The Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS) is pleased to announce the newest recipients of Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage Grants, 56 large grants (over $10,000) totaling $6,193,687 in 19 counties. Large grants are awarded annually to help nonprofits, educational organizations, government units and federally recognized tribes to preserve and share Minnesota history. … [Read more...]
Fillmore Central sets 2022 committee assignments
At the January 25 Fillmore Central School Board meeting, the 2022 board committee assignments were approved with no changes from last year. Deb Ristau and Shelly Topness will continue to serve on Community Education, Jennifer Pickett on Continuing Education, Sue Sikkink and Topness on Meet and Confer, Craig Britton on MSHSL/Three Rivers Conference, Pickett on the Special … [Read more...]
R-P offers early retirement incentive
The Rushford-Peterson School Board approved an early retirement incentive for teachers at its regular meeting on January 24 in a six to one vote. Chris Grindland opposed the incentive asking the question, “Is it an incentive if we do it every year or does it become just another retirement benefit?” Superintendent Jon Thompson responded, “There’s no guarantee that it’ll be … [Read more...]
Kingsland Board sets administrative path forward
The Kingsland School Board held three meetings during the week of January 17-21. A regular meeting was held on January 19, sandwiched between special meetings on January 18 and 21. The only agenda item on January 21 was for the board to decide upon a plan for how to structure Kingsland’s administrative staff positions, in light of the upcoming retirement of Superintendent … [Read more...]
Lanesboro School in dire need of bus drivers
At the January 19 Lanesboro School Board meeting, Superintendent Matt Schultz updated the board on the school’s transportation situation. He noted that the district may be losing a driver soon and there is no one available to replace him. The school has been struggling to find enough bus drivers as it is for regular school transportation and events and losing one will have a … [Read more...]
Mabel-Canton to consider options for superintendent
The Mabel-Canton School Board held a regular monthly meeting on January 18. All members were present (Jason Marquardt, Diane Wilder, Cristal Adkins, Superintendent Gary Kuphal, Traci Livingood, Dustin Tollefsrud, Chris Miller, and Mark Wiedemann). Also participating were Student Representative Emily Carolan, Principal Michelle Wiedemann and Lisa Halverson. Kuphal led a … [Read more...]
Spring Grove School COVID-19 vaccination or testing and mask policy tabled
Spring Grove School Board members met in the school’s Learning Resource Center on Thursday, January 13, 2022, from 7-7:40 p.m. Board members present included Chairman Aaron Solum, Stephanie Jaster, Rhan Flatin, and Aric Elton. Kelly Rohland attended virtually, and Jenny Stender was absent. Aaron Solum will serve another term as board chair and Stephanie Jaster was elected to … [Read more...]
Mabel-Canton scales back facility project
The Mabel-Canton School Board held a special meeting on January 11, to deal with bids on Phase Two of the facilities project. All voting members participated (Dustin Tollefsrud participated via remote technology). Also in attendance was Chad Pike, representing the engineering firm of Kraus Anderson. Superintendent Gary Kuphal explained the situation, saying that in … [Read more...]
Chatfield School Board to let bonds for parking lot improvements
At the January 12, 2022, school board meeting, Katie Priebe, Matt McMahon, Tom Keefe, and Lanny Isensee were present as well as principals Shane McBroom, Eric Nelson, Superintendent Ed Harris, and Trista O’Connor, business manager and Lorri Lowery, administrative assistant. Josh Thompson joined remotely through Zoom and Jill Harstad was absent. Jeff Seeley, of Ehlers, a public … [Read more...]
Hecimovich to retire from Kingsland
Kingsland School Board held a work session meeting on January 3. New board member Cindy Seabright was welcomed onto the board, and took the ceremonial oath of office. Superintendent (and grades 7-12 principal) Jim Hecimovich has submitted his letter of retirement. His leter stated, in part, “I am announcing my forthcoming retirement from Kingsland Public Schools after … [Read more...]
Kingsland sets levy, increases sub wages
Kingsland School Board held a regular meeting on December 20. Immediately prior to the regular meeting, the board held their annual Truth in Taxation hearing. Business Manager Amber Herbrand stated that revenue formulas for schools are set by the State Legislature, except for voter approved referendums. She also gave a summary of the school’s proposed final levy, and a … [Read more...]
Mabel-Canton rejects bid on mechanical project
The Mabel-Canton School Board met in regular session on December 21. All members except Traci Livingood were present. Superintendent Gary Kuphal explained the situation regarding bids on the mechanical portion of the school’s ongoing facilities project. Kuphal stated, “We as a Facilities Committee met… the bids were opened. All of the other bids were in line… right where … [Read more...]
College News
Fall 2021 Graduation List • Minnesota State University-Mankato: Brandon Ebnet, Chatfield, BS, Sport Management; Reid Buschmann, Grand Meadow, BS, Accounting; Aaron Eversole, Lanesboro, BS, Accounting, Magna Cum Laude; Ashley Himli, Preston, BS, Psychology, Magna Cum Laude and BS, Dance, Magna Cum Laude; Tracy Agrimson, Rushford, MS, Special Education; Nicholas Anderson, … [Read more...]
Spring Grove School tax levy decreases 5.38%
Spring Grove School Board members met Monday, December 20, in the school’s Learning Resource Center from 7 p.m. to 8:24 p.m. Board members present, Chairman Aaron Solum, Stephanie Jaster, Rhan Flatin, Aric Elton, Kelly Rohland, and Jenny Stender. Aric Elton was not in attendance. Chairman Solum welcomed Interim Superintendent Bruce Klaehn. Klaehn is filling in for Rachael … [Read more...]
Clean audit for Houston schools
Luke Gerden, manager of Clifton Larson Allen, an accounting firm from Rochester, appeared via the internet at the December 16 Houston School Board meeting to share the results of the current audit. He reported a clean audit with no compliance issues. Since the school had over $750,000 in federal expenditures this past year, a single audit was required as well. The Coronavirus … [Read more...]