Luverne School Board talks hiring, graduation rates

Concerns over replacing teachers within Luverne Public School District were relieved when more than 25 applied for three open positions after only a few weeks of advertising.
Superintendent Craig Oftedahl updated School Board members on the positive responses at their rescheduled meeting Tuesday, March 29.
Eleven applied for the middle-high school guidance counselor, 10 for the social studies teacher and six for the science position.
“We are pretty happy,” Oftedahl said. “I think we will have some options, so that is great.”
Last month administrators voiced concerns about finding qualified replacements after a state report showed issuance of teaching licenses has dropped 27 percent in the past decade.
Counselors were listed as one of the hardest positions to fill with qualified candidates, along with specialized areas such as science.
The district began interviewing last week for the three open positions and will advertise a recent opening in industrial arts and another in science.
 
District commended for its graduation rates
Luverne Public Schools received a commendation letter from the Minnesota Department of Education on March 24.
Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius congratulated the district for reaching a 90 percent graduation rate in 2015.
“I want to congratulate you and your staff for your tireless efforts to make sure students are put on a path for success in college or career,” Cassellius said in the letter.
Minnesota set a goal for each school district to achieve a 90-percent graduation rate with no student group below 85 percent by 2020.
According to the letter the state’s graduation rate has increased 6.4 percentage points, up from 75.5 percent in 2010 to 81.9 percent in 2015. The rates are recorded for districts having at least 20 students graduating.
“It’s a hats off and a credit to our people,” Luverne Superintendent Oftedahl said.
Within the Star Herald coverage area, Ellsworth and Adrian districts were also commended for their 90 percent graduation achievements.
Hills-Beaver Creek achieved an 88 percent graduation rate in 2015.
 
In other business, the Luverne school board:
•Accepted the resignations of Kathy Sommers, life science teacher, effective May 23, and John Hubbard, industrial arts teacher, effective at the end of the current school year.
•Approved Harley Fransman and Stacy Olson as volunteer softball coaches.