The Murray County Central School Board met in regular session on Monday June 9, 2025. With all board members present, the agenda was approved with no additions. They went on to approve the minutes from the last meeting, claims and financials as well as the following personnel recommendations: Lane Changes: Joe Biren from B to B+15, April Johnson from M+30 to M+45, and Joanna Vogel from B+30 to B+45. They also accepted the retirement of Gayleen Kirchner from the Food Service, the resignation of Elissa Wieneke as Community Education Coordinator and the non-renewal of Elissa Wieneke as Head Softball Coach.
Elementary Principal Patrick Freeman gave his report. Elementary enrollment ended the year at 372. This is 4 more than last year at this time. Our projected enrollment for next year is at 365. He went on to thank Mr. Holten for a job well done at the Kindergarten Musical. Also, the 5th and 6th graders showed a lot of growth at their Spring Band Concert, thanks to Mr. Helgeson. The students really enjoyed learning about Farm Safety from Mr. Biren’s high school students. Cory Greenwood provided an upbeat assembly that focused on Active Kindness. HE DID A GREAT JOB ENGAGING THE STUDENTS. Despite the cool temperatures, the Slayton Swimming Pool felt warm for the PBIS Celebration and the kids had a great time! Surprisingly, over 50% of the 5th grade students had not been to the Slayton Pool before. It was a great experience! Principal Freeman expressed appreciation for all the fund raising that made this event possible. He also thanked the City of Slayton for having it ready to go and the lifeguards for being there as well. He gave a Shout-out to Mr. Bobeldyk and the high school track athletes for running and organizing our annual track day. “We had a beautiful day for this event, and all students did an awesome job competing.” Kindergarten Graduation and 6th Grade Recognition also went well.
This summer, we will be provid-ing Extended School Year (ESY) and Early Childhood services for a total of 24 students. Four students who qualify under Birth to 3 (Part C) will receive home visits, which will be conducted by Payton Bleyenberg, Leisa Isder, or Sara Zins. Eleven students who qualify for Early Childhood Special Education (Part B) services will be supported by either Leisa or Payton. Additionally, nine K-12 students who qualify for ESY will receive services from either Leisa or Kati Bobeldyk. Transportation will be provided for those students who have chosen that option.
Grades 2-6 will be starting the Math Expressions curriculum next fall. They will re-evaluate in 4 years. They will supplement with Math Fact Lab, IXL and Math Seeds.
The Literacy Plan LETRS training is moving along as planned. Mr. Freeman will be attending the NAESP “United” School Leadership conference in Seattle this summer. His plans include sessions on discipline, classroom evaluations and early childhood education.
Next year Updates: 5th/6th Departmentalized Model will change slightly to include 5 areas: Math, Language Arts, Science, Social Studies/Grammer and Literacy Lab. The schedule has been created, finalized and sent to teachers for preparation.
Elementary Band and Music changes have been finalized. Christie Gergen will teach 5-6 grade band, as well as, general music to grades 2-6. Theresa Nysetvold will be teaching K-1 music in addition to her library duties.
Little Rebels/ ECFE Report: Total children impacted – 111, Parents – 113.
Secondary Principal Jake Scandrett gave his report. Enrollment ends at 320. We are projecting to start at 324 next Fall. School ended for students on May 28th and teachers on May 29th. Over $50,000 in scholarships were awarded by our generous community and donors at the Senior Awards Ceremony on May 22. Senior future plans - 51% going to a 4-year school, 38% going to a 2-year school and 11% going to work.
“With the change in the calendar and ending the year 5 days earlier, we are looking at moving graduation up a week. A survey was sent out for parent input and the majority of parents would like to move up graduation to the weekend immediately following the seniors last week instead of waiting until Memorial Day weekend. The most popular day on the survey was Friday, which next year would be May 15th.”
We have 6 students taking advantage of our credit recovery summer school option this summer. We have 3 students participating in the CEO program next year. The Master Schedule for next year is nearing completion. Mrs. Walker is loading students into classes.
