DCI History September 22, 2022

10 years ago
September 26, 2012
Randy Carlsen, Publisher
 
The K-M School Board did not have any issues with approving $27, 199.38 in donations for the month.  They ranged from a $50 donation by the Olmsted County Farm Bureau to a $15,000 Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation grant for early childhood.  Other donations for the month included:  Target Take Charge of Education-$1,200.38 to the high school; Lance and Clarice Peterson – donation of school supplies to elementary (est. value of $150); Sheila Manning – donated entire first grade supply list (est. value $65); Kristi Boyum - $110 to sponsor two elementary children’s snack carts for the year; Back-To-School Program – 12 graphing calculators (est. value $1,200 to high school); Pearson Publishing – 200 books, value $1,398, to community education; Capstone Publishing – 300 calendars, est. value $450 to community education; K-M Boys Soccer Booster Club - $937.50 for a portable scoreboard; K-M Athletic Booster Club - $100 to the Challenge Fund and $1,300 to the Challenge Fund ear-marked for program costs; K-M Girls Softball Booster Club - $250 for finishing the varsity dugout project; and K-M Youth Football Association - $3,125 toward the purchase of a new audio system at KMTelecom Stadium.  Activities Director Aaron Wilke recommended the school board approve hiring a junior high wrestling coach.  The numbers will be at 34-36 kids.  The board approved the request for junior high coach and will advertise for the position.  The 2012 levy payable in 2013 was set at $3,411,899.97.  That represents a 3.65% increase which is still $50,000 less than the 2010 levy that was payable in 2011.  In 2009 the levy increase was 2.71% ($3,368,181.86), the 2010 levy payable in 2011 was a 2.91% increase ($3,466,200.80), and the 2011 levy payable in 2012 dropped 5.03% to $3,291,684.57.  Employment approved:  Holland Michog – elementary school special ed paraprofessional; Cathie Knutson – middle school special ed para; Colleen McCall – high school special ed paraprofessional; and Stacy Terry – elementary school PE long term sub.  There was one resignation:  Julie Schouten – middle school special education para.  The next regular school board meeting is Monday, October 15 at 7 p.m. in the community education multi-purpose room.
The Kasson-Mantorville Elementary has been named as a Reward School based on outstanding student achievement and growth over the last three years by the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE).  One hundred twenty-eight schools were named as Reward Schools and are recognized as being in the top 15% of all Title I schools.  The Minnesota Department of Education released Multiple Measurement Ratings (MMR) for all of Minnesota’s 2,000 plus schools.  The MMR is calculated using combined data from standardized tests and other factors.  It’s a measure of proficiency, student growth, achievement, and, for high schools, graduation rate.  “We have high student achievement and our students also showed tremendous growth,” said elementary principal Michelle Krell.  She is quick to point out that achieving that growth is a total team effort by the staff.  Kasson-Mantorville Elementary School MCA scores were very high.  Third grade MCA reading scores showed that 92% of the students made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP), while the state average is 80%.  In third grade math K-M scored 89% and the state average is 75%.  For grade four reading K-M scored 81% and the state average was 75%.  In math K-M scored 83% and the state average was 10 points lower at 73%.  MCA reading and math proficiency scores were in the 99th percentile to which K-M Superintendent Mark Matuska responds, “You can’t get any higher than that”.  “The scores don’t just happen,” said Superintendent Matuska.  “It shows the dedication of our leadership (principals) and teachers.”  “Our elementary teachers and staff work extremely hard to provide a quality education for our students and the goal is to improve achievement in the classroom,” said Krell.  Several factors led to K-M being named a Reward School:  *The staff analyzed the curriculum and have implemented innovative research-based curriculum and strategies to meet the needs of all learners.  *Teamwork is a crucial component to continuous improvement.  Teachers have been working in Professional Learning Communities and focused on academic goals.  Basically staff at each grade level meet on a regular basis to analyze student data and create strategies to meet student needs.  PLC’s have a focus on student achievement goals.  *Teachers identified struggling learners and create interventions to help them be successful.  “We collect data to identify struggling students and use it.  We also identify the students with high potential too,” said the elementary principal.  “We use data to drive our instruction.”  *The elementary has monthly family literacy nights.  The elementary principal points out that is important to work closely with parents as partners in education.  *Created flexible grouping so students could be challenged at their level.  Students at the same level work in groups 30-40 minutes a day.  The “flexible” part of the group is the possibility of a student excelling and moving up to a more changing group in reading, for example.  *After school and summer school KoMet Academy provides additional help and support for students in reading and math.  *Worked with Kindergarten Plus and aligned the curriculum so that instructors can provide more of an all-day kindergarten program.  Kindergarten plus (after school) complements the half day kindergarten schedule.  “Most importantly, our staff has high expectations and a belief in kids, they truly believe all students can learn and grow to their highest potential,” said Krell.  Becoming a Reward School at the elementary level is a well-recognized accomplishment for the Kasson-Mantorville School District.  “Our kids should be proud of their scores and their school,” said Matuska.
 
