AUDIT REPORT GIVEN, 25-26 SCHOOL YEAR COURSE SCHEDULE BEING LOOKED AT, BUDGET SHORTAGE DISCUSSED
Murray County Central School Board met in regular session on Monday, Dec. 9, 2024. The agenda was approved with no additions.
The board received and approved the audit report from Meulebroeck, Taubert & Co., PLLP, Certified Public Accountants. Murray County Central School’s Key Financial Highlights for the 2023-2024 Fiscal year include: -Net position decreased by $70,385 or 3.5% over June 30, 2023 due primarily to the GASB 68 required adjustment for TRA and PERA obligations.
- Fund Balance decreased by $566,882 or 18.4% over June 30, 2023 mainly due to an increase in regular instruction expenditures.
-Total governmental revenues increased by $131,872 or 1.1% in comparison to fiscal year 2023, and expenditures increased by $1,164,651 or 10.4% in comparison to fiscal year 2023 due to an overall increase in salaries and benefits.
Next Katie Will, presented the information for the Public Hearing for Truth in Taxation Payable 2025. As per state law the presentation included explaining what the Truth in Taxation Law requires. Property owners had the opportunity to ask questions and speak at this meeting. The proposed levy was explained, along with levy cycles and a financial overview from 2023-2024 (where the money comes from: State, Local and Federal, and how the money gets spent: (Regular instruction, sites and buildings, Pupil support, Special Education etc.) along with the budget for 2024-2025 that has also been in the newspapers and is on the school website. Ms. Will also showed how the property statements would change.
Supt. Meyer added that the assessed values of properties have gone up significantly, also increasing property taxes. There were no questions from the property owners present.
The School Board then moved on to approve the minutes, financials and personnel. Under personnel, they approved Mark Holton, Long Term Sub, Skylar Brown, Elementary Paraprofessional and Aarron Mollema, Food Service Associate. They also approved an extended leave for Kirstin Nau and the resignation of Malory Ludolph. No one was present for public forum.
Elementary Principal Patrick Freeman reported that we are down by one student this month. He shared the list of concerts that can be found on the school calendar. He gave a shout-out to all of the staff involved with the LETRS training this year. Things are going well and they hope to meet with other participants in this program to collaborate in January. The Elementary has fun dressup days planned for Dec. 1620th. Principal Freeman gave a PBIS report. The November theme was kindness. Mrs. Sally Boelter spoke to students about the Murray County Food Shelf. 3rd grade sang a Kindness song and they finished with the annual Turkey Bowling. The DJ Trivia Staff Event was well attended and the Student Council is working on putting together birthday bags for the food shelf. He recently attended the MESPA SW Division meeting and will be attending the MESPA Conference in February.
Secondary Principal Jake Scandrett gave the latest numbers for the High School. We are holding steady at 323 students. In preparation for spring registration that will happen at the beginning of the next semester, planning is starting with department chairs regarding course offerings for 2025-2026 SY. “There will likely be some major shifts, depending on how we adjust for the budget shortfall.” Since the HS met their MCA testing goal, a celebration day is planned for Dec. 20. “We are thankful for all the hard work students put into these state mandated tests each year and that we were able to achieve our building goal.” State testing will commence in March. Principal Scandrett announced that the Dakota 38+2 Healing and Reconciliation Riders will come past MCC High School on Dec. 19th. He also thanked Mr. Holton for accepting the longterm sub position and recognized Mrs. Davina Ethridge and Mrs. Christine Larson for “stepping up in a big way” in the LA Department. He also thanked Mark Carlson for providing consistency for our students in the absence of Mrs. Nau.
Superintendent Meyer reported that ‘Minnesota’s budget surplus has been reported as $1.1 billion less than prior forecast with the release of the December 2024 Budget and Economic forecast. The projection shows that the next budget period is on course to have just a $616 million cushion by the end, barring any changes but in a statement issued on the forecast, budget officials warned that a “significant structural imbalance constrains the budget outlook in FY 2026-27.” This will all factor into the upcoming legislative session that will begin on January 14th, 2025.’ He reminded the board that the MSBA Annual Convention is Jan. 16-17. And encouraged them to let him know if they wished to attend. Lastly, he thanked Sue Streff for her 16 years of service.
Mr. Scheitel’s report included touching the lives of 276 students. 237 in classroom groups and 39 individuals as well as 22 teacher requested consults.
Activities Director James Wajer gave the Activities Report. The numbers for winter sports: Cheer – 12 (7-12), Girls Basketball – 33 (7-12: 11 JH and 22 SH), Boys Basketball – (55: 24 JH, 31 – 9-12) Wrestling – (37: 29 from MCC). Totals: 129 with 85 boys, 44 girls. Junior High Knowledge Bowl has 17 students Grades 7-9 and have participated in 6 contests.
The Paraprofessional Seniority list was approved next, followed by declaring two old speakers as surplus. The board next resolved to authorize the Clerk of the ISD 2169 to certify the 2024-2025 proposed levy of $2,765,928.43. They then approved to vote for the Area School Board Member Mark Swenson to the MN Rural Education Association. To maintain a 20% fund balance and make up for our projected deficit, the board began a discussion about what can be done about our budget deficit. All options are being explored: staffing, scheduling, 4- day week…They also discussed problems that could result: Athletics, travel, open enrollment, transportation, daycare, students that rely on school lunch and school as a safe place. There is a lot to be considered. The staff members are being surveyed. NO DECISIONS HAVE BEEN MADE. ALL OPTIONS ARE BEING EXPLORED. IDEAS ARE WELCOMED. Their goal is to see the whole picture. At this point, they want to get some information out to the public and follow that with a survey of people after that meeting.
Finally, the board gratefully accepted the following donations: Prairielands - $464.45 Library Grant, Faith Community Lutheran Church - $100 K-6 Snack Program, Various - $32 Drama (gate) Various $981.86 Drama (concessions), Thrifty White - $43.17 HS General Activity (Rebel Wear Sales) The next meeting will be January 13, 2025, beginning with the reorganizational meeting for the new school board, followed by the regular meeting.
