Would you like to receive our latest news? Waconia Choir Boosters - 2022/2023 Board Meeting, St. Patricks Day Events & Celebrations In USA 2023, Balam Pichkari: Holi Bollywood Party on March 10th @BelieveHall Atlanta, 2023 Dogtown St. Patrick's Day Irish Festival, 2023 Irish Channel St. Patricks Day Parade, SSHRA 2023 International Conference, 17-18 October, Dubai, Premier Bride Expo - Prime Osborn - Jacksonville, Off The Paddy Wagon: A Drinking Game Performance, Los Angeles, CA BDSM Event - Beginners Kink Play Intro - Dungeon Tour w/Mistress Victoria Hunter. Neither could a state-imposed deadline, which brought a hefty fine of almost $75,000 after it was missed. Congratulations to Waconia High School senior Nathan Klitzke for being awarded the U.S. Air Force Certificate of Achievement for his project in Environmental Science at the Southern Minnesota Regional Science & Engineering Fair in Mankato on Saturday, February 11. As a Waconia graduate, with kids in our district. At the same time, they say, teachers' salaries have grown more slowly than neighboring districts, leaving Waconia teachers' pay among the lowest. Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in. All students will be prepared for their unique futures if we educate the whole child encompassing academic, emotional and interpersonal skills. Come on out! With the hiring of Superintendent Brian Gersich and Director of Finance Ra Chhoth the district has acquired leadership with sound and proven financial literacy. "We're always optimistic," said Brent Davis, chairman of the Waconia School Board and the lead district negotiator. Be Nice. They saw that my skillset matched the needs of ISD 110. Outgoing Waconia school board members Mike Bullis, Rachel Myers, Brian Rothstein and Jackie Johnson were recognized by the board for their service to the district. The school board scheduled interviews for the semi-finalists Monday and Tuesday of this week. The district still hasn't reached a contract after nearly three dozen meetings, two mediation sessions, a missed deadline and a fine. Superintendent Gersich and I recently discussed this issue regarding long-term funding. racist or sexually-oriented language. In Waconia, Minnesota, on Monday, the Waconia School Board voted to keep masks optional after parents flooded the meeting with opposition. That group included Waconia, which had a second mediation session in St. Paul earlier this month. "We need to stand up as a community and start making decisions that are evidence based and important for our children's safety and well-being," an anti-mask parent said. Free program enticed 2,000 people to become certified nursing assistants, but its impact on Minnesota's workforce shortage is unclear. Story courtesy of Sun Patriot News - The Waconia School Board certified the school district's 2023 tax levy in the amount of just over $19.1 million at its Dec. 19 meeting. There are multiple aspects to long-term financial stability. The general fund is up about $403,000 due to a voter approved operating referendum that includes authority for an annual inflationary increase. Committees: Finance,TLAC The decisions made by the board impact our entire community and I will use the same rigorous judgement that is necessary in my current job if I am elected as a member of the school board. I have experience managing budgets and making hard decisions around priorities. The 35-year-old Marvin Haynes was sentenced to life in prison as a teenager for the murder of Randy Sherer. Committees: Policy, Liaison to City of Waconia Our new finance director and Superintendent are committed to transparency and rebuilding trust with the community; the board can hold them to this. Individuals who want to speak during public comment must submit a written request to speak before 3:00 p.m. on the day of the School Board meeting. Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in. Posted on November 1, 2022 by admin. on Some Republican governors have set up possible showdowns with local school boards over mask mandates and critical race theory by attempting to ban both at the state level. Question 4: How do you think the district should address long-term funding issues? We are excited for your student to join the Wildcat family in the Fall of 2023. Committees: Policy, MNSHSL Copyright 2015-2023. ISD 110 School Board The seven-member Waconia School Board makes policy and oversees the district's budget, curriculum, personnel, and physical facilities. I am also a good fit because I feel I am running for the right reasons. Members are elected Submitted PhotoOutgoing Waconia school board members Mike Bullis, Rachel Myers, Brian Rothstein and Jackie Johnson were recognized by the board for their service to the district. We have funding issues, but we also have spending issues. DeSantiss office warned earlier this week the Florida Education Board of Education could withhold the salaries of school board members or district officials if they attempt to impose mask mandates and violate the state's rules. E.g. CITY OF WACONIA MINUTES OF SCHEDULED MEETING PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2020 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the Regular Meeting of the Waconia Parks and Recreation Board was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Shaw. Everything we do at Waconia Public Schools, ISD 110, is focused on creating opportunities for students to explore their passions and create their success. I manage the Quality Assurance team at a medical device company. At a school board meeting in Williamson County, Tennessee, on Tuesday, parents