ABOVE: Frankie, Blue Earth Area School’s therapy dog, wears a Buccaneer shirt. The BEA School Board learned on Monday that the addition of Frankie has proven beneficial for both students and staff.

BLUE EARTH– Frankie, the new therapy dog at Blue Earth Area Schools, is making a big impact, the Blue Earth Area School Board learned at its meeting on Monday night.

Sara Albright, an art teacher at the school, and Frankie’s owner, brought Frankie to the School Board meeting and gave the board members an update on how this new program is working out.

“We have been having a lot of interaction between Frankie and the students,” Albright said. “Younger students have drawn pictures of Frankie, and will read stories to her.”

Albright said many students who have been quiet, shy or introverted have opened up when Frankie comes to visit them. Others have learned how to approach dogs, or take care of them.

“Having kids open up when Frankie is around is huge for me,” she told the board. “I want to thank you for allowing this. It is a beautiful thing and very rewarding, for the students, staff and for me.”

The board members also heard an update from the Community Engagement Coordinator, Brenda Millmann.

Millmann gave the board information on the variety of projects she has been involved with since she started working at the new position last summer.

Those include notes and cards to all students, working with community organizations and having events for both students and their parents, as well as members of the community. Those include movie night, Vikings watch party and several others.

She also helped resurrect several programs including Better than B’s and the Buc Weekend Bag program.

So far she has been in contact with 820 students and has had 420 people attend the various new events.

Next up is a School Carnival on May 3.

In other business at Monday’s meeting, the BEA School Board:

— Learned the results of a recent half year review of superintendent Mandy Fletcher.

Fletcher received an overall average score of 3.28 out of 4 in three different categories.

— Approved a $1,000 retention stipend which will go to every employee of the Blue Earth Area School District.

The special one-time only stipend was suggested by superintendent Fletcher and recommended by the district Finance Committee.

— Elected board officers for 2023. They are: Sara Hauskins, chairman; Kyle Zierke, vice-chairman; Stacey Beyer, clerk; Jeff Eckles, treasurer.

The board also had reelected and newly elected board member Mark Franta take the oath of office and approved board appointments to various committees.

— Heard the annual audit report from Ben Johnson of CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen) auditing firm. Johnson called it a clean audit report and reported all of the fund balances were in good shape.

The board accepted the audit report.

— Voted to approve a resolution declaring non-holiday status of Christopher Columbus Day. This was done to allow the School Board to meet and conduct business on that day.

The resolution passed 6-1 with board member Franta voting no.