Le Sueur-Henderson board accepts community grants, approves strategic plan and routine contracts in unanimous votes

The Le Sueur-Henderson School District board on Aug. 5 unanimously approved a resolution accepting multiple community grants and donations and moved forward on a range of routine business, including contract approvals, curriculum purchases, policy readings and the district's updated strategic plan.

In the grants resolution the board accepted funds and in-kind support from community organizations. The grants and donations listed by the resolution included: United Fund of Le Sueur — $875 for the Book Buddies program; Redeemer Lutheran Church — $4,992.90 for student needs; United Fund of Le Sueur — $250 for Kinder Camp; Le Sueur-Henderson Softball Association — $2,000 for baseball activities; United Fund of Le Sueur — $600 for senior dinner; and Le Sueur Lions Club — $500 for CPR equipment. Director Schwarz moved to accept the resolution; Director Walker seconded and the board approved the resolution by roll call, 4-0.

Trustees also approved several procurement items and contracts. The board unanimously approved curriculum purchases including a math curriculum and supplemental materials after brief questions about cost and purchase cycles. The board approved a negotiated reduction in the Cross Anderson contract price after discussion about previous pricing and relationship management, and approved local contracting for auditorium LED lighting work with the intention to hold scheduling until later in the project window.

The board approved the 2024-25 student-parent handbook and the student device handbook. Notable changes the board discussed and adopted included new assessment-entry requirements (students must complete a small number of homework/assessment items before retaking assessments), limits on grade recovery via relearning plans (maximum grade recovery to 80%), and a new non-exclusionary intervention called the "Power Lounge" to provide targeted in-school support as an alternative to out-of-school suspension.

The updated strategic plan was approved after trustees said the document reflects staff input and adds language addressing enrollment considerations and board-level finance responsibilities.

Votes at a glance

- Grants and donations resolution: approved, roll call 4-0. (Donors and amounts listed in resolution.) - Curriculum purchases (math and supplemental): approved, voice vote 4-0. - Cross Anderson contract: approved after negotiation, voice vote 4-0. - Auditorium LED lights contract: approved, voice vote 4-0; timing to be scheduled later. - 2024-25 student-parent handbook and student device handbook: approved, voice vote 4-0. - Strategic plan update: approved, voice vote 4-0. - Staff contracts, paraprofessional and secretary agreements: approved, voice vote 4-0.

What trustees said

Directors and staff emphasized fiscal constraints and careful stewardship of contingency funds for the new elementary building; one trustee noted the district is accounting for "every penny" and that project timing is a major factor in prioritizing expenditures. The board thanked staff and bargaining-unit representatives for reaching agreements on support staff contracts.

Next steps

Most approved items were routine actions to implement the coming school year: procurement orders will proceed, contracts will be executed and staff will implement handbook and policy changes. The board scheduled follow-up work on move logistics and occupancy permitting for the new elementary building and said staff will continue monitoring contingency use for construction.