shouted, waved signs and gathered in a crowd outside the building to protest a mask mandate in the countys schools. The meeting will be held at the Center for Education Services, located at 10435 . As a parent of a special needs child, I have experienced the related academic challenges in our school district. It would be irresponsible and, I believe, inappropriate for the board to act otherwise. Our Hometown With the start of the 2022-2023 school year, the Washington County Board of Education is currently following standard procedures for public business meetings. I am against mask mandates. Our new Business Administrator has the skill set to confidently lead us in the right direction. I envision a district where everyone thrives. The school board forms a team with the administration, teachers and community in curriculum development. Get us out of SOD, create a standard in which our financials are transparent so that all community members have access to where their tax dollars are being spent. District 110 was financially stable for decades; I believe we can be again. I have an interest in improving the quality of our school system and advocating for the education of all our children. See tweets of Waconia Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau @WaconiaChamber on Twitter. Would you like to receive our latest Business News? Multiple non-profits I have worked with are directly involved in helping kids learn and succeed. I am running for school board to give back to our community. The next public business meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 7, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. The Waconia School Board certified the school district's 2023 tax levy in the amount of just over $19.1 million at its Dec. 19 meeting. Committees: Negotiations, SW Metro #288 Jesse Bergstrom - 4,024 - Elected. Click here to read the full story. With dedicated teachers, supportive parents, and a community that values quality education, we are able to provide authentic learning experiences for all students. "I guess I'm surprised at the situation we're in," said David Aeling, the lead negotiator for the Waconia Education Association, which represents more than 185 teachers. Signup today! Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password. Kelly Amott - 3,823 - Elected. I am a mom to three, including one with special needs. I have always been passionately engaged in politics. Historically there has not been transparency in ISD110 when it comes to financials and it appears per the audit that we need better checks and balances. Waconia, Watertown, Mayer, Norwood Young America, Cologne, Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. Curriculum development ensures that all students meet standards; it allows students to see themselves reflected in and connected to their learning. Applause regularly followed those speaking against a mandate, as parents cited concerns about their children struggling to communicate and dealing with mental health issues from wearing masks over the previous school year. Money 8:14 am. When we were looking for a home in Minnesota people spoke of this district or that as the best for our children. As students prepare to return to classrooms in the fall, battles over critical race theory and mask mandates are resurfacing at school board meetings nationwide. I want to help take a fresh look at what we teach and how we prepare our students for the real world. My previous school board experience has provided me with a strong background in school finance. Through these, I have had experience handling many different financial models as well as updating, maintaining, and implementing constitutions, bylaws, and long-term vision plans. Those are the values I want people to speak of, not the values that are whispered now which are nuanced with racism and conformity. Dooher said that inadequate state funding combined with soaring health care costs made bargaining extremely difficult. At the contentious school board meeting, Davis was called uncreative and teachers were angry because they felt the board was not respecting them and was making them beg for a pay increase. I am an engineer at heart, and am always trying to find solutions to problems. I dont know how involved the board should be in developing the curriculum. I believe we are a very good school district. Waconia is a vibrant community with the 2nd largest lake in the metro. The county is named in honor of the 17th-century explorer Father Louis Hennepin. The parents I talk with want us to focus on education and NOT indoctrination. Use the 'Report' link on Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, We must have a very high standard for the teachers we entrust and in order to attract and retain the best teachers, we must have a teacher friendly culture. As a frontline medical worker during the pandemic I gained a new perspective on grit and perseverance. Public comments are accepted in person at regular school board meetings. CLICK HERE to view the current West Carver Community Guidebook! Aeling scoffs at that. The second thing I would advocate for as a school board member is to have the state fully fund special education to the level of service required by mandate. They said that under the district's offer, wages for most teachers would not increase at all during the first year and by less than 1 percent during the second year. Transparency is so crucial and the recommendation to include specific budget decisions in meeting and board packets will help the public hold the board accountable. Board Chair Kyle Christensen wrote the