Girls' cross county team heads to Alabama

MINSTER - The nationally ranked Minster girls' cross country team will be competing in Alabama next month with the blessing of the Minster Local Schools board of education.

Coach Jessie Magoto told board members Monday night the Oct. 6-8 trip to the Jesse Owens Cross Country Classic Invitational would be made at no cost to the school district. Athletes as well as coaches will cover their own expenses, including airfare, hotel room and meals.

"After being ranked nationally (third in the Midwest as of Sept. 15), the only way we can move up our status is to compete with more competitive schools outside Ohio," Magoto said. "A higher national ranking will help qualify us for the Nike Team National meet in Oregon and open up more scholarship opportunities for the runners."

Superintendent Gayl Ray displayed a plaque she received earlier in the evening at a Minster American Legion Auxiliary meeting. The national award designates Minster High School as an All-American High School.

The award is based on academic achievement as well as patriotism. Local students have fared well in various oratory and government-related contests the auxiliary sponsors annually.

Board members also lauded the presentation the Continue the Excellence Levy Committee made to residents concerning the need to approve a one-half percent income tax and renewal of an eight-tenths-mill permanent improvement levy in November. Forty district residents attended the Sunday night program.

In other business, the board:

• Commended students, staff and administrators for their accomplishments in regard to the district receiving another excellent rating on the state report card. Minster met all 25 of the indicators.

• Learned students are pleased with menu changes introduced in the cafeteria and the new point of sale system implemented there appears to be working well.

• Heard an update on homecoming activities. A king and queen will be selected from a field of six senior boys and girls with festivities beginning at 6:45 p.m. Friday. A dance is planned the following night from 8:30-11:30.

• Received an invitation to attend programs being presented Sept. 27 by Jim Steffan, a motivational speaker on "Fun Fitness." The programs, which coincide with the new wellness policy the school has adopted this year, include a middle school presentation during the day and a session for parents from 7-8:30 p.m. at the middle school.

• Learned the superintendent's advisory committee is back for the second year. Members include freshmen Alex Clune and Brandie Helmer, sophomores Sara Purpus and Daniel Winner, juniors Dottie Goebel and Matt Brackman and seniors Kristen Davis and Kyle Walterbusch.

• Authorized the superintendent to waive fees in the free and reduced lunch price program for those who qualify.

• Set 8 p.m. Oct. 23 as the time and date for the next board meeting to be held in the high school conference room.