The Rushford-Peterson School Board officially canvassed the votes from the recent building referendum vote at their regular board meeting on February 17. The vote was 444 (37.34%) in favor and 744 (62.66%) against. 48% of the voters voted in the election compared to the typical low turnout of 15% and typical high of 25%.
Superintendent Ben Bernard opened up a discussion of the vote asking, “What happens now?” He assured the board that no cuts would need to be made. Long Term Maintenance funding will be used to take care of needed maintenance. The need for space will not go away. Bernard asked for direction from the board for the future.
Carl Schollmeier asked if there was a way to just use the state disaster relief funding with no additional taxes for the citizens. Bernard replied that there wasn’t. The funding is tied to funding a building project.
Matt Helgemoe asked how much longer the funding would be available. Bernard answered that the funding will be available until 2034, but each year it will be less.
Nancy Snyder asked how much less expensive the building project would be if the daycare was removed. The daycare had added $2.2 million to the proposed referendum. The legally required storm shelter for any new building had a price tag of $1.9 million. The proposed gym would have been built to standards required for the storm shelter.
Bernard asked the board if they felt it would be worth sending out a survey to the public. Bernard shared that the mailings sent out before the referendum had only cost the district 39 cents in total including postage, paper and printing.
Ken Sawle pointed out that the focus group before the referendum had done exactly that. Sawle felt the public had made a “pretty strong statement” with their vote. He felt people might become aggravated if anything else was sent out now. Sawle shared that some people had been vocal in not wanting to support more sports (with the gym) or a daycare. He noted that many just want to make do with what the school has.
Matt Helgemoe agreed, “I think they spoke very clearly.”
Jeff Michel clarified that the Good Shepherd Nursing Home Daycare was “full” only because they had no more staff for more children. Michel opined, “We did the right thing in offering it (the building referendum) to the public.”
Nancy Snyder chimed in, “I heard a lot of positive comments about the fliers!”
After the discussion, the board moved on to other business of the meeting.
Other Business
In other business the board:
- Approved the academic calendar for 2026-2027; the first day of classes will be September 1 before Labor Day and the last student day will be June 2; graduation will be May 30;
- Approved a resolution directing administration to recommend reductions if necesssary; Supt. Bernard assured the board no reductions were planned; this is a routine resolution each year;
- Approved hiring of a head girls’ golf coach and a junior high baseball coach due to higher numbers of athletes and using the funding for a Houston head track coach to hire another assistant track and field coach;
- Authorized Bernard to advertise for bids for bread, milk and gasoline for next year;
- Authorized Bernard to advertise for transportation bids; Bernard clarified that the original owner of the Bernard Bus Services was his grandfather, but he himself has no interest in the business;
- Continued to work through school policies; Bernard pointed out that the policies currently being considered are legal requirements which must be followed by the school.
Reports
Supt. Bernard shared that one of the open enrolled sixth graders has chosen to leave the school; there is open enrollment available again in all grades. Bernard applauded the One Act Play; he himself attended four performances including the one at state competition.
Elementary Principal Angela Shepard shared that grades four and five will visit the Winona Symphony Orchestra February 24. R-P was chosen for a visit from the Music information Auditorium on March 11; grades three through five will attend.
MSHS Principal Jake Timm shared that they are continuing to increase college level offerings at the high school. The number of students opting for PSEO has gone down. The Mental Health First Aid class taught by Gary Wade is providing students “tool belts” to help them help their peers.
Student School Board Representative Alexa Smith shared the plethora of activities at the school including Cancer Awareness Week, Snowball and FFA week complete with dress up days, an indoor scavenger hunt, puzzle competitions, movies and board games on Friday.
Activities Director Clay Olstad celebrated AAA nominees Ava Helgemoe and Hunter Rislov and ExCEL Award recipients Kaia Loney and Lucas Redalen. The Cross Country State Championship banner will be revealed at the February 20 boys’ basketball game.
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