WESTBROOK, Minnesota (STPNS) --     WWG — At the March school board meeting, band director Brenda Derickson reported on the upcoming band and choir trip.

    She told the board 92 students were going on the trip along with seven chaperones. The cost of the trip came to about $400 per student, and that included the cost for the chaperones.

    The band and choir will both perform while in Chicago, and both will attend clinics. “I am excited  about the trip — the students are excited and looking forward to going.” she said. “We had some money left over, so  we will have a good start for the next trip.”



    The group left Monday, March 26, on Southwest Coaches. Their itinerary included — dinner at Chicago’s Miracle Mile and a tour to the top of the John Hancock Building to enjoy the panoramic view of Chicago. While in Chicago the students and chaperones stayed at the Northbrook Hilton Hotel.

    Tuesday morning the group went to the Museum of Science and Industry where the band and choir each performed. From there they went to the Lincoln Park Zoo. After that the group went to the DePaul University Book Store where they had supper. In the evening the  group went to the  Briar Street Theatre where they enjoyed a performance of the famous Blue Man Group.

    Wednesday included a trip to Vandercook University where the choir and band each participated in clinics. Next the group would see the Millenium Park Center for art, music, architecture, and landscape design. Following that they attended the Shedd Aquarium and Navy Pier. The evening was capped off with a trip to the Apollo Theatre to see a performance of  Million dollar Quartet musical. Thursday the group would depart for home.

    Members of the Y.E.S. energy class — Reed Bakken, Shaun Hansen, and John Yang, gave a report of their activities in the class.

    They did an energy audit of the high school and vocational campus to determine the electrical use in each of the class rooms. They used watt meters to measure the amount of electricity used in each room. They also monitored the electrical use during the day and at night to show how much phantom electricity is used in devices that are turned off but still plugged in. They gave the board a print-out showing the amount each room used.

    The class hopes to install a wind generator within the next couple of weeks.

    Superintendent Woelber talked about legislative action at the state. He told the board there were a lot of bills being considered that would affect schools. Bills include — school land trust, tenure, and teacher evaluations, and school start times. The land trust bill is an issue about land districts own, but the state is collecting money from them. The bill attempts to return the money to school districts. The school start bill would put starting school back into local board control, however it would mandate that there could be no classes held on Thursday and Friday before Labor Day. Woelber was hopeful that bill would pass, it would eliminate all the paper work required for the FLY (Flexible Learning Year) calendar they are presently using.

    Woelber met with Keela Bakken  to schedule a special meeting for April 2, at 6:00 p.m.  at Walnut Grove. She will have more information about the cost and time frame to install new boilers at both sites.

    Woelber also gave a presentation on capital outlay requests. Committees will meet to finalize the list.

    Leo Theisen presented his athletic report. He reported numbers for the different sports. Boys golf 20, Girls golf 14. Boys track 18 (WWG), 7 (RRC), Girls track 22 (WWG,) 7 (RRC). Softball 9 (WWG), 30 (RRC).  Baseball 9 (WWG), 35 (RRC).

    SWC and MLBO both made it to the State Tournament in basketball from the Red Rock  Conference. It says a lot for the competitiveness of the conference.

    In football the Chargers will open the season with GHECTR  at Granada. Theisen is on the MSHSL 9 man football committee. The committee will meet in April to discuss enrollment figures.

    Theisen told the board the baseball field is in need of agri-lime and clay to fix the field. The agri-lime was approved last year, but are waiting for a trucker to haul it. The pitchers mound also needs clay to repair it. Doug Lee said he has clay that can be used.

    Mrs. Holt has agreed to drive the shuttle bus to Sanborn for softball.

    New track uniforms were purchased as per six year uniform rotation.

    Mr. Olson’s report.

    After school academy with Mr. Merrick and Angie Benson is going well.

    Scenarios for next years pre-school and head start programs are being looked at.

    The 2012-13 kindergarten class looks to be at 25 students.

    MCA math testing is complete and the reading test will be held next week.

    Walnut Grove will host the summer lunch program again this year.

    Principal Bill Richards reported the band and choir trip will be March 26 through March 29.

    High school play Rehearsal presented March 22 through 25.

The junior high musical is scheduled for March 29 through April 1.

    An ad has been placed for a English/Social teacher  to replace Shannon Helgeson.

    The following items were approved or considered by the board:

    • Fifty percent Sharing of Superintendent with Tracy Area schools for the 2012 -2013 school year.

    • Fifty percent sharing of Physical Education time of Rick

Haberman with Tracy Area schools for the 2012-2013 school year.

    • Health and  Safety policy which replaces the old attachment 99.

    • Resignation of ValRee Graff from speech and thanking her for many great years of service.