School Board

Tom “Chopper” Schlueter was not elected to the Hutchinson District 423 School Board on Nov. 4.

But, speaking at the district’s Monday night (Dec. 1) Truth in Taxation hearing, he said many area residents complain to him about school levies while he’s out walking, or they call him at home to vent.

As of 1:03 a.m. Nov. 5, all 28 McLeod County precincts have been counted. With 21,003 registered voters in the county, 19,124 ballots were cast. Voter turnout was 91 percent.

The unofficial results — compiled from data from the McLeod County Auditor's Office and Minnesota Secretary of State — are as follows:

• Hutchinson City Council race
MAYOR CITY OF HUTCHINSON
Steve Cook: 6,042 votes, 97.51 percent
Write-in: 154 votes, 2.49 percent

COUNCIL MEMBER SEAT 3 CITY OF HUTCHINSON
Eric Yost: 3,287 votes, 50.66 percent

The Hutchinson School District 423 Board has scheduled its next quarterly meeting for 5:30 p.m. Aug. 4, at the district’s central office, 30 Glen Street N.W., Hutchinson.

Principals for each of the district's schools will present final reports on goals they set for the 2007-08 school year.

The School Board’s next regular meeting will be 5:30 p.m. Aug. 11, at the Hutchinson City Center, 111 Hassan St. S.E.

(Jorge Sosa is a staff writer for the Hutchinson Leader. He can be reached at sosa@hutchinsonleader.com)

The Hutchinson School District 423 School Board unanimously voted Monday (July 14) to move forward with a plan for a Nov. 4 building bond vote.

The ballot items, running concurrently with the 2008 general election, will consist of two questions.

The first will ask voters if they approve tearing down two classroom wings at the high school and replacing them with a multistory wing. This proposal includes adding a new gym, replacing heating and cooling systems, creating a new entrance on the building’s west side, and other improvements. The total estimated cost: $36.7 million.

The Hutchinson School District 423 Board will continue discussing potential building upgrades next week.

The School Board’s next regular meeting — 5:30 p.m. July 14, at Hutchinson City Center, 111 Hassan St. S.E. — will include a recap of a Wednesday night facilities workshop, in which board members discussed possible upgrades to Hutchinson High School, West and Park Elementary.

Anyone interested in becoming more involved in the future of Hutchinson education has the opportunity to run for three open seats on the District 423 School Board.

Board Chair Keith Kamrath, Vice-Chair Julie Ashbaugh and Treasurer Lenore Flinn all have terms that expire in December.

In a 123-69 vote, teachers in District 423 passed a compensation package that includes a 7.75 increase in salaries and benefits.

The School Board voted to approve the final contract at 6 p.m. last night to avoid the $84,400 state penalty had an agreement not been reached by midnight.

"We have a ratified, signed contract before the deadline, which was important to everyone," Superintendent Daron VanderHeiden said.

(Lesley Christianson is a staff writer for the Hutchinson Leader.)
christianson@hutchinsonleader.com

The School Board for District 423 may conduct an emergency meeting at 6 p.m. tonight in Central Office.

An agreement was reached between the board and teachers union negotiators earlier today. Teachers are voting on the proposal now.

If passed, the board will meet tonight to approve the contracts before the midnight deadline.

If teachers reject the proposal, no meeting will take place and negotiations will continue.

(Lesley Christianson is a staff writer for the Hutchinson Leader.)
christianson@hutchinsonleader.com

The District 423 School Board will conduct a special meeting concerning teacher contract negotiations at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 2 in the City Center Council Chambers.

The District 423 School Board approved an almost $4.5 million levy at Monday night's board meeting.

This is an increase of 3.85 percent from last year's levy.