After tabling the issue for several months, the Lanesboro School Board unanimously approved Policy 404, Employment Background Checks, at their June 12 meeting. The board used the MSBA suggested policy, but added procedures to the policy. In the adopted procedures, they stipulated that the teaching staff will annually respond to some questions that are the same as they are asked … [Read more...]
Houston City Council Holds Improvement Hearing
Houston City Council members met Wednesday, June 12 at Houston City Hall. Mayor Scott Wallace called the meeting to order at 6 p.m. and led with the Pledge of Allegiance. Council members present included Wallace, Zeb Baumann, Emily Krage, Cody Mathers, and Steve Westby. City Administrator Michelle Quinn was also present. Bolton & Menk, Inc. project manager, Derek Olinger, … [Read more...]
Fillmore Central Jumps Into Summer Programs
At the May 28 Fillmore Central school board meeting, superintendent Heath Olstad reported that the month of May had been very busy with multiple elementary field trips taking place, along with spring concerts at the high school. The elementary concerts were canceled and the students dismissed early that day due to potential dangerous weather conditions. The students recorded … [Read more...]
Houston Signs Six-Year Contract with Morem
At the May 2 regular Houston School Board meeting, the board reviewed and voted on the proposed six-year contract with Superintendent Mary Morem. Josh Norlien and Nickki Johnson voted against the contract, while Mimi Carlson, Arlin Peterson, Richard Erdmann and Mark Swenson voted in favor of the contract. Marissa Grams was absent. The contract was for $150,000 each year … [Read more...]
Lanesboro School Board Discusses Policy 404
Once again, policy 404 which deals with Employment Background Checks was on the agenda at the May 8 meeting of the Lanesboro School District. This was the third reading of the policy which had been tabled at a previous meeting. Superintendent Matt Schultz had done exhaustive research and prepared a rough draft of procedures that could be implemented to follow the legal … [Read more...]
Shannon Kochie Teacher of the Year 2024
A person never knows what the day might bring. That was certainly true for Shannon Kochie, a third grade Humanities teacher at Caledonia Elementary School on April 30, 2024. Kochie was not feeling quite up to par that morning and contacted Superintendent Craig Ihrke to request a substitute teacher. Knowing that all the plans were in place to surprise Kochie later that … [Read more...]
Teacher Appreciation Week
Caledonia Area Public Schools Mitchell Bechtel 3 years, HS Social Studies Tami Bennett 1 year, HS Math Katie Block 2 years, MS Math Becky Breeser 26 years, HS Math Bob Burmester 6 years, Elem./MS Physical Education & K-12 DAPE Tori Burmester 6 years, MS Science Sara Buros 13 years, MS/HS Special Education Jennifer … [Read more...]
Fillmore Central Gears Up for Field Trips
At the April 23rd Fillmore Central School Board meeting, Superintendent Heath Olstad reported that the elementary field trips for kindergarten through sixth grade are starting up soon with lots of fun trips planned for each grade. The fourth graders will have their wax museum on May 3, and the fifth graders will receive trees to plant from Soil and Water Conservation on May 6. … [Read more...]
College News
Honors List Fall 2023 Missouri University of Science and Technology: Tessa McMahon, Chatfield Palmer College of Chiropractic: Izabella Allison, LeRoy University of Minnesota Twin Cities: Priya Kingsley, Caledonia; Stephanie Bradt, Chatfield; Rylee Burnett, Chatfield; Katelyn Dornack, Chatfield; Abbi Gillespie, Chatfield; Anna Oehlke, Grand Meadow; Isabelle Olson, … [Read more...]
Spring Grove Schools’ Student Rep Gives Spring Update
Chairman Aaron Solum called the April 15 meeting of the Spring Grove School Board to order at 7:01 p.m. Eighteen minutes later the meeting was adjourned with board members eager to get outside and enjoy the warm spring weather. Board members present included Chairman Solum, Kelly Rohland, Aric Elton, and Rhan Flatin. Absent were Stephanie Jaster and Angie Solie. Staff … [Read more...]