By MaryHelen Swanson

The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) announced this week that 91 percent of 9th graders passed the new 9th grade Graduation-Required Assessment for Diploma (GRAD) writing test. The GRAD writing test will replace the 10th grade Basic Skills Test (BST) for writing.

But in Rush City, 93 percent passed that test (78 of 84) and student Victoria Westman received a score of "6," the highest score possible.

"Congratulations to Victoria and the other ninth grade students for their outstanding performance on this test," said high school principal Mark Saari at last week's school board meeting, beaming with pride.

In a press release this week, Minnesota Education Commissioner Alice Seagren said, "These tests are important because they give parents and educators a clear indication of whether or not students are being prepared with the basic skills needed for graduation."

The writing tests are designed to measure the writing skills a Minnesota student should have in order to graduate. This year, Minnesota students were tested in both grades 9 and 10 because the state is moving the writing test from grade 10 to grade 9.

During this transition year, 10th graders took the BST Written Composition test and the 9th graders took the new GRAD.  

Budget time

The school board reviewed and adopted a preliminary budget for the 2007-2008 school year.

Business manager Laureen Frost said that enrollment is an important factor in budget preparation. Looking at enrollment projects, she noted, for the 2007-2008 year, the budget is prepared using a projection of 15 less kids.

While elementary levels are staying pretty much the same, Frost noted, smaller classes in high school can be an issue as the older students are weighted more in the funding formula.

Even with an increase in general fund aid - 4 percent and 2 percent over the next biennium - the increase is offset by declining enrollment.

High school principal Saari said they are looking at some of the lowest numbers in 8 -10 years. The decreasing enrollment follows a state trend, Frost said.

Total projected deficit is about $42,000, but union contracts are not yet settled with negotiations just beginning.

But there was a brighter side to the budget story, as presented by Supt. Koepp.

There will be about $105,000 less in salaries compared to this year due to the difference in salaries for retiring teachers and their replacements, he noted (See latest retiring teachers' photo on the page).

But Koepp also noted that it will be close to a "wash" next year considering severance pay for those retiring teachers.

Also, at this meeting, the board moved to discontinue its distance learning program (online learning), also known as TRIO. This will save the district $21,000, but administration is looking into an alternative program, preferably in a school district consortium which could be accessed at no cost to the district.

Koepp pointed to other positive aspects of the proposed budget. The new ball field project is included, at an estimated cost of $180,000, but the board has talked about paying for the fields from the general fund balance which was estimated to be $2.1 million at the end of June.

No buses will need to be purchased for next year, although a van and trailer are included, the trailer to be used instead of taking two buses to events such as band trips.

The proposed budget includes security cameras at both the elementary and high school buildings, deemed a priority.

Using mostly Microsoft (settlement) dollars, there will be new computers in the elementary computer lab. Koepp noted that these computers are needed for students to take the state science test.

Also included in the budget are additional LCD projectors at the high school, 20-25 new teacher workstations, and the needed backup system for district data.

Additionally, for a little over $5,000 per room, a Smart Classroom system "pilot project" will be initiated in one 3rd-grade and one 5th-grade classroom at the elementary school.

More than $6 million of the district's $10 million budget comes from the state.

Frost anticipates that both this year's and next year's budgets will be "right on" in the general fund.

In other business, the board:

• Held the first reading of a policy on student nondiscrimination, a required school policy, on student parental, family and marital status and on reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance. The board agreed that recitation at the elementary school a couple of times a week should be required, but not at the high school. Principal Saari felt that if someone in the high school chose not to participate, as he or she would have the option, it could create a negative outcome. These policies will be adopted next month after a second review.

• Discussed the possibility of contracting for online payment services for such things as school lunch, and potentially other things. Frost will check with different vendors. One drawback was that there could be a service fee for the service.

• Learned that the district busses passed inspection.

• Reviewed timelines for this year's school board election. Up for election are the seats of Scott Tryon, Mark Moulton and Pat Schommer. Filing dates run from July 3 to July 17.

• Accepted the resignation of bus driver Jim Youngbauer, agreed to hire one more special ed para, hired Jon Sarago as HS special ed, Sara Tramm gr. 2 teacher, Bonnie Lamberts, gr. 3 teacher, Gretchen Christensen and Kimberly Halbert, elementary teachers (1 year only) Mark Henrich, HS phy ed, Laurel Martin HS annual advisor and JacLynn Cavallin, ECFE parent educator 10 hr/wk. And reassigned Susan Karvonen to elementary contract (continuing contract) and Brooke Larson Title I (continuing contract). A number of positions, especially sport coaches, remain unfilled.