Posted: 11/27/07
Future band and choir trips to be planned further in advance
By Daniel McGonigle
Argus Managing Editor
The music program, represented by Elliot Kranz, came before the school board to express their desire to plan a trip rotating between a "small trip and a big trip."
There was some confusion as to the criteria which would be used to define "small trip and big trip."
"Is that distance, time, I am a little unclear about ësmall trip, big trip,í" said school board chair Naomi Fruechte.
"Itís both," replied Kranz.
Not wanting to limit the parameters or possibilities that future trips might entail, neither party wanted to be too specific in their definition.
"Weíd hate to set a parameter and then have you not be able to go because itís 10 miles past the distance weíve allowed," said Caledonia superintendent Mike Moriarty.
"This is just meant as a general outline," said Kranz. "The last New York trip snuck up on us and gave us about five months to raise $500 for each child. Weíd rather tell you now than next fall so we can start to get our ducks in a row early."
The boardís only requirement was that the program keep the board in the loop.
"We have people ask us," said Fruechte. "Itís nice for us to know whatís going on for when people approach us."
The two sides agreed that the music program would keep the board aware of what is being planned. The board gave the leaders of the program the go-ahead to plan and take trips as they deem adequate.
The trips would be done once every two years, and are fully funded by the music program. They also provide the students with educational value.
Other school board news
ïCurrently the school district must tag and track any item $500 and over for the school district inventory list for capital and fixed assets.
The board approved a measure that would allow employees to track those items valued at over $1,000.
"That is still the low end of what most districts are doing," said Moriarty. "Many are $1,500 or $2,500."
ïMs. Eglinton has been offered a long-term substitute contract as a kindergarten teacher. The position will begin at the birth of current kindegarten teacher Mrs. Newgaardís child, and will continue until she returns from maternity leave.
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