Board hears new projects

During their regular business meeting on April 16, members of the Waseca school board heard from Junior-Senior High Principal Justin Johnston. Johnston spoke of the outstanding things students have achieved this year, highlighting senior  Layla Keith who earned a full ride scholarship to St. Thomas for all four years and Deron Russell who was awarded an athletic scholarship.  

 

Johnston said that next year, in collaboration with the Area Learning Center (ALC), the secondary school is looking into offering engineering design and architectural design classes. Students from the ALC are also able to attend drivers’ education classes at the high school during the fourth hour session. Johnston spoke of an ALC student coming over to the high school to join the select choir, and another taking part in the welding class. Mentioning that whether they earn credits at the ALC or junior senior site, students receive “A Waseca school district diploma,” Johnston went on to say. “We tell the kids whichever route works best for them to get to that finish line, we want to provide that.” 

 

Superintendent Eric Hudspith reported that Minnesota State Mankato has partnered with XRP Robotics to bring some robotics opportunities to southern Minnesota. Hudspith said  ALC workbased learning teacher Eric Mix will be attending a ‘train the trainer’ session in June in preparation for offering robotics at the ALC this next school year.

 

A number of students will be participating in community agriculture projects this taking advantage of a grant awarded to agriculture teacher Robin Tidd.

 

During discussion of the Junior-Senior High locker room bid, Hudspith reminded board members not on the facilities committee that the locker rooms on the south side were not upgraded in the last building renovation. Hudspith reported the bids came in under budget and the project will begin this summer.