Superintendent Larson told the Brandon Valley School District 49-2 board on an evening meeting that the district’s Bergman Valley Elementary School and the Brandon Valley Middle School addition remain on schedule and that the district will make a small boundary adjustment because of a bridge closure affecting Highway 42.

Larson said the district is “looking to tweak that boundary line ever so slightly” so that, instead of following Highway 11, the boundary will follow the river south from Madison Street because of the Highway 42 bridge closure. He said affected families will receive letters in the next month with further instructions.

Larson also reminded families that to qualify for free or reduced-price school meals — and for the district to apply any internal assistance such as an “angel fund” — households must submit an application. “To qualify for free or reduced meals, you have to apply,” Larson said. He said the district will not apply district-held resources to accounts for families that do not complete the application.

The district’s public report card has been released and will be discussed during the “state of the schools” address in November, Larson said. He reported fall enrollment of 5,211 students in junior kindergarten through 12th grade, an increase of about 80 students that slightly exceeds the district’s budget projection.

Larson outlined calendar items and timeline: Veterans Day (Nov. 11) and Thanksgiving (Nov. 26–28) will be observed; a two-hour early dismissal is scheduled for Dec. 20 and winter break will run from Dec. 23 through Jan. 1. He said a draft academic calendar will be brought to the board at the first meeting in January, with final approval targeted for the second meeting in January.

Larson reported that a recent meeting with state officials suggested a likely “lean budget year” at the state level and said district leaders will continue to press for resources to support staff compensation and other needs.

He also offered brief recognitions: the Brandon Valley dance team won the 2025 state championship, and Micah Peterson was the Class AA boys state cross-country champion.

During questions, a board member asked whether a potential federal government shutdown could affect the district’s ability to feed students. Larson said he had not received information indicating an immediate impact. A second board member noted that title funds and many federal programs are forward-funded for the year and believed those grants would remain available for the school year.

On routine business, the board approved the meeting agenda as presented, approved general-business items 1–4, and approved personnel items 1–5; items 6–8 were listed for information only.

Votes at a glance
- Motion to approve the agenda as presented — approved (voice vote).
- Motion to approve general-business items 1–4 as presented — approved (voice vote).
- Motion to approve personnel items 1–5 as presented — approved (voice vote).
- Motion to adjourn — approved (voice vote).

The board received no community input during the meeting. The superintendent said district information cards prepared by Mister Lundberg were available to board members for quick reference.