waconia school board meeting waconia school board meeting

Local government is critical and I want a chance to represent and serve my community. Transparency is so crucial and the recommendation to include specific budget decisions in meeting and board packets will help the public hold the board accountable. In other business, the school board recently conducted a mid-year evaluation of new Superintendent Brian Gersich. Explore your passions. 786 were here. Number four is masks. The first grant in the amount of $2,860 would go . Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Jan. 1, 2021-Dec. 31, 2024, Luke DeBoer, Vice Chair/Clerkldeboer@isd110.org The school board approved the following gift and grants should they be awarded: The gift of three emergency roadside kits to the Princeton High School SADD club's winter activity from Curt Van-Ort and State Farm Insurance. Meanwhile, union officials say, the district's administrative pay has risen more than 10 percent in recent years, making Waconia administrators among the highest paid in their area. Invalid password or account does not exist. Use the 'Report' link on A public school district serving students and families in early childhood through 12th grade Waconia Public Schools | Waconia MN Waconia can be one of those districts, for teachers and students. Finally, we need to evaluate our priorities to make the best use of our limited resources. "I guess I'm surprised at the situation we're in," said David Aeling, the lead negotiator for the Waconia Education Association, which represents more than 185 teachers. I love challenges, and believe I have ideas to help increase transparency, protect parents choices, and guide policy that helps set clear direction to assist our new superintendent in leading ISD 110 schools in a way the entire community can be proud of. "If we have either a part of a building, a building, a floor that has a mask mandate, then they can return to school right now," she said. Number three is political correctness. August 10, 2021 / 7:33 AM An advisory council receives input from parents, community and school board members then brings curriculum recommendations to the board for further discussion, community comments, revisions and ultimately approval. Members are elected The seven-member Waconia School Board makes policy and oversees the district's budget, curriculum, personnel, and physical facilities. All students will be prepared for their unique futures if we educate the whole child encompassing academic, emotional and interpersonal skills. We won't share it with anyone else. As a child of a teacher, I know the passion they have for their vocation. By continuing to browse or by clicking "Accept," you agree to our site's privacy policy. Free program enticed 2,000 people to become certified nursing assistants, but its impact on Minnesota's workforce shortage is unclear. As a school board member, I would spend time gaining a more thorough understanding of the district finances and collaborate with stakeholders to ensure sound decision making occurs. "We're always optimistic," said Brent Davis, chairman of the Waconia School Board and the lead district negotiator. "I urge you to vote to make masks optional," one parent said. Right now millions of regular education dollars are diverted to pay for these underfunded mandates. ACADEMIC CALENDARS APPROVED FOR 2023-24 AND 2024-25. The next public business meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 7, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. In my current job, I manage the Quality budget which includes long term capital expenditures, monthly expenses, and operating costs. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER. "You need some sort of mask policy to reintegrate special needs at the end of the day," Skaro said. The Dec. 19 regular meeting also marked the final meeting for four outgoing board members, including Mike Bullis (2011-2022), Rachel Myers (2019-2022), Brian Rothstein (2011-2019; 2021-2022), and Jackie Johnson (2019-2022). Museums and cultural nonprofits are struggling to recover from the pandemic as the number of donations and visitors continues to drop. I create productive working relationships and play well with others. My 23 years in the software industry has provided experiences that I think will assist me on the school board. The meeting drew hundreds of people chanting, No more masks, according to local news. Personally, this is also good timing as I will be finishing my masters degree in January, just as the new school boards activity will start. Nearly $9.7 million is for debt service, $2.4 million for food service, about $3.1 for community education, and the remainder in other funds, such as internal expenses, building construction and trusts. The school board for Waconia Public Schools voted 6-0 in favor of its current policy, which will only make masks optional for students and staff. A single gunshot fired "during an altercation or fight" struck both, Police Chief Brian O'Hara said. