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Rushford‑Peterson board advances multiple policy adoptions, accepts donations and approves short‑term library contract
Summary
At its April 20, 2026 regular meeting, the Rushford‑Peterson School Board advanced a package of district policy updates adopted on April 20, accepted $6,100 in donations, listed payroll and board‑bill totals, and approved a brief contract for a library media specialist.
The Rushford‑Peterson School Board met April 20 in the Forum Room and recorded routine business including policy adoptions, financial reports and a temporary library services contract.
The board’s packet and meeting materials indicate the adoption of a series of district policies with an effective action date of April 20, 2026. Policies updated or adopted in the packet address advertising on district property (Policy 905), testing accommodations and alternate assessments (Policy 615), extracurricular transportation (Policy 710), video recording on buses (Policy 711) and video surveillance off buses (Policy 712), vending machines (Policy 720), and distribution of materials by nonschool persons (Policy 904). The packet includes the full text of each model policy and legal cross‑references to Minnesota statutes and federal guidance.
Board materials also listed routine financial documents and vendor payments. A donations table in the packet lists 13 gifts totaling $6,100 from local groups and businesses (including RP Booster Club, Rushford State Bank and others). The payment register attached to the packet lists board bills and checks for the period with a report total of $221,656.58.
Personnel items included in the consent materials showed recommended hires for the coming school year, among them: Heather Grigg (EC/ECFE); Jacob Heftman (2nd grade); Jacqueline Avilez (3rd grade); Brooklyn Werner and Clay Olstad (5th grade); Chris Drinkall (5–8 physical education); Ethan Papenfuss (band); and Guy Eastep (high school math). The packet also lists a leave for Taylor Allen for a portion of the 2026–27 school year. A separate page in the materials lists the district’s candidates for graduation for the Class of 2026.
The board reviewed a short‑term services agreement with licensed library media specialist Robert Routh. The contract calls for services beginning approximately March 11 and ending no later than June 15, 2026, and specifies a total charge of $500 for two meetings (one site visit and one virtual meeting) and availability for consultation. The contract in the packet is signed by Superintendent Ben Bernard and Robert Routh (License #394035).
Superintendent Ben Bernard’s report noted that bids for transportation, milk, bread, gas and snow removal had been received and would be analyzed for recommendation at a future meeting; the packet also notes the state food service audit was underway. Building‑level reports included written elementary and middle/high school updates, testing schedules and extracurricular activity calendars.
The meeting packet lists future regular meetings for May 18, June 15 and monthly through December 2026. The agenda materials did not include verbatim transcripts of any public‑comment speakers at the April 20 meeting.
What happens next: administrative staff will return recommendations on the procurement bids and report audit findings at future meetings; the library media specialist contract runs through June 15, 2026, per the agreement in the packet.
