“Here we go,” said Superintendent Heath Olstad said at the August 25 Fillmore Central School Board meeting. With the school year starting after Labor Day like usual, the district is working hard to ensure that the needs of its families are met. Most will be going back to school in-person, but some have chosen distance learning. Not all of the parent surveys have been turned back in yet so Olstad didn’t have a final number for distance learning, but he did note that a number of students from kindergarten through 11th grade have chosen that model. Students at the high school will also be utilizing distance learning on Wednesdays this year. “It’s quite the experience,” Olstad commented about the preparations.
Director of Special Education, Micki Breitsprecher, led the annual SEAC event on August 24 via virtual conference. She reported a good turnout from staff and several parents joined the meeting as well.
Tris Tollefson and Connie Lindstrom were hired as Title I teachers. Eric Breitsprecher resigned as the girls JV basketball coach. Chris Mensink, Andrew Pederson, David Broadwater, Andy Todd, Corey Whalen, Aaron Janssen, Brady Ristau, Travis Malley, Kristi Rindels, Sarah O’Conell, Josh Jones, Doc Schoepski, John O’Connor, Brad Holten, and Aaron Mensink were all hired as coaches. Although the sports seasons are not starting until spring per the Minnesota State High School League guidelines, practices are still being held this fall. Olstad reported a good turnout for those and noted that he appreciates the participation from students.
The updated Title IX policy was reviewed and approved for 2020 along with the second reading of the board policies.
A contract with Bemidji State and St. Mary’s was approved for student teaching at Fillmore Central and is similar to previous years’ contracts.
A student enrollment agreement with Howard-Winneshiek Community School district was approved for a family due to crossing the state border.
Olstad and board member Jim Love met with Mark Scheevel with Harmony Transit to discuss this year’s busing schedules and contract. The buses will be kept at approximately 50% capacity to allow for social distancing. An additional route will need to be added because of that. An addendum to that effect was approved for the contract which will be null and void if the district moves to full distance learning.
The student council activity account was closed due to COVID-19.
The Truth in Taxation meeting will take place on December 22 at 6:01 p.m. with the December board meeting to immediately follow. The next regular board meeting will be held on September 22 at 6:30 p.m. in the high school meeting room.
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