Red Wing School Board briefs

Cashman hired as gifted and talented coordinator

Red Wing School Board approved 7-0 the hiring of Brian Cashman as gifted-and-talented coordinator and curriculum coach, effective July 1. The move was part of the consent agenda.

Cashman previously served as principal at Tower View during the 2011-12 school year. He also worked as a teacher on special assignment, helping to implement the district’s strategic plan. Cashman will continue to serve as Tower View principal during the upcoming school year.

At its April 16 meeting, the board passed a resolution proposing to place Cashman on unrequested leave of absence, citing a reduction in students. The board rescinded that proposal Monday in a separate resolution.

In order for Cashman to take the gifted-and-talented position, the board also placed him on a two-year unpaid leave of absence from his teaching position, which was also part of the consent agenda. That will maintain his seniority should he return to teaching.

On Monday, the board also rescinded proposals to put Elizabeth Kittelson and Emily Seefeldt on unrequested leaves of absence.

However, the board did approve resolutions terminating contracts for John Harris and Tricia Harris and to place Gaye Menke and Karin Meyer on unrequested leaves of absence.

Breakfast and lunch prices to stay level

There will be no increase in the prices of lunch or breakfast in Red Wing School District cafeterias next school year.

Finance Director Brad Johnson said he feared that new federal requirements, which call for more nutritious foods, would force prices higher. But regular lunch prices for the 2012-13 school year will remain at their current levels: $2.50 at the high school, $2.35 at the middle school and $2.30 at the elementary schools.

Reduced lunch, breakfast and adult meals also will remain unchanged.

“We have some good news here,” Johnson said of the prices.

The board unanimously approved the food prices.

In a separate motion, the board also approved the district’s long-time milk supplier, Hastings Cooperative, to supply milk to Red Wing schools for the 2012-13 school year.

The district had gone out for bids this year, and of the three bids received, Hastings Cooperative was the lowest, Johnson said. He added that at $2.93 per gallon of skim milk, the new prices are actually lower than the current prices.

Personnel changes

New hires: Corey Knighton, assistant principal at Red Wing High School, effective July 1; Michael Kincaid, special education teacher at RWHS, effective August 2012.

Transfer: Emily Seefeldt, third-grade teacher at Burnside, effective August 2012; Scott Briske, student support coordinator at Burnside, effective July 1; Meg Lahammer, media specialist at RWHS and Twin Bluff, effective beginning 2012-13 school year.

Medical leave: Cary Truman, custodian at RWHS, effective May 23 through July 6.

Unpaid parental leave: Alicia Hamilton, cook at Twin Bluff, effective April 26 through June 5.

Two-year unpaid leave of absence: Nicole Cashman, first-grade teacher at Sunnyside, effective beginning of 2012-13 school year.

Three-year leave of absence: Scott Briske, second-grade teacher at Burnside, effective beginning of 2012-13 school year; Donna Wordelman, fourth-grade teacher at Burnside, effective beginning of 2012-13 school year.

Resignation: Kathy Manfred, special education assistant at Colvill Family Center, effective May 25; Carl Olson, special education aid at Twin Bluff, effective June 5; Michelle Anderson, special education assistant at Sunnyside, effective May 15.

Resignation/retirement: Karen Fandrey, teacher at RWHS, effective at the end of the 2011-12 school year; Wanda Jelle, work experience teacher and Perkins coordinator at RWHS and Tower View, effective at the end of the 2011-12 school year.

Meeting watch

Monday’s meeting lasted about an hour before going into closed session to discuss former student Quera Pruitt’s lawsuit against the district and labor negotiations. All board members were present.

— Compiled by Sarah Gorvin staff writer

Tags: red wing, school board, government