Posted: 2/1/05
Larger upcoming classroom size worries teachers, parents
Motion part of $373,000 in budget cuts
By David Heiller
Argus News Editor
The ISD#299 School Board voted 5-1 to make budget cuts of $373,000 at its January 24 meeting.
Mike Novak voted against the motion because he opposes reducing next yearís fifth grade class from three sections to two.
Voting for the motion were Mary Frank, Naomi Fruechte, Barb Hurley, Chuck Schulte, and Charlie Wray. Jean Meyer was absent.
The budget cuts were presented at the November 2004 board meeting, but the vote was delayed so that people could give their input.
Fourth grade teacher Nancy Mullins and two other citizens did just that last week.
Mullins said she understood the need to balance the budget, but she asked the board to hang on one more year with three sections in the class of current fourth graders.
ìThirty one kids in one classroom is a lot of bodies, itís a lot of desks,î she said. ìItís a lot to manage.î
Test scores, self-concept, and teacher attitudes will all be affected, she said. ìOverall itís not in the best interest to do that.î
Mullins invited board members to visit a fifth grade room and see where 14 more desks can go.
Audience member Nancy Peter said that kids in the middle will suffer, and students at the high end will lose motivation in such a large class.
She also asked if there was a magic number where the class would be split into three sections. ìIs there a point where we say enough is enough?î Peter asked.
Principal Connie Hesse said that some help could come with reassignments in the Title I program, and with a community volunteer program that she is organizing.
Several board members commiserated with Mullins and Peter. ìWeíve looked under every rock [for money]right now,î Barb Hurley said.
ìPhysically how can we do it Barb?î Mullins responded.
Hurley and board chairman Charlie Wray said there is no money coming from the legislature.
Superintendent Michael Moriarty said that he would not let the class size get out of hand, but a decision needed to be made now. It could change down the road, he said.
Audience member Michelle Werner asked if this would be a priority.
ìItís one of my priorities,î Moriarty answered.
ìIt is everybodyís,î Hurley said.
ìItís worth a fight,î Mullins said. ìItís a fight that needs to be fought.î
In explaining his no vote, Novak said he would like to see a bigger reduction in spending on things like capital items, supplies, and extracurricular. Moriarty is recommending a cut of 5-10 percent, which would save about $90,000. Novak wants to see that boosted to 15 percent.
He added that larger classes goes against the intent of the excess levy referendum which voters approved in 2002.
Reducing spending on capital items also goes against it, Wray responded.
Fifth grade band returns
In other business at the two-hour-long meeting, the board voted unanimously to restore the fifth grade band program. It was dropped last year at the recommendation of two former band directors, who have left the district. New directors Dustin Moburg and Keith Hilson feel that the program should be put back in place.
It wonít cost the district any money, Moriarty said, responding to questions on that point by Mary Frank and Barb Hurley.
Some board members worried that it would take away from the middle and high school program by spreading the band directors too thin.
Mike Novak disagreed. The high school program needs a feeder program, and some students will be lost to other activities if it doesnít start at fifth grade. Moriarty agreed with him.
The band directors should be given the decision-making ability to do this, Charlie Wray added.
The program will start in the elementary school in February every year, first with individual lessons then a group effort. High school lessons will go from individual to group-based at that time to free up teacher time for the elementary school.
Here are other items of interest from the meeting, which was held in the elementary cafeteria.
ï Title I: The board also approved moving the Title I program from an after-school program to an in-school one. Moriarty said it should help increase participation. There are 38 students eligible to use Title I, but only 19 are taking part.
The change will cost the district from $1,500-$2,400 in transportation costs for the rest of the year, Moriarty said, because students in the extended day program had been riding the Title I bus and van home to Brownsville and Eitzen. Those costs now need to be paid by the district.
ï Scheduling timeline: High school principal Ron Helmers gave the board a timeline on scheduling. Next yearís seniors will register on February 23-25, followed by juniors and sophomores.
Next yearís freshmen will register on March 10 at a parent meeting in the auditorium and commons area. He will also visit St. Johnís and St. Maryís Elementary Schools prior to that.
A parental signature will be required at the bottom of every registration sheet, he said. ìI want to make sure that both parties are on the same page.î
Helmers expects registration to be done by April 1. The staff will be happy with this, Helmers said, because they will know their schedule and the classes that they are teaching.
Mike Novak asked where the students get to have input. Helmers responded that students may not get the class they want this year, because some classes are offered every-other-year.
Student input is considered when deciding what electives to offer, he said. ìWeíll try to build a schedule that will meet most of their needs,î Helmers said.
ï No Diversity Day: There will be no Diversity Day this year, Moriarty said. He is working on a world culture event for this spring or next fall. Diversity Day last year had a high absentee rate, and drew many comments both pro and con for the way it dealt with some hot-button issues like homosexuality.
ï On-line honors: Moriarty said he s working on setting up on-line college classes with Southeast Technical College in Winona. The goal is to try and encourage students to stay in the district rather than leave for Post Secondary Enrollment Options. The district loses about $6,000 when a student leave, Moriarty said. , which is a lot more than the $350 cost the district would pay for a can on-line college course.
ï Main Street Academy: Elementary principal Connie Hesse reported on a program called Main Street Academy that she is setting up. She has contacted several retired teachers, who have agreed to come in and tutor 18 kids who need extra help. These are students who donít fit into special education or Title I programs.
ï Lawn mowing: The board voted unanimously to have its lawn-mowing done by school employees rather than contracting to a private company as has been done in the past. The initial cost for equipment will be about $14,500, Moriarty said. It will take a worker about two days per week. ìItís a good use of our own peopleís time to mow our own grass,î he said.
Jobs that building and grounds supervisor Joel Hesse had been doing in the past, like planting trees, seeding, and watering, donít require as much of his time now, Moriarty said.
ï Breakfast discontinued: The board voted to discontinue serving breakfasts at the middle/high school due to low participation. Only eight or nine students use it a day, Helmers said. He is looking at alternatives through the student council so students can purchase fruit and milk.
ï Flashing light: Bob Standish from the Caledonia City Council stopped in at the end of the meeting to ask if the board could help pay $5,000 toward the installation of flashing lights by the crossing on Highway 44.
ìItís an accident waiting to happen,î he said.
Moriarty said he would be revising the budget soon, and there may be some money available.
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