Posted: 6/27/06
County engineer concerned with highway crossing
By David Heiller
Argus News Editor
Should there be a tunnel under Highway 44/76 for school children?
That was the idea that Tracey Von Bargen, interim Houston County engineer, raised at the June 20 meeting.
Von Bargen spoke to the board for about 15 minutes. He said he has concerns about the school zone on Highway 44/76.
The area may seem routine and safe for local people, but thatís not the case for other drivers, Von Bargen said. He called it a safety deficiency.
Von Bargen suggested putting a tunnel under the highway. He said there are grant funds available up to $175,00 to pay for such a project under a program called Safe Routes to School. It is part of the federal transportation bill.
The concept is to create walk-able communities to address the issue of obesity, Von Bargen said. The goal would be to get more kids to walk to school safely, he added.
Superintendent Michael Moriarty said he would look into the program. Von Bargen said he had talked to board member Jean Meyer about this, and that she would be providing the board with information on the grant. Meyer works for the Minnesota Department of Transportation. She was absent from last weekís meeting.
Board member Chuck Schulte said the board looked into that idea when it built the new middle/high school, but board members couldnít get a foolproof plan for the kids to use it. What happens then if the district gets rid of the crossing guards and flashing lights, Schulte asked.
ìTruth of the matter is, most students drive,î Schulte added.
The tunnel could consist of a 10'x14' box culvert, Von Bargen said. It would require the acquisition of some land, he added, and that might be hard to do as the corridor there develops.
Budget adopted
In other business, the board adopted a 2006-2007 budget. It has revenues of $9,698,320 and expenditures of $9,678,972 for a negative balance of $19,348.
Schulte noted that nothing was allocated for future parking lot and roof of the middle/high school when needed. Moriarty said that he had allocated $20,000 for a roof repair at the elementary school over the kindergarten area, and would do another $20,000 next year, which should cover the cost of that project. Putting $40,000-$70,000 a year aside for a major roof repair would impact programs, Moriarty said. ìIf we want to decide to have fewer teachers, I guess we can do that,î he said.
Major roof jobs such as one that might be required at the middle high school in 20 years are generally done through repair referendums, Moriarty said.
The board canít bank on such a referendum passing, Schulte responded. He said that taking care of the facility was a big issue with voters when the school referendum was passed. It will cost more than $1 million to replace the middle/high school roof, Schulte estimated.
Moriarty said the district is building a fund balance for resurfacing the middle/high school parking lot, and could spend part of its capital budget for it.
The unrestricted general fund balance is projected at $611,500 for June 30, 2006, Moriarty told The Argus on June 21.
Personnel items
ï Barbara Meyer was hired as full-time business manager starting July 1, at the salary of $40,000. Meyer has worked part time for the district as accounts payable and accounts receivable clerk.She replaces Amy Schmidt, who resigned. Moriarty said he will be reorganizing the office in the next three months, with the long term goal of reducing expenses. Schulte said Moriarty should watch the big picture because Schmidt was able to save the district money.
ï The board accepted the resignation of Gale Peter, middle/high school counselor. They also granted a maternity leave for Tina Fruechte.
ï Two support staff, Pamela Fahy and Stephanie Huff, were laid off. This is part of the long term goal of reducing staff due to declining enrollment, Moriarty said. One person might be hired back if the district needs a one-on-one aide.
SAC program praised
Board member Barb Hurley commended Nancy Runningen for the school aged care (SAC) program, which is entering its second year now.
Hurley said she had initially opposed the program, which offers child care services in a classroom in the elementary school before and after school, on holidays, and during the summer.
Moriarty said it was a challenge for the SAC program to break even, but that such things take a while. He said the summer program, which has 10-12 children enrolled each day, indicates that SAC is working.
The program is not intended to make money, but rather to provide a service to the community, Moriarty said.
It provides a safe environment and has many activities for the children, said community education director Nancy Runningen, who is charge of it.
Day care providers are happy with it too, elementary principal Connie Hesse added, because it adds another outlet for child care.
Other business
ï Grants reduced: Hesse said in her report to the board that Title grants had declined by $58,013. This money is for No Child Left Behind requirements, Moriarty said. That legislation is adding testing in three more grades this year, he said.
ï More requirements coming: Moriarty stated in his report that algebra 1 would be required for all 8th graders in 2010, then algebra 2 would be required for all 9th graders after that. By the year 2014, all students will have to take chemistry or physics, Moriarty added.
ï Test results: Board member Joyce Knutson asked when adequate yearly progress results would be announced. Moriarty said the report cards for school districts would not be ready by the state fair as usual because the state canít process all the data by that time. He said the school would know its test results in September, then the district would have a chance to review it and challenge anything. Data will be furnished to the public on November 15, Moriarty said. Inconsistency in data and alternative testing can lead to challenges, Runningen added.
ï Praise for class: Moriarty also praised the building and trades class of Brad Harguth. They worked on several projects, such as a concrete apron on a storage shed, a softball fence, and roofs on dugouts. ìI canít thank them enough for a job well done,î he said.
ï Absent: Board member Naomi Fruechte was also absent from the meeting, which lasted two hours and 20 minutes. The next meeting is July 17 at 7 p.m. in the elementary school media center.
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com