By Crystal Reith At the March 9, 2026 MCC school board meeting, new hires, position transitions and open positions were reviewed. High school principal Jacob Scandrett has resigned and will transition to a fifth and sixth grade science teaching position for the 2026-2027 school year. Applications for grades 7- 12 principal position will be accepted through March 15. Interviews are projected for the week of March 23.
Melissa Kramer was recently hired for the Early Childhood/ ECFE teaching position. For the 2026-2027 school year, Brittney Gorter will transition to a split position between special education and fourth grade. As a result, a second-grade teaching position will be posted for the 2026-2027 school year.
Madeleine Schmuck has been hired for the junior high and high school math position. Ryann Beukema has been hired as the long-term sub for the early childhood special education position and Janessa Hamann has been hired as a paraprofessional.
A candidate for the high school English position has been interviewed and is currently moving through the hiring process.
The master agreement for the cooks and custodians was shared. Updates included a pay increase, a stipend for designated employees who hold a boiler license, changes to health plan deductibles and an increased contribution towards safety footwear.
The master agreement for the Murray County Central Education Association was shared. Updates included revised language defining double preparation, a new base on the 20262027 performance schedule to remain competitive when hiring new staff, the addition of information regarding Minnesota paid leave and updates to the hours of service to reflect the revised length of each school day and number of duty days. The base pay for co-curricular activity coaches/advisors will increase for 2026-2027.
Elementary Principal Patrick Freeman reported that there are 372 students currently enrolled in the elementary. Kindergarten registration was completed in February and there are currently 45 students registered for kindergarten, seven for junior kindergarten and four families that are undecided. Kindergarten round up will be May 1.
High School Principal Jacob Scandrett reported that this summer there will be free summer college class opportunities offered. This offering is made possible through the Achievement and Integration Collaborative with funding from the Minnesota Department of Education. Classes will be available to current high school sophomores and juniors. Courses will be offered in conjunction with Southwest Minnesota State University and taught at Marshall High School.
Superintendent Joe Meyer reported that the Minnesota Management and Budget released an updated budget forecast showing a significantly improved budget outlook. The new forecast shows stronger revenues and a more positive overall fiscal outlook for the state.
Bids are still coming in for the sidewalk concrete replacement, boiler water and chemical replacement and the outside doors and frames by the kindergarten entry to the courtyard. The purchase of the portable air conditioning units will take place this summer.
Athletic Director James Wajer reported that winter sports have wrapped up, while Knowledge Bowl and Speech are ongoing.
The board approved the 2027-2028 Achievement and Integration plan, the 2027 Achievement and Integration budget and 2026-2027 SWWC Service Cooperative contracts.
The board also approved a request from the kindergarten grade teachers for an outof- state field trip to the South Dakota Children’s Museum in Brookings, South Dakota. In addition, the board approved a request from the second-grade teachers for an out-of-state field trip to the circus in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
The board approved calling for bids for dairy and bakery products.
The board received three bids for parking lot paving and unanimously voted to award the project to Fuller Paving, of Pipestone, Minnesota. The board also unanimously voted to award Laraway, of New Ulm, Minnesota, with the roof replacement project.
The board discussed holding a special joint meeting to address the future of the Murray County Central and Fulda Public School districts. The board approved hosting the meeting on March 30, 2026, at 7 p.m. in the MCC Auditorium.
The board gratefully accepted the following donations: Faith Community Lutheran Church $150 for MCC Children’s Fund, Class of 1975 - $100 for athletics, Minnwest Bank - $500 for scholarship, MCC Music Boosters - $500 for scholarship and Murray Farms LLP - $750 for FFA.
The next monthly meeting of the MCC School Board is scheduled for Monday, April 13 at 6 p.m. at the high school library.
