NICOLLET — The Nicollet Public School (NPS) board reviewed graduation requirements and possible annexation of school property, Wednesday.

The board reviewed two items related to student graduation requirements, recommended by Supt. Robin Courrier.

The new graduation policy requirement read: “Beginning with 9th graders in the 2024-2025 school year, earning Algebra I credit in 8th grade will have earned one math credit standard toward graduation. And, one credit of personal finance for students beginning 9th grade in 2023-24 must be successfully completed for graduation.”

The school board raised concerns about the Algebra I requirement. The requirement as written, has students earning one required math credit in 8th grade. The board questioned if this meant students would not be taking math classes in their junior and seniors years of high school.

School Board Member Ashley Black said, “I want to see some data on how students are doing.”

Courrier agreed to prepare data on how students have done the last couple of years in math classes and bring it to the board at their next meeting.

The board was later presented with a petition to release a property currently under Nicollet’s Independent School District (ISD) 507 and transfer it to St. Peter’s ISD 508.

The petition for the transfer came from property trustees Eric Annexstad and David Gunderson and refers to the 14.58 acres of land where Norseland Lutheran Church furnishes a home for their called pastor and family at 37769 State Hwy. 22, St. Peter.

Currently the property it is tax exempt and there is no tax benefit/loss to the district; however, that could change if the property would be sold and possibly become taxable.

The Nicollet School Board was unable to reach a decision to either accept or deny the petition. After three unsuccessful attempts to receive a motion, no action was taken by the board.

MVED propose cost increase and building rennovation

The Minnesota Valley Education District (MVED) is seeking a significant renovation to its building, which could more than triple Nicollet’s School districts annual payments.

MVED serves special needs students, their families, and schools. For these services, Nicollet pays $12,000 per year, but MVED proposed increasing this to $42,000 per year to cover new building costs.

The new building would allow MVED to house four different transition programs in one building. After discussion, the school board approved a motion to support the planning of a new site, but did not approve the cost increase.

Code.org

Nicollet Public Schools is a new member of Code.org which is an organization that provides computer science staff development. Math teacher, Naomi Paulson, will be attending training on it in June.

Courrier recommended a board member be added to the newly formed Code.org committee to help with communication between the school and the community. School Board Chair Adam Erickson agreed to serve on the committee.

Other business/activities

•Courrier plans to virtually attend the Initial Hearing for the public criminal case regarding a former employee Lisa Cheryl Bode, which is scheduled for March 19 at 8:15 a.m. in the Nicollet County District Court. Bode is formerly did payroll work at Nicollet Public Schools and is facing charges for allegedly overpaying herself $32,462.49.

•The 2024 Quincy/Nashville/Memphis Trip for the Band and Choir is scheduled for March 22-29.

The Nicollet Early Childhood Center’s playground groundbreaking is April 1.

•NPS is participating in a Virtual Job Fair on April 2 and 23 with the hope of securing a Student Support Specialist (Counselor/Social Worker) for the 2024-25 school year.

•District negotiations are continuing. There will be a “mock” negotiations meeting on March 19 with a limited amount of representatives. This is to hopefully provide more progress at the next regular negotiations meeting on April 8.

•Kindergarten Roundup is April 11.