Board seeks to fill vacancy

Forstner's death created vacancy

By RACHEL WEDDIG

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- The District 88 Board began the process to fill the vacant board position left by Gene Forstner, who died Oct. 12, due to complications with cancer.

The board will accept applications to fill the vacancy from today until Nov. 21. It will conduct interviews after that date and will appoint someone to the position at the Dec. 6 meeting. The appointee will serve until the November 2002 elections.

Requirements for candidacy include: the person must be at least 21 years of age; have resided in the school district for 30 days prior to the appointment period; be an eligible voter which includes being a citizen of the United States and not have been convicted of a sex offense requiring registration under the Predatory Offenders Registration Act.

Because Forstner had served as clerk, the board elected Susan Nierengarten as clerk until January 2002.

Forstner served 21 years on the board.

"We were very much saddened to learn of Gene's death," said School Board Chair Sue Ullery. "School board members much respected and admired him. His dedication and commitment to education is a credit to the type of person he was. The legacy he left behind will live on."

Referendum

Superintendent Harold Remme provided referendum information.

The district is seeking a 10-year, $450-per-pupil unit referendum Nov. 6 to generate $1.2 million in general funds for 2002-2003. A kindergarten student is worth about one-half pupil unit and a high school student is worth more than one pupil unit. The amount generated would vary for each of the 10 years due to declining enrollment.

Polling places are at the New Ulm Middle School, Lafayette Charter School and Hanska Charter School. The polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Absentee ballots are available at the district office.

Remme provided tax information courtesy of Springsted Incorporated on the district's portion of taxes with an approved referendum for various properties.

For a residential property with a valuation of $150,000, the tax reduction with the referendum will be $133 less than last year; commercial property with a valuation of $150,000 will be $1,075 less; 160 acres of farm homestead with a valuation of $395,000 will be $263 less and 160 acres of non-homestead with a valuation of $320,000 will be $495 less.

Some people are under the impression that the tax impact of the referendum is $450 for each taxpayer, Remme said. He said that the reference to $450 is the legal requirement to establish the amount of funding authorized by the passage of the referendum question. The $450 figure is used each year to determine how many dollars would be generated for operations use.

The League of Women Voters will conduct a referendum forum on Tuesday, Oct. 30, at 7 p.m. in the board room of the Annex Administration Building. The forum will consist of a question-and-answer format where persons may call in questions or come in person to ask questions.

Pledge policy

Due to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, citizens have been questioning the district's policy on the Pledge of Allegiance.

Remme reported that the district doesn't have a policy that the Pledge of Allegiance is required nor is it not required. The Pledge of Allegiance is currently recited in Jefferson and Washington Elementary buildings in some classrooms, but participation is optional. Remme said the Policy Committee will review the practice of the pledge in upcoming meetings.