by Mike Knaak editor@thenewsleaders.com The start and end times for next year’s classes as well as the number of sections of each class and class sizes were approved by the Sartell-St. Stephen school board at its March 23 meeting. When school starts next year, the last step in the district’s massive building and class realignment takes place. When school starts
Lunches provided to Sartell-St. Stephen students during spring break
by Mike Knaak editor@thenewsleaders.com A steady stream of cars rolled through the Sartell Middle School parking lot Monday, March 23, as people stopped by to pick up lunches for students during the district’s spring break. The district has worked with area businesses to provide pickup lunches for students who need them. Brandon Testa, House of Pizza/Pacific Wok, organized the effort.
ConneX on-demand ride service fare increases April 1
The fare for riders on the ConneX on-demand ride service in Sartell will increase to $2.50 per ride beginning April 1. Metro Bus said there will continue to be free transfers during the two-hour window from when the original fare was paid. Passengers will be able to transfer between fixed routes and ConneX for free within the transfer window as
High-school-to-middle-school transformation nears completion
by Mike Knaak editor@thenewsleaders.com The last big project in the Sartell-St. Stephen school district’s multi-year building and reconfiguration plan is nearing completion on Seventh Street N. Remodeling and construction work converting the 1993 high school that served grades nine through 12 to a middle school for sixth- through eighth-graders is more than 75 percent complete. “There’s more open access for
Residents urge fixes for dangerous Grizzly Lane
by Dennis Dalman news@thenewsleaders.com Grizzly Lane used to be a pleasant road winding through the Celebration neighborhood in southwest Sartell, but in recent years it has morphed into a virtual speedway, making that route a potential death zone. At the March 9 City Council meeting, two Celebration residents spoke about their deep concerns during the Open Forum portion of the
A face in the Showcase crowd
photo by Mike KnaakTenley Goenner, 6, of Sartell checks her look in a mirror after her face was painted by Liz Brylski at the Sartell Community Showcase on March 7.
Sartell graduation rate dips, but still remains high
by Mike Knaak editor@thenewsleaders.com Sartell High School’s graduation rate took a slight dip in 2019, but still remained well above the state average. According to the Minnesota Department of Education, 96.5 percent of students graduated in four years, compared with 83.7 percent statewide. The Sartell score dropped from 98.2 percent in 2018. Compared with other area districts, Sartell ranked behind
Virus utterly changes world – at least for a while
by Dennis Dalman news@thenewsleaders.com By mid-March, the world had utterly changed – at least for the time being – with the closings of schools, churches, nursing homes, hospitals, community events and some work places, as well as unprecedented changes in how and where people meet. There are candidates debating without audiences, sports teams playing without spectators, students at home instead