Lederhosen may soon become part of the dress code at Nevis School.
At the request of the students, a group of 11 juniors accompanied by three chaperones will be heading to Europe this summer, Germany the destination. None of them sprechen Deutsch.
The students approached Jodi Sandmeyer with the idea, the "kid-driven" desire to travel impressing the high school principal. She's led many student tours: Russia, Asia and South America on the itineraries as well as Florida, Chicago and New York on the home front.
"We want to go," the students told Sandmeyer. "Where will you take us?"
Students from Germany, Sandmeyer learned, will be arriving in Nevis April 2-9 with area families hosting them. This led to the idea of an exchange.
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The Nevis students were considering Great Britain, France or Austria. But a reciprocal hospitality agreement with German families will keep costs in line.
Monday, the school board gave the nod of approval to the cultural exchange.
Thursday, at 6:30 p.m., a planning meeting will be held with parents, fundraising to begin.
The cost for each: $2,200.
Sandmeyer, husband Shawn and her mother, Karen Lund, will serve as chaperones. They will assume costs for the trip.
The itinerary includes flying in to Frankfurt with tours of castles, concentration camps, art museums, a possible river tour, a zoo, Berlin, Checkpoint Charlie - and lunch at a Hard Rock Cafe.
Sandmeyer hopes to secure reservations at hostels to keep costs down.
Before departure, the students will undergo some intense tutelage. Come spring, the Germany-bound students will arrive at 7:30 a.m. once a week to be schooled in basic vocabulary and German history by Sandmeyer.
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They will hunker down for a full week of orientation just before leaving for their bestimmungshafen (port of destination).
In other action, the board;
-Welcomed Walt Bromenschenkel as the appointed board member, replacing Kay Netteberg who accepted a part-time speech pathologist position with the district.
Bromenschenkel brings 18 years' experience as a superintendent, as well as having served as a teacher, coach and principal. He has also been an officer and member of numerous community and state committees and boards.
His career path took him to North Carolina, South Dakota, Alaska, Central America and Southeast Asia before retirement on Lake Ojibwe.
He will serve a one-year term.
-Reported after interviewing four candidates, Bill Toft has been offered the job of Nevis Community Education coordinator.
Superintendent Steve Rassier noted Toft has been actively involved in Community Education activities and has grant writing skills.
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"That was a tough one," board chair Ed Becker said of the decision. "Any one of them could have done a great job."
The contract calls for approximately 20 hours a week.
-Approved light replacement in both gyms at a net cost of approximately $17,000. Projected energy cost savings per year: $2,370.
-Hired Scott Klicker and Lorie Skarpness as educational assistants for special needs students.
-Approved a leave of absence for assistant cook Gwen Adickes for the remainder of the year.
-Hired Laura Stack as dietary assistant for three hours a day for the remainder of the school year.
-Approved Dennis Saak as wrestling van driver. Stacy Feder will transport the gymnastics team to Park Rapids.
-Approved Bryan Wormley as junior high girls basketball coach.
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-Approved the resignation of Wendy Hine as cheer coach advisor, the position to be posted.
-Approved changes to board policies at the recommendation of the Minnesota School Board Association.
