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Caledonia school board approves two November ballot questions, clears routine business
Summary
The Caledonia Public School District board approved two November ballot questions tied to a district bond and a second facilities question, accepted a donation, ratified routine agreements and approved coaching contracts; the board also heard staffing and operations updates and a positive Minnesota Department of Education review.
The Caledonia Public School District board voted to place two questions on the November ballot and approved a slate of routine business items at its meeting.
The Chair moved the motion to approve two ballot questions and the board voted to approve them unanimously, the Chair announced. "So action item A here is to approve 2 ballot measures or 2 questions on the ballot November," the Chair said when bringing the matter forward.
A staff member described the measures and the figures that will appear on the ballot. "You know, there's a question ... the bond is going out for $88,500,000. The 9.7 that is on here is ... due to fees and interest," the staff member said, explaining that the ballot language shows a higher figure (9.7) to account for issuance costs and interest. Meeting discussion also noted a second facilities question that was reduced from earlier survey estimates of about $4–4.5 million to a lower amount; the staff member said that change reflects a decision to pursue interior renovation rather than an addition.
Why it matters: the ballot questions will set the maximum borrowing authority that may be used for district capital work and will appear on the November ballot for voter consideration.
Votes at a glance
- Resolution tied to recommendation of the "Bennett Community Officer": passed, 5–2 (Derek yes; Julie no; Chad yes; Lee no; Melissa yes; Mike yes; Whitney yes). - Acceptance of monetary donation from Kluge Insurance Agency for purchase of an ironworker: passed, 7–0. - Consent agenda (multiple routine items): passed, 7–0. - Two November ballot questions (bond/facilities): passed, 7–0. - School crossing guard agreement with the city: passed, 7–0. - Ratification of MDE external user access: passed, 7–0. - Fall sport coaching contracts: passed (chair announced 7–0; transcript later includes the phrase "Motion carries 6 0 with 1 abstention" but the record does not clearly link that abstention to a specific item). - Co-curricular coaching contracts for 2026–27: passed, 7–0.
Other business and updates
Staff reported a positive review from the Minnesota Department of Education and said the board would receive a fuller presentation in September. District staff also described operations and hiring updates: the district launched an applicant tracking tab on its website using the AppleTrack system, custodial and facilities preparation for the school year continued, and certified staff positions were largely filled while recruitment for paraprofessionals continued.
Staff also signaled plans for a strategic plan update in August and reminded the board of the process for policy rewording: an August discussion followed by first and second readings with likely approval in September.
What happens next: the board will bring a longer presentation about the MDE review in September and the two ballot questions will appear on the November ballot for voter consideration. The Chair adjourned the meeting after routine board reports.
(Attributions: quotes and motions come from the meeting transcript; all direct quotations in this article are attributed to the meeting speakers labeled in the transcript as the Chair or a staff member.)
