Board approves annual goals

At the Waseca school board’s Sept. 18 meeting, Superintendent Eric Hudspith briefly ran through the district’s strategic plan and how the autumn actions and activities happening at each school have been directly tied in. 

 

Hudspith also requested board approval for his annual goals, mentioning that nothing had been altered since the board saw them at the work session. In the 2025-26 school year the superintendent’s goals include focusing on student progress, success, future readiness, and community engagement. Also included in his goals is the effective and efficient operation of facilities. 

 

The board examined the three-year school board governance work plan while Hudspith highlighted changes made since the work session, including engaging the Minnesota School Board Association (MSBA) to assist with the annual board evaluation, a facility audit, and invigorating board recognition at the Waseca County fair. 

 

Business Director Sarah Brandt gave a summary of the 2024-25 overall expenses for the general fund while mentioning an audit will begin in three weeks. Brandt said the district was very close in its overall budgeted numbers. The timing of some projects resulted in a few categories of low numbers, but things looked “relatively healthy.” 

 

Brandt next presented information surrounding the 2026 preliminary levy. Brandt said the state opens the levy information system in August and after she enters certain data, the  state “spits out” a 39-page report of calculations based on factors that affect property taxes. Brandt said her department is asking the board to certify the preliminary tax levy at the maximum amount for calendar year 2026, which is fiscal year 2026-27 for the district. The actual dollar amount will be brought back to the board for approval in December at the Truth in Taxation hearing. 

 

September is School Board Recognition Month in Minnesota. On behalf of the district, Hudspith presented each board member with 25 Bluejay Bucks to be spent at the school store.