The Todd County Sheriff’s Department and the Todd County Attorney held a press conference addressing the on- going investigation that is being conducted involving a possible incident/incidents of hazing at the Browerville Public School. Because this is still an active investigation, and minors are involved, very little information concerning the investigation was released. Mikkelson did say that now, even more than ever, it is very important for parents and school officials to keep an open line of communication with stu- dents and children of all ages. Mikk- elson also asked that ifanyone has any addi- tional infor- mation that pertains to the investi- gation, they are encour- aged to come forward. Finally, Mikkelson asked that all residents help control the “rumor mill” until solid information can be released. In a separate letter dated May 2nd, addressed to parent s of children in the Browerville School system, Superintendent Robert Schaefer shared the fol- lowing information: In early April 2012, a report was made to Browerville Public Schools that alleged stu- dent miscon- duct had occurred in August of2011. The School District immediately made a report to the Todd County Sheriff’s Department because it appeared that the alleged misconduct involved potential criminal con- duct. Thereafter, the Todd County A community newspape r serving Br owerville, MN and surrounding ar eas. USPS 067-560 Thursday, May 10, 2012 V olume 96; Number 46 www .bladepublishing.net Wed. May 9 Thur. May 10 Fri. May 11 Sat. May 12Sun. May 13Mon. May 14 WEEKLY WEATHER REPORT Commissioners approve hiring four new staff members By Tim KingThe Todd County Board ofCommissioners approved hiring four employees in the County’s Health and Human Services Division at their Tuesday May 1 meeting. Three of the hires involved waiving the County’s 90- day waiting period to fill a position. The Child Support Enforcement Aide posit ion had actua lly been vacant since mid December 2011 due to a medical leave of absence. The person who currently holds the position is unable to return to work and has submitted their res- ignation. Although the resignation is not effective until the end ofDecember the person’s leave ofabsence is unpaid, according to Health and Human Services Director Cheryl Schneider . “She is only receiving health insurance benefits,” Schneider said. Schneider said leaving the posi- tion vacant was creating an increasing backlog of work. “We have not been fully in com- pliance with required services or timelines because each worker has had to absorb portions of the vacant caseload,” she said. A waiver of the 90-da y waiting period was also approved for a Child Protection Social Worker position. The position had been vacant since March 30. “It is essential that the 90 day waiting period to fill the vacated position be waived in this situation so as to meet agency requirements to provide for child safety,” Schneider said. The final position commission- ers waived the 90-day waiting peri- od on was a Financial Eligibility Worker. That position will be open on May 31 due to a retirement. Schneider said the Eligibility Workers division had lost two employees recently and the remaining workers could not possi- bly take on more work. The money to pay all three ofthe positions that received the waiver of the 90-day waiting period are in the current budget. ADMIN ISTRA TIVE SERVICES UNIT MANAGER Jenna Peterson will be hired to fill the newly created position ofAdministrative Services Unit Manager . The position was created as a result of the consolidation ofthe Social Services and the Public Health departments. Peterson has previous experience in manage- ment for Todd County Social Services and most recently has been employed as a consultant to the Health and Human Services Division. Peterson’s contract wage as a consultant was $31.67 per hour. Her new hourly wage will be $28.01 per hour, according to Human Resources Director Karla Nalezny. With wages and benefits Peterson will earn approximately $73,000 annually. Previously commissioners, and County Administrator Nathan Burkett, have said the creation ofJenna Peterson’s new position will save Todd County between $150,000 to $200,000. When citi- zens Steve Beck and Leslie Lawrence challenged that claim at the May 1 meeting the commis- sioners backed away from it. They said they shouldn’t have used the word savings. Instead, they believe, the position will result in additional revenue for the county. The Administrative Services Unit Manager’s pay is not in this year’s budget. CITIZENS SPEAK OUT An organ ized group of citize ns asked commissioners a series ofquestions regarding allegations ofa suppressed Todd County redis- trict ing map at T uesda y's meet- ing. The questioning took place during the fifteen-minute public comment period prior to the begin- ning of the official meeting. Steve Beck, fBrowerville, asked County Board Chairman Gerald Ruda which commissioner directed County Administrator Nathan Browerville school petitions court to order release of information Weather doesn’t dampen walk/run participants enthusiasm Continued on page 20. Continued on page 20. Again i t was a grey , rainy d ay for the A nnua l ALS Walk/R un held at t he Chad a nd Paul a Becke r home on May 6th. The damp condi tions di d nothi ng to dampen the spirits of the many volunteers participating in this year in the event. More than 210 people took part in the walk/run, raising over $8000. Photo s by T ariss a Host . Todd County Sheriff Pete Mikkelso n answers media ques- tions during a press conference held on May 1st.
