Thursday, May 2, 2013

Volume 97; Number 44

www.bladepublishing.net staff@bladepublishing.net

A community newspaper serving Browerville, MN and surrounding areas. USPS 067-560

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Todd County Board hears request to hire 2.5 ACA positions

By Rin Porter At its April 23 work session, Todd County Commissioners heard from Health and Human Services (HS) Director Cheryl Schneider that she needs to hire 2.5 people to take on the work of determining eligibility of Todd County residents for healthcare coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, when it goes into full effect beginning Oct. 1 Schneider said she had received estimates that about 1,100 additional Todd County residents would be eligible for healthcare coverage under ACA. These people are not currently receiving coverage under other government health plans, but would become eligible on Oct.1. Schneider said she does not have enough staff to cover 1,100 more applicants and provide case management services for them. Her department needs to hire qualified people to process the applications that those residents will submit for ACA coverage. The federal and state governments will pay for about 50% of the salaries of the new employees, but the county must pay the other 50%. The positions are expected to last for between three and four years, until the Minnesota State Health Insurance Exchange is up and running. When it is, people will be able to file their applications for ACA coverage online, without the need for county employees to process the applications. Schneider told commissioners that her department needs about six months lead time to be able to recruit and train the new personnel, so it is important for the board to approve her request as soon as possible. Schneider said she expects to designate one of the new employees to handle phone calls about ACA, a second person to do application processing full time, and the part-time employee to serve as a foreign-language interpreter. Commissioner Dave Kircher raised the question of how the county could hire people for only three or four years, and then terminate them. This would violate current union contracts. Schneider replied that this issue would have to be negotiated with union representatives and addressed in union contracts. She also said that she anticipated that there would be Continued on page 16

Math Masters bring home medals

The Browerville 5th Grade Math Masters team consisting of Justin Crandall, Justin Host, Marissa Lenz, Jack Nedoroscik, Ben Olander, and Alayna Quistorff traveled to Hutchinson for a one day competition on April 25th. The competition consisted of 27 teams and 135 students, with most of the teams being from bigger schools including Becker, St Michael-Albertville, Dassel-Cokato, Hutchinson, and Rocori. The team from Browerville came away with medals both individually and team. Justin Crandall finished 6th place out of 135 students. As a team, they finished 4th place out of 27 teams. Justins 6th place and the teams 4th place are the highest finishes that Browerville has had in their 9 year history of being in the 5th grade Math Masters one day competition. All of the team members finished in the top 50%.

Eagle Valley School Board picks Principal Barry Johnson as next Superintendent
By Rin Porter At a special meeting held April 22, the Eagle Valley School Board voted to hire K-12 Principal Barry Johnson as the districts next superintendent, effective July 1, and approve his and two other administrative contracts for school year 2013-2014. Johnson has been with the district for three years. During that time he has worked to complete his certification as a school superintendent. He has more than 15 years of service in various posts in public school administration in Minnesota. Before coming to Eagle Valley, Johnson served as assistant principal at Staples-Motley Public Schools, as principal of the Kingsland School, and in posts in White Bear Lake and Chisago Lakes. He has been a teacher and coach as well. Johnson grew up in Pequot Lakes and attended Bemidji State University where he received his bachelors degree. He earned a master of science degree at the University of St Thomas. Barry Johnson will be working with two other members of the Eagle Valley administrative team beginning July 1. His appointment is .6 FTE as K-12 Principal, and .4 FTE as Superintendent. K-8 Dean of Students Duane Motzko will continue in his position. He has worked for the Eagle Valley School District for 35 years. He has been a teacher and coach as well as an administrator. He holds a masters degree from Hamline University. Cindy Roos will join Johnson and Motzko as Assistant Principal and Continued on page 16

Bruder, Oppegard, Stevens judged Best of Show

Grace Bruder, far right, Christina Oppegard, right, and Anna Stevens, not pictured, all received Best of Show awards from the 2013 Browerville Public School Art Show. All of the girls, as well as the winners from elementary, Jr. high, and Sr. high will advance to the district art show sponsored by the Freshwater Education District. The FED Student Art Show will be held May 3-4 in Staples at the Centennial Auditorium with seven area schools scheduled to participate. This show is held in conjunction with the annual Staples Rotary Art & Craft show. Additional Art Show winners on page 16.

WEEKLY WEATHER REPORT

Tue. April 30 Mostly Cloudy 61/35 Wed. May 1 Cloudy 45/30 Thur. May 2 Mostly Cloudy 46/31 Fri. May 3
Few Showers

Sat. May 4
Rain/Snow Showers

Sun. May 5 Few Showers 45/40

37/34

41/38