Photo by Wanda Hanson
Superintendent Ben Bernard presented enrollment data as usual at the Rushford-Peterson School Board meeting on July 21. Bernard shared that one or two families a week have been calling the school to enroll for next year. Commenting, “The data is inaccurate as of the last 72 hours,” Bernard reported that another family had just enrolled.
One way the school has dealt with the increasing enrollment at the middle school level is by bringing in specialists to work with smaller groups of students during study halls and exploratory time. In this way, remediation and advanced instruction can be offered to students based on their needs. Core math classes so far remain in two sections.
Principal Jake Timm reminded the board that last year the enrollment jump from sixth to seventh grade was a total of 10 students.
The board approved renewing the $15,000 behavioral health contract for the coming year. Dr. Bernard commented, “It’s well worth the money. The board should feel very good about the efforts they have made to help with mental health.” Bernard went on to explain that this contract is to provide more specialized services that the staff at the school are not able to do.
Routine Business
The board approved the LTFM (Long-term Facilities Maintenance) 10-year plan. This plan has to be approved and revised as needed annually. Bernard explained that the LTFM revenue is generated based on the age of the facilities. As the school ages, the funding increases.
An LTFM project that has been planned for is the resurfacing of the track. Bernard shared that the school is planning on doing a mix of small and larger projects in order to maximize the use of the LTFM funding.
The board authorized Dr. Bernard to seek proposals for snow and garbage removal for the coming school year. They also approved hiring Smith Schafer to conduct the audit for the 2024-2025 school year. Bernard commented, “Smith Schafer is very efficient; we’ve been very happy with their work.”
Multiple policy revisions were made all at the same time. State law allows the board to do this when a law change mandates changes or if policies have very minimal changes.
Personnel
The following hires were made to get ready for the new school year: Grace Dahl, high school math teacher; Andrea Larson, eighth grade volleyball coach; Madison Mundt, assistant varsity volleyball coach; Dan Mlsna, assistant varsity football coach; Jon Theuer, assistant varsity football coach; Riley Tesch, middle school football coach and John Johansson, middle school football coach.
Resignations accepted included: Mitchell Buerkle, assistant track coach and Erin Thompson, credit recovery/summer school teacher. Amy Drinkall was not renewed as ninth grade volleyball coach.
Donations
The board gratefully accepted donations totalling $8, 675. This included $1,250 from Fitzpatrick Media Group for activities; $525 from Stumpy’s Concessions for True Team Track; $1,500 from R-P Booster Club for summer weight/speed programs; $1,078 from R-P Booster Club for boys basketball uniforms; $3,922 from R-P Booster Club for track/field improvements and $400 from the Angel Fund for summer school.
Special Meeting Set
At the advice of both ATS&R and Ehler’s, the baord set a special meeting for August 11. This meeting will be to review the state’s reply to the submitted review and comment document regarding a possible building referendum for R-P. As of yet, there has been no response from the state. At the August 11 meeting the board will be deciding whether to proceed with a referendum vote or not.
Dr. Bernard mentioned that at a recent meeting with the former and new SMIF CEOs the community leaders in attendance were very receptive of the going forward with a referendum to take advantage of the available state funding. Benya Kraus, the new SMIF CEO, had encouraged Bernard to have the school’s childcare connect with SMIF to take advantage of its resources.
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