While much of the discussion at the Wednesday, Nov. 19 ISD 200 School Board meeting was dominated by the 2025 School Perception Survey results, the board also discussed other issues ranging from last year’s audit of district finances, approving HCTV’s 2026 contract, and the preliminary approval of this year’s teacher contract.

Audit
ISD 200’s finances have once again received a clean bill of health. Aaron J. Nielsen, CPA with LB Carlson, walked the directors through the most recent district audit which ran through June 2025.
“When you get a boring audit report, that’s what you’re looking for,” said Nielsen.
Nielsen found no material weaknesses or issues of non-compliance within district finances.
While ISD 200 was found to be in compliance with Minnesota law, a separate report is set to be issued for the federal single audit.
This delay is due to a compliance supplement from the federal government that has not yet been issued.
“We don’t believe there will be any major changes, but they haven’t issued the supplement, so we are not allowed to issue those financial statements,” said Nielsen.
Nielsen estimated that they will be available before the March 31, 2026 deadline.

Hastings Community TV
For the second year running, the school board waived the rental fee for Hastings Community TV (HCTV), which is located within Hastings High School.
“During the term of this agreement, all rent fees are waived due to the services provided to ISD 200,” according to the 2026 lease agreement.
Last year when HCTV’s rent was waived, that proposed amount was $9,250.
Prior to 2014, HCTV did not pay rent to the district due to the amount of coverage and promotional material produced by HCTV for the district. Last year at the December school board meeting, Mike Bremer, Executive Director with HCTV, estimated that 80% of content produced by HCTV relates to coverage or promotional material for the district.
Again, that reason was cited for waiving the fee.
HCTV is currently seeking new sources of revenue, specifically through a legislative change that would impose franchise fees on internet providers for running cables through public spaces like roads and parks, what is known as the public right of way.
That bill is called The Equal Access to Broadband Act.
These franchise fees are currently imposed on cable companies, but in the age of streaming, cable subscriptions are down, and so too, therefore is HCTV revenue.
According to figures from a recent Hastings City Council workshop, HCTV’s revenue is down an estimated $52,000 since 2019, a drop of about 16%.
“These companies should pay to use the public right of way,” said Bremer.
The board unanimously voted to waive HCTV’s rental fee.

Teacher contract
A preliminary agreement on the new teachers’ contract has been reached. Negotiations have been ongoing since April.
Key concerns during negotiations have been rising healthcare costs and pensions.
Lori Best, President of Education MN-Hastings, provided the following statement to the Hastings Journal regarding the preliminary agreement:
“Our main priorities were to attract and retain highly qualified teachers. We worked with the District teams over many issues, including salary and benefits, which also incorporates the new PFML beginning in January 2026. Because we are in the process of meeting with our membership in preparation of a vote, I cannot share specific details at this time. We will hold a membership vote Dec. 1-2. If the vote passes, it will move to the school board for approval at their December meeting.”