How quickly summer has passed

Now it’s back to classes for the students at Minneota Public School. The school board had their final meeting before the first day of class and made sure everything was ready to roll forward.
Bethel Fellowship provided a delicious feast on the first day of workshops for all school employees. Welcome back to all staff and students for the 2021-2022 school year.
The building/maintenance report was given by head custodian, Les Engler. The maintenance staff spent the summer returning the building to pre-COVID conditions.
Thanks were given to Greg Cuevas, Scott Fox, Dale Verschelde, AJ Josephson, and Cael Sorensen for their hard work. The wood shop was painted and cleaned up with plans to clean and paint the metal shop next summer. There was cleaning up down around KP Kompelien field – the old wooden bleachers were removed, and space found for the goal posts. The new conference room was updated. Throughout the building touch-up painting was done. The building is ready to go for the fall.
Cari Pohlen gave the AD report with a listing of the number of participants in each sport. Cross country – 11; Jr. High football – 34; Varsity football – 49; Jr. High volleyball – 22; Varsity volleyball – 29.
Musical try-outs and rehearsals will be commencing soon for the fall musical, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”
The budget report was given by Superintendent Dan Deitte. There were no new surprises in the budget. Things are being completed for the past school year and information is being updated for the coming school year.
Elementary principal, Jen Mahan-Deitte, was unable to attend the meeting and sent an emailed report to board members.
Secondary principal, Jeremy Frie, stated that the staff was ready for the first day of school. They had a meaningful faculty meeting during workshop preparing to give the MPS students their best year ever. All students will be in the building with no distance learning taking place at this time.
The goal of the secondary staff is to be ready to work hard and teach to every student. Masks are optional for students and staff. Seventh grade orientation took place at the Open House.
Superintendent Deitte reported that Otter Tail may come in and audit lights to all LEDs will be installed – there is a huge rebate for this at this time.
The election PowerPoint was presented to the staff. Thanks were extended to all employees who worked over summer getting the building ready. There was an MDE phone call stating that testing/vaccination will be made available to families in the school. And, good luck to all athletes as they start their seasons.
Board Chair Dawn Van Keulen reported on that superintendent performance review. Mr. Deitte was commended for keeping the board in the loop with daily, usual and unusual, events.
“He communicates well and lets us know what’s going on,” stated Van Keulen. “He did a great job with the hurdle of COVID-19, also. Thanks to Superintendent Deitte for the great job you do.”
The consent agenda passed with no discussion. Megan Novotny and Emily Hennen were approved as the Jr. High volleyball coach and a volleyball volunteer.
Adriana Medina was hired as a part-time paraprofessional for the school year.
The FLY application was discussed. There have been few comments from the public regarding the flexible learning year. Minneota is one of nine districts belonging to the MRVED program. The other districts are Benson, Dawson-Boyd, LQPV, Lakeview, Montevideo, Ortonville, Renville County West, and Yellow Medicine East. Belonging to this group helps the consortium hire excellent speakers because the money for the nine districts is pooled. There are 32 administrators, 557 teachers, 269 paras, and 6,575 students served by the MRVED. Minneota has decided to once again complete the flexible learning year application which is due in October.
The COVID-19 Fall Re-opening Plan was discussed. Barb Knutson will once again be the COVID coordinator. The necessary mitigation strategies have been shared with families. The guidelines are less stringent than last year with care still being given to the health and well-being of everyone attending/working in Minneota Public Schools.