• Groton School Board members approved an amended budget for the 2013-2014 school year at their regular meeting on Monday. The budget was published earlier this year, however some of the numbers have changed and a new budget numbers were given.
• "Some the numbers have firmed up since we published the budget," Business Manager Mike Weber said. "We will be asking for an increase in the mill levy; however it should be offset by the increase in property valuation."
• The board also approved the budget for the NESEC. The Groton School Board is the board of record for the co-op.
• High School Principal Anna Schwan reported she has made a change to the open lunch policy. It seems that several students have been driving during the lunch period and students are also being late in returning back to class.
• "The school is liable if something should happen with these kids driving," Schwan said. "Especially since we have a policy in place the says the students are not to drive. We have had up to 22 students late in returning back to classes after lunch, since the change in policy that has been reduced down to two."
• The new policy reads: "If a student receives a tardy after lunch, the consequence will be lost open lunch privileges for one week. If a student is caught or turned in (by a reputable source), privileges will be revoked for one month, second time will warrant the end of open lunch for the remainder of the semester. Also, if students are in the building over the lunch hour, they are to be in the gym unless specific arrangements have been made with a teacher."
• The last part of the new policy deals with the number of students that are bring their lunch and trying to use the microwave in different parts of the building. However, this is interrupting classes and teacher free time.
• "I feel a teacher's free time should be free of student distraction," Schwan said. "Unless the teacher has made arrangements with that student to see them during that time."
• Schwan also reported that she is looking into making the sixth grade schedule more in line with the rest of the middle school, including offering more vocational classes such as FACs, Industrial arts and FFA.
• Board members approved an amendment to the contact for Emily Eichler to BS+15 (total contract of $35,800). It was approved with the wrong amount during the last meeting. Nancy Cutler's work agreement was also amended to include up to five days at employee base rate for summer technology work (up to $1302.78).
• Gabe Kjellsen was hired as an assistant boys basketball coach at eight percent of base salary ($2560).

- Char Telkamp