draft policy, which the six-member board has discussed at several work sessions. Choose wisely! Despite fierce objections from many local parents, the board passed the transgender policy on Wednesday evening. "For those parents who think it's in their child's best interest to wear a mask, despite the very low transmission rate, online learning is their best option," another parent said. Let's go Wildcats!!!! Below are the unedited responses from the candidates for Waconia School Board - Chad Almjeld, Kelly Amott, Jesse Bergstrom, Tyler Gangestad, Melanie Hagen, Kimberly Kelzer-Breeden, Steve Minor and Katherine Sodey. The school board approved the following gift and grants should they be awarded: The gift of three emergency roadside kits to the Princeton High School SADD club's winter activity from Curt Van-Ort and State Farm Insurance. My 23 years in the software industry has provided experiences that I think will assist me on the school board. Curriculum standards are not generated at the school board level. The parents that want a say in whether their kid is forced to do something they are not ok with. The forensic audit report provided great insight. "Their proposal would drop us to dead last in our conference.". Almost all of the additional money would go to pay higher benefit costs, they said. Sparq Data Solutions Inc. - All Rights Reserved. An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the e-mail address listed on your account. Waconia is in statutory operating debt due to poor leadership and a lack of checks and balances. Would you like to receive ouradvertising news? During the lengthy and emotional speaking period on Tuesday, a woman who said she was a Loudoun County teacher resigned over the proposed rule, which would compel school staff to use a students preferred pronouns and grant transgender students access to the bathrooms that correspond with their gender identity. I do know we have a great new Superintendent and new Business Administrator that really impressed me. 2024-25 At-a-Glance Calendar, KINDERGARTEN ENROLLMENT FOR FALL 2023 IS NOW OPEN. We must support students emotional needs by teaching them to discuss and manage feelings, and support others. We won't share it with anyone else. My interests and experiences are broad and I bring that enthusiasm and energy for learning to the board. I believe we need to have a school board filled with people of different ideas, opinions, and perspectives to ensure that the needs of the entire community are met. Designs are in place for townhouses to be built on privately owned land on the point between Agate and Burlington bays. The State has expectations for K-12 students and school districts are required to adopt curriculum that adheres to those state standards. That was the moment I decided to run. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism State education officials say they are not surprised so many districts are taking so long to reach settlements, given how many were still negotiating right up to the deadline. I am proud of my track record of being a people first servant leader that is focused on growing, empowering, and retaining talent. 786 were here. Norwood Young America Hamburg Business Directory. The district is recovering from statutory operating debt. Your email address will not be published. Be Proactive. Would you like to receive our latest Sports News? I wish to promote effective communication and transparency from the board and administration to teachers and community members. Committees: Finance, SEE "I guess we'll see where the ultimate contract ends up, but we have some work to do to bridge the gap between us.". I was asked by my family, by friends in the school system, and by others who I have worked with in the community. Share with Us. My long-term vision would be seeing my grandchildren attending Waconia schools and receiving a great education, like I did and my children are currently getting. Waconia can be one of those districts, for teachers and students. No one from the public was at the meeting. One of the few parents actually wearing a mask at the meeting said the proof of why masks are needed can be seen across the country. I want the opportunity to help steer our district out of SOD. You are an elected place holder making decisions for your constituents. More than 125 teachers marched to a contentious school board meeting on Feb. 11 to voice their displeasure. I believe that that educators and curriculum director should lead decisions about what curriculum is chosen as they are the experts in the field and qualified to help make those decisions. What's the story behind Minneapolis' smaller houses with huge front yards? In-Person WHS B107 (limited to 20) To attend In-person please sign-up before March 22 by email to: jkilian@isd110.org or, call 952-442-0600 / Virtual Meeting . Blaine/Spring Lake Park/Columbia Heights/Fridley Life, Mille Lacs Messenger/Aitkin Independent Age, Food shelf mulled for Cologne as need grows, Cologne moves ahead with downtown redevelopment, Lutheran Social Services recognizes Watertown woman, Alumni reflect on time with band ahead of anniversary, Speakeasy, Italian eatery set to open soon. 31, 2020 At a school board meeting in Williamson County, Tennessee, on Tuesday, parents shouted, waved signs and gathered in a crowd outside the building to protest a mask mandate in the county's. We need to work diligently to get ISD 110 out of debt to reward and retain our exceptional teachers and build a foundation of fiscal responsibility. Ill have to see the financials, demographic projections, and other related data