INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 111
BOARD OF EDUCATION
WATERTOWN, MINNESOTA 55388
Regular Meeting
April 24, 2023
I. The regular meeting of the Watertown-Mayer School Board in the Watertown City Hall on Monday, April 24, 2023 was called to order at 6:05 PM by Chair Hunter Feldt. Board members present: Feldt, Burns, Schultz, Danielson, Guetzkow, and Neaton. Board members absent: Onell. Administrative team members present: Superintendent Schuler, HS Principal Hennen, MS Principal Guertin, ES Principal O’Connell, SPED Director Gronseth, CE Director Dimmler, Director of Teaching & Learning Vieau, and Activities Director Szymanski. Absent: None.
II. Visitor requests and consideration of the agenda. Visitor MMS (Motion made
and Seconded by) Danielson and Neaton to approve the agenda as presented.
Passes 6-0.
III. Consent Agenda
MMS Burns and Guetzkow to approve the following consent agenda items:
Regular Board Meeting of March 20, 2023; Personnel Consent Agenda; Business Consent Agenda. Passes 6-0.
IV. Recognitions/ Presentations/ Showcase:
-Activities Director Szymanski introduced Mercedes Burmeister as the Athena Award
Recipient for 2023.
-Mr. Hennen introduced the WM Robotics team advised by Jeremy Bosquez. Four current robotics participants gave a program overview of their program including a demonstration of their robot. The WM Robotics group has qualified for state competition on May 6th.
-Finance Director, Lisa Raiter, presented to the board the COVID Funding Review for FY 23 which includes the COVID funds received, spending of the funds, and update on the abatement bond process, and legislative updates that might affect funding.
V. Action Items -
A. MMS Feldt and Schulz to approve Resolution 23.02 reducing education programs and positions including 1.0 FTE MS teacher and 1.0 FTE HS teacher. Roll call vote: Ayes – Guetzkow, Neaton, Danielson, Schulz, Burns, Feldt. Nays – None. Passes 6-0.
B. MMS Burns and Neaton to approve Resolution 23.03 relating to the termination and nonrenewal of teaching staff: Dakota Streifel, Craig Schaefer, Stacy Palmer, and Monica Goodrum. Roll call vote: Ayes- Guetzkow, Neaton, Danielson, Schulz, Burns, Feldt. Nays – None. Passes 6-0.
C. MMS Danielson and Feldt to approve donations, contributions, and Fundraising. Passes 6-0.
D. MMS Burns and Feldt to approve the Watertown-Mayer Athletic/ Activity Fee Schedule for 2023-2024. Passes 6-0.
E. MMS Danielson and Guetzkow to approve the Watertown-Mayer 2028 Strategic Plan. This is the new strategic plan that will begin for the 2023 school year starting July 1, 2023 and ending June 30, 2028. Passes 6-0.
VI. Review/ Information Items -
A. ICS Representative Chris Rear gave updates to projects across the district.
B. Chair Feldt presented to the board the request to negotiate by Education Minnesota representing Education Support Professionals.
VII. Administrative Reports -
HS Principal Hennen, MS Principal Guertin, ES Principal O’Connell, CE Director Dimmler, Teaching & Learning Director Vieau, SPED Director Gronseth, and Superintendent Schuler all gave verbal reports.
VIII. Board Member Reports or open comments by School Board Directors -
Treasurer Erika Schulz gave a verbal report regarding a recent SW Metro meeting she attended.
IX. MMS by Guetzkow and Danielson to adjourn for a closed meeting for purposes of
Contract Negotiations at 7:54 PM and is duly passed.
X. MMS by Neaton and Feldt to open a closed session for purposes of contract negotiation strategies at 8:03 PM.
MMS by Burns and Schulz to close the session at 8:51 PM and is duly passed.
**NOTE: These published meeting minutes are only a summary. Full text is available for public inspection at the Watertown-Mayer District Offices or via the Watertown-Mayer School website: https://www.wm.k12.mn.us/Page/93.
Published in the Herald Journal, June 2, 2023. |
Archive for Watertown
Watertown-Mayer School Board minutes 4/24/23
Threats of violence prompt arrest of juvenile at Watertown-Mayer High School
On May 15, at 2:01 PM, Carver County Sheriff Jason Kamerud announced that his office had received a complaint regarding threats of violence at Watertown Mayer High School in the city of Watertown.
In response, a Carver County Sheriff’s Deputy promptly arrived at the school located at 1001 Highway 25, where they met with the school staff and gathered information about the incident. It was revealed that a 16-year-old juvenile male student had made threats to stab another 16-year-old juvenile male student. School staff acted swiftly, isolating the student and recovering a knife while also notifying law enforcement.
During the subsequent investigation, the 16-year-old male suspect admitted to the threat, confessing that he had intended to harm his classmate with a knife. As a result, he was taken into custody and arrested for
Threats of Violence. Currently, he remains in custody at the Carver County Juvenile Detention Center.
Sheriff Kamerud emphasized the gravity of such threats, affirming that the Carver County Sheriff’s Office takes them seriously and conducts thorough investigations into incidents of this nature. The office is committed to pursuing the prosecution of any individuals found to be criminally involved.
The investigation into this matter is ongoing under the jurisdiction of the Carver County Sheriff’s Office. All relevant reports will be submitted to the Carver County Attorney’s Office for review and consideration for prosecution.
