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Presentation heard on communication board
Ryann Beukema, an early childhood special education teacher at Pipestone Area Schools (PAS), presented information to the school board during the public forum portion of its April 28 meeting about a proposed donation from a local parent group to the school of a communication board that would help students with nonverbal autism, such as her son Emmet, communicate with staff on the playground. Beukema said communication options are available to students who need them in the school, but not on the playground. She said there are 28 students in the elementary school who have little to no verbal skills in English or at all who could utilize the board by pointing to pictures. School board members spoke in support of the proposal and plan to discuss it further at their May meeting.
Food service contract approved
The school board approved a food service management contract with Taher, Inc. for the 2025-26 school year. The school board approved a contract with Taher last year and state statute allows contracts between school districts and food service management companies to be renewed annually after their initial term for up to four additional years. The cost-reimbursable contract is estimated to cost around $940,000.
Wrestling tournament trip approved
School board members approved a request from wrestling coach and social studies teacher Paul Young to take varsity wrestlers to a tournament in Pequot Lakes Dec. 19 and 20, and pay for their registration and a substitute teacher for Young, which is expected to cost $830, and also gas to get to the tournament in school district vehicles. Young said he thought it would benefit the wrestlers to see different competition.
Grievance denied
School board members voted to deny an employee grievance following a closed session. “Attorney-client privilege to discuss pending or threatened litigation (pending employee grievance arbitration),” was cited as the reason to hold a closed session. Superintendent Klint Willert said after the meeting that the grievance was related to leave time for two individuals.
Calendars approved
The school board approved calendars for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 school years. The 2025-26 school year will begin on Sept. 2 and the last day will be May 29. The 2026-27 school year will begin Sept. 8 and the last day will be May 28. A first reading of the proposed calendars was held at the March school board meeting.