Red Wing School Board briefs

Board officially backs collective impact plan

The Red Wing School Board unanimously resolved to officially support the Jones Foundation’s collective impact plan, which aims to improve student success over the next ten years. The plan was presented at the board’s June 20 meeting and calls for various community groups, including non-profits and businesses, to work together to engage and encourage students.

“It’s just a philosophy that will allow … the entire community to work together,” Board Chair Mitch Boldt said.

“It’s a brilliant plan,” Board member Mike Christensen agreed. “It’s a good thing to support.”

Several board members added that the foundation’s plan ties in nicely with the district’s five-year strategic plan, which is working to improve student achievement by improving things like curriculum, behavior and environment and teacher and administration effectiveness.

The Jones Foundation will provide the funding for the program.

New police liaison contract OK’d

The district voted 6-0 to approve a new police liaison contract, agreeing to pay the city of Red Wing 2 percent more for the officer for the 2012-13 school year. Due to “anticipated increases at the city,” Supt. Karsten Anderson said the district will pay about $600 more than last year, bringing the total cost to $30,736.01.

Officer Travis Bray will work 40 hours a week from the first day of school through the last day of school. He will primarily be housed at the high school, but will also be at the middle school regularly and respond to other sites as necessary.

Personnel changes

New hires: Joseph Jezierski, director of teaching and learning, effective Aug. 1; Alison Faders, first-grade teacher at Sunnyside, effective August 2012; Lindsay Woychek, fourth-grade teacher at Burnside, effective August 2012; Sarah Gorski, first-grade teacher at Sunnyside, effective August 2012; Ann Peterson, .6 language arts/social studies teacher at Twin Bluff, effective Aug. 8; Justin Plein, school-age care coordinator at Sunnyside and Burnside, effective July 1; Mike Lupella, special education teacher at Burnside, effective August 2012; Rebecca Susag, speech-language pathologist at RWHS, effective August 2012; Elizabeth Kralich, long-term sub at RWHS, effective August 2012.

Termination: Greg Whitcomb, Link! Lead teacher, effective June 6.

Medical leave: Cary Truman, custodian at RWHS, effective July 9 through Aug. 17.

Meeting watch

Monday’s meeting lasted about 2 hours and 10 minutes before going into closed session to conduct a yearly superintendent evaluation. Board member Emily Baldwin was absent.

- Compiled by Sarah Gorvin, staff writer

Tags: red wing, school board, government