Watertown-Mayer School Board minutes 3/20/23
INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 111 BOARD OF EDUCATION
WATERTOWN, MINNESOTA 55388 Regular Meeting
March 20, 2023
I. The regular meeting of the Watertown-Mayer School Board in the Watertown City Hall on Monday, March 20, 2023 was called to order at 6:01 PM by Chair Hunter Feldt. Board members present: Feldt, Burns, Schultz, Guetzkow, Neaton and Onell.
Board members absent: Danielson. Administrative team members present: Superintendent Schuler, HS Principal Hennen, MS Principal Guertin, ES Principal O’Connell, SPED Director Gronseth, CE Director Dimmler, Director of Teaching & Learning Vieau, and Activities Director Szymanski. Absent: None.
II. Visitor requests and consideration of the agenda. Visitor MMS (Motion made and Seconded by) Guetzkow and Onell to approve the agenda as presented. Passes 6-0.
III. Consent Agenda
MMS Burns and Schulz to approve the following consent agenda items: Regular Board Meeting of January 23, 2023; Personnel Consent Agenda; Business Consent Agenda. Passes: Ayes-Feldt, Burns, Schulz, Guetzkow, Neaton; Nays None; Abstain-Onell (conflict of interest).
IV. Recognitions/ Presentations/ Showcase:
-Activities Director Szymanski introduced Lyndsey Penegor as an ExCEL Finalist for the state of Minnesota, and introduced Mickal Erickson as the Section 5A Assistant Coach of the Year.
-Kurt Becker and Bill McDonald introduced their state participants: Joel Friederichs, Titan Friederichs, Kaleb Mead, Jonah Hamberger, Bryce Burkett, Ian Burau
-Lori Sieling, Sara Soley and Pat Neaton introduced their state participants: Julia Otto, Logan Bimberg, Morgen Juncewski, Kennedy Olson, Bennett Meyer, Riley Delaney, Nora Delaney, Eliza Rowan, Cate Drahos, Ella Hunkins
-Mr. Szymanski introduced the BPA state participants as well as those advancing to Nationals: Caleb Barnhart, Logan Bimberg, Claire Brandenburg, Eric Costello, Jonah Hamberger, Ava Heun, Jack Jewison, Justin Kind, Lyndsey Penegor, Jacob Rowan, and Albert Rundell
-Steve Hangartner introduced the members of the state team and individual competitors: Desi Bergstrom, Reagan Kelley, Julia Kolb, Payton Hecksel, Maggie McCabe, Maddie Sanders, Kate Gilmore, Evelyn Mielke, Helle Anthony, Grace McCabe, Hadassa Gonzalez, Kallie Jackson; Managers: Ella Baumann, Libby Burns, Alaina Burns, Norah Kelley
-Tammy Diehn presented to the board the 2 B Continued Mental Health mission, philosophy and evidence-based curriculum they have been presenting here at Watertown-Mayer Public Schools. Noted was the participation and positive response to Mental Health First Aid by our WM HS Staff.
V. Action Items -
A. MMS Burns and Guetzkow to approve the Resolution Accepting Donations. Passes 6-0.
B. MMS Schulz and Feldt to approve the first and only read of Policy 301, 302, 303 ,304, 305, and 306. Passes 6-0.
C. MMS Feldt and Neaton to approve the Watertown-Mayer Facilities Handbook. Passes 6-0.
VI. Review/ Information Items -
A. ICS Representative Chris Vogel presented project updates. He noted that Chris Rear will be taking over and seeing the project through to completion as his last day with ICS is Friday, March 24, 2023.
B. Superintendent Schuler presented to the board the request by SEIU Local 284 to start the negotiation process for both the Food Service and Maintenance/ Custodial Staff.
VII. Administrative Reports -
HS Principal Hennen, MS Principal Guertin, ES Principal O’Connell, CE Director Dimmler, Activities Director Szymanski, and Superintendent Schuler gave verbal administrative reports.
VIII. Board Member Reports or open comments by School Board Directors -
Vice Chair Burns and Chair Feldt gave verbal updates regarding their recent committee meetings.
IX. MMS by Burns and Guetzkow to adjourn the meeting at 7:22 PM and is duly passed.
**NOTE: These published meeting minutes are only a summary. Full text is available for public inspection at the Watertown-Mayer District Offices or via the Watertown-Mayer School website: https://www.wm.k12.mn.us/Page/93.
Published in the Herald Journal, May 12, 2023. |
What’s that smell? Understanding reduced oxygen levels and fish loss in lakes and rivers
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Waconia man injured in southwestern Minnesota
A man from our region was injured late Tuesday afternoon in a two-vehicle traffic crash in southwestern Minnesota.
The Minnesota State Patrol (MSP) reports that just before 6 p.m., a semi truck and a Ford Ranger pickup collided in the community of Bingham Lake in Cottonwood County.
Authorities say the semi was eastbound on Minnesota Highway 60, while the pickup was turning onto eastbound Highway 60 from 8th Street. The vehicles collided at the intersection.
Injured in the crash was the driver of the pickup, 60-year-old Matthew Dammann of Waconia. He sustained non-life threatening injuries and was treated at the Windom Hospital. Officials say alcohol was detected in the driver’s system, but did not indicate whether or not that was a factor in the crash.
The driver of the semi, a 41-year-old man from Leander, Texas, was not injured.
The Cottonwood County Sheriff’s Office, the Windom Police and Fire Departments, and the Windom Ambulance assisted the MSP.
Check out this weeks Herald Journal high school sports gallery
Not all of our pictures can make it into the paper each week so we decided to put them in a gallery for you to see. These pictures are from all over Herald Journal territory. Check back each week for new pictures.