20 years ago
September 25, 2002
Randy Carlsen, Publisher
 
Community Education director Janelle Kirsch informed the K-M School Board at the regular meeting they would be charging a minimum fee of $2 to walk the halls of the schools during the winter season.  The move to charge a minimum fee was a recommendation of the community education advisory board.  Hall walkers can pay a one-time $2 fee and walk for the season.  They will be given a badge/name tag to wear so staff can keep better track of people at the school.  This is another form of security so the district can keep track of people in the building, especially after school hours.  The adults playing volleyball evenings will also be charged a $2 fee for the season.  During the open gym sessions on Saturday and Sunday individuals can pay $5 for a season pass or $2 per time.  Kirsch noted there are open gym supervisors at the school and they have to be paid too.  This will also allow those in charge to have a better handle on who is and should be in the building.  Most communities do charge and the community ed fees are considered minimal compared to other districts.  Janelle also said pre-school community ed classes are now very busy.  There are 42 kids who make up four classes of KoMet Kids (three year olds), 65 kids and five classes of KoMet Connection (four year olds) and 20 children in the KoMet Kids before school program and 60 kids for after school.   A total of 102 kids are on the list.  One of the popular community ed classes in the fall brochure that continues to fill up is the 55 Alive class for seniors.  A new offering is the Christmas Cookie Bake-A-Thon.  The class is filled and CE intends to have a second class offering.  And for the kids, horseback riding at Ironwood Springs has been popular along with a sign-up for Santa’s Workshop.  In other board matters:  Employment contracts were approved as follows:  Stacy Sievers as a grade one teacher and assistant girls basketball coach, Ryan Haraldson, ninth grade girls basketball coach, Misun Bormann, cheerleading advisor, Matt Erredge, girls hockey coach, Karen Schultz, van driver, Tamara Laganiere, IS special education assistant and Susan Blaisdell, middle school secretary.  Resignations were approved as follows:  Cathy Ellingson, assistant, Sheila Iverson, assistant, and Paula Biermann, middle school secretary.  A three-year leave of absence was approved for middle school English instructor Bernie Buehler.  The leave is contingent on the district’s ability to find a suitable replacement by the end of September, if possible.  The K-M School District awarded a three-year snow removal contract to Swenke Company, Inc.  The other bidder was Shamrock Farm Services.  Swenke is the current contractor for snow removal and the bids and quotes committee was unanimous in selecting Swenke when factoring in the equipment to be used and charge per hour for use of each piece of equipment.  “Swenke has done a good job for us and has given us a good service,” said Superintendent Mike Smith.  The next regular school board meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 1 at the K-M Elementary School.  Meeting time is 7 p.m.
K-M Elementary instructor Nuggett Fields reported to the K-M School Board on the Mentorship and Peer Coaching Programs in the district.  Her report came at the regular board meeting last Monday evening.  Fields reported the program is “growing.”  Staff are working with and helping each other.  The program is intended to provide nonevaluative support services to new and non-tenured teachers.  Support services include time for dialoguing with teachers, instructional resources for learning on the job and the opportunity to experience collegiality, which will help teachers understand the expectations of their career and help to increase job satisfaction.  The components of the program are to “stimulate” and “recharge” tenured and non-tenured teachers.  Mentoring involves matching a more skilled and experienced staff member with a new or non-tenured instructor.  This person serves as a role model who teaches, encourages, befriends and counsels.  “This is a day to day process,” said Fields.  Peer Coaching is a process through a collegial relationship supporting teachers in becoming critically self-reflective about their work.  The goal is to increase instructional effectiveness.  A new or non-tenured teacher may be approached by an administrator about working on classroom management, for example.  The teacher is encouraged to go to the Peer Coach and say, “What can I do?”  There have been many other situations where an experienced instructor has been able to help a new teacher.  Fields said she meets with every third-year teacher before they have an opportunity to be tenured, and discusses what they need to work on.  “There isn’t anyone who does not need to work on something.  No one is perfect,” said Fields to the board.  There are presently 63 teachers involved in the Peer Coaching program, which includes 38 non-tenured teaches and 25 tenured coaches.  In the Mentorship program there are 32 teachers participating.  Administration and staff are also working together to support non-tenured staff, said Fields.
 
