Board

reinstates

more

programs

By KREMENA TODOROVA

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- The District 88 School Board on Thursday approved changes in programs, to offset budget cuts after last year's successful local excess levy referendum.

The board voted to reinstate purchases of supplies and equipment; one additional business office person; department heads and grade level chairs; summer guidance time; and additional summer maintenance workers.

It also agreed to increase the transportation budget for activities; fund the senior high play; implement an automatic clause for additional coaches when 26 or more participants are involved; increase the activity supply budget; create a half-time custodian position for Washington Elementary School; provide a Middle School choir accompanist; and offer the same number of summer days to a new ag teacher as those offered to other ag teachers.

The board also approved capital spending items such as textbook purchases; technology upgrades; a parking seal coat; fixing a Middle School water leak; a classroom furniture replacement program; carpet replacement; remodeling of the Jefferson Elementary kitchen; replacing the High School gym sound system and some others.

* In another matter, the board gave the go-ahead to negotiators who have met with the Diocese of New Ulm to discuss the sale of school property adjoining the Diocese's Oak Bluff development on the north end of town.

Board member Tim Babel said the diocese has offered to buy the land for $90,000, with $10,000 down and the balance payable by Dec. 1, 2002.

Babel said this was "a fair offer" and "a natural way to go," because the land "falls in" with Phase Two of a new housing subdivision sponsored by the Diocese.

Board members also said they do not foresee how the school district could use the property.

* The board looked at food service cost numbers provided by Business Manager Donna Luhring, ahead of making a decision on whether or not to raise prices.

Currently the district charges students $1.25 for a full-price lunch at the elementary, $1.40 for a full-price lunch at the Middle School or High School, and 70 cents for a full-price breakfast.

With the need for kitchen upgrades to be funded through the program, these prices would put the district $10,690 in the red next year.

If prices go up 5 cents, the program would be close to breaking even, and raising them by 10 cents would put it some $10,500 in the black.

The board is expected to make a decision at its next meeting.

* The board also approved a third family facilitator position, at a cost of about $6,000 to the school district.

The bulk of the funding for the position comes from Brown County and federal sources.

Superintendent Harold Remme reported the two current family facilitators have served 80 District 88 students in 2001, out of 443 in Brown County.

He said the program is at its maximum service level, with a waiting list in place.

* The board heard an extensive presentation by High School Principal Richard LaPatka and a team of teachers on easing the transition for freshmen entering the High School.

The team gave detailed accounts of the implementation of school planners for freshmen and the Freshmen Orientation Day at the beginning of the year.

The transition program was reported to have been a success, with the staff expressing a wish to look into implementing planners for all high school students.