Enrollment
Several weeks into the school year, enrollment numbers have solidified.
According to District Financial Officer Marlene Mann, there are fewer students in Luverne this year, following a projected trend toward declining enrollment.
Last year, there were 1,348 students in the district. This year there are 1,327. The largest class is the ninth grade, with 124 students. The smallest class is the third grade with 87 students.
While some Luverne students attend school in other districts, open enrollment has helped Luverne with 121 students coming in from other districts. The most come from Hills-Beaver Creek (64), Jasper-Pipestone (26) and Ellsworth (24).
Personnel
In personnel matters Thursday, the board:
Approved the contract for Tina Egland as math teacher for $26,744. Her additional assignments will be academic league and prom adviser.
Approved the contract for Katia Lopez Petrovich as Spanish teacher in the amount of $29,511. Additional assignments will be extra class and prom adviser.
Approved the contract of Louise Thorson moving to full time to accommodate a larger-than-expected number of special needs students in the elementary school.
Approved medical leave of absence for Leo Brady, effective Aug. 15.
Approved the resignation of Josie LeBrun as Title I paraprofessional.
Approved hiring Brandee Nowka and Elizabeth Moe as Title I paraprofessionals.
Other business
Middle School Principal and Athletic Director Dave Deragisch reported that seventh- and eighth-grade football helmets will need to be replaced. The lifetime use allowed for liability is expiring.
Nancy Kaczrowski has volunteered to coordinate the Adopt-A-Grandparent program, funding for which had been cut this spring.
Parents of all grade-level students are sought to serve on the district's Curriculum Committee. "This committee should be one of the most important committees we have in the district," said Curriculum Coordinator Jan Olson.