A holiday salutation

Happy holidays to all of my readers and to the community at large! I hope you enjoy the season to its fullest, with family and friends close by!

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A podcast experiment

As part of the district's strategic plan, we are tasked with finding ways to bring school board meetings to a wider audience. With that in mind we are experimenting with podcasting meetings and making the audio publicly available. Here is a podcast of the Dec. 10, 2009 meeting:



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Good news on the college front

MPR is reporting a study today that shows an incredible number of Minnesota students enrolling in college:

A new report from the Minnesota Office of Higher Education says 70.2 percent, or 45,776, of Minnesota's 65,000 2008 high school graduates enrolled in college immediately after graduation. That's a slight increase over the year before.

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SEE Notes

Brad Lundell, of Schools for Equity in Education, is doing some great reporting on happenings at the state level. Check out his blog, "SEE Notes." It is a good way to keep up with what is happening with state government and education.

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Kudos to musical staff and students

It's nice to read such a positive review of our talented students:

In all, the NB musical of Fiddler on the Roof was an excellent production, put together by a cast and crew that clearly spent a lot of rehearsal time and energy into putting on such a great show.

It was truly a delight to enjoy such fantastic singing, dancing, and music.

There is more here.

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H1N1 ebbs

Here's some good news for schools across the state:

For the fifth week in a row, the number of H1N1 flu cases in Minnesota has declined, buttressing health officials' belief that the current wave of the outbreak has peaked.

There is more detail here. Here in North Branch we have put detailed measures in place for reacting to outbreaks of H1N1 and regular flu. Some of those measures were even put into action earlier this year when absences from flu-like symptoms rose at most sites.

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Thankful

Last night the Saint Paul School Board selected Valeria Silva for their next superintendent. Valeria has worked in Saint Paul for more than 20 years and has been nationally recognized for her work with ELL students. She recently completed training with the Broad Foundation which prepares individuals to lead urban school districts. Valeria will serve Saint Paul well.

At the end of a two-hour interview last Thursday, the SPPS School Board asked if I wished to make a statement or ask a question. I chose to make a statement. My statement expressed gratitude to the NBAPS School Board, union leaders and staff for their support of me during the process. I stated that it is very difficult for a sitting superintendent's district during such a public process and that I am especially grateful for the support granted me.

I remain thankful for working in this district and look forward to continuing to serve our staff, students and community.

As with previous posts, Supe of the Day will not accept comments on this issue.

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Minnesota doing great

According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Minnesota ranks among the best state education systems in the country. Follow the link and click on Minnesota to read the report card.

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An important message

As has been reported by Twin Cities media, I have been selected as a semi-finalist for superintendent of St. Paul Public Schools, and am honored at the selection. Out of respect for the St. Paul Board of Education though, comments beyond that would be inappropriate.

As well, Supe of the Day will not publish comments on this subject. I appreciate your understanding.

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The root cause

There is an excellent editorial in the Fergus Falls journal today, on the tragic school funding inequities:

Several years ago, the Legislature transferred the largest burden of public school funding from local governments, paid through property taxes, to the state government, financed by income and sales taxes, on a per-pupil basis. The idea was to level the playing field among public schools. The quality of a public school district, the theory held, should not be determined by the value of properties within it.

However, in making the change, the new funding system left a loophole: allowing school districts to conduct levy referenda to obtain additional funding through property taxes. Combined with shrinking state funding, it has widened the gap between the haves and have-nots.

Several years later, we have the exact opposite of what was intended. The state has increasingly relied on local levies to do what it promised to do: adequately fund school districts.

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Moving forward

District Residents,

The results of last night's operating levy (results below) are indeed disappointing. The tally does not reflect the hard work of SOS Committee co-chairs Barb Mork and Charley Klopp, nor the many other community and staff members who supported the district's levy efforts. We are grateful these individuals courageously answered the call to advocacy.

The district must now begin to prepare for additional budget cuts. We will keep you informed throughout the process.

Our mission at NBAPS remains the same and I am confident we will continue to partner with families and communities to challenge all students to achieve their greatest potential and become informed citizens.

Always keeping that mission in mind, district staff will move forward and continue to do what we can with what we have.

Sincerely,

Deb Henton Ed.D.
Superintendent

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What now?

As most of you probably know by now, the levy has failed.

Thanks to all of the people who worked so hard to get the district's message into the community. Regardless of result, your dedication and passion was inspiring.

Now, we must do more than ever to make change at the state level. Our kids' future, and the future of this community, depend on it.

We must have funding equity for our students.

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An endorsement

I am pleased to announce that the St. Paul Regional Labor Federation has endorsed the district's operating levy effort.
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'If not now, when?'

Please take the time to read this wonderful column by MaryHelen Swanson at the Post Review before November 3rd.

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A very positive meeting

We hosted the second of two levy informational meetings last night. Over 80 people came, and brought with them some interesting and challenging points of view. Overall I felt it was a very positive meeting.

Here is the presentation from last night's meeting. It is considerably different from the one given on Sept. 22, so it is definitely worth a look.

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A gridiron story

While most of the "gridiron" coverage these days seems to center on a certain number 4, North Branch Area High School made a little football news this week too. This wonderful and heart warming story appeared in a local newspaper this week:

Kevin Seekon is a North Branch third grader diagnosed with Pervasive Development Disorder (on the autism spectrum).

Kevin loves football.

The following story, with Kevin at the center, will show you there’s more than one way to win on a football field.

Is there ever!

When I read stories like this I am filled with pride in NBAPS staff and students. And I think it is wonderful when people notice their willingness to go the extra mile.

I hope you will take the time to read the whole story.

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Forest Lake to start elementary Spanish

According to a recent press release, Forest Lake Area Schools is the latest district to embrace a world language option for elementary students:

A plan to establish an Elementary Spanish Partial Immersion program at Forest Lake Area Schools for the fall of 2010 was initiated Thursday night, as the district school board voted 7-0 to pass a motion to authorize the plan.

Congratulations Forest Lake!

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2009 operating levy: Why now?

Originally published in the ECM Post Review, 9-30-09

In recent weeks a number of citizens have asked why the district is proposing operating levy questions now. Doesn’t the district know there is a recession?

Of course, we are very aware of the economic challenges facing our community. NBAPS has been experiencing the recession for six years or more already. In that time, we have cut programs, staff, and expenses equaling $10 million and spent down our fund balance to protect what we can.

As many of you are doing now, we turned every stone looking for resources, and found creative solutions to keep the district functioning. Those solutions haven’t always been popular, but losing things in tough times never is.

For six years NBAPS has constantly engaged state legislators, and fought hard for change so our students and community would no longer suffer unfairly from inequities in education funding.

To no avail.

