The Spring Grove School received a clean audit from CLA and approved a 6.7% tax levy during its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, December 15. The regular school meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. in the school library.
The board held its annual Truth in Taxation hearing prior to the regular school board meeting. During the required presentation led by Senior Municipal Advisor and Managing Director Shelby McQuay of Ehlers & Associates, Inc., the school’s financial advisor, it was emphasized that the change in the tax levy does not necessarily change the school’s budget. The proposed 2025 tax levy, payable in 2026, represents an increase of $121,645 for a total of $1,936,022.
One audience member asked McQuay about her individual tax bill, specifically the 57% increase on her commercial building. It was recommended that she attend the Spring Grove Truth in Taxation meeting on Tuesday night.
The board approved the consent agenda, which included the meeting agenda, minutes from the November 18 regular meeting, treasurer’s report, and payment of bills.
The board received the 2024-2025 Audit Presentation from Luke Greden of CLA. Greden stated that he has 11 years of experience in public accounting and has been primarily working with the school district. He noted that he works closely with district accountant Tanya Elton and that they work well together. He emphasized that the numbers were finalized and that CLA would be issuing a “clean” audit report. He noted four financial reporting-related findings, which he said were not unexpected, as they were the same findings as last year. The first involved internal control over financial reporting, a finding commonly issued to many school districts. The next two findings were related to internal controls, stemming from the district’s size and limited staffing in the finance department. These included controls over cash receipts and controls over bank records. Greden stated that these were repeat findings from previous years and were considered good weaknesses.
A fourth finding was related to compliance, involving outstanding checks that are older than three years. CLA discussed with management the need to resolve and clear these items.
Elton said that this is her favorite meeting of the year because it allows the board to review and discuss the district’s financial numbers.
Highlights of the administrative and committee reports, K-12 principal, Matt Rosaaen shared that the discipline report will be provided to the board on a bi-monthly basis. KTTC news anchor Brock Bergey visited the sixth-grade class as part of their Civil War reporting project. The interview was featured on Monday’s KTTC evening news. Morken raised the idea of forming a two-member strategic planning committee to complement the full board’s strategic planning sessions. Additionally, the gala was a major success, raising $24,000 to support learning-focused grants ranging from $50-$500. These grants will be available to teachers, administration, and library staff. The board also heard from Stephanie Jaster regarding HVED.
In other business, the board:
- Approved the second reading of the Cardiac Emergency Response Policy. The Cardiac Emergency Response Plan “provides a comprehensive strategy for the preparation of and response to sudden cardiac arrest in the school setting.”
- Approved Minnesota School Boards Association (MSBA) model policy updates per MSBA’s newsletter dated October 2025.
- Approved the first reading of the Employee Use of Social Media Policy.
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