Kingsland School Board held a work session meeting on October 4. Members participating included Jackie Horsman, Maranda Emig, Kyle Rader, Pamela Freet, as well as Superintendent James Hecimovich and Principal Scott Klavetter. Business Manager Amber Herbrand participated via remote technology. Natasha Howard and Gwen Howard were absent. In light of Mark Fitzpatrick’s … [Read more...]
Fillmore Central board reviews COVID updates
The Fillmore Central school board met on September 28. Board members Deb Ristau, Shelly Topness, and Jim Love were absent. Fillmore Central parent and Harmony resident Michael Himlie addressed the board with his concerns regarding the district’s lack of a mask mandate. He asked what the procedures are if someone at the school were to test positive for COVID and how contact … [Read more...]
Rushford-Peterson greets four new teachers
Clay Olstad, 2nd grade Clay Olstad will be joining the 2nd grade team at Rushford-Peterson which should be a great fit for him since he’s always enjoyed being part of a team and working with people in education. Olstad declares, “I like to share my passion for learning and making ourselves better one day at a time. Teaching gives me great opportunities to develop relationships … [Read more...]
Houston schools’ new teachers
Daneka Romportl, special education Daneka Romportl always knew she wanted to be a teacher. Her father was a public school teacher for 38 years, and her mother has been teaching music in her own studio for over 35 years. Romportl comes from Taylors Falls on the St. Croix River. She attended WSU for special education and child advocacy. The last three years she taught at … [Read more...]
Spring Grove Public School welcomes three new teachers
Spring Grove Public Schools welcomes Evah Engel, Madeline (Maddie) Rainey, and Kaley Cross. Evah Engel, Band First-year teacher Engel grew up in Oswego, Ill. Her nuclear family includes her mom and dad, an older brother, two younger sisters, and the family cat Luna and dog Ruby. She attended Oswego High School and the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. She … [Read more...]
Spring Grove School holds Youth Mental Health First Aid training for staff
The Spring Grove Public School board met Monday, September 20 in the school’s Learning Resource Center, from 7-7:45 p.m. Board members in attendance were Vice-Chairman Stephanie Jaster and Directors Kelly Rohland, Rhan Flatin, Jenny Stender, and Aric Elton. Absent was Chairman Aaron Solum. Vice-Chairman Jaster called the meeting to order. The board unanimously approved the … [Read more...]
Lanesboro school staff adapt to record number of students
The Lanesboro School Board met on September 16. Board members Sarah Peterson and Steve Snyder were not present. Superintendent Matt Schultz reported that the 2021-22 school year was off to a good start. “It’s nice to be in a finished building,” he commented. Transportation is also going well with buses running at full capacity. The school is still in need of bus drivers though. … [Read more...]
Mabel-Canton updates COVID guidelines
The Mabel-Canton school board met in regular session on September 21. In attendance were Mark Wiedemann, Jason Marquardt, Traci Livingood, Cristal Adkins, Chris Miller, Superintendent Gary Kuphal, Diane Wilder, and Dustin Tollefsrud. Lisa Halverson, Aimee Lake, and Michelle Wiedemann also participated. Matt McClimon (student representative to the board) was unable to … [Read more...]
Kingsland staff shortages create challenges
Kingsland School Board held a regular meeting on September 20 with all members participating (Jackie Horsman, Natasha Howard, Gwen Howard, Maranda Emig, Pamela Freet, and Superintendent James Hecimovich). Business Manager Amber Herbrand, Kyle Rader, and Activity Director Mark Fitzpatrick participated via remote technology. No members of the general public attended to speak … [Read more...]
R-P changes close contact and quarantine policies
With board members Matt Helgemoe and Jeff Michel joining via Zoom, the Rushford-Peterson School Board met Monday, September 20, 2021. The board looked at current school COVID data and made a change to their definition of close contact at school and required quarantines. If students were wearing masks, they would not be considered a close contact nor would they need to … [Read more...]
Chatfield School Board receives positive feedback on operating levy survey
At the August 11 board meeting, Josh Thompson, Matt McMahon and Tom Keefe were virtual on Zoom. Jill Harstad, Katie Priebe and Lanny Isensee were present as well as Principals Shane McBroom, Eric Nelson, Superintendent Ed Harris, and Trista O’Connor, business manager. During district patron time Elizabeth Eisenbeis, representing Chatfield Parents: Choice not Mandate/Freedom … [Read more...]
Back to school COVID procedures update
With local school boards making the decision on masking and COVID policies for their schools, there are now a variety of policies regarding COVID. One constant is the federally mandated policy for masking on buses and reporting of positive COVID cases. Here are the most recent policies of each of the eleven local schools: • Caledonia: Masks are strongly recommended. Mask … [Read more...]
Houston Schools’ health and safety measures approved
After a failed resolution at the previous board meeting, the Houston School Board approved a revised health and safety plan for the 2021-2022 year, at their September 2 meeting. Before the approval, several members of the public commented once again on the masking and Covid procedures of the school. Tara Klinski spoke against contract tracing; Kendra Van Grundy wanted the … [Read more...]
Kingsland addresses SACC staff shortage
Kingsland School Board held their monthly “work session” meeting on September 8, with all members participating (Jackie Horsman, Natasha Howard, Gwen Howard, Maranda Emig, Pamela Freet, Kyle Rader, and Superintendent James Hecimovich). Principal Scott Klavetter also attended. Business Manager Amber Herbrand participated via remote technology. Becky Bicknese’s written … [Read more...]
College News
Spring 2021 Graduation List • Bethel University: Matthew Killoran, Chatfield, BA, Communication Studies • Iowa State University: Nicholas Maki, Chatfield, BS, Civil Engineering, Cum Laude; Matson Kiehne, BS, Agricultural Studies • Luther College: Helen Detlefsen DeLano, Harmony, BA, Environmental Studies; Cassidy Ruud, Lanesboro, BA, Nursing, Summa Cum Laude; Treyten … [Read more...]