Change is in the air, and it is not just the colder weather. The WEM school board has contracted with Minnesota School Boards Association (MSBA) to search for a new Superintendent to replace Joel Whitehurst, who is retiring in June 2022. Input from our community is a vital part of this process. If you haven't done so already, please take the Superintendent Search Survey to share your thoughts about what is most important to find in the person who will become our next Superintendent. You can also watch the recording from the question and answer session that was held this week via Zoom and view the WEM Superintendent Search Timeline.

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.

The WEM School Board met for their regular monthly meeting on Monday, October 25, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. In attendance were board members Jon Bakken, Travis Bowman, Gary Michael, June Rezac, and Jay Schneider, and Administrators Joel Whitehurst and Jennifer Wilson.

The board approved the agenda and there were no additional items. (Links to other documents can be found on the agenda page.)

The board approved the minutes from the regular meeting on September 27, 2021, and financial transactions for the district for September 18 through October 25 after some discussion from board treasurer Travis Bowman.

Ruth Ann Olson, a teacher at WEM, addressed the board with comments regarding the number of administrators in our school district. She feels there should be more and provided several reasons for her opinion. The board agreed to discuss this at the next board work session on November 11.

Comments from visitors should be informational in nature and not exceed 3 minutes per issue. The Board will not engage in a discussion or debate in those 3 minutes but will take the information and find answers if it is appropriate. As part of the protocol, visitors must keep their ideas and opinions related to policy issues. It is unacceptable for any speaker to slander, engage in character assassination, or discuss student or personnel issues (i.e. teacher, coaches, bus drivers, principals, Board Members, etc.) at a public board meeting. The person wishing to address the full Board must do so in-person at the meeting.

The board approved a monetary donation of $2,500 from Kamp Dels for athletics. The funds will be used for additions/upgrades to our digital scoreboard.

The board heard a Joint Principal Report by Bobbie Jo Bastian, Elementary Principal / Jennifer Wilson, 7-12 Principal. (See the links to actual reports within the agenda.) A highlight for me was a report from Principal Wilson, during which she talked about bringing in speakers from MN Teen Challenge to discuss teen substance abuse as well as other programing about the importance of character, respect, and decision-making. Principal Wilson recognizes the difficulties that students are having, especially issues arising from stay-at-home learning and the pandemic. She is arranging for several programs for students to address these issues.

The board heard the Community Education & Activities Report by Director, Jeff Boran.

The board heard a report from Joel Whitehurst, Superintendent. He reported that we currently only have one student and one staff person affected by Covid. This is a huge improvement from what we were seeing just a few weeks ago.

The board agreed to continue to do live-streams and recordings of the board meetings. We have purchased audio/visual equipment to make this a much easier process with improved results.

The Minnesota School Boards Association (MSBA) Conference is January 13-14, 2022. Board members should contact Pegi Wolff if attending.

The City of Elysian is interested in taking over the Tennis Court and Little League Field by the Elysian School. The Elysian Little League has plans to upgrade both fields to meet the Little League Standards. The board discussed our options here and decided it was unclear exactly what the arrangement with the City of Elysian would be. We instructed Superintendent Whitehurst to ask for a formal request from the city so we can better understand the expectations.

The board conducted the first reading of the following policies:

Board member Rezac noticed some edits that were needed, and Mr. Whitehurst agreed to make those changes for the second reading next month.

The board approved the Annual Resolution Establishing Combined Polling Places.

The board approved the following:

Letters of Resignation

Letter of Request for Family Medical Leave of Absence from Josh Smith, beginning on or around November 30, 2021, and continuing through December 19, 2021

Hires

Coaches

507-330-0500, sba.email@yahoo.com

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. 

View the October School Board meeting recording.

The WEM Public Schools Superintendent Search Survey is available for completion online. Hard copies of the survey are also available at the district office. Please complete this survey by midnight on November 3, 2021. Thank you for your participation!

Congratulations to the WEM girls' volleyball team for making it to the postseason! Number 1 seed WEM beat number 8 seed Blue Earth 3-0 (25-10, 25-9, 25-11) in the Sub-Section 2AA-South playoffs on October 28. Claire Bohlen had a career-best 12 kills while hitting .458. Riley Sammon added 9 kills while hitting .533. Jordan Green served great and played some outstanding defense while collecting 7 digs and 2 ace serves. The Buccaneers advance to play in the semi-finals Monday, November 1 at 6:00 p.m. versus MVL at Mankato East.

WEM School Store is now online offering Buccaneer clothing for youth and adults. Pick up orders in Faribault, or have them delivered to your home for a small fee. Also, follow the WEM School Store Facebook page.

Invite your friends. This is a great opportunity to try hockey for free and play all season! If you need equipment, come at 8:15 a.m. Read more on the Waseca Hockey Association website. Please register in advance. If you have questions, please contact Shannon Cliff at bsttcliff@gmail.com or 507-461-0985.

DNR Firearms Safety Certification via the Official MN Hunter Safety Course is required of anyone born after December 31, 1979, to purchase a hunting license in Minnesota and to participate in the High School Clay Target League. Students must complete the online course and register for the field day. Students must also attend in-person field days. From time to time, the Waterville area has field days, which we will try to advertise; however, sites may also be found on the MN DNR site.

Registration is open for before- and after- School Age Child Care (SACC) for the current school year, as well as non-school days, late start, and early release days. Consult the 2021/2022 SACC Handbook. 

WEM will have a General Rules and Information meeting for parents that did not attend this past fall or who have not attended in recent years on Wednesday, November 3, at 7:00 p.m. in the high school auditorium or gym. Contact Jeff Boran, WEM Activities Director at 507-362-4403 with any questions.

Registration on the Waseca School's online registration page was due by Monday, October 25 at 12:00 p.m., and the General Rules and Information meeting for parents has already been held. Contact Joe Hedervare, Waseca Activities Administrator at 507-835-5470 with any questions.

To stay up-to-date on WEM activities, consult the Community Education page and Athletics page on our website. Also, keep an eye on the news section at the top of the WEM website, and follow us on social media.

For more dates to remember, check the WEM 2021-22 Academic Calendar.

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