Now, with the state withholding 40 percent, Wellen expects that it will be necessary for the school district to borrow some money for salary and expenses short term.
At the special meeting the following Thursday, the board approved the proposed levy, which has decreased about three percent to around a $1,382,000 maximum.
The board approved the levy for “the maximum amount” rather than the number quoted by the State, since if, later, the State finds to have made an error that would be in the district’s favor, the difference would be due and payable.
The district still will most likely levy less than this amount when the budget is finally set, as it did last year when it underlevied by $75,000.
Curriculum Report
The AYP date released from the State of Minnesota shows that NRHEG does not meet AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) for math in several grade levels.
“In several grade levels our scores have dropped significantly,” said Wellen.
What the board members found inexplicable was results such as the one showing that this year’s fourth grade performed at 49 percent, whereas last year’s third grade (the same students) performed at 79 percent.
“How different is this year’s math test from last year?” asked board member Lori Routh.
Elementary coordinator Doug Anderson affirmed that it was “significantly more difficult.”
It was remarked that tests designed to measure growth aren’t very useful if their difficulty varies from year to year.
Communication from the state following complaints from other districts stated that written and electronic results have been correlated against each other and seem to be correct.
Board members discussed being involved in a study of independent districts, for possible reevaluation.
Meanwhile, the State of Minnesota is itself still seeking a waiver of some parts of the No Child Left Behind law from the US Dept. of Education.
“If the numbers are right,” said Wellen, “we have a lot of work to do.”
Lockdown/Evacuation
After adjournment, Wellen and the board members discussed some issues revealed by last Thursday’s lockdown and evacuation drill.
The Ellendale and New Richland sites both held lockdown and evacuation drills. The Ellendale site began 15 minutes earlier, because of the “shorter legs” of the elementary students.
New Parking Lot: When the new parking lot in Ellendale was planned and constructed, it was believed that the cost could be offset with Crime Levy dollars because it would be safer, getting bus loading off the street.
But last week’s evacuation required students to walk behind and between buses to load, while the road was not closed and traffic was still coming in. Additionally, the buses are not able to make a U-turn.
Since it doesn’t seem to be actually safer, the parking lot will have to be a capital expenditure.
Lights: Alliant Energy had told the district that they would provide two lights for the parking lot at a cost of about $30 per month. These lights could be installed on existing poles, at considerable savings. However, when Wellen was able to contact them recently, he was told that Alliant would be not able to use the existing poles. Now other contractors are being talked to about purchasing lights.
Evacuation areas: In Ellendale the two places the students were going to be evacuated to were both in use, so the fire hall garages were used.
Evacuation times: In both buildings the evacuation times came in at just under three minutes.
In New Richland, Principal Paul Cyr called in the police as if it were a regular police call.
It took nine minutes to produce the second officer so the police could enter the building. “If we have a shooter,” an officer explained, “we won’t come in until there are two officers.”
Other Business
It was discovered that the high jump area on the track in New Richland did not get blacktopped with the rest. This will be corrected next spring, but the price quote for the job included the high jump area, so that portion of it will be deducted.
