Michael Hoheisel of Baird reviews how BEA compares to other districts regarding tax assessments.

The Blue Earth Area School Board took another step in preparing for a possible referendum later this year on whether or not to build a new school building for grades pre-K through sixth while also demolishing the current elementary/middle school structure.

Meeting on Wednesday, March 11, superintendent Mandy Fletcher explained that as part of the process the commissioner of education requires the preparation and submission of a proposal for a review and comment of the proposed project.

“It does not set a date for a referendum,” Fletcher stated. “However, there are deadlines to meet and if we decided to have a referendum in August this proposal needs to be submitted by March 27.”

The board had to make a decision on which of two proposals to submit and Michael Hoheisel of Baird was at the meeting to explain the differences between the options.

“Package No. 1 would utilize a 20-year bond while package No. 2 uses a 25-year bond,” Hoheisel told the board members. “There are two questions in each proposal. Question No. 1 is to fund the building of a new pre-K through sixth grade school building and the demolition of the current elementary and middle school structure at a cost of $63.3 million. Question No. 2 is whether to spend an additional $10.3 million to improve the indoor air quality at the high school by replacing the four original HVAC units on the roof and to also add a multi-use space to the proposed new building.”

Hoheisel clarified that if question No. 1 does not pass, then question No. 2 does not matter.

“In other words you can’t do the things in question No. 2 unless question No. 1 passes,” Hoheisel said.

Reviewing the two different options, Hoheisel commented that the total estimated yearly tax impact on a home valued at $150,000 would be $232 with the 20-year bond and $185.87 with the 25-year bond.

“The estimated impact on one acre assessed at $10,000 would be $2.98 with the 20-year bond and $2.38 with the 25-year bond,” Hoheisel said. “I will point out that 46 percent of the project is picked up by rest of the state. You have been helping other districts with their projects over the years. Now it is their turn to help you.”

“I appreciate seeing the 25-year plan and that it puts us in the same range as our neighboring districts,” board member Ted Armon said.

“I am also leaning towards package No. 2,” fellow board member Stacey Beyer stated. “Package No. 1 may make sense for the district but we have to think about the voters. Package No. 2 decreases the impact on our farmers.”

Board members Mark Franta and Kyle Zierke both said package No. 1 makes the most sense.

“But, package No. 2 makes the most psychological sense,” Zierke added.

A motion to submit package No. 2 to the commissioner of education passed on a 4-1 vote with Ted Armon, Gary Armon, Zierke and Beyer in favor and Franta voting against.

Due to illness and other obligations, board members Sara Hauskins and Lindsay Mensing were unable to be present for the vote.

Elementary principal Dave Dressler reported on changes to the school calendar for the 2026-2027 school year.

“Labor Day is later this year so school will begin on Sept. 1, the Tuesday before Labor Day,” Dressler noted. “The winter break for the next school year will be one and a half weeks and there will be a week-long spring break.”

Fletcher gave the activities report in place of Travis Armstrong.

“The wrestling program improved this year and two BEA wrestlers made it to the State Tournament,” Fletcher said. “The girls basketball team ended a 37-game losing streak and won eight games this year. The boys basketball team won 18 games. Will Bromeland became the all-time leading scorer at BEA and was named to the State All-Star team. The first year of the co-op gymnastics team saw the girls set a record for team scoring at a meet, win the Gold Division of the Big South Conference and send two girls, Parker Stallman and Mariah Anderson to the State gymnastics meet with Anderson finishing third in all-round.”

Fletcher also reported that the BPA club qualified seven people for Nationals and the students in music had a very successful Solo and Ensemble contest.

“One notable thing to report about our spring sports is that the softball team will play a junior varsity only schedule,” Fletcher said. “This is because of the age and experience level of the girls on the team.”

Dressler reported that the elementary and middle school just completed spring conferences.

“There was a good turnout by the elementary parents while the attendance of middle school parents was a little down,” Dressler said. “There will be no school for kindergarten students on March 20 because it is kindergarten round-up day and there will be no school for the elementary grades on March 24.”

Assistant principal Ty Sturtz reported that about 40 people had participated at the karaoke event hosted by the school.

“We also had a roller skating event and the fifth graders had a VIP day on Feb. 20,” Sturtz commented. “The Science Fair for sixth graders and some fifth graders will be held on March 12.”

High school principal Conan Shaffer reported the FFA hosted a pie social for members of the staff.

In other business:

• Financial Services coordinator Alan Wilhelmi’s contract was extended from July 1 to Dec. 31, 2026.

• A donation of $2,000 from the Peter and Maria Lindberg Family Fund to the art department was accepted.

• A donation to the Bucc-y Backpack program from the FFA, BPA and NHS Donkey Ball fundraiser was accepted.

• The board approved the 2025-2026 revised budget and the 2026-2027 school calendar.

• Discussed possible changes for funding Little Giants and Be-A-Kid which could include a 3-5 percent rate increase, a charge for credit card processing and setting a four day per week minimum to reserve a spot.