No changes have been made, and with the exception of some one-time stop gaps, despite ever-increasing expenses our funding has stayed basically flat. No one rode in on a white horse to fix funding. No one dropped out of the sky to save the day. The hardest realization has been that, if we wanted to change our situation, if we wanted a better future for our students, we’d have to make that future ourselves.

Americans have a proud history of solving their own problems, and this is never more true than in tough times.

If the operating levy questions are passed the money won’t go to the federal government never to be seen again; and it won’t go into some generic state pot to be doled out at someone else’s pleasure. The funds will stay right here; every penny helping each student directly, every penny accounted for by you.

We did not arrive at this decision lightly, and believe me, we know what is happening in the world. Proposing an operating levy isn’t about “piling on” in a bad economy, it is about improving our corner of the world with our own two hands.

The same two hands that built our community and nation, and that will keep it great for generations to come.

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Thanks for asking

UPDATE: My apologies, this article originally reflected the figure $1,535 as the amount paid to date for the negotiator. It should have read $1,735. This post has been corrected to show the accurate amount.

Anonymous has left some questions:

I have been reading the discussions on the North Branch Watchdog site and I have some questions. What is the cost of the negotiator that was hired for the teacher negotiations this year? What is the morale like in our school system? I am a huge advocate for the passing of the levy this year, but I have issues with the wage freezes that are being suggested for our teachers. Look at other areas where you can save money. With the increase in their insurance benefits, how do plan on retaining the great teachers that we have in our schools?

Thank you for asking these questions. To date the district has paid roughly $1,735 for the services of a professional negotiator. As to the question regarding morale, we just had an incredible staff development day in which there was much laughter and joy and real passion amongst our staff. This is incredible considering we have had to cut $10 million over the last six years, increased class sizes, and been forced to increase workloads while reducing resources.

Regarding other questions, the School Board has a duty to balance the need for great teachers with the resources it has available. The needs of the staff, the students, and the taxpayers must all be considered. I have every confidence the School Board is proceeding with that in mind.

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Levies are now for the basics

The Mankato Free Press has an editorial on the subject of operating levies today. Here's a brief excerpt:

Like it or not, districts rely upon their communities to keep their schools running. Not only is that a burden on local taxpayers, but when the Edinas can pass levies and the New Ulms can’t, students aren’t being fairly treated across the state.

In North Branch, we have long been sounding the warning about the inequities in the funding formula. In fact, it was the subject of my very first post here at "Supe." If you prefer to listen, here is the podcast of my speech at the Schools for Equity in Education legislative kick-off:



The system we currently have in place gives wealthy districts a distinct advantage in educating children. I don't believe that is what state forefathers had in mind when they included this very specific language in the State Constitution:

UNIFORM SYSTEM OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
The stability of a republican form of government depending mainly upon the intelligence of the people, it is the duty of the legislature to establish a general and uniform system of public schools. The legislature shall make such provisions by taxation or otherwise as will secure a thorough and efficient system of public schools throughout the state.

Finding a way through this challenge may be as simple as following the Constitution.

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What districts?

Anonymous asks (links added for reference):

It was interesting to see all the information on the upcoming levy vote. Could you be more specific regarding the table comparing administrative salaries of NB to districts of comparable size? What were the districts NB was compared to?

Thank you for your question. The districts used for comparison sake are the same ones used in this chart:


The districts listed are Red Wing, Orono, Westonka, Northfield, Mahtomedi, Prior Lake, Fridley, South St. Paul, Spring Lake Park, Inver Grove Heights, Pine City, Monticello, Forest Lake, Farmington, Shakopee, Buffalo, Chisago Lakes, Faribault, Princeton, Cambridge, St. Francis, Rush City, and Sauk Rapids.

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First levy info meeting next Tuesday

I would like to cordially invite you to attend one of two levy informational meetings scheduled this fall. The first will be held next Tuesday, Sept. 22, at 6 p.m. in the high school auditorium. If you are unable to attend this meeting, there will be another on Monday, Oct. 19, at 6 p.m. in the Sunrise River School cafeteria.

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Flu absences

A reader asks:

Since the school says we should keep our kids home for 24 hours after the fever disappears, it could be a 5-7 day illness. Will the School be adjusting their absence policy this year due to this? Good students are afraid to be sick one day let alone 5-7 because their grades suffer - and will the teachers be lenient with those who are ill in getting them caught back up?

Thanks for your questions. The district did change its attendance policy last year to allow for more latitude with "excused" and "unexcused" absences. An absence due to the flu would be considered an "excused" absence and would not count against a student. District teaching staff will do everything in their power to help students get caught up in the event of a prolonged absence due to flu.

I hope that answers your questions. If not, I would be happy to provide additional information.

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Applications for absentee ballots available

If you need an absentee ballot for the Nov. 3 election you can request an application by calling the NBAPS district office at (651) 674-1000. The district will promptly mail an application, instructions, and a return envelope.

Ballots are expected in the district office around Oct. 2 and will be mailed to recipients.

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Leadership matters

Yesterday, I was fortunate to be invited to the corporate offices of Works Computing Inc. for a roundtable discussion with Mark Hurd, HP Chairman & CEO. Mark has been with HP since early 2005 and since then has strategically focused on establishing HP as a world leader in technology.The conversation included leaders from finance, higher education and small business.

Mark graciously outlined his strategy for moving HP to a top performer. What was clear was that “leadership matters.” Our administrative team will tell you that I often use that statement with them and Mark Hurd exemplifies that with high quality leadership; high performance follows.

I learned about the number of applications HP once had and how in order to reduce that number Mark assigned process owners who looked at all aspects of an application from bottom to top focusing on efficiency. Accountability by process owners, while not stated by Mark, was implied and that accountability must have been intense and consequently resulted in a much more efficient system and reduced applications.

As North Branch Area Public Schools begins its second year of implementing its strategic plan with me leading that effort, the conversation I was a part of yesterday, affirmed my belief that leadership matters…that accountability with directly assigned leadership is essential for results.

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Middle School will be open

In case you haven't heard, we are pleased to announce that school will start on Sept. 8 for all students. A rigorous assessment of the safety and functionality of the entire Middle School site has been completed and most of it will be available for use this school year. See more details at the district website.

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More on the Middle School

In case you are not already aware, we are utilizing the district website to try and keep people updated on progress being made assessing the damage to North Branch Area Middle School. There is another update there today.

What we know now is that the sixth grade wing of the building will be inoperable for an extended period of time. Assessors are still working on inspecting the building in its entirety but we expect that process to be complete very soon.

I can't tell you how much we appreciate everyone's patience as we work through this challenge. Rest assured we are doing everything we can to provide the answers people need as soon as we are able.

