At the April 22 Fillmore Central School Board meeting, Superintendent Heath Olstad reported that 28 businesses were represented at the recent job fair at the high school. He thanked everyone who was involved in the fair, noting that it was a successful event. There are quite a few concerts coming up at the elementary and high school in May. The dates for those are available on the school website and the school calendar. The field trips for K-6th grade are being planned for May along with the YAYA conference. The elementary kids are currently raising money for the field trips.
Jessica Spencer was hired as the elementary music teacher for the 2025-26 school year. Aaron Kruckenberg was hired as a ¾ preschool daycare room aide. Tim Ostrom was approved as the summer rec coordinator, Mary Beth Ostrom and Kaelyn McCaleb as summer rec coaches and van drivers as needed, and Maddie Topness, Bridon Bahl, Amelia Ringer, Joey Pederson and Ryan Schroeder as student coaches. Andy Todd was hired as the head boys basketball coach and JV football coach, Chris Mensink as the head football coach, Andrew Pederson as the assistant coach, David Broadwater as the ninth grade football coach, Ty Sloan as the eighth grade football coach, and Brady Ristau as the seventh grade football coach. Kurt Bockoven, Aaron Janssen and Gary Sloan were approved as the volunteer assistant coaches. Travis Malley was hired as the head volleyball coach, Shelly Topness as the JV coach, and Morgan Knutson as the junior high coach.
Resignations were accepted from seventh grade advisor Jackie Whitacre, elementary SPED teacher Emma Breitsprecher, and Brandi Rettick as the cheer coach. Non-tenured teacher Connie Lindstrom’s contract was terminated. Non-tenured teachers Derek Ihrke and Belle Berg’s contracts were terminated due to the financial constraints of the school district. “It’s disappointing that we need to take this step, but at the same time, we wish them the best. They’re very dedicated staff,” Superintendent Olstad said.
The 2025-25 revised budget was reviewed and approved.
The agreement with Infinitec for the 2025-26 school year was approved as the district continues to use Infinitec’s videos for staff development. The 2025-26 Tonns of Fun Therapy contract was also approved as was the contract with eLuma for psychologist services.
The district’s contract with Harmony Transit for bussing services expires on June 30, 2025. Because of the language in the contract, the district needs to solicit bids for its transportation needs. Superintendent Olstad noted that the school is very satisfied with Harmony Transit’s services.
Quarterly donations in the amount of $81,293.03 were accepted with gratitude.
The sports agreements with the Mabel-Canton and Lanesboro school districts were approved for the upcoming school year.
Superintendent Olstad met with the budget committee to discuss the financial needs of the district. The committee is making plans to ask the district’s communities for support through a referendum in the fall. Steps are being taken to cut costs such as reducing staff and looking into the possibility of reducing a bus route without eliminating any of the stops. Activity fees were discontinued in 2016, but those may have to be brought back at the same rates as they were before. Students who qualify for free lunches wouldn’t have to pay the fees and students who receive reduced lunches would pay half of the fee. RevTrak, the program that is used by the district to process online payments, charges a 4% transaction fee which the district has been paying. The board discussed the possibility of making the payee responsible for the fees or looking into Venmo as an alternative option. The board will continue to review options to reduce the school’s expenses.
Leave a Reply