NICOLLET — Alicia Madson attended Thursday’s Nicollet Public School board meeting to request reconsideration land resolution petition made in March 2024.

The petition refers to the 14.58 acres of land where Norseland Lutheran Church furnishes a home for Pastor Kyle Madson and his family at 37769 State Hwy. 22, St. Peter.

Approving the resolution would release the property now under District 507 and change it to District 508 St. Peter. Currently 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.

Madson asked that the board approve the petition because she and her family have a unique situation because they need to live in the house because her husband is the pastor at the church. Madson currently home schools with their children. She would like to enroll their children in St. Peter schools because of proximity. In addition, it would all their children to take part in St. Peter’s sports. Currently, a couple of their children swim in St. Peter. Going to to Nicollet for other sports would be difficult for the family.

No action was taken by the board.

Superintendent Robin Courrier reported that Dan Johnson from ETI did an environmental assessment of a classroom and hallway in the elementary wing. There was some concern about the possibility of mold. All the measured air quality parameters were noted to be within generally accepted ranges for good indoor air quality.

Nicollet Public Schools has worked with Mike Hoheisel, of Baird Financial Advisors, since 2021 on a continued contract agreement. Hoheisel has worked with Jim Freihammer, district business manager, over the past two years. The superintendent has been approached by one other Financial Advisor group, Ehlers, Inc. Courrier recommends continuing to work with Baird Financial Advisors.

Courrier reported the Facilities Committee has had one meeting with Rob Brown, account executive at NEXUS, and have had visits from a variety of its consultants. NEXUS provides professional services for architectural, engineering, and construction management with school districts.

A tentative timeline for the referendum resolution project was revised that runs from November through March. The timeline includes time for the community and staff to be involved plus complete surveys.

“If we do decide to go ahead with an operating referendum, we do not want to rush this. We want to do a really good collection from people before we move forward with a referendum. The earliest would be in August. It would be a mail ballot,” said Courrier.

The staff development committee met on Sept. 17 and set goals for the following focus areas: Student Engagement/Improvement, Purposeful Instruction: Professional Learning Communities, and Positive Connections. During the early release on Sept. 27, teachers reviewed MCA and FAST data and discussed students and individual academic needs, including students who need extra support from an intervention. Work on the READ Act is ongoing.

Board member Jill Martens reported she and Courrier met recently with teachers for the first Meet and Confer. It will be held quarterly and Board Chair Adam Erickson will also be included.

“I am excited about this Meet and Confer because it gives a time for discussion to be had and teachers to be heard,” said Martens.

Board member Mike Slater reported the shop class is making progress on the concession stand.

“This Friday all four walls will go up. Hopefully by next week they can put plywood on the rafters,” said Slater.

Board member Ashley Slater reported on the Nicollet County Collaborative meeting.

“They are doing a facilities assessment on the building in St. Peter so they can make updates. I think it would be beneficial if all school board members walked through the building to see its condition. We probably would not want our kids to walk in there,” said Slater.

Freihammer reported on the budget. He also reported that they are preparing for the audit which will be in the second week of November. The audit will be presented to the board at the December meeting.