Board approves resolution to apply for Minnesota State High School League Foundation support for activity fees

The board considered and adopted a resolution supporting an application to the Minnesota State High School League Foundation to provide financial assistance for student activity fees. Director Indra introduced the resolution and a second was recorded; administrators said the Foundation funds would be used to reduce fees for families who qualify for free or reduced services and to support participation in athletics and activities across high school, middle school and community education programs.

Director Indra explained the program is effectively “close to free money” for eligible students and that funds would be applied to reduce participation fees for qualifying families. Board members asked clarifying questions about how the student-fee match is calculated; staff said the district uses the free-and-reduced-price-meal numbers to determine eligibility and that the grant reduces the amount families pay (examples cited in the meeting were reduced/paid-fee figures for prior years).

Roll-call vote (as recorded in the meeting transcript): Monica Siegfried — Yes; Michael Hanratty — Yes; Jack Hedeen — Yes; Carl Solomon — Yes; Martin Stickney — Yes; Pete Watkins — Yes; Nancy Dunson — Yes. The resolution passed unanimously among board members recorded on the roll call.

The board instructed administration to submit the application and to use any award to lower school-activity fees for qualifying students.