WEM E-Newsletter

March 8, 2022

At WEM we practice BUCS PRIDE.

We are a Respectful, Responsible learning community dedicated to a

Safe and Positive learning environment for all individuals.

Greetings!

Have you heard the latest? WEM has hired a new Superintendent! What a new and exciting time as we look forward to this transition after having the leadership of Mr. Whitehurst for so many years. Read more below.

As always, this newsletter starts off with a summary of the February regular school board meeting from Chairperson, Gary Michael. You will also find some information about community education classes, important dates, job openings, and more.

Do you have feedback or ideas for future e-newsletter content? I invite you to contact me. Please spread the word to others you think might like to be added by forwarding this email and/or directing them to the e-newsletter subscription sign-up page on WEM's website. Thank you.

Margo Kulseth, MLIS

Communications Coordinator

February School Board Meeting Summary

WEM School Board Meeting Summary

February 28, 2022, at 6:30 p.m.

Regular Meeting

Agenda (Additional links to documents below are found within the agenda.)

Call to Order - Gary Michael, Chairperson

I, Gary Michael, called the meeting to order. Also present were board members June Rezac, Jay Schneider, Jeff Stangler, and Jon Velishek as well as all administrative staff members. There were no additional agenda items added.

Approval

The following items were approved by a vote of 5-0 after little discussion:

Agenda
Minutes from January 24, 2022, regular meeting
Financial transactions for February

Visitor Comments

No visitor comments were heard. Comments from visitors should be informational in nature and not exceed 3 minutes per issue. The Board will not engage in a discussion or debate in those 3 minutes but will take the information and find answers if it is appropriate. As part of the protocol, visitors must keep their ideas and opinions related to policy issues. It is unacceptable for any speaker to slander, engage in character assassination or discuss student or personnel issues (i.e., teacher, coaches, bus drivers, principals, Board Members, etc.) at a public board meeting. The person wishing to address the Board must stand at the provided lectern.

Recognition

The board approved monetary donations for February. There was an extraordinary amount of donations received this month. Those approved included the $15,000 from the Morristown Fireman’s relief association for improving the tennis courts, $314.95 from the Buckateers as an athletic donation, $500 each from the Elysian Bank and Elysian Agency for “anti-bullying,” $1,500 from the American Legion Post #311 as an athletic donation, $,1000 from the Le Sueur County Sheriff’s Youth Project for the Elementary, $250 from Elysian Bank for a scholarship, $8,000 each from Morristown Fireman’s Relief Association and Elysian Volunteer Fire Department for FFA (to be used to upgrade the concession stand on the football field), $300 for PBIS from the Rice County Deputies Association, $2000 for Feed Store and More for FFA and $1,000 from Corteva for FFA. Thank you to all those who donate to these important programs!

Reports

The board heard reports from Principals, Bobbie Jo Bastian and Jennifer Wilson and Community Education & Activities Director, Jeff Boran. They are linked in the agenda for your review.

The Board approved student per diem for state tournaments at the following levels:

$10 Breakfast
$15 Lunch
$18 Supper

There were no board member or board committee reports. We heard a brief report from Superintendent Whitehurst. Mr. Whitehurst informed the board regarding the state’s budget surplus of $9.25 billion according to the latest budget forecast. Mr. Whitehurst also let us know of a meeting and discussions with Representative Rosen in which he and other local superintendents informed Rosen of concerns around student mental health and bus driver shortage. Mr. Whitehurst updated the board on the Elysian tennis court and baseball field projects, which include a Joint Powers agreement with the city of Elysian. This tactic will save the school and the city funds.

Information / Discussion

The board has heard concerns about student behavior on buses and reinforced the school bus policy of three strikes. After three strikes due to bad behavior, the school is authorized to contact parents and require the student to find another source of travel to and from school.

Action

The board heard a presentation from Margaret Jewison and approved the updated 2021-22 budget.

The board approved the February, 2022 - January, 2023 agreement with SMS payroll services for $37,132. The service has been excellent to date.

The board approved the highest bid from Jerry Marzahn for the purchase of 12.16 acres of district-owned farmland - $81,300 (with an additional $2,000 donation to Kindergarten and $8,000 donation to FFA). The vote went 4 in favor and 1 opposed, with June Rezac voting against the bid approval.

Personnel

The board approved the July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2023, contract with School Age Child Care Coordinator and staff pursuant to the Child Care Stabilization Grant awarded to the district as follows:

$2,300 Stipend for School Age Child Care Coordinator
$0.96 per hour increase for all School Age Care Staff, effective September 1, 2021

Hourly pay reverts to current hourly rates when the grant is fully expended or upon the conclusion of the current contract, whichever is sooner.

The board approved requests for lane change from Eric Gerst, Media Center Instructor, MS+10 to MS+20, Effective January 15, 2022.