Superintendent Joe Meyer gave his report. The legislature called a special session on Monday June 9th, hoping to wrap things up by June 10th. The Education working group has reached an agreement on the education policy and finance bill. While the language of the bill has been finalized by working groups, it still awaits passage during special session. Highlights and Lowlights include:
• Inflationary increase will remain at 2.74% for FY26 • We will be receiving $20,000 less in Library Aid in FY26 and FY27(this is a 50% cut) • Our Compensatory Aid will increase by approximately $108,000 in FY26 as a hold harmless. A legislative task force is being formed to make recommendations on program changes. • Our SPED transportation Aid will be reduced by $17,000 in FY26 and FY27(not a change for us) • Student Support Personnel Aid is being cut but the minimum amount of revenue ($40,000) remains the same. • As of now, Q-Comp will be funded for FY26 and FY27. Beyond FY27 is still to be determined. • $420 million will be cut from education in the next biennium. Specific areas of where these cuts will take place are yet to be determined.
Both principals and Superintendent Meyer will be attending a summer leadership conference in June in Spicer, MN put on by SWWC. Summer Community Ed activities began on June 2. The custodial staff has begun the summer work and is on a good pace. Mr. Meyer is working on the updated 10-year Long Term Facility Maintenance budget and plan. It will be ready for the July board meeting.
Mental Health/Social Worker Greg Scheitel submitted his report. This included 135 students involved in group settings and 55 individuals along with 12 teacher consults or resource requests and 8 Assessments.
Activities Director James Wajer sent his report. Band and Choir ended the year with the Spring Concert and Senior recognitions. Track had numerous members go on to Sections. Anikan Larson qualified for State in the 400 meters. Girls Golf, consisting of Rachael Huso, Ava Johnson, Lizzie Daniels, Theran Mannon, Elysia Korver and Natalie Einck, took home both conference and Section 3A Trophies and will be competing at State June 10-12. Baseball was the #1 Seed in South Section 3A, losing to Minneota in the final 5. Softball was seeded #2 in the South Section 3A, losing to MCCRAY to end their season. Thank you to all who helped make these spring events a success!
Operating Levy. Superintendent Meyer posted a survey to any resident, tax payer or anyone of voting age within the school district. There were 462 responses. Results: Perception of overall quality of education at MCC – Excellent or Good 79.6%, Likelihood of voting for a referendum increase – Very likely 47.6%, Somewhat likely 18.4%, not sure 15.2%. When asked how much of a tax increase they’d be willing to support, over 30% answered they didn’t know, 14% said nothing, 15.6% said over $300 and 40.9% picked something between $50 and $300. While 59.5% said they would prefer to get information via email, it is a requirement that a mailing go out.
Presently, MCC has the fourth lowest operating referendum of 10 area schools. We have not asked for an increase since 2006. We have twice asked to renew the one we have. This has not been done since 2020. An operating referendum does not tax farmland, only your house + 1 acre. Supt. Meyer will gather exact numbers for the next meeting so they can make a decision on moving ahead.
Next Carisa Clarke was there to present the new Property and Liability Insurance premiums. This was approved. Sharon Johnson, representing Q-Comp, presented the Q-Comp budget, as well as, the Q-Comp Annual Report. The board approved both of these.
The District has a “Want of Funds” agreement with Minnwest Bank, Slayton, Minnesota should they need to borrow money. This is an annual agreement that we have not needed for many, many years. The amount remained the same and the board approved this resolution.
The school board next approved the MN State High School League membership renewal, as well as membership to the MN School Boards Association. They also approved the Girls Basketball Team to go to Wisconsin Dells.
Finally, they gratefully accepted the following donations. American Legion Auxiliary, $500.00 Scholarship; American Legion Post 64, $1,711.00 Legion Baseball; Apex Clean Energy, $5,000.00 Science of Reading; Apex Clean Energy,$3,000.00 Grow Shed; Boxtops for Education, $7.80 Elementary Student Activity; Brian Peterson Memorial, $600.00 Scholarship; Casey’s General Store, $23.80 Elementary Student Activity; Class of ’61, $500.00 Scholarship; Currie State Bank, $250.00 Scholarship; MCC EA, $750.00 Scholarship; MCJO, $6,160.00 VB Student Activity; Nobles Coop, $1,500.00 Football Student Activity; Nobles Coop, $600.00 Little Rebels Preschool The next meeting will be June 14, 2025. The board then went into closed session for the purpose of discussing Labor Negotiation Strategy.
