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...]
Concurrent Enrollment Opportunities Increase at Houston High School
Michael Mangan, director of Educational Success and Innovation at Houston Schools, shared the Report Card on Redefining Ready and Concurrent Enrollment Board Update at the July 11 regular board meeting. Using assorted data and comparing with the previous year’s senior class, Mangan showed that overall, 70% of Houston’s 2024 seniors were college ready, 93% were career ready and … [Read more...]
Travel Opportunity to Europe for Caledonia High School Students
Caledonia Area Public School board members met Monday, July 15 at Caledonia Elementary School in room #162. Board member Mike Peterson called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m., led with the Pledge of Allegiance, then conducted roll call with all board members present. School district employees present included Superintendent Craig Ihrke, Middle/High School Principal Nathan … [Read more...]
Spring Grove Discusses Virtual Learning
Spring Grove Public School board members met Monday, June 24 at Spring Grove School’s Learning Resource Center room. Chairman Aaron Solum called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. then conducted roll call. Board members present included Solum, Stephanie Jaster, Kelly Rohland, Aric Elton and Rhan Flatin. Board member Angie Solie attended the meeting virtually. District employees … [Read more...]
Principal Sue Link Retires from Caledonia Public Schools
Caledonia Area Public School board members met Monday, June 17 at Caledonia Elementary School in room #162. Council member Mike Peterson called the meeting to order at 6 p.m., led with the Pledge of Allegiance, and conducted roll call. Council members present included Derek Adamson, Tim Gunn, Leigh King, Melissa Marschall, Daniel Small and Spencer Yohe. School district … [Read more...]
M-C 2024-2025 Preliminary Budget Approved
The Mabel-Canton School Board approved the preliminary budget for the 2024-2025 school year during their regularly scheduled meeting on June 18. The projected student enrollment for 2024-25 is 270, slightly lower than the revised figure of 276 students for 2023-24. Business Manager Aimee Lake provided further details, noting changes in revenue compared to the previous year. … [Read more...]
R-P Fully Staffed
R-P Superintendent Dr. Ben Bernard was able to announce to the school board at their regular meeting June 17 that, with the hiring of middle school special education teacher Nathan Whitacre, the school was fully staffed for the 2024-2025 school year. Both the revised 2023-2024 and the proposed 2024-2025 budgets were approved after the examination of the budgets with the help … [Read more...]
Kingsland School Board Looking for New Board Member Applications for Upcoming Term
By Annika Doberenz At their latest meeting on June 17, the Kingsland School Board discussed topics ranging from faculty retirements to applications for the soon-to-be open seats on the board. Not only will Angel Apenhorse be resigning from her full-time position as custodian, but Theresa Zwart will be resigning in September from her position as the school’s bookkeeper, a job … [Read more...]
Four Houston School Board Positions Up for Election
With the resignation of former board member Marissa Grams at the June 6 meeting, the Houston School Board will now have four positions to fill in the general election next fall. Grams’ position will be filled by appointment of the school board; it will then be included in the general election and the newly elected board member will join the board in January with the other new … [Read more...]
Lanesboro School Board Approves Policy 404
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...]