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...]
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...]








