The Lake Superior School Board approved the hiring of new staff at last week’s meeting. Blake Johnson will be joining the staff at Two Harbors High School in the Science Department. Stephanie Johnson and Nathan Ballard will be joining the staff at Minnehaha and will be teaching 5th grade. Sophia Fenske will be joining the staff at William Kelley as the new Music/ Band Teacher. Morgan McGaffey will be the School Counselor for William Kelley and Minnehaha students and Shane Johnson will take over as Principal at Minnehaha School.
Business Manager, Tanner Spawn presented the Board with the Long Term Facilities Maintenance Plan for 2027. This kind of planning is required by Minnesota State statute. While the district bus garages are nearing completion, district leadership needs to be mindful of facilities that are due for repairs and upgrades. There are mechanical systems that will be needing attention by 2027 at Minnehaha. William Kelley will be looking at exhaust fan upgrades, window hardware and stage rigging in 2027. Two Harbors High School will be needing carpet replacement in the office and library, a pool heat exchanger and filter system, and athletic facilities at THHS and WKS will need upgrades in 2028.The District allocates about $250,000 annually for general and small maintenance projects. The same amount is typically set aside for major projects. The State Legislature recently approved a new levy authority that allows districts to levy up to $380 per pupil for approved roof projects. Such projects must be included in the 10 year LTFM plan and do not include minor roof patching but are slated to cover roof replacement. District Principals and Head Custodians will be working with the Superintendent and the Business Manager to review long term priorities and devise a workable plan for big ticket items and to eliminate emerging building concerns before they become high-cost emergencies.
Curriculum Director Dan Johnson gave a brief overview of the Functional Phonics curriculum that is proposed for use with students in kindergarten through grade 5. This approach to word and language comprehension is an evidence based curriculum designed to ensure student mastery of phonics awareness, vocabulary development and fluency in reading and comprehension. The Board voted to approve the proposal.
Superintendent Gina Kleive confirmed that the Federal Government has not released funds that typically are received by school districts around the first of July and are Title allocations. Kleive stated that the district will use the unassigned fund balance until they receive the funds that they are anticipating. District officials have been told, in word, that they have been awarded the funds from the Federal government but, with the variable nature of the current administration’s policies, it remains to be seen whether or not that word will be honored.
The next School Board meeting is scheduled for August 12th at 6:00 PM at Two Harbors High School.
