BEA principals Conan Shaffer and David Dressler are pictured above giving a presentation and update on the BEA Vision Card, and the progress being made, during the School Board meeting on Monday night, Sept, 8. The Vision Card showed marked improvements in several areas at the BEA Schools, from School Readiness to graduation rates and desired daily experience for students, staff and parents.

The Blue Earth Area School Board made a big change for one of their sports teams during the board’s monthly meeting on Monday, Sept.8.

The BEA School Board approved an agreement to form a cooperative gymnastics team with United South Central High School, starting this winter sports season.

The vote was unanimous to form the cooperative. Now the co-op contract will still have to be approved by the USC School Board at their next meeting, and then approved by the State High School League.

“That is why we need a vote and approval at this meeting,” BEA superintendent Mandy Fletcher said. “It has to be approved by both boards and the State High School League by 30 days before the start of the season.”

The co-op agreement had been added to the meeting’s agenda at the start of the meeting.

While there were some questions, one board member was totally in favor.

“It is a positive thing to do from every angle,” board member Ted Armon stated. “So it is an easy recommendation to make.”

The co-op agreement is for three years to start with, then renews for two years at a time after that.

The name of the team will be BEA/USC Buccaneer Gymnastics, at least for now.

A change in the gymnastics program was not the only piece of good news received at the meeting, including some words about the first couple of weeks of school for this year.

During her report, superintendent Fletcher said, “all things considered it went very smoothly.”

And, she added that enrollment at BEA is up by 40 students.

“That can change,” she stated. “Students can move around schools during the start of school. But I think we are still going to see a very positive increase.”

Fletcher also gave an update on all of the work done by the custodial staff over the summer, which included sidewalk repair, painting, carpet in 12 rooms and much more.

“Our awesome staff really hit it out of the park,” Fletcher said. “And we thank them.”

The principals all had positive remarks about the start of school in their reports.

“My goal was to visit classrooms during the first week,” high school principal Conan Shaffer said. “Specifically to see how the change from a four period day to a seven period day was being accepted. And it looked like things were going smoothly with the change.”

Elementary/middle school principal Dave Dressler agreed as well.

“We were very busy but everything went relatively smoothly,” Dressler said. “With taking school pictures, issuing ID badges – it all went fast.”

Superintendent Fletcher explained the new procedures for visitors who come to the schools, especially at the K-7 building.

“All visitors to the school have to sign in at the district administrative assistant desk,” Fletcher said. “And have to have a certain place to go.”

She admitted that both schools have issues with not being totally secure.

“We are having a meeting tomorrow with Genesis Classical Academy, United South Central, Blue Earth Area and county law enforcement,” she said. “To discuss each school’s emergency response procedures.”

In other business at the meeting on Monday, the BEA Board:

• Approved the Initial Levy 2025 Payable 2026 at the maximum amount allowed. The board will set the final levy amount at a meeting in December.

• Heard an update from the principals and the Curriculum/Instruction director concerning the district’s Vision Card.

They reported that there had been marked improvement in all of the areas on the Vision Card, including School Readiness, MCA Test scores, graduation rates and desired daily experience.

• Accepted a donation for the Bucc-y Bags program from Kerry Foods, plus another one for school supplies. A donation in memory of Denny Bartlett, an anonymous $25,000 donation and a $7,000 donation from the former Blue Earth Lions Club.

• Approved personnel changes including: a contract for Vanessa Wirkus for accounts payable/accounting and Rachel Petersen for gifted and talented; leaves of absences for Kortni Pizel (maternity) and Larissa Hatfield (personal); new hires of Dalton Drake as playground supervisor and paraprofessionals Elsie Pahl, Jessica Sweet, Sara Arbeiter, Kathy Engleby, Maricela Curi and Laurie Langford; lane changes for Katie Mullaly, Kelly Bleess, Trinity Seedorf and Lindsey Norman.