Spring Grove School Board members met in the school’s Learning Resource Center on Thursday, February 22, from 7-8:30 p.m. Board members present include Chairman Aaron Solum, Stephanie Jaster, Rhan Flatin, Aric Elton, and Kelly Rohland. Jenny Stender was absent.
The board approved the consent agenda, including the agenda and the minutes from the January 13 regular board meeting as well as the treasurer’s report and approval of bills.
Principal, Luke Kjelland announced, “My goal is to have 7-12th grade schedules and class lists out and complete before the end of the year.”
Assistant Superintendent Gina Meinertz announced that the school received a $10,000 early learning grant. “The grant will support our early learning cohort.” The goal of the cohort is “learning and improving our community together!”
Interim-Superintendent Bruce Klaehn asked the board’s opinion on sponsoring a Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) COVID vaccination clinic. The board did not decide as they wanted more information and wondered if there is a need to sponsor one. Klaehn will call MDH and see if an offsite location is an option.
Klaehn shared that this would be his last board meeting and Tuesday, March 1 is his last day in the office. Klaehn praised the administration and office staff, “I am so impressed and appreciative of the administration and office staff in making everything work so smoothly – they all abound in cooperation.”
Student council members, Jada Strinmoen and Harper Staton, announced that the student council is hosting a semi-formal dance for 7-8th grade students on Friday, March 11, from 7-9:30 p.m.
The board approved the following three personnel changes. Spanish teacher, Megan Jones .204 additional time from the first semester for semester II, Madeline Rainey is the new speech coach, and the board accepted the resignation of Tom Vix, half-time science teacher.
Assistant Superintendent Gina Meinertz presented an overview of the Annual Wellness Report with the board. The action plan identifies four goals:
1. Food and beverages will not be used as a reward for students.
2. All K-6 students will have physical education class daily for 30 minutes.
3. Encourage parents to pack healthy lunches and snacks.
4. Provide 30 minutes/day for lunch between 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. for all K-12 students.
In 2021, three of the four goals were completed. Goal number two was not completed because of cohort scheduling. The maximum number of minutes for PE was 25 minutes, not 30 minutes.
Board members received their committee assignments and appointments. Assignments are Stender and Jaster, Finance/Audit; Jaster and Flatin, Administrative Negotiations; Elton and Solum, Eligibility Board of Review; Elton and Flatin, Transportation; Jaster and Stender, District Policy; Jaster, Solum, and Stender, Certified Staff Negotiations; Flatin and Rohland, Non-certified Staff Negotiations; and Solum and Elton, Building and Grounds. Other appointments include Solum, Hiawatha Valley Education District Board; Jaster, Am. Ed. Week Citizen Recognition; Solum, Crisis Plan; Stender, Health Insurance/Wellness; Rohland, Legislative Liaison; Stender, Minnesota State High School League; Jaster, Special Education Advisory; Flatin, Staff Development; Jaster, Houston County Collaborative; Flatin, Vocation Education Advisory; Jaster and Solum, Meet and Confer; Elton and Rohland, Technology.
In honor of School Board Recognition Week, February 21-25, 2022, Klaehn thanked the Spring Grove School Board members for their service to the district. Board members were treated to cookies provided by Assistant Superintendent Gina Meinertz.
The board approved removing the Minnesota School Board Association (MSBA)/Minnesota Association of School Administrators (MASA) Policy #491 – Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination or Testing and Face Coverings Policy from the agenda. The action item was tabled at the January meeting.
The next regular board meeting of the Spring Grove Public School Board is scheduled for Tuesday, March 21, the first day of spring. The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. in the school’s Learning Resource Center. The school continues to offer the board meetings on Google Meet for anyone who would like to attend virtually. For assistance monitoring the meeting, contact the district office at (507) 498-3221 or email rachel.udstuen@springgrove.k12.mn.us.
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