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More on OPEB

Kent Laugen of the the Minnesota Family Law Blog has more on Other Post Employmee Benefits (OPEB) and the issues school district are facing. He has also put together a collection of articles regarding OPEB funding strategies you might find to be of interest, especially with the NBAPS School Board considering funding options at this time.
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Neat!

This sounds like a fun way to learn technology:

For the second summer, Mankato’s Community Education and Recreation Department is hosting a week-long video-game making class for kids 10 and older. The course was created by Michigan-based education organization All About Learning, whose goal is to use technology to stimulate math and science achievement.

Students in the course spend five mornings building several different video games. The software allows students to control every aspect of their creations, from characters and villains to scoring and restarts. Students can add sound effects and multiple levels, and they can even program their own in-game cheats and secrets.

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Defining the future

ISTE President Helen Padgett had this to say at this year's NECC conference:

"Schools have made progress" toward meeting 21st-century curriculum goals, she said, but the results from the most recent Speak Up survey reveal how much work still remains: Students in the national survey said they "step back in time" when they go to school.

"We won't be doing our job until students say they're stepping into their future, instead of our past," Padgett warned.

Like everyone and everything, educators are desperately trying to determine what that "future" looks like when it comes to technology. Will technology simply be a wonderful tool that allows us to deliver services more efficiently and to an ever-expanding audience? Or will it transform the foundation of the educational model.

The current educational model is the result of generations upon generations of trial and error and best practices. It is what it is because it works. While there are myriad things that can be improved in education through the use of technology, educators need to be cautious they don't mistakenly throw good after bad simply for the sake of doing something new.

What we do know, and what will not change, is that technology is playing a larger and larger role in people's personal and professional lives every day, and the ability to not only use technology, but the ability to adapt to technologies as they become available will be key to students' success in life.

It is very exciting to be an explorer navigating this frontier, in which, once again, all is possible.

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World language in day care?

WCCO had a wonderful story last night about kids learning world language in day care. Here's a snippet:

Research has found that a second language comes very easy for children. In fact, the younger, the better. Unfortunately, our country's schools are cutting back in this area.

The Center for Applied Linguistics has published preliminary survey results on its website. It found in 1997 one-fourth of elementary schools offered foreign language instruction. Last year, only 15 percent did.

We are so thrilled we are moving in the opposite direction. That, despite budget cuts we were able to add world language at the elementary level while districts nationwide are being forced to cut it. Learning a world language at a young age has a host of additional educational benefits beyond just language and parents are seeing the value. One day care mentioned in the WCCO story has a waiting list of 350 kids!

Adding Spanish to the curriculum here at NBAPS will not only expose kids to language at the most opportune time, and improve their ability to learn in the long run, but also provide an opportunity to attract new families to the district.

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School supply lists now available

We've received a few inquiries about it over the last few days, so we have placed the school supply lists at the district home page for your convenience.

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More on math scores

Yesterday, I posted more detailed information on District math scores. Last night at the School Board meeting, I got into the subject of MCA II scores in more detail, including how proud we are of reading scores and how concerned we are with math scores. I also discussed the efforts we making to provide math remediation and get those scores up next year.

For your convenience, here is a podcast of those remarks:



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Understanding math scores

There has been some confusion expressed over 11th grade MCA II math scores, primarily because of the many ways to measure the results. Here is some information I hope will prove helpful in understanding the many percentages being reported.

There are many factors at play when measuring the results of MCA II math test scores.

First, the 11th grade MCA II math test is actually two tests in one: (1) The MCA II and (2) the imbedded GRAD standard test. The GRAD standard, which is a lower benchmark compared to "proficiency" on the MCA II math test, is 40 of the overall 65 questions contained in the test.

Second, there are various ways districts calculate achievement. For instance, North Branch Area Public Schools could measure 11th grade students scores' at the district wide level (which would include students at the Area Learning Center) or at North Branch Area High School. Depending on what is being measured, there can be a variety of percentages reported.

In an effort to make the reporting more understandable, we have compiled the multiple percentages for your information:

11th grade GRAD - Passing

District wide = 44.5%

High School = 48.0%

State average = 57.3%

11th grade MCA-II - Proficient

District wide = 30.7%

High School = 33.6%

State average = 41.6%

Something else to keep in mind is that the state has relaxed the math graduation requirements for the next five years, so students who do not pass the GRAD standard will still be able to graduate if certain conditions are met. I blogged about those conditions here.

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The 10 priorities

There is an interesting column today on the "trap" of labeling our kids:

Labeling children may begin in early childhood, and within the public school and medical communities, diagnoses have become widespread to the point of spawning hundreds of support sites online for parents of children who may have ADD, ADHD, ODD, ASP... The list goes on and grows every day. More recently, attributes like weight and even shyness have been brought into the potential 'disorder' arena.

Malcom Gauld, president of Hyde Schools, has an interesting set of priorities that focus away from labeling and toward a "character culture. Read it all.

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Summer diversions

If you see this graphic (left), it means there is another edition of Reading Roundup at the District home page. We've asked staff to provide us with some of their favorite summer literary diversions and the response has been super. So super, in fact, we are going to have to pace ourselves.

We hope to put up new suggestions, for people of all ages, about once a week for the summer. Maybe more.

Whether you're laying in the sun, fishing, at the beach, or engaging in the time-honored summer tradition of doing nothing, doing it with a book makes everything more interesting. And wait until you see some of the suggestions we've compiled...

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Not cut, but burdened

Politics in Minnesota has a nice summary of how Governor Tim Pawlenty's cost shifts will affect public schools:

If, as expected, Pawlenty seeks to duplicate the size of the nearly $1.8 billion shift proposed by the House this session, he’ll have to delay payment of at least 27 percent, and perhaps as much as 36 percent, of the school aid money. The reason for the uncertainty and the gaping 9 percent disparity is because it is not clear whether the governor has the authority under to also shift property tax revenues that go to school districts, as the Legislature has done when utilizing the larger aid shifts in recent decades.

What will the delay mean for public education? Borrowing. And borrowing means interest payments. Charlie Kyte explains:

Kyte says the interest charges will amount to $30 per pupil per school year, which, in addition to all the staff time spent securing and monitoring the loans instead of educating children, is the equivalent of 500 first-year teacher salaries statewide each year.

So, while public education ostensibly escaped the chopping block as part of the state budget, it really didn't. More public education resources will have to be directed at paying interest, and not at educating kids, in the future.

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Hard to replace

The District homepage now has a short tribute to the 16 staff members retiring this year, including School Board member Donna Setter's speech to staff commemorating the occasion. It's hard to fathom the - yes - centuries of combined experience lost to the District this year.

I feel fortunate to have been here to witness their departure, and to know how much their service has meant to this community over the years. What a great group!

