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Saint Peter Public Schools board approves 2026 levy, accepts audit and approves multiple policies
Summary
At its Dec. 17 meeting the Saint Peter Public Schools board approved a $9,967,685.97 property tax levy for 2026 (a 0.66% increase), accepted the 2024–2025 audit, and approved several policies and resolutions including grant acceptances and a new contract position.
The Saint Peter Public Schools Board on Dec. 17 approved a tax levy for taxes payable in 2026 totaling $9,967,685.97, a 0.66% increase from 2025, after a Truth in Taxation presentation and a period for citizen input. The motion to adopt the levy was made by Bill Kautt and seconded by Rita Rassbach; the roll-call vote passed 6–0 with one member absent.
Tom Olinger of Abdo presented the district’s fund balances as of June 30, 2025 and the board unanimously accepted the 2024–2025 audit results on a motion by Kautt and seconded by Ken Rossow. "[The] fund balances update" and the accompanying audit were accepted by the board, which recorded unanimous approval.
The board also approved Policy 527 (Student Use and Parking of Motor Vehicles; Patrols, Inspections, and Searches) on a second reading after updates to language and a legal update to align with the Minnesota School Boards Association model policy. Kate Martens moved the second-reading approval; Rita Rassbach seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
On a single-reading motion the board approved Policies 706, 710, 711, 712 and 721; Superintendent Jon Graff told members these were reviewed as part of the district’s policy cycle and included minor or no changes. The board additionally approved a resolution accepting a grant from the Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council and donations from Paul and Gayla Rodning, gifts for North Elementary playground projects, and a donation from the Good Neighbor Diversity Council; that resolution passed on roll call.
The board approved a contract for a new Community and Family Education Graphic Designer position, created due to an upcoming retirement and reconfiguration of an assistant role, and set meal reimbursement rates for 2026 to the U.S. General Services Administration levels (unchanged from 2025) while authorizing the district to adopt the IRS mileage rate when it becomes available. All of these motions carried without recorded opposition.
The meeting opened at 6:03 PM and adjourned at 6:28 PM. Next regular meeting is scheduled for Jan. 21, 2026 at 5:00 PM in the Saint Peter Community Center Governor’s Room.
