Hanska
Hanska, MN · Education
Faribault County Register
Blue Earth Area adds new Buccaneer teachers
The Blue Earth Area School District is welcoming 13 new teachers aboard for the 2026-27 school year. These new teachers include Jared Armon, Scott Geerdes, Gretchen Hillesheim, Tiegan Huntley, Jordan Kuehl, James Miller, Luke Norman, Kayce Redican, Madison Reedy, Maria Rodriguez, Kayla Saindon, Patti Strukel, and Kris Viesselman. BEA high...
Faribault County Register
New USC Rebel teachers ready for first roll call
The United South Central School District is welcoming 12 new teachers to their staff for the 2026-27 school year. These new teachers include Aidan Sindelir, Stefanie Topinka, Savannah Mohan, Eli Wolff, Joan Grimm, Jack Klinder, Gretchen Hintz, Teresa Roberts, Olivia Thompson, Leah Winch, Merideth Klingbeil, and Loy Sahr. USC high...
Faribault County Register
New teachers start at Genesis Classical Academy
Genesis Classical Academy is welcoming in eight new teachers for the 2026-27 school year. These new teachers include Jinger Woodring, Katelynn King, Rebecca Denaway, Susan Grover, Reada McConnaughy, Spencer Urban, Heather Woodring, and Malia Wiley. School begins for GCA students on Tuesday, Sept. 1. Jinger Woodring. Woodring will be serving...
KEYC
NRHEG football takes down Sleepy Eye United to open the season
SLEEPY EYE, Minn. (KEYC) - The Sleepy Eye United football team played host to New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva to open up the season on Friday night for a Week Zero match-up. NRHEG wins by a final of 42-37. Sleepy Eye United is set to hit the field next week against BOLD while...
kaxe.org
More school districts are shrinking. New research asks whether closures work
Public schools across the country are closing campuses as enrollment falls and costs rise, in part to save money. In Cleveland, for example, students return this year to a district with almost a third of its schools closed or merged. But new research challenges whether that will actually help save money. Ideastream Public Media's Conor Morris reports.
KEYC
New era for NRHEG football
NEW RICHLAND, Minn. (KEYC) - The New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva football team is ushering in a new era with first-year head coach Devin Lockerby. We caught up with the Panthers ahead of the team’s week zero match-up at Sleepy Eye United. HS FOOTBALL PREVIEWS.
arlingtonmnnews.com
Sibley East School District welcomes seven new educators
New educators had their orientation Aug. 19 to 20 ahead of students arriving in Sibley East classrooms. Classes begin for middle/high school students Tuesday, Sept. 1, and elementary students beginWednesday, Sept. 2. Pictured left to right, front row: Gabi Schwirtz (second grade), Mary Doyscher (MS/HS English), Abigail Lee (first grade). Back row: Ally Johnson (Elementary School Counselor), Kirsten Thor (Dean of Students), Carlie Hedlund (special education and social studies, MS/HS), Paige Paulzine (elementary physical education and Developmental Adapted Physical Education).
kbew98country.com
USC Preparing For the New School Year
United South Central is preparing to welcome students back for the 2026-27 school year. The district says enrollment is expected to grow from the mid-700’s to nearly 800 students over the next five years. A building referendum addressing future space needs will appear on the November 3rd ballot, with informational opportunities planned for the community.
KEYC
KEYC
kbew98country.com
Planning for New BEA Elementary School Already Underway
Blue Earth Area School District officials are moving quickly on plans for a new elementary school following the passage of the referendum earlier this month. Superintendent Mandy Fletcher says planning began almost immediately, with meetings, construction updates and design work getting underway. Last Friday, a group of staff members, parents,...
KEYC
Inside Mankato West High School: A look at all the major upgrades
MANKATO, Minn. (KEYC) - With the upcoming school year just two weeks away, construction at Mankato West High School remains right on schedule. While work will continue toward the project’s full completion, crews say high-traffic zones, including the parking lot and main hallway areas, will be finished and completely clear of equipment by the time students report for class on Sept. 8. Additionally, new spaces such as the main entrance, science labs, common areas, the gym, and staff offices will be ready for use on the first day of school.
1065lakesfm.com
Fairmont School Board Considers Bond Referendum
(Fairmont) The Fairmont School Board is considering putting another building bond referendum before voters. The district’s previous 21-point-7-million-dollar referendum failed in November 2025. It included improvements to the fine arts learning center, a secure entry and office addition, locker room renovations, building updates and districtwide maintenance projects. Superintendent Andy Traetow says the district is now reviewing inflation and construction lead times to determine what a new proposal could look like. If the board moves forward, the district could potentially seek voter approval in February 2027. Traetow says the district would need to file paperwork with the Minnesota Department of Education by the end of September to meet that timeline. He emphasized that meeting the deadline would not commit the district to holding a referendum. The board also approved updated staff handbooks, including new safety requirements. Adults accompanying students off campus will be required to wear safety vests, and staff members and other adults in school buildings will be required to wear identification badges during school hours. The board also approved several staffing changes, including hiring Heather Willemssen as an elementary teacher and extending Kaitlyn Freese’s contract for the full school year.
KEYC
WEM football looks to return to state tournament in upcoming season
WATERVILLE, Minn. (KEYC) - The Waterville-Elysian-Morristown football team returns to the field in 2026 hoping to return to the state tournament after winning the section 2AA tournament a year ago. The Buccaneers return plenty of key pieces as WEM opens up the new season on Sept. 3rd against Southland. HS...
radiomankato.com
Loyola School’s Beloved Tradition “Day One” Kicks Off the New School Year with Enthusiasm and Joy
Loyola Catholic School, renowned for its commitment to fostering a warm and welcoming community, is excited to announce the much-anticipated return of its cherished tradition, “Day One.” As the sun rises on Tuesday, September 1, the first day of the new school year, Loyola’s campus will come alive with music, laughter, and excitement, marking the beginning of a new academic journey for students, families, and staff.
Sun Patriot
School funding state ballot question addressed by ISD 110 board
Waconia school board members got a briefing at an Aug. 10 work session about a school related question that is on the ballot in the Nov. 3 election. The ballot question asks voters whether the Minnesota Constitution should be amended to increase funding to school districts from the Permanent School Fund without raising individual income or property taxes, effective July 1, 2027. The fund dates to Minnesota’s statehood in 1858, established to generate support for K-12 education. Revenue has been accumulating in that fund from roughly 2.5 million acres of designated school trust land through activities like timber sales, mining leases, land rentals and other interests. Those dollars have been invested through the State Board of Investment, growing from about $675 million in 2010 to more than $2.3 billion today; however, existing constitutional restrictions limit how much of the fund’s growth can be distributed to schools. This spring, the Minnesota Legislature approved a bipartisan bill to place a constitutional amendment on the November ballot that would increase the fund distribution formula and annual payouts to public schools from roughly 2.5% to 4.5% of the fund’s rolling average market value. Proponents say the approach will increase annual distributions to schools, make
KEYC
Madelia prepares for another season of growth
MADELIA, Minn. (KEYC) - Madelia High School football looks forward to another season of growth as they compete in 11-man football for the second year in a row. The Blackhawks face off against Lakeview for their season opener on Sept. 4 at 7 p.m. HS FOOTBALL PREVIEWS.
KSTP 5 Eyewitness News Minneapolis-St. Paul MN
Fake website calls out reality of ‘ghost student’ problem at Minnesota colleges
The threat of “ghost students” has become so prevalent at Minnesota’s largest community college that administrators now say nearly a third of all applications to the school are potentially fraudulent.