March 24, 2024 | South Central News & Media
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Detailed Forecast for Lafayette and Nicollet, Nicollet County: NOAA Data
Snow blanketed Nicollet County this weekend after a winter almost devoid of the white stuff. National Weather Service NOAA Significant Winter Storm Across the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest; Severe Storms in the Southern Plains A significant winter storm will bring heavy snow and strong winds, and possible blizzard conditions to the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest through Tuesday morning. Hazardous travel is expected Sunday and Monday. Isolated to scattered severe thunderstorms are forecast to develop Sunday after-
noon and persist through Sunday night from central Texas into Kansas. Detailed Forecast Today Snow. Patchy blowing snow after 11am. High near 34. Breezy, with an east southeast wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible. Tonight Rain and snow, possibly mixed with sleet before 11pm, then rain, possibly mixed with snow between 11pm and midnight, then rain after midnight. The snow
Image: National Weather Service
could be heavy at times. Patchy blowing snow between 8pm and 9pm. Low around 32. Breezy, with an east wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow and sleet accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible. Monday Showers. High near 40. East wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Monday Night Rain showers Chance of precipitation is 90%. Tuesday Snow, mainly before northwest wind 20 to 25 mph, with before 3am, then snow. Low around New snow accumulation of less 1pm. Patchy blowing snow after gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance 25. North wind around 15 mph. than one inch possible. 9am. High near 26. Blustery, with a Continued on page 5
Local Schools Facing Budget Issues
Family Day
Districts Cite Declining Enrollment Numbers, Staffing Costs and Inflation as Key Drivers of Budget Shortfalls By Robert Lawson Publisher info@nicolletcountyledger.com
Many Minnesota school districts are now facing unexpected and in some cases major budget cuts. Their deficits appear higher than normal, some by millions of dollars. This comes even as districts make cuts in their budgets.
Districts like ISD #508 in Saint Peter, will consult with staff on the cuts. Superintendents at both Saint Peter and Le Sueur districts said they’re also falling far shorter than anticipated. Experts and school professionals say inflation is the major driver of the budget shortfalls. That is also combined with increases in staff contract negotiated rates and declining enrollment numbers.
Superintendent Bill Gronseth said numbers of students are currently down in the Saint Peter district. “This week, I have some large blocks of time set aside with principals and the admin team to start making plans for how we address the deficits that you see in 2024,” Gronseth said. Saint Peter came into the year at $3.3 million for the unassigned
Continued on page 5
Immanuel Lutheran School in Courtland held its Family Day on Wednesday, March 20.
Wolters Named YWCA as Woman of Distinction Press Release Mankato Area Public Schools (MAPS)
Mankato Area Public Schools (MAPS) Adult Basic Education Coordinator Karen Wolters has been honored as one of the Women of Distinction 2024 by the YWCA Mankato. The prestigious recogni-
tion celebrates Wolter’s contributions to her community, her commitment to inclusivity and her impactful leadership within the Adult Basic Education (ABE) program. Wolters serves as the program coordinator for the ABE program within the MAPS district. Her leadership of the ABE program has helped to spearhead numerous initia-
tives aimed at promoting inclusivity and empowerment within the community. Her initiatives include the Path to Citizenship program, Adult Career Pathway program, English language education and comprehensive family support, including childcare and parent education. According to the district, through
The Saint Peter School Board discussed the shortfall in the adopted fiscal year 2024 Indepdent School Distrcit
Continued on page 2 508 adopted budget and how the board will move forward.
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