Board of Directors Meeting Release: July 30, 2024

DEERWOOD, Minn. --- “Back to School” begins in earnest this week for Member School administrators in preparation for the 2024-2025 school year. The same is true for the Minnesota State High School League’s Board of Directors, who began their work on a new school year in a two-day workshop followed by their scheduled board meeting on Tuesday, July 30 at Ruttger’s Bay Lake Resort and Conference Center.  

As the League enters its 109^th year of providing service to the now more than 500 Member Schools, the opportunities for participation and student leadership continue to grow while the financial sustainability of the organization flourishes.  

“This is a really exciting time for the Minnesota State High School League,” said Board President Don Peschel, the Superintendent of Sauk Centre Public Schools. “As this new edition of the Board of Directors begins its work to support and lead the way for students and their communities, there is so much optimism and positivity driving what we do.” 

There are plenty of reasons to celebrate.  

In addition to ushering in a school year that features the debut of Boys Volleyball as a League-sanctioned activity, the Board of Directors approved a nearly $12 million annual budget that continues to provide leadership services and exceptional educational experiences through its 50 fine arts and athletic programs while returning the largest member fee credit in League history.  

This school year, the League is crediting Member Schools membership dues of approximately $1.675 million. Schools will be assessed a base membership fee of $100 and $50 per activity. There will be no per-student fee. The average membership fee per school is projected to be less than $1,000. It is the second consecutive school year that Member Schools have received a significant membership credit. 

The League’s financial outlook has prospered post-pandemic thanks to a sustainable financial model built, in part, with the help of new corporate sponsorships, continued media partnerships and record-breaking attendance at state tournament events. Initial financial assistance in the 2020-2021 school year was provided by the Member Schools when asked to increase support to the League for an interim period. Prior to the global pandemic, the League’s financial model was 85 percent based on state tournament attendance and related revenue. When those events were cancelled because of the global pandemic, the League engaged in task force exploration to create a sustainable financial model for the future. 

“We are extremely grateful that we are in this position and that the League is able to share back in a big way to the Member Schools,” said Matt Percival, Activities Director at Eastview High School in Apple Valley. “The priority is to make sure we are putting on the best possible experiences for students. When we can do that and return funds, it is a win-win. Any dollar we are saving as a district or as a building is going to go back and positively impact students. This credit is directly impacting the student experience in a very positive way.”   

Attendance at League events has also soared. During the 2023-2024 school year, a record 590,000 patrons attended state tournament events. It was the highest attendance mark since the 2016-2017 school year.   

In other action during the first of six in-person meetings this school year, the League’s Board of Directors: