School district to dedicate remodeled buildings

BRAINERD — A whole slew of dedication ceremonies for new and renovated Brainerd Public Schools buildings are set for April and May.

The schedule of events is as follows:

• 9 a.m. April 25: Lowell Elementary.
• 9 a.m. May 3: Nisswa Elementary.
• 5:30 p.m. May 4: Brainerd High School Aquatic Center.
• 9 a.m. May 5: Harrison Elementary.
• 9 a.m. May 10: Riverside Elementary.
• 9 a.m. May 12: Baxter Elementary.
• 9 a.m. May 17: Garfield Elementary.
• 9 a.m. May 20: Warrior Early Learning Center.

Many of the dedications were put off because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Superintendent Laine Larson told School Board members at their meeting April 11.
“We’re hoping that as many people from the community that can will come out to those dedications,” Larson said. “... What a great opportunity to be able to dedicate these lovely facilities. We’re finally there, and we can do that.”The events will include speeches, performances from students, ribbon cuttings and the unveiling of plaques for the buildings, which were all part of the district’s $205 million bonding referendum approved by voters in 2018.

A tour of the aquatic center will take place after the May 4 dedication. Tours of the other buildings will not be possible on the days of the ceremonies, as they are scheduled during the school day, but Larson said she is working with Reichert’s to schedule a bus tour of various facilities in June so members of the public can see the work that has been done.

In other business April 11, the School Board:

Approved new hires: Jamie Boesen, long-term substitute at Riverside Elementary; Jackie Extrand, guidance counselor at Brainerd High School; Natalia Lynch, school psychologist at Paul Bunyan Education Cooperative; Sadie Moore, speach language pathologist at Nisswa Elementary; Jolene Parks, special education teacher at Brainerd Learning Center; Alexis Roering, long-term substitute at Riverside Elementary; Jessie Shepherd, social studies teacher at BHS; Reuben Anderson, long-term special education educational assistant substitute at Lowell Elementary; Beatriz Luna Gonzalez, districtwide long-term adult basic education secretary; Makayla Grower Hamm, districtwide child care program assistant; Caleb Kalahar, districtwide custodian; Bridget Larson, purchasing specialist at Washington Educational Services Building; Trevor Lucas, districtwide custodian; Traci McKay, long-term special education educational assistant substitute at Forestview Middle School; Craig Otteson, districtwide special education transportation assistant; Barry Trigo, early childhood pre-kindergarten plus program assistant at Warrior Early Learning Center; Rachelle Twiss, long-term substitute early childhood care classroom lead at Warrior Early Learning Center; Olivia Wiskow, behavior management specialist at BHS; Deanna Anderson, assistant ninth grade softball coach; Lori Anderson, game/event worker at BHS; Daniel Billet, assistant boys hockey coach; Katie Borg, game/event worker at BHS; Dylan Conner, districtwide Fun ‘N’ Friends program assistant; Tom Heinrich, junior high assistant Nordic ski coach; Mike Knapp, assistant Nordic ski coach;. Ruth Leinonen-Shepard, game/event worker at BHS; Kaleigh Moline, districtwide child care program assistant; Masen Molitor, districtwide Fun ‘N’ Friends program assistant; Andrew Murray, assistant boys hockey coach; Kayden Peterson, districtwide Fun ‘N’ Friends program assistant; Kevin Robertson, assistant Nordic ski coach; Katheryn Staley, districtwide child care program assistant.

Accepted donations to the district: $300 from Central Lakes Drywall Inc. for the Super Mileage Club at BHS; $200 from Costco for the district’s Angel Food Fund.

Approved a change event for the Brainerd High School north campus project for added fire dampers, not to exceed $70,260. That cost is still within the project’s budget.

Approved a contract with Anderson Brothers Construction for the demolition of Lincoln Education Center at a cost of $408,663.19.

Approved a course renumbering system at BHS to align with the Minnesota Common Course Catalog.