Student Leadership shares Homecoming success

   Board Chair Marc Ruyak began the regular school board meeting, Thurs., Oct. 28, by recognizing Katelyn Edstrom and the student leadership team for a fantastic Homecoming week and accepting donations from Emily United Methodist Church in the amount of $625 for student supplies and $596.26 in books from DonorsChoose for Ms. Edstrom’s english classroom.

   Alynza Welk, representing the student leadership team, presented a report to the board sharing the success of Homecoming week stating it was filled with fun activities and lots of school spirit. Welk then mentioned the leadership team brought in motivational speaker Craig Hillier to speak with grades 6 - 12. Some of the main takeaways from Hillier’s presentation were how to be resilient as a student or athlete and how the students treat one another in High school has an impact on their peer’s lives. Overall, Welk felt the students learned a lot and is looking forward to reaping the benefits of his teachings and continuing to improve the learning environment.

   Finally, Welk informed the board that the annual fruit fundraiser has begun with fifth and sixth graders, student leadership students and seniors all selling for various programs within the school.

   Janessa Green, Assistant Principal and Activities Director, shared her reports for both positions. A few highlights for activities as fall sports were finish up. Volleyball finished with a regular season record of 4-20,their first playoff game against Hill City Friday came up short, falling in three straight sets. Football finished the regular season with a 7-1 record, and entered the playoffs with a win over Silver Bay last Tuesday. The season came to an end Saturday when the boys came up on the short end of a 12-6 final score. Cross Country traveled to Cloquet for the sectional meet Thursday to end the season, with everyone either beating or just seconds off of their best times of the season. Green also mentioned there are still a few open coaching positions, one being for junior high boys basketball and the other for girls softball. 

   Green shared an update on the implementation of the new tardy procedure. It was stated, after three weeks of the new procedures tardies have been cut in half. The new procedure is if a student has two or more tardies during the course of a week they receive lunch detention. When the procedure was first implemented there were 24 students with two or more tardies a week, there are now 12 students with two or more tardies in a week. 

   In other Board action:

   • Receive notification from Hill City that they wish to opt out of the shared business manager services and approved posting for a full-time business manager position.

   • Accepted the resignation of Cameron Wake as junior high boys basketball coach effective Oct. 28.

   • Accepted the resignation of Kendra Penke as music teacher, with regrets, effective Nov. 1.

   • Accepted the resignation of Renee Bettenberg as health para effective Oct. 20.

   • Approved the hire of Jordan Sawatzke as paraprofessional with a start date of Nov. 8.

   • Approved the addition of a paraprofessional position for 6.75 hours per day.

   • Approved Terri Shepard as Elementary Student Leadership Advisor for 2021-22.

   The Board scheduled the following meeting:  a work session, Thurs., Nov. 4 at 5:30 p.m.; a regular meeting, Thurs., Nov. 18 at 5:30 p.m.; a regular meeting, Thurs., Dec. 16 at 5:30 p.m. and the Truth in Taxation Meeting, Thurs., Dec. 16 at 6:30 p.m. all meetings are held at Northland High School.