At the regular December 15 Rushford-School Board meeting, the board heard updates about the upcoming building bond referendum. The board officially reviewed the Review and Comment document from the state; R-P received a positive review from the state.
Informational meetings were set for December 17, January 7, 2026, and January 21, 2026. All of the meetings will be held at the school at 7 p.m.
The absentee ballot board which consists of Toni OIan, Jodi Peters and Lakyn Lind was appointed by resolution. Election judges will be approved at the next board meeting.
Superintendent Dr. Ben Bernard shared the website the school has created, sites.google.com/r-pschools.com/building-referendum-26?usp=sharing, which houses the project scope, maps and drawings on its home page. Other pages of the site address the tax impact, voting information, referendum materials and frequently asked questions.
Bernard encouraged people or groups to reach out to him with any questions. He commented, “It’s the district’s job to inform the voters about the question; it is not our job to sway them either way.”
Mailings to district residents will be sent out following the first informational meeting.
Truth in Taxation Meeting
R-P’s business manager,Toni Oian, presented a PowerPoint to explain how taxes are calculated, the school’s budget and the proposed 2026 levy.
The Truth in Taxation law which was passed in 1989 requires tax statements be sent out in November and a public hearing to be held before certifying the final levy. The state legislature sets the formula; voter approved operating referendum can also set the levy.
Funding from the state has trailed inflation, increasing each year. In 2026 it will trail by $1,470 per pupil. The school then needs to make up the difference.
Oian shared that the school budgets its revenues “fairly conservatively.” The proposed budget is expected to break even for the year.
Bernard noted that last year the enrollment increased by 20 more students; this brought additional funding of $10,000 per student. This year enrollment is even with revenues pretty much in line with last year.
Oian pointed out that changes in property classifications, enrollment numbers and valuation of property can cause changes in an individual’s taxes.
As the building gets older, long-term facility maintenance funding (LTFM) from the state goes up. There are no major projects planned at this time. Bernard shared that some of the maintenance would be addressed if the building referendum were to pass.
After asking for questions from the public in attendance (one person) and getting none, the board certified the 2026 levy. The certified final levy was for $2,735,461.
Regular Business
The board continued its monthly review and readings of policies. The second reading of some policies was approved with no further discussion. They are currently doing a first reading of some policies that are legal requirements that were not previously in the school’s policies. A second reading of these policies will be done at the next meeting.
The board discussed whether their phone numbers should be posted on the school’s website. The members saw no problems with posting their numbers and felt it would help people wanting to ask questions and talk to them about the upcoming referendum.
Chris Grindland also encouraged people to reach out to Bernard with questions on the referendum.
Nancy Snyder commented, “I’m fine with it; you get a better conversation [over the phone].”
The board unanimously approved adding their numbers to the website.
The possibility of having a board retreat was discussed. Ken Sawle had suggested doing this to keep a good line of communication among members during the referendum and its aftermath regardless of the results. Chair Amy Woxland hopes to get some ideas for board retreats at the MSBA Conference.
Other Business
In other business the board:
- Approved the teacher seniority list;
- Approved the Comprehensive Achievement and Civic Readiness (CACR) Annual Summary Report;
- Heard from Superintendent Bernard that there are currently two students on a waiting list for sixth grade; there is no room for them at this time;
- Heard from student school board representative Alexa Smith about recent student activities: the Go Green Group went ice skating; the Art Club viewed a Christmas movie; a door decorating contest was taking place; Candy Cane grams were being sold; PJ and holiday dress-up days were planned;
- Were reminded that the next regular meeting and organizational meeting would be held on January 12; this is not the regular third Monday meeting date.
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