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Pope County Tribune - Starbuck Times
Written by Zach Anderson - Starbuck Times New Editor   
Wednesday, 31 August 2011 13:17

GHES hires new fifth-grade teacher; total enrollment at 102


GHESVetDy071109choir03_225The Glacial Hills Elementary School Board met to discuss staffing for the upcoming school year as well as approve the hiring of Jessica Balog as the new fifth and sixth-grade teacher at the regular monthly meeting on August 22.

GHES is in need of a new freezer to accommodate the produce from the school garden, and the Brang Foundation granted some money to help with the purchasing of the freezer. In total, Brang will donate about $3,000, and GHES will pay $1,425 to get the freezer. The board approved the purchase of the freezer.

In the director's report, Director Deb Mathias said the enrollment numbers for the upcoming school year is at 102 students. Enrollment per class is as follows: K-25, 1st-17, 2nd-15, 3rd-17, 4th-10, 5th-13, 6th-5.

GHES will also be participating in the North Country Food Bank/Feeding America Backpack program sponsored by the local Horizons group. Food gets delivered and sent home in backpacks for the children to have to eat over the weekends.

Mathias also said there will be a back to school picnic on Sept. 1 with Papa Murphy's pizzas for sale.

The school also obtained a fresh fruit and vegetable grant offered by Minnesota Departmetn of Education, which will allow the school to serve fresh fruit and vegetable snacks during the week for a minimum of two days per week.

As well as hiring Balog as the new fifth and sixth grade teacher, GHES has an open kindergarten position after former kindergarten GHES teacher Mary Kay Frederickson resigned from her position. Current second grade teacher Mary Giese agreed to fill the open kindergarten spot which opened up a second grade teacher position. The school hired Beth Hartokolis as the new second grade teacher. The school will also hire an additional 0.3 FTE licensed staff member to assist with kindergarten.

In other action, the board approved 3 percent raises for licensed staff members and quarter raises for hourly workers (paraprofessionals).