Staff begins transition for new school year

During its July 17 meeting, the NRHEG school board conducted a wide array of business.

It officially accepted the resignation of Diana Foster, who has been a Bridges (Pre-Kindergarten) teacher for the past 13 years. Also submitting resignations were staff members Becky Lassahn and Michelle Thiele.

Holly Pederson was hired on to fill one of two open secondary language arts teaching positions. The board also learned that interviews are advancing to help assure the second position is filled soon.

Board members were notified that Jason Toupence, who was hired earlier in the year, officially joined the district staff during July. As teaching and learning coordinator (TLC), Toupence will fill a variety of roles including supervising staff development and the state required “World’s Best Workforce” program.

Superintendent Michael Meihak also informed board members that no applications have so far been received for a music teacher position which has been posted for months, ever since the state implemented a new requirement increasing the amount of instruction elementary and middle school students receive in the “fine” and visual arts.

The district received more than $14,000 in donations; $1,750 came from the softball, track, wrestling and basketball booster organizations in support of the weight room. Another $12,250 was donated by Finly’s Wings at Work: part of the amount  is designated for purchase of fitness room equipment, part for playground equipment.

Among other matters attended to during the meeting was a “school property statement of use” summarizing an acknowledgement that Brenda and Mark Routh, residents of 320 Broadway Avenue South, would be allowed to access one entrance to a structure on their property through the secondary school parking lot. Board chair Rick Schultz stated that, since the school lot is public property, and since the agreement does not include any expense or modifications to the plans for next summer’s improvements to the lot, there seemed to be no harm in allowing the access. The Rouths do plan to pave the access, including a piece of school-owned property about 12 feet wide and 5 feet deep.

Board members also approved arrangements to comply with a new state requirement that schools keep a supply of overdose medication on site. Under the policy, each site will acquire the medication naloxone hydrochloride and will have staff trained in administering it. The substance is used to help alleviate the symptoms of persons experiencing an overdose from the use of opiates.

Also in compliance with state regulations, board members approved the district’s “literacy plan” for students in kindergarten through third grade. The plan lists steps the district takes to help assure that all students become proficient at reading. The district’s ongoing “long-term facilities maintenance plan was also approved for submission to the state.

It was also mentioned during the meeting that Superintendent Meihak’s three-year contract with the district is coming near completion. Board chair Schultz stated that, with a recent positive job review completed, negotiations with Meihak are likely to begin soon, with the hope that a new contract will be in place before the end of November.