Mondovi Board continues alternative school discussion

by Beth Kraft

Finding a way to set itself apart from other school districts has been a topic of discussion for the Mondovi School Board over the past few months, and those conversations about forming an alternative school continued at the Board’s regular monthly meeting on Monday, Feb. 22.

Board members have expressed interest in focusing on students at both ends of the spectrum, specifically students in need of remedial work who would benefit from an alternative classroom and students who excel in school that could use a new challenge beyond the typical school day. Creating an alternative program with a focus on topics like technical or agriculture education has been discussed.

Mondovi superintendent Greg Corning said an alternative program would be a balancing act for the district between needs and finances, citing student enrollment figures that drive staff numbers.

School leaders plan to continue to brainstorm ideas for an alternative school and discuss the viability of forming a new program.

Corning also gave the Board a heads-up that night about an upcoming need to replace a John Deere tractor used for snow removal and other major maintenance tasks on school grounds. The tractor, which is 31 years old, could cost about $30,000 to replace, Corning said.

The district’s 2016-17 calendar will be up for consideration at the Board’s March meeting, so Corning used the Board’s most recent session to ask members to share any concerns about calendar structure based on a few models developed by a committee. The logistics of Child Development Days and scheduling of the event was brought up as something to address.

The district’s annual audit presentation was also given by Rob Ganschow of Wipfli, providing a rundown of the 2014-15 financials.

Also that night the Board approved the 2016 recipient for the Higher Education Aids Board Excellence Scholarship as senior Luke Harding. If Harding chooses to attend college out-of-state, salutatorian Sadie Paulsen will be the recipient if she attends an in-state institution.

In other business that night, the Board approved the following:

• resignations/retirements for Cindy Brenner, guidance/food service secretary; Kari Jehn, JV volleyball coach

• individual contracts for Tressa Harrings, JV softball coach; Lindsay Johnson, long-term substitute teacher, third grade; Karla Bestul, Jr. Buffaloes Kids Club supervisor

• grant from Justin J. Watt Foundation, $10,980 for new wrestling mat

• contributions to Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce Excellence in Education Banquet, $200; Buffalo/Pepin County Teen Court Program, $400; Junior Achievement Ladies Night Out, single and family all-season sports pass

• 2016-17 CESA #10 service contract excluding two pending lines of technical support specialist and occupational therapy