The 2023-2024 winter sports and activities season brought a wave of “firsts’’ to Mound Westonka High School, as Activities Director Jeff Pederson highlighted during the April 15 Westonka School Board meeting.
One milestone was the debut of sophomore Delaney Parker, who became the first female wrestler from MWHS to compete at the state wrestling tournament in the team’s second year of girls’ participation. Additionally, it was the first time that the Westonka Math League made it to the state tournament and the first time that the Westonka Tonkabots advanced to the World Championships.
Moreover, the season was marked by numerous record-breaking achievements. Senior Bryce Helms set a new school record in boys swimming in the 100 freestyle, adding to the season’s successes. The Hawkettes dance team excelled with consistently high scores in both varsity kick and jazz, reaching new program heights. DECA made program history as well with 40 students qualifying for the DECA Internationals competition in Anaheim, Calif., representing the largest group ever sent from the district.
The season also saw impressive individual performances in various state tournaments. Marshall Morrison represented MWHS in alpine skiing, Orrin Butterfield showcased his skills in speech, and Cole Munsterteiger, Jack Nelson, and Cooper Rowe made their mark in wrestling.
Looking ahead, the district’s sports roster for spring 2025 will feature boys’ volleyball as a new addition. Previously a club sport for four years, the board approved its inclusion as a Minnesota State High School League sport during the April 15 meeting, and it will now operate under a cooperative structure with Waconia and Orono.
In the teaching and learning report, Mark Femrite highlighted that MWHS achieved a 92.65 percent graduation rate in 2023, which includes special education students, dropouts, and students whose graduation status is unknown. He expressed satisfaction with this outcome, noting it aligns with other schools in the area, but emphasized that the district continues to aim for a graduation rate of 95 percent.
Femrite also provided an update on state testing and the state-mandated Reading to Ensure Academic Development (READ) Act. By the end of the first week of May, the district will have administered about 2,700 state tests, the results of which will be released in July.
Regarding the READ Act, Femrite explained that it mandates professional development, requiring the district to train all elementary school teachers, K-12 special education teachers, reading intervention teachers, administrators, and building principals in the science of reading. This training must be completed by July 1, 2025, as specified by the act, presenting a challenging timeline for the upcoming year.
The board also had several action items to address at the meeting, including additions and modifications to several roles across the district. As Westonka Community Education continues to grow, the board approved adding a full-time communications and marketing coordinator position as well as an additional Adventure Club assistant site supervisor position.
Additionally, the board made the decision to hire a full-time facilities director, transitioning the services previously provided by Dashir Management since 2006 to an in-house role. Moreover, the board approved expanding the responsibilities of the current Teaching and Learning and IT Administrative Assistant position to support facilities, replacing another position that was previously outsourced with Dashir.
Other action items for the district related to contract approvals for the first phase of its facilities project. The board accepted bids and approved award of contract for technology and security upgrades at the Westonka Early Learning Center, Hilltop Primary School, and Shirley Hills Primary School.
According to Superintendent Kevin Borg, the project is meant to enhance the lockdown capabilities at each building, including hardening glass at the main entrances and improving strobe and communication systems. He noted that middle school and high school security packages will come later as part of a larger project.
The board also accepted bids and approved award of contract for the MWHS tennis court construction project and bus garage updates. According to Borg, there will be a total of 12 courts and six will be striped for pickleball. The project includes equipment storage, lights on six courts, a shaded viewing area, and parking as well.
Borg also explained that the district worked with its civil engineer on a post tension concrete system that will extend the life of the courts. The courts are expected to be fully complete next spring.
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