BENSON -- The Benson School Board approved an educational assistant for the district's second-grade classes at the regular meeting Monday.
The part-time assistant will float between the three second-grade sections and will help students with reading, math and language arts, according to Shelly Johnson, interim superintendent.
There are 86 children in second grade, making the class a "bubble" grade with more students than the other elementary grades. The three section teachers have worked out a schedule to share the assistant's time, he added.
The board passed a resolution asking the Minnesota State High School League appeals board to reverse a previous decision that allowed Milaca and Mora to join the West Central Conference.
Johnson noted that all 16 schools in the conference objected to adding Milaca and Mora to the conference and all are appealing the decision based on the travel distance to those districts. The appeals board will hear the case Dec. 15 and is expected to rule with seven to 10 days. The final decision lies with the board of directors of the league.
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In other action, the board:
- Agreed to have district representatives meet with the city of Benson to begin discussion on the potential of building the district's vocational class house on a city-owned lot. The vocational education class builds a home on school property each year, Johnson explained. The house is sold on bids each summer and moved off to its final destination.
- Heard a report that Johnson will meet with city officials and law enforcement to determine if upgrades to city intersections are needed to provide students with safe routes to school.
If improvements are needed, the district will apply for federal Safe Routes to School grant money. The funding is made available to encourage children to walk or ride bicycle to school and to ensure their safety while doing so.
