South metro school briefs

Married to the boss? Not in school district It's now officially against the rules for a school employee to work too closely with a spouse or family member in the district. The school board approved a new policy against nepotism last week, becoming one of the first Minnesota school boards to do so.

The situation has cropped up occasionally in the district, said district spokeswoman Linda Swanson. Once, two custodians married each other, but one voluntarily moved to another building, she said. And Andy Berkvam, a physical education teacher at Lakeville North High School, is transferring to Kenwood Trail Middle School this fall after interim principal Marne Berkvam, his wife, got the job for good this spring.

Local students tops in speech and debate South-metro schools continued a tradition of dominance this spring at two major speech and debate tournaments run by the National Forensic League and National Catholic Forensic League.

Akshar Rambachan of Eastview High School won national titles in extemporaneous speaking at both events. Greta Besser of Lakeville North High School earned two championships in duo interpretation, one each with partners Adam Bouchareb and Rick Yuronich. And Greg Berman of Eastview High School won the dramatic performance category at the National Catholic Forensic League.

Eagan and Apple Valley high schools were also among six schools awarded top honors in speech at the National Forensic League tournament.