• Agreed to purchase 100 trees to be used as a  tree line on newly-acquired property, as required. John Loxtercamp, who owns a tree farm and needs to remove 125 trees by a power line on his property, offered to supply the trees, dig them, deliver them and plant them in the new spot for $25 each. The School Board guesstimated that without this offer, the district would most likely have paid $250 per tree for those services;

• Approved coaching responsibilities for the football team which pairs Swanville with Upsala for the USA football team. Jay Loven will be the head coach; Rand Tretter assistant  coach/defensive coordinator; Adam Gerads – assistant coach/offensive coordinator; and Mark Herbes assistant coach/special teams coordinator;

• Approved a joint purchasing agreement with the Anoka Hennepin School District, which would allow food to be purchased at a lower rate through that district’s contract;

• Raised breakfast rates by 5 cents and lunch rates by 10 cents for the 2012-2013 school year. Supt. Gene Harthan said the new calculations from the state suggest the district should raise meal prices by 13 cents, but capped it at 10 cents. When the rates take effect, elementary breakfast will cost $1.20 and the high school $1.25. Elementary lunch will cost $1.95 and high school $2.10.

• As the district does every year, placed all part-time employees on summer lay-off status to protect their Public Employees Retirement Association  (PERA) status;

• Accepted the resignation of Charles Reichert for his 18 years of service with the Alternative Learning Center (ALC). The Board will not replace Reichert’s position;

• Offered their statement of support for the Guard and Reserve;

• Heard Swanville students who have donated blood at least four times during their high school career would be awarded a red cord to wear during their graduation ceremony, courtesy of the American Red Cross as part of its “Red Cord Honors” program;

• Was invited to the staff/senior breakfast that will be served Friday morning, May 25, at 7:30 a.m.;

• Were reminded the Tech Team would take part in the Supermileage event in Brainerd using the car they built, Sunday – Tuesday, May 13 – 15; and

• Were reminded graduation ceremonies would be held Friday, May 25.

The Swanville School Board’s next meeting will be held Tuesday, June 12, at 7 p.m. in the high school library. The Board will not meet in July.

As part of reaching its goal to cut $150,000 from the School District’s budget, the Swanville School Board approved cutting holiday pay for part-time paraprofessionals (paras) and cooks, saving $5,750, and inservice days for paras for a savings of $6,536.

This is in addition to cuts proposed in April — a social worker position; and positions in speech, English, math, elementary physical education, hours in social studies and science, and a Title I position and paraprofessionals, for a savings of $103,751.

The district will also discontinue its contribution for the family insurance plan for part-time employees, but will contribute toward a single plan. However, the seven employees affected will have the option to carry and pay for the family plan on their own. This will save the district approximately $26,949.

Charles Reichert, who runs the Alternative Learning Center (ALC), will retire this year. To save $19,265, the Board will not fill that position.

Another consideration, which was not approved, was to ask part-time employees laid off in the summer to pay their insurance premiums through COBRA, saving the district having to pay part of the premiums.

“Making staff take COBRA over the summer and not paying for family insurance would be too much,” said Supt. Gene Harthan.

The superintendent said the Board worked to make cuts that affected the classroom the least.

Health insurance is offered to employees who work 20 hours per week or more.

Proposed cuts not acted on included distributing the school newsletters four times per year instead of nine ($560 savings); cutting refreshments for board meetings ($150) and inservices ($400) and another para position ($12,000 – $15,000).

The Board also approved increases in athletic fees and ticket prices for the 2012-2013 year.

Athletic fees were raised $10 for grades 9 – 12 (now $40), and $5 for grades 7 – 8 (now $25).

“I’m really torn with raising athletic fees,” said Board Member Chris Kircher. “Ten dollars is not a lot, it may raise some revenue, but it may deter kids, too.”

Board Member Jay Loven, who is also the head football coach, said he often tells athletes if they have a problem with the fees, they should come to him, so it can be worked out.

“Kids don’t come up and say, ‘I can’t play because I don’t have the money,’” said Loven.

Ticket prices for athletic events will be $6 for adults and $4 for students, an increase of $1, but will remain $3 for senior citizens.

Tickets for fine arts activities such as plays and concerts will remain at $5 for adults and $3 for students and seniors.

The Board also approved charging $20 per couple to attend prom and also approved charging admission to next year’s prom. It will cost adults $5 and students and seniors $3 to watch the grand march.

The arrest was made on the basis of bank records indicating that Burkett had misused funds belonging to the Long Prairie Chamber of Commerce between mid-2011 to April 2012. Todd County court records allege that the thefts occurred from July 1, 2011, through April 30, and amounted to an estimated $29,191.28.

Burkett made an appearance in Otter Tail County Court Thursday, represnted by her attorney, Jason Hastings of Fergus Falls. She was charged with two counts of felony theft: theft over $5,000 and theft by swindle over $5,000.

Due to a potential conflict of interest, the case was introduced in Otter Tail County. “Since Burkett was employed by the city of Long Prairie, and her husband is employed by Todd County, Otter Tail County agreed to do this for Todd County,” said Otter Tail prosecuting attorney Michelle Eldien. “Counties sometimes agree to do this for each other.”

