BLUE EARTH– The Blue Earth Area School Board received a full update on the music programs at all of the BEA schools during its meeting on Monday.

Orchestra teacher Peter Koenig gave the music department update, as part of a March is Music in Our Schools Month.

Koenig reported on all of the music programs, saying there was a high quality of music instruction at BEA at all grade levels.

Highlights from his report include that choir is offered to students in grades 6-12 and there are 148 BEA students involved in choir this year.

Also, he said there are 129 students in band, which is offered to students in grades 5-12, and 89 students in orchestra, which is also offered in grades 5-12. That number is up 14 students from last year, Koenig added.

Elementary students in grades K-3 get music two out of every four days in a rotation with art, PE and media, he explained. Students in grades 4-5 get music two out of every three days in a rotation with PE and art.

Koenig also gave an update on all of the concerts which have been held and the ones still on the schedule until the end of the year. He also reported on all of the awards the music department had received at contests this year.

In other items at the meeting, the BEA Board:

— Heard an update from superintendent Mandy Fletcher that included information on two upcoming awards programs, one being the Kiwanis/First Bank Blue Earth Academic Awards and Scholarship Program on May 10, and the other is the Lions Club Athletic Awards Program on May 17.

— Heard a report from the principals which included information about Prom which will be held on Saturday, April 27, with the Grand March at 7:30 p.m.

— Heard a report from activities director Travis Armstrong which included information that 188 students in grades 7-12 are out for spring sports this year.

— Approved bids for replacing the floor in the high school Commons Area, and a bid for HVAC ductwork to be painted at the high school.

The board also received some information about projects planned for this coming summer, which include some sidewalk replacement and new lights in the parking lots.

— Approved several Bucc-y Bag donations (weekend meals sent home with students), from Hope Methodist Church, Kerry Ingredients, BENCO Electric and Linda’s Place.

— Approved several personnel matters including: new hires Elizabeth Schmelzer as special ed paraprofessional, Tiara Malakowsky as an agriculture teacher, Dirk Ringness as activity bus driver; resignations from science teacher Brian Kokos, phy ed teacher Carol Weerts and elementary teacher Kiana Groves; phased retirement for Karen Hougen.