Daycare Concerns From Lanesboro Resident

Lexi Burt, a Lanesboro alum and mother of two children enrolled in the Lanesboro School daycare, addressed the Lanesboro School Board at their regular meeting April 9 with her concerns about the school’s daycare program. Her concerns included the fact that both the director and assistant director had submitted their resignations; she asked about the support from the administration and the board for the daycare as well as more communication and transparency with the families. She asked specifically what the policies were when the center was short staffed. Her suggestion was that a community meeting should be held with district residents and the current rates and salaries of other local daycares be compared to those of Lanesboro. 

The board does not “engage in a discussion or debate” during the public comment period. However, at the end of the meeting, the board asked Superintendent Matt Schultz to check on competitive salaries for and hourly rates at other daycares. In addition, they asked to see the budget and capacity information for the daycare. 

Schultz replied that he would gather the information and share it with the board prior to the May meeting. The board looks at the daycare rates each year, comparing salaries and hourly rates to neighboring schools before they set rates for the following school year. Normally, new rates are put into effect in September of the year. 

The board regularly moves funds from the general fund to the daycare each year to support it. Schultz assured the public that the budget is actually posted on a whiteboard in his office for all to see if they wish. 

During the action items portion of the meeting, the board accepted the resignations of former director Lindsay Hanson and assistant director Meghan Bergo. They hired new daycare director Ashley Gordon and assistant director McKenzie Hanson. Both of the new hires were internal candidates who had worked at the school already.

No exit interviews have been conducted yet with the staff who resigned, but Schultz will be following up with them. The daycare will be discussed further at the May board meeting.

Superintendent Report

In his monthly update to the board, Schultz once again connected events at the school to the district goals. Spring has been full of activity and included the spring play, FFA banquet, a visiting artist and visual arts club competitions. Upcoming are FFA plant sales, prom, Commonweal Theatre, FFA Ag Day, the fifth grade trip to Eagle Bluff, other field trips and more. 

Schultz reported that the ADSIS grant application has been completed for next year. This grant will provide for additional paraprofessional time.

With the recent hire of a full time business manager making it easier, the team at the school is working to develop a new on-boarding process for new hires.  

The Small School Conference date has been set as Wednesday, October 15, 2025. Speakers and presenters are being sought for the conference. 

Schultz discussed legislative action that affects the school, calling the financial outlook “challenging.” He noted that a school’s spending is supply side heavy. Cost increases in such supplies affect the budget to a great degree. 

Direct certification for lunches has helped Lanesboro. In the past, some residents were hesitant to fill out the forms to apply; with direct certification, more people are making use of the program.

Concerns about federal funding for SPED programs were raised. If the federal funding is cut, Lanesboro School, especially the SPED program, would be directly impacted. 

Other Business

In other business the board:

• Approved the non-renewal of probationary teachers Jill Pigott, secondary math teacher, and Savanna Frie, elementary teacher;
• Approved the issuing of purchase orders for the next fiscal year;
• Gratefully accepted donations of $628 for the scholarship fund and $150 for the band program;
• Approved a sports sharing agreement with Fillmore Central; Fillmore Central will host wrestling, baseball and dance while Lanesboro will continue to host cross country and track;
• Approved a sports sharing agreement with Mabel-Canton with Lanesboro hosting track and boys’ golf;
• Heard that HVED (Hiawatha Valley Education District) has now started construction on the remodel of their centralized Winona building; HVED is considering eliminating one director and adding two coordinators who would work in area schools with SPED teachers;
• Emphasized that graduation this year will be June 1 at 1:30 p.m.