A Team Staff News

A Team Staff,

From -40 windchill to +40 degrees is quite the swing of temperatures in one week! Thanks to our transportation team for helping get our students to school safely last week during those chilly days. Speaking of cold, our Cool School Plunge will take place at Discovery Middle School next week. This annual tradition is a great fundraiser for our Unified Club as well as a great opportunity to contribute to the Special Olympics of Minnesota.

On a separate note, we are continuing to monitor the actions of our state and federal governments. Decisions made at the state and federal levels impact our school district funding. As we move through the coming weeks and months, we will keep you informed of our plans for the 2025-26 school year.

Finally, our parents came out in great numbers for our parent-teacher conferences in the past few weeks. With nearly a 95% attendance rate across all our schools, we want to thank our parents and staff for partnering with us for student success. At our secondary schools, parent engagement in the registration process is key. Thanks to parents for walking alongside your teenagers as they plot their course for the future.

Enjoy the sunshine!

Rick

February 24-28 is Minnesota Public Schools Week. This week celebrates public education’s role in shaping our students, communities and future. It’s also a chance to recognize the dedicated educators, staff and families who work tirelessly to support the success of every child.

Sowing Roots Childcare, located in the Early Education Center, has first priority given to Alexandria Public Schools (APS) families. She has a temporary infant (ages 0-1) spot available March 1st until mid-August. Due to her independence from APS, please contact Vanessa directly via email, sowingrootschildcare@gmail.com, or phone (320) 293-9353.

Vanessa is a freelance graphic designer and a MN licensed Early Childhood Teacher. She has two daughters - Stella and Berkley, stepson - Jackson, two dogs and a cat! She enjoys being outside, working in the garden, riding bikes, walking, fishing, etc.

Vanessa Solarz, Sowing Roots Childcare, is continually accepting childcare registrations and a wait list.

We welcome the following individuals to our A-Team Staff:

• Kimberly Alderson: Kitchen Assistant, DMS, effective 2/10/2025
• James Boehne: Van Driver, Transportation, effective 2/10/2025
• Coty Carlson: Custodian, DMS, effective 2/24/2025
• Pia Gonzales-Jacinto: Special Education Teacher, VES, effective 3/3/2025
• Elijah Sammon: Kitchen Assistant, AAHS, 2/24/2025
• Kevin Van Batavia: Van Driver, Transportation, 2/4/2025
• Melvin Van Batavia: Van Driver, Transportation, 2/4/2025

The following staff members have submitted letters of retirement. Thank you for your service and dedication to the students and families of Alexandria Public Schools.

• Daniel Engebretson: Bus Assistant, Transportation, effective 5/30/25 [date of hire: 11/2/15]
• Susan Green: Instructional Coach, Districtwide, effective 6/4/25 [date of hire: 8/29/05]
• Darcy Josephson: Assistant Superintendent, DO, effective 6/30/25 [date of hire: 7/1/20]
• June Landgren: Speech Language Pathologist, EEC, effective 6/18/25 [date of hire: 7/1/22]

• Policy 205 - Open Meetings and Closed Meetings
• Policy 206 - Public Participation in School Board Meetings/Complaints About Persons at School Board Meetings and Data Privacy Considerations
• Policy 207 - Public Hearings
• Policy 209 - Code of Ethics
• Policy 210 - Conflict of Interest - School Board Members
• Policy 211 - Criminal or Civil Action Against School District, School Board Member, Employee or Student
• Policy 212 - School Board Member Development
• Policy 213 - School Board Committees
• Policy 214 - Out-of-State Travel by School Board Members
• Policy 215 - Addressing School Board Member Violations
• Policy 522 - Title IX Sex Nondiscrimination Policy, Grievance Procedure and Process

The Curriculum/Policy Committee reviewed the policies at their committee meeting and supports the additions and revisions.

The following policies received a first reading at the January 27, 2025 board meeting:

• Policy 101 - Legal Status of the School District
• Policy 101.1 - Name of the School District
• Policy 103 - Complaints - Students, Employees, Parents, Other Persons
• Policy 105 - Public Relations, School Communications and School Organizations
• Policy 201 - Legal Status of the School Board
• Policy 202 - School Board Officers
• Policy 203 - Operation of the School Board - Governing Rules
• Policy 203.1 - School Board Procedures, Rules of Order
• Policy 203.2 - Order of School Board Meetings
• Policy 203.5 - School Board Meeting Agenda
• Policy 203.6 - Consent Agendas
• Policy 519 - Interviews of Students by Outside Agencies
• Policy 701 - Establishment and Adoption of School District Budget
• Policy 721 - Uniform Grant Guidance Policy Regarding Federal Revenue Sources
• Policy 912 - Use of Volunteers in School

• Lincoln Elementary School principal Brendan Bogart and staff representatives Makenzie Gohman and Brady Jergenson provided an update on Lincoln's Plate to Garden Project.
• Voyager Elementary School principal Dana Christenson and staff representatives Renae Christenson and Leigh Mattox provided an update on Voyager's School of Excellence Award and its designation as a Special Olympics Unified Champion School.
• The board adopted the American Indian Parent Advisory Committee Resolution as presented by Theresa Ziebarth, chair, American Indian Parent Advisory Committee.
• The board approved the 2025 Extended School Year (ESY) Summer School Programming and Calendar as presented by Michelle Bethke-Kaliher, Director of Student Support Services.
• The board took action to approve an agreement to employ school board member, Elizabeth Paul, in the position of Paraprofessional in the Transition Center. Minnesota Statutes, section 123B.195 allows for a school board member to be newly employed or to continue employment with the school district within certain guidelines. The paraprofessional position will keep her in the salary threshold outlined in that agreement.
• The Board adopted the Resolution Reducing and Discontinuing Educational Programs and Positions as a second step of the annual process of identifying the programs that may be reduced in the upcoming school year due to changes in student enrollment and/or availability of funding.

