MCC SCHOOL BOARD APPROVES MOVING FORWARD IN THE 4-DAY WEEK APPLICATION PROCESS

Murray County Central School Board held their regular meeting on Monday, February 10, 2025. They began by approving the agenda with no additions. They next approved the minutes from the last meeting, the Financials and the Consent Items.

Under Personnel Changes, the board approved: Isaac Harms, One Act Play Director 24-25 Co-Curricular Activity; Samantha Wynia, lane change ECFE/School Readiness Teacher/Director; Michelle Homan, Paraprofessional Resignation; Tim Cariveau, JV Baseball Coach Resignation, MacKenzie DeLong, Assistant Softball Coach Resignation, Janet Opdahl, Family Consumer Science Teacher Retirement.

Elementary Principal Freeman began his report by thanking all involved with the PBIS Celebration Day to the Worthington Movie Theatre. This was a school-wide reward for “filling the Rebel Bin”. Also, part of PBIS, to build on staff culture and morale, they recently held a Winter Staff Event, Dueling Pianos. Author Douglas Wood gave an engaging presentation during I Love to Read Month. The Book Fair is scheduled for the last week in February. The 5th/6th Grade Activity night is planned for Feb. 28th. Parents will receive a letter with details. He has begun evaluating classes for next year. Potential Kindergarten letters went out last week and he should have estimated numbers next month. Freeman reported on the MN Elementary School Principal’s conference that he attended. He feels like he learned much. Many schools are dealing with the same struggles, so it was good to exchange ideas. He came away feeling good about where we are with the READ ACT, as some schools have not even begun.

Secondary Principal Jake Scandrett was next. He also attended his conference and felt that along with the keynote speakers, networking with other principals and sharing of ideas was very worthwhile. Snow Week was a big success. He thanked Mrs. Larson and Mr. Hartle for coordinating this. Parent-Teacher Conferences will be March 3rd, 3:30-7:00pm. MCA test security training is happening now to maintain test integrity. The MCAs are scheduled for the end of March. Registration is delayed until we know more about our schedule for next year. They are working on recruitment for the CEO Program for next year. Our local spelling bee was held on January 30th. First place, Scottie Broekel and Second place, Hadley Harms will represent MCC at Regionals on Feb. 18th.

Superintendent Joe Meyer reported on the School Board training he and Katie Hoffmann attended. She also thought this was very useful. Meyer also attended the MSBA Annual Convention. The keynote speakers focused on how much the kids need us, relentless leadership, educational challenges and organizational improvement.

The 2025 Legislative session has begun. The House committee began on Feb. 10. Federal Funding is unclear. 10% of MN state school budget comes from Federal funds. From April 11-21, they have Easter and Passover Break. The end of session is scheduled for May 19. Supt. Meyer suspects they will add a special session on at the end. He is planning to attend our region’s “Day at the Capital” in March, to meet with our local legislators and advocate for the listed platform items that will benefit our district.

Mental Health/Social Worker Greg Scheitel’s report included: 822 students in small classroom groups or individual sessions, 43 teacher consults and 27 staff trainings.

Principal Scandrett read Activities Director James Wajer’s report. The Drama Dept. placed 2nd in sub Section and 4th at Sections. Speech has had two meets. They placed 3rd in Large Group in Luverne. Boys Basketball section seeding is happening soon. The Freshman Girls Basketball Team won the Red Rock Conference Tournament last weekend. The Cheerleaders held a successful Elementary Cheer Clinic. The Wrestling team is seeded 3rd. If they win on Thursday, they will wrestle again on Saturday in Slayton.

The board next moved on to the discussion of the 4-Day School Week. It was evident that all of the board members have been carefully weighing all of the ramifications involved in this decision. While they were disappointed in the “attacking manner” some presented at the open meetings held for public input, they expressed their gratitude to the stakeholders who took the time to be part of the process as they have researched the possibility of the 4-Day Week. They are very proud of our test scores. They also understand the students’ and teachers’ need for mental health support. While they recognize that the new schedule may present a challenge for some, they are hoping that the community will stand up as they often have, to help each other through the adjustment. Board Member Heather Hoekman voted no, due to the lack of strong community support from the survey results, but ultimately, the motion was approved to move forward with the application process for a 4-Day School Week. After the application is sent into the Minnesota Department of Education, the state has 45 working days to respond to the school to let them know if its accepted.

The board went on to approve the Annual First Grade Trip to the Great Plains Zoo. Finally, the board gratefully approved the following donations: Apex Clean Energy 2,000.00 Drama – Theater; Boxtops for Education 41.20 Elementary Student Activity; Christ Lutheran Church 96.71 Backpack Program; Class of ‘51 125.00 Youth Programming; Currie Town & Country 1,000.00 Staff Event; Faith Community Lutheran Church 63.16 Backpack Program; Kim Holm Insurance 200.00 Staff Event; LW Masonic Lodge 2,000.00 Scholarships; MCC Music Boosters 500.00 Scholarship; Minnwest Bank 50.00 Band Activity; Minnwest Bank 900.00 Winter Clothing; Minnwest Bank 935.67 Backpack Program; Murray Lodge #199 1,000.00 Scholarships; Slayton Fire Dept. Auxiliary 650.00 Elementary Student Activity – Assembly; Slayton Women of Today 500.00 Scholarship . It was noted that the Fire Fighters had been there during the Generosity Program and had challenged students to donate to somewhere of their choice.