After just having successfully had a bond referendum for a new elementary school building being passed at the Aug. 11 Primary Election, Blue Earth Area School Board members learned that another important ballot question for the local school district will be on the Nov. 3 General Election ballot.

During her report to the board at their meeting on Monday night, Sept. 14, BEA superintendent Mandy Fletcher explained that a question about amending the Minnesota Constitution would have a big impact on Blue Earth Area Schools – and all the other schools in the state – if it passes.

“There is something called the Permanent School Fund,” Fletcher explained. “It helps support school funds without raising individual or property taxes.”

She went on to explain that the fund was started in 1858 when Minnesota became a state and the federal government granted millions of acres of land to the new state for the use of its public schools.

“The fund has grown significantly lately,” Fletcher told the board. “In 2010 it was $675 million, and in 2025 it had grown to $2.3 billion.”

School districts in the state currently get payments equal to 2.5 percent of the funds average value and they want that figure raised to 4.5 percent.

“For Blue Earth Area, we get around $68 per pupil currently,” Fletcher noted. “But that could go up to $101 per pupil if the change is passed. Not an enormous amount, but it would certainly help.”

Fletcher also said an important thing for voters to remember is that a non-vote on the constitution amendment question on the ballot will count as a “no” vote.

Another item taken care of by the board at the meeting was to approve an initial levy for 2026 payable 2027.

After hearing an update on the preliminary budget for 2026-2027 from Fiscal Services coordinator Alan Wilhelmi, the board voted to follow Wilhelmi’s proposal to set the preliminary levy at the maximum amount allowed.

No numbers were discussed, but Wilhelmi stated that the actual proposed increase, or decrease, in the levy will be done after the Truth In Taxation Hearing which will be in December.

One of the first things on the agenda at the School Board meeting last Monday night, was an update on something that had happened at a closed session at last month’s meeting.

Board chairman Sara Hauskins gave the report on last month’s closed session that was an evaluation of the performance of BEA superintendent Mandy Fletcher.

“Superintendent Fletcher was evaluated on three goals being accomplished,” Hauskins said. “After it was all tabulated, she received a rating of 3.6 out of a possible four points.”

Those three goals were 1. Continuous Improvement Plan Implementation, 2. Community, Family and Staff Engagement, and 3. Culture of Cooperation.

“The board viewed superintendent Fletcher as effective and particularly strong communicator who demonstrated excellent leadership throughout the referendum process,” Hauskins reported. “The board appreciates her organization, availability, professionalism and ability to communicate with the board and community.”

Hauskins said one area identified for growth was strengthening trust and relationships with staff and ensuring staff feel supported.

In other business at the meeting, the Blue Earth Area School Board:

• Heard an enrollment update that stated the current enrollment at BEA is 929 students, which is lower than it was before. The major reason was the incoming kindergarten class this year was just 45 students. There were 48 eligible, but three stayed in pre-school.

• Heard an update on all the summer projects that had been completed.

Among the 12 projects on the list were painting the goal posts and press box; replaced the concrete at the discus area and sand at the three long jump pits; removed 21 dead pine trees at the football field and trimmed trees at the K-7 building; repainted the boys and girls restrooms in the academic wing at the high school and the locker rooms; replaced 16 sinks in the restrooms, locker rooms and shop areas; and added artificial turf to the GaGa pits to protect kids from scraps on the black top.

• Approved a resolution authorizing entry into a Joint Powers Agreement to form a Declaration of Trust establishing the “MN Trust” that will handle the proceeds of the bond referendum.

• Approved a contract with Arrowhead Regional Computing Consortium at a cost of $8,928.

• Approved donations including an anonymous $25,000 donation and Dairy Queen Reward Coupons in the amount of $585.

• Approved personnel changes that included: contracts for Rachel Petersen (Gifted and Talented), Nick Milbrandt (FFA advisor) and Jordan Kuehl (FFA assistant advisor); new hires Liz Minor, Jazmyn Eggert and Quyen Chessy as high school paraprofessionals and Nyla Anderson as a full time guest teacher; resignations of Brent Nissen (maintenance), Rachel Petersen (CE Program coordinator) and Airyana Shaffer (high school paraprofessional); lane changes for Carter Bell and Karen Dressler.