The Houston School Board began turning the page on summer and looked ahead to fall and the coming school year at their August 7 regular meeting.
Student board representative Grayden Beckman shared that the student council had met with new high school principal John Cassellius to plan for Homecoming 2025. Since the Homecoming football game will be played on Saturday, there will be more time in the week for Homecoming activities.
On Sunday, September 28, the junior and senior girls will play in a Powder Puff Flag Football game. Monday coronation will occur; on Tuesday the teachers will be taking on the seniors in dodgeball. Wednesday a volleyball game between the football and volleyball players will take place. Thursday a pep rally will be held at the elementary. On Friday afternoon there will be games at the high school as usual and possibly some time devoted to building parade floats. The student council would like to have a bonfire that evening as well.
The Homecoming football game will be at 11. Following the game a bean bag tournament will take place at the Fest Grounds and the Homecoming dance will end the festivities on Saturday night.
Student board representative Claire Reay stressed that they want to include the community as well; everyone is welcome to attend all of the games that week.
Beckman mentioned that the student council may sell Homecoming t-shirts as a fundraiser as well as possibly getting student council t-shirts and maybe water bottles and hats. Board member Lisa Schultz suggested working with local Summer Thorson for t-shirt orders to keep business in town.
Fall Business
The board decided to approve a new two-year contract for lawn care after board member Steve Walters noted that the cost of hiring the service compared to having staff take care of it was a wash. The rates remain the same as this year.
The Truth in Taxation hearing was set for December 4 at 6:30 p.m.; this is on a regular board meeting night.
All of the handbooks and the school crisis plan were approved for the new year. Superintendent Mary Morem thanked the board for all their feedback.
Adult lunches at Houston will remain at the $5 minimum set by the state last year until Houston hears anything further from the state regarding this year’s minimum.
After checking both state and local area substitute teacher salaries, Morem strongly suggested a pay increase for subs. Area sub pay ranged from $135 to $150 a day; statewide the average pay was $185. The board set the new daily sub pay at $150.
Donations accepted were school supplies for students from Robin Henk and $100 for the after prom committee from Terry and Deb Chiglo.
Membership in MREA (Minnesota Rural Education Association) was renewed for the year.
Superintendent Goals
The superintendent goals were reviewed. The four goals presented were:
- To establish a community service and industry exploration program to provide 9-12 grade students a volunteer or industry exploration experience;
- To implement a district-wide “positive Athletics & Activities Culture Plan”;
- To develop a “multi-platform communication plan to increase family and community engagement”;
- To increase student participation in career pathways and advanced courses.
Lisa Schultz suggested some changes to the rubric which will assess the progress toward the achievement of the goals and wanted to discuss possibly adding more goals.
Mimi Carlson reminded the board that MSBA does not recommend more than four goals; if more goals were added, others would need to be removed. Since three board members (Mark Swenson, Nickki Johnson and Arlin Peterson) were absent at this meeting, the board decided to table the item until a later meeting.
Back to School Dates
The high school Back to School night will be Wednesday, August 27 from 6-8 p.m. The first day for high school will be Tuesday, September 2.
Elementary interview days will be Wednesday, August 27 from 4-7 p.m. and Tuesday, September 2 from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The first day of school for the elementary will be Wednesday, September 3.
Preschool interview days will be Tuesday, September 2 and Thursday, September 4. The first day of school for preschool will be Monday, September 8.
A newsletter will be sent out shortly with more information; emails may be sent by the building principals. The information can also be found on the school’s website.
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