The GFW School Board held a regular meeting on Monday, May 20, 2024. A summary of the meeting is below.
Watch the meeting on YouTube:
Superintendent’s Report
Dr. Horton shared that there were a lot of exciting things happening at the end of the school year. He also shared about the school farm that was planted last week. Member Turtle invited Dr. Horton to help plant about 13 acres of field corn on the new 15 acre farm that is the beginning of a very community-centered and driven project including support from the Farmers Legacy Fund and donated seed and time from the community. Member Turtle also shared that they will be harvesting and the money made will support additional programming. The district is connecting with other districts who have school farms and plan to make the program more student-driven with community involvement.
School Reports
Principal Thompson shared updates on all of end-of-year school activities. GFW Elementary held their spring concert last week with a beach and water themed show that had great attendance at both performances. Students were also able to invite grandparents and the special people in their lives to school for Grand Persons Day. One of the visitors was Richard Ross who brought a fossilized tusk recently found in Minnesota to share with students. Visitors also did classroom activities and explored the school. There will be an end of year celebration for T-Bird Way next week and preschool graduation will take place on May 22. Some grades are also participating in field trips including a trip to the middle school and high school for ag experience day where fourth graders got to meet some animals and connect with FFA students.
T-Bird Community Arts will be presenting a production of Annie this summer and the first round of tryouts were held with a great turnout with more tryouts being held this week. TCA Arts Camp is in June with registration forms having gone home for grades 3-8 and they will be presenting Finding Nemo at the end of camp.
At GFW Middle School and High School, the end of the school year is a busy time. Students have been participating in field trips including a Food Chemistry trip to Bongards, Earth Day Tree Planting, a trip to the Sibley County Courthouse, Cinco de Mayo lunch at Plaza in New Ulm, an Abnormal Psychology trip to the Eagle's Healing Nest and Renville County Parks Outdoor Education Day.
Students have also been sharing their talents at the recent band and choir concert and the annual Variety Show with two performances. Staff and students are also building the Middle School PBIS program with monthly recognitions and fun activities with help from the GFW NHS students who also organized the annual blood drive. Students completed MCA and FastBridge testing and are preparing for graduation.
School Board Reports
Board members shared updates from committee work including updates on the work taking place on the new school site.
Kraus-Anderson shared a financial update on the construction project with actual dollars with current bids and upcoming work. Revenue is largely unchanged with some MnDOT District 7 funding being added. Construction budgets have been updated and include temporary construction costs, site services, and others. The project remains under budget.
The Community Engagement Committee shared updates on social studies standards that will be updated in 2025.
Logo and Mascot Update
The Community Engagement Committee worked with the third party group who designed the new logo in 2020 to survey the community and establish a plan to transition to a new mascot name. In every demographic group in the survey, the top choice was Firebirds. The board took action on approving the change. The deadline to change mascots has been extended, but because of the new school and construction, the district will be transitioning to the new mascot ahead of the 2025-26 school year. The 2024-25 school year will be the final year that the Thunderbird is the mascot.
Consent Agenda, Resolutions and Action Items
The board approved the consent agenda.
The board approved Firebirds as the new mascot for GFW Public Schools.
The board approved the Q-Comp Plan for FY25
The board approved bids for the facility project.
The board approved a resolution for 2024-25 MSHSL Membership