30 years ago
September 23, 1992
Randy Carlsen, Publisher
 
The Kasson United Methodist Church Relief Team is sponsoring a benefit square dance Saturday, September 26th at the Dodge County Fairgrounds.  The dance begins at 7 p.m.  Jon Wordelman, a well known square dance caller who recently moved to Kasson, will be “calling” the dance.  The event is open to the public and dancers of all skill levels are invited.  Donations will be accepted and refreshments served.  The Kasson Methodist Church is planning to take a relief team to Florida from November 2-16 to help in rebuilding homes of Hurricane Andrew victims.  So far three motor homes and nine volunteers have been lined up to make the trip.  They are Gene Holderness, Fred Spading, Dick Redfern, Rev. John Morris (coordinator), Stanley Decker, Dave Koehler, Ron Schrafel, Penny Nelson and Denny Butterbaugh.  The group will be traveling to an unknown destination in Dade County, Florida.  Rev. Morris has been keeping in touch with the United Methodist Committee on Relief and the latest news is that the group will be helping out with residential reconstruction.  At this point there is a great need for building materials and food.  That is what this group is focusing on, said Morris.  What he is looking for now is a large truck to haul what is collected for the trip.  Money is also needed.  There is a Kasson Methodist Relief Fund set up at the Kasson State Bank for anyone who would like to make a donation.  Rev. Morris said this is the first “team” from the southeast Minnesota area he knows of that will be making the trip.  The Hurricane ravaged the coastal area almost a month ago but the destruction was so great that it will be months and even years before a complete recovery is made.  In many of the  hardest hit areas there is still no electricity so the group is also planning to bring generators along.  There have been news reports of supplies and donated items not reaching the areas in real need.  With a local group making the trip, Morris said people can rest assured the donations will reach their destination.  Anyone who would be interested in making the trip should contact Rev. John Morris at the Kasson United Methodist Church.  Right now their intent is to take the motor homes because there are no other accommodations.  By the time the local team makes the trip that may change, he said.
Peoples Natural Gas has made a commitment to the future production of natural gas vehicles (NGVs) by purchasing 10 of the first natural gas pickups manufactured by General Motors Corporation.  The Sierra pickup trucks operate on natural gas only and are the first NGVs mass produced, distributed and fully warranted by a major automotive manufacturer.  In late September, one of the trucks will be delivered to Rochester.  It will be displayed and used for demonstration to acquaint the public with the benefits of NGVs.  Public officials, fleet operators and civic leaders in Kasson will be invited to view the pickup and take it out for test drives.  “The trucks were built to be ‘user-friendly’,” said Gene Graves, customer service manager.  “In fact, most people won’t be able to tell the difference between the NGV and a regular vehicle.  But the presence of the trucks in the community will help demonstrate that natural gas is an economical, safe and clean alternative fuel to gasoline.”  The American Gas Association estimates there are already 30,000 natural gas vehicles in the United States.  The renewed interest in NGVs has been spurred by legislation that seeks to address environmental concerns and American dependency on foreign oil.  What’s different between NGVs and the traditional gasoline-or diesel-fueled vehicles?  First, natural gas is the cleanest burning fossil fuel available-making NGVs far better for the environment than either gasoline or diesel.  Secondly, natural gas is an abundant national resource—we don’t have to depend on foreign countries to export it to us like we do with oil.  Thirdly, natural gas makes good economic sense.  Not only is natural gas less expensive, but many operators have reported extended oil change intervals and decreased maintenance—which helps save money over the life of the vehicle.  And, NGVs are actually safer than vehicles operating on traditional fuels for two reasons: the NGV fuel system and the physical qualities of natural gas.  Natural gas is compressed and stored in a pressurized cylinder.  The steel or fiber-wrapped aluminum cylinders are much stronger than gasoline tanks.  Mounted in a car trunk, the cylinder actually adds to the structural integrity of the vehicle and helps protect passengers in the event of a rear-end collision.  Natural gas also has a high ignition temperature and limited flammability range, making accidental ignition or combustion of natural gas unlikely.  Because it is lighter than air, in most situations natural gas dissipates before a flammable mixture if produced.  NGVs are a great alternative.  They are clean, safe and here to stay.  Peoples is proud of its commitment to the future production of natural gas vehicles.  “The purchase of 10 trucks isn’t going to have a significant impact on the auto industry,” Graves said, “but it gives us an opportunity to introduce people to NGVs and prepares us to meet our customer’s changing needs.”
 
50 years ago
September 27, 1972
Folmer Carlsen, Publisher
 
Dodge County Attorney Lawrence Agerter has issued a warrant for the arrest of Kenneth Thornton.  Mr. Thornton, a former bartender at the Mantorville Liquor Store, is wanted in connection with the alleged theft of $2,100 in cash from the store on September 12.  He is also wanted for allegedly stealing a Mantorville resident’s car.  Both charges carry felony penalties.  Thornton had been employed at the liquor store for about a month.  Sheriff Wilfred Meitzner said this week that the car was found at Franklin Park, a suburb of Chicago, and had been brought back to Mantorville.  Dodge County authorities are still seeking Thornton who was last seen about 1:30 p.m. in Mantorville on September 12.  The liquor store manager discovered that the money was missing when he went to pick up funds for a bank deposit at noon on that day.  The store was closed on September 12, election day.