Construction done — for now

There definitely was joy in Kasson last week as Highway 57 re-opened. Two summers of highway construction is not something that anyone enjoys, even if the end result is an improvement.
Not only did it open again to traffic but this time with three roundabouts.
Initial reports seem to be that the roundabouts are operating as they should.
It does give a different look to downtown Kasson, maybe with a little bit of sadness that now Kasson can no longer say it is the only city in Dodge County that has a stoplight. The proliferation of roundabouts is certainly reducing the number of stoplights and stop signs throughout the state.
An interesting note is that according to a release from the Minnesota Department of Transportation, one of the lights was salvaged and has been given to Kasson-Mantorville High School for use as a prop in an upcoming play.
Before we get too complacent that it will now be an easy drive up Highway 57, we need to remember that the construction will resume next year when the reconstruction work moves to Mantorville.
But that’s to be expected. The saying is, there are two seasons in Minnesota — winter and road construction.
That may be the story we tell but this year certainly proves that there is summer in Minnesota. As we are now in to what is likely to be the hottest weeks of the summer it is well to remember to take precautions in the heat. Temperatures this week were forecast to approach the 100 degree mark with heat indexes well over 100.
With those temperatures it is best to stay indoors and in an air-conditioned environment as much as possible. Drink plenty of fluids but avoid those that contain alcohol, caffeine or a lot of sugar. Individuals with health conditions or older people should be extra cautious. And, it should go without saying, never leave children or pets in a parked vehicle.
On another note, a large group of Kasson-Mantorville School District residents were on hand at the School Board meeting Monday night to say goodbye and thank you to Supt. Mark Matuska. Monday was his last day at K-M Schools and he is now the principal at Jackson County Central High School in Jackson. Much of the meeting was area residents thanking Matuska for his 12 years as superintendent and telling anecdotes and recollections of the time he spent here.
It was also the meeting where the board hired an interim superintendent.
The top leadership position in the K-M district is now held by Dr. David Thompson. Thompson has a long career as a teacher and administrator and most recently was the superintendent in the Stewartville School District. Since his retirement from Stewartville he has been serving as a consultant and among his duties has been working with the Minnesota School Boards Association in guiding schools through the process of hiring superintendents.
A welcome to Kasson and Mantorville to Dr. Thompson.