• The food service department is seeing some stabilization in its fund balance. Superintendent Joe Schwan reported that expenses are down 19 percent, October student count was down 2 percent from October of last year, November was about the same and December was actually up from December of last year. "Things are looking better," Schwan said.
• Business Manager Mike Weber reported that the projections for the general fund have also improved. Original projections were for a decrease of $100,000 to $150,000, but that has been updated to a decrease of $40,000. The Capital Outlay fund will see a $40,000 to $40,000 increase instead of the original projection of $60,000. The special ed will have an increase of $10,000 to $25,000 instead of the projected $10,000 to $20,000 decrease.
• Schwan reported that the district may need to look at having prepayment for OST services instead of paying afterwards. Also, he reported on School Store. He said the opening balance was in the hole about $400. Only one deposit was recorded since school started in the amount of $1,800. He said deposits need to be made more often because the store is holding on to checks for several months.
• The bus bids were opened and the low bid came from Harlow's Bus Service, Webster, for $76,662.42. The other bid was from Trucks of Bismarck in the amount of $82,457.00.
• Legislative session opens Tuesday. Schwan said that the Common Core Standards debate will a top subject. Schwan also reported on some of the other bills that are being introduced relating to education.
• Cracker Barrels have been set for 10 a.m. at Northern State University. The dates are February 8, February 22 and March 2.
• The Breast Awareness Donation to Avera St. Luke's Foundation amounted to $2,766.30. This was done during the volleyball season. Janice Hoffman spearheaded the fundraiser.
• The school has received a grant for $18,200 from Homeland Security. The monies will be used for a keyless entry system and also for rekeying locks. Certain doors can be programmed to be opened and closed at a certain time.
• Ann Schwan, high/middle school principal, gave her report on the happenings. She reported that Kylie Kassube and Lexie Gustafson had the highest score in the state for speed, accuracy and tone for Middle School All-State Band. Others in Middle School All-State Band members from Groton are Kaitlin Kassube, Emily Thompson and Tylan Glover. All State Band is March 1.
• Students from Northern State University will be performing Romeo and Juliet for grade 9-12 on February 27 at 2 p.m. A group of engineers from 3M will work with

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