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School levies below maximum limit
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By Tom Murphy
Caledonia Argus
The Board of Education of Caledonia Area Public Schools approved a levy of $2.47 million payable in 2009. That the levy was below a level that would require the customary Truth In Taxation hearing. One person attended those hearings in the last five years.
The amount of the increase was 4.06 percent which could translate to about a two percent increase per household, estimated Superintendent Michael Moriarty. A lower health and safety levy, which once demanded more funding, was the difference. When the district had older buildings, that levy amounted to quite a bit more.
The levy would have been less had not the state of Minnesota lowered its equity aid again. The trend of lower state funding has continued for several years, Moriarty said.
The district is trying to open its facilities to the public when school is not in session. The middle school/high school (ms/hs) media center is available to anyone until 5:15 p.m. on school days. People can access the computers, use e-mail, research, and read magazines and newspapers.
High School Principal Ron Helmers said there had been several tables of students studying in the commons area while they waited for buses after practices. The district wanted to provide a quieter study area. The ms/hs media center will be open to the public during those times.
Also, the doors to the school will be open when school is not in session so that students can gain access to their lockers. Custodians have areas open where they are working, too. The doors to the school are no longer propped open. Those open doors have allowed May flies and mice to enter.
Enrichment program
‘Beyond the Bell’ an enrichment academic program for sixth to eighth graders will provide a time after school for homework and study from 3:15-4:15 p.m. daily. Kristi Knutson is the coordinator and Janell Field Rohrer, Cathy Klug, and Carol Nelson will supervise. Funding comes from outside the school district.
Elementary Principal Connie Hesse reported that attendance at the orientation on the first day of school was 98 percent. She also said she is looking for a licensed EBD person and may seek a waiver. Thanks to a grant written by Amy Wild, the district was able to provide a mathematics in-service program that included St. Mary’s and St. John’s teachers.
Math was another subject in the superintendent’s presentation. The junior class is like the rest of Minnesota in that only 33 percent have passed the proficiency test necessary to graduate. The superintendent said the tests are difficult to prepare for. For the students who are not successful the first time, tests will be given on about a quarterly basis as well as the summer.
Composite test scores on ACT tests for the last five years showed that in one year, 2007, the average for the state was exceeded. The report was part of the packet provided to the board. The ACT is a required test in this area of the country for college admission.
The bus contract increase with Schmitz Bus Service was reduced by one percent after one bus route was eliminated from the Brownsville area. It will mean two full buses will be running with a change in service of minutes. No one gets on a bus before 7 a.m. in the district. The superintendent recalled that when he was in Rushford, some of their students got on the bus before 6:30 a.m.
Jody Sonsalla came to the board asking that the athletic field complex be named after the late Vernon “Bud” Marnach. Sonsalla talked of Marnach’s volunteer and booster efforts over the years. His request was referred to the buildings and grounds committee.
Progress continues on signage proposed to recognize state participation by teams using the sports complex. Now it is thought the sign may be located at the entry point to the field.
Personnel
Laura Welscher is the new MS/HS head cook. Alisa Goetzinger is the junior high volleyball coach. Mellonie Roesler-Begalke, a long time volunteer, was hired as a long-term substitute in ECFE. Judith Flaten is the .50 elementary reading specialist. Aimee Johnson is now a part-time MS/HS cook.
Paul Hughes has been hired as a long term substitute in industrial technology. Marsha Kotten was granted a maternity leave from Dec. 1 to March 1. Shannon Staggemeier is a part-time elementary secretary.
New teachers Brad Church and Jason Cognac accepted the co-positions of advising the junior high class. Superintendent Moriarty welcomed the announcement. “I think it is tremendous that our young teachers take this responsibility.”
Miscellaneous
• Community education director Nancy Runningen said the fall brochure for classes would be out by the end of the month.
• All who drive a school vehicle, even volunteers, will have to be licensed, pass a physical, submit to drug screening, and have a criminal background check.
• The only fundraiser held by the elementary school is now underway. “It helps our programming,” Hesse explained.
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