Feature Stories from the Star Eagle pages.
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By DEB BENTLY
Staff Writer
With a snowstorm brewing and all (other) NRHEG evening events postponed, the Feb. 21 school board meeting soldiered on, even though one school board member and three scheduled presenters were unable to attend.
Official business transacted was light, but included authorizing the superintendent to advertise for a “transportation site manager,” that is, for someone to supervise and manage buses, the bus garages, and related matters. Until now, any leadership in the transportation site has been site specific, rather than covering the full transportation program.
Also enacted was a “Resolution for reduction of programs and positions,” an authorization allowing the school administration to reduce staff, if necessary , based on anticipated enrollment and student needs for the 2023-24 school year.
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By RACHEL LOVERINK
Staff Writer
There’s a new District Data Specialist at the NRHEG Elementary School. And since day one on the job (beginning with the 2022-‘23 school year), students and staff alike have been singing Joyce Meldahl’s praises.
Whether it be directing students to the health office or classrooms, supervising, assisting families and visitors, interacting with parents regarding absences, uploading grades, updating contact information or helping students throughout the day with whatever they may need, Meldahl makes sure that each and every student is on track.
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By DEB BENTLY
Staff Writer
Roughly 20 years ago, Lyn Sahr of Pine City took a pickup truck to an organization in the Twin Cities with the intent of bringing back some toys.
“I was the pastor of a church that had a mission program in Mexico four or five times a year,” Sahr remembers. “We always took toys along to help keep the children occupied while the adults took part.”
Having been told he could acquire some toys at a certain agency, he drove on down.
“Really, we didn’t know how much we didn’t know,” he says with a warm laugh. “They filled our pickup with food higher than the cab. We drove home in a daze.
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By DEB BENTLY
Staff Writer
A vacuum cleaner…an air fryer…When it comes to Valentines Day gifts, Sara Meihak has to admit her husband, NRHEG Superintendent Michael Meihak, isn’t particularly romantic. “It’s more a matter of getting me something I need, but spending more on it than I would myself,” she says. “Some people might say they’re too practical, too useful.
“But I think they’re just right.”
Well, except for that one time. The set of exercise weights went over like, if you’ll forgive the wordplay, a lead balloon.
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By DEB BENTLEY
Staff Writer
The NRHEG school board completed its legally required annual organizational meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023. The agenda included swearing in new board members Amy Ihrke and Pat Theuer; also newly elected, but not present at the meeting was Aaron Phillips.
With all present members installed, board members proceeded to elect officers: Incumbents Rick Schultz (chair), Dan Schmidt (vice chair), and Terri Engel (clerk) were
reelected to their positions. Loren Schoenrock was selected as treasurer.
The NRHEG Star Eagle was named as the school's official newspaper, meaning that any legally required notices will be published there.
The board's depositories were again named as the State Bank of New Richland and the Minnesota School District Liquid Asset Fund. Superintendent of Schools Michael Meihak was authorized to handle electronic transfers of funds and investments.
The regular meeting time was reinstated as 6:30 p.m. on the third Monday of each month, except when displaced by a holiday, in which case the meeting is moved to the next day, Tuesday; meeting locations will alternate between the New Richland and Ellendale school buildings, with the January 17 meeting occuring in New Richland.
Board member compensation for regular meetings was maintained at the same rate as last year, $75; payment for full day meetings will be $250.
Committee memberships were also set. Buildings and Grounds: Schultz, Engel and Schoenrock. Finance: Schoenrock, Theuer and Ihrke. Policy: Schmidt, Schoenrock and Engel. Transportation: Schmidt, Schultz and Phillips. School activities: Schmidt, Phillips and Ihrke. Negotiations (paraprofessional): Schultz, Schoenrock, Phillips. Negotiations (Clerical, custodial and food service): Engel, Schmidt and Theuer. Negotiations (Certified staff/teachers): Schmidt, Ihrke and Schultz.