Accountability topic of meeting discussion
By Barbara Brown
Voters would be assured North Branch schools would not mismanage any money received through a referendum vote if the board releases the accountability study it discussed at its last meeting.
The board voted at a special meeting July 22 to present a two-question referendum to voters November 4.
The first question asks for an additional $550 per pupil unit for operations while the second question asks for an addition $125 per pupil unit to pay for technology in the district.
The accountability statement the board discussed Aug. 14 recognizes the commitment made by the voters of the district to support the schools and states that the board and administration would use the operating levey money in the first referendum question to ìbalance the budget and reduce the need for budget cuts fo rthe 2004-2005 school yearî and use money in the second question to ìpurchase computers and other technology for schools and classroomsî as well as pay for technology support.
The board would report to the community on a regular basis of the districtís financial condition and whether it would foresee the need for future operating levies.
The statement also sets forth that the board would ìmake any and all necessary budget reductions in order to balance the budgetî if voters do not pass the referendum.
The board will discuss the statement at another meeting.
More referendum discussion is planned at a special meeting scheduled for Aug. 28 at the Main Street School.
Also at the meeting, the board received a report on the participation of students in North Branch schools activities for the past year.
Activities director Becky Leuer gave a favorable report to the board during the Aug. 14 meeting.
Some highlights of the report are:
ï 413 students received Spotlight on Scholarship awards for good grades while participating in sports and fine arts programs during the 2002-2003 school year.
ï 89 North Branch athletes were named to the Rum River Conference academic teams for their sports during the year. Those athletes must have an overall grade point average of 3.75 or higher.
ï 246 high school and 252 middle school students participated in fall activities; 157 high school and 160 middle school students participated in winter activities; and 204 high school and 177 middle school students participated in spring activities.
ï 532 high school and 99 middle school students participated in extra-curricular clubs or organizations.
ï 33 employees and 5 community members coached and advised middle and high school fall activities; 24employees and 4 community members coached and advised middle and high school winter activities; and 26 employees and 2 community members coached and advised middle and high school spring activities
ï 27 employees and 5 community members were advisors for organizations and fine arts clubs at the middle school and high school.
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