School board renews insurance coverage

At its Monday Feb. 20 regular meeting, the. Hayward Community Schools Board voted to renew staff health insurance through Health Partners. Rates for 2023-24 will increase 2.01 percent, along with a two-year rate cap of 7 percent for 2024-25 and 2025-26 years. The wellness program that has been implemented over the last three years contributes to this renewal rate, said district finance director Jenifer Frank.

Frank reported that dental insurance rates will remain flat for 2023-24 through the Northern School District Trust.

Business education students Brock Titus and Sara Middleman gave a presentation on their experience achieving career and technology education college credits. Middleman is an apprentice at Leading Edge veterinary clinic.

The board discussed their ongoing effort to obtain a second School Resource Officer (SRO) for the schools, seeking funding and candidates for the position, which involves hiring an officer to work nine months per year for the school district and three months as a patrol officer.

In action items, the board

Approved a staff salary schedule for summer school (Canes Club) staff using an out-of-school time grant. Approved an Achievement Gap Reduction (AGR) report for Grades K-3 for 2022-23 from Primary School Principal Wade Refer.

Accepted the retirements of special education teacher Ricki Blaeser and high school Spanish teacher Devin Bergman.

Accepted the resignations of Timothy (T.J.) Stilwell as assistant girls soccer coach; Leslie Lambert as middle school special education paraprofessional; Kim Fristoe, middle school academic tutor; and Greg Boss, assistant softball coach.

Voted to hire Taylor Kunkel as assistant girls soccer coach.

Supt. Craig Olson reported that 26 school staff are being trained Feb. 22 on how to use NARCAN opioid overdose reversal kits.

The board accepted several recent donations to the school district:

A bag of hats and glove to the primary school, from Grace Lutheran Church;

Clothing and two flexible seating chairs from Bryn Hand, valued at $750;

Donors Choose grants: $269 to third grade teacher Brandy Metcalf for "We Love to Read"; and $381 to fourth grade teacher Brenda Wisner for "Operating Like A Cane."