Whatever their next chapter, I hope it will be as rewarding as this ending chapter has been to the families and communities they have served.

Best wishes to you all!

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Looking back

North Branch's local newspaper has put together a video slideshow of the graduation ceremony. Check it out.

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Another year comes to a close

Today is the last day of school for most students at NBAPS. Last night we graduated the largest class in district history, 293 students, and we are so very, very proud of each and every one of them. We look forward to seeing the impact they will have on our world in years to come.

To staff and students, best wishes for a wonderful summer. I hope you are able to make the most of it.

Reflecting on the year that now was, it has been a truly memorable one, and next year promises to be even better.

Thanks to everyone; staff, students, families, and the community at large, for the wonderful support we receive on a daily basis. Such a successful year is not possible without the kind of team effort we have hear. It is both humbling and inspiring to be a part of.

Thanks again!

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Laptop initiative in Stillwater protected for another year

An update to the story I posted on yesterday, Stillwater has found a way to protect its laptop initiative for the next year:

Addressing a roomful of ardent technology supporters and critical school board members, District 834 Superintendent Keith Ryskoski said laptop computing initiatives at the school system's two junior highs will continue in their present form next year.

That is great news for students. But the question still remains how districts will consistently provide technology to all students in the future. If it is left to local levies to fund, there will be further inequities in education state-wide, based not on need or the advantages of having technology but subject to the whim of existing tax burdens.

So, for instance, district residents' decision whether to fund a technology initiative could be based more on a reaction to an existing tax burden outside the district's control - like a county or city tax increase - rather than a desire to support technology.

There is coming a time when student access to technology will be as necessary as their access to pencils and notebooks. Under the current system with all its inequities, students attending school in areas with a high tax burden will have less opportunity, and therefore will be less prepared, compared to students attending school in areas capable of affording technology.

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Sea change in Stillwater?

This is big news out of Stillwater:

The Stillwater schools superintendent said Wednesday he "dreamed of ways" to expand a successful laptop computer program at Oak-Land Junior High to the district's other secondary schools. Instead, he is recommending the program be discontinued for lack of funds.

Instead:

Ryskoski instead suggested the district focus on staff development, improving the phone system and enhancing existing networks to support students who bring their own computing devices to school.

I think Stillwater's decision could be viewed as a sea change in the way we look at providing technology to kids. There is nothing to suggest school districts will suddenly be flush with funding to supply each student a device. Nor, based on how things have changed since Stillwater began its laptop initiative, will it necessarily be an efficient use of funds in the future.

Laptop prices are already dropping significantly, and they enjoy much increased usage in our society. Plus, ideas about how to deliver technology are changing. For instance, it may be that most things normally stored on a hard drive will, in the near future, be stored in an information "cloud," alleviating much of the need for hard drive space on an individual unit and further dropping the cost of a school-ready laptop.

Each year, school districts are finding new ways to use computers to enhance education as well as make it more efficient. We're not there yet, but I foresee a day when a laptop or compatible device, rather than something that is provided by school, will be something that goes home on a school supply list.
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Math GRAD standards relaxed

For the next five years, students will be able to graduate from high school even if they don't pass the math GRAD test if these requirements are met:

• Complete all coursework and credits required for graduation
• Receive district-prescribed math remediation
• Take at least two retakes of the math GRAD test, or pass it, whichever comes first
• Pass the reading and writing GRAD tests

The exemptions were necessary due to the large number of students unable to pass the test. To put it in perspective, had these changes not been made to the standard, many tens of thousands of next year's seniors would not have been able to graduate. That would have been a catastrophe for the state and for kids.

Make no mistake, there are issues with the standard we hope can be worked out in the next five years. A move in the right direction would be to look at "end of course" exams instead of the cumulative test that exists now. In the meantime, we are just relieved the legislature put a stop gap in to prevent the worst case scenario from coming to fruition.

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A realistic approach to kids and the internet

This is a really great idea:

Josephson Institute accepts as an irreversible reality that kids will send text and video messages wirelessly and use the Internet extensively -- and will do so more and more. Its strategy is to become so proficient in these new technologies that it can harness them in the service of its mission to improve kids' lives by strengthening their character and decision-making skills.

Josephson invited the Character Counts community to vote on a name for a new positive Web site that would be designed by and for kids. They selected www.Mylife24-7.org.

Now, with the aid of a national cadre of student ambassadors, Josephson is building a place in cyberspace where kids can connect, reflect and evolve in a safe and positive setting -- a place you'll want your kids to go because they'll grow.

With social networking becoming such an integral part of our society, and with no sign the trend is going to change any time in the near or far future, this is an idea waiting to be embraced. As it stands, education as a whole has too little involvement with teaching kids responsible online usage.

As I noted in Just the beginning, the ramifications of not providing that guidance could be staggering in the future. Hats off to Austin Public Schools for being a leader in helping kids manage the online minefield toward a better future for all.
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Help us serve you

It's been well over a year now since NBAPS started the Key Communicator network. Since that time it has grown, and we have received positive feedback about the information the service provides.

Because it has been a successful initiative, we are now offering online Key Communicator registration at the District website.

As a Key Communicator, you will be high on our priority list any time a situation warrants immediate communication. The goal of the Key Communicator is to address topics that are being talked about in the community, and provide the network accurate information on those topics.

You will also receive "Board Brief," a short summary that follows regular School Board meetings, and many important date reminders as we move through the school year.

If you are interested in District news, I think you'll appreciate being a Key Communicator. We promise not to flood your inbox with e-mail either. We try to use our Key Communicator network only as needed, and won't take advantage of your desire to be informed to overload you with District "spam."

What have you got to lose?

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Transformative

eSchool News has an interesting page highlighting how online instruction is transforming education.

Check it out.

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It's in the demographics

CNN today has demographic information regarding the Hispanic population in America:

The U.S. Census Bureau reported Thursday that the minority population reached an estimated 104.6 million - or 34% of the nation's total population - on July 1, 2008, compared to 31% when the Census was taken in 2000. Nearly one in six residents, or 46.9 million people, are Hispanic, the agency reported.

Even more telling for the future: 44% of children under age 18 and 47% of children under the age of five are now from minority families.

According to the article, real estate agents can be added to the list of careers that will likely require some Spanish in the future.

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Just the beginning

This article from eSchool News serves as a valuable reminder that what goes online is available to the world, and that colleges and universities are adapting and using social networking as an evaluative tool:

About a quarter of the colleges and universities polled in a recent survey by the National Association for College Admissions Counseling (NACAC) said their admissions officers research prospective students' social-networking profiles before extending admission or scholarships. That means a Facebook picture from a weekend party might cost a student a spot on a premier campus.

