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By REED WALLER
Staff Writer
Funding
Following up on October 10’s final Facilities Task Force meeting, representatives presented the NRHEG Board of Education with their recommendations for a Facilities Plan at the regular board meeting October 15.
A Long-term (10 years) Facilities Plan must be in place in order for the district to qualify for Long Term Facilities Maintenance Revenue, which has replaced the former Health and Safety revenue program.
The recommendation, as described last week in the Star Eagle, was to go ahead with a bond referendum for $9.1 million to cover the top five areas on the prioritized list generated by the Task Force and the survey results. These areas cover a new secure entrance for Ellendale, deferred maintenance to the infrastructure at both sites, upgrades to meet the Americans With Disabilities Act (elevators, ramps etc), Science classroom upgrades and needed equipment, and Career and Technical classroom improvements, including necessary work on the Shop area and upgrading of the culinary classroom to professional level.
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Ellendale City Council
By JIM LUTGENS
Publisher
Will the city of Ellendale finally sell the Municipal Liquor Store?
That issue was discussed as the city council met for its regular meeting Thursday, Oct. 11 at the Ellendale Community Building. Mayor Russ Goette and council members Steve Engel, Scott Groth and Stephanie Kibler were there for the 7:30 p.m. start. Councilman Duane Goebel arrived later. No visitors were present.
The issue of the Muni came during the mayor's allotted time.
"Any conversation or interest in the liquor store?" asked Goette.
Kibler reported that a realtor from Berkshire-Hathaway did a walk-through of the business and came away very impressed.
"They're interested in listing it," said Kibler.
She said a professional photographer may be hired to photograph the inside and outside of the business, and a drone may take some fly-over pictures for potential buyers.
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By REED WALLER
Staff Writer
The results are in, and a bond referendum can be recommended.
The NRHEG Facilities Task Force, an ad hoc committee of NRHEG staff and community members organized this year to study the results of last September’s Facility Assessment, met for the last time Wednesday, Oct. 10, in joint session with the NRHEG Board of Education, to hear the results of the Community Survey and prepare a recommendation for the upcoming October board meeting.
Present were consultant Sue Johnson of School Perceptions, Inc., designers of the survey; and ISG representatives Rod Schumacher and Paul Lawton; as well as Supt. Dale Carlson and the school board.
In January of this year the Board approved ISG to prepare a Facilities Plan in collaboration with School Perceptions and a committee selected by the board.
The Facilities Task Force held its first meeting April 12 with 35 present, and four more meetings more or less monthly before convening last Monday for their decision.
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Waters’ love of school leads to teaching career
A FRIENDLY FACE - NRHEG has seen many new faces in the halls this year, including Brittany Waters, newest special education teacher at the elementary school. (Star Eagle photo by Melanie Piltingsrud)
By MELANIE PILTINGSRUD
Contributing Writer
Brittany Waters is a new special education teacher at the NRHEG elementary school this year.
Waters grew up in Freeborn and graduated from Alden High School. Then, she says, she decided to try something new and go to school in the big city at the University of Minnesota. “As a little girl I always wanted to be a Gopher,” says Waters. “I grew up watching the girls’ basketball.” Waters did apply elsewhere, too, but once she got her acceptance letter to the University, she says, “It was game over. I loved it for school; it was a great program for special ed.
“I never really thought of myself as a teacher,” says Waters of the journey toward her career. “I’ve always loved school. I’ve always loved working with kids, but I just never really thought or considered teaching until I was on campus and I was going through all these different courses.” The university offered intro courses that allowed students to explore different career options.
Waters took such courses as intro to accounting and physical therapy, but none of the courses clicked for Waters until she took the teaching introduction course. “And I knew I’d want to work with kids forever.”
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Pete Kostelnick began running in Kenai, Alaska
RUN PETE RUN - Pete Kostelnick began running on July 31 from Kenai, Alaska, enroute for Key West, Florida. Star Eagle photo by Melanie Piltingsrud
By MELANIE PILTINGSRUD
Contributing Writer
As a reporter, you never know what you’re going to be called upon to do to cover a story. On Oct. 3, I put on my running shoes…
Pete Kostelnick, originally from Iowa, is running from Kenai, Alaska to Key West, Florida – approximately 5,300 miles. He started his journey on July 31, and on Wednesday, his path took him through New Richland.
Two years ago, Kostelnick beat the record, which Frank Giannino, Jr. set in 1980, for the fastest run across America, running from San Francisco to New York City, covering 3,067 miles in 42 days, 6 hours, and 30 minutes. But there were some drawbacks to pounding out the miles that fast. “In a nutshell, it was a lot of pain, a lot of running – 72 miles a day. I mean, I wasn’t really enjoying anything I was seeing,” says Kostelnick. On this run, Kostelnick is averaging 53 miles a day, although he says he’s done anywhere from 20 to 92.
“It’s still about as big a challenge overall, just because I’m pushing all my gear,” says Kostelnick. On his previous trip, Kostelnick was followed by a van that carried food and water. This time, he’s carrying his own food and water, toiletries, clothes, “Lots of shoes,” – and spare tires – in a jogging stroller. “It’s tough that way, but it’s just a different type of challenge.”