Caledonia Argus

School concession stand moving ahead

Posted: 5/11/04

By David Heiller
Argus News Editor

Spectators at Caledonia High School outdoor sporting events could see a big improvement in the future.

The district moved a step closer to having a concession stand built near the outdoor athletic fields when the school board approved preliminary plans for it on May 3.

The motion was necessary so that health permits could be obtained from the Minnesota Department of Health.

Board member Barb Hurley passed out plans of the 27x37-foot building, which will have bathrooms, sinks, cabinets, coolers, ovens, equipment storage and a ticket booth.

The board agreed to budget $50,000 for it, which is less than the estimated cost of $92,760, including labor, that contractor Dave Nelson gave the board. He told the board that plans could be modified as long as the sanitary and plumbing parts donít change.

Hurley said she expected a lot of donations and volunteer labor to keep in on budget.

High school principal Cory Klabunde questioned the scope of the building. He said a 10x20-foot fish house could be built for $10,000. Board member Suzanne Roesler said the new building would be an investment to go along with the field, which is the site for football, soccer, and track.

ï Health insurance to rise: The board also discussed a potential health insurance increase of 46.1 percent which has been proposed by Blue Cross/Blue Shield for the district staff.

Family coverage would increase from the present level of $14,172 to $22,266 annually.

The district presently pays for 36 percent of the premium on family coverage, or about $5,100.

ìThese have to be some of the highest rates in the state, I would think, some of the highest rates in the nation,î Tool said.

He said he will look into an option called VIVA which is a combination of a high deductible insurance plan and a health savings plan through the schoolís service cooperative.

Mike Moriarty, who will take over as Caledonia superintendent in July, said Mabel-Canton, where he works now, has a VIVA plan and had no premium increase this year.

ï Math department reports: Two members of the middle/high school math department updated the board on curriculum. It was part of a series of department updates that have been done at recent board meetings.

Amy Wild and Cathy Klug talked about the importance of students having calculators. A graphics calculator costs $100, which will be a shock to parents, Wild said. The district wonít require them, but will recommend their purchase, she said.

Wild added that the district needs to have math offerings all year long, and is close to that point with algebra one.

Klug thanked the board for re-instating the Assurance of Mastery program, an in-school program to improve studentsí math skills. Tina Esch teaches it. ìThat has saved at least 20 kids this year,î Klug said. ìWe would like to keep that and have it be a priority.î

ï School board filings: board chairman Dave Klinski noted that school board filings dates have been moved up to July 6-20. He encouraged people to file. Three four-year positions will be open for positions held by Klinski, Roesler, and Hurley. Roesler and Klinski said they will not be filing.

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