In years to come we will likely see years buried social posts used to scrutinize political candidates, prospective employees, and even potential partners. Teaching our kids to be responsible users now could save them all kinds of potential issues down the road.

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Preparing for the future

There was a very important editorial on the need for global education in Friday's Pioneer Press. Author Dana Curran Mortenson:

The global reach of the two biggest stories of the year to date — the H1N1 flu virus and the economic crisis — has highlighted in a powerful way that many of our most pressing issues transcend national borders. From the economy to the environment, terrorism to health care, 21st-century challenges require leaders who are globally aware and informed.

Regrettably, most American students are not adequately prepared for this reality.

Mortenson goes on to write that we need to stretch students' world view and enhance their technological skills in all areas of curriculum. Why? She goes on:

In today's global economy, businesses are looking for graduates with advanced global and technical skills at younger ages. Students without access to advanced programs that help them build these skills are at a significant disadvantage in the competitive global marketplace.

Mortenson captures, as well as anyone, why we are thrilled about the additions and changes made to NBAPS curriculum for next year. World Language not only increases students global awareness at a younger age, it sets them up to be more receptive to it through their entire education.

Spreading technology through the curriculum will give students access to more tech tools more often, and make them more adaptable to new technologies as they come on line (which is just about every day nowadays).

If our end result is graduates with a better understanding of global issues, prepared for, and comfortable with, technology as a tool, we are preparing them to succeed in a global marketplace.

I will end this post with Mortenson's conclusion:

Parents and communities must also understand the importance of global education and support programs that provide students with more opportunities to explore global issues. Global education is no longer a luxury; it is a necessity, and we must work to ensure that our students feel connected to the world at large and are prepared to tackle the global challenges of the 21st century.

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DD on TV

The Post Review has put together a great video of highlights from the Detention Debut this May. If you've never been to one you can finally see what you've been missing. Our staff works hard for months to put the Detention Debut together and their talents are on full display.

What a great performance it was and, best of all, the proceeds from the event go right back to our graduating seniors in the form of scholarships.

We are so very proud of this event and hope you are too.

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Football coaches and ADs

I really do appreciate the opportunity to answer questions and hope I get more chances in the future, especially when those answers help get accurate information into the community. I would encourage people who leave comments to use a name, if only because it makes it easier to distinguish one Anonymous from another.

In any case, here is some questions, left by Anonymous:

As of Wed. 5-6-09 the head football coaching position was posted. It was my understanding that Coach Link was still the head varsity football coach. Isn't that what you said? He still had his football coaching position but did not have a teaching position? Why is thjat posted? And as long as we are on positions It was my understanding that the Activities Director has retired and why is that position not posted?

The head football coach position was posted earlier this week, after the head football coach indicated he would not return in a conversation with the AD. (We have also received a written resignation letter. - Ed.)

As to the AD position, details regarding the posting were still being sorted out as of yesterday morning. It was posted at 2:45 p.m. yesterday afternoon.

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Goals and Ideas

I'd like to take this opportunity to respond to a couple of recently left comments. First is this one left by Anonymous:

Your goal for your first year in North Branch was to bring Q Comp to the district and you achieved that, this year it has become obvious that your goal was to bring Spanish to the elementary grades, and it is looking like you accomplished that. Could you give us a heads up what your next year's goal is?

Thank you for your question! To clarify, Q-Comp was already in the works when I arrived at NBAPS so it is others that deserve credit for bringing Q-Comp to NBAPS, although I certainly have supported their efforts! To further clarify, Spanish at the elementary level was pursued and accomplished by the entire leadership team at NBAPS. As to next year's goals, they will be guided (as this year's goals were) by the Strategic Plan, a wonderful document put together by representatives of all stakeholder groups in our District. It guides all of our decisions and we are grateful to have it.

I would also like to offer a response to this comment:

Thank you for doing this project. One suggestion as a parent of only a preschool student is to maybe do this a little earlier so that preschool kids can participate (even if it is just picking up the grounds around the primary school). I think this is really important even at that young age. Thanks

I couldn't agree more! Due to the short time frame we had from inception to project date, not everyone who might have wished to be involved was able. Community Service Day was only made a reality due to a donation of $1,000 by County Market in early March. With schedules so tightly packed toward the end of the school year and so little time to plan, it was necessary to keep the project realistic and manageable for this year.

I am proud to report that, despite the abbreviated planning process, District staff has really pulled together to make this important initiative a reality. For next year, we expect planning to begin much earlier, allowing for more opportunities to participate, which we will certainly extend to preschool students.

Once again, thank you both for your questions and your input. I always appreciate the opportunity to have a dialogue about the great things happening in North Branch Area Public Schools.

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Community Service Day

It's been kind of "under the radar" because budget has taken up so much time since March, but exciting things have been going on behind the scenes here at NBAPS.

One of those things is the first annual Community Service Day, scheduled for May 15.

Students from across the District will be in our communities helping with general spring renewal, including picking up debris, raking, painting, visiting with senior citizens, and more.

So, if you see groups of students and teachers out and about next Friday, chances are it is us. We are very excited about this opportunity to give back to those that support us.

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Swine flu reaction softening?

The state health department's guidelines for dealing with swine flu have evolved many times over the past week, and are now starting to relax:

Saying "the world looks very different today than a week ago," Minnesota Health Commissioner Dr. Sanne Magnan said Monday it's no longer necessary to close schools if the new swine flu is discovered among students or staff.

Magnan announced that the state is scaling back some precautionary measures because the new strain seems to be acting like ordinary seasonal flu, rather than the dangerous epidemic that some had feared.

Of course, ISD #138 is watching events very, very, closely and will communicate accordingly.

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The Latest Tools

North Branch Area Public Schools is now on Facebook and Twitter. You can sign up for either one or both and get updates from the District.

We're still studying the potential for using these communication tools. If you have suggestion, leave it in comments. Thanks!

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The web site has flu information

Rest assured we are watching swine flu developments closely in North Branch. The District home page has some helpful information, and we are receiving regular updates from the Departments of Education and Health.

According to the Star Tribune, the case in Cold Spring is very mild.

The difficulty in situations like this is balancing the seriousness of the problem with maintaining calm. The best we can do now is offer helpful tips on prevention and symptoms. The Department of Health has compiled a web page to that effect.

REMINDER: There is a School Board meeting tonight at 7 p.m., in the gym at the Main Street School.

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Budget recommendation working session

The School Board had a very productive discussion last night regarding the 2009-10 Budget Recommendation. You can find all the relevant information at the District home page today. The School Board is expected to take action on the recommendation on April 30.

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Cross your fingers.

This morning there is a vote taking place in the state House, an important amendment proposed for the House Omnibus K-12 Education Finance Bill that would give elected school board members flexibility to set their own calendars.

