NRHEG School Board

By REED WALLER

Staff Writer

Members of the NRHEG PTO appeared before the school board Monday evening to offer a donation in the amount of $37,739.63 for the new playset for Ellendale from Play&Park Structures, and another donation in the amount of $4,140 for the installation by Sequoia Landscape.

“The existing playground equipment, which is used by 423 students, is 25 years old,” they said, “and was designed for half the students we have.”

The NRHEG PTO has worked more than a year, processing hundreds of donations, and is currently waiting on grant proposals as well.

The PTO visited two other schools who have this equipment, and declared themselves “very satisfied” with it.

This will be the first of two proposed installations.

The board approved: 1. The donation from the PTO in the amount of $41,879.63 for purchasing and installing the equipment; and 2. The actual purchase of the equipment and contracting with Sequoia Landscape for the required work.

“This does not include an additional contribution which the District will make,” said Supt. Dale Carlson, “for other things, such as mulch.”

The amount of $41,879.63 was used in both actions, though the actual price tag is expected to be smaller when an additional three percent discount is applied.

Washington D.C. student trip

Georgia Dinneen thanked the board for the honor of leading the Washington D.C. trip for the last 10 years.

“A tour guide told me “’I would never turn down NRHEG,’” said Dinneen, citing the NRHEG students’ exemplary behavior and enthusiasm.

“We began in 2004 with one night and two days,” Dinneen said, “then later two nights, and in 2015 increased it to three nights.”

Students saw a little of everything, at high speed. “We tell people, there’s not enough time to sleep or get into trouble.”

Members of the party agreed that the pace was fast and exciting and “an incredible trip,” and that they had trouble trying to pick a favorite site among so many.

Prom

With the Prom coming up on May 7, Secondary Principal David Bunn detailed the after-prom schedule.

“The Grand March will be at 3:30. At about 4:30 the buses will take the promgoers to Stillwater to board the riverboat ‘Avalon.’ After midnight they will go to Grand Slam in Burnsville for the After Prom party, followed by a light breakfast back here in the Commons.”

Bunn said 146 have signed up for the event.

Bunn also talked about WEB, or “Where Everybody Belongs,” a middle school transition program which NRHEG is looking into implementing. “It should mix nicely with our Strategic Plan,” he said, referring to suggestions of such a program at a Strategic Planning Committee meeting.

Calendar

A modified school calendar was approved, setting the last day of school at June 3 with a two-hour early dismissal. Also, March 24 weather related make-up day is waived for students, and is now an additional staff work day.

Teachers may choose to work either two days of June 4, 6 and 7, or one of those days and another to be approved by the supervisor.

Hourly staff who did not work on  March 24 may work June 6.

Strategic Planning

“Our Strategic Planning has gone well so far, “ said Supt. Carlson, “with 24 to 31 members present at all meetings.”

“Next, the admininstration will meet with the consultants, who will revise the findings and send the results to the full committee. Perhaps as early as the May 16 board meeting, we may have a Strategic Action Plan.”

Should there be a work session in May?

“Think it over,” said Carlson, “and you decide if you’ll be ready by May 16. It would be good to take advantage of staff still being here before summer comes.”

Staffing Plan

“I see a need to develop a policy to guide our staffing decisions,” said Carlson, “as there is not a policy currently in place.”

Such a policy, he explained, would set guidelines in determining the number of sections for a class in the elementary, as well as for setting the number of course sections for the secondary school.

Attention is given to minimizing the number of sections with low student enrollment. So some “singleton” courses (where only one section is offered) have to be cancelled if demand is low. Frequently the number who actually enroll turns out to be less than the number who requested it, because of scheduling conflicts.

How many students does it take to offer a course? In high school in particular, student requests for elective courses (made in February) determine the number of staff needed for a curriculum area. NRHEG Secondary will have fewer staff per student next year when this year’s large fifth grade moves to New Richland, and 10 courses have been cancelled.

Courses to be cancelled include:

Agriculture: Ag Economics, Ag Power/Electricity

Art: Ceramics II, Photography

English: Journalistic Writing

FACS: Child Development, Internet Investing, Relationships

Science: Physics

Social Studies: ‘60s Today

“We’re working on some guidelines,” said Carlson.

“Will the cancelled courses be offered again?” asked Mark Tollefson. “Like,  in another  year?”

“If they’re cancelled more than twice in a row, we have to examine them,” said Carlson.

There are exceptional courses, though, like industrial arts classes, where more than a certain number isn’t a good idea.

No action was taken at this time.

Budget preview

Carlson gave the board a preview of the 2016-17 budget.

Revenues: 

2016 - $10,612,116

2017 - $10,676,205

Expenditures:

2016 - $10,313,183

2017 - $10,715,401

Factors involved include an $8,000 house purchase, and a $70,000 technology outlay.

“As you see, we’re looking at a deficit budget,” said Carlson.

“We’re about $100,000 down. Not a big deal in a $10 million budget, but I’d like to see closer to a zero deficit.”

Staff changes

Resignations were accepted for Hillary Hagen, school nurse; Crystal Maxon, ECSE  paraprofessional (14 years); and Carmen Weske, Food Service; and the retirement of Bonnie Jacobson, ECSE Preschool Teacher (24 years).

The board approved the hire of Claire Dembsky, Middle School Science teacher, at BA(0) Step A. Dembsky is a graduate of Luther College.