These accomplishments reflect the dedication of our students and the leadership of our coaches and activities directors.”

Assistant Superintendent Kristine Shaeffer

The South Washington County School Board met March 26 at the District Service Center in Cottage Grove. On the night’s agenda were several items, including comment to the board, student athlete recognition, proposed policy changes, a revised budget, and release of probationary teachers.
Starting with student athlete highlights, the board heard from students and coaches regarding athlete achievement and medals in state competition,
“These accomplishments reflect the dedication of our students and the leadership of our coaches and activities directors,” Assistant Superintendent Kristine Shaeffer said, then turning things over to Park High Athletic Director Phil Kuemmel, Woodbury Activities Director Jodi Loeblein-Lecker, and East Ridge Assistant Principal Anne Peterson.
Kuemmel came to the podium first.
“She described things perfectly,” Kuemmel said of Schaeffer’s introduction, before turning things over to Park High wrestling coach Jim LaBrosse and wrestler Zach Carr.
Recently signed with Moorhead State University, Carr capped an exceptional high school career with a third-place finish at the state tournament. Carr, who maintained a 3.49 GPA, was a five-time state entrant — a rare achievement — and demonstrated resilience following a narrow semifinal loss.
Head wrestling coach Jim LaBrosse who has led the program for more than two decades, praised Carr’s leadership and perseverance.
“To come back the next day and dominate like he did shows his character,” LaBrosse said, noting Carr’s influence on younger athletes in the program.
Carr credited his success to coaches, family, and teammates, emphasizing the importance of community within athletics.
“I couldn’t have done this without my coaches and parents in my corner,” he said. “Booster club and everyone helping me out. It meant a lot to recognize Park High on the state level, and I’m committed to more.”
Also highlighted at Thursday’s school board meeting was Woodbury High School wrestler Mitch Folks, recognized for his steady improvement over four years, culminating in a fifth-place finish at state with a 43–6 record in the heavyweight division. Folks was highlighted for his leadership, academic success, and role as a three-sport athlete.
“Mitch is a three sport athlete, he’s a leader all around in our school,” Loeblein-Lecker of Folks. “He’s inclined steadily through his four years at Woodbury High School.”
Folks had wrestled ninth grade in the 160 pound weight class with an 0-3 varsity record. He improved this in tenth grade with a 20-23 record in the 215 pound weight class. Junior year saw Folks finished second as a heavyweight with a 26-21 record, and a 46-3 record senior year, making first in section and finishing fifth.
Folks himself highlighted how sports provide structure, discipline, and belonging — particularly for students who may lack stability elsewhere.
“It’s the easiest way to make friends and be part of a community,” he said, adding that lessons learned through athletics extend far beyond competition. Folks said he plans to attend St. Thomas or ICU.
Also highlighted March 26 meanwhile were East Ridge debate students Yashas Singh and Jiseung Jung and gymnast Laney Schwellenbach. East Ridge Assistant Principal Anne Peterson made the introductions for East Ridge students and coaches, with East Ridge debate coach Katie Schultz and students Yashas Singh and Jiseung Jung, speaking first. East Ridge earned a state championship in public forum debate earlier this year — a first for the school.
Schultz emphasized the hard work required to reach the top, noting that debate builds communication skills and confidence that extend beyond competition, before turning this over to Singh and Jung, who each shared thoughts. Singh and Jung each credited God, coaches, teammates, and family support for their success, underscoring the broader value of extracurricular activities.
“I’d like to thank my teammates,” Jung said in part. “They’ve made me sure I want to pursue debate as a four year activity.”
“Before I joined debate, I wouldn’t be able to speak in front of even a few people,” Singh said of skills learned. “Now this feels natural.”
Throughout the evening, speakers returned to a common theme: athletics and activities play a critical role in preparing students for life beyond high school. Singh told board members he had committed to Northwestern University, while Jung will study finance at the University of Minnesota.
Next up was gymnastics, with Coach Tammy McIntyre highlighting Schwellenbach.
“I just want to say how excited I am to be recognizing Laney Schwellenbach and all of her accomplishments as an East Ridge gymnast,” she said.