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism District 720 Shakopee, District 100 Waconia, District 717 Jordan, District 721 New Prague, District 112 Eastern Carver County, and District 719 . Melanie Hagen- 4,299 - Elected. Spending oversight is a primary area of focus. Jack is first name and Mandanka is last name. flower shop killing, Two Harbors residents renew 20-year fight to block development on Lighthouse Point, Woman, 18, shot to death in Minneapolis home; boy, 13, wounded; mom arrested, City of Houston votes to dump motorized trail project approved by DNR for offroading, Gophers beat top-ranked Ohio State 3-1 to win WCHA Final Faceoff. I am a leader that values integrity and transparency. All interviews are being held in the media center of Waconia High School and are open to the public. I was asked by my family, by friends in the school system, and by others who I have worked with in the community. I oppose ideologies and the banning of books or curricula and dont want to see here what is happening around the country. Should I be on the board I will hold them accountable and push for more transparency than they will likely be comfortable with. I want to prioritize student achievement by instilling a strong work ethic and using data to measure progress and outcomes. Ill generally advocate for more trade and arts options, more experiences, more physical activity, a focus on fun first in k-8, and personalized career mapping in high school. They saw that my skillset matched the needs of ISD 110. Norwood Young America Hamburg Business Directory. Would you like to receive our daily news? At the contentious school board meeting, Davis was called uncreative and teachers were angry because they felt the board was not respecting them and was making them beg for a pay increase. But the burst of activism aimed at school boards in multiple states is not limited to critical race theory parents are also passionately arguing against mask mandates and other areas they see as public schools as overreaching. I have volunteered as a leader in our community including Waconia ECFE Advisory Council, Waconia Moms Club President and Waconia Trinity Coordinator of Mothers of Preschoolers. Small town charm . Wall to wall and down the hall families were overflowing from a typically sparse Waconia School Board meeting Monday with the topic of a potential mask mandate clearly causing the packed house. Would you like to receive our latest email news? I want both the community and the district to be recognized and sought after for the strength of the schools and programs, the caliber of the teachers, and for a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere for all students and their families. Waconia, MN 55387 Our Hometown I want the opportunity to play a part in this vision and help setup future school boards for success. As students prepare to return to classrooms in the fall, battles over critical race theory and mask mandates are resurfacing at school board meetings nationwide. That was the moment I decided to run. At a school board meeting in Williamson County, Tennessee, on Tuesday, parents shouted, waved signs and gathered in a crowd outside the building to protest a mask mandate in the countys schools. Leverage your professional network, and get hired. Copyright 2015-2023. person will not be tolerated. Tyler Gangestad - 3,600. We must have a very high standard for the teachers we entrust and in order to attract and retain the best teachers, we must have a teacher friendly culture. In work and personal life, communication, critical thinking, and teamwork are crucial. Kindergarten is an exciting and important time in a student's life as they will develop and grow many academic, social, and emotional skills that will lay the foundation for their K-12 journey. That group included Waconia, which had a second mediation session in St. Paul earlier this month. WACONIA, Minn. (WCCO) Parents passionate against forcing their kids to wear a mask in school had their voices heard Monday night in the southwest metro. Send this article to anyone, no subscription is necessary to view it, After pandemic hit, cultural groups hope for boost from state, One of state's richest families feuds over $1 billion estate, Innocence Project takes up case of man convicted in Mpls. Those are the values I want people to speak of, not the values that are whispered now which are nuanced with racism and conformity. That increase is largely offset by a reduction in the districts debt service fund. Vikings, Thielen talking through contract and role with cap decisions looming, Minnetonka lands Class 2A's top seed in boys hockey state tournament, Here are the 15 best chocolate chip cookies in the Twin Cities. The school board should be using their influence to support those who do not have a seat at the table listening to the many voices that represent our community and weighing all facts before making a decision. Davis said his side has offered the teachers 8.88 percent in increases to pay and benefits over two years, and that the teachers have countered with a request of more than 14 percent. Signup today! Waconia Senior High School, Waconia, United States. We are excited for your student to join the Wildcat family in the Fall of 2023. I am running for this office because I am a concerned father who wants to help where help is clearly needed. The district still hasn't reached a contract after nearly three dozen meetings, two mediation sessions, a missed deadline and a fine. The Waconia High School wrestling team took fourth place at the Class 3A State Tournament on Thursday, March 2, at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. More ominously, there are no meetings scheduled anytime soon, negotiators said. Transparency in curriculum is important for stakeholders to understand what specific types of reading and math proficiencies and methods are being taught. Waconia, MN Meet the Candidates: Waconia School Board Sun Patriot 2022-10-10 As part of our Election 2022 coverage, the Waconia Patriot and Sun Patriot Newspapers reached out to candidates in contested races for local offices and asked them to respond to the same five questions for each office. While not part of the board role, I plan to engage with other boards and citizens to push for fully funded special education. Neither could a state-imposed deadline, which brought a hefty fine of almost $75,000 after it was missed. I am running for school