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Pipestone Area School Board accepts donations, updates policies and certifies levy for payable 2026
Summary
At its Sept. 22 meeting the Pipestone Area Schools Board accepted donations including 25 winter coats and $1,925 in cash, approved multiple policy updates (removing a sentence from policy 527), certified the levy limitation at the maximum for payable 2026, and set the truth‑in‑taxation hearing for Dec. 15.
Vice Chair Katie Wiese presided over the Pipestone Area Schools Board meeting on Sept. 22, 2025, where the board approved a package of routine financial reports, accepted donations for student supports and athletics, adopted several policy updates and certified the district’s levy limitation for payable 2026.
The board received financial summaries showing year‑to‑date expenditures of $2,682,134.27 (about 15% of the budget as of Sept. 19, 2025) and a district cash balance of $9,814,882.74 for the month ending Aug. 31, 2025. The district’s MN Trust 2023A bonds account showed a cash balance of $853,127.02. The board voted to approve payment of regular bills totaling $1,143,975.75 and high‑school activity bills of $16,321.93; motions to accept the treasurer’s reports and pay the bills carried unanimously.
On a formal resolution, the board accepted donations intended for student wellness and athletics. The donations recorded in the minutes were: Christ the King — $200 to the Wellness Room; Knights of Columbus — 25 winter coats for elementary and middle/high school students and $300 to the Wellness Room; and Pipestone Publishing — $1,425 to the Athletic Help Fund. Member Tyler Fruechte moved adoption of the resolution, seconded by Member Tami Taubert; the resolution passed 4‑0 (Wiese, DeBates, Taubert, Fruechte).
The board adopted updates to policies 211, 415, 417, 420, 508, 516, 525, 527, 528, 529, 533, 710 and 714. The minutes note an explicit edit to policy 527: the board removed the final sentence, “In addition, the student may be referred to legal officials when appropriate.” That motion carried unanimously.
Board members also approved surplus declarations, including 100 jumbo junior toilet paper dispensers and a list of shop equipment identified in the minutes; both surplus motions carried unanimously. The board certified the proposed levy limitation and certification report for 2025 (payable in 2026) at the maximum amount allowed and set the truth‑in‑taxation hearing for Dec. 15, 2025 at 6:30 PM in Conference Room 1148.
Superintendent Dr. Klint Willert and school leaders provided routine reports during the meeting. Dr. Willert reported on surplus property, strategic plan work, an increase in district use of artificial intelligence tools, plans for a January board conference, and facilities items including the elementary gym floor and curtains. Principal Sonja Ortman described kindergarten buddy activities, new flexible classroom furniture and literacy goals; Principal Jennifer Moravetz reported on picture retakes, Patriot Day observances, bus safety and recent family engagement events. Lisa Pease reported on staff professional development, NWEA/DIBELS testing and distribution of MCA reports; Pease also noted that some staff will be trained to administer medications.
Member Chrissy DeBates moved to adjourn at 7:30 PM; Member Tyler Fruechte seconded and the motion carried unanimously. The minutes were signed by Vice Chair Katie Wiese and Clerk Christina DeBates and later approved and dated Oct. 27, 2025.
What’s next: the board will hold its truth‑in‑taxation meeting on Dec. 15, 2025 at 6:30 PM in Conference Room 1148 to review the certified levy and hear public comment.
