District 88 enrollment

increases slightly

Bus maps

may be ready next week

By GUY PRIEL

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Enrollment figures for 2000-2001 are slightly higher than projections at the time District 88 developed its budget and staffing patterns because of an influx of new residents and open enrollments, school board members learned Thursday.

In early March, district officials estimated there were 2,558 students. As of July 10, there are 2,598 students , an increase of 40.

Of that amount, 1,175 are elementary students; 453 are middle school students; and 970 are high school students. The largest increases over projections were in grades six through nine, with decreases in grades 10-12, District 88 Superintendent Harold Remme said.

"These numbers reflect positively that our numbers are going up," he said. "I do have to warn you not to put too much stock in the numbers for 7-12. We will do weekly updates from now until school starts so we can develop more accurate patterns."

Staffing

In terms of staffing, Remme had predicted a light year in turnovers. However, 31 positions have changed.

Three people have retired; two requested leaves; one was placed on unrequested leave of absence; nine were not renewed or reassigned from other positions because of budget constraints and enrollment; one was reduced; 13 resigned; and one was reassigned.

Nine of the positions will not be filled because of budget cuts. The board is still undecided on two of the positions; and four positions are being interviewed for, including the juvenile detention center teacher.

Busing

The busing maps should be made available to the public sometime next week. The maps are drawn in two-mile radius from each school, indicating what areas will be bused and what areas are excluded under the new policy of discontinuing in-town busing, Remme said.

"One side of each building will also be designated as student drop-off zones to help cut down on traffic problems around the schools," he said.

During the meeting, the board also:

* Accepted the resignations of Early Childhood Assistant Margaret Conrad; agriculture technology teacher Paul Haley; and high school math teacher Ethan Anderson.

* Hired Drew Bristow-Shandro as physical education instructor at Washington Elementary School and the middle school; and Sharon Holzer as middle school science teacher.

* Set board member salaries at $1,200 per year, with an additional $35 per committee meeting and board training session. IRS rates will be followed for mileage reimbursement, and board members may purchase district insurance at their own expense.

* Renewed a contract with Brown County Public Health for $25,007.20.

* Renewed the contract of the Brown County Family Services for family facilitator services at a cost of $45,528.

* Scheduled a board retreat for 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 25, in the board room.