board to give back to our community. Serving the cities of Waconia, St. Bonifacius, Minnetrista, Victoria, and New Germany, Minnesota Report Card - Bayview Elementary, Minnesota Report Card - Laketown Elementary, Minnesota Report Card - Southview Elementary, District 110 Strategic Plan and Annual Goals, Reconsideration of Instructional Materials, Kids' Company/Summer Verge Registration Information. I cannot accomplish this vision alone or in just 4 years. We need to hold the board accountable for expenses and I recognize that building a foundation of fiscal responsibility is essential to retain and reward our teachers. In Waconia, Minnesota, on Monday, the Waconia School Board voted to keep masks optional after parents flooded the meeting with opposition. Everything we do at Waconia Public Schools, ISD 110, is focused on creating opportunities for students to explore their passions and create their success. There was an error processing your request. The School Board approved academic calendars for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years at its November 28 Regular Meeting. WAUKEGAN PUBLIC SCHOOLS COMMUNITY UNIT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. Greetings parents and guardians of future members of the Waconia Public Schools Class of 2036! He said teachers have conceded to the district during the past few contracts, not pushing for higher pay increases because the district told them that it did not have the money. We need to return to strong financial standing to ensure we can recruit and retain great teachers, and continue to have amazing facilities. There are a few activities that the district should take to help remain fiscally sound: creating and maintaining balanced budgets, adhering to long term financial plans, and negotiating with service providers. Question 5: What in your background/experience best qualifies you for office? Circumstances are different for all, but you are not a victim and life isnt fair. Be Proactive. City of Waconia. Keep it Clean. I want the opportunity to help steer our district out of SOD. Waconia is a vibrant community with the 2nd largest lake in the metro. "I think this is more than economic," Aeling said. Click here to start the online enrollment process. / CBS Minnesota. Our district must advocate for increased education funding, especially fully funding special education. Signup today! on The two sides have met more than 35 times, including two mediation sessions, without a resolution. Waconia is a vibrant community with the 2nd largest lake in the metro. The Tuesday meeting dragged on for hours due to comments from parents, pushing the final vote to Wednesday. Small town charm with unique shops & dining. Attend, Share & Influence! The board needs to provide regular oversight of district finances. The advisory committee whenever possible should comprise at least two-thirds of parents, teachers, students, community residents. This is why my husband and I chose to live in Waconia. As involved as possible. Minnesota statute requires school districts to review curriculum, and instruction. Individuals who want to speak during public comment must submit a written request to speak before 3:00 p.m. on the day of the School Board meeting. Board Minutes and Agendas; Board Policies; Bylaws; Records Retention Schedule; 2021-2022 Board Meeting Dates; SWMetro Joint Powers Agreement ; State Testing; Programs. "For those parents who think it's in their child's best interest to wear a mask, despite the very low transmission rate, online learning is their best option," another parent said. I understand firsthand that the decisions I make in my role can impact the lives of patients worldwide. Almost all of the additional money would go to pay higher benefit costs, they said. You have permission to edit this article. I am a mother of three children in the district. The parents I talk with want us to focus on education and NOT indoctrination. What's the story behind Minneapolis' smaller houses with huge front yards? No one from the public was at the meeting. SENIOR NATHAN KLITZKE ADVANCES TO STATE SCIENCE FAIR. "The fact that so many districts went right down to the wire this year is a symptom of a crisis that has been building for several years and has come to a head in 2008," Education Minnesota President Tom Dooher said in a statement last month. Click hereto download our Kindergarten Guide, which is full of information for incoming Kindergarten families, including how to enroll your student on or after December 14, 2022. For an individual or family with a home value of $400,000 the total estimated school tax from the 2023 tax levy is projected to be $1,776. Nathan also qualified to advance to the State Science Fair in St. Paul next month! 201 South Vine Street Waconia, MN 55387 Phone: 952-442-2184 Please note updated City Hall hours: Monday - Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday 31, 2020 Would you like to receive our latest news? Would you like to receive our latest Sports News? We must support students emotional needs by teaching them to discuss and manage feelings, and support others. I have confidence they can figure it out. I do know we have a great new Superintendent and new Business Administrator that really impressed me. My interests and experiences are broad and I bring that enthusiasm and energy for learning to the board. About $52.7 million of that is in the general fund, the bulk of which goes to teacher salaries and benefits, also educational services, supplies and equipment. With Whalen out, what's left behind for Gophers women's basketball? Superintendent Gersich and I recently discussed this issue regarding long-term funding. Members are elected at large to serve four-year terms.