Once again, the Lanesboro School Board heard concerns from the citizens about semester tests at the school at their regular board meeting January 14. Ollie Lepper addressed the board to share her opinion about the school’s semester test policy.
Lepper commented that she felt the policy goes against the idea of staying home when you are sick. She gave the personal example of her daughter who had missed some days earlier in the semester and had come down with the flu recently. She ended up going to school sick so she wouldn’t have to take semester tests later in the week.
Lepper mentioned the fact that some students need to go to appointments during the school day. With semester tests counting for 20% of a grade, students’ GPAs could be adversely affected. She found it humorous that the reward for not missing school was to miss school when the semester tests were administered.
In his superintendent report, Superintendent Matt Schultz clarified to the public that he had told the board at the November meeting that he would bring the issue of semester tests to the policy committee when they met. That committee normally meets in February.
According to Schultz, this will be the tenth time that he will be bringing the issue to the policy committee. “There hasn’t been a year where the teachers and board members on the policy committee have wanted to get rid of the tests,” Schultz shared.
Sarah Peterson asked if the policy meeting is open to the public. Schultz responded that it was since there were two board members on the committee. The meeting is advertised and open for the public to attend and hear the discussion.
Peterson asked that the school board members read the specific policy regarding semester tests in the student handbook and have a full discussion of the topic and its history during their next regular meeting in February as well. The policy committee will meet at a later date in February.
Organizational Meeting
Since January is the organizational meeting for the board, positions on the board as well a committee and other representative positions needed to be filled. All positions on the board remained the same as last year: Steve Snyder, Chair; Mark Holmen, Vice Chair; Sarah Peterson, Clerk; and Steve Storhoff, Treasurer. Board salaries will remain the same as last year; these were just updated in 2025. All of the committees and other representatives also remained the same.
Meetings will continue to be held the second Wednesday of the month and will begin at 7:00 p.m. Legal counsel for general business remains Nethercut Schieber, PA, and for school law the board again selected Squires, Waldspurger & Mace, PA.
The official depository chosen was Merchants Bank of Lanesboro while the official newspaper chosen was Fillmore County Journal.
Other Business
In other business the board approved directing Superintendent Schultz to make recommendations for adjustments in curriculum, programs and staff for the school year. This is a routine annual approval.
Kevin Horihan reported that HVED has officially moved into their newly remodeled location. Students were welcomed to their new building on January 5. An open house for the public will be held at the school in the summer.
There were no hires or resignations; nor were there any donations this month.
The date for the Finance, Facilities & Log-Range Planning Committee was not set yet since board member Lucas Bergo was absent, attending the MSBA Leadership Conference in the Twin Cities. Schultz will contact him and set a meeting later.
Sarah Peterson shared that grants are available for high school age young women from Ann Bancroft Foundation. The grants for up to $1,000 per person are intended to encourage Minnesota girls to “live their dreams and imagine something bigger.”
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