Posted: 10/20/04
By MaryHelen Swanson
Holding to its zero tolerance policy on weapons on school property, the North Branch School Board last Thursday night approved the expulsion of two students.
On Sept. 28, the two juveniles were arrested for shooting out the passenger side window of a vehicle with a pellet gun.
At the time of the incident, the license plate of the youthís vehicle was obtained and the vehicle was found at the North Branch High School.
The pellet gun was recovered, an almost exact replica of a Glock handgun which is carried by NB police officers.
The two were arrested for second degree assault and possession of a dangerous weapon on school property.
The school district has expelled the youths until the beginning of the third trimester.
By state law, the school district has to provide an alternate education program during this period of time. The youths are not allowed on school property.
Hockey association seeks district support
Jeff Henderson, president of the North Branch Hockey Association was on hand for the Oct. 14 meeting to present a conceptual proposal for a hockey arena and asked for support from the district.
He was not asking for money and no immediate action, but was interested in how the district might make use of such a facility.
Henderson said the project is in such an early stage that what actually comes about is wide open.
But he did say the hockey organization has about $100,000 now and would like to have an arena up in about two years.
The total cost of an arena, Henderson said, is expected to be $1.3 million. He gave a packet of information to each of the board members. Henderson said he was going to talk to the city also about the arena project.
The board heard a comprehensive report from Donna Yetter on the districtís staff development process.
The main goal of staff development, Yetter said, is to increase student achievement.
The staff development plan is a document she considers a ìwork in progress,î but one with includes Dist. # 138 goals, Legislative mandates for staff development, Minnesota Statutes and the National Standards for Staff Development.
Yetter, who has worked on staff development in North Branch for 13 years, said the process has come a long way.
In a prelude to the plan document, is the following statement about staff development: ìWorking for North Branch Public Schools has to be as much about learning as it is about teaching. Teachers and staff members must have time to learn together and support each other in their learning.î
The school board also accepted the districtís System Accountability annual report ( this is being mailed to all district residents).
Assistant Superintendent Rodney Reisnouer told the board that it is difficult to get members of the community to be on the systems accountability committee, and residents are required to be on this committee.
But he also said there isnít a lot for the committee to discuss because so much is mandated.
If anyone is interested in being on this committee, contact Reisnouer at district office.
In other business, the board:
ï Agreed to accept the following donations from business who hold fund-raisers for such a purpose: nelsonís Market (ECFE) $107.40; Brooklyn Park (marching band in summer parade) $3000, reimbursement for band expenses; Target - Take Charge of Education program: $981.68 to the Middle School, $930.24 to the high school, $1,681.76 to primary school supplies, $909.97 to Fund 10 at high school; NB Area Chamber of Commerce $1,000 to the scholarship account; Nelsonís Market (ECFE supplies) $51.32. In addition, Target Corp. donated backpacks to the primary school and Carrie Schmidt of North Branch donated books, supplies and materials to the C.E. Team Adventure Club.
ï Sept 7 p.m., Oct. 28 as the date for a public meeting on the upcoming levy referendum. It will be held at the Main Street School Board Room.
ï Set a special meeting for Nov. 5 to canvass election results and hold a work session. The work session will begin at 5 p.m., the meeting will begin at 7 p.m.
ï Agreed to change the regular meeting date for November from Nov. 11 to nov.. 18 at 7 p.m.
ï Held a closed session on negotiation of some contracts.
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