Hello! Are you finding your groove now that the school year is underway? There is excitement in the air as we are heading into homecoming week. It is later than usual this year, and the football game is on Thursday night rather than Friday. Coronation on Monday at 10:00 a.m. will be live-streamed on NFHS, and there will be a parade on Friday lining up at 1:00 p.m. and starting around 1:15.

I am excited to welcome a guest board member, June Rezac to write the September school board meeting summary this month. Find that below. You will also find some information about important dates, job openings, and more.

Do you have feedback or ideas for future e-newsletter content? I invite you to contact me. Please spread the word to others you think might like to be added by forwarding this email and/or directing them to the e-newsletter subscription sign-up page on WEM's website. Thank you.

September 26, 2022, at 6:30 p.m.

Agenda (Additional links to documents below are found within the agenda.)

The regular school board meeting was called to order by Gary Michael, Chairperson at 6:31 p.m. on September 26, 2022.

All board members were in attendance as well as Superintendent Jensen. The meeting minutes from the August 22 regular meeting and September 8 work session were approved. Jon Bakken reviewed the September Financial Report, and it was approved. The members then approved a resolution to award the sale of $800,000 in general obligation building bonds. This passed 7-0.

There were no visitor comments at the meeting. I always appreciate hearing from visitors during the board meetings.

The following were approved as new hires: Raymond C. Hall, Dishwasher; Mary Ann Eich, FACS; Steve Lansing, Physical Education (Previously approved. An error was corrected regarding how the contract information was listed at the previous meeting.); Amaya Muellerleile, Paraprofessional; Lexianne LaCanne, Paraprofessional; Madeline Heuss, Peer Tutor. Welcome, new staff!

We approved the following resignation: Val Richter, Paraprofessional, effective 8/24/2022.

The approval of the following 2022-2023 coaches was tabled until the next board meeting.

We approved the additional assignment roster for the 2022-2023 school year. Additional assignments include things like senior and junior class advisors, speech, yearbook, math masters, and more. We also approved several staff members with overloads for the 2022-2023 school year.

We approved a donation by the Waterville Lions Club for $700 (night of excellence) and American Legion Post #311 for $100 (band). We also approved a student activity donation towards the FFA concession stand for $8,000, in memory of Bob Kuball. I know that the other board members and I truly appreciate donations towards helping our students and the district. Thank you.

We reviewed the joint Principal report from Bobbie Jo Bastian, K-6 Principal, and Jennifer Wilson, 7-12 Principal as well as the CEDAR Report from Jeff Boran, Community Education & Activities Director. They were not in attendance.

The report from Ryan Jensen, Superintendent was that the smell initially thought to be a gas leak was not a gas leak nor did it have anything to do with sewer gas. School was dismissed early one day due to the issue. Investigation continues as to the cause.

We also approved the 2022-2023 Professional Development Handbook, Resolution Adopting Post-Issuance Compliance Policy and Procedures for Tax-Exempt and Tax-advantaged Government Bonds, Covid Pay for Current Paraprofessionals of $0.75/Hour for Hours Worked in the 2020-2021 School Year, "Certifying" Maximum on Pay 2023 Levy. The Truth in Taxation Meeting is to be conducted at 6:30 p.m. on December 19, 2022, in the boardroom.

We did approve the Bid for Dairy Products from Hastings Creamery.

We chose to table the resolution authorizing the conveyance of land from the district to the City of Elysian. We wanted some of the language updated in the resolution prior to approval.

We adjourned.

October 24, 2022, 6:30 p.m. Regular Meeting

507-304-0922, jrezac@wem.k12.mn.us

Note: WEM School Board meetings can be viewed live via Zoom video conferencing, and the recordings for past meetings are available on the website. The agendas and accompanying documents are also available online. 

Homecoming 2022 will be held on October 10 through 14. During the week, the court will be selling homecoming buttons. There will be dress-up days (posted on our Facebook page), kickball, volleyball, a homecoming sign contest for students, an ice cream social, and more.

Homecoming Schedule (subject to change):

Any local groups interested in participating in the homecoming parade on Friday, October 14 can contact Ms. Brown to register.

Congratulations to our junior homecoming attendants 2022, Penelope Hoisington and Logan Schwartz, both students of WEM elementary school. Congratulations to the WEM homecoming court shown below.

Front (L-R): Addyson Taylor, Jordan Green, Emma Woratschka, Jenessa Baumgarten, and Jessica Hilpipre

Back (L-R): August Ticknor, Tytan Larson, Ethan Greenwald, Gabe Androli, and Jaxon Hulsing

Support our school by purchasing and showing off some WEM gear. There are several ways to get these items.

WEM store is having a fall “flyer” sale. Order by October 20. Orders will be delivered before winter break. When placing an order to be delivered to a student, please include the grade level behind the last name.

WEM Basketball is also having a sale. Order by October 10. Items include not just a wide variety of apparel in all sizes but also water bottles, games, and blankets.

There will be a special homecoming sale on Thursday, October 13 during the homecoming football game at the football concession stand. Save $5.00 on leather patch hats and/or chopper mittens (original price is $30). There is limited inventory, no presales, and the sale will continue only while supplies last. This offer starts at 7:00 p.m. and ends when the concession stand closes. No exceptions.

Go Bucs!

Online registration is now open for winter athletics. For activities that WEM offers through a co-op with Waseca, you will be required to register with Waseca.

WEM Community Ed will be offering "Competitive Cheerleading" this winter. There will be teams for elementary, middle school, and high school, and this is open to students in grades Kindergarten through 12. The season will be from November 7, 2022, through February 3, 2023. There is a parent-participant meeting on Monday, October 17 at 7:00 p.m. in the Waterville school cafeteria. Register online by Wednesday, October 19. Contact Coach Tiffany at 507-301-4283 or tschmidtke@wem.k12.mn.us with questions.

Fall 2022:

October 24, 26, 28, 31, November 2, 3, 7, 9,10, 14 (makeup 15)

3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in Morristown

The registration deadline is October 19 or when full (30 students).

School Age Child Care (S.A.C.C.) offers before- and after-school childcare on regularly scheduled school days with a limited number of spaces still available. Online registrations are open for childcare on select non-school days and scheduled early dismissal days. Please visit the SACC page for details. Contact Ms. Jennifer with questions.

Also, check out the fun and educational activities happening at our local public libraries.

Check the Community Education page of our website, the Athletics page, or contact them with any questions. The phone number is 507-362-4403, or e-mail Jeff Boran or Jeannie Morsching.

October 10-14 - Homecoming week

October 11, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. - FAFSA Night (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) for seniors and their parents

October 11 & 13 - Grade 5-12 conferences

October 20-21 - No school - Education MN Convention

October 24, 6:30 p.m. - School board regular meeting

November 4 - End of Quarter 1, 12:00 dismissal, staff development

WEM has several job openings, including the following:

Applications are available on the website or by calling the district office at 507-362-4432.