District approves hires for 2016-17 school year

Luverne Public Schools has filled all but two of the open teacher positions for the upcoming 2016-17 school year.
Board members approved the hiring of a middle/high school counselor and instructors in life science, social studies and physical science at their April 28 meeting.
A familiar face was hired to fill the counselor position out of 11 applications the district received.
Amy Cook, who has taught family and consumer science at the high school since graduating from college six years ago, was hired as the middle/high school counselor beginning with the 2016-17 school year.
“I have always had a passion to work with students and had always wanted to be a counselor, but decided to do the education track for my undergraduate degrees,” said Cook, a graduate of South Dakota State University in Brookings.
“After coming to Luverne and having some teaching experience behind me, I still had the desire to work with kids but in a different light, which pulled me back to the counseling world.”
Cook replaces Craig Nelson, who decided to retire at the end of the current school year after 32 years in the position. Her salary will stay the same at $48,017.
The district has advertised to fill Cook’s vacant FACS position but has not hired a replacement.
Also hired was Courtney Graanstra as life science teacher (salary $37,340), Jeffrey Weber in physical science (also $37,340) and David Rysdam ($41,769) in social studies.
Rysdam has additional coaching assignments for middle school volleyball, basketball and baseball.
The industrial arts position has also been advertised but has yet to be filled.
 
In other action, the board:
•accepted the resignations of Jennifer Tofteland, paraprofessional, effective at the end of the current school year and Tony Speltz, social studies teacher and coach, effective April 8.
•approved the hiring of Joseph Stearns, long-term substitute for social studies for the remainder of the school year.
•accepted the resignation of Marilyn Swenson, two-hour food service worker, effective at the end of the school year.
•approved the request from St. Mary’s University for Melany Wellnitz to complete a principal internship with Ryan Johnson, middle/high school principal.