The GFW School Board held a regular meeting on Monday, March 17 A summary of the meeting is below.
Watch the meeting on YouTube:
2025-26 Budget Presentation
CFO Lindsey Heine shared an update on the revised budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year. The district has different funds, each with a specific purpose including General, Food Service, Community Service as well as a fund for construction and capital projects, a debt service, and trust funds. There are also different sources of revenue from property taxes, the state, federal government, and others.
Heine gave an overview of different expenditures and revenues for the adopted and revised budget for the 2024-25 school year and how budgeting decisions are made.
Superintendent’s Report
Dr. Smith shared the preliminary 2025-26 school calendar with the board with additional days planned to help with the transition to the new school facility and no spring break planned. There are 10 staff development days planned. Dr. Smith will bring the calendar back for approval at the April meeting after further revisions.
He also shared updates from a trip to the State Capitol where the state is projecting a deficit and lawmakers are working on potential tax breaks for developers to repurpose school buildings that are no longer in use.
Construction continues at the new school facility with work taking place inside.
He also proposed eliminating the salutatorian and valedictorian for the graduation ceremony as many districts are doing across the country.
School Reports
Principal Thompson shared updates on the read-a-thon that took place during the month of February where students exceeded their fundraising goals. Thank you to the families and the community who participated! Kindergarten kick off is coming up next week with a great opportunity for families to learn about kindergarten. The elementary school also held an international fair earlier this month which was a huge success.
Principal Jacobson shared updates from the middle school and high school where students completed pre registration and are registering for classes now. Students also participated in a student survey to help provide the district with priorities and opinions from students. All seniors are currently on track to graduate which is exciting news! Staff are continuing in professional development activities focused on allowing teachers to grow in their craft.
Members of the GFW High School Student council also joined the meeting to share some updates with the board.
School Board Reports
Board members shared brief updates from committees.
Consent Agenda, Resolutions and Action Items
The board approved the consent agenda
The board approved the Revised 24-25 District Budget
The board approved a Turn Lane Contract to MR Paving of New Ulm
The board approved a Commissioning Contract Award to KFI Engineers of Roseville
The board approved the UEA Seniority List 2024-25
The board approved the UEA Preschool & School Readiness Seniority List 2024-25
The board approved the UEA ECFE & ABE Seniority List
The board approved the Local 284 Seniority List 2024-25
The board approved the Bus Drivers Association Seniority List 2024-25
The board approved the Principal Seniority List 2024-25
The board approved Seeking Proposals from Qualified Contractors for Transportation Services for ‘25-26 School year
The board approved a resolution to accept donations.