District 88 Board hears parent protest cut of in-town busing

Board reinstates Spanish Four

for next year

By GUY PRIEL

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Hoping to reverse the decision to eliminate in-town busing, Andrea Zuhlsdorf, a parent and bus driver, approached the school board Thursday night.

"I am not afraid of losing my job, I just want to make that clear," she said. "I am coming tonight as a mother who is concerned with the cutting of busing within a two-mile radius of the schools."

Her concerns stem from the dangers of children walking two miles to get to school, especially in the winter.

"The body can't adjust to extremes, and attendance will go down if illnesses increase among students forced to walk to school," she said. "Another point of concern is safety on the roads. In Mankato, we are considered a very small town, but in the region, we are actually a very big town."

New Ulm has several roads that experience a high volume of traffic at high speeds, making it unsafe for pedestrians, especially children, and the talk of increased train traffic is another concern, Zuhlsdorf said.

"Another thing to consider is the society we live in today is not safe," she said. "We have bomb threats, students are getting shot, and children are being hit by other students. People care less about other people these days."

Kidnapping should be another concern, because there are more children exposed to the public with less supervision, and the opportunities for skipping school will also increase, she said.

"I am really concerned that this would be cut because of a budget," Zuhlsdorf said. "I agree that cuts need to be made, but there have to be other areas that can be cut instead. Many people stand behind me in this."

All the budget issues were considered before any final approvals were made regarding cuts, and if the May 23 referendum passes, busing will surely be looked at as being one of the first items reinstated, board member Brian Wieland said.

"It is possible that the state might change the policy at some point, and maybe more state funding could be provided," board member Donald Potter said. "But we are following state guidelines on this matter. We not doing anything wrong."

Board member David Leuthe said Zuhlsdorf made some interesting points because safety is a concern for all residents. Difficult choices must be made, but education remains the priority, and to provide that meant cutting something else, like busing, he said.

* The board also discussed Spanish Four, which has nine students enrolled. Because of a district policy that classes with less than 15 students will not be offered, administration recommended that the class be cut for 2000-2001.

"I am concerned with this proposal," board member Susan Ullery said. "It is important for students to have the opportunity to take four years of a language to get what they need for college. We are talking about a fourth of a program, not just a class."

Following a vote, Spanish Four will be retained for the upcoming school year. The motion was to keep the program in place despite the recommendation to eliminate it, but the votes were tied, meaning the program is retained.

In other action, the board:

* Agreed to offer building trades to the 40 students enrolled, who will construct a house on school property. Program cost is estimated at $35,000. District officials hope grants will be available.

* Delayed action on a proposal to eliminate four paraprofessionals in the Title One program. Some board members felt there is a need for the program and that it is difficult for less staff to deal with the Title One students, who receive additional instruction in reading.

There are 316 students estimated for the program next year. Under the proposed cuts, there would be eight paraprofessionals instead of the current 12.

One option was to eliminate the program at one grade level, not affecting the overall budget. St. Paul's has contacted the district regarding the use of services next year, which would require staff to be in the district less, because no additional funding would be provided.

"We have kids struggling, and to not provide them with these services is not fulfilling our mission statement," Board Chairman Mark Wiger said. "It may have been called Title at one time, but it's remedial, and we need to preserve the quality of our education."

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