The Murray County Central School Board met Monday, Oct. 12, 2026, to review staffing changes, student activities, academic performance data and district goals for the 202627 school year.
Superintendent Joe Meyer introduced Christine Schmitt of Southwest West Central Service Cooperative (SWWC). Amber Mead was hired by SWWC as MCC’s new finance officer, and Schmitt will help with Mead’s onboarding.
Student activity and class accounts were shared.
New food service employees include Dawn Butler, Jodi Reese and Trudy Robinson. Catherine Winters was hired as the junior high and high school Knowledge Bowl coach. Clayton Hartle submitted a request for family medical leave. Brandon Thomson submitted his resignation from food service and transportation. Consent agenda items were approved.
Athletic director James Wajer reported on football, volleyball, cross country and drama activities. Junior High Knowledge Bowl has started with 14 students participating.
Wajer also reported that MCC is not only able to accept cash but can also accept credit card and online sales via five devices shared between tickets sales and concessions.
Elementary Principal Patrick Freeman updated the board on enrollment numbers, Homecoming Week activities, the Rebel Sidekick program, Fire Prevention Week and Lunch Buddies. He also discussed the after-school academy, Emily’s Hope Curriculum, Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) and professional development opportunities.
High School Principal Tessa Dierks reported on professional development opportunities, parent-teacher conferences, student support and academic progress, career and college readiness and Homecoming Week.
Dierks also presented data from the 2025-26 school year, including district demographics, graduation trends, attendance, district and building goals, and proficiency trends in math, reading and science. Proficiency data helps the district identify possible gaps in instructional practices, curriculum and resources while tracking class performance from year to year.
The district’s reading proficiency goal for 2026-27 is to increase the percentage of students proficient on the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) and Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS) from 60.9% in 2026 to 62.9% in 2027.
The elementary school aims to increase reading proficiency among students in grades three through six from 66% in 2026 to 68% in 2027. At the high school, the goal is to increase reading proficiency among students in grades seven, eight and 11 from 54.5% in 2026 to 56.5% in 2027.
Meyer’s superintendent’s report included information about workshops and training opportunities. The board also received a report from Greg Scheitel. The district recognized the principals during National Principals Month and custodial staff on National Custodian Appreciation Day.
A 40-foot shipping container storage unit has been secured. It will be placed west of the track and east of the practice football field.
A Veteran’s Day program will be held on November 11 at 2:15 p.m. in the school gymnasium. The American Education Week celebration will be held on November 19.
Community education activities for the winter will be advertised in a brochure scheduled for release during the last week of October.
The board approved the authorization of transferring funds to eliminate deficit and the 2026-27 strategic plan.
The board gratefully accepted the following donations: Kiwanis Club of Slayton - $1,000 for scholarship, MCC Staff - $1,000 for scholarship, Karen Mather Larson - $500 for Mather Scholarship, Jeff & Jill Doose - $500 for Mather Scholarship and Radke Wheel Service - $90 for football.
Election day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.
The next monthly meeting of the MCC School Board is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 9 at 6 p.m. in the high school library.
