Photo by Wanda Hanson
At their regular board meeting July 8, the Lanesboro School Board approved a resolution calling for an operating referendum election for Lanesboro Schools. The board set November 3, the same day as the regular election this fall, for this special election.
Law firm Kennedy and Graven helped with the wording of the referendum question to be placed on the ballot. The school board proposed an increase of $850 per student; this would last for 10 years. The question states that by voting yes, the voter would be voting for an increase in their taxes.
Superintendent Matt Schultz explained that if this passed, property taxes would increase by about $141 yearly per $100,000 of property value. He gave the example that a home valued at $250,000 would be subject to an increase of $352.
Residential homesteads, residential non-homesteads, apartments and commercial/industrial property would see the increase in taxes. Tillable land would not see an increase; only the house, garage and an acre of land would have an increase in taxes for farmers.
Schultz informed the board of actions needed after passing the resolution. Notices and sample ballots need to be posted for this special election. Notifications of the election need to be mailed to every property owner in the district and notice of the special election must be published in the paper two weeks before the election. The Department of Education must also be notified of the upcoming referendum election.
The results of the election will be canvassed the same night as the regular election. Schultz noted that there are several precincts in the district, but they are all in Fillmore County. Unofficial results are usually available by early morning following Election Day.
The board plans to hold several informational meetings; one will be near the end of summer and another will be in October. A tax calculator will be added to the school’s website; this will allow people to calculate the effect a yes vote will have on their individual property taxes.
Other Business
Regular business conducted by the board included approving membership in both MREA (Minnesota Rural Education Association) and MSBA (Minnesota School Board Association).
The 2026-2027 Long Term Facilities Maintenance Plan was approved after Schultz explained the plan. LTFM funding from the state is based on the age and square footage of the school building as well as enrollment. An LTFM Bond will expire in 2034. This bond saves the agricultural properties money because Ag to School applies to this bond. Schultz noted that anything over $100,000 for roofing can be included in the LTFM.
The employee handbook was approved with the addition of a section on Paid Family Medical Leave. Imbursements for meals during travel was increased slightly; such imbursements must be requested within 45 days after purchases and before June 15.
The child care handbook and rates were approved with a 5% increase over the previous year. The minimum hours contract was set at 20 hours.
Preschool rates and schedules were set for the coming year. Four to five-year-olds will meet three ½ days a week; three to four -year-olds will meet two ½ days a week. The rates were set at $150/month for the four to five-year-olds and $125/month for three to four-year-olds. Transportation is provided at no additional charge. Schultz commented, “Preschool is a good investment for our school!”
Policies 506 (discipline) and 806 (crisis management) were approved with no changes from the previous year. Policy 722 was approved with a change to include Safe at Home Participants in Data Privacy.
An MOU (memorandum of understanding) between the union and the district was approved for the READ act training participants. A previous MOU had expired. This MOU provides for payment of $520 per teacher after they complete the training.
In personnel items, the board accepted the resignation of preschool teacher Tess Heim and approved the hiring of preschool teacher Madelyn Haugen.
July 14-28 are the filing dates for school board elections. The seats currently filled by Steve Storhoff, Steve Snyder and Kevin Horihan will be open.
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