Even while grappling with the upheaval of the pandemic, superintendents also had to remain focused on the long-term health of their districts. That meant continuing to work on the technological, financial and communications challenges that existed before COVID turned everything upside down in March 2020.

Spanning all of the issues above, of course, is academic achievement and the inequities many leaders were working to rectify. Initiatives to better serve all students have only accelerated over the last two years, says Superintendent John-Mark Cain of Mississippi’s rural Lauderdale County School District. “Graduation is no longer the end goal, it’s the starting line,” says Cain, named Mississippi’s 2022 Superintendent of the Year by AASA, The School Superintendents Association.

GIBBON – The Gibbon Fairfax Winthrop (GFW) Middle and High School students talked glowingly about their hands-on virtual reality and simulator technology experience in the high school weight room Friday.

Anna Huges of New Ulm, a sales representative for Big Ideas inc. of New Ulm,  played a key role in opportunities for students to discover, explore, and learn technical and soft skills needed to succeed in skilled traded.

GIBBON – The Gibbon Fairfax Winthrop (GFW) school board heard public comments from several teachers and students Tuesday.

Most of the comments were about the school district’s strategic plan in action tour that included visits to a number of other school districts.

Freshman Mitchell Olson said he’d like to see more agriculture classes at GFW.

GIBBON – The Gibbon Fairfax Winthrop (GFW) School Board unanimously approved new personnel hires Monday.

Actions came on a motion by Mike Kuehn, second by Case Prochniak. New hires include theater/play director Samarah Forster, paraprofessional April Gunderman, head boys basketball coach Ryan Jacobson, van driver Lyna Kaskien, middle/high school head cook Amy Foster, and Nicole Jaus, T-Bird Club.

The school district transportation team was honored in school and community recognition early in the meeting.

ST. JAMES, Minn. (KEYC) – Snow days may be a thing of the past thanks to remote learning options.

“It’s just a little continuation of what would’ve happened in the classroom today to keep them learning and thinking for the future,” stated Steven Heil, Superintendent at St. James Public School District.

A growing number of districts are opting for online classes instead of traditional weather-related closures.

“We have the opportunity to continue learning when we have emergency situations or when we have inclement weather. Our students, they are continuing to learn, and we feel like that’s really important,” said Jeff Horton, Superintendent at Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop School District.

The National School Public Relations Association is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2021 Superintendents to Watch award! This year, 19 superintendents from around the country were selected for the honor in recognition of their innovative and effective use of technology to engage and inform the school community, and to expand two-way communication and outreach efforts.

This annual NSPRA award recognizes up to 25 school district leaders each year who have fewer than five years of experience as a superintendent and who demonstrate dynamic, fast-paced leadership with strong communication at its core. Congratulations to this year’s exemplary honorees:

GIBBON — The Gibbon Fairfax Winthrop (GFW) School Board unanimously set the payable 2022 tax levy at $2,520,082.77 Monday.

Action came on a motion by board member Mike Kuehn, seconded by Drew Schmidt. The levy is 2.9% ($74,289) less than the payable 2021 levy.

The levy is a $26 school tax reduction on a $100,000 home, $40 reduction on a $150,000 home, and $53 reduction on a $200,000 home.

GIBBON, Minn. (KEYC) – Residents in the Gibbon Fairfax Winthrop School District have an additional decision to make on their ballot for Minnesota’s Primary Election Tuesday.

The GFW School District is asking for voters’ approval on an Operating Levy Referendum. This comes after two previous failed referendum votes in 2019 and 2017. The district is currently in statutory operating debt… and they want voters to understand there’s a big difference between a bond referendum and an operating levy.

GIBBON FAIRFAX WINTHROP — Voters in the Gibbon Fairfax Winthrop School District approved an increase in the operating levy held August 11.

The official vote count was 1,406 “yes” votes and 836 “no” votes. The vote was made official at the school board’s special meeting on Aug. 17.

“GFW voters supported their students and, by extension, our communities, and we’re grateful,” said Jeff Horton, Superintendent. “I want to thank voters for taking the time to become educated on the referendum and casting informed votes. This investment will strengthen our district and help take our students successfully through the next decade.”

GIBBON — Gibbon Fairfax Winthrop (GFW) Superintendent Jeff Horton wrapped his first 100-day plan and announced next steps for shaping the school district Monday.

Baird Financial Management financial consultants described a new budget model that he said enabled the school district to compare itself with similar-sized school districts including Sibley East, Belle Plaine, Jordan, Central (Norwood-Young America), Watertown-Mayer, Martin County West and Tri-City United.

FAIRFAX — Two citizens made public comments at the Gibbon Fairfax Winthrop (GFW) School Board meeting with about 30 people at the Fairfax Community Center Monday.

There was no dialogue between the citizens and the school board. Comments were limited to two minutes.

Marc Kiecker asked what the total debt of the school district was if it dissolves.

“I’ve asked the question on the GFW (Schools) Facebook page but have not got an answer,” Kiecker said.

Greg Kiecker said he’s a senior property assessor in Minnesota and has been in the property appraisal field for 48 years.

FAIRFAX — The Gibbon Fairfax Winthrop (GFW) School Board will hold a regular board meeting to hear public comments at 6:30 p.m., Monday, July 20 at the Fairfax Community Center, 300 S. Park St.

GFW Superintendent Jeff Horton said there will be no dialogue. The board will just listen to public comments.

“As part of our continued effort for transparency, our business manager will do the first of many school finance presentations,” Horton said.

Other agenda items include a resolution to rescind termination of elementary teacher Anne Hansen, and reports from Horton, principal Jennifer Thompson and facility manager Dave Sellner.

