Gladbrook-Reinbeck School Board and Superintendent. Pictured are, top row from left, Doug Rowe, Superintendent Erik Smith, Donovan Devore, Rod Brockett; bottom row: Christine Farley, Lisa Swanson, Susie Petersen and Matt Wyatt.

1. Following a public hearing where no comments were heard or reported, the Gladbrook-Reinbeck school board unanimously approved the proposed school calendar for the 2021-22 school year.

The start of school will be on August 23 with the last day of school on May 26. Gladbrook-Reinbeck will hold winter break from December 23 to December 31 and spring break from March 14 to March 18.

2. Technology Director Sam Rogers reported the district was completing their rollout of Chromebook computers with distribution to 5th and 6th grades happening in late February.

3. Activities Director John Olson gave the board a winter sports season wrap-up, noting successes of the basketball programs.

This year the Rebels tallied four high school students who participated in wrestling with the Dike-New Hartford program. Of those four, only one is a senior.

Additionally, there were five eighth graders who participated in junior high wrestling this season. Olson said this could indicate potential for a higher rate of participation in high school wrestling next season than G-R has seen in some time.

4. Andrea Hesse was approved for hire as the new high school head softball coach. Hesse replaces Laurie Seidl who coached the Rebels for one season in 2020.

Additional personnel appointments included Jay Beichley, JH Baseball Coach; Bethany Amos, JH/HS Math Teacher and Jeanne Dudley, JH/HS Associate.

5. The board will conduct their next two regular meetings on Tuesdays rather than the usual Thursday schedule. Next month’s meeting is set for Tuesday, March 23 at 6:30 p.m. The board plans to set the public hearing date for the fiscal year 2022 at the March meeting. The April meeting is set for Tuesday, April 13 at 6:30 p.m.