At their August 18 regular board meeting, the Rushford-Peterson School Board approved an addendum to the already submitted review and comment document that moves the date of a possible referendum vote from November 4 to February 10, 2026. Also changed was the cost of the project to $24,015,000 due to inflation and price increases.
This addendum became necessary when the review and comment from the state had not been received in time to share accurate information with the public before a November date.
Sarah Fox of ATS & R appeared virtually to answer questions regarding the current situation. Fox stated that the state response should be received within a week or two; she went on to say that she’d been told the state response was favorable and had been sent to be signed. Fox agreed that it was important to have solid information from the state before proceeding.
The addendum was approved and will be sent to the state. The decision of the board whether to present the referendum to the public for a vote will be made after the official state response is received.
Routine Start of Year Business
The school board set the Truth in Taxation meeting for December 15 at 5:30 p.m. Superintendent Dr. Ben Bernard noted, “This is a good time for the public to come and ask questions about their taxes.”
Once again, the board decided to contract with Atkinson Construction for an estimated expense of $10,850 for snow removal and with LRS for $8,898 for garbage removal. LRS price locked their bid price for the next two years.
Adult breakfast and lunch prices were set again at $2.40 and $5 respectively. The state has not updated the minimum required prices yet; when that is updated, prices may need to be changed.
Handbooks for the 2025-2026 were approved. There were no major changes in the MSHS handbook. The only change was the addition of a suicide awareness section with a phone number avaiable to call for help. The elementary handbook was updated to include new teachers and assignments; there were no other changes.
The board continues to go through R-P policies. For the first reading of Policy 534 School Meals Policy, Dr. Bernard pointed out that it had been updated to include information about free meals for students. He suggested that the negative balance limit be changed from a $100 limit to a $50 limit for negative balances for a student. Once a student reaches the $50 limit, they would no longer be able to charge second meals or ala carte food until that balance is paid. They would still receive the free meal. The policy will have a second reading at the next board meeting.
Bernard shared that a manual index has been added for the policies to help people find the section they want to check more easily.
Reports
Dr. Bernard informed the board that enrollment was up 10 students from the previous year.
Bernard commended the crew of “The Little Mermaid.” He emphasized that they had done a “REALLY” good job, noting that the play was well done and brought in a full house. Over 1,000 people attended the play and enjoyed the theater space at R-P as well as the skilled community members that put on the play.
The city’s Farmer’s Co-op Site Open House informational and public input meeting will be held in the school auditorium August 27. HVED will be using R-P to hold their principal and superintendent meetings at R-P while construction is completed at their central location at the former Winona mall.
Elementary Principal Angela Shepard told the board that the teachers are working with the new Go Math curriculum and the Amplify literacy curriculum. The paraprofessionals will be undergoing an eight hour training to fulfill the READ act requirements this fall.
MSHS Principal Jake Timm informed the board that R-P will be offering a total of 48 credits this fal through concurrent enrollment with Minnesota State College Southeast and Riverland. Winona State has reached out to ask if R-P would be a pilot for them as well for concurrent enrollment.
According to Timm, teachers Hatch, Kramer and Thorman all went back to earn their masters in programs that specifically help R-P. Timm emphasized that R-P has a wide variety of concurrent classes to offer its students. A concurrent music class will continue to be offered.
Dr. Bernard pointed out that the concurrent classes keep the students in the building and with teachers in person, which benefits the students.
New AD Clay Olstad reported that R-P has a full coaching staff; registrations are nearly complete and fall sports are off to a strong start. Olstad thanked Nick Agrimson’s team for all their prep work for the fall season. He also thanked Mr. Mattson and Dr. Bernard for setting up the new technology and media system for the football field and the new scoreboard.
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