WESTBROOK, Minnesota (STPNS) --     Wwg  —  Superintendent Loy Woelber opened the meeting calling for  election of board Chairperson. Marvin Kleven was nominated and elected as board chairperson, after that Kleven assumed the chairperson duties. Tim Helmer was named vice chairperson, Kerry Knakmuhs was named as treasurer, and Bruce Jorgenson continues as secretary.

    The board voted to keep all board related reimbursements the same as last year.

    The following committees were assigned: MSBA Legislative representative - Tim Helmer, alternate Ginny Barron. The board combined Continuing Education with Curricular and Staff Development - Maydra Maas and Greg Madson. Negotiations/Personnel & Administration - Ginny Barron, Marvin Kleven, Tim Helmer - Negotiations alternate Bruce Jorgenson. Redwood County Collaborative - Maydra Maas, alternate  Kerry Knakmuhs. Tri-County Day Treatment - Greg Madson alternate Loy Woelber. Building & Grounds/Safety - Marvin Kleven, Kerry Knakmuhs, Bruce Jorgenson. Transportation - Maydra Maas, Marvin Kleven, Kerry Knakmuhs. Technology - Tim Helmer, Kerry Knakmuhs, Greg Madson. Meet and Confer - Maydra Maas, Ginny Barron, Bruce Jorgenson. Community Education representative - Maydra Maas. MREA representative - Marvin Kleven. MSHSL representative - Tim Helmer, Loy Woelber. Service Coop - Maydra Maas.



    Senior Class representatives, Kelsi Wahl and Darian Gilb, gave a report on the status of the senior class trip.

    The trip will be a six day five night trip to New York City and Washington D.C. The trip will be from March 27 to April 1, 2013. The trip will cost $1,329 per person,  the cost is higher than last year due to increased travel expense.

    The class will spend two days in New York. While there they will visit Central Park’s Strawberry Fields,  Ellis Island National Monument & Statue of Liberty, Rockefeller Plaza’s Top of the Rock, 911 Ground Zero Memorial, China Town, Little Italy, Times Square, Theatre district, and Greenwich Village.

    The class will take a motor coach to Washington D.C. where they will spend three nights. Tour requests  have been submitted for the Pentagon, White House and Capitol, Arlington National Cemetery and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. They will also visit several memorials including Lincoln,  Jefferson, FDR, Vietnam, Korean, and World War II memorials. They also will visit the Holocaust Museum, Smithsonian, International Spy Museum.

    Class advisors, Mrs.  Dibble, Ms Holt, and Mr. Theisen will chaperone the class. Of the class of 37, 21 students will be going on the trip. The representatives indicated they are making their deadlines for payment, and that most of the students have the money needed for the trip.

    Athletic director Leo Theisen reported there are seven wrestlers still out for wrestling but two of them are out with injuries.

    He told the board about Paige Erickson getting her 1000th career point last week at the game against Fulda.

    He reminded the board the boys basketball team is hosting a Coaches for Cancer activity night during the boys game Saturday January 26.

    Theisen reported that Wabasso has expressed interest in pairing with WWG and RRC in track. But there  has  not been a formal request.

    Technology director, Daune Hannan, of the Westbrook  Campus gave a report about the Campus’s  technology status.

    He noted the school is now a

Google school — all of the students’ documents are now being stored on the Google Cloud.

    He said “we now have five computer labs, three labs with desk top computers,  and two portable labs with lap tops. Some classes take place within the labs. Our lap tops have worked out very well overall with usage  between 60 and 80 percent.”

    They have looked at the one to one initiative, which would put ipads or laptops in the hands  of each student. The staff needs to embrace using new technology if the school would go with the one to one project.

    Another thing to consider is use of e-books and other ways that deliver information as the cost of print text books gets more expensive.

    If the school would pursue using digital text books or other ways of using electronic information, staff members will have to get more involved with creating curriculum for their classes.

    He said, “then you have to consider the cost of doing this also. At this time we don’t have a high commitment to technology — the district needs to explore further before going ahead with any major changes.”

    According to Hannan, the technology committee and other board members will be going to visit  one of the few schools in the state that have made the transition to one to one.

    Walnut Grove Elementary principals report by Paul Olson.

    The ecology bus  from Lakefield will be here and personnel will talk to students about recycling on Wednesday January 30.

    After School Academy, Gifted and Talented groups are going strong after holiday break. Extra nights may be added closer to state testing time for more review.

    WWG Youth  Wrestling tournament will be held Friday February 8 at 6:00 p.m.

    Elementary concert 4-6 has been moved to Tuesday, February 26.

    Elementary students reading challenges:

    Mrs. Kells and Mrs. Jorgenson have challenged students to read 2500 books over several weeks.

    Principal Olson plans to dress up as a woman with high heels for the day. Students who read the most books will get to throw pies at him as well.

    Mr. Jenniges has planned a beach party at noon one day in February, when students have reached their goal. Students will be encouraged to wear beach attire for the book challenge party celebration.

    High school and junior high school report by principal Bill Richards

    The high school spring play was adjusted to co-directors Jennifer Stevenson and Adrianne Kletscher.

    Monday and Tuesday, January 7 and 8 a parent open house was held with over 230 parents attending. It seemed to go well with a few adjustments to be made for the future.  Student council members helped to feed and direct  parents to the classes.

    The YES Class windmill is up and running, and  producing electricity.

    Yearbook orders are very slow and may require a revision in producing a book this year if they do not sell more books by the end of January.

    The following items were acted on by the board:

    • A resolution for the approval of the “Improving Student Achievement Initiative Flexible  Learning Year Application”

    • A resolution discontinuing and reducing educational programs and positions. “Schedule a board budget session for January 21 at 6:00 p.m. in Walnut Grove for board,  administration and  Tom Merchant to discuss options on the table and 7:00 p.m. for employees and public.

    • Approval of the 2013 - 2014 calendar.  First day of school August 19 with 175 student days and 182 contract days for teachers.

    • Resignation at the end of the school year of Debra Berg and many thanks for a job well done!

    • Resignation at the end of the school year of Marcia Erickson and many thanks for a job well done!

    • Motion to approve a new revised 2012 -2013 budget with total revenues of $5,668,897.71 and expenditures of $6,220,029.21. Deficit of $551,131.50 due to Boilers ($325,000), severance payments ($90,000),  and enrollment decline ($136,131).

    • Motion to approve a new 5 year lease with Sanford Westbrook Health Center for the physical therapy space, ($325 a month).

    • Motion to  release Erin Richards and Kyle Gertner from current teaching contracts due to licensure issues.

    • Motion to hire Erin Richards as para professional in Westbrook building.

    • Motion  to reinstate Brenda Derickson from leave to teach music/band second semester.