From what I understand, if the amendment fails, districts will be forced to go with late calendar start dates, which would carry the 2009-2010 school year well into June.

We are hopeful the amendment passes. Maybe its not too late to contact your legislator.

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German recommendation changed! (revised)

I am very excited to make this announcement:

The high school German program could be maintained!

A recommendation has been created that would allow North Branch Area Public Schools to offer all levels of German programming at the high school next year, and into the foreseeable future.

Union leadership, the German teacher, and District leadership collaborated to create this tentative solution, which can be implemented at no cost to the District.

By agreeing to expand her licensure to other subject areas, the German teacher has created new flexibility in her assignment, allowing her position to be shared with other departments. This means the German program could be retained even with the current level of student requests.

Because this licensure can be obtained within the same time frame as the recommended phase out of German, this tentative solution is of benefit to the German program, the German teacher, and the District.

The high school German program has been in North Branch Area Public Schools since 1992 (This date revised based on information provided by staff). That the program has grown into a cherished one through the work of the current German teacher since her arrival in 1999, is evidenced by the strong community support for retaining it.

NBAPS is extremely pleased not only to honor this teacher’s work and long-term commitment to the students in our District; but also to see all interested parties within the District work together in recognition of the community’s call to find a solution.

This recommendation will be presented to the School Board at its Work Session on April 23, 7 p.m., in the gymnasium at the Main Street School. Flyers containing this announcement will also be available at tonight's budget listening session, 7:30 to 9 p.m. in the Main Street School gymnasium.

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2009-2010 Budget Recommendation Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the School District cut the head football coach?: The District did not cut the head football coach position. The recommendation includes cutting two physical education teaching positions. All departments were considered and reductions were recommended in most areas. Without the physical education reductions, gym class sizes would be smaller than those in many core academic areas.

How did the District decide which physical education positions to recommend for elimination?: The District is bound by state law and negotiated union contracts to make reductions based on seniority. Staff, no matter how highly skilled, must be considered for layoff according to the limitations set forth in state law and negotiated contracts.

Why not make the head football coach the Activities Director (AD)?: Because the District cut two administrators this budget year and has recommended another for next year, the recommendation was made to find an Activities Director (AD) with a principal license in order to absorb some duties that require that license. The District has the opportunity to accomplish this for next year without additional cost. The current head football coach does not have a principal license.

Why not remove the principal license requirement from the AD position to accommodate the head football coach?: The AD position would be considered a promotion for a teacher even without the license requirement. The District would feel an obligation to accept applications for the position. In addition to the head football coach, there are highly qualified, long-term employees who may be interested in that promotion. In that scenario, the District would hire based on qualifications.

Is the recommendation to expand Spanish instruction to the elementary level at the expense of the high school German program?: No. The recommendation to phase out German at the high school was based on enrollment requests for the program. The number of requests for German are about 60 percent of the requests for French, and a third of those for Spanish. The elementary Spanish recommendation was accomplished through a shifting of specialist focus at the elementary level. Elementary students would be receiving the same amount of time with specialist teachers next year as they receive this year. The recommendation to add elementary Spanish and the recommendation to phase out high school German are not related.

Is the high school German teacher being laid off?: No. The German program has been recommended for phase out over the next three years. The high school German teacher would continue to teach German next year and perform other teaching duties in the District.

What about students currently enrolled in German?: High school students currently enrolled in German would be able to complete up to three more years of instruction if that is their choice.

Why doesn’t the District and the School Board listen to the people when cuts are made?: The School District and the School Board went through an exhaustive listening process and considered that input in developing its recommendation. Themes that emerged in that process included:

• A call for focus on academics by both staff and community members
• More remedial support for students
• Finding ways to keep and attract students should be explored
• There are varied opinions on District activities programs:
  • Concern that extracurriculars, though important, could detract from academics
  • Activities have been cut too much, students may leave the district if more program reductions are made
    

In the larger sense, the District’s Strategic Plan was used as a guide through the entire process. The Strategic Plan was developed last year with extensive community input and presented to the School Board. Responding to community concerns was also very important in last year’s round of budget adjustments. Based on last year’s listening sessions, significant changes were made to the 2008-2009 recommendation, including modifications to walking distances and larger activity fee increases than originally recommended.

Is the District cutting technology?: No. To the contrary, the budget recommendation includes a commitment to a pervasive integration of technology into the classroom. The recommendation is to transition elementary curriculum from teaching technology as a separate subject to “technology as a tool” to be used by students in all aspects of their learning experience.

How was the budget recommendation developed?: Work began on the 2009-2010 budget recommendation immediately following the projection given to the School Board last June. More recently, the leadership team met several times at length in February and March and analyzed every aspect of the District budget. Research was compiled, positions debated, and all suggestions supported with data. The Strategic Plan was used as a guide through the entire process. Also as a part of the process, achievement and enrollment data was reviewed carefully, as was sentiment from families who have left the District and input from initial listening sessions this spring.

Has the District considered other approaches to transportation and instruction?: Those themes are at the core of the budget recommendation. The recommendation recognizes how many students the District loses to elementary World Language offerings and technology based options. The recommendation recognizes a focus on academics and keeps activities reductions to a minimum. The recommendation generates more remedial help for students. The recommendation recognizes the need to attract new students with World Language and expanding alternative learning options. The recommendation also includes significant modifications to transportation to generate savings.

Why doesn’t the School Board cut employee wages and benefits?: Wages and benefits are set through a negotiation process. The School Board cannot change wages and benefits without the agreement of employee unions. Two contracts expire June 30, for teachers and custodians. Bargaining with these groups will begin later this spring or summer to establish agreements covering the next two years. All other employee contracts expire in 2010. Published figures regarding contract increases represent an agreement for a two-year period.

Do we really need to reduce next year’s budget as much as we have?: Absolutely. In fact, depending on how the state decides to address its own budget shortfalls, the District may need to cut more. The Senate is calling for an across the board reduction in K-12 spending that would force North Branch Area Schools to reduce its 2009-2010 budget by an additional $1 million. The District fashioned its recommendation for next year based on flat state funding and is still hopeful that will be the case. The House of Representatives has called for flat funding and the Governor has called for a slight increase. The Stimulus money may provide some relief, but based on early information the District expects the funds will be targeted to specific areas, such as special education, remedial programming, and construction projects.

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NBAPS student recognized on the big stage

One of our students has been named an "Athlete of the Week" by the Pioneer Press. Many congrats to senior Joe Johnson:

Has been a key performer in North Branch's 3-0 start. Second baseman is batting .545 (6 for 11) and leads the team with five RBIs and six runs scored. In North Branch's season-opening victory over Spring Lake Park last week, Johnson went 3 for 5 with a home run and four RBIs. Has only one error in 11 plays for a .909 fielding percentage.

