At the November 10 school board meeting, Josh Thompson, Matt McMahon, Tom Keefe, Jill Harstad, Katie Priebe and Lanny Isensee were present as well as principals Shane McBroom and Eric Nelson, Superintendent Ed Harris, and Trista O’Connor, business manager.
During district patron time, Elizabeth Fuglestad asked the board to reconsider the guidelines for students who are quarantined because of close contact and not vaccinated. Her concern was that these students were missing out on their education and should be allowed to attend school. The board decided to reduce quarantine for close contact to five days.
Principal McBroom reported that 4th-6th grade were able to visit several local farms through the support of the Bayer Fund America’s Farmers Grow Communities Grant. They were able to visit both a crop and dairy farm, see a tractor simulation and other farm equipment. He thanked the contributors: the Mitch Berry family, Don Swenson and the Hinckley family along with Hammell Equipment, SEMA and Cabin Coffee for their work in making this a success. McBroom stated that vaccinations for COVID will be provided for students ages 5-11 at the elementary school on November 23 from 3-6 p.m.
High school principal, Eric Nelson talked about the Redefining Readiness training that he and staff are attending. In year one, they will be gathering data and identifying gaps in offerings. At the end of July, they will be using this year’s data as a test run. The data from the 2022-23 school year will be a baseline for subsequent years.
Nelson complimented all the fall sports teams for a great season, noting the cross country sent participants to state and the football team is continuing on in state finals.
Student senate representatives Sydney Allen and Brynn Irish reported that Homecoming was very successful, with an additional activity this year of a bonfire and a bean bag tournament. The Homecoming dance was also well attended.
Superintendent Harris thanked the public for supporting the operating levy renewal. Of those voting, 73% voted to approve the levy. Voters also elected Josh Thompson as a school board member.
Under consent items the board approved the October 13, 2021, special meeting minutes and monthly meeting minutes. They approved the hiring of B. Irish, Valleyland assistant; A. Amundson, 8th grade boys basketball coach; K. Schumann and P. Tessier-Honsey, Valleyland subs; J. Dieter, preschool sub; D. Borst, early childhood screening; K. Slawson and I. Carr, Valleyland assistants; and J. Goetzinger, assistant wrestling coach.
The board approved the Resolution to Canvas Election Results and Authorized the Issuance of Certificates of Election. They also gave permission to move forward on looking at an equipment purchase to replace an older skid loader. The board approved the meeting of joint powers with the City of Chatfield to look at maintenance staffing. The COVID 19 Plan revision that lessens the days of quarantine but also balances safety concerns was approved. Lastly, the board approved the preparation for the December meeting of a tax abatement bond for traffic control and parking improvement at both schools.
The meeting was adjourned. The next board meeting will be on December 8 at 7 p.m. in the high school Forum Room.
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