By Mel Stegner, news@pctribune.com

Nate Meissner, Principal of the Minnewaska Area High School, gave a presentation to the MAS board last week regarding an Alternative Learning Program to Minnewaska Area. The program would be provided to students who are considered at risk, or those who continue to show a history of failing grades or are not on pace to graduate.

The current practice is to refer these students to Runestone, an ALC on the north end of Alexandria. Many of the students don’t take advantage of the program as the school does not provide transportation and there are time and travel constraints.  There are currently five full-time Minnewaska students attending there and four part-time.

A second option provided to those falling behind is to retake the course. This causes the student to fall behind their classmates in their academic progress, especially in core classes that are failed more than once. 

“We’re currently losing five to six kids per grade by the time they are seniors due to these circumstances. Typically, in the early second semester we lose a couple of seniors. This proposal is cost neutral if we can keep four students per year in the district,” said Meissner. 

As proposed the program would require hiring one program coordinator and then three teachers would teach one of the core classes for one hour per day. 

Location of the program was discussed as the school currently faces space issues, but the program would require one classroom that can be mapped out with careful planning. The program as proposed would offer the school a lot of flexibility for the students who qualify for the program. There is already special education, social services, health services and post-secondary education available to the district. 

The ALP would be tailored to each student, meaning they can take all the classes through the program or as a hybrid model with the flexibility to take ALP courses and general high school courses. 

“I think we should do this as a pilot program for two years and determine if it’s effective,” said Supt. Chip Rankin. 

Teachers recognized

Tiffany Kobbermann, FACS teacher for grades 7-12 at Minnewaska Area High School was recognized at this week’s MAS school board meeting for receiving the 2022 National Excellence in Teaching about Agriculture Award. Molly Polya was recognized for her work as District Assessment Coordinator. She organizes, communicates, trains and oversees the assessments for the 70 percent of students that must complete multiple tests each year. 

The Minnesota Teacher’s Association master agreement contract and the memorandum of understanding for teacher on special assignment for Phil Johnsrud to work in his non-classroom capacity as Activities Director and 4-12 grade Dean of Students approved unanimously for the 2021-2023 school years.

The proposal from Green Lawns Turf Care was accepted for the year. Green Lawns takes care of fertilizing and weed control of the district’s athletic and green spaces as well as aeration on athletic fields.

The reading of the 2022-2023 school year handbooks was held and unanimously approved, and it was determined that the entire school board would be present at graduation. 

The next full board meeting will be held on June 26th.