At the March 5 Houston School Board meeting, the board gave its blessings to offering a trip to Germany and Austria to take place in June of 2027. The trip was proposed by a German teacher from MNVA, but will be open to students in both MNVA and the onsite school. Activities planned for the trip include guided cultural tours, an apple strudel baking class, a visit to … [Read more...]
Land Management with Prescribed Burns
Prescribed burns to the uninitiated might sound like some strange treatment a doctor might do, but in this case the term prescribed burn refers to the “intentional, expert-led application of fire to wild lands fuels.” One of the ideal times for prescribed burns is quickly approaching with the coming of spring. Once the winter snow and ice have disappeared and the dead growth is … [Read more...]
What Does it Take to Run a Track Meet?
While many high school sports fans are focused on tournament play for the winter MSHSL sports season (Minnesota State High School League), spring sports season preparation is full-steam ahead at schools that run track meets. In Fillmore and Houston Counties, that includes Caledonia, Chatfield, GMLOKS (Grand Meadow/LeRoy-Ostrander/Kingsland/Southland) and R-P/H … [Read more...]
Hayden Stensgard Accepts Position of Rushford City Administrator
At the regular city of Rushford council meeting on February 23, the council approved an employment agreement with Hayden Stensgard for the city administrator position. Stensgard will begin in the position April 1 at a salary of $104,598 per year; he will start at step 10, level 6 and have the same basic benefit package as other city employees. A laptop and cell phone will be … [Read more...]
Reflections on RP’s Recent Referendum Vote
The Rushford-Peterson School Board officially canvassed the votes from the recent building referendum vote at their regular board meeting on February 17. The vote was 444 (37.34%) in favor and 744 (62.66%) against. 48% of the voters voted in the election compared to the typical low turnout of 15% and typical high of 25%. Superintendent Ben Bernard opened up a discussion of … [Read more...]
Houston Plans for Stoddard Street and Spruce Street
The Houston City Council heard from Bolton & Menk’s Derek Olinger at their February 9 regular meeting. The city of Houston had received a letter from Gary and Vickie Frauenkron expressing interest in purchasing 10 lots currently owned by the city. The lots have been partially developed by a previous party before being forfeited. At this time, there is no cost estimate to … [Read more...]
Lanesboro Semester Tests – Pro and Con
The semester test policy was a focus at the regular Lanesboro School Board February 11 as three speakers at the public input period spoke about them and the board had set aside time to discuss the policy. Stena Lieb, an art teacher at Lanesboro and a parent of several students spoke first. Lieb declared, “I dislike the semester tests – as a matter of fact, I abhor them!” … [Read more...]
Houston Kids Are Number One in Bus Drivers’ Hearts
The main reason the Houston bus drivers enjoy their jobs are the kids and families of Houston Schools. Roy Loken called his preschool bus route his therapy; Loken commented, “Preschoolers tell you everything!” as John Beckman agreed with a chuckle. Roy Loken shared the story of a three-year-old girl who informed him she’d been a farmer a long time ago. When he asked how long … [Read more...]
Houston’s Momsen Uses Sabbatical Wisely
Teacher Marty Momsen visited the February 5 Houston School Board meeting to share how he used his sabbatical last year. After teaching for 25 years, Momsen became a student again at age 50 to take the journey to become EMT certified and able to teach an EMT class. Momsen has been an EMT for four years and works at Winona Ambulance as well. His first hour EMT class at Houston … [Read more...]
Hard Hat High School Possibilities
At their January 22 meeting, the Houston School Board listened to a presentation by St. Charles Superintendent Rob Routh, Houston Superintendent Mary Morem and Houston’s Director of Educational Success and Innovation Michael Mangan as they explained the concept of creating a partnership high school along I90 near St. Charles. This collaborative career and technical education … [Read more...]