The required Truth in Taxation meeting for Houston Schools took place December 2, the same night as the regular board meeting with several tax payers present. Gwen Rostad, Houston’s director of finance, presented an informational PowerPoint on Truth in Taxation and the current status of the district. Rostad pointed out that the assessor determines the market value of properties … [Read more...]
Houston School accepts bond proposal
Kelly Smith, director in Baker Tilly’s Municipal Advisor Public Education Group, joined the regular Houston School Board meeting November 18 via Zoom to report on the bond sale he helped facilitate for the school earlier that day. According to Smith, interest rates were at near record lows. Robert W. Baird and Co. had the lowest bid of 1.607% on the 15-year bond term. The … [Read more...]
Houston Schools live stream ready to go
Want to watch a Houston Schools’ home basketball game? How about a concert? This year you can once again easily watch the events free from the comfort of your own home. Mikayla Simmons, activities and communications director for Houston Schools, informed the school board at their regular November 4 meeting that multiple links have been added to the school’s website so the … [Read more...]
Houston School Board: Parents bring quarantine questions
Concerned parents filled the audience at the regular Houston School Board meeting on September 16. Only a few weeks into the school year, quite a few students have been quarantined due to close contact with a positive case of COVID. The parents had expected to be added to the evening’s agenda. Chairman Tom Stilin suggested that they ask the questions they want answered. The … [Read more...]
Houston School Board prom/graduation given yellow lights
At their March 18 meeting, the Houston School Board learned that both prom and graduation will be able to proceed with caution. Prom has “pretty stringent” guidelines; the state has suggested dancing while seated in chairs six feet apart. Prom has been set for May 1, 2021; the After Prom committee has already contracted with a hypnotist for entertainment. Supt. Krin Abraham … [Read more...]
Houston Schools’ new position
The Houston School Board officially created a new position at the school at their regular board meeting March 4. In an effort to pare down the superintendent responsibilities, the board will add a new position at the school. According to the job description, this position will take on the following duties: communications, activities director, and scheduling of transportation … [Read more...]
Houston school to consider purchase of St. Mary’s Catholic Church
Superintendent Krin Abraham informed the Houston School Board at their meeting on February 11 that the school had been approached about the possibility of purchasing the St. Mary’s Catholic Church building. Abraham told the board that the church will be available after June 30; the church’s roof has been recently done and the kitchen and bathrooms are handicapped accessible and … [Read more...]
Supt. Abraham announces retirement
At the very end of the January 21, 2021, Houston School Board meeting, Superintendent Krin Abraham informed the board that she will be retiring in June. Abraham declared, “I love this place; I love this district, but I need to be done. I want you to be able to start looking now.” Board member Arlin Peterson, who has had a relationship with Abraham both as a fellow teacher … [Read more...]
Houston School Board organized and ready to work
The Houston School Board quickly chose its officers, calendar, committees and other official elements as they met for the first time in the new year on January 7, 2021. Officers are: Tom Stilin, chair; Mimi Carlson, vice chair; Josh Norlien, clerk; and Gene Lundak, treasurer. Meetings will remain on the first and third Thursdays of the month. Bremer Bank was again chosen as … [Read more...]
Houston Schools – distance learning through January 8
The Houston School Board decided to remain in the distance + learning model through January 8, 2021, after careful consideration at the regular board meeting December 3. Superintendent Krin Abraham, in her COVID report, shared that the Houston County numbers for the most recent week were at 133.42 with numbers for December 10 at 112.52 (which will increase) and December 17 at … [Read more...]