Caterpillar contributions allow hands-on learning

During their May 7 workshop, members of the Waseca school board heard from high school agriculture teacher Robin Tidd and community member Brenda Harguth speaking of an opportunity that arose for students. During a career fair last autumn, the previous ag teacher convinced Caterpillar to donate two diesel engines and the accompanying technical manuals to the program.

 

Along with that, Mike Shepherd, a Caterpillar employee who trains diesel mechanics all over the United States, lives in Waseca and consented to hold Wednesday night teaching sessions for a group which included 17 Waseca students in grades 10-12, one Morristown student, and three adults. Bomgaars donated all the tools needed for class valued at $1200, and Southside Marine allowed the group to use its facility for the sake of security. Caterpillar also brought the students to tour their facility in the Twin Cities and donated scholarships to South Central Community College to the three students who attend South Central. 

 

Harguth said  Mike is willing to return next winter to repeat the 6:30 to 9 p.m. program, and Caterpillar is willing to make sure he is home every Wednesday night during the winter trimester. Harguth also said that both Cole Electric and Schumacher Electric are willing to send employees to lead a wiring class. The students are hoping for a plumbing class as well.

 

Harguth said she has been contacted by NRHEG and Waterville to see whether students from those districts would be allowed to participate in the classes. She said it seems to be catching on, as she heard on the radio that the Mankato school district is now running a similar program after seeing it run in Waseca. 

 

Director of Teaching and Learning Brooke McGuire presented the math curriculum implementation process for updating the district’s books as the new state standards come into place. During the current school year a number of math resources were piloted by teachers, and then feedback was shared. By mid-year the options were narrowed to two and the math teachers will finish the year and make a final decision. Implementation will take place for grades Kindergarten to 6 during the 2026-27 school year with the transition to the new standards, and grades 7 to 12 during 2027-28 with the full implementation of the new standards.

 

Superintendent Eric Hudspith introduced the timeline for the strategic plan review process and said summer 2026 is an appropriate time for reviewing the current plan, refreshing priorities that might need further attention and reinforcing the board’s commitment to the established goals.

 

Hudspith also shared the summer 2026 district facility planning timeline with the board, and said that the district is balancing the need for long term facility planning and current maintenance needs. The district uses the guidance of numerous information resources to ensure both aspects are being considered.