Caledonia Argus

Good news on school budget

Posted: 2/11/03

by Andrew Miller
Argus News Reporter

The school district will see a $369,000 improvement in its general fund, according to a 2002-2003 budget statement released on February 5.

ìWeíre running comfortably in the black this year, we feel good about that,î said District Superintendent Jim Tool. ìWe definitely should be out of SOD (Statutory Operating Debt). Itís a positive budget.î

The general fund, which covers the costs of most of the school districtís operations, is expected to see revenues of over $7.4 million, whereas expenditures are expected to run less than $7.2 million.

The 2002-2003 budget does not reflect the impact that funds derived from the $818,000 operating levy approved by voters in December will have. These funds are payable in 2003, are are not applicable to the 2002-2003 budget.

Retrofit on pace for February completion

Construction at the former high school is on pace for a late February completion, said Ken Cote' of Kraus-Anderson Construction, and the building should be ready to accommodate Caledonia Elementary, which is scheduled to move there March 6.

ìEverything is coming along pretty well,î Cote' said. ìThere should be no problems turning the building over for the move on March 6.î

The schoolís kitchen has passed a state health inspection, and the state fire marshall is set to inspect the building on February 18. The tentative completion date for the bulk of the construction is set for February 18, though some contractors will remain in the weeks to come in order to finish up some minor work.

School board weighs four- day kindergarten week

A proposed four-day kindergarten program was evaluated by school board members on February 5, and next yearís kindergarten schedule should be finalized in the near future.

Caledonia Elementary currently offers both a three-day and a five-day program. Students who entered the kindergarten program this year had the option of choosing either program. The four day week would be for all kindergarten students.

An additional difference is that the proposed program is not fee-based.

Kindergarten teacher Jan Klug, who leads the five-day, all-day every-day section of students, stated that the five-day program has been overwhelmingly supported, and that the kids in the program are further along in their education halfway through the school year than any other sections sheís taught.

Doing away with all-day every-day kindergarten, she noted, would not be her first choice, considering the strengths of the program; however, she said, the four-day program is something she would endorse.

ìI feel very strongly about my five-day programñ itís a rip-roaring success,î Klug said. ìBut I can support this compromise.î

Board member Naomi Fruechte commented, ìThe ultimate goal would be the five-day program, but the four-day program is a good stepping stone. You plant the seed, you let it grow, you do it incrementally.î

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