By Lori Ehde
Luverne School Board members reviewed district enrollment figures at their Thursday, Sept. 5, meeting.
Now that school has been in session for a couple weeks, administration has been able to account for what appears to be firm student numbers for the 2002-03 year.
As of that meeting, there were 1,323 students enrolled. That compares with 1,327 last year at this time, and 1,348 in the fall of 2000.
Superintendent Vince Schaefer presented the figures at the meeting. He pointed out that 47 Luverne students are open enrolled out of the district to other schools and that 132 are open enrolled to Luverne from neighboring districts.
"That's a positive flow of 83, so that's a very good thing," Schaefer said, adding that Luverne's overall enrollment news is positive.
"That's not too bad a picture for enrollment compared to trends for enrollment outstate."
In other business Thursday, the board:
Heard that the district buses are using some biodiesel blended fuels from Rock County Co-op Oil.
Heard the Luverne Alternative School has 10 to 12 full-time students enrolled this fall, and 16 to 20 part-time students.
Approved district implementation manuals to meet requirements for basic and high standards.
Approved the non-renewal of Harvey CrableÕs contract as middle school dean of students. It was a 40-percent position that included middle principal and counselor duties. Those two positions have now been filled.
Ratified contracts with the custodial union and the paraprofessionals, secretaries and food service union. It includes a $1 per hour raise the first year and 50 cents the second year.
Approved hiring Scott Jacobson as second-grade teacher and Jennifer Engesser as third-grade teacher. Both have base salaries of $28,643.
Approved hiring Tracy Cornish, Deb Baumann and Heidi Melhaff as Title I paraprofessionals.
Approved hiring Angela Fick and Julie Schroeder as special education management assistants.
Approved hiring Roxanne Holtrop as elementary special education secretary.
Approved hiring Teresa Reu as ECFE assistant.
Approved the termination of special education management assistant Amanda Fongemie.
Approved the resignation of Melanie Rust as special education management assistant and Elaine Klingenberg as Title I paraprofessional.