MHLT school board clears path for outdoor classroom

The Minocqua Hazelhurst Lake Tomahawk School (MHLT) board of education approved at its June 15 meeting the creation of an outdoor classroom.

Outdoor education teacher Jeff Kinnally said he has been cutting and clearing trails on 25 to 30 forested acres on the west side of the campus property to make it more “usable” because it had been “a little bit overgrown.”

He said there’s an open space in the forest that’s been used as a dumping ground in the past, but the idea came up of having an outdoor classroom setting there. 

Kinnally said he spoke with the Firebird Foundation to gather the group’s thoughts and see if it’d be willing to “back some of it.”

“And they pretty much said ‘Let’s do it,’” he said.

Kinnally said those he spoke with from the Firebird Foundation indicated they’d like to see the outdoor classroom done by September. 

There was a person who said they’d donate time to clear out brush in the area, he said, and at least the green space could be ready by next fall. 

Kinnally said the idea of having a pavilion and fire pit was suggested for the space, that way the Firebird Foundation could use it for events as well. 

With little discussion, the board agreed for the school to have an outdoor classroom. 

Kinally proceeded to update the board on outdoor education at MHLT. 

He said there was a 180-pound fish tank donated to the school by a local musky club and the school will be looking to have a musky on site. He’s working with the Department of Natural Resources on the permitting process now.

Kinally said he and his students also adopted a portion of County Highway D from the U.S. Highway 51 intersection to Lakewood Road. He said there will be a sign on that road indicating that designation at some point. 

Additionally, Kinally said, Bill Fricke had found a musky in the attic of The Boathouse which was caught by famed outdoors writer Harold Titus and it will hang in Kinnally’s classroom.

He said there could be more mounts people might donate for him to hang up. 

“Because I want to have here in the school too because we live in northern Wisconsin, we’re not going to be outside every day, so the more we can make it outdoor … centered in the school, I think the better off we’ll be,” Kinnally said. 

There was also indication Kinally would be looking into possibly enrolling more forest land into the school forest. 

Kinnally said he’s working with a local forester and MHLT parent on what the forest can be. 

He also mentioned he met with teachers K-5 and devised a plan for what grades will learn related to the outdoors — for instance, kindergarteners would have an outdoor unit on bugs and insects, second-graders would learn about plants and trees, and fourth grade would be learning about fish and water.

“That’s awesome,” board president Christy Seidel said. “Thanks Mr. Kinnally for taking that on and the enthusiasm is really, truly appreciated. You are definitely the right person for taking this on. We love it.”

Board member Jennifer Domaszek said she felt Kinally “really found his niche.”

“My grandkids are really excited about this program,” board member Jay Christgau added.

Food service increase

The board also agreed at its June 15 meeting to raise food service prices. 

“We have spent a lot of time reviewing food service this past year due to the administrative review from DPI (Department of Public Instruction) and because it is running a deficit due to increased staffing and rising costs associated with food procurement,” district business manager Eddie Then Jr. said in a topic summary sheet provided to the board. “In addition, we have not charged families for breakfast since prior to COVID.”

Student breakfast was free up until the district’s fiscal year 2022 and the price increase is from $1.65 to $2. Additional revenue estimated is $22,000.

Student lunch will increase from $3.30 to $3.90. Additional revenue estimated is $8,500. 

Adult breakfast will remain at $2.80, but adult lunch will increase from $4.10 to $4.50. 

A la carte items for students and adults will increase as follows: $2.25 to $3 for extra entree; 50 cents to 75 cents for milk; $1.50 to $1.65 for Rice Crispy bar; and $2.50 to $3 for bottled juice. 

“Raising prices is unfortunate, but some of these have needed adjustment for a while now,” Then said. “This will help protect classroom funds and reduce the ongoing burden for referendum on the community.”

Trevor Greene may be reached via email at [email protected].