Hastings school board approves moving gymnastics practice to Farmington after exhaustive local search

Vice Chair Dressley called the meeting to order and the board took up a staff recommendation to relocate the district’s gymnastics practice site for the 2026–27 season.

John Seubert, Director of Finance and Operations, told the board staff had exhaustively searched local options, consulted a realtor, invited ideas from the community and reviewed the cost of multiple alternatives. He said the Farmington Gymnastics and Cheer center offered a season lease for $10,000 and that, while it was not the district’s preferred local solution, it met program needs and was financially feasible compared with other options and the capital cost of a district facility.

"We began looking at potential options, we did put a Facebook post out, asked the community, worked with a realtor, we toured sites and looked at additions to the high school," Seubert said, summarizing months of work. "Farmington had a lease agreement for $10,000 for the season." (John Seubert, Director of Finance and Operations)

During public comment Jeanne Cassell, head coach for gymnastics, asked the board to keep the program in Hastings. She said moving the program out of town would create student-safety and transportation challenges and increase family costs, and she urged the board to collaborate on solutions that would allow the program to remain in district facilities.

"If athletes are required to travel to Farmington for a school‑sponsored activity, who is liable for a student if a student is injured in a car accident?" Cassell asked, adding that shipping the program outside the district could reduce participation and prompt families to enroll elsewhere.

Board members acknowledged the community’s desire to keep the program local but said district staff had explored a broad range of options and many in-town choices were not feasible. Directors discussed transportation, possible use of district vans, and the long-term desire to find a local site.

"This has not been talked about and then forgotten about — we have talked about this many times," one director said. "The viable options within Hastings are just not great options at this time." (Director Biermeyer)

After discussion, Director Zuzek moved to approve the Farmington Gymnastics and Cheer facility as the program’s practice location for 2026–27. Director Brunz seconded the motion. The board voted by voice and the motion carried unanimously.

The board and staff said transportation arrangements will be addressed separately and that district leaders will continue searching for a long‑term in‑town solution.

The vote: motion approved unanimously; facility approved for the 2026–27 season.

Next steps: finalize the lease and return to the board as transportation plans and any additional logistics are developed.