By Chad Koenen

Publisher

The New York Mills School District approved a pair of teaching reductions, while adding a special education teacher last week.

During its regularly scheduled meeting last Monday night, the NY Mills School Board approved the reduction of a full-time elementary teaching position due to enrollment and budget constraints. The school board also reduced a pre-k position from .8 to .4 for the 2024-25 school year due to low numbers in the pre-k program that will require just three sections. 

In addition to the budget cuts, the school district approved the addition of a special education teacher from Freshwater Education District due to a large caseload of special education student needs within the school district.

In other news

• Received the following donations: hardware supplies from Lakes Country Coop in NY Mills, $1,579.31 from Viking Coca Cola as part of the Powerade Rebate for Schools program, $1,500 from the Perham Sportsman Club for the trap team, $500 anonymous donation to be used for staff lounges, $500 from Ottertail Aggregate for the trap team, $1,000 from the NY Mills Lions Club for the environmental science class and $3,000 from the NY Mills Lions Club for the softball booster club.

• Approved calling for bids for a student built house that was constructed by students Eric Niemi’s shop class. The minimum bid for the 28×52’ house is $76,500 and bids must be received by May 15. 

• Approved non-renewing of a tier 1 teacher effective at the end of the 2023-24 school year. The current vocal teacher at the school district has a Tier 1 license and her license will not be renewed. The school district will advertise for the position and if no licensed applicants are found they school district will consider all applicants for the position. 

• Approved a two-year contract with Adam Johnson as the new superintendent at NY Mills School. His contract will begin on July 1.

• Approved the hiring of Connie Kawlewski as a paraprofessional.

• Approved the resignation of Jenna Stodgell and Selena Warner.