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...]
Houston Schools stay with “recommended” masks
The public comment period at the regular Houston School Board meeting on August 19 brought a group of parents opposed to mandatory mask wearing at Houston Schools. Tara Klinski informed the board that neither they or any other governmental entity were coparenting her children and that their family would not be going back to masks. Klinski declared, “Our children are not shields … [Read more...]
Lanesboro school finalizes back to school plans
At the August 19 Lanesboro School Board meeting, Superintendent Matt Schultz updated the board on the district’s plans for the upcoming school year. School starts on September 7, but back-to-school conferences will be held on September 7 and 8 so the students’ first official day will be on September 9. Teachers who are in their first three years of teaching will start on August … [Read more...]
Masks “recommended” at all R-P events
After a 2 1⁄2 hour meeting in the people-filled Forum Room, the R-P school board passed a resolution to “recommend” (not require) masks at a school and all events and activities; this leaves the decision on wearing a mask to the parents of each student. Any change to this policy will be made by the school board. In addition, the board passed a separate resolution that … [Read more...]
Chosen Valley Mini Grant program
Root River State Bank and F & M Community Bank-Chatfield are excited to announce their continued sponsorship of the Chosen Valley Mini Grant initiative. Applications for the upcoming 2021-2022 school year will include funding of $5000.00, bringing the grand total to $100,000.00 that has been allocated over the past 20 years to projects that would not otherwise be … [Read more...]
Fillmore Central Schools – mini grant program
A “mini grant” program has been continued for the twenty third straight year by F & M Community Bank in Preston, First State Bank of Fountain and First Southeast Bank in Harmony for the Fillmore Central School District. Grants of up to $500 each have been made available to classroom teachers for the 2021/2022 school year so they can implement a variety of innovative … [Read more...]