Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Board Actions topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Pipestone board approves $9,900 to send 36 FFA students to state convention; adopts calendar and personnel contracts
Summary
The Pipestone Area School Board approved $9,900 to cover hotels, charter transportation, registration and substitutes for FFA students attending the state convention, adopted a school calendar option, and approved several personnel contracts and routine financial reports.
The Pipestone Area School Board approved funding totaling $9,900 to send FFA students to the Minnesota state convention in St. Paul and completed a package of routine business, including adoption of a school calendar option and multiple personnel contract approvals.
At the meeting, FFA adviser Natalie Rash asked the board to cover hotel rooms, charter transportation, registration and substitute teacher costs for up to 36 students attending the state FFA convention April 19–21. The board approved the request in a motion that itemized the costs: 13 hotel rooms ($2,600), charter bus ($5,000), registration ($1,500) and substitute pay ($800), for a total district contribution of $9,900 with a “not to exceed” caveat. The motion was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote.
Board members also approved the adoption of calendar B for the 2026–27 and 2027–28 school years after committee presentations comparing two options. Board discussion noted that calendar A would start after Labor Day while calendar B starts before Labor Day and provides a Friday off during state fair weekend for families who attend that event. The board voted to adopt calendar B by voice vote.
In personnel and contract business, the board approved: a July 1, 2026–June 30, 2029 contract with business manager Jackie Kennedy; principals’ contracts covering July 1, 2026–June 30, 2028; and a July 1, 2026–June 30, 2028 contract for Lisa Peace, coordinator of curriculum, teaching and learning. The board also approved the 2026–27 contract with the SWWC Service Cooperative for shared services. A non-renewal of a probationary teacher was taken by roll-call and passed unanimously.
Financial updates included a treasurer’s report showing a current cash balance of $7.8 million (compared with $8.3 million the previous year) and a brief 2023A bond treasurer update related to roof funds. The board accepted community donations to the high-school robotics program and a $100 gift to the wellness room.
What’s next: many of these approvals are administrative and take effect per the contract and policy timelines noted in the meeting; no additional public hearings were scheduled on these items at the meeting.
