Chris Hahn

Original article published in the Mower County Independent, Thursday, November 20, 2025.   Reprinted with permission and gratitude.

By Gretchen Mensink Lovejoy

Roofing company representatives attended the Feb. 6 Kingsland school board workshop to outline for the board the details of the condition of the school building’s existing roof and elaborate on the work that will be done this summer to reroof the main school structure. The voters of the Kingsland district authorized the roofing project through a referendum held during the Nov. 5 general election. The ballot included two questions – one for re-roofing the school and making various repairs to it and auxiliary structures on the grounds, and a second for the construction of a new gymnasium to ease the district’s physical education classes’ schedules as they attempt to use the district’s only gymnasium each school day. Voters approved the first question but not the second.

Kingsland used Garland Company, a roofing materials manufacturer, to install a new roof over the gymnasium two years ago after severe weather caused damage, and the administration chose to seek the company’s service as a contractor for the rest of the building for consistency and assurance of continuity in project oversight. The representative brought with him a sample of the roofing materials’ layers to allow board members to see how the materials would be laid down and mitigate water entering the building. Kingsland Superintendent Scott Klavetter informed the board that Garland brings with its work a 30-year warranty that will cover the district’s literal overhead liability if any need arises – 2053 is the next time a school board should have to consider re-roofing the school if it’s still in place. Facilities business listed later on the agenda involved the roofing and maintenance projects, and it was then that he spoke of how re-roofing is set for this summer and any further work will be done next summer. The board voted to approve low bidder Jackson & Associates as the subcontractor that Garland will use to carry out the roofing work.

A resident of the district raised concerns during the district public comments, expressing frustration that the board had decided to pursue a May facilities referendum to poll voters for a new gymnasium shortly after the general election vote showed that taxpayers were not willing to support such an expenditure as part of the initial referendum. He stated that he felt that the board is “sneaking this in under the radar” because he and others with whom he had conversed did not feel that they had been offered a community outreach opportunity. “It’s just three months ago that we voted this down by two-thirds. It wasn’t even close…the TV station was in the locker rooms the other night, and they showed pictures of the rusty registers over the showers at least three times. That tells me that you can’t take care of what you’ve got, so why should you build new?” He went on to suggest that the district focus on academics, on hiring or further educating teachers. “I think we’re looking at the wrong thing – none of this is because of the gymnasium space. And if you’re going to hold a vote, why not have a polling place in Wykoff? The thing that makes this look suspicious is that it was (begun) before the new board members we voted on were in place.”

Kingsland’s school board did return to posing a referendum to build a new gymnasium within months of the first proposal’s failure, but the consensus that led to the decision was that if the community were to be willing to reconsider, it would be best to bring the matter back to them before the costs of materials and labor rose significantly. New board member Ann Oeltjen acknowledged that the timing might appear suspicious, but she countered that she is in favor of the action. “Just so you know, I am okay with it.” Board member Brady Wolfgram said, “There’s nothing underhanded. It was the timeline. We had to come back with it so that the cost is the same amount.” The visitor commented, “Maybe you can use the money to pay teachers a little better.” Klavetter stated that the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) sets guidelines for teacher pay, meaning that Kingsland has no large authority to raise teacher pay even if the board were to wish to do so. Wolfgram cited, “On Facebook…everybody thinks we’re trying to sneak this through, but it’s not the intent. We’re trying to get this out to people. My daughter comes home and says that the high school students have to stand around for 10 minutes to wait for half of the gym.” Klavetter contributed, “We have had two different high school and elementary physical education teachers use the gym with the curtain down the middle, but they all said that it’s not rigid enough to stop balls going through the curtain into the other side, and if a middle school teacher is trying to teach a lesson, the kids can’t hear.” And Wolfgram relayed his opinion on the gymnasium and replacing the circa-1950s locker rooms. “For me, I don’t feel that we’re asking for what we don’t need. At what point are we not going to be able to use the locker rooms? When they talked to us about it, they said that the cost would be the same to build new as it is to repair them, and if we had (new locker rooms), we could park all of the buses in the bus shed instead of storing things in the bus shed.”

Board chairman Kyle Rader rounded out the exchange between the board and the visitor, thanking him for his time and input while Rader and Klavetter recounted that the board has delegated its membership to attend township and local government meetings to provide information and hosted numerous open house events before each facilities referendum proposal is forwarded to a vote, and typically, only one – or no one – attends. Rader advised, “It’s frustrating trying to reach people these days. We went to all the town hall meetings, held open houses. Sometimes you have to engage with your community to know what’s going on the community, because I can’t do all of that (for everyone).”

Klavetter’s superintendent’s report involved a preview of planning the 2025-2026 aca[1]demic calendar. He wrote, “We developed a draft calendar for next school year. I will be meeting with administrators from the other SMEC schools in February to compare draft calendars and create as much consistency as possible for our shared programs. The goal will be to have a final draft ready for school board approval in March.”

