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BLUE EARTH-- Blue Earth Area Schools will start earlier this fall after a decision was made at the BEA School Board meeting on Monday night.
But, the decision did not come easy, as there was a long discussion by the board members before there was a vote on two different motions.
The first vote on the matter was on a motion and second to postpone the decision to the March meeting. That vote failed on a 5-2 count.
A second motion, to proceed with the new proposed calendar, passed on a 5-1 vote.
The new calendar has school starting on Aug. 26 for grades 8-12 and on Aug. 28 for grades K-7. Both days are before Labor Day weekend. The calendar has Christmas Break from Dec. 23 to Jan. 1, and a Spring Break from March 17-21. The last day of school will be on May 28.
In other business, the School Board had a presentation from Sarah Mittelstadt of the Southern Plains Education Cooperative concerning their Special Ed programs.
The cooperative serves several school districts, and Mittelstadt, the Special Ed director, explained the services they provide for the Blue Earth Area District.
She said they provide 63 targeted services to the districts, and they are serving 188 students in some way or other.
Costs are divided up among the districts in accordance with the number of students they have in the programs.
In other business at the meeting, the BEA School Board:
-- Heard an enrollment update from superintendent Mandy Fletcher that listed the current enrollment at 1,023 for grades K to 12.
-- Swore in a new student representative to the School Board, junior Reagan Machacek. Senior Leah Becker is serving her second year on the board.
-- Appointed the Faribault County Register as the school district's official newspaper.
-- Approved a resolution proclaiming February 2024 as School Board Recognition Month.
-- Approved several donations to the Buccy Backpack Program.
-- Approved several personnel items, including the resignation of SPED teacher Kristie Rolling, a contract with Jim Wirkus to be Buildings and Grounds supervisor, and approved lane changes for Peter Koenig, Leonor May and Heather Hernandez.
-- Approved the final readings and changes to seven School District policies.