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April 6, 2000
District 88will voteon futureof athleticsBy Jim Bastian Journal Sports Writer NEW ULM -- You are seeing it every day in the front page of newspapers -- school boards having to make budget cuts because of a failed referendum. That is happening in the Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop school district as well as Waseca ($1.5 million), Blue Earth and United South Central ($500,000). On May 23, District 88 will have a referendum that will determine whether or not the district wants to provide the best possible, well-rounded educational experience for our future -- our children. The referendum is not one that encompasses frills or luxuries. It is a referendum that will be used to maintain the existing programs -- nothing more. And it is not because the school board has been anything but tight with our money. They have done a fine job closely watching our tax dollars. It is because of a problem that is, for the most part, statewide. Declining enrollment, which means less tax dollars to school districts from the state. Of the 440 school districts in Minnesota, only 22 have shown an increase in their enrollment. Those school districts are in the Twins Cities metropolitan area and Rochester. Other than that, tax dollars are being lost. "Our graduating class at USC is 105," said Brent Schemik. "And our kindergarten class is 50. So, if you figure 55 less students at $5,000 (state aid each), you see why all districts are having to make cuts. There is that much less coming into the school district." At New Ulm High School, Activities Director Mark Woodbury said that at a meeting Tuesday night, cuts talked about totaled a 3 percent reduction. "I will be making some cuts (now) because I have been instructed to do so," he said. "If the referendum passes, there is still no guarantee that these cuts will be re-instated. You have to plan for what is happening right now." He said in the area of activities, a large portion will be made in transportation. "So we are looking at eliminating some junior high contest and eliminating scrimmages," Woodbury said. "We are also looking at reducing equipment purchases, supply purchases and looking at the possibility of cutting coaching and advisor positions." Other cuts could involve junior high positions. "I guess the idea now is to maintain the programs that are good for kids," said Woodbury. "Everyone knows that we need to maintain programs that benefit kids. So instead of cutting programs, let's just reduce them." But Woodbury sounds an ominous note if we think these proposed cuts are not that bad. "If the referendum does not pass, there would be some program cuts the following year," said Woodbury. "These (proposed) cuts would just be the tip of the iceberg." The strength of any community is their schools, be they parochial or public. I urge all of you to vote yes on May 23. Our future depends on it. SELLNER AT HOCKEY TOURNAMENT: Dave Sellner, who led the New Ulm Eagles hockey in scoring with 19 goals and added 13 assists, participated in the Great Eight hockey tournament recently in the Twin Cities. "It was a great experience, " he said. "I didn't get any points, but that does not matter, I did fine." Sellner, who was coached by Lorne Grosso of Rochester Mayo and Roy Nystrom of Albert Lea in the tournament, said there were college, junior and pro scouts in attendance. "I will probably attend Minnesota State-Mankato next year; I would like to try hockey there. "It is a big step. It was nice to get to know the kids from other teams, and teams that played in the state tournament." HOUND DANCE TEAM EXCELS IN CLASSROOM: The New Ulm Cathedral dance team received an award for academic excellence by maintaining a 3.3 GPA or better. Two Cathedral team members received individual awards by maintaining a 3.85 GPA or better. They were Heidi Petersen and Mary Wendinger. In addition, Peggy Wilfahrt, the coach of the Sonics, was named Class 1A coach of the year.
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