Posted: 1/31/06
School district cuts could total $120,000
High school has new detention
program in place
By David Heiller
Argus News Editor
The Caledonia School Board took the first step toward making budget reductions for next school year at its January 23 meeting.
The board unanimously approved a motion directing the administration to make recommendations for reductions in programs and positions.
Board member Mike Novak said the board may have to look at administration as a means to reduce the budget, and not just focus on teachers and aides. Board member Chuck Schulte said he agreed with that.
Superintendent Michael Moriarty said he will be recommending cuts of $100,000-$120,000, although he did not specify how he would do that. He estimated enrollment will drop by about 30 students to 840 students next year. Enrollment is currently at 872.
New detention program
High school principal Ron Helmers described a new after-school detention program that has started at the high school. It will go for up to 2-1/2 hours, or as long as needed. Students who have discipline problems or who arenít getting their homework done would be assigned to it, Helmers said.
The school had been sending students with discipline problems to a program called Leadership in La Crosse, Wisconsin, run by Family and Childrenís Center in La Crosse.
Novak asked what the cost of the new program would be. Helmers replied that it would be cheaper than sending the students to La Crosse.
ìIím not debating that,î Novak said. ìIíd like to see the costs.î
Helmers said he could not provide that information, because sometimes kids are only in detention until their homework is done. ìWeíre looking for a better way to do business,î he said.
Moriarty said the Leadership program is a place for students not cooperating with Caledoniaís programs. He said he would get an estimate on the new programís cost.
Moriarty told The Argus on January 25 that there had been a detention program in place at the middle school but not the high school. The middle school program is being expanded to include high school students. Most offenses at the school do not rise to the Leadership level, he said, and the school does not send many students to La Crosse. The Leadership program cost is $18.75 per hour, which includes transportation to and from La Crosse. The district has spent $1,358.90 so far this year.
Other high school news
Helmers reported that adjustments in the morning student breaks seem to be working well. Students now have 15 minutes between first and second blocks. This gives them more time to eat in the commons, and is cutting down on students taking food back to their lockers or to class, Helmers said. The break between the second and third block of classes has been reduced from 10 minutes to five. ìSo far it looks like itís going to be a good change for the kids.î
Helmers also reported that bells are not functioning at the high school, the public address system is down, and clocks are not all set for the same time. ìSo communication is not in good shape at the high school at this time,î Helmers said. He is working on getting the problems fixed.
Data driven decisions
Middle school principal Brian Doty gave board members a handout called ìData Driven Decisions in My Classroom.î It requires teachers to answer 10 question about how they will use data in lesson design and delivery.
It is intended to help teachers look at data on students obtained from test scores in subjects like reading and math. The data will then be used to improve instruction in some way for individuals, groups, or whole classes, Moriarty told the Argus on January 25. How teachers deliver instruction should be based on data being collected, he said.
The teachers are being asked to take on one data-driven project for the semester. They can choose the class, group of students, or individual and use available data to improve instruction for that individual, group, or class, Moriarty said.
Teacher Janelle Rohrer said at the meeting that there is no time to do the added work. ìItís been added to what we already have to do,î she said. ìWe have to have more time in our day. This is more work.
Board member Naomi Fruechte agreed that it is more work, but said it has to be done. Otherwise teachers are spinning their wheels, she said.
Personnel items
Pat Fahy was hired as a part-time middle/high school special educational assistant for the remainder of the school year. Fahy replaces Jill Armendariz. She will work for three hours per day at $9.21 per hour.
The board also approved the hiring of Conan Kmiecik as a part-time (.83) English teacher for the remainder of the school year. He will be paid $14,132.53. Kmiecik will be teaching two sections of 10th grade English and a half block of writing.
Other business
ï Field trip: The board approved a May 5 fifth grade transition retreat to Eagle Bluff Environment Center in Lanesboro.
ï Snow Week, Sue Link: The week of February 13 is Snow Week at the high school, Helmers reported. He also said that teacher Sue Link is working as an intern for the principals before and after school as part of her requirements in obtaining licensure as a principal.
ï Finance award: Moriarty announced that the district had received the School Finance Award from the Minnesota Department of Education for the second consecutive year. It is given to districts that exhibit fiscal health and sound fiscal management and accountability. The district must maintain a positive fund balance, follow all reporting requirements of the state, and have a school board and district office that are trained in financial matters.
Only 42 of the 545 districts in Minnesota received the award this year. Moriarty praised accountant/business manager Amy Schmidt for her work on school finances.
ï College classes: Community education director Nancy Runningen said the district is making slow but steady progress with Minnesota State College-Southeast Technical in Winona. Several class offerings are available on-line this semester. The goal is to have ISD #299 be a regional campus for SE Tech, Runningen said. ìI think they are very excited about our partnership,î she said.
More information on the class offerings can be found in the most recent community education catalogue. Call 507-725-3319 for more information or email Runningen at nancy_runningen@cps.k12.mn.us.
The school will also be receiving Interactive Television (ITV) equipment this fall as part of grant that SE Tech is writing so that ITV classes with the college can be offered. There will be no cost to the district.
ï Concession stand: Board chair person Mary Frank gave an update on the concession stand project. She said upcoming work will be to put up glassboard, window trim, bathroom partitions, and plumbing. The stainless steel fixtures will be ordered too. The project is about $8,000 under budget so far, she added.
ï Sign project: Schulte said he would bring a proposal to the board on February 27 on proposed signage at the middle/high school. ìWhat the board does with it is up to the board,î he said.
Schulte and a group of citizens have been working on ideas for signs inside the building. They have finalized designs for performing arts, media center, office, student services, community education, gymnasium, and concessions. They are still tweaking their outside sign ideas, Schulte said.
ï Board member Barb Hurley was absent from the two-hour-long meeting, which was held in the elementary school media center.
Caledonia Argus
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