Growth prompts school auction

Enrollment at Lake Region Christian School in Baxter is growing, and as a result, two more teachers and a principal are sought.

To help raise money for the additional staff, the private school is hosting an auction Saturday.

Pastor Dave Grotzke of First Baptist Church said enrollment at the pre-kindergarten to 12th-grade school increased by 25 students this year and he expects enrollment to continue to grow. This school year there are 165-170 students and 20 teachers.

Former Principal Mark Monroe resigned. Grotzke has been filling in as the principal.

The auction will begin at 10 a.m. at the school and the items may be previewed beginning at 9 a.m.

A variety of items will be auctioned, including furniture, gift certificates, vacation packages, golf and hotel packages, a car, a boat, sporting equipment, collectibles, sports memorabilia, dishes and educational items.

Cindy Grotzke, who is organizing the auction, said student-made quilting blocks that she pieced together into quilts will be auctioned off.

Grotzke said the money raised from the auction will help improve the school as a whole and will enhance its educational programs. The school is funded through enrollment fees and money from the church.

The Grotzkes hope to raise about $32,000, the amount raised two years ago, in an auction.

The auction will be in the school's new gym. Concession stands will be open. The auctioneers, who are volunteering their time, are Don Walker and Larry Kroshus.

Dave Grotzke said the auction is open to everyone in the community.

JENNIFER STOCKINGER can be reached at jennifer.stockinger@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5851.