NEW ULM — The gymnastics cooperative in New Ulm is expanding to include St. James and Madelia.

New Ulm Public School (NUPS) currently hosts a gymnastics program with Minnesota Valley Lutheran (MVL) and Cathedral High School. However, Superintendent Sean Koster said there are 13 participants across all three schools.

“That’s a real low number for the sport,” Koster said. Through conversations with other districts it was learned that St. James and Madelia High School have their own cooperative that has even fewer participants with nine.

“It makes sense for both co-ops to combine into one co-op,” Koster said.

Before the council could approve the new co-op agreement, the previous co-op needed to be formally dissolved. After voting to formally dissolve the gymnastics cooperative between NUPS, MVL and Cathedral the board approved the application to form a new cooperative with NUPS, MVL, Cathedral, St. James and Madelia.

The same application approved by NUPS was submitted to the other school’s board for approval. If the cooperative agreement is approved by the other four schools, the documents will be submitted to the State High School League by Nov. 4. The new cooperative would begin for the 2025-2026 season.

In related news, Koster informed the board the New Ulm district had submitted formal notice of intent to dissolve a cooperative agreement with Sleepy Eye for girls hockey. Koster said this decision was made after the New Ulm School board decided to dissolve co-ops without participations. The change will take effect 2026/2027 winter season.

“Should Sleepy High School have enough students interested in taking part in girls hockey, New Ulm Public Schools is open to considering a new co-op agreement at that time,” Koster said.