Lake Holcombe School Board; Staff getting on the same page to stay consistent

Reading specialist Corrine Prince (left) and third-grade teacher Becca Abbiehl spoke to the Lake Holcombe School Board Sept. 19, about what they and other staff members are doing to create a good learning environment for the students. Photo by Ginna Young

By Ginna Young

Prior to the start of school at Lake Holcombe, the staff went through extra training, to make sure they are a united front in finding solutions and helping their students with any issues. During a regular school board meeting Sept. 19, what that training consisted of was reported by some of the teachers who went through it.

Included in the week of workshops, was creating consistency across grade levels, such as with Eureka math and American Reading Company.

“That extra week of training was really, really nice for us to get together and get on the same page with some things,” said reading specialist Corrine Prince.

In the Plan to Win scenario that was enacted last year, teachers are working together more than ever, to build trust among staff and have consistency in the classrooms. This year, they’re working on everyone using the same policy, instead of hearing, “Well, Mr./Mrs. (insert name) lets me!”

Todd Senoraske, high school special education teacher/ athletic director, says the teachers talked candidly about the matter.

“I think the good news is, we got it all on paper and developed a set of norms, through consensus,” he said, adding they are rules to live by. “That keeps things very productive, focused – moving forward.”

Teachers are also trying to instill “I can” in students, instead of the “I can’t” mindset, and are asked to dig deeper with their thinking and reasoning. However, it’s not all school work, as Senoraske said they have created enrichment times, such as learning chess or taking a walk.

“You gotta have that breathing room to do that,” said Senoraske.

Also, during the meeting, superintendent Kurt Lindau reported that the five bus routes running with the new company, are working well, where not one is more than an hour.

“Last year, we were being charged for 614 miles…they still think that it will be 500 miles or less, per day,” said Lindau, who mentioned co-curricular trips will also be less.

He did say a couple people are upset with pick-up/dropoff locations that needed to be changed, because of concerns over backing up a school bus.

“I think their focus is safety,” said Lindau of the company’s changes.

Lindau also said that Gov. Tony Evers allocated some additional funds for schools, which is good for Lake Holcombe, as it is between the $25,000 and $30,000 range.

“In light of a $0 per pupil increase in this year’s state budget, this will help to balance the budget,” said Lindau.

Meanwhile, members agreed to assign $72,725.81, from the previous year’s remaining fund balance, to open 202122 purchase orders ($2,093.81) and the disputed bus billing ($70,632).

They also approved the preliminary 2022-23 budget, with a $3,946,706 proposed tax levy.

“Of course, that’s going to change some between now and the annual meeting,” said Lindau.

The annual meeting will take place Monday, Oct. 24, at 6 p.m., prior to the regular meeting at 7 p.m.

Also approved by the board, were the spring coaching contracts: Andy Lorenzen, head softball coach; and Shane Sanderson, assistant track coach. They also accepted $346, from Eastbay Lodge, to the band program; $2,000 ($500 to each teacher), from the Lions club, to Shaylae Szotkowski, for yoga mats, Dawn Anderson, for the Minnesota Orchestra trip, Angie Vacho, for a field trip, and Kent Dorney, for the greenhouse; bottled water from KJ’s Fresh Market; and $200, from the Class of 1974/Yeager.