School board OKs operating levy

The Plainview-Elgin-Millville School Board on Sept. 9 approved a preliminary operating levy of $720 per pupil - unchanged from 2018-2019.
The levy must be submitted to the state and will be ratified in December.
Board members also approved the annual audit, as required each September, and approved a teacher master contract agreement.
A tentative agreement was ratified in August by the teacher's union.
"Nice way to start out the year," Superintendent Bill Ihrke said.
In other school board business:
- Ihrke said enrollment in kindergarten through grade 12 rose 33 students in 2018-19.
"It was not something we had planned on, but it was a pleasant surprise for us," he said.
- The Board recognized several new hires, including Heidi Bartz, Deb Beach, Nicole Catlin, Michelle Heins, Marlena Judisch and Zac Tessling.
- The Board recognized PEM teachers Kate Lund, Angie Matiash and Denine Vogeli as local recipients of LifeChanger awards, as nominated by PEM Elementary School Principal Clark Olstad.
The annual program recognizes K-12 educators and school employees nationwide who make a significant difference in the lives of students by exemplifying excellence, positive influence and leadership (see www.lifechangeroftheyear.com for more information).
Lund teaches fifth grade, Matiash teaches junior high English, and Vogeli teaches junior high science.
- Ihrke said preliminary blueprints have been received for Phase 1 of a $15.5 million referendum project to add secure school entrances, and update science and career classrooms and labs, HVAC (heating, cooling and ventilation) on the Elgin campus, and restroom accessibility, as required by the Americans

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