Photo by Wanda Hanson
John Cassellius visited the Houston School Board meeting July 10 to introduce himself to the school board. Cassellius is the high school principal; he comes to Houston from Winona Senior High where he taught physical education and health.
The board also greeted a newcomer to the school board. Claire Reay is the new student representative to the board. She replaces graduate Julia Carr.
Student Representative Grayden Beckman reported on activities the student council has been involved in this summer. Recently, they attended a student council and leadership training at St. John’s University. Beckman enthused about learning new leadership skills and encouraged people to check out the Minnesota Association of Student Leaders on Instagram to learn more about the training.
Literacy Plan and Report
This year, the state gave guidance and set the goals for the literacy plan for Houston Schools. The school had to approve the plan and submit it to the state. The school board will use the plan as they set local goals.
Redefining Readiness
Michael Mangan presented the report card on career, college and life readiness to the school board. Mangan pointed out that the report is truly just metrics intended to help the school make decisions. Because Houston offers many classes that are concurrent classes which give both high school and college credit, 79% of the class of 2025 had some college credit completion.
One hundred percent of the class of 2025 completed community service of 25 hours or more compared to 45% for the class of 2024. This was the result of an emphasis on community service with workdays included during the school year.
Participation in activities was another metric measured. The board discussed the possibility of including other activities beyond MSHL activities. Seventy-two percent of the class of 2025 participated in activities.
Overall 72% of the class of 2025 were shown to be college ready; 71% of the students were career ready; 72% were considered both college and career ready.
New Signage
A new sign will soon be installed in front of the tear drop at the middle school/high school at a total expense of $1,435. This sign will match the sign already at the East Campus. Funds for the sign were donated. Since the quote ended up less than the donations, donors will be asked what they would like the remainder of the funds to be used for.
LTFM Plan
The board approved the LTFM (Long-term Facilities Maintenance) Plan. The plan for the next 10 years can be revised annually. Using the state formula, Houston receives $876,478 in revenue from the state. These funds are to be spent maintaining existing facilities. Projects that qualify for LTFM funding are 88% paid for by the state with the school paying only 12% of the project.
Preparing for the New School Year
Handbooks for all the schools were shared with the board for a first reading. Board member Mimi Carlson suggested the start and end times for the school day be easier for parents to find in the handbooks. Wednesdays will have the same start and end time this year as the rest of the week; there will be no early outs.
Lunch prices were reviewed. Lunches remain free for students next year; high school students will have to pay for additional entrees and ala carte items.
Superintendent Mary Morem will look at prices for adult lunches and return with suggestions for those prices. Morem shared that the new contract with Taher guarantees that the school will not lose money on the lunch program.
Morem suggested that the board increase substitute teacher pay to $135 a day. She noted that a statewide survey had been sent out to schools regarding their sub pay, but the results have not yet been shared. The board decided to wait and see the data collected by the survey before setting a new rate.
The board approved the $6,845 membership in MSBA (Minnesota School Boards Association) and the $2,725 membership in Southeast Service Cooperative. Membership in MSBA is mandatory. The Southeast Service Cooperative provides training for teachers as well as holding the Spelling Bee and Knowledge.
The renewal of contracts with SMEC (Southern Minnesota Education Consortium) for vision and physical therapy was approved by the board. Houston School does not have staff to provide those services.
Principal contracts have an added lane for onsite principals. A longevity bump after 12 years with the school of $1,500 was added. 403B funds (a tax-advantaged retirement savings plan for public school employees) can be used by the principals to pay student loans.