NEW ULM — New Ulm Public School Board members voiced support of an exclusive cooperative agreement with New Ulm Area Catholic Schools (NUACS) at a study session Thursday.

Superintendent Sean Koster led a discussion about creating an exclusive cooperative pairing agreement between New Ulm Public Schools and NUACS for Minnesota State High School League interscholastic activities and additional programs.

“A handbook draft was presented to the NUACS School Board in November. We got very positive feedback,” he said. “Under the agreement, we would go to them first if we have a need and they would come to us first if they have one.”

Koster said agreement purposes are to expand participation opportunities for students, ensure consistent policies and practices across cooperative programs, foster a spirit of cooperation while maintaining the unique identify of each school. He said no additional “fair share” fees (members contributing to cooperative costs) would be assessed between the schools for all cooperative pairings.

Koster said New Ulm Public Schools could potentially coop with NUACS on a need basis in dance and girls golf. He said NUACS could begin cooperative pairing in the 2026-27 school year for track, clay target shooting, One Act Play, speech and FFA. Other possible New Ulm Public Schools cooperatives are robotics and cross country after New Ulm Public Schools creates a team.

“We want to do this for New Ulm kids. Each school would have to approve agreements they they don’t have to lose their identity,” said Koster.

“I feel like getting robotics and speech going again. It’s about opportunities. It’s a super good discussion.” said board member Steve Gag.

Several other school board members voiced support for cooperative activities with NUACS.