He then outlined, “Governor Walz recently released the first version of his proposed state budget for 2025-2027. The governor’s proposed budget includes minimal funding increases in a few specific areas and some funding reductions in other areas…the December minimal budget surplus for the current legislative cycle (fiscal year 2026-2027) and a $3.5 billion deficit for the next (fiscal year 2028-2029). It is, however, a development that we will need to monitor and plan for accordingly. One upside is that inflationary increases for education were written into statute during the last legislative session, meaning school districts will see a 2 percent increase in the per pupil funding formula each year.”

He continued, “Among the governor’s proposed spending reductions, special education funding is particularly concerning locally. Special education transportation is currently fully funded by the state. The governor’s proposed budget would re[1]duce this to 95 percent for school year 2025-2026 and 90 percent for school year 2026-2027, meaning local districts would need to begin funding a portion of this expense out of the local general fund. This relatively small percentage would add up quickly for rural school districts like Kingsland that transport students across multiple school districts to attend shared special education programs.”

Klavetter included that “the Spring Valley-Wykoff FFA will be hosting its annual pancake breakfast Tuesday, February 18 from 7:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. in the ag shop…community members are welcome to attend,” as “this is one of many activities that will be held throughout the week of February 18-21 to celebrate National FFA Week.”

High school principal Dana Simmons relayed in her written report that the Kingsland One Act Play team placed second at the sub-section competition and is advancing to sections at Kasson; that the seventh grade ag class is meeting with kindergarten monthly to cooperate on an art project; “the FFA wildlife team placed sixth in their most recent competition and will advance to state…Carson Wolfgram came in first place overall,” and in spelling bee news, “Emmalyn Rader won first place, and Blaze Haddad came in second…these students will advance to the regional spelling bee on February 4.”

Important dates for students and parents to note include that there is no school this Friday, Feb. 14 due to teacher in-service and professional development, but Snow Week coronation is slated for that evening following the 6:00 girls’ basketball game. There is also no school on Feb. 17, in observance of Presidents’ Day. Snow Week is Feb. 18 to Feb. 21 – the FFA pancake breakfast is included.

The consent agenda included reviewing the minutes of the Jan. 22 meeting and February bills.

Kingsland’s school board holds two meetings each month. The first is a workshop held on the first Monday at 6:00 p.m., and the second is the regular meeting on the third Monday at 6:00 p.m., each in the Kingsland elementary conference room.

The public is welcome to attend.

For more information, log onto the Kingsland website at www.kingsland.k12.mn.us, call the district office at 507-346- 7276, or join the gallery at the next meeting. The February board meeting is set for Wednesday, Feb. 19 in observance of the Monday, Feb. 17 Presidents’ Day holiday.

Courtesy of the Mower County Independent, 135 E Main St. LeRoy, MN 55951, (507)-324-5325

Published February 20, 2025 

Chris Hahn – EDA Director 

The Spring Valley Economic Development Authority (EDA) recently completed a comprehensive housing study of the Spring Valley community.   A housing study assesses the housing needs of a community and is important initial step in the planning process for future development.

This study was paid for through grant funding from Compeer Financial, and the National Association of Realtors, and was conducted by Community and Economic Development Associates (CEDA)

The EDA would like to thank the residents of Spring Valley who participated in the Public Utilities survey at the end of last year.  The input from Spring Valley residents was a valuable part of completing this study.

Additional thanks to the project steering committee, the Spring Valley EDA, City Council, and Public Utilities.

View the completed 2025 Spring Valley Housing Study here.

Original article published in the Mower County Independent, Thursday, February 6, 2025.  Reprinted with permission and gratitude.

Gretchen Mensik Lovejoy

Fillmore County Highway Engineer Ron Gregg sat before the Fillmore County commissioners last Tuesday, Jan. 28 with a cooperative agreement with the city of Spring Valley for the construction of County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 8 – Tracy Road – from Highway 16 and 63 to Section Avenue, or CSAH 1.  

The construction agreement will outline “how it will happen and how the county will participate in the cost of the project.” Commissioner Mitch Lentz, who represents the district that includes the Wykoff area, asked Gregg, “Have you worked out the Safe Routes to School…if there’s funding?” Gregg replied that that effort would have had to begin as a collaboration with the school district prior to the CSAH project being planned by the city and county. However, he assured Lentz that sidewalks are included in the project’s design. Lentz, who is a farmer who often travels the portion of CSAH 8, Farmer Street, that the county and city repaired and upgraded just over a year ago, registered his mild frustration that Farmer Street was narrowed when it was reengineered and now does not have enough space to accommodate in one lane tractors with dual rear wheels when there are cars parked on both sides of the street. “Shouldn’t there be no parking the whole way? It was narrowed the whole way. When residents park on both sides, I, with my little tractor, have to drive in the center.”  

