Posted 3/21/01
NB Rotary learns about upcoming school referendum from superintendent
By Robert Walz
Recently, the Rotary Club of North Branch heard from School Dist. 138 Superintendent Dr. Robert Stepaniak on the upcoming school referendum. Stepaniak said that the school board considered a number of responses to the serious overcrowding in North Branch Schools. The school board learned from the State Demographerís office that North Branch was one of a handful of school districts in the state that was experiencing and would continue to experience growth, he said.
Based on the information, it was clear the district needed more classrooms to accommodate its current enrollment trends. The school district also needed to update some of its mechanical systems and address technology needs. The school board also considered including a swimming pool and other improvements in the referendum, but rejected the idea because they felt it might compromise public support for the districtís critical needs for more classroom space.
Stepaniak also addressed the question of why build another elementary school, why it should be located in North Branch, the financial impact on the property tax, the state funding that would be provided if the referendum passed, and why and how the mail ballot would work.
As in previous meetings, Stepaniak was asked why the project was not bigger. The person asking the question pointed out building costs increase each year. Wouldnít it be better to take advantage of lower construction costs today? If a new elementary school, mechanical improvements, and new computers are needed now, wouldnít more classroom space be needed in five years if growth continues?
Stepaniakís response was that the school board had to balance needs against concerns of taxpayers about what they could afford. There was general support for the referendum, recognizing not only the need, but also the importance of investing in our children as the future of our community.
There was also concern expressed about getting the message out on the importance of approving the referendum. Jeanne Walz, the Director of the Youth Services Bureau, a Rotarian, and a member of Vote Yes for the Kids, urged her fellow Rotarians to encourage the public to become informed and support the referendum. She noted that the Vote Yes for the Kids Committee has a web site to provide the public information on the referendum and the May mail referendum ballot. The address for the site is: http://www.wordwell.com/yes. In addition, the School District has information on its web site and the Rotary Clubís web page links to both the School District and the Vote Yes for the Kids Committee web site.
In other business at the last Rotary meeting, the Club learned that a team of five Japanese would be visiting North Branch as part of a Rotary International Group Study Exchange on Monday, April 16. Area Rotary Clubs will provide a reception and potluck at AmericInn that evening. The program will include the dedication of a Peace Pole that North Branch Rotary hopes to donate to the city.
The Peace Pole, similar to the one erected at St. Gregoryís Catholic Church, is meant to symbolize our commitment to peace. The club decided to dedicate a Peace Pole, in part, in honor of our Japanese guests. The first Peace Pole was erected in Japan by their government in 1955 as part of its reconciliation for World War II. Since then, over 200,000 Peace Poles have been dedicated throughout the world, including at our national Capitol, the Vatican and in numerous locations in the Twin Cities.
This summer Peace Poles will be dedicated in Stacy, Forest Lake and in several other locations in Chisago County. The expression, ìMay Peace Prevail on Earthî is inscribed on the Pole in a number of languages, usually honoring the heritage of the area and as a sign of welcome to newcomers. The Peace Pole that will be dedicated on April 16 has the message in English, Swedish, Polish and Japanese. Plates in other languages can be added at a later date.
Former Vice President and Ambassador Walter Mondale has been invited to participate in the dedication and reception. From his years in Japan, Mondale realizes the importance of the Peace Pole to the Japanese and if his schedule permits, he will attend.
Rotarians also learned that they would be getting a Rotary Exchange student from Finland in August. The exchange student would be a high school student and would attend North Branch High School for 2001-02 school year. North Branch Rotary is now looking for potential host families for this student; the student would spend up to four months with each host family. Rotary would provide financial support for the student. If any family in the North Branch School District would be interested in hosting this student, they should contact Rotarian Steve Martin at (651) 462-7100.
Rotary set the weekend for its second anniversary party, April 27-28. It will have an Hawaiian theme and it will take place at the AmericInn. The Club Service Committee is planning the Luau.
Rotary also is planning to be part of North Branchís inaugural Music in the Park series. The musical program will be a performance of the St. Croix Valley Orchestra, a Midsummer Nightís Concert, on June 13. The concert will kickoff the American Legionís sponsored Midsummer Days.
The concert, co-sponsored by North Branch Community Education, will be held in the North Branch School Auditorium and admission will be free to the public. During the intermission, there will be a passing of the gavel from President Dr. Bill Piotrowski to President-elect Candace Bontjes of American Family Insurance. There will also be a drawing in the clubís Hawaiian vacation raffle.
The Rotary Club of North Branch was established on Earth Day, April 22, 1999. Membership in Rotary is open to professionals and business leaders living or working in the geographic area of the North Branch School District.
The club meets on Mondays at Noon at the Chisago County Senior Center. Rotary is the oldest and one of the largest service clubs in the world. It is a prestigious organization that seeks to make a positive difference for its members, the community and the world. To learn more about Rotary, contact Bob Walz at (651) 674-2587 or visit the club's web site at: http://communities.msn.com/ rotary5960northbranch.