Local News

At the regular meeting of the McGregor School Board, it was announced that Kathy Serfling has been hired to teach first grade. According to Superintendent Paul Grams, last year’s kindergarten class excited with 21 students and 30 arrived at school this year.

Kathy taught kindergarten at McGregor School from 2004-07. Kathy is very happy to be back. “It’s not very often you get a second chance to relive your dream,” said Kathy. “Teaching has always been my dream.”

According to Grams, McGregor School ended with 372 students last year. They now have 386.

This increase in the student numbers has the board looking into where to put additional dollars. The first grade split was one of the first moves. A split for a couple of Physical Education classes has also been proposed.

School Board member Mike Kruse shared that he has received calls regarding the Physicl Education class size in the elementary. “I talked to Paul [Grams] about it and I would like to discuss it further at our working session,” Mike said. “I would like to discuss some of the expenses—what it would cost to add a half hour to first and sixth grade physical education.”

Physical education instructor John Hadrich attended the meeting. He shared that the high number of students (30 per class) in first and sixth grade is not a good situation.

“The fact that we went from every day physical education, down to every-other day, and now we have a lot more students. We had quantity (time) and lost that. Now we don’t have quality instruction either.”

John talked about having 30 students in one gym all moving around. “There is a safety issue,” John said. “I’ve done it for a while, and even when we go outside it becomes difficult. It is tough to keep them together and not lose anybody.”

“These kids demand some individual attention, and we can’t give it to them,” added John. “If they were divided in half (15 each), we could do something with them.”

According to John, the schedule modification would be simple. He teaches the sixth grade, and it would work into the schedule. Kim Staum teaches the first grade, and there is a solution there as well.

Mike recognized needs in math and administration also. “We need some numbers brought to the work session.”

McGregor’s school board discussed obtaining newer lockers at a discounted price. “St. Francis School is selling some lockers,” said high school superintendent Paul Grams. “Lockers generally run about $200 apiece. To buy 250 lockers, that would be about $50,000. They are willing to sell those lockers at $20 each ($5,000).”

Grams talked about the current lockers at McGregor School, which he shared are in pretty tough shape. “Many of the locks don’t work,” said Grams. “These newer lockers are good functioning lockers and less than five years old. They have the slide handle, and the students would use a padlock.”

Grams also noted that he looked into putting a new face on the current lockers, but that would cost the school district $150 per locker. The board agreed that this would be a substantial savings for the school. The school board will look into it further and would like a decision made this week.

• Superintendent Paul Grams reported that the head volleyball coach will not be coaching for health reasons. He also noted that Homecoming was a success. The first grade is now split, and Kathy Serfling is the new teacher.

• Former math teacher Larry Doten attended the meeting and encouraged the board to add administration with the increase in student numbers.

Staff Writer

Late Sunday, September 14, five businesses in McGregor were burglarized with close to $3,000 in damage. The five businesses included the Laundry Room, which suffered the most damage; McGregor Floor Store, where they broke decorative glass cupboard doors, Aitkin Abstract; where they kicked a hole in the wall between Aitkin Abstract and McGregor Floor; and Great River Gardens and Bymark’s Feed Store.

After kicking in the door, burglars unsuccessfully tried to access the Laundry Room’s change machine and got away with a grand total of less than $8 for the night. The thieves entered the other businesses by cutting the locks or kicking in the doors.

A Dell laptop containing a year of family photos was taken from the McGregor Floor Store, and a bolt cutter was taken from the Laundry Room.

“We’ve determined that at least two people were involved,” stated McGregor Police Chief Shawn Bennett. “We’ve also found strong evidence at the scene, which includes work boot and tennis shoe prints, along with possible DNA from hair found on the sheet rock.”

Chief Bennett went on to say that if you are a victim of a burglary, it’s important not to clean up before the police arrive, and keep everyone out of the business until the police have finished going over the crime scene.

“There are simple steps your business can do to detour thieves,” Chief Bennett explained. “Install outdoor lighting such as motion lights, keep shades open with an inside light on, use exterior door locks versus interior, and use a steel plate on outside of the door to make it more difficult for someone to use a knife to slide down to open the latch. These are very simple and inexpensive solutions to help in skirting crime.”

The public can also do simple things to protect themselves from theft. “There’s been several instances in McGregor where people have left purses in their unattended vehicles, and within seconds, their purse is taken,” Officer Bennett said. “I can’t stress this enough – prevention is the best way to protect yourself.”

Taking the following precautions can make a difference: Never leave your purse unattended. Never leave your vehicle running, even if you’re able to lock it; it takes only seconds for a burglar to break the window. At home or at your business, make sure you record all serial and model numbers for electronic equipment and guns. Law enforcement can now track these numbers using a Statewide Pawn System. Taking photos of your valuables and even video taping and keeping this record in a safe place like a safety deposit box will also make things easier if you have a fire or break-in at home.”