Menahga School and Hubbard County Soil & Water Conservation District collaborating on environment science

The Menahga School District will utilize a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which could provide up to $25,000 to enhance the school’s environmental education programs.

It’s a partnership with Hubbard County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD).

Teachers Rebecca Nemeth and Kari Tomperi discussed the opportunity with the Menahga School Board on Monday, Oct. 21, along with SWCD Manager Crystal Mathisrud.

Last year, Nemeth explained, she and Tomperi looked at a Minnesota history and science project they wanted to do with sixth graders.

“That’s slowly evolved into us possibly becoming part of this environmental grant,” Nemeth said. “The actual grant is going to enhance everything we’re already doing for science and our social studies. It’s an awesome way to bring learning to life and keep it local.”

Tomperi said she’s contracted with the SWCD as an environmental assistant. Her role is to lessen the burden on teachers. “I’m going to Menahga, Park Rapids and Pine Point to find out what local information they’d like to teach. For Menahga, it would be what the watershed for Spirit Lake is and what we can do to keep the lake clean.”

Tomperi said Menahga FFA advisor Maria Ness is also interested in participating.

“The grant will be done in May 2026, so there’s some time to keep working on phases 1, 2 and 3,” Tomperi said.

Nemeth explained that Menahga sits within the Crow Wing River Watershed.

“The Hubbard County SWCD has already received the grant. They are looking for either several awardees or schools to help become pilots,” she said.

One of the items on Nemeth and Tomperi’s wish list is to work on rain gardens at the school “to teach students about stormwater management.”

Nemeth said there is grant money available to educate students about forestry, soils and local geology and geography. It would also fund environmental field trips.

SWCD has applied for this EPA twice, Mathisrud said. “The first time we applied was because our schools in Hubbard County wanted to do more hands-on environmental education in the school forests.”

Then, Mathisrud continued, SWCD learned of the increased needs for environmental education to meet Minnesota state standards “that align really well with Minnesota’s goal for conservation.”

SWCD’s proposal supports K-12 schools in northern Minnesota to do more hands-on environmental education projects, she said.

“It consists of three learning modules. The first one is dedicated to understanding cycles – geological, soil building, tree planting, water cycles, watersheds,” Mathisrud said.

The second module focuses on action-based learning, such as collecting cones and seeds for the Badoura State Nursery and tree identification.

The third module is designing and funding student-led projects.

Mathisrud said the program involves several SWCDs, The Nature Conservancy, Neilson Spearhead Center, Audubon Society, Minnesota Forestry Association and community volunteer groups.

“The gist of what we have to offer schools is support to design hands-on learning for your students, according to the state requirements for environmental education, within these three layers of modules for learners at different stages. The funding is available now. We have approximately 2.5 years to implement the pilot,” Mathisrud said.

School districts are eligible to be a subawardee under this EPA grant, providing support to teachers’ lesson plans.

Tomperi said there’s potential in all grade levels at the school.

K-12 students may participate whether in a classroom or a club, added Mathisrud. “The project area includes Wadena, Becker, Hubbard, Clearwater, Beltrami, Koochiching, Lake, Itasca, Cass and Clearwater counties. We have a goal of getting eight to 10 schools to participate in the pilot.”

“I think it’s going to be a great partnership,” said Superintendent Jay Kjos, noting SWCD visited with teachers for their input.

In other business, the school board did this:

• Approved a used bus purchase from United Bus Sales, not to exceed $91,000.
• Accepted these pickleball court donations: $500 donation from Ron and Annamae Holzworth, $100 donation from Headwaters Chapter of Good Sam, $500 from American Legion Post 212, $500 from Star of the North (Marines), $2,000 from VFW Post 6206, $1,500 from the Shane Keranen Foundation,$1,000 from KLN Enterprises, $2,500 from West Central Telephone, along with some smaller, private donations.
• Authorized Kjos to attend the National AASA Superintendent Conference in New Orleans on March 6-8, 2025.
• Authorized Athletic Director Michael Weerts to attend the National Athletic Directors Conference in Austin, Texas on Dec. 13-17, 2025.
• Authorized board chair Andrea Haverninen to attend the National School Boards Association Conference in Atlanta, Georgia on April 4-6, 2025.
• Formed a policy committee, with Haverinen appointing herself, Lehto and Kicker.
• Called for the election to be canvassed on Tuesday, Nov. 12.
• Approved following extra-curricular coach/advisors: Jolene Harris, FCCLA; Randy Thompson and Hope McAdow, co-yearbook; Wade Hukriede and Luke Davidson, assistant varsity wrestling; Rylan Aho, assistant girls basketball; Austin Rife, junior high wrestling; Sam Olson, assistant boys basketball; Isaiah Hahn and Nick Jasmer, junior high boys basketball and junior high girls basketball; Katri Haapala, girls assistant basketball; and Michelle Koch, high school student council.
• Hired Amanda Aho, concession manager; Kerry White, instructional coach; MaryAnn Honga, van driver; and Shirley Torma, bus driver.
• Approved the 2024-25 Park Rapids, Walker-Hackensack-Akeley, Menahga and Nevis cooperative agreement for boys hockey.
• Accepted resignations from district secretary Elena Niemela, effective Nov. 8, and bus driver Glenn Row, effective Oct. 18.
• Approved the 2024-25 seniority lists for Education Minnesota Menahga licensed staff and paraprofessional staff.
• Heard Ashley Walvatne discuss changes and improvements made to the Menahga teacher evaluation and continuous education plan.

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