NRHEG reduces 2026 levy by 2.2%

During the New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva (NRHEG) school district’s legally required “truth in taxation” meeting Dec. 15, business manager Karla Christopherson reported the amount the district will receive from local taxpayers in 2026 is $54,000 lower than in 2025–a 2.2% reduction.

 

She went on to summarize various aspects of the budget. A total of about 720 students attend at the district’s two sites, the elementary building in Ellendale and the secondary building in New Richland. This year’s budget, which covers transporting, teaching and feeding the students, as well as administrative and maintenance costs, is just over $13.5 million.

 

The largest source of revenue for the district, more than 70%, is state allotted funding.

Christopherson pointed out that, while the statewide average is that school districts receive about 16% of their funding from local taxpayers, the case with NRHEG is that local taxes provide $2.4 million in funding, roughly 5.6% of the full budget.

 

District superintendent Michael Meihak observed the district is always working to be financially responsible, but future levies may not be as appealing since the state has recently imposed a number of potentially expensive requirements without increasing funding. He specifically mentioned the READ Act, unemployment insurance for seasonal school employees, and the new Family Medical Leave Act.

 

During the regular monthly meeting which took place immediately after “Truth in Taxation,” school board members approved spending up to $75,000 to purchase and provide electrical controls to 6 new basketball backboards to be installed in the southwest gym at the secondary site, which is used during the school day mostly by students in grades 6 to 8, and for seasonal sports practices before and after school.

 

In answer to questions from board members, Christopherson explained that the aging backboards had been on a “list” for some time, and the decision was made to recommend replacing them at this time because they were gradually becoming less and less functional.

In an informal discussion regarding the budget, board members brought up the topic of the post-secondary enrollment option (PSEO), a program which allows qualified sophomores, juniors and seniors to enroll in college courses at the district’s expense. 

 

Meihak stated, “It’s hard to disagree with the philosophy that qualified kids can advance their education by taking college-level classes,” but he expressed uncertainty about a some recent changes to the program which lowered the qualifying grade point average to 2.5 (a C+) and allowed sophomores. Previously, only juniors and seniors with a 3.0 average were eligible.

 

When PSEO students fail the college courses, the district must pay the college nonetheless.

 

Meihak stated the district is working to increase the number of “College Now” courses available at the secondary site. These courses are taught by qualified NRHEG teachers who are treated as college faculty. Meihak said he hoped the College Now courses would be more appealing to students than either registering for on-line college classes or commuting to college campuses.

 

Board members voted to approve a new policy dealing with how community individuals or groups can use the district’s outdoor facilities, including playgrounds and sports fields. The policy, Meihak had summarized at a previous meeting, gives priority to school-sponsored activities. When outside groups use the facilities, he said the policy states some very obvious expectations, including that the location be left clean, neat, and undamaged.