Saint Peter board adopts preliminary 2026–27 budget, renews memberships and authorizes technology lease

The Saint Peter Public Schools Board unanimously approved the district’s preliminary 2026–2027 budget at its June 10 regular meeting, alongside motions to renew annual memberships and authorize a technology lease.

Superintendent Jon Graff presented the preliminary budget and reminded the board that Minnesota Department of Education rules require district budgets for the upcoming fiscal year to be approved by June 30; Ken Rossow moved to approve the budget as presented and Rita Rassbach seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

The board also approved the district’s membership in the Minnesota State High School League for 2026–2027, which maintains participation in athletics, fine arts, speech and drama, on a motion by Tracy Stuewe (seconded by Rassbach); the roll call vote was 7–0. The board approved continued membership in the Minnesota School Boards Association on a motion by Kate Martens, seconded by Ken Rossow; that motion carried without opposition.

On technology funding, Superintendent Graff presented terms for a yearly governmental lease through First National Bank to support student and staff technology across district sites. Rossow moved to authorize the lease and Rassbach seconded; the resolution passed on a 7–0 roll call.

Board members framed these votes as routine, governance-focused actions to keep the district on schedule for the coming school year. The board declined further discussion on budget line items at the meeting; more detailed budget adoption steps will continue through usual committee review processes.

Votes at a glance: preliminary budget (approved unanimously); MSHSL membership (approved 7–0); MSBA membership (approved unanimously); yearly governmental lease (approved 7–0).