Monticello board adopts 2025–26 budget, approves handbooks and MSHSL membership

On June 16, 2025, the Monticello Public School District Board voted 6–0 to adopt the district’s 2025–26 budget, approve five building and personnel handbooks and pass a resolution delegating supervision of interscholastic activities to the Minnesota State High School League.

Director of Business Services Tina Burkholder presented the budget and told the board the district’s general education aid assumption was set at 2.74% and that the adopted budget is needed so the district has an adopted plan by July 1. “But tonight asking for approval. We're in June. That's where we're at so that we have an adopted budget for July 1,” Burkholder said.

Burkholder told the board the budget projects a roughly $419,000 increase in the district’s fund balance and targets an unassigned fund balance of about 7.3%, short of the district’s 8% target. She also described revenue changes from the recent special legislative session and small decreases in student support and library aid.

The board also received a cash-flow update from Burkholder explaining how state budget timing can affect local cash. She warned that if statewide aid payments shift — for example from a 90/10 distribution to 65/35 — the district might need short-term borrowing. “When it gets that low, we start to see, where we have to borrow short term,” she said, noting that borrowing raises interest costs for districts.

Rob Daneker, the district’s director of human resources, brought five handbooks to the board for final approval: the elementary handbook (applies to all elementary buildings), the middle school handbook, the activities handbook, the coaches handbook and the employee handbook. Daneker said the “theme for tonight is all about alignment,” describing work to make language and procedures more consistent across buildings. The high-school handbook was deferred for additional work and is expected to return to the policy committee in August.

The board also approved a resolution delegating control and supervision of interscholastic activities and athletics to the Minnesota State High School League as provided by Minnesota statute, a routine annual certification required of member schools.

Votes at a glance - Adopt 2025–26 budget — Moved by Melissa Curtis; seconded by Casey Root; vote: 6–0; outcome: approved. - Approve consent agenda — Moved by Melissa Curtis; seconded by Casey Root; vote: 6–0; outcome: approved. - Adopt resolution to remain a member of Minnesota State High School League — Moved by Jeff Hegley; seconded by Melissa Curtis; vote: 6–0; outcome: approved. - Approve five district handbooks (elementary, middle school, activities, coaches, employee) — Moved by Mary Bridal; seconded by Casey Root; vote: 6–0; outcome: approved.

The board’s chair (Seaman) called the meeting to a close at 6:33 p.m. Superintendent Eric Olsen was not present for the June 16 meeting and was noted as absent during opening remarks.