Superintendent Evan Gough meets expectations.

Almost one year after his start in the Blue Earth Area School District, the School Board evaluated the superintendent in 10 areas.

On a scale of one to five, with one being “does not meet expectations” and five being “outstanding,” the School Board gave Gough an overall rating of 3.43, which is just above meets expectations.

His strongest area was in instituting and updating comprehensive strategic planning, where he was given a score of 4.

In a summary, the collective board states, “He ranked the highest on strategic planning after initiating the planning process through the South Central Service Cooperative. He has also been vigilant in working on his personal goals.”

When it comes to what needs improvement, the board writes, “Enhancing communications with the communities in the school district is one area the board sees the most opportunity for improvement.”

For that area, Gough is given a rating of 3.

The board concludes, “Overall, the board is pleased with his performance and feels he is grasping the new responsibilities and concepts of the superintendent role.”

In response, Gough says, “I have enjoyed my first year at Blue Earth Area. I continue to be amazed at the level of support our communities give to our students. We have a great staff and excellent students.”

In other business;

Frankie Bly offered his congratulations to the boys and girls track teams for going to State True Team;

Enrollment predictions are in and up from last year. The overall projection for the district is 1,232, where as for the 2012-13 school year, enrollment was at 1,226;

The staff retirement reception is scheduled for Wednesday, May 22 from 3:30-5 p.m.;

The last student day is Friday, May 31 with commencement on June 2 at 2 p.m.;

A staff recognition breakfast is set for Monday, June 3 at 7:45 a.m.;

The School Board approved the following staff changes:?hire Stephen DeMarce, custodian; contract with Kevin Grant, Title I coordinator; resignations of Myrna Pirsig, secretary, and Devin Drager, middle school English; leave request from Kimberly Sass, paraprofessional; lane change for Molly More, BA 15 to MA; and retirement of Terry Barnes, middle school social studies;

The board approved the capital outlay and deferred maintenance budgets for 2013-14;

A contract for service was approved with CliftonLarsonAllen, Certified Public Accountants; and

Membership was renewed with the Minnesota State High School League for the 2013-14 school year.