Superintendent reports on athletics, building finishes, IT staffing and safety upgrades

Superintendent Mr Swanberg used the Nov. 4 meeting to summarize activities across athletics, facilities and district operations.

On athletics he said middle‑school football fielded seventh‑ and eighth‑grade teams despite scheduling challenges and the high school hosted a playoff game. Cross‑country sent two runners (Nora and Owen) to the state meet. He reported increased costs for varsity football officials because officials are now being paid mileage; the district borne expenses when hosting.

Mr Swanberg noted existing cooperative arrangements and described a recently negotiated gymnastics co‑op with St. Peter (approved by the board) that will allow one junior to participate on a high‑school team without adding significant expenses. He said other co‑op proposals are evaluated based on student interest and cost.

On facilities, staff recapped a successful open house at the new elementary building, noted community interest in using the new gym for activities such as pickleball and walking, and outlined finishing work planned over the Christmas break (gym line installation and bench placement). He also said building lockdown and storm‑shelter systems are functioning with phone and security integrations.

On staffing, Mr Swanberg proposed moving an IT position from halftime to full‑time to keep more services in‑house and reduce outsourcing costs; he stated that the district had discussed the change with union representatives and that the employee currently in the role would expand duties to cover some previously outsourced work.

Board members asked about traffic patterns at student pickup and the superintendent and staff said they would continue to re‑educate and improve signage to reduce congestion and safety risks.