, whose company had done a long-term facility maintenance summary for the district. They assessed the areas of roofs, site and grounds, exterior and interior structures, mechanical/plumbing and electrical systems. Dahling went over each area and gave suggestions for long- and short-term maintenance of each area. The district will use this assessment to prioritize their maintenance schedule and any bonding that will need to be executed for maintenance purposes. Other areas that Harris reported on were that he will revisit the Minnesota Solar program since the funding has increased and that they have been able to obtain mental health services through Hiawatha Valley Mental Health services for the high school.
Consent Agenda
Under the consent agenda the board approved the following:
- Minutes for the January 14, 2026, board meeting minutes
- New Hires: Weston Pease, assistant trap shooting coach; Brian Bernard, seventh grade softball coach; Angie Fink, eighth grade softball coach
- Resignations: Jovie Dundore, Valleyland; Marcia Schindler, student senate co-advisor; Chris Dornack, junior high baseball
Discussion Items
The Veterans’ Memorial was revisited from the last meeting. Jill Harstad expressed concerns about setting a precedence for allowing the memorial to be placed on school grounds and if this would prompt other entities from making similar requests. Harris reiterated that the school already honors veterans in school programs and didn’t think this would be an issue. Mark Johnsrud would like to see more of a detailed report as to what will be in the memorial. Several other board members were supportive of the proposal. The board agreed to bring it up as an action item at the next meeting.
Action Items
The board moved to transfer $396,000 from savings to a 14-month CD to improve interest earnings by roughly $10,000. The revised FY26 budget is showing a $310,000 deficit that was caused by lower enrollment, reduced state funding, higher contract settlements, cuts in library aid, staff increase for special education, and the discontinuance of the READ Act funding. Superintendent Harris said that he will revise the five-year budget projection and start a budget reduction list. He stated that the district has already cut $400,000 and will need to look at other possible reductions. The board approved the FY 26 revised budget 4-1 with Sovinski voting against.
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