in order to contribute to solving our complex financial challenges, but Ill be ready to tackle the significant responsibility associated with spending your tax dollars. person will not be tolerated. I have confidence they can figure it out. District 720 Shakopee, District 100 Waconia, District 717 Jordan, District 721 New Prague, District 112 Eastern Carver County, and District 719 . Building relationships is what I do. Hennepin County (/ h n p n / HEN--pin) is a county in the U.S. state of Minnesota.Its county seat is Minneapolis, the state's most populous city. We need to return to strong financial standing to ensure we can recruit and retain great teachers, and continue to have amazing facilities. A single gunshot fired "during an altercation or fight" struck both, Police Chief Brian O'Hara said. School boards can have an effect positive or negative on student outcomes. The county extends from Minneapolis to the suburbs and outlying cities in the western part of the county. No major construction projects are planned this year. We need to hold the board accountable for expenses and I recognize that building a foundation of fiscal responsibility is essential to retain and reward our teachers. I understand firsthand that the decisions I make in my role can impact the lives of patients worldwide. The board will work with them to provide a clear financial picture and build on the progress already made to build back reserves. Hop on hop off bus 5:12 am. I dont like saying something cant be done or cant done better. I believe we need to ensure people not on the advisory committee have a way to provide feedback into this process. Spending oversight is a primary area of focus. Instead, they should be building the process for the district to keep its curriculum up to date. Required fields are marked *. "The last board meeting was pretty emotional," Davis said. Upcoming Meetings: April 26 School Board Listening Hour w/WEA 5:30PM (virtual) April 26 School Board Work Session 7:00PM @ WHS B107 May 3 Finance & Facilities Committee 6:00PM (virtual) May 10 Policy Committee 6:00PM @ Waconia City Hall May 10 Regular Board Meeting 7:00PM @ Waconia City Hall May 24 School Board Work Session 7:00PM @ WHS B107 The budget process for next school year will start in January 2023 and the budget is typically adopted in June. WACONIA, Minn. (WCCO) -- Parents passionate against forcing their kids to wear a mask in school had their voices heard Monday night in the southwest metro. Prepare for the future growth that we will no doubt be experiencing over the next few years. As part of our Election 2022 coverage, the Waconia Patriot and Sun Patriot Newspapers reached out to candidates in contested races for local offices and asked them to respond to the same five questions for each office. The scenes are likely to repeat at school board meetings nationwide as parents and teachers turn their attention back to education after a summer with declining COVID-19 cases fell before rising again and sparking new concerns about pandemic precautions in the classroom. Parents are more involved then ever in reviewing what is going on in schools. Invalid password or account does not exist. Would you like to receive our breaking news? The board is responsible for creating the right conditions for excellence to flourish and set high expectations for success. Meet the Candidates: Waconia School Board. (link to meeting calendar) School Board Meeting Public Comment Participation: Public comments are accepted in person at regular school board meetings. Is it age appropriate? Committees:Policy, SPED Signup today! This would help funding for all MN districts. Tags: News, Critical Race Theory, Public Schools, School Reopenings, Virginia, Ron DeSantis, Greg Abbott, Original Location: School board activism returns as Loudoun County advances controversial transgender rules, School board activism returns as Loudoun County advances controversial transgender rules. Your e-mail address will be used to confirm your account. "We have a strong union, and perhaps a union that is used to having its way.". Greg Abbott of Texas and Ron DeSantis of Florida have issued statewide prohibitions on mask mandates that local school districts are already attempting to challenge. ISD 110 has policy to provide direction for continuous review and improvement of our school curriculum. Nearly $9.7 million is for debt service, $2.4 million for food service, about $3.1 for community education, and the remainder in other funds, such as internal expenses, building construction and trusts. First, to protect itself and its teachers and employees, District 110 must maintain a net positive budget for the next few years to build up its reserves and eliminate its statutory operating debt. HR Recommendations for Board Agenda 4.12.2021, Termination and Non-Renewal of Probationary Teachers 4.12.2021, Resolution Relating to the Termination and Non-Renewal of Certain Probationary Teachers 4.12.2021, Year To Date Expense Report - 2020-2021 - 3-29-2021 (1), 3 4 21 Waconia 110 SOD commissioner letter FY 2020 (1), 616 School District System Accountability with edits, Board Policy No. The board utilizes the expertise of the quality staff they have hired and doesnt micromanage. With Whalen out, what's left behind for Gophers women's basketball? Later in the year they took another vote and decided not to listen to those very same people. Waconia School Board election 2022. Term:Jan. 1, 2021Dec. WACONIA, Minn. (WCCO) Parents passionate against forcing their kids to wear a mask in school had their voices heard Monday night in the southwest metro.