Winona School Board Welcomes New Assistant Principals Steve Gilbertson and Alexa Michael

The Winona Area Public School District held a significant board meeting on August 7, 2025, where key discussions centered around the introduction of new administrative personnel and the approval of several policy changes mandated by recent legislative updates.

The meeting commenced with a roll call, confirming the presence of all board members. Following this, the board approved the agenda unanimously, setting the stage for the evening's discussions. A highlight of the meeting was the introduction of two new assistant principals: Steve Gilbertson, who has been with the district since 2009 and is transitioning from a teaching role to administration at Winona Senior High, and Alexa Michaels, who is new to the district and excited to join the Winona community after previously working in Houston.

The board then moved on to address several action items, primarily focusing on policy changes that were required due to legislative updates from the 2025 session. Superintendent Brad Hines noted that one policy regarding overdose medications was pulled for further review and would be revisited at the next meeting. The remaining policies were presented for approval, with one board member seeking clarification on a specific policy change related to school start dates. The discussion clarified that while the general rule prohibits schools from starting before Labor Day, exceptions for the 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 school years were being noted due to the calendar alignment.

After a brief discussion, the board voted to approve the slate of policies, indicating a commitment to align with state mandates while ensuring the district's operational needs are met. The meeting concluded with a report on fundraising efforts, signaling ongoing initiatives to support the district's programs.

Overall, the meeting underscored the district's proactive approach to leadership transitions and compliance with legislative requirements, reflecting a commitment to enhancing educational governance and community engagement. The next steps include further discussions on the pulled policy and continued monitoring of fundraising activities to support district initiatives.