Benilde - St. Margaret's ended our unbeaten streak last night, unfortunately. Of course, that's just an opportunity to start another one!

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Penny wise, pound foolish

An editorial in the New Ulm Journal is highly critical of the Senate's proposal to cut school budgets statewide:

Shortchanging education is a "penny-wise, pound-foolish" approach to state budgeting. It is going to push the cost of education down to the property tax payers, at least in those districts that will be able to convince voters to pass tax referendums. That is no sure bet in this uncertain economy.

The Senate's proposal has been widely reported as a three percent cut, but that is an average. In North Branch, which does not have an operating levy in place, the total would be between four and five percent total.

We are proud that our senator, Rick Olseen, voted against this potentially catastrophic cut to not only our budget, but the very heart of our mission to educate kids. Make no mistake, if the Senate gets its way, the affect on North Branch Area Public Schools will be felt deeply.

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Robotics success

See this week's edition of the Post Review for a great story on the NBAPS/Chisago Lakes robotics program:

Along with their robot, students from North Branch and Chisago Lakes high schools spent their weekend (April 2, 3 and 4) at Mariucci Arena at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis competing for the chance to go to Atlanta to become the proverbial dominant force in robot sports.

They got pretty close.

The team placed in the top 20 and we are so proud!

The robotics program makes science and math fun and gives kids real world experience with both.

Behind the scenes of this program there were many dedicated adult volunteers and donors helping make it happen and the district is so appreciative of their efforts.

Great job everyone!

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Now that's 'state of the art'

District 110 School Board member Jim Sanborn made a pretty big announcement last Friday; his district's intention to move forward with a fall bond referendum toward a new $200 million elementary school:

The new Coney Island Elementary building will be located on the famous island in Lake Waconia, and will offer unique educational opportunities to students, including a world-class aquatic life-sciences program, competition watersports, and the state's only under-12 tournament walleye fishing team.

Wait until you see the pictures. Impressive.

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Budget process takes next step

Next week is going to be an important one for North Branch Area Public Schools. District administration's recommendation to address the 2009-2010 budget deficit will be put before the School Board on April 9, 7 p.m., at the Main Street School in the board room. You can see the full agenda at the district home page.

We hope you can come and hear the recommendation, which is the product of a lot of hard work by a very dedicated team. If you are unable to make it though, look for links to details at the district home page after next Thursday. Then, come to the public listening session on April 16, from 7:30 to 9 p.m. on the second floor of the Main Street School. It will be a final opportunity to make your voice heard before the School Board take action on the recommendation on April 23.

In the meantime, have a super weekend!

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Filling the digital void

It seems we are confronted almost daily now with examples of the damage technology can cause. Obviously, rejecting technology will not be the answer. But those of us who are not native to technology must find ways to bring our wisdom and skepticism into this new world, for our kids' safety. So I will be posting internet safety tips and advice when I come across good ones.

Microsoft has excellent guidelines for parents of kids under age 10, ages 11-14, and ages 15-18.

If your kids are online, please read them. A healthy respect for the dangers of being part of this social revolution grows more important every day.

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Second listening session complete

The district conducted another fruitful public budget listening session last night. The district home page has links to the notes, as well as notes from March 5, links to the input web page, and budget fact materials, under "March 26 listening session notes."

In other news: It's Friday! And the forecast calls for a warm-up and sunshine this weekend. I think we could all use some of that. Happy weekend!

UPDATE: While the weather may be the biggest issue we face here this weekend, our sister school districts in Moorhead and Fargo are facing potentially disastrous challenges. School has been canceled on both sides of the Red River, and the region is awaiting a potentially record crest. Won't you keep them in your thoughts?

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Active learning

KARE 11's Kim Insley had a great "Cool in School" story this morning. At the U of M, teachers are using an active learning classroom:

When you walk into the classroom, there are no rows of chairs, no podium, and no chalkboard.

What you do see are tables that seat 8-10 students, plug ins for computers, microphones so students in any corner of the room can be heard, large screen monitors for each table, and a white writing surfaces that surrounds the room. Students use it as a giant scratch pad.

The U has two such classrooms, and ten more coming on line in a new building.

Read or watch Insley's report here.

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Thinking creatively at the Capitol

Lori Sturdevant has an interesting column today, covering some of the education reform efforts happening at the legislature. I would be interested in hearing any thoughts you might have on this topic.

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Governor Pawlenty is committed

Governor Pawlenty released his revised budget proposal yesterday and I was thrilled that he maintains his commitment to avoiding cuts to K-12 education:

Pawlenty's updated budget would spend $424 million of federal stimulus money on schools -- mostly on merit pay and student achievement. That would result in a $27 million increase from his January budget, which itself included a $156 million bump.

We have a long way to go before we know anything for sure. Before this is over, the legislature and the governor will have to reach consensus and they are far from that now. Nevertheless, the governor's strong desire to protect education from expected budget cuts is good news for North Branch.

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Bad news from the Senate

The Star Tribune is reporting today on the Senate budget proposal, which would call for $1 billion in cuts to education over the next two years:

Senate leaders acknowledged that the $973 million in proposed K-12 education cuts over a two-year period would be difficult but said education represented too large a share of the overall state budget to be exempted.

A cut of this magnitude would be absolutely devastating to a district like North Branch, which has made over $10 million in budget adjustments since 2003, and is facing another $1.5 million in reductions to balance next year's budget.

The House will introduce its budget proposal next week, and I hope it looks better for education than the Senate's. In the meantime, please continue to contact your legislator and let them know how important education funding is; not only for the present, but for our future.

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Calendar conundrum continues

According to MPR, our two calendar conundrum may be coming to an end, but not in the way favored by educators:

A Minnesota House panel has rejected a bill to allow school districts the choice of starting classes before Labor Day for the next two school years. Labor Day falls late this year and in 2010.

School districts won't be able to start classes until Sept. 8 this year and Sept. 7 in 2010.

Though it is certainly discouraging news, the issue is by no means a dead one, according to SEE's Brad Lundell:

What the prospects for the bill are at this point is anyone's guess. It could be amended into the omnibus K-12 policy or finance bills in the House or Senate, but if it gets in, there will certainly be attempts to pull it back out again. What this probably does, however, is put a kabosh on districts that we trying to plan one calendar with a pre-Labor Day start. Districts can still plan two calendars and wait for the end of the legislative session to see what happens with this bill, but I wouldn't bet the farm (or the school bus) on a pre-Labor Day start.

