A Minnesota Department of Transportation official notified Luverne Public Schools in writing that landscaping near the tennis courts is in the right of way.
Board members were informed at their Thursday night, April 27, meeting that a portion of the flower and shrub garden needs to be removed.
Business manager Tyler Reisch said discussions about meeting MnDOT’s demand may include more than what’s required.
“Once we take out what is necessary, we may have to take everything out because it will look odd,” Reisch said.
The school district has 60 days to comply to the removal order, according to the letter received April 24 from MnDOT permitting manager Emily Eichner.
“The State is preparing a road construction project on Trunk Highway 75 through Luverne,” she wrote. “During MnDOT’s work on this project, it has come to our attention that the landscaping near the southeast corner of the tennis courts is encroaching into the Truck Highway 75 right of way.
“Please remove the landscaping encroachment within 60 days.”
MnDOT plans to resurface Highway 75 in front of the Luverne school campus in 2025.
The flower and shrub landscape project was part of the 2008 grassroots fundraiser, “Campaign for Courts” to expand and resurface the tennis courts.
The successful $429,000 campaign was completed for the 2008-09 school year.
Eichner stated MnDOT doesn’t actively search out encroachments but will address the issue with property owners once the encroachment is discovered.
“(We) understand this may seem like a minor issue and an unneeded expense to correct for you as a property owner,” Eichner wrote.
She states MnDOT personnel will mark the right of way if request.
Eichner also noted the district may need a miscellaneous work permit from her MnDOT office in order to complete the work.
In other business, board members:
•hired Jon Schomacker as 2023 summer recreation director for $9,600, a $200 increase from last year; Jake Haugen as mathematics teacher beginning with the 2023-24 school year for a salary of $43,727; and Kathy Hawes as special education teacher beginning with the 2023-24 school year for a salary of $52,624.
•accepted the resignation of Tara Sudenga as high school mathematics teacher effective May 26; Austin Maxwell, special education teacher, effective at the end of the current school year; and Joel Evans, elementary physical education teacher and middle school football coach, effective at the end of the school year.
•approved a medical leave of absence for Jen Bose, Community Education paraprofessional, beginning April 3 for the remainder of the school year; and approved Ben Nath as a volunteer golf coach.