At the March 9 Chatfield School Board meeting, Katie Priebe, Tom Keefe, Jill Harstad and Josh Thompson were present as well as Principals Shane McBroom, Eric Nelson, Superintendent Ed Harris and Trista O’Connor, business manager. Student Senate members Pete Hebrink and Brayden Fretland were also present. Matt McMahon joined through Zoom. Lanny Isensee was not present. Student … [Read more...]
Kingsland looks ahead to busy testing season
During the Kingsland School Board meeting on March 7, the board discussed the upcoming testing season. Superintendent Jim Hecimovich’s written report to the board stated, in part, “April showers may bring May flowers, but Minnesota brings a hail storm of testing. Both Scott (Klavetter) and I are beginning the early stages of coordinating the Minnesota Comprehensive … [Read more...]
Lanesboro School contracts with SMS for business services
At their March 9 regular meeting, the Lanesboro School Board approved a contract with SMS (School Management Services) to provide business services to the district. All the services that resigning business office manager Julie Schreiber has been providing will be covered by SMS with the exception of daycare director and COVID coordinator. An employee will be guaranteed to be on … [Read more...]
2021-22 School year enrollment data released Public school enrollment continues to see pandemic impacts; highlights need to stabilize education funding and support highest-need students
ROSEVILLE, MN – The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) today released 2021-22 school year enrollment data for Minnesota’s schools. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, enrollment in Minnesota public school districts, charter schools and nonpublic schools has shifted. In the 2021-22 school year, public schools overall have seen a roughly 0.3% decrease — or about 2,146 students … [Read more...]
College News
Fall 2021 Honors List • Augustana University: Benjamin Ihrke, Chatfield; Kathleen Ihrke, Chatfield • Aurora University: Silja Erickson, Chatfield • Concordia College: Janell Boyum, Peterson • Concordia University, Nebraska: Joshua Burmeister, Wykoff • Drake University: Meghan Brown, Chatfield; Grant Nutter, Houston • Gustavus College: Tessa Pieper, Caledonia; … [Read more...]
Rushford-Peterson prepares to interview superintendent applicants
The R-P School Board has begun the process of finding a new superintendent after learning last month that Jon Thompson plans to retire at the end of the current school year. Two sets of interview questions, an initial and a second round, have been created and were accepted by the board after slight wording changes. A staff input form has also been prepared for staff attending … [Read more...]
Kingsland sets calendar for next school year
Kingsland School Board held a regular meeting on February 23, with all members present (Jackie Horsman, Natasha Howard, Maranda Emig, Gwen Howard, Pam Freet, and Kyle Rader) along with Superintendent James Hecimovich. The board reviewed and discussed the draft of the academic calendar for the 2022-2023 school year. The proposed calendar shows classes beginning on September 6, … [Read more...]
Interim-Superintendent Bruce Klaehn’s last Spring Grove School Board meeting
Spring Grove School Board members met in the school’s Learning Resource Center on Thursday, February 22, from 7-8:30 p.m. Board members present include Chairman Aaron Solum, Stephanie Jaster, Rhan Flatin, Aric Elton, and Kelly Rohland. Jenny Stender was absent. The board approved the consent agenda, including the agenda and the minutes from the January 13 regular board meeting … [Read more...]
Fillmore Central addresses damage from December storm
The Fillmore Central School Board met virtually at 7 a.m. on February 22 due to icy road conditions. Two bids from Niagara Builders were reviewed. One bid was to build a dugout and adjoining storage shed for the junior high baseball field. The vocational class had constructed a small storage shed at that location around five to seven years ago, but unfortunately, it was … [Read more...]
Over $3.5 million for school bus stop arm cameras Minnesota Department of Public Safety providing grants to 32 schools and transportation companies statewide
ST. PAUL — A child should never have to fear boarding a school bus or getting dropped off, but across Minnesota, motorists failing to stop for school buses are risking children’s lives. To change dangerous driving behaviors and keep students safe, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety is awarding more than $3.5 million in grants to 32 schools and … [Read more...]
Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation seeking applications for Early Literacy Grants
OWATONNA, MN, February 1, 2022 – Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF), in partnership with publishing companies Capstone and ABDO, is accepting applications for its Early Literacy Grant program. This grant is designed to support early literacy efforts that enhance school readiness for children birth to age eight by providing children with books. Nonprofit … [Read more...]
Parents express concern over Lanesboro school policies
At the February 9 Lanesboro School Board meeting, several parents were present to express their concerns over the policies in the student handbook regarding tardiness and sick days. Anna Loney explained how her son has a medical condition causing severe fatigue that can make it difficult for him to arrive to school on time. Because of that he is being assigned Saturday school … [Read more...]
Chatfield School Board looks at new high school schedule
At the February 9, school board meeting, Katie Priebe, Matt McMahon, Tom Keefe, Jill Harstad, Josh Thompson and Lanny Isensee were present as well as principals Shane McBroom and Eric Nelson, Superintendent Ed Harris, Trista O’Connor, business manager; and Lorri Lowery, administrative assistant. Student Senate members Lauren Cole and Hunter Bernau were also present. Eric … [Read more...]
School Board ponders Kingsland food service spend down
Kingsland School Board held a work session meeting on February 7. Judy Tart’s Food Service report included that, “MDE (Minnesota Department of Education) sent notice that Kingsland Foodservice has an excess fund balance again and needs to spend down $92,633.49.” Board members discussed various equipment that Kingsland may wish to purchase to appropriately use these funds. … [Read more...]
Houston Schools purchase two buildings
At their February 3 regular meeting, the Houston School Board officially approved two buildings’ purchase prices. St. Mary’s Catholic Church at 202 Sheridan Street will be purchased for $200,000. Funding for this purchase will come from the school’s general funds. The school has been granted lease levy authority for the sale of bonds to fund the purchase of the ABLE, Inc. … [Read more...]