Four Positions Up for Election at R-P

At the May 20 R-P School Board meeting, it was shared that four school board positions will be up for election this fall. These positions are currently held by Ken Sawle, Matt Helgemoe, Amy Woxland and Chris Grindland.

Any residents interested in running for the board will need to file between July 30 and 5 p.m. August 13. Laura Hahn was appointed as assistant clerk for the school board election.

Superintendent Dr. Ben Bernard reported that he was “really happy” with the quality and number of applicants who applied for positions at R-P.

New hires at R-P include: Kora Miller, kindergarten; Emily Walberg, first grade; Sophia Westcott, K-5 special education; Madlyn Ripka, MSHS band; Ethan Jacobson, MSHS business; Autumn Bearbower, kids’ club assistant. Ethan Jacobson attended the meeting and introduced himself to the board.

Resignations included Nina Torkelson, HS special education; Forrest Musselman, assistant speech coach; Lori Haugen, food service assistant.

Superintendent Bernard shared that Wieser Brothers had performed a test of a drip edge on the school’s front stone to see if such an edge would mitigate the water issue that causes the stones to fall off. Results of the test were reviewed as well as some roof repairs that had been done. Bernard remains committed to finding a permanent solution to the issues.

The Wellness Month at R-P was well received. Elementary Principal Angela Shepard shared that the younger students were particularly interested each day in the “mood foods” when they got to try foods that many had not eaten. Shepard informed the board that the required READ training is set to be offered to the staff; some of the instruction will be provided via Zoom, some will be done individually. An 80% score on assorted quizzes will be required for the staff to “graduate” from the program.

Activities for Wellness Month included Bike to School Day, a climbing wall, Ag Day, No Device Day, an All School Walk, Spring Fling, Elementary Field Day, and All School Cleanup Day. The Wellness Committee is already enthusiastically planning ahead for activities for next year.

Middle School/High School Principal Jake Timm proudly announced that over $47,000 was given out in scholarships at Senior Awards Night. He intends to share a comprehensive list of the donors and recipients with the board in the future.

Timm also shared that the sixth grade science fair was a success that provided students the opportunity to learn more about their specific science project and to experience public speaking as they explained their projects to visitors and judges.

Juniors once again participated in Career Exploration Day. The day was a collaboration between local businesses, the school and Rushford Peterson Valley Chamber of Commerce.

The board accepted a total of $5,467.65 in donations. AcenTek donated $100 and Merchants bank donated $250 to Community Education sponsorship. NRA Foundation gave $1,024 to the Trap team, while MN Deer Hunters gave the Trap team another $1,000. The Rushford-Peterson Booster Club donated $1,543.65 for volleyball uniforms, $300 for FFA State t-shirts and $500 to the junior class for prom. Wes Fort gave $500 to FFA; Travis and Kayla Oppelt donated $250 for the Eagle Bluff trip.

Since Amy Woxland is accepting a position at HVED, she will no longer be able to continue as the board representative to HVED. Nancy Snyder will now become the board representative to HVED.

The board continued with their review and acceptance of policies. Second reading policies were approved with no discussion; no changes were made to the MSBA policies. The first reading policies also had very little change and were accepted and moved on for a second reading and approval at the next meeting.

The 2024-2025 property, liability, cyber and workers’ compensation insurance proposal from Vaaler Insurance was accepted by the board. Bernard noted that the costs of cyber insurance and building replacement costs are going up, but were expected to do so. He shared that the consultant was “good to work with.”