Fillmore Central parents address peanut allergy concerns

Fillmore Central parents Aaron and Emily Scheevel addressed the school board at the April 26 meeting to discuss concerns regarding their daughter’s peanut and tree nut allergy, especially as she transitions to the high school next year. “Everyone has been super supportive in the school and in the community,” Emily said, adding that she’s thankful that her daughter’s classmates through the years have grown up with her having this allergy and are very inclusive and understanding. However, she and Aaron are aware that sometimes people may be under the impression that they’re overprotective parents when it comes to their daughter’s allergies. Her peanut and tree nut allergy is serious and can be life-threatening, with each reaction she has becoming more severe. They asked the school to make some accommodations to ensure that Fillmore Central is a safe environment for their daughter. They noted that they are aware that the real world is not going to be peanut free, but as she spends so much time at school, the accommodations would significantly reduce the possibility of life-threatening reactions while she is there. The Scheevels asked that all food served at the school, including snacks and meals, be nut-free, with only store-bought food allowed to be sent in by families, and also for concession stands to switch to nut-free alternatives. “Reducing the exposure to peanuts and tree nuts can help just by making a few changes at concessions,” Emily said. “No amount of money is worth the life of our daughter.” The board members thanked the Scheevels for their comments and agreed to keep the conversation going.

Superintendent Heath Olstad gave the K-6, high school, and community ed reports to the board. Field trips are being planned for May, which is good to see since they were canceled the last two years. MCAs are wrapping up over the next few weeks and sign-ups are open for fall sports. An outdoor classroom is being created at the elementary school. The summer rec program begins on June 6.

Resignations from Traci Bigalk, Michael Elliott, Burt Hurst, Larry Bentley, and Erin O’Brien were accepted. The contracts for non-tenured staff Connie Lindstrom and Sara Greenwood were terminated. Margie Martin was hired as the high school SPED teacher, Adam Brand as a full-time custodian, and Kaitlyn Gross and Brooke Hintz as elementary teachers. A maternity leave for Brandi Rettick was approved as well as an increase in hours for Kayla Biel. Chris Mensink, Andrew Pederson, David Broadwater, Andy Todd, Ty Sloan, Brady Ristau, Kurt Bockoven, Gary Sloan, Aaron Janssen, Travis Malley, Alex Peterson, Kari Berg, and Tara Corson were hired as coaches and volunteers for the fall sports season.

The Long Term Facilities Maintenance plan was approved with revisions for radon testing and lead testing in water, both of which received good reports.

The contract with Teachers On Call, the company that provides substitute staff was approved for another year. “Overall, it’s been a positive service,” Superintendent Olstad commented.

A resolution placing support staff on seasonal leave was approved as was the quarterly donations.

Olstad said that he, the school’s vocational teachers, and a few others were able to tour the vocational shops at the Chatfield and La Crescent school districts. “They were very welcoming,” he said. “We will continue to keep that discussion at the forefront of what does our vocational program need at Fillmore Central.”

Multiple positions are open for applications and have been posted for the school district.

The next Fillmore Central school board meeting was moved from 6:30 p.m. on May 24 to 7 a.m. on the same day. The meeting will be held in the Preston meeting room.