Waitsburg School Board discusses sports, property sale at March meeting

WAITSBURG—The Waitsburg School Board met Thursday, March 18, for a regularly-scheduled meeting. Board members Christy House and Ross Hamann were unable to attend the March meeting. The school board is currently meeting in-person, with a Zoom option for anyone interested in attending virtually.

Before the business meeting, the school board held a public hearing to discuss whether or not to sell two district-owned properties. The two properties in question were willed to the district in 1975 as part of the Vollmer Estate. The district has not used the properties for school-purposes and has no plans in the foreseeable future.

There were no members of the public that wished to speak during the public hearing. The board will update details surrounding the potential sale at future school board meetings.

Immediately following the hearing, the school board began the business portion of the meeting.

Secondary principal Stephanie Wooderchak shared that the Shout Out board is filling up with photos at the Preston Hall Middle School.

Waitsburg High School was celebrating Homecoming Week, and everyone was looking forward to the Senior Nights for both football and volleyball. Some of the homecoming events were buff puff volleyball, balloon toss, and decorating the Cage at the high school.

Preston Hall and Waitsburg High School will be hosting open-house events on March 30 from 3 p.m. - 7 p.m., and parent-teacher conferences will be held on March 31 by appointment. The district is offering Zoom conferences for families that prefer to meet virtually.

Spring sports will begin practice in March. Currently, Dayton Waitsburg Athletics is planning on offering baseball and softball teams. Between the two schools, 13 students are signed up for baseball and 14 for softball. Superintendent Mark Pickel said that the two schools are still trying to get students interested in the golf and track and field programs, interest is low, and there may not be teams for those sports this year.

The DW Athletics has hired a dedicated athletic director, Sam Korslund, for the spring and winter sports seasons. Korslund was also approved as the football assistant coach, following the resignation of John Watts. Watts will still coach baseball.

The trees have been removed from Caroline Street, at the athletic field. Pickel said that the trees were in worse condition than the district initially thought, and it was a ‘very good thing they came down when they did.’

At Waitsburg Elementary, students have been busy with activities like the Read Across America program, celebrating Dr. Suess. The Waitsburg Winners program has also made a comeback this year, with many good deeds being recognized.

The district is still searching for a K-12 Music teacher, and Pickel said he has reached out to surrounding universities. Two schools have responded, forwarding the job listing to their music departments for interested college students.

During the Superintendent’s Report, Pickel reported that the school submitted their reopening plans, a necessary step to receive SR2 money (stimulus relief funds). Pickel said that Waitsburg’s reopening plan was approved within days, and the district will receive approximately $218,000, available by the end of March.

The board adjourned the business meeting, following policy readings, before entering an executive session.