Schwellenbach, an East Ridge senior, was the Section 3AA gymnastics champion in the all around, as well as bar, beam, and floor. Schwellenbach also made All Conference and All Section, awarded Miss Gymastics for the second year in a row, and holds the school record on the floor exercise with 9.8 and all around at 38.8, sweeping sectional titles across all events and earning multiple state medals, including silver in the all-around.
“You may have no idea what these numbers mean, but they’re amazing,” McIntyre said.
Coach Tammy McIntyre described Schwellenbach as not only a top-tier athlete but also a role model defined by resilience and composure.
“She would bounce back with calm determination and finish with grace,” McIntyre said, highlighting Schwellenbach’s ability to overcome adversity during competition.
Schwellenbach told the board she plans to attend the University of Wisconsin–Madison and will step away from competitive gymnastics, expressing gratitude for her experience representing the district.
“I just wanted to say that my favorite memory the past few years has been going to state with my team and individually each year,” Schwellenbach said in thanking the board. “I’m so grateful to be able to compete on the East Ridge gymnastics team and represent my school and my district. It is truly something I will never forget.”
Following student highlights, the board moved to the consent agenda, approved unanimously with a motion by Board Member Sharon Van Leer seconded by Board Member Simi Patnaik.
Among items approved in the March consent agenda were several staff retirements and resignations, as well as leaves of absence. New employees were also approved, along with $13,029,208.40 in electronic fund transfers over the prior calendar month and $1,303,542.30 in interbank transfers. The board also passed a resolution accepting $36,931.20 for the month of February, bringing gifts this school year to $633,489.60.
Also approved in consent were school board business meeting and workshop minutes, cash disbursements totaling $23,382,368.18 of which the majority was general fund ($10.24 million) and construction ($8.643 million), followed by transportation ($2.050 million), food ($845,691.64) and a host of lesser amounts. Closing out consent approvals were extended field trips sports and other groups at both East Ridge and Woodbury High, along with two lease agreements, one spanning four years pertaining to replacement of 1,500 ninth grade Chromebooks, and another for three years pertaining to replacement of 3,000 sixth and 10th grade Chromebooks.
The four year lease agreement is for 1,500 Asus CR1/Intel/4Gb/23 Gb Chromebooks at a cost of $105,751 per year, while the three year lease agreement is for 3,000 Chromebooks equipped similarly to the four year agreement for a cost of $321,755 per year, both starting in July 2026.
Following consent items a presentation was given by Superintendent Julie Nielsen on seven proposed policy updates, covered at the monthly workshop and approved Monday without opposition. The updates for policies 201, 202, 210, 211, 212, 214, and 215 reflect changes in Minnesota statutes and district procedures, policy 215 being deleted as there is no policy from the Minnesota School Board Association.
Motion to approve the updates was made by Van Leer seconded by Board Member Melinda Does.
Also from March school board, members approved a revised 2025–26 budget, presented by Director of Business Services Kris Blackburn.
“Tonight I’m bringing forward the revised budget for 2025-26,” Blackburn said, noted that adjustments were made based on updated enrollment figures, funding allocations, and staffing costs. Included in the revised budget figures are revenues of $669,784,389, expenditures of $635,215,505, and a fund balance of $239,293,671, approved with motion by Patnaik seconded by Board Member Louise Hinz.
Discussion prior to the vote board members addressed concerns about a negative balance in the Community Education Fund. Blackburn explained that while the fund can carry a deficit temporarily, the district will continue monitoring cash flow and may rely on general fund support if necessary. All of the expenditure would be addressed by year’s end, the board was told.
Towards the end of the March 26 board meeting Executive Director of Human Resources and Operations Abby Baker presented a resolution to release probationary teachers at the end of the 2025-26 school year, with non-renewal for 2026-27.
“After that uplifting presentation by the students now I have to present one of my least favorite presentations of the year,” Baker said of probationary teacher releases.
Reasons for release as included in the resolution include student driven scheduling, changes in enrollment, curriculum changes, union contract transfer article language, licensure issues and performance issues. The only probationary release listed as such was for bus driver substitute Daniel Pennington, with several teacher resignations included in meeting materials.