Lafayette Charter School reaches goals

Increased enrollment expected in second year

By GUY PRIEL

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- The first year of existence for the Lafayette Charter School ended on a high note, with plans being formulated for the 2000-2001 school year as officials prepare for a 33 percent increase in enrollment.

As part of the sponsorship agreement with District 88, Head Teacher Sheila Howk provided a year-end review to the District 88 school board Thursday night.

During the 1999-2000 academic year, the school employed three licensed teachers, a full-time secretary and teachers aide, a bus driver, and a business manager. David Gehrke, the business manager, will be leaving at the beginning of the school year to take a job as a superintendent in another district, she said.

An election of the board was held in November, consisting of four teachers and three parents, serving staggered terms of one year, two years, and three years. The board adopted 19 policies during the 1999-2000 school year. The school is a member of the Minnesota School Board Association, she said.

During the 1999-2000 school year, there were 16 students enrolled in kindergarten through fifth grade at the Lafayette site. The school works in partnership with the Starland Hutterite School in rural Gibbon, where 19 students are enrolled in kindergarten through fifth grade, Howk said.

Of the students enrolled, eight were from District 88, 26 were from GFW Schools, and one was from Nicollet. The attendance record is 95 percent.

"When you have small numbers of students, one student being absent can change the percentage," Howk said.

There are 11 more students expected for the 2000-2001 school year, with 10 in kindergarten and one in the sixth grade, which is being added next year as part of the school's goal of adding one grade per year, she said.

Enrollment in Lafayette will be at 22 next year, with the majority being in kindergarten through third grade. There will also be one sixth grade student. The third and fourth grade students have moved out of the area, Howk said.

"Our numbers are young, which is good, because they will grow with us," she said.

The school adopted District 88 outcomes that are in line with Minnesota Graduation Standards, which are recorded, she said.

"Another feature of the school is a database that will help us track specific outcomes achieved, as well as tracking the specific Grad Standards," Howk said.

The school is required to have a mission statement that explains to the community how the charter school will teach students differently. The mission of Lafayette Charter Schools is to teach a basic curriculum with agriculture concepts and electronic technology, she said.

The students receive training in character education, attend field trips to learn agriculture, and learn to use computers and design web pages. The parents receive weekly newsletters. The school also stays involved in community projects, Howk said.

"The parents are able to check the computers for homework, records and other information about their child," she said. "The pages are designed as view access only. There will be a school website up by September."

The school has six acres of land that came with the lease of the building which is used by the students to incorporate the agriculture component, she said.

"The curriculum helps the students appreciate where they are from," she said. "The cooperation with Starland helps as well. There is another new ag charter school opening next year that we will be able to network with on curriculum ideas as well."

The school started an adult library, which provides them with an opportunity to serve the community better, she said.

During the 1999-2000 school year, the building was leased from Tad Ulrich for $20,000, which was received through a grant from the state. The school has updated fire codes and a 24-hour monitoring system; a new roof; handicapped accessibility; and a paved parking lot, Howk said.

The school owns one 20-passenger bus and employs a full-time certified driver.

"This was our first year, so there are no comparison levels for students regarding their performance last year and this year," Howk said. "We will conduct spring to spring testing and establish some baseline data. We only had four students who were enrolled in District 88 last year, so comparisons are not available."

The year will start the day after Labor Day and will end the Friday before Memorial Day. there are 170 student contact days, with one two-hour late start day scheduled per month.

"That has been our survivor," Howk said." It has worked to our advantage, so we will keep it on the calendar. They are planned far in advance, so parents are never caught by surprise. The parents cooperate well with us on those days."

The school received $303,600 worth of revenue for the 1999-2000 school year, with expenses totalling $237,300. There is a fund balance for the 2000-2001 school year of $66,300.

"It has been a challenging and rewarding year for us," Howk said.