Horton’s GFW Schools Facebook site included a post that he will be sending weekly operating levy information to staff and families now.

I would like to take this opportunity to provide information about the future of GFW Schools. Despite years of financial management with a focus on providing opportunities for our students, our school district is facing a financial crisis and is currently in Statutory Operating Debt due to a variety of factors.

• state revenue has not kept pace with inflation
• our revenue is less than our neighbors as total school taxes in the GFW school district are currently the lowest in the area
• we’re losing revenue as fewer students enroll at our schools.

The Gibbon Fairfax Winthrop (GFW) School Board unanimously approved a resolution to refinance “other post-employment benefit” (OPEB) bonds Monday.

According to PMA Securities, $1.1 million in 2009 bonds purchased for staff medical expenses at 5.42% interest would be refinanced at about 2.76%. The move is expected to save taxpayers $27,500 over five years.

“Bonds are at historic lows now,” said Steve Pumper of PMA Securities. “The year-long borrowing interest rate is .4%.”

The agreement includes improvements to the gym for continued community and district use.

At their meeting on Wednesday, December 16, the GFW School Board approved the sale of the Fairfax school building to Retro Companies with an agreement that the gym facility and adjacent areas will remain available for school and community use for decades to come.

As part of his First 100 Day Plan, Superintendent Jeff Horton postponed the sale process and extended the time for offers while committing to a community listing process and full facilities review. The listening tour saw Horton hearing from city and county officials, faith leaders, business owners, parents, community members, students, other local schools, and staff.

The GFW School Board met for their regular meeting on Monday, November 16 in Winthrop. 

Following the approval of the agenda, the board recognized the Winthrop Honor Guard for their contributions to the local communities and the GFW School District. The Honor Guard has contributed their time and talents, and monetary donations to many school and community events and activities. The Board expressed their gratitude and presented a certificate to the group.

The GFW School Board voted on a resolution to discharge a teacher during a closed session Monday night, but school officials aren’t naming the educator.

Superintendent Jeff Horton informed SMN of the closed session in response to an inquiry about the employment status of Renee Schmidt, a speech teacher accused of assaulting a six-year-old student.

After some discussion on just when to do it, the Gibbon Fairfax Winthrop (GFW) School Board unanimously approved a resolution Wednesday for students in grades 9-12 to return to in-school learning on Monday, Jan. 11.

A teacher at Gibbon Fairfax Winthrop Elementary School is facing criminal charges for reportedly dragging and restraining a child while the 6-year-old screamed that she could not breathe.

The Gibbon Fairfax Winthrop (GFW) School Board unanimously approved a resolution Monday to immediately discharge an employee facing allegations.

A teacher at Gibbon Fairfax Winthrop Elementary School is facing criminal charges for reportedly dragging and restraining a child while the 6-year-old screamed that she could not breathe.

Jeff Horton weighs in on school safety, especially as it relates to Duluth Public Schools.

Jeff Horton named Assistant Superintendent of Duluth Public Schools.

At a special meeting on Monday, new GFW Superintendent Jeff Horton presented his outline for the first 100 days in office. He broke down the plan to two phases, the first running July and early August. He discussed the Districts budget, Covid-19, facilities and a listening tour.

Jeff Horton explores how GFW school boards responded to proposals for changes to Jr./Sr. High principal positions

At a special meeting June 24, the GFW School Board heard new superintendent Jeff Horton’s plan for replacing Principal Justin Johnston. With the School Board deciding to stay with a full-time superintendent, the District needed to find some additional revenue reductions to satisfy the Statutory Operating Debt plan.

WINTHROP, Minn. (KEYC) — Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop Public Schools is waiving registration fees for athletics and activities for students.

The GFW School Board voted unanimously to waive all activity fees for all students for the next school year.

The district cites a connection between extracurricular activity and academic performance as the motivation behind the move.

The Grand has long been a haven for artistic expression and individuals from different backgrounds. Charlie Leftridge, The Grand’s executive director, confirmed many musicians and artists exhibiting their work at The Grand have expressed gratitude for the center as a safe space.

With a recent news story highlighting the need for inclusion in New Ulm, The Grand wanted to further emphasize the center as a place for people to express themselves and explore different backgrounds.

“As a community we want all people to feel welcome and celebrated,” said Tamara Furth, The Grand’s program director.

GIBBON — The Gibbon Fairfax Winthrop (GFW) School Board unanimously approved a resolution Monday to immediately discharge an employee facing allegations. After 20 minutes in closed session, action came on a motion by board chairman Mike Kuehn, seconded by Jason Haas, for the immediate discharge of a tenured teacher.

The GFW School Board met for a special meeting on Wednesday, December 30 to determine if changes to the current learning model should be made.

The GFW School Board voted on a resolution to discharge a teacher during a closed session Monday night, but school officials aren’t naming the educator.

GFW Public Schools is developing a strategic plan. The school board is working with the Minnesota School Boards Association (MSBA) to provide guidance and assist with the planning.

GIBBON — New Gibbon Fairfax Winthrop (GFW) Schools Superintendent Jeff Horton of Duluth hit the ground running Wednesday, revealing his administrative staffing plans at a special board meeting in the Gibbon Primary School gym.

The Gibbon Fairfax Winthrop (GFW) school board unanimously approved a three-year contract with new superintendent Jeffery Horton of Duluth Wednesday.

Discover how Jeff Horton and the Duluth Public School system are combatting COVID-19.

Assistant Superintendent Jeff Horton discusses , alongside his colleagues, the measures that are being taken to combat the coronavirus.

Jeff Horton speaks of Stowe Elementary School’s 5th Annual Book Fair.