The Tracy Area Public School Board approved a resolution to authorize the renewal of an expiring referendum revenue authorization at its regular board meeting Monday night. The current referendum includes calendar year taxes payable 2027, with the fiscal year revenue recognized 20272028. The new referendum includes calendar year taxes payable 2028-2037.
The school board can extend an expiring referendum one time. In addition, this is another step needed in the consolidation process with Milroy Public School.
The Milroy Public School consolidation process is continuing. TAPS Supt. Chad Anderson informed the board of continuing meetings, discussion points including the Milroy Public School building and each school’s current debt service.
The board also approved the new digital ticketing program for school sporting events this year. The ticket prices for the 25-26 school year gentleman comes in from the parking lot … he says, ‘Are you planning on finishing the show?’” said Pageant Technical Director Bill Richards. “He thought we should keep going. There were people up in the booth until almost midnight making sure nothing went wrong.”
The answer to the man’s question, of course, was no, as Walnut Grove got nailed with a torrential downpour shortly after the performance was delayed because of lightning. That delay, however, would eventually turn into a cancellation as the system crept closer to the Plum Creek area.
The heavy downpour made driving difficult, much like during a bad snowstorm.
“I left about 11:30 and
High Low Precip July 1 82 63 July 2 88 68 July 3 91 70 July 4 88 72 July 5 82 68 .2” July 6 79 61 T July 7 84 59 .4” July 8 79 61 July 9 84 59 July 10 82 66 July 11 82 68 July 12 75 59 July 13 84 63 July 14 88 66 July 15 90 68 .3” July 16 68 59 1.7” July 17 70 55 July 18 81 57 1.4” July 19 73 63 July 20 79 57 July 21 81 66 .05” July 22 88 70 July 23 88 67 .01” 7-day temperature outlook: will be $8 for adults and $5 for students. Adult passes will be $85 (same as 24-25). A couples pass will also be available for $120. This will eliminate the 10-game punch card. Student passes will remain $25.
The new system will also allow card payment at the concession stand. The school will also have cash ticket sales available this year.
Tracy Area High School Principal Mandy Dibble’s hiring was approved at the meeting for the 2025-2026 & 2026-2027 school year.
In other board news:
• The board recognized enrollment at 643 (336 at the elementary and 307 at the high school. May 2024 enrollment was 633.
• The board approved the second reading of the 2025-2026 TAHS student handbook changes and Policy 620.
• The board designated the Tracy Area Headlight Herald as the official newspaper of the district, and Tracy Minnwest Bank and Currie State Bank as the official banks of the district.
• The board approved lunch rates for the 2025-2026 school year. Elementary/High School lunch and breakfast will be free. A second entree for lunch will remain at $2 while a second breakfast will remain at $2.25. The adult lunch prices are set by the state and are not yet available.
• The board approved a milk contract with Prairie Farms a bread contract with Pan-OGold for the 2025-2026 school year.
• The board set the school board meetings for the year as the third Monday of the month at 6 p.m. with the exception of Jan. 12, 2026, and Feb. 19, 2026. In addition, the board set the Truth-in-Taxation hearing for Monday, Dec. 15, at 6:05 p.m. in the TAHS Media Center. The continuation hearing, if needed, would be held on Tuesday, Dec. 22, at 6:05 p.m.
• The board approved the hiring of: Bri Bruder and Olivia Pauman as co-head cheer team coaches for the fall cheer season; Jason Kainz as JH football coach; Arika Sanders as JH volleyball coach; and Chayse Ramirez as part time custodian.
They also approved volunteer coaches Brett Swenhaugen and Andy Lanoue for football, and Grace Dolan, Margaret Dolan and Taylor Hanson for volleyball.
• The board approved the resignation of Amy Rubin as Student Council Advisor.
• The board approved the designation of Minnesota School District Liquid Assets Fund as the official liquid asset fund and approved the Long Term Facilities Maintenance Revenue 10-year report to MDE.
• The board voted to surplus two old wrestling mats and use the received funds to help reimburse the cost of two new mats.
• The board accepted a donation of a 1999 Ford Mustang for the auto class at TAHS and possible use at parades and homecoming. The board also approved a $40 anonymous donation to the TAHS scholarship and $902 from the Tracy Lions Club from Burgers & Bands for the band program.
• The board approved a resolution to cover the bike path engineering fees of $26,000 for a path from the elementary school to the high school and near the baseball fields. The same resolution was approved last year for a grant the City of Tracy was applying for. The City did not receive the grant last year and are applying again. The engineering costs would be the only costs to the school.
• The board approved to increase the Capital Asset threshold from $5,000 to $10,000.
