By MaryHelen Swanson

Citizens of Rush City are curious as to when promised ball fields across the road from the high school will be built. And as such, a number of them appeared at the Dec. 21 school board meeting in spite of inclement weather.

In 1996, as a referendum was planned for the school's aquatic center, there were discussions about additional ball fields.

The referendum passed, the aquatic center built but the ball fields are as yet undeveloped.

A couple of years ago, at time the price of steel was increasing greatly, the district purchased the fencing that will be needed, and at school board meetings, designs of the new ball fields were shown. The fencing is in storage.

But, Superintendent Vern Koepp explained that the board members, who are not necessarily opposed to new ball fields, understand how priorities have influenced expenditures given that the district has limited resources.

Ball field development will be considered in the five-year capital expenditure plan, Koepp said.

At a special work session, tonight, Jan. 3, at 6:30 p.m., the board will be considering that five-year plan.

At that December meeting, the board learned that the Family Center's annual coat giveaway was a success with an estimated 175 winter coats going to people who need them.

The board learned that 22 high school students were inducted into the National Honor Society, and that the music department's fruit and cheese sale grossed almost $8,000, with profits close to $3,000.

The Band Boosters raised over $500 toward the piano fund at two concerts, the fund is now over $1,000.

Business manager Laureen Frost informed the school board members that the district has $3,047,533 in investments as of November 30, 2006.

Supt. Koepp informed the board that East Central Energy provided a $4,400 rebate for the installation of variable speed drives on the geothermal heat pumps at the high school.

Also at the meeting, Dr. Ben Silberglitt, SCRED Outcomes Manager, gave a presentation on student performance data for Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments and Measures of Academic Progress.

He noted that historically, Rush City students have made steady progress on the MCAs and most grades met the MAP growth targets for reading and math in 2005-06.

But he also pointed out that RC tends to be a few percentage points below state averages in most areas measured.

Silberglitt, who was making his last presentation to the board as he has resigned from SCRED, discussed trends in the data and efforts to improve student performance.

In other business, the board:

• Learned that the Minnesota State High School League has officially added Pine City to the Great River Conference for 2007-08. The GRC and the Polar Conference will co-op for football beginning in 2007-08. Mora and Milaca have been added to the West Central Athletic Conference and Zimmerman has been added to the Mississippi 8 Conference.

Members of the board will attend the MSBA State Conference Jan. 11-12 and the next regular board meeting will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18. It is held in the Spanish room at the high school.