Lanesboro Schools Focus on Finances

The December 11 Lanesboro School Board brought both its Truth in Taxation meeting and the presentation of the 2023-2024 audit by Kali Lentz of Smith Schafer. Superintendent Matt Schultz began the TNT meeting with a required informational slideshow about how taxes are calculated based on a state formula and the assessed value of properties.

Last year, Lanesboro School had total revenues of $7,709,878 and expenditures of $7,803,840, spending about $100,000 more than the revenues. The Community Service Fund ended almost $200,000 in the negative. As usual, funds are moved from General Funds to help Community Service. Since setting the budget for last year, the board increased daycare rates, which should help the Community Service Fund balance this year.

The proposed levy which the board had adopted in September was set at $1,202,471.88. This was a 9.14% increase from the previous year. Most of the increase was needed to cover the Lanesboro share of the recent HVED building and remodel in Winona; only about 0.5% will remain in Lanesboro.

Unlike many of the surrounding districts, Lanesboro has no district operating referendum. Schultz shared a graph showing how state funding is not keeping up with inflation, leaving the schools to cover the rising expenses due to inflation.

There was little public comment from residents – only some comments on how a couple other schools are trying to pass a bonding referendum when they are so close to each other. Schultz reminded the public that such items are at the discretion of their local school boards. The Truth in Taxation meeting was closed, and the levy was approved later in the meeting.

Kali Lentz of Smith Schafer returned an unmodified opinion (clean) on the 2023-2024 audit. The school ended the year with a $98,000 deficit. The Food Service has a $132,000 fund balance which can be used in the future for equipment replacement in the kitchen. Although the school has contracted for a food service, the district is responsible for maintaining the equipment.

Debt Service for the school remains at $575,000 to $580,000 a year for the recent building project. Lentz shared a graph showing that the school’s general fund is well below state average spending which means the school is operating efficiently.

The board approved the 2023-2024 audit with little further discussion.

The Comprehensive Achievement and Civic Readiness Report, formerly known as the World’s Best Workforce Report, was presented for review and board approval. The report is focused on preparing students to be lifelong learners and contributing members of society. Schultz pointed out that the goal of all students reading by grade three is no longer included in this report, but has been moved to the READ requirements. The board approved the report with no further discussion.

Volleyball Coach Resigns

The regular school board meeting public comment period brought several interested citizens to address the board. Jody Ruen spoke to encourage the board and administration to take a good look at employees their first year of employment and “cut the cord and move on” if their performance was not good.

Cindy Eversole commented that she’d written an letter to Mr. Klaehn at the end of the volleyball season and had gotten no response. She wanted to share copies with the board. Chair Christine Troendle accepted a copy to share later with the board.

Taylor Peterson stated that he was there to support head volleyball coach Frankie Kohn-Nelson. He noted that kids run to parents and parents rush to judgement and complain to the school board. Peterson urged, “Let’s not rush to judgment – we can all agree to disagree!”

Julie Schreiber openly thanked the entire school staff for their share in giving her kids a good education. Schreiber added, “We should support each other.”

Trent Nelson, Frankie’s husband, commented, “My wife poured her heart into coaching. She tried to run a successful program.” He went on to share that they were also dealing with a miscarriage during the volleyball season.

Josie Papenfuss shared that she had documentation for the board to examine if they wanted. “There’s another side to the story,” Papenfuss stated and urged the board to think about the future of the volleyball program.

Tina Meyer, who has a daughter in the program, commented that the girls need positive input and feedback.

Melissa Gilbertson noted that a document had been submitted to Mr. Klaehn about violations of the volleyball program. Gilbertson continued, “The kids’ mental health is important.”

Later in the meeting, the board accepted the resignation of Frankie Krohn-Nelson with no further discussion.

Other Business

In other business the board:

•Accepted donations of $1,000 for the senior trip, $1,000 for FFA and $750 toward a plasma cutter;

•Acknowledged and thanked Christine Troendle for her service on the school board since 2013; Troendle will no longer be on the school board next year.