Photo by Charlene Corson Selbee
At the July 21 meeting of the Spring Grove School Board of Directors, Director of Special Projects Rachel Udstuen addressed and dismissed rumors that the school’s construction project is behind schedule. While the project is not ahead of schedule, she confirmed that the district is still on track to take possession of the renovated building on August 18. This timeline gives staff and volunteers adequate time to move in before students return on September 2. Udstuen added that community volunteers are encouraged to help with the move-in process.
Udstuen and Head of Maintenance Brent Messner receive construction updates every Wednesday, making the information shared at the meeting slightly outdated. Following the meeting, Udstuen gave board members a guided tour of the construction to provide a firsthand look at the ongoing progress.
Following a two-hour board retreat, Chairman Stephanie Jaster called the regular school board meeting to order at 7 p.m.
All board members were present: Board Chair Stephanie Jaster, Rhan Flatin, Kelly Rohland, Lisa Myhre, Myriah Klug and Ashley Olson. Also attending were Superintendent Gina Morken, K-12 Principal Matt Rosaaen, District Accountant Tanya Elton, and Brent Messner.
On a motion by Rohland, seconded by Flatin, the board unanimously approved the consent agenda, which included the meeting agenda, minutes from the June 16 board meeting, the treasurer’s report, and approval of payments. Other items on the consent agenda include:
•Established bonding for 2025-2026;
•Set out-of-state tuition rates and athletic admission prices;
•Established Merchants Bank of Spring Grove as the school’s bank depository;
•Designated Merchants Bank of Spring Grove, Eitzen State Bank, BMO Mabel, BMO Caledonia, New Albin State Bank, and MSBA Liquid Asset Fund as the school’s official investment depositories for investment for 25-26;
•Renewed membership contracts with the Minnesota School Board Association (MSBA), Southeast Service Cooperative (SSC), Hiawatha Valley Education District (HVED), Minnesota Rural Education Association (MREA), and Region V Finance;
•Reviewed the ongoing cooperative agreement for athletics with Caledonia Area Schools. There are no changes.;
•Approved a contract with Matt Rosaaen as assistant junior high volleyball coach.
District Accountant Tanya Elton provided financial updates, explaining that there are some “big ticket items.” For example, bond interest on both of the school bonds, memberships, helmets, insurance, and over $2 million in construction bills. With a laugh, she informed the board that the district isn’t equipped to print million-dollar checks. She assured the board that she would make sure that there is money in the account to cover the checks.
No members of the public were present to speak during the open forum.
K-12 Principal Matt Rosaaen gave his first official report, which included updates on credits and graduation requirements, an upcoming mental health collaboration meeting, a Bluff Country Collaborative meeting, handbook revisions, and a draft of a proposed social media policy. While the district currently has a bullying policy, Rosaaen expressed a desire to implement a dedicated social media policy to help the school “stay ahead of the students.”
Superintendent Gina Morken reported that the federal government is withholding $6 million in previously approved federal education grants, which includes Title II and IV funds for Spring Grove. The financial impact to Spring Grove is $13,387.45 that is being withheld.
In other business, the board:
•Set board member salaries for 2025-26 school year;
•Designated the Fillmore County Journal as the district’s official newspaper;
•Accepted the sole bid, Pan-O-Gold, received for bread and bread products;
•Tabled a decision on milk and milk products pending confirmation that the vendor will be providing coolers;
•Increased student participation fees for 2025-26 athletic fees by $10 and activity fees by $5. The last activity fee increase was in 2022;
•Approved a transportation contract with Schmitz Bussing;
•Tabled discussion on a $100 cell phone stipend for administrators;
•Tabled the annual review of the following policies: out-of-state travel for board members, family and medical leave, and internet acceptable use and safety.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:31 p.m.