School board members recognized by supt.

CRESCO - May is School Board Recognition Month, and Supt. Ted Ihns recognized the five school board members at the May 16 meeting, giving them a certificate.

This year has been even more busy than recent years for the board — they had to hire a superintendent to replace Ihns and are in the midst of hiring a secondary principal and constructing a new addition for approximately $8 million.

In addition, Ihns stated board members need to manage a $34 million budget, make sure 1,150 students are getting the best education available and oversee 203 employees.

• In other business from the meeting, Ihns thanked Mr. Rogne, Mrs. Hartman, Ms. Lehmkuhl and Mr. Coulter for an outstanding graduation ceremony. He also recognized Mr. Trende and his staff for making sure the facilities were sparkling for graduation.

It was announced elementary summer school was to be held in August, with secondary summer school taking place June 13-24 and Aug. 1-5.

• Tia Heien, High School Band Director, and three band students, Elise Church, Addie Isaacson and Alayna Larson, shared some of their experiences during their March 16, 2022 band trip to Florida.

The girls each had different favorite parts of the trip, which included NASA, Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Imagination Campus, Medieval Times, Cocoa Beach, Ron Jon’s Surf Shop and Universal Studios. They commented at Magic Kingdom, it took four-and-a-half hours to wait for a ride, and fries cost $17!

• Kim Kerian and Jessica Hillers gave their instructional coaches report to board members.

They explained the goals of mentor/mentee support; promoting collaboration; retaining effective teachers; and working with coaching cylces.

• Resignations were approved from Karen LeFebvre, High School Music; Shari Marr, Elementary Special Education (leave of absence); and Richard Parks, Transportation Office Assistant and Bus Driver. New hires were Abigail Henry, Second Grade Teacher, and Tiffany Riehle, 6th Grade Teacher.

Coach resignations were for Brett Daley, Ninth Grade Girls Basketball, and Tom Schmauss, Eighth Grade Football. New coach hires were Danielle Chihak, Colorguard Coach, and Cassie Lichty, Volunteer Softball Coach.

• The board approved a student teaching contract with Luther College.

• Change orders and paying the monthly bills from Emergent Architecture and Cresco Building Service were approved for the new addition.

Facilities Director Larry Trende noted the biggest change orders were the walkway system and replacing double doors. Both items can come out of the contingency fun.

• The board okayed the accounting software renewal from Softward Unlimited.

• Girls wrestling was finally sanctioned, and the board approved adding it to the activities offered at How-Winn.

• The elementary math program, ZEARN, was renewed.

• The board will tour the alternative center and other parts of the addition at 4:45, before the next meeting on June 20.