Le Sueur-Henderson board approves 2024-25 calendar and authorizes laptop purchase for testing lab

The Le Sueur-Henderson School Board voted Dec. 9 to approve the district's 2024-25 calendar and to purchase laptops for a testing lab, each by 5-0 voice votes.

Superintendent Wagner outlined the calendar changes and key dates: "the start date of August 25th for students, staff official start date is August 19th," he said, adding that the last day for students is scheduled for May 21 and staff will have a half day on May 22. The district will include an early out for both students and staff on Dec. 23 this year and will use the Thursday before Easter as an early-out day to meet student contact-day requirements.

The superintendent said the calendar is largely unchanged from the current year but required small shifts because of how the Christmas break falls; school leadership worked with teacher union co-presidents Kyle O'Brien and Jen White to land the dates.

On the technology purchase, the Chair introduced a motion "to approve the laptops for testing lab." Board members noted the purchase is part of a grant spending requirement; the transcript refers to the amount as "about $5,000." That motion also passed 5-0.

Board members discussed starting earlier in August to increase instructional days before testing; one board member noted, "since we started this calendar our test scores have gone up," underscoring the rationale for an earlier start.

Both votes were recorded by voice; the calendar and the laptop purchase were approved without amendments. The board adjourned following the votes.