Photo by Charlene Corson Selbee
The Spring Grove School Board members were honored at the February 17 board meeting. February is Minnesota School Board Recognition Month.
Board members recognized include Ashley Olson, Rhan Flatin, Myriah Klug, Kelly Rohland, Lisa Myhre, and Chairman Stephanie Jaster.
Superintendent Gina Morken offered her appreciation to the board, saying, “Thank you to all of you for the time that you give to our students. This is the system that creates the best education for our kids, and we appreciate everything you do. Thank you very much.”
Chairman Jaster asked for a motion to approve the consent agenda which included the agenda, minutes from the January 20 regular school board meeting, payment of bills, recommendation to hire David Mendez as choreographer for the school musical, and three donations – $950 from Spring Grove Chiropractic for banners, $950 from Edina Realty (Steph Gulbranson) for banners, and $3,000 from James Gray for choral department. The consent agenda was unanimously approved with a motion by Rohland and seconded by Flatin.
Administrative Reports
Principal Matt Rosaaen shared that there have been 318 K-12 grade referrals, which is down from last year.
Rosaaen announced that Bluff Country Collaborative’s Dream Job event for juniors and seniors is February 25 in Mabel. Rosaaen explained that it’s a career fair for anybody.
On Friday, February 20, the school will be hosting “Hat Day” with proceeds going to the McKinley Saloka family.
Superintendent Morken shared that the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act passed. The school has requested pricing for whole and 2% milk, including flavored milk options. The company the school purchases milk from is not ready for additional orders but is working on it. They will also need to begin producing new flavored milk options in response to the Act. She confirmed that “they have started that process, and we’ll be working with them to add whole milk.”
As part of the school’s social emotional work, the school surveyed the students. Morken said, “It was a really great survey. Most of it is checking in on them.” Students were also asked if they would like to attend the co-design meetings and learn about the strategic plan and give the school feedback. Seventeen students indicated that they would like to attend.
Director of Special Projects Rachel Udstuen reported that there are only nine items left on the construction punch-list. For example, paint on a blind and if they cannot get it off, the blinds will be replaced. The softball field bids are due March 5. Udstuen feels that this year’s move will be more manageable because the school has already been through it once and it is a smaller space.
Action Items
The school’s wellness policy action plan was unanimously approved. The following five goals that the school wanted to accomplish were completed.
- Food and beverages will not be used as a reward for students.
- All K-6 students will have physical education class daily for 25 minutes.
- Encourage parents to pack healthy lunches and snacks.
- Provide 30 minutes per day for lunch between 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. for all K-12 students.
- Recess and physical activity will not be withheld from students for disciplinary reasons.
Upon unanimous approval, the board scheduled the Joint Annual Meeting with the City of Spring Grove on Thursday, February 26 at 6 p.m. in Room 108, located at 168 West Main Street and the annual board retreat, which is scheduled for March 15, from 5:30-7 p.m. The regular school board meeting is scheduled for March 16, at 7 p.m. at the school. Motion by Klug and seconded by Flatin.
With a motion by Olson, seconded by Klug, and unanimously approved, the board went into closed session at 7:35 p.m. to conduct Superintendent Morken’s annual evaluation. A summary of the evaluation will be shared at the March 16 school board meeting.
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