At the December 8, 2021, Chatfield School Board meeting, Josh Thompson, Jill Harstad, Katie Priebe and Lanny Isensee were present as well as Principals Shane McBroom and Eric Nelson, Superintendent Ed Harris, Business Manager Trista O’Connor, and Lorri Lowery, administrative assistant. Matt McMahon and Tom Keefe joined remotely through Zoom. Josh Thompson received the oath … [Read more...]
Kingsland board hears food supply challenges
Kingsland School Board held a work session meeting on December 6. One item that generated discussion was the ongoing difficulty in obtaining the various food products that Kingsland serves to students. Judy Tart’s written report to the board said, in part, “Food shortages continue. Trying to buy ahead when products are available… Freezer storage is becoming an issue… Menus … [Read more...]
Houston School’s Truth in Taxation meeting
The required Truth in Taxation meeting for Houston Schools took place December 2, the same night as the regular board meeting with several tax payers present. Gwen Rostad, Houston’s director of finance, presented an informational PowerPoint on Truth in Taxation and the current status of the district. Rostad pointed out that the assessor determines the market value of properties … [Read more...]
Journal Writing Project The future
By Katie Hershberger I do not know what to think of the future. I feel a generational gap between what my generation desires versus what the prior generations desire. When I think about my future, I desire to be like one of those big, burly biker men. The kind that look terrifying, and people fear to approach, but not actually be terrifying. I would love to be one of those … [Read more...]
Solar panel installation delayed at Lanesboro school
At the November 18 Lanesboro School Board meeting, Superintendent Matt Schultz updated the board on the solar panels for the school. They were supposed to have been installed before the 2021-22 school year began, but that was pushed back to October. The installation didn’t happen then either and now is expected to be completed during the first quarter of 2022. Schultz explained … [Read more...]
Fillmore Central parent speaks out against Social Emotional Learning, or SEL
Chrissy Holets, parent of two Fillmore Central students, addressed the school board at their November 23 meeting. “I’m here on behalf of my kids,” she said. She explained that her third grade daughter repeatedly came home from school talking about putting her feelings in a bucket and then putting a lid on it. During conferences, Holets asked her daughter’s teacher about the … [Read more...]
Houston School accepts bond proposal
Kelly Smith, director in Baker Tilly’s Municipal Advisor Public Education Group, joined the regular Houston School Board meeting November 18 via Zoom to report on the bond sale he helped facilitate for the school earlier that day. According to Smith, interest rates were at near record lows. Robert W. Baird and Co. had the lowest bid of 1.607% on the 15-year bond term. The … [Read more...]
Journal Writing Project The art of failure
By Nicholas Weist You know failure is an interesting thing that we all seem to be good at from time to time. Many famous people have had many failures, but they did not let those failures stop them from success. Take Thomas Edison for example. He created the incandescent light bulb, but it took him over 1,000 tries to get it right and that light bulb is still used today. … [Read more...]
Spring Grove Superintendent Udstuen approved for a three-month sabbatical
The Spring Grove School Board met on Monday, November 15, in the school’s Learning Resource Center from 7-8:15 p.m. Board members Stephanie Jaster, Rhan Flatin, Aric Elton, Kelly Rohland, and Jenny Stender were present. Chairman Aaron Solum did not attend. Bill Fried, long-time Speech coach, submitted his resignation. Superintendent Rachel Udstuen thanked Fried for his many … [Read more...]
Mabel-Canton sees COVID numbers level off
The Mabel-Canton School Board met in regular session on November 16. All members except Mark Wiedemann were present. The board welcomed new Student Representative Emily Carolan, a senior student at the school. Superintendent Kuphal explained that student representatives are not voting members of the school board, but are welcomed to share their thoughts or suggestions on any … [Read more...]