By Chuck Friedbauer

The basic requirement for participation on a speech team is, well, that the individual can speak.

So the fact that Chaska High School Speech team participant Ellyn Daniel had lost her voice and answered questions about next week’s Speak Easy event in written form was a bit ironic.

“Parents, friends and everyone else in attendance will have a chance to see the talent which is usually hidden,” she wrote.

By Chuck Friedbauer

The District 112 Foundation has announced five finalists for the 2010 District 112 Foundation Teacher of the Year Award.

Finalists include Rob Jacobs, engineering teacher at Chaska High School; Jeanne LaMoore, Pioneer Ridge Middle School media specialist; Jodi O’Brien, first-grade teacher at Clover Ridge Elementary School; Mary Perrine, Chaska Middle School East math teacher; and Jennifer Stone, Chaska High School math teacher.

By Chuck Friedbauer

The District 112 School Board unanimously approved a teachers contract on Thursday night.

On Tuesday, the Chaska Education Association members had ratified the tentative contract by nearly 80 percent approval. A total of 514 teachers voted, with 406 accepting the contract and 108 voting against it. The union membership is 640.

CEA president Tim Griffin said the CEA ratification occurred primarily due to the inclusion of steps, or pay increases based on time spent in the district.

Chaska Education Association teachers approved a proposed two-year contract on a 406-108 vote Tuesday afternoon.

The school board will take action on the contract at its Thursday, April 15 meeting.

The contract will result in an overall increase of $1.66 million over the current contract.

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By Chuck Friedbauer

Theater aficionado’s, especially those looking for plays filled with emotion, won’t want to miss Chaska High School’s upcoming spring production.

“If you like roller coasters, emotionally speaking, come see us perform ‘The Crucible,’” said Caitlin Robertson.

Ellen Degler is a triple threat, competing at an All Lake-Conference and All-State level in three sports at Chaska.

Not only that, the senior plays violin in orchestras and clarinet in the marching and concert bands, is active in 4-H and competing at the county and state fairs.

It makes sense than, that she collect an award to reflect her many talents.

Degler received the Triple-A Award for Region 2AA in an on-court ceremony at the state boys basketball tournament on March 27.

By Chuck Friedbauer

On April 5, the Chaska Education Association negotiation team and the District 112 School Board reached a tentative settlement regarding the teacher’s two-year contract.

District 112 will be the last Twin Cities suburban school district to settle its 2009-10/2010-11 contract, according to Greg Abbott, media representative for the Minnesota School Boards Association.

Superintendent David Jennings gave this announcement earlier to day. A letter on the topic is being sent to Victoria and Chaska Elementary School students tomorrow:

It is with pleasure that I announce the appointment of Nancy Wittman to serve as Principal for Chaska Elementary School, beginning with the 2010-11 school year.

Chaska High School ninth-grader Vaughn Hargis died on Saturday, April 3.

On Monday, April 5, Chaska High School Principal David Brecht sent this notice to parents, regarding the steps the school is taking in response to the news:

“I am saddened to inform you that one of our ninth grade students, Vaughn Hargis, died Saturday, April 3. The effect on all of us has been one of sadness. The school is working directly with the family.

By Chuck Friedbauer

Chaska High School senior Trevor Vossberg thinks he would like to get into computer programming after graduation, but he’s not quite sure.

“The Senior Project is a good opportunity to explore a career before actually going into it,” he said.Vossberg is joining about 170 other seniors in developing and managing a senior project, in which the students have the chance to take a closer look at the impact their interests can have after high school.