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BLUE EARTH-- The Blue Earth Area School Board had a special guest at their meeting on Monday night.
State Representative Bjorn Olson was at the meeting to discuss any issues the school might have that could be discussed at the state level.
Olson said he is trying to visit every city council, county board and city council in his legislative district.
"I remember when I was the mayor of Elmore," Olson said. "And I never saw or heard from our state representative. So I decided when I was elected, I would do my best to visit these local places every year."
Topping the list of issues being discussed Monday night was the upcoming ballot question about an amendment to the state constitution dealing with the Public School Trust.
Olson explained the history of the trust that dates back to the beginning of the state.
"It would increase a payment to each school district for each pupil and not increase any local tax," Olson said.
Also discussed were ways to increase teacher retention, which would include better benefits, Olson said.
"One of the problems we will have is that after the coming election there could be only three legislators who will have had any teaching or school administration experience," Olson said, adding that he is one of them, having taught at Blue Earth Area.
During the superintendent's report at the meeting, BEA superintendent Mandy Fletcher brought up a budget issue that had come up in the transportation area.
"With the increase in gas and fuel prices, we are over budget in our transportation fund," Fletcher said. "We have $90,000 budgeted for the year, and just in the month of September we had to spend $15,500 on diesel. Last year it was $10,000."
Fletcher said last year diesel prices ranged from $3.39 to $3.79 and this year they are $5.69 to $6.45.
During the committee reports the board heard an update from the BEA School Foundation that included information on their recent grants to student groups. The total was $32,542 to support student activities.
In other business at the meeting, the Blue Earth Area School Board:
-- Accepted donations to BUCC-Y Bags from Delavan Faith Lutheran WELCA, Katie Mullaly in memory of Marianne Mullaly, Roger and Sue Schoenfelder and Retired Teachers and a SHIP grant for $2,055.81.
-- Approved a resolution stating the intention of the School District to issue General Obligation building bonds in the amount of $15 million.
-- Approved a resolution to accept an MSHSL grant to help offset student acitivity fees.
-- Approved the 2026-2027 winter coaches list.
-- Approved the resignation of board member Lindsey Mensing, and voted to elect board member Gary Armon to be board treasurer.
--Approved personnel changes that included: new hires of James Elmer (maintenance), Emma Engleking (K7 custodian), Mackenzie Kramer (paraprofessional) and Esther Nelson (K7 long term guest teacher); contract for Lindsay Mensing (Fiscal Services coordinator); termination of Don Madden (bus driver).