“Thank you to all of our Lanesboro community for coming to all of our (proposed facilities project) meetings over the last several months,” Superintendent Matt Schultz said at the November 15 Lanesboro School Board meeting. On November 6, nearly 70% of Lanesboro residents voted to approve the general obligation bond for $7.135 million for the renovations and additions to the Lanesboro school building.
Steve Storhoff and Steve Snyder were re-elected to the school board.
Michael Willford was elected for the other open seat and will begin after January 1, 2019. Storhoff, Snyder, and Willford will all serve four year terms. Lolly Melander was also elected to fill a two-year seat on the school board.
A Veterans Day program was held on November 11 at the school. “Thank you to Mr. Clark for organizing our Veterans Day program this last Monday,” Superintendent Schutlz said. “Also, thank you to all our veterans.”
The Lanesboro school recently began using a company called LifeTrack to send out surveys to last year’s graduates and will continue to do so with future classes as well. The six month survey went out in November with about 30 questions and the next one for that class will be sent at the five-year mark. The purpose of the surveys is to collect data on former students to see where they are after graduating from high school. This can help highlight the district’s strengths and weaknesses so they can be improved. The surveys also allow the school to stay in touch with its graduates.
A new van route was added to the transportation schedule this school year, and a new van was purchased. Currently, the district runs six bus routes and five van routes. It was noted that the bus shed does not fit newer model buses as well and so that will need to be addressed in the upcoming facility meeting. One bus driver position is still available and applications are being accepted.
Two vehicles have been turned in by bus drivers this year so far for driving past a bus when the stop arm was out. It was emphasized that drivers on the road need to always stop and wait behind a bus when the stop arm is engaged. Superintendent Schultz noted, that as part of their training, all bus drivers are taught to tell the students that ride the buses to wait until the stop arm is out and the driver has waved them across the road before they can do so. If they cross the road before being waved across, they are spoken to for their future safety. But, even if the students cross correctly, they are still in danger as long as other drivers do not stop appropriately for the bus.
The board reviewed and approved board policies 601 regarding school district curriculum and instructional goals, 603 regarding curriculum development, and 612.1 regarding development of parent and family engagement policies for Title I programs. They also reviewed the first readings of policies 701 regarding establishment and adoption of the school district budget, 701.1 regarding modification of the school district budget, and 702 regarding accounting.
The Minnesota School Board Association’s winter conference will be held January 17-18 in Minneapolis and is free for school board members. Steve Snyder is planning to attend.
The next Lanesboro School Board meeting will be held on December 13 at 7 p.m.