The upcoming referendum was the main topic of conversation for the Kingsland School Board during their August 19 meeting. Pat Overom, of ICS Consulting Inc., reviewed the referendum handbook saying, “The intent of this is to outline your roles as board members and district staff, the process that was gone through, challenges the district is currently facing and it really … [Read more...]
Fall Sports Underway at Fillmore Central
At the August 27 Fillmore Central school board meeting, Superintendent Heath Olstad reported that a good number of students are participating in the fall sports season which is already underway. Nineteen students are signed up for cross country, 11 for cheerleading, 61 for football, and 38 for volleyball. The football field has been freshly painted and is ready for the first … [Read more...]
Rushford-Peterson Fully Staffed
The Rushford-Peterson School Board heard at its August 19 meeting that the school was fully staffed with licensed teachers for the 2024-2025 school year. As part of the consent agenda, the following employees were hired as well: Nikki Bunke, cheerleading coach; Nathan Whitacre, assistant football coach; Lacey Drinkall, JH volleyball coach; Jacquelyn Guyette, head dance coach; … [Read more...]
Spring Grove School Board Approves Contracts for Executive Team
At the August 19 Spring Grove Public School Board meeting, the board unanimously approved a 3% annual increase for Principal Luke Kjelland’s salary over the next two years and reduced Assistant Superintendent Morken’s contract from 1.0 FTE to 0.4 FTE. Morken’s title in the spring will be Interim Superintendent. The board unanimously approved Udstuen’s contract with an increase … [Read more...]
Caledonia Public Schools Begin 2024-2025 School Year
Caledonia Area Public School board members met Monday, August 19 at Caledonia Elementary School in room #162. Board member Mike Peterson called the meeting to order at 6 p.m., led with the Pledge of Allegiance, then conducted roll call. Board members present included Derek Adamson, Tim Gunn, Leigh King, Daniel Small and Spencer Yohe. Board member Melissa Marschall was absent. … [Read more...]
M-C Continues Discussion on Potential Bond Referendum
At the August 20 school board meeting, the Mabel-Canton School Board continued its discussion on a potential school bond referendum aimed at securing funding for facility upgrades. Chairman Cristal Adkins called the meeting of the Mabel-Canton School board to order at 6 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. The board unanimously approved the meeting agenda with one … [Read more...]
The Importance of Completing the Educational Benefits Application
During the 2023-2024 school year, students in grades K-12 got to enjoy one free breakfast and one free lunch at school as part of the Free School Meals for Kids Program. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed the Free School Meals bill into law on March 17, 2023, which took effect July 1, 2023 . With the Free School Meals bill, a concern for school districts had been whether or … [Read more...]
Six to Run for Lanesboro School Board
The Lanesboro community will see a total of six people running for the three positions on the school board this fall. At the regular August board meeting, board member Steve Snyder responded to the news with a chuckle, “I like competition!” He was just joking – his position is not even up for election. The board members up for election include Christine Troendle, Sarah … [Read more...]
Superintendent Harris Presents Goals for SY 2024-2025
At the August 7 school board meeting, board members Jill Harstad, David Sowinski, Katie Priebe, Josh Thompson, Mark Johnsrud and Tom Keefe were present as well as Superintendent Ed Harris, elementary principal, Shane McBroom, and high school principal, Eric Nelson. Reports McBroom stated that the outdoor learning space and maker space room are coming along nicely. The tables … [Read more...]
College News
Graduates List Spring 2024 Alexandria Technical & Community College: Bailey Wallace, Chatfield, Law Enforement Skills Certificate Iowa State University: Rachel Lenz, Harmony, BS, Biology (AGLS), BS Microbiology, Magna Cum Laude James Madison University: Jacob Stephens, LeRoy, MA, English Kirkwood Community College: Blake Jermier, Lanesboro, Certificate; … [Read more...]
Fillmore Central Preps for Upcoming School Year
At the July 29 Fillmore Central School Board meeting, Sue Sikkink reviewed the claims with the board and noted that many new student computers have been purchased for the upcoming school year. Board member Aaron Bishop asked what happens to the old ones. Superintendent Heath Olstad said that technology director Aaron Janssen does a good job each year of finding a company that … [Read more...]
11 Teens, Ages 14 and 15, Receive Farm Safety Training
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states, “Farming is also one of the few industries in which family members, including children, are also at risk for fatal and nonfatal injuries. Data from the bureau emphasizes that “The agriculture industry is consistently at the highest risk for occupational injuries and fatalities, with 453 fatalities in 2021, or an equivalent of 19.5 … [Read more...]
Spring Grove Prepares for 2024-25 School Year
On Tuesday, July 23, the Spring Grove School board met in regular session to prepare for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year. Five parents attended the board meeting to discuss their experience and their children’s experience in combined elementary classrooms, expressing concern over the school’s lack of communication about the upcoming school year and combined classrooms. … [Read more...]
Mabel-Canton Prepares for 2024-25 School Year
Note: The Mabel-Canton School Board article published in the July 22 issue was the incorrect article. We apologize for the error. Chairman Adkins called the July 16 meeting of the Mabel-Canton School board to order at 6 p.m. and led her colleagues in the Pledge of Allegiance. The board unanimously approved the revised agenda and the minutes from the June 18 regularly … [Read more...]
Efficient R-P Meeting
The Rushford-Peterson School Board held one of the shortest meetings ever on July 15. A mere seven minutes passed between the beginning of the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and the gavel ending the meeting. That is not to say that no business was accomplished. Superintendent Dr. Ben Bernard provides most of the information to the board before the meeting; as a result, … [Read more...]