By Crystal Reith The Murray County Central School Board approved increases to substitute pay, revised student and employee handbooks and addressed personnel and policy matters during the July 13, 2026 meeting.
The board received updates on payment of claims, trial balance summary, cash flow projection, quarterly revenue and expenses report and student activity quarterly report.
Superintendent Joe Meyer recommended several personnel changes including compensation for his role as the community education director, acceptance of the resignation of Aarron Mollema and approval of a lane change for Chad Reker.
Policies for student discipline, public data and data subject requests and development, adoption and implementation of policies were reviewed with minor changes.
The board approved all items on the consent agenda and approved Minnwest Bank of Lake Wilson, State Bank of Chandler and First National Bank of Slayton as designated possible depositories for invested funds and minor checking accounts.
Elementary Principal Patrick Freeman reported on plans for a back-to-school workshop, special transportation, purchase orders and Title applications. All three Ampact positions have been filled for the 2026-27 school year. Kyndra Martens will return as the kindergarten through third-grade math tutor, Alexus Birt was hired as the kindergarten through third-grade reading tutor and Addison Blissmer has accepted the fourththrough sixth-grade math tutor position. Peyton DeGreeff was recently hired as an elementary paraprofessional. High School Principal Tessa Dierks, who began her role on July 1, reported she has been reviewing the handbook and procedures, the back-to-school schedule and math curriculum updates.
Meyer updated the board on summer building projects, including the cleaning of the buildings, concrete repairs, portable air conditioning units, asphalt work and the roof project. He also reported that summer community education activities will conclude in mid-August, with the fall brochure scheduled for distribution later that month. The district’s annual audit is scheduled for mid-September.
Activities Director James Wager reviewed the success of the 2025-26 athletic programs and thanked families, community members and businesses for their continued support.
The board approved increases to substitute compensation rates for the 2026-27 school year. Rates were set at $165 per day for teachers, $245 for long-term substitute teachers, $195 for retired MCC teachers, $275 for retired MCC long-term substitute teachers, step 1 pay for paraprofessionals and $15.25 per hour for kitchen staff.
The board also approved revisions to the 2026-27 high school activities handbook, high school parent student handbook, elementary parent student handbook, classroom procedures and employee handbook.
One change to the elementary handbook gives families two options to participate in healthy classroom snack options. Families may pay a $20 monthly snack fee, with the school providing healthy snacks, or families may supply district-approved snacks for the classroom on a monthly basis. Families are also encouraged to consider nonfood birthday treats, such as stickers, pencils, small trinkets or a healthy snack from the district- approved list.
Changes to the employee handbook include the addition of Minnesota Paid Leave information.
The board approved renewal of the district’s Minnesota Rural Education Association membership for the 2026-27 school year and conducted the first reading of the district’s crisis management policy.
Board members also approved extended trip requests for the football team to attend a summer camp at Dakota State University in Madison, South Dakota, and a team campout at Lost Timber.
The board approved the cardiac emergency response plan and the long-term facility maintenance plan.
The board gratefully accepted the following donations: Denver Foundation - $10,000 for Joyce J Grimmius Wolf scholarship and Box Tops for Education - $12.10 for elementary student activity.
The next monthly meeting of the MCC School Board is scheduled for Monday, August 10, at 6 p.m. in the high school library.