Burkett’s first appearance combined two hearings, on Rule 5 regarding being advised of the charges against her and her right to an attorney, and on Rule 8 regarding providing disclosures such as reports.

“Since the charges involved a property crime and she had no jail history, she was released on her own recognizance,” said Eldien. “The next hearing is typically scheduled within 30 days, and it will be in Todd County. I will be handling the case until the end.”

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, May 21, 2012 at Mary of the Immaculate Conception Church in Rockville, MN for Verina K. Hennen, age 82, who died Thursday at her home.  Burial will be in the Parish Cemetery.

Relatives and friends may call after 4:00 p.m. Sunday at the Wenner Funeral Home in Cold Spring.  Parish Prayers will be at 7:00 p.m. followed by a rosary with Mary of Immaculate Conception Christian Women.  Visitation will continue Monday morning from 9:00 – 10:15 a.m. at the funeral home.

Verina was born in Collegeville to John and Catherine (Jansen) Ressemann.  She married Oliver Hennen on July 16, 1949 at St. John’s in Collegeville.  Verina was a cook for several restaurants in the area.  She loved to knit and was a member of Mary of Immaculate Conception Parish and the Christian Women.

Survivors include her husband, Oliver; sons, Oliver Jr. (Mary) of Pine Tree Grove, IL, John (Liz) of St. Cloud, Mark (Betty) of St. Cloud, Alois (Becky) of Elsmore, KS, Luke of St. Cloud, Mathew of Rice, William (Karen) of Avon; daughters, Margaret Smith of Cold Spring, Ann (Craig) Nelson of Monticello, Mabel (Ken) Schmitz of St. Augusta, Eileen (Rich) Rebella of St. Augusta; sister, Lucille Neu; sisters-in-law, Renee Ressemann, Jackie Ressemann; 41 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; 3 brothers; 6 sisters; grandson, Cory Hennen.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, May 18 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Grey Eagle with Rev. Ronald Dockendorf officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery with military honors by the Melrose Veterans Honor Guard.

Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. on Friday at the church in Grey Eagle.

Frank Carl Waldvogel was born July 1, 1925 in Grey Eagle Township, Todd County, Minnesota to John and Mildred (Marty) Waldvogel. He served in the U.S. Army from 1944 to 1946, stationed in Germany and France. On October 15, 1946 he married June Rohde at the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Grey Eagle. He managed the Municipal Liquor in Grey Eagle for 20 years and dairy farmed until 2001.  Frank was an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed spending time with his family.

He was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Grey Eagle and the Schanhaar-Otte VFW Post 7050 of Melrose.

Survivors include his wife, June Waldvogel of Burtrum; children, Gene (Connie) Waldvogel of Grey Eagle, Lavonne (Dennis) Sprenger of Alexandria, and Lonnie (Judy) Waldvogel of Melrose; seven grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

Frank was preceded in death by his parents, John and Mildred Waldvogel; daughter, Mary Ann Waldvogel; step-father, Anton Berens; brother, Ray Waldvogel; and sister, Loretta Heisick.

Serving as casket bearers will be Jim Athmann, Curly Wiehoff, Micky Kramer, Vern Klasen, Don Van Drehle, Gene Rademacher, and Don Salzmann. Cross bearer will be Cory Trautman and scripture bearer will be Chris Sprenger. Gift bearers will be Dawn Shay and Shawn Waldvogel.  Reader will be Dennis Waldvogel. Eucharistic Ministers will be Galen and Geraldine Allen.

Arrangements were made with Patton-Schad Funeral & Cremation Services of Grey Eagle.

Mass of Christian Burial was held on Saturday, May 19, 2012, 11:00 a.m., at St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Long Prairie with Fr. Rich Walz officiating.  Burial was at St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Catholic Cemetery, Long Prairie.

Emma was born November 6, 1923, fourth out of a family of ten, to George & Anna (Lascho) Pachan, in Hartford Township, Todd County. After graduating  from Browerville, Emma went to Minneapolis and worked for Twin City Arsenal Plant in New Brighton. When the war ended Emma attended Cosmetology School and worked as a beautician for several years. Emma married Charles Buhl on July 30, 1949, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Minneapolis. She started working at Northwestern Bell in 1951 and retired in 1982. Emma was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Long Prairie and a life member of the VFW. She enjoyed  crocheting, traveling, cooking and fishing.

Emma is survived by her husband Charles of Long Prairie, siblings: Evelyn Jonckowski of St. Paul, Ann Wettstein of Long Prairie, Joe Pachan of Long Prairie, Ed Pachan of Eagle Bend, Alex Pachan of Sauk Centre and many nieces and nephews.
Emma is preceded in death by her parents and siblings Johnny, Andy, Helen and Mary.

In conjunction with this milestone, the city of St. Cloud (home to Claude Lewis) has also organized an entire two-month event entitled “Main Street to Eighth Street” — which celebrates the lives of Sinclair and Claude Lewis.

A Sinclair Lewis Film Festival, Lewis Family in St. Cloud lecture and discussion and an Arts and Letters Home Tour of the South Side are all scheduled for the weekend of June 7 – 9 in St. Cloud.

Each Tuesday in May, the St. Cloud Public Library is hosting “The Wit and Wisdom of Sinclair Lewis.”