Photo by Wanda Hanson
Both Chad Wangen of the Transportation Department and Bret Klaehn of the Activities Department reported to the Lanesboro School Board at their regular September 10 meeting. Wangen informed the board that DOT had already visited the school on the first day of the year. The transportation fleet passed the inspection with only a brake light out on one bus.
A new bus will be arriving in October; two old buses were traded in during the purchase of the new bus. Wangen told the board that one new bus driver, Noah Gordon, had been hired. The school still is looking for substitute bus and van drivers.
Superintendent Matt Schultz pointed out that the school pays for the required physicals for drivers. Substitute van drivers do not need a special license to drive the vans. The school has six daily bus routes; Schultz himself sometimes needs to cover a route. He encouraged residents to consider helping out by becoming a substitute driver.
Activities Director Bret Klaehn shared that he had been meeting with colleagues from other schools to begin the year. Klaehn told the board that cross country had been doing well and had been having some special presentations on injury prevention and nutrition by guest speakers.
The football field is still being worked on. The custodians have taken over painting the lines on the football field with a new machine which results in better looking lines.
Volleyball has been going well with the new coaching staff. Only two students went out for cheerleading this year; the cheerleaders have been working in the background making signs for the teams.
Two students are playing soccer in the co-op with St. Charles. The pep band will be playing for one of the upcoming games at St. Charles; Klaehn encouraged people to attend the game as well.
Klaehn reminded fans that all games played in the main gym and on the football field are being live streamed on HUDL. Links can be found on the school website. Klaehn told the board that streaming the games has not adversely affected the in-person attendance. Most other schools have migrated to HUDL as well. While some schools charge for HUDL access for their games, Lanesboro plans to continue to provide it free.
New signs for seating and honoring conference champions have been added in the gym.
A boy and a girl AAA winner will be notified in late October at the school. These students are recognized for their participation in athletics, academics and the arts.
Klaehn informed the board that information has been sent out to students about the availability of co-op dance with Fillmore Central. He hopes to be able to reboot dance as an activity for students.
A public thank you was extended by Klaehn to all the coaches for all that they do as they coach the student athletes.
Superintendent Report
Superintendent Schultz shared that the elementary teachers went through a full day of training with the new math curriculum during workshop days. Three tech ed teachers went through training supplied by MDE.
School Psychologist Heidi Johnson purchased new Second Step materials using the ADSIS grant. This program focuses on teaching learning skills to students.
All staff went through JMC training during workshop days. JMC is used by the teachers for communication, attendance, grading and seating charts. Schultz also presented on the school’s app use during workshop days.
Action Items
In action items, the board hired bus driver Noah Gordon, paraprofessional Samantha Drogemuller, daycare worker Jillian Elster and front office secretary Abby Drake. They also approved winter head coaches Matt Asleson, head boys basketball coach, and Steve Storhoff, head girls basketball coach.
The 2025-2026 crisis management plan was approved; this plan is not shared publicly. The plan was presented to the staff at workshop week and will be shared with the appropriate emergency personnel in the city.
The certification of the proposed tax levy at maximum was approved with no discussion. Finalization of the levy will take place later in the year.
First reading of policies 501, 502 and 514 was completed. Policy 501 regards weapons in school; policy 502 regards search of students, their property and lockers. Neither policy 501or 502 had any changes. Policy 514 concerns bullying prohibition; this policy has a few changes. A second reading of the policies will occur at the next board meeting.
Leave a Reply