School Board Member Lorrie Mullholland receives a school bell and plaque from Chairman Peter Brasket for her many years of service on the Delano School Board, Monday, Nov. 24.

The Delano School Board, Monday, Nov. 24, received an enthusiastic outlook for its athletic teams from Joe Haas, the district's new athletic director. "This fall started off with a Bang and continued throughout the entire season," remarked Haas.

In reviewing the previous year, he has found an increase of 31 participants this fall in the school's team sports. He accredits the increased involvement to the youth and community programs being offered that feed into the school's sports. The increased numbers are mainly in boys and girls soccer, volleyball, cross country and swimming. Some 55 percent of boys and 45 percent of girls are participating in sports.

"This is a great trend," remarked Haas.

Currently the Wright County Conference requires all schools involved in the conference must vote unanimously to approve allowing other schools into the conference. Athletic directors of the Wright County Conference have had discussion that the vote should be changed to a 3/4th vote. Wright County Conference is made up of some very big schools and many small ones.

"The Wright County Conference is a very strong conference and we want to keep it that way," commented Haas.

He along with other athletic directors feel the vote change might be more appropriate in maintaining a strong conference.

The Hutchinson School District applied in 2007 to change to the Wright County Conference mainly due to the traveling time to and from games they experience. Hutchinson is another big school and Haas is concerned that this might hurt the smaller schools with smaller enrollments. School Board member Schaust questioned what the ideal number of schools in a conference should be and would smaller schools be able to compete. Haas felt Delano is in the middle, but larger schools bring an added benefit of higher competition. If Hutchinson does come into the Wright County Conference it won't be until 2010 due to each school's commitments.

Haas commented on the track program and its many disciplines and offered that another coach may be necessary in the future not only because of the numbers involved but safety issues. Future discussions will be necessary if more levels of team sports are added.

MENK FAMILY GIVES GIFT

Daniel and Kimberly Menk were thanked by Chairman Peter Brasket and Community Education Director Diane Johnson for the $1,000 donation given to help upgrade the Community Education's playground.

The family participates in the ECFE (Early Childhood Family Education) programs.

RESIGNATIONS, HIRES, CHANGES AND LEAVES

The board also accepted the resignation of Paula Bottko, High School Paraprofessional.

The board accepted the hiring of Jeffrey Lunch, High School Night Custodian.

The board approved the Collective Bargaining Agreement with the SEIU (Service Employees International Union), Local 284 Paraprofessional Bargaining Unit. Chairman Brasket thanked Dr. Sweet and Board member Gallagher on the lengthy process and work they did on behalf of getting the right language for the finalized agreement.

The board accepted the leave of absence of Meghan Gibas.

SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER ACKNOWLEDGED

Lorrie Mulholland was thanked for her many years of service on the Delano School Board and presented the gold school bell from Chairman Brasket.

Mulholland's current employment has made it necessary for her to resign from the board. She will be missed by the board.

HIGH SCHOOL UPDATES

Principal Matt Schoen announced that second quarter conferences would be Dec. 3.

This year unlike past years, three informational sessions will be held for parents and students informing them about the free CLEP (College Level Examination Program)Tests, Rigger will talk about AP (Advanced Placement) classes offered at the High School and on-line classes offered by Rasmussen College. The information sessions will be held at 5, 6 and 7 p.m. on Dec. 3.

Parents will have an opportunity to review the new on-line school calendar on the school's website which parents will be able to customize to their needs.

OPEN ENROLLMENT

The Delano School District reviews open enrollment on a yearly basis and currently only 1% is allowed per grade. "Sometimes people look to other districts when their area has failed their operating levy," said Superintendent Sweet.

In the 2007-08 school year, 29 students were open enrolled. Dr. Sweet commented that he has already received several calls by people in other districts. "We are basically full," said Sweet.

Both Gallagher and Milano expressed their desire to keep class size small to increase academic achievement. "With open enrollment comes additional funding and possible additional staff," mentioned Brasket.

The resolution carried 6 to 1 that the 2009-10 school year would limit open enrolment. Open enrollment is on a "First come first served" basis.