Gregg spoke again of the proposed Tracy Road/CSAH 8 project, relating that existing parking allows adequate space for cars and that that space will be narrowed by one foot as Tracy Road is narrowed. Lentz pointed out, “Tracy Road is extremely busy with buses. With all that traffic parked on the sides of the road, if the residents park on the sides of the road, it will be a lot narrower.” Commissioner Duane Bakke, who represents constituents in the Lanesboro area, asked, “Can you change parking to one side?” Lentz added, “I would like to see, when you narrow roads like that, no parking on both sides.” Gregg countered, “In order to accommodate tractors in town, the city (sets parking ordinances). The city is responsible for half the cost of sidewalks.” Commissioner Larry Hindt, who represents the district that includes the city of Spring Valley and who resides close to Tracy Road/CSAH 8, remarked, “On Tracy Road, when there are school activities, people park on both sides of the street. It really narrows the street.” Bakke commented that motorists – including farmers and truck drivers – should be able to drive in their own lanes, according to the designs being considered. Lentz stated, “It would be best if there was no parking when the road narrow.” Bakke persisted in his opinion that parking ought to be limited to one side of the street, and Hindt said, “The school should be aware that there would be parking on one side for events…they need to be aware of that.”  

Commissioner Marc Prestby, chairing the panel, asked Gregg what he thought the commissioners should do, given the new discussion about parking. Gregg answered that the construction agreement is “ready to go,” and Prestby pressed, “This agreement is set to go, but….” Lentz suggested that the commissioners should recommend the parking issue to the city of Spring Valley before determining what to do. Hindt made a motion to approve the agreement, and Lentz seconded, saying, “I second it, but I will vote against it because I don’t believe that narrowing roads (is beneficial in this instance).” Bakke said, “This agreement is for the cost, not the actual construction.” The motion passed, and Gregg called for the board to clarify what it had just accepted. County administrator Bobbie Hillery responded, “This is for the agreement, but we will bring it back (for parking discussions).”  

Fillmore County Sheriff John DeGeorge arrived to finalize details for the purchase of body cameras. The commissioners and the sheriff’s office have been communicating about the purchase and implementation of the cameras and a camera policy for at least the past several weeks. The total cost will be $95,500, and the county is required to pay $24,501.10 upfront and $17,749.72 a year for operation and support. Commissioner Randy Dahl made the first motion to approve the camera purchase. Lentz seconded, after which the board voted to approve the cameras, then the policy governing their use.  

Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail representative Alex Shapiro updated the board on the long-distance hiking trail project’s progress, explaining that work to plot the trail was begun approximately six years ago and that it will be the first of its kind in southern Minnesota as a pedestrian route longer than 25 miles. The trail’s construction will require “substantial funding and support” from landowners, county officials, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and from the state legislature. The trail will likely bring foot traffic to towns for “safety and economic development,” and the proponents assured the board that the trail will be accessible to emergency utility vehicles for medical purposes. Construction is expected to be completed within the next decade.  

Director of nursing Jessica Erickson brought forward a request to purchase 21 first aid kits for the sheriff’s department and local police departments and pull-up seals for the kits. She related how the kits would be distributed – 15 would be placed in deputies’ squad vehicles, and three each would be given to the Rushford, Preston and Lanesboro departments. Erickson shared that the Chatfield Police Department declined the kits because it had already purchased them. She went on to state that the seals she requested are meant to “help keep track of whether a kit has been used…if you don’t have the seals, then you have to inventory the kits, and this helps to see if a kit has been used.” The commissioners obliged both requests.  

Human resources officer Lindsi Engle asked the board to consider the resignation of social worker Kourtney Olson – effective Jan. 10, and to promote eligibility worker Christina Gilder to social worker as of Jan. 31. The county is advertising internally and externally for a replacement eligibility worker. The board agreed to promote part-time deputy Drew Copley to full-time deputy – effective Feb. 28 – and then passed a memorandum of understanding with the Local $49 union. Lastly, Hillery brought forward discussion regarding the commissioners’ respective committee assignments and potential changes to the list, as Prestby agreed to assume corrections committee duties in place of Bakke.  

The consent agenda included approving the minutes of the Jan. 14 meeting.  

Fillmore County’s commissioners convene on the first, second and fourth Tuesday mornings of each month at 9:00 a.m. in the lower-level boardroom at the Fillmore County courthouse in Preston. The public is welcome to attend. For more information, log onto the county website at www.co.fillmore.mn.us, or have a seat in the gallery at the next meeting. 

Courtesy of the Mower County Independent, 135 E Main St. LeRoy, MN 55951, (507)-324-5325