THE WINDOM SCHOOL BOARD MET THIS WEEK. BOARD MEMBERS JOINED OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN SUBMITTING A LETTER TO THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE, CALLING FOR LOCAL DISTRICTS TO HAVE MORE CONTROL OVER COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS. THE BOARD HEARD A BUDGET UPDATE. SEVERAL POLICIES WERE REVIEWED. THE SUPERINTENDENT HAD AN UPDATE ON COVID-19. SINCE THE START OF THE SCHOOL YEAR, WINDOM HAS HAD 288 STUDENTS WHO HAVE HAD TO GO HOME AFTER SHOWING SYMPTOMS, HAVING A FAMILY MEMBER WITH SYMPTOMS, OR HAVING CLOSE CONTACT WITH A PERSON WHO TESTED POSITIVE. AT THIS POINT, WINDOM DOES NOT HAVE TO CHANGE ITS EDUCATIONAL MODEL, AND STUDENTS WILL STILL BE ABLE TO ATTEND CLASS IN PERSON.
A MEETING WAS HELD THIS WEEK OF THE GOVERNING BOARD FOR WINDOM AREA HEALTH. THE REPORT OF PATIENT ACTIVITY FOR SEPTEMBER SHOWED THAT ACTIVITY WAS ABOVE BUDGETED LEVELS IN MOST AREAS. THE SEPTEMBER FINANCIAL REPORT SHOWED AN INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FOR THE MONTH OF JUST OVER $460-THOUSAND-900. THROUGH THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS OF THE FISCAL YEAR, WINDOM AREA HEALTH IS NOW SHOWING AN INCREASE IN NET ASSETS OF OVER $1.3-MILLION. THE BOARD HEARD THE BUSINESS REVIEW FOR THE WOUND AND HYPERBARIC HEALING CENTER. THE CENTER IS CURRENTLY RUNNING AT A BREAK-EVEN POINT, WHICH IS AHEAD OF THE ORIGINAL FINANCIAL PROJECTIONS.
THE WINDOM CITY PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MET LAST WEEK. THE REC DIRECTOR HAD AN UPDATE ON THE ICE-SKATING AND HOCKEY SEASON. THE FIGURE-SKATING ASSOCIATION WAS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN HOLDING LESSONS ON OCTOBER 13TH, WITH THE YOUTH HOCKEY ASSOCIATION SCHEDULED TO START PRACTICE ON OCTOBER 19TH. ALL SKATERS WILL BE FOLLOWING A SET OF GUIDELINES FOR COVID-19. FURTHER DISCUSSION WAS HELD ON OPTIONS FOR NEW RESTROOMS AT ISLAND PARK AND DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW ISLAND PARK SHELTER HOUSE.THE COMMISSION DISCUSSED IDEAS FOR DEVELOPING A NEW CAMPGROUND AREA IN WINDOM.
THE COTTONWOOD COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS HELD A REGULAR MEETING LAST WEEK. A CONTRACT WAS APPROVED FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY INSPECTIONS. THE BOARD ACCEPTED A BID FOR THE PURCHASE OF NEW SECURITY CAMERAS FOR THE COUNTY COURTHOUSE AND THE LAW ENFORCEMENT CENTER, USING FEDERAL FUNDING. THE BOARD APPROVED THE HIRING OF AN ENGINEERING FIRM TO CONDUCT A JAIL NEEDS ASSESSMENT STUDY. THE BOARD HEARD A PRESENTATION FROM MINN-DOT ON THE HIGHWAY 60 CORRIDOR STUDY BEING CONDUCTED FOR THE CITY OF WINDOM. THEY APPROVED THE PURCHASE OF A VEHICLE FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
