Summer projects well underway

NRHEG School board members were informed during their July 15 meeting that the replacement of wooden doors with metal ones to meet safety standards, parking lot enlargements and resurfacing, and updates to the heating, cooling, fire detection and fire suppression systems are on track for completion prior to the beginning of the school year. Dozens of workers from numerous companies are on site daily at both schools performing tasks throughout the buildings. Work is being overseen by the consulting company SiteLogIQ, with ongoing reports to the administration.

 

Along with the construction, district superintendent Michael Meihak informed the board that the building and grounds committee recommends the removal of four relatively large trees at the New Richland site, one of which is failing due to Dutch Elm disease. The others, he reported, have become so large they are rubbing against the building and overhanging the roof. Board members expressed approval of the removals. “Recent storms have certainly taught us the value of being cautious,” observed board chair Rick Schultz.

 

School board members heard from district transportation director Dan Schmidt, who mentioned some repairs needed at the two bus garages. In Ellendale, an overhead door opener must be replaced. In New Richland, some mold has been noted among the rafters; district finance director Karla Christopherson responded to board member questions telling them money for the project would come from the “long term facilities maintenance” fund. The state provides a certain amount of funding to districts for ongoing maintenance and also expects reports regarding how the money is used.

 

Schmidt also conversed with board members regarding his preparations to ensure district transportation needs will be met as school begins. He reported he is performing a fair number of vehicle repairs himself, and is also contracting for body work to be done on two buses. Plans to acquire a new bus were addressed: Schmidt said he will be meeting with sales staff in the near future.

 

Once a commitment is made to acquire a new bus, there is a 14-month waiting period for delivery, so Schmidt reported he expects to see the new vehicle in place for the start of the 2025 school year. The district will be leasing it for a number of years, then purchasing it.

Geoffrey Wagner, NRHEG’s Director of Special Education, also spoke with board members the evening of July 15. Wagner serves both Waseca and NRHEG school districts, and was newly hired this past January. He reported he “hit the ground running,” given that he was picking up duties in numerous buildings in the middle of the school year.

 

Many ongoing tasks of overseeing special education procedures at NRHEG are performed by special ed coordinator Lara Chicos. Wagner praised the quality of her work, saying she is an asset to the district. He also complimented special education staff members for their dedication and for the quality programs they have implemented.

 

District teaching and learning coordinator Jason Toupence summarized the district’s state-required “literacy plan” for the 2024-25 school year. The state department of education requires all districts to have a system in place to ensure all elementary students will be “reading at or above grade level” by the time they complete third grade. He said the six-page plan has been available on the district website since June. Its major elements are that staff members will undergo professional development to help them meet the expectations of the READ Act, that students will be assessed to see whether they are reading at grade level, and that any students who are not will receive additional support.

 

Superintendent Meihak made mention the NRHEG district had “shown a presence” at the Waseca County Fair. He named staff members and board members who had helped man the district’s booth, and thanked school board member Amy Ihrke for the slide show she had created. Meihak said the district has also arranged to have a booth at the upcoming Steele County Fair.