Knox School officials welcomed back a number of former students while approving personnel recommendations Tuesday evening.
The familiar faces included Dusty Minix who is teaching high school social studies, Curtis Scherer who will teach high school math and coach boys’ varsity tennis as well as Nicole Scherer, who will teach High School English for the first semester while another teacher is out on maternity leave.
Though his employment was approved at a previous meeting, High School Principal Dr. Elizabeth Ratliff took a moment to address the new Athletic Director Greg Estok, who is also a graduate of KHS.
Ratliff explained, “He’s got some great ideas, not only for football but for all our sports teams. One of the things he’s really into is he will be stopping by practices, very hands-on with coaches, to makes sure that our coaches are getting better, our teams are getting better and that we have those amazing experiences for kids.”
School Board member Mary Lynn Richie mentioned how she felt hearing that so many former students would be returning.
Richie shared, “I’m so happy to see the new teachers come back, our graduates, that’s what we work towards – coming back to our community, giving back because I never left, I mean I left for a little while, but I grew up here, I lived here, my kids were raised here.”
She continued, “It’s so it’s important that […] the adults come back because it’s so special, we have a great community.”
In addition to the local grads, the board was introduced to new fourth-grade teacher Hannah Terry, a La Crosse graduate as well as Matt Miller from La Porte who will teach high school social studies and serve as the assistant coach for boys’ varsity basketball.
While on the topic of personnel, Dr. Ratliff also highlighted the school’s new JAG employee Dawn Winebrenner. As an employee of WorkOne, Winebrenner has become familiar with local job opportunities and networking connections.
She will be working with students to help them secure internship and employment opportunities through the Jobs for American Graduates (JAG) Program. Her position is funded through JAG.
