Chatfield School Board Hears Cell Phone Policy Update

At the September 9, 2026, school board meeting, board members David Sovinski, Tom Keefe, Josh Thompson, Jill Harstad and Mark Johnsrud were present. Board member Katie Priebe was not present. Also present were Superintendent Ed Harris, elementary principal, Shane McBroom, and high school principal, Eric Nelson. Student senate representatives Lucy Allen and Zaylee Boyum were also in attendance.

Reports

Lucy Allen and Zaylee Boyum stated that this year they are adjusting to a new advisor and have 11 new members, but are doing well with the change and are preparing for Homecoming the week of September 14-18.

Eric Nelson reported that the beginning of the new school year went very well and the activities programs weathered the change to the new BOUND platform. This year there is a new program available and two students are taking advantage of it. It is a firefighter certification training process that is partially the outcome of the Achievement and Integration work with Rochester Public Schools. The program, which includes a full-year of academic work, requires seven highly intensive weekends of on-site firefighter training in Rochester. The students will receive both college credit through Riverland Community College and credentials toward their firefighter certification.

The first days at the elementary went very well according to principal Shane McBroom. The last week has been busy welcoming students and families back to fall conferences and the first two days of class. The staff has found this structure to be very effective in gathering baseline data on our students and using Wednesday as a day to process everything and get ready for the first day of school. Teachers have been going through three different scenarios to help their students prepare for an emergency with the ALICE training. It teaches response options that can be used to stay safe in the event of a violent critical incident. This year the focus of the PLCs (Professional Learning Community) will be on the implementation of the math standards. The teachers will be working with the Southeast Service Coop to acquire resources to support the work.

Superintendent Harris reported the irrigation systems at both schools have been updated to self-monitor so it does not water when unnecessary. They are now able to be controlled via web/phone app, thus saving money during the grass growing season. In celebration of September being School Board Appreciation Month, Harris thanked all the board members for the time, energy, and care they put into supporting students, staff and community. He stated, “Your dedication makes a difference every day, and we’re grateful for the many ways you help guide our schools forward.”

Consent Items

Under consent items the following were approved by the board:

• Minutes of the August 12, 2026, and August 18, 2026, special board meeting

• New hires: Dylan Himle, junior high football coach; child care assistants for Valleyland, Rylee Urban, Mason Sula-Mehus and MaryClaire Miron

• Maddy Braun, fifth grade elementary teacher

Tom Keefe gave an update of where the cell phone committee is at with the cell phone policy and procedures. Since the teachers were also working with the issue, they joined with his committee. The plan now is to gather information; looking at the impact of cell phones and social media on students. They plan to provide parents with information and then conduct a survey of students and parents for input into the policy. He is hoping to have the results and recommendations at the November board meeting.

Action Items

Under action items, the board approved the Certify Projected Levy Payable SY 2026-2027, the teacher seniority list and the change of the October school board meeting to Monday, October 12, at 7 p.m.

Chatfield School Board Hears Cell Phone Policy Update

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