The board approved the following hires:

Boys Track
Head, Jon McDonough - $5,359
1st Assistant, Al Baker - $3,820

Girls Track
Head, Mike Richards - $5,359
1st Assistant, Carrie Richards - $3,820

Boys & Girls Track
Junior High, Matthew Van Houdt - $2,297

Baseball
Head, Tyler Kaus - $2,297

Softball
1st Assistant, Kelsey Bauer - $3,820

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 7:52 p.m.

Upcoming meeting dates:

March 10, 2022, 6:30 p.m. - Planning Meeting

March 28, 2022, 6:30 p.m. - Regular Meeting

Gary Michael, Chairperson

507-330-0500, sba.email@yahoo.com

Note: WEM School Board meetings can be viewed live via Zoom video conferencing, and the recordings for past meetings are available on the website. The agendas and accompanying documents are also available online.

Superintendent Hired

Due to the resignation and retirement of Joel Whitehurst, effective June 30, 2022, the School Board of Waterville-Elysian-Morristown Public Schools (WEM) spent the past few months searching for our next Superintendent. The board contracted with the Minnesota School Boards Association (MSBA) to provide guidance and assist with the search. In February, the board completed contract negotiations and offered Ryan Jensen the position as the district’s next superintendent. Most recently, Mr. Jensen has worked as the 6-12 Principal in Walker, MN.

“We believe Ryan has the qualifications and skills needed to lead Waterville-Elysian-Morristown Public Schools. We feel he will come into the position with an open mind, ready to listen, and committed to moving the district forward,” said Gary Michael, Board Chair. “We look forward to working with him.” The pending start date for the new Superintendent will be July 1, 2022. Questions can be directed to Gary Michael, School Board Chair, at 507-330-0500 or sba.email@yahoo.com.

Snow Week Royalty

Congratulations to WEM Snow Week royalty! Coronation was held on Friday, February 25 at 9:00 a.m. Snow Week at WEM coincides with National FFA Week.

Front row: King Wyatt Saemrow and Queen Emma Kuball (seniors)

Back row: Princes Keegan Kuball (grade 9), Caleb Caron (grade 10), Shelby Krienke (grade 11), and Princesses Jenessa Baumgarten (grade 11), Josephine Volkmann (grade 10), Kaedyn Judd (grade 9)

Activities and Athletics

Spring Athletics

The WEM spring activities registration portal is open. All students participating in spring activities must be registered with fees paid before beginning practice.

Start dates are as follows:

7th - 12th-grade boys and girls track & field practice begins Monday, March 14 after school
9th -12th-grade girls softball practice begins Monday, March 14 after school
9th -12th-grade boys baseball arm strengthening for pitchers and catchers begins Monday, March 14, with team practices beginning Monday, March 21
7th - 8th-grade baseball & softball practices begin Monday, March 21

WEM Trap Team

WEM trap (clay target) team begins practices Sunday, March 27. You must be registered using the registration portal and fully paid before beginning practice. If you would like to be on the competition team (needed for all conference placements and honors and the state shoot participation) you must ALSO then register separately on the USA Clay Target League site. There is an additional fee.

Mandatory meetings this year will be on March 7 at 5:30 p.m. in Mr. Androli's classroom in Morristown and March 20 at 2:00 p.m. at the Morristown Gun Club. Please contact Mr. Androli with questions.

Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE)

WEM ECFE is holding winter evening classes for students ages 3-5. There is one remaining class on March 29. Dates for spring classes are coming soon. Classes will be held in the WEM Preschool room at Waterville Elementary from 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Park in the round pickup loop on the east side of the elementary building for easy access to our classroom.

Each class costs $10 or $25 if you sign up for all three. Currently, our theme is Penguins! To sign up, fill out the registration form.

Fees may be paid by contacting the WEM Community Education Office at 507-362-4403 or mailing a check to WEM ECFE, 500 East Paquin Street, Waterville, MN 56096. Please register before calling.

Drivers' Education

Drivers' Ed classroom sessions are scheduled to start June 1 and October 24, 2022. Check out the Drivers' Ed page of our website for more information.

DNR Firearms Safety Certification

DNR Firearms Safety Certification via the Official MN Hunter Safety Course is required of anyone born after December 31, 1979, to purchase a hunting license in Minnesota and to participate in the High School Clay Target League. Students must complete the online course and register for the field day. Students must also attend in-person field days. From time to time, the Waterville area has field days, which we will try to advertise; however, sites may also be found on the MN DNR site. Anyone 11 years or older interested in taking a firearm safety class starting March 7, stop in and see Mr. Androli for more information.

School Age Child Care (SACC)

Registration is open for before- and after- School Age Child Care (SACC) for the current school year, as well as non-school days, late start, and early release days. Consult the 2021/2022 SACC Handbook. Registration is also open for Summer SACC. The 2022 Summer SACC Handbook includes details about the program as well as the online registration form.

Summer Hours

Monday through Friday

6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Begins Wednesday, June 1, 2022

More Information

To stay up-to-date on WEM activities, consult the Community Education page and Athletics page on our website. Also, keep an eye on the news section at the top of the WEM website, and follow us on social media.