School construction to begin soon

Another school renovation project is looming on the horizon for the Minneota Public Schools.

Only this time the work is more extensive and the need to begin working on the project is fast approaching. Monday the Minneota School Board began going over details of the upcoming elementary school and locker room renovation project.

Joe Henn, who is handling the details of the project, talked with the board, set up scheduling, discussed details concerning the lighting, fixtures and other matters.

Henn was scheduled to return to the Minneota School on Tuesday to begin going over details of the proposed renovation project.

The Minneota School Board successfully passed a $5.2 million bond issue in order to fix and improve the elementary school. A long overdue fix of the Minneota School’s locker rooms was also included in the project.

Recently, Principal Jeremy Frie and Activities Director Matt Myrvik went to Brandon Valley, SD and Hills-Beaver Creek Schools to see their new locker rooms and activities areas.

The trip was in preparation for renovating the Minneota locker rooms.

“We learned lots of interesting things,” said Principal Frie. These two districts have innovative methods in new locker room projects and the trip to the schools was intended determine what could be included in the Minneota project.

IN OTHER action the board: •Added a paid C squad girls’ basketball coach. They named Al Panka to that position.

But he may, or may not be coaching this year. “We started adding coaches to boys’ basketball because the numbers had swelled. We decided to look at this from year to year,” said Supt. Dan Deitte. But, “At this time we don’t know the numbers, so we don’t know if they need a C squad coach or not,” said Supt. Deitte.

In anticipation of a possible need of a coach, the board decided to wait and see the numbers of kids reporting before officially appointing a C squad coach.

However, in anticipation of a need, Al Panka, who has been a volunteer coach for the girls’ basketball team, would be the girls’ C squad coach.

•Noted there is a chance a section final football game could be played at 11 a.m. on Friday, October 27 instead of 2:30 p.m. as regularly scheduled, if Minneota were to play in that game.

The time change is due to Marshall High having authority to pick their time of a potential game. They may take the 7 p.m. game, moving everyone up in time. It still depends on Marshall making the finals.

The school board had to make decisions regarding busing students on those days and whether or not to hold school that day if needed. If the game starts at 11 a.m., there will be no students reporting but teachers will report for a work day, but will be allowed to go to the football game.

If the game is at 2:30 p.m., school will be let out so fans can attend the game.

•Noted the school enrollment is at 532.

•Noted the Fall Musical “Annie” has been set for Nov. 17 and 18.

•Noted negotiations with the teachers are underway. “We have been making progress in language but haven’t talked about salaries yet. We hope to have it wrapped up by November,” said Supt. Dan Deitte.

Byron Higgin

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