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Preschool, not K-12, could be hardest hit by budget cuts

By MaryHelen Swanson
With the first swing of the ax, Minnesota's new governor, Tim Pawlenty, has struck a blow for community education, according to what was discussed at the Rush City School Board meeting Jan. 16.
Financial director Laureen Frost told the board the governor's phase one plan would essentially take back what came to the district for community education last July, in the next two years that could be about $35,000.
Superintendent Tim Eklund said he didn't know what would happen in phase two, but it appears that community ed overall would be the target.
He said the Family Center, a preschool program of the school district, might be in for some challenges ahead.
"It's not k-12," Eklund said, but he reminded the board that there are a lot of people in the district who believe preschool programming is important.
"We're keeping an eye on it," he said.
The board discussed the selection of the new state commissioner for education.
Supt. Eklund noted that the department of Children, Families and Learning will be renamed the Department of Education.
New commissioner, new name, he said, will probably mean the board will be reviewing all of its policies again.
And, Eklund noted, if the Profiles of Learning are out, it could mean a complete district curriculum review, also.
In other business at the board meeting last week, landscape designs for the high school were reviewed.
Options included a variety of windbreak designs, tree placement in front of the school, and pathways.
One concept included a walking path around the school property perimeter that could be beneficial to many local families, providing a safe place to get some outdoor exercise.
Board members felt the walking trail was a good idea.
Elementary Principal Vern Koepp updated the board on the move of the 6th-grade classes to the high school, which will be permanent to the end of the year.
High School Principal Mark Saari said the elementary students were well received at the high school and things were going smoothly.
Work on the elementary expansion is on schedule, with the footings completed at this time. Block work will begin soon, noted Supt. Eklund, and the steel is being prepared.

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