Tami Krick, AAHS Kitchen Assistant, earned her level four certification through the School Nutrition Association.

Nichole Boyden was named Section 8AAA Assistant Gymnastics Coach of the Year.

Girls Basketball Coach Wendy Kohler has become the second most winningest coach in MSHSL Girls Basketball history, with 702 career wins.

Mollee Duffield was named Section 4AA Kick Coach of the Year.

Girls Volleyball coach Mary Byrne was named the MNVBCA State Coach of the Year for Class AAA.

Many athletes were recognized as Central Lakes Conference Performers of the Week in their respective sport:

• Kyler Kavanagh - Boys Swim & Dive: set a new pool record of 295.50 in diving
• Emma Ramstorf - Girls Hockey: in 1 game, scored 2 goals in a team win
• Addison Twa - Gymnastics: scored a Personal Best of 9.4 on floor vs. Moorhead
• Zach Richards - Wrestling: won 8 matches with 7 of the matches with bonus points
• Camree Miller - Girls Basketball: in 2 games, scored 21 points, had 14 steals, 5 assists and 6 rebounds
• McKinley Hoelscher - Girls Basketball: in 2 games, scored 21 points, had 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals
• Krew Muscha - Boys Swim & Dive: broke the Sartell pool record, finishing 2nd in diving

Kira Johnson and Addison Twa have both qualified for the MSHSL State Gymnastics Tournament. Kira won the All-Around Competition at the Section Meet, while Addison qualified on bars.

The Girls Nordic Ski Team placed 2nd in the Conference Meet, 1st at the Section 8 Meet and competed at State.

The Boys Nordic Ski Team took 3rd at the Conference Meet.

The Girls Hockey Team took home the title of Central Lakes Conference Champions.

The Girls Basketball Team also won the title of CLC Champions.

Alexandria Area High School winners of the Triple A Award (Academics, Arts and Athletics) are Lydia Oldenkamp and Daniel Jackson. Each MSHSL region selects one male and one female from the high school winners to move on in the competition. Daniel Jackson is the Region 8AA male winner and will move on to compete in the State competition for a four-year, $1,000 scholarship.

Join us in celebrating Alexandria Public Schools' Superintendent, Rick Sansted, on receiving the 2025 Region 4 Administrators of Excellence Award!

This prestigious honor is awarded annually to one administrator from each of the nine MASA regions, recognizing exceptional leadership, dedication to students, and involvement in both professional and community affairs.

“Rick is a leader among leaders. His thoughtfulness and student-centered approach greatly benefit the Alexandria community, as well as our region and state. We are grateful for his contributions, service, and leadership.” – LCSC Executive Director Jeremy Kovash.

Rick and fellow award recipients will be recognized at the 2025 MASA/MASE Spring Conference.

Feb 27: 9-12 Registration; 6-8 Parent Conferences

March 3: 6-8 Parent Conferences; 9-12 Registration

March 3: ECFE Spring Session Starts

March 5: DMS Cool School Plunge. Sign up now and make a difference!

March 9: Daylight Savings Time Begins

March 10: DMS 6th grade Band Concert (Purple/Gold) @ 6:30 p.m., (Red/Blue) @ 7:30 p.m.; and DMS & AAHS Jazz Bands Concert, DMS Gym.

March 11: Township Elections; No Activities from 6:00-8:00 p.m.

March 13: No School PreK-5; School in Session 6-12

March 14: No School PreK-12

March 17: School Board Meeting, District Office, 7:00 p.m.

March 17: 70th Kiwanis Concert, AAHS PAC, 7:00 p.m. Tickets sold at the door. $7/adult, $5 student.

March 20: 12th annual Empty Bowls Project, AAHS Commons, 5:00-7:00 p.m.

March 20: DMS Spring Play, "High School Rebels", DMS Auditorium, 5:30 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.

March 26: 2-hour late start PreK-12

March 27: STEAM Expo, AAHS, 4:30-7:00 p.m.

March 28: End of 3rd Quarter

Now Renting Winter Gear!
SnowShoes, Cross Country Skis, Ice Fishing Package

Yard games for all your party (graduation, birthday, family reunions and more) needs!

Life Size Connect-4, Giant Jenga, Badminton/Volleyball
Bean Bag Toss, Ladder Golf, Spike Ball, Four Square,
Kubb, Dynamic Dunk, Pickleball Set and Aqua Mat

Pricing and more information can be found HERE.

Our Mission is to achieve educational excellence and to inspire a life-long passion for learning.

Our Vision is to be an extraordinary school district that tailors learning for all, by working together!

Email: jjohnson@alexschools.org
Website: www.alexschools.org
Location: 1410 South McKay Ave., Suite 201 Alexandria, MN 56308
Phone: 320-762-2141
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alexmnschools/

Instagram: @alexmnschools

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_iI9ts5_R87BvAMxvlM69A