How-Winn board approves staff retirement requests

CRESCO - Howard-Winn-

eshiek School Board members approved the retirement of five long-time staff members at their Dec. 14 meeting.

They include Paula Galvin, Kindergarten Teacher; Jill McConnell, Success Teacher; Keith Slifka, PE Teacher, Head Wrestling Coach and Field Specialist; Linda Middlebrook, Elementary Principal Secretary; and Sharon Ollendieck, Jr. High Guidance Secretary.

• In other business, Superintendent Kris Einck said he was suggesting restructuring the duties of some of the administrative staff. That includes Special Education Director, District Wide; Curriculum Director, District Wide; Elementary Principal Grades PK-5 or PK-6; Middle School Principal/Activities Director Grades 5-8 or 6-8; High School Principal Grades 9-12; Assistant High School Principal Grades 9-12; and Superintendent. He noted some of the changes make more sense and others share the responsibilities of certain positions.

He also stated the Cadet Capital Campaign had raised $467,615 of its one million dollar goal. In addition, the school’s new website went live on Dec. 15.

• Brenda Lentz, Director of Special Education and Student Services, gave the dropout prevention report. She gave a little known fact about dropouts. “If a student has dropped out, maybe they are three credits short. If there is space in the program, we would take them, even if they dropped out several years ago.” If interested, she encouraged former students to contact her.

There are currently 25 spots available in the alternative program.

She also said some of the kids in the program need to work for the family and have to study differently than other students. 

There has been an increase in students looking at the alternative program because of social/emotional reasons. After being out of school during COVID, some students had a hard time adjusting to being around so many people at once.

In addition, the alternative program provides summer school.

• K-6 Principal Doug Sickles shared some of the events taking place in the lower grades.

• Einck read Lisa Dursky’s, 7-12 principal, report. She stated Jess Hillers and Karen Steffen received a $2000 McElroy Grant to use towards the purchase of SMART carts to use in Physics classes.

Some teachers paid $10 to wear jeans before winter break. The funds went to help local Crestwood families.

• Einck also read Coulter’s report.

• Don Knutson, Buildings and Grounds Custodian, gave his resignation. New hires include Marcia Bates, Kitchen Floater, and Jim Obermann, Assistant Girls Track Coach.

Activities Director Todd Coulter recommended the hiring of Gary Steffen and Rick McCarville, 7th Football Coach; Jason Sorenson and Jeff Freidhof, 8th Football Coach; Luke Jansen, 7th Volleyball Coach; Gena McCaffrey, 8th Volleyball Coach; Jon Berland, Jr. High Cross Country; Cassie Lichty, Head Cross Country Coach and Karen Steffen Assistant Cross Country Coach; Justin Denner, Head Football Coach; and Trish Hartman, Assistant Volleyball Coach.

The next board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 18 at 4:30 p.m. at NICC-Cresco Center.