WESTBROOK, Minnesota (STPNS) --     WWG —  Superintendent Loy Woelber talked to the board about allowing teens to become members at the Walnut Grove and Westbrook Fitness Centers. The idea came up earlier at the WWG Community Ed advisory council committee.

    Woelber told the board, “girls are not comfortable in a high school weight room around “the boys” and will not take full advantage of what is offered.”

    According to Woelber, this practice is already in place in neighboring fitness centers in Tracy and Slayton. The council felt the pros of parent student bonding, student health and wellness and extra revenues out weighed the cons. The council discussed not disrupting the trust of the faithful membership that has been the anchor to the membership for so many years.



    The council asked Woelber and Maydra Maas to draw up guidelines to be enforced by Woelber in both facilities.

    The board looked at the proposal and discussed the pros and cons of it and approved to try  it on a trial basis.  

    Some of the main guidelines would limit teen members to ages 13-17, and they would pay a separate membership of $20. Teens would have to be accompanied by a parent at all times.

    Students will only be allowed access with parents during 5:30-8:00 a.m. and 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. Monday - Friday.  Students are allowed to attend with parents  anytime on weekends.

    Woelber reported on the status of the new heating systems in both school sites. There has been $599,032 paid of the $635,000 for the new systems. Stan Erickson and Dale DeSmith have both been trained on the operation of the systems. Both systems can be operated from anywhere there is internet access.

    Board member Greg Madson reported that it would be best to evaluate the electrical use with the new heating systems, before trying the Kilowatt Manager, because it would be hard to determine how to attribute cost savings, since the new heating systems will likely lower costs. Madson thought it could be looked at next summer after the heating season is over.

    Principal Paul Olson  gave his report on the elementary school.

    He reported repairs had been made to two of  the busses,  one with transmission repairs and the other with a leaking radiator.

    Olson noted the times listed for the Veterans Day programs in the school calendar is incorrect. Ceremonies will be held Monday November 12 at Westbrook  10:00 a.m. and in Walnut Grove at 2:00 p.m.

    The elementary parent-teacher conferences will be held Monday October 29 with a Whopper feed, carnival and Flu Shot Clinic.

    Olson stated participation in the After School is down from last year with about 30 plus students attending. He attributes the reduced participation to the increase in test scores.

    School nurse Kortney Krick is doing vision and hearing screening at the elementary school.

    High school Principal Bill Richards submitted his report.

    He noted homecoming went very well without incident.

    Testing  for ESL testing has been completed.

    New boilers are up and running well.

    Richards has been advertising for a long term Spanish substitute for the second semester.

    Richards noted the $1000 donation from ExpressWay will go towards a new sound system for the high school gym.

    Superintendent Woelber told the board, changes in food service are going well with few complaints from students.

    The board approved the following measures:

    • Dates and times for Flexible Learning Year public hearings will be Monday December 3, in Westbrook at 6:30 p.m; Thursday December 20, in  Walnut Grove at 7:00 p.m; Monday January 14 in Westbrook at 6:00 p.m.

    • Revised Levy certification pay 2013 to $425,000, a decrease of 5.5 percent.

    • MSHL Resolution  for participation fee scholarships.

    •  Team to attend Principal and  Teacher Evaluation Workshop by the Minnesota Department of Education. Attending will be Superintendent Woelber, Principal Paul Olson, and

Teacher Pat Merrick.

    • Change the  November meeting to Tuesday November  13 to canvass the election votes.