In other words, it's not over yet but it doesn't look good. Luckily for us we didn't bet the farm on an early start and already have the two calendars. We just don't know which one to use...yet.
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The calendar(s) is out

Following last night's school board meeting at least we have one issue out of the way...sort of. A 2009-2010 calendar - two actually - have been agreed upon: one for an early start to next year and one for a late start. Which one will be used by the district will depend upon the legislature, which must decide if it will allow districts to start school before Labor Day.

If they allow it, NBAPS will go with the early start calendar. The rationale for that decision lies in the ability to learn in late August as opposed to mid-June.

Since last night's approval the high school has announced graduation day for each calendar. If we are allowed to go with the early start, graduation will be June 2. If not it will be June 9.

I'll update you on the calendar situation when the legislature gives us guidance.

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Good and bad news regarding the state deficit

The Star Tribune is reporting good news and bad news. The good news:

The state's projected budget deficit for fiscal 2010-11 is $4.57 billion, a figure that would be higher if not tempered by a $1.3 billion infusion of federal cash.

The bad news:

little seems to slow the global economic crisis that has Minnesota in its grip and is projected to cost it another 70,000 jobs in the coming year. Before it's over, Minnesota's job losses could reach 120,000 -- equal to three years' worth of typical job growth -- according to the state's national forecaster, Global Insight Inc.

We continue to await decisions that will affect us and hope for the best.

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Budgest season officially underway

Last night, Finance Director Randi Johnson gave the school board the forecast for the 2009-2010 budget for the first time. If you haven't heard, the district is facing $1.5 million in adjustments to balance next year's budget.

Here is the budget presentation if you would like to view it, and here is the one page fact sheet you are sure to see more and more of as we move through this difficult process. A page has also been set up at the district web site to allow you an opportunity to provide input by e-mail if you so choose.

I sent a letter to our legislators this week after hearing that the state could consider a 10-13 percent reduction in its education funding for next year, which would be extremely damaging to NBAPS. Senator Rick Olseen responded and I was encouraged by his continued commitment to education.

Still...

The state has some tough choices ahead and those choices could affect NBAPS drastically and in a negative way. I encourage you to contact both Sen. Olseen or Rep. Jeremy Kalin and let them know that cuts to state education funding would be potentially catastrophic to our district, especially since North Branch has been reducing so deeply, for so long.

The $1.5 million shortfall we are projecting is based on receiving no increase in state funding for next year, but it is also based on receiving no cut in state funding for next year. Every dollar the state cuts from education will make our projected deficit grow.

We laid off forty people last year. We are, quite simply, running out of maneuvering space.


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We are listening

I would like to personally invite you to attend the first of three listening sessions next Thursday, March 5, at the Main Street site. The public session will take place from 6 to 7 p.m. on the second floor and will follow the same small group format we used last year.

This is a great chance to talk with board members about ideas, priorities, and concerns you may have as we move through the difficult budgeting process.

If you can't make it don't worry, there will be another opportunity on March 26, same time, same place. A third listening session will be scheduled in April after budget recommendations have been made.

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More on Stimulus

ED.gov has preliminary information now on how stimulus dollars will be allocated to states.

Meanwhile, MDE continues to review the over 1000-page package and offers this additional information:

Under the stimulus package, many of the education dollars will flow to the state from the federal government and be distributed to Minnesota schools using existing federal funding formulas for programs such as special education and Title I. Additional one-time stabilization funding will also be made available.

I'll keep you posted.

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NBAPS joins SCRED

On Thursday, Feb. 13, the North Branch Area School Board voted unanimously to become a member of the St. Croix River Education District (SCRED). This is SCRED's mission statement:

Through the actions of its administrators and governing body, and through collaboration with other service agencies, SCRED will strive for equity of opportunity for all learners by facilitating cooperation, collaboration, communication, and collective excellence among its member districts.

And here is just a brief description of what it does:

SCRED is an organizational structure which manages shared services between its member districts and other governmental service units. SCRED provides management of special education services and consultation to districts on regular education curriculum and instruction.

If you want to learn more, please visit the SCRED homepage.
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Could we face cuts?

Senate DFL leaders are signaling that K-12 education must be subject to cuts, not the slight increases proposed by Gov. Pawlenty:

Pogemiller said putting off the hard budget decisions now would prevent the state from having the money to make strategic investments in such areas as early childhood education when the economy recovers.

To cut spending by $4.85 billion would require a 13.7 percent across-the-board budget reduction, Pogemiller said. That would slash $1.9 billion from K-12 education.

Nobody is going to do that, he said. "But you cannot put 40 percent of the budget offline. Everybody's going to have to tighten their belts and share the sacrifice ... including education."

Here's some thoughts on this latest news:

Pogemiller indicated education needs to be included in cuts because we are 40% of the state's budget but he does not appear to be recommending any cuts be proportional so that is certainly a good thing. What remains to be seen is how much of a cut we can expect, and we can do little but wait and see how this all plays out.

However, I can say that any cuts combined with expected increases in fuel costs, health insurance, declining enrollment, and no operating levy will have a devastating effect on our schools. Large class size will get even larger and struggling students will not get badly needed support.

Lawmakers do need to look at all aspects of the budget. I expect them to take their time, examine the upcoming forecast, gather input, and look to the federal government for support before taking action. We need a thorough examination of all options before deciding to cut education, which is already bare bones in North Branch.

Something for the legislature to keep in mind as they ponder these tough choices: Kids can't redo their education. The decisions made during this budget session will have a life-long and irreversible impact on large numbers of students.
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NBAPS in the news

The Chisago County Press has a great story this week on technology being used in NBAPS classrooms:

Sara Ertl's first graders are getting to meet kids their own age from different parts of North America, and they don't even have to leave their classroom at North Branch Primary School. Last week they interacted with students in Alberta, Canada and earlier this school year they spent time with kids in Dallas Texas.

And that's not all! The Post Review has our hard-working grounds crew on the front page, with a summary of the work and cost associated with snow removal:

To beat back Mother Nature’s average snowfall, crews use up to 14 tons of sand, approximately 1/4 -1/2 ton of salt, and up to 150 gallons of fuel.

For a six-inch snowfall event, that can add up to as much as $1,300, with the expense rising as the snow gets deeper.

In a winter like this, the scenario can be repeated weekly, if not more often as the snow keeps coming and coming.

I hope you enjoy reading these fine examples of what's happening at NBAPS.
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The state discussing math standards

The news today is buzzing with activity surrounding the state math standards. MPR is focusing on support for changing the way we measure progress entirely:

One idea being discussed is to dump the GRAD and instead create so-called, 'end of course' exams. That means instead of needing to pass one test that measures everything you've learned since first grade, students would be tested at the end of certain courses, like Algebra II, on only that subject.

Education Commissioner Alice Seagren likes that idea because it's kind of like a final exam that also lets students know if they're also ready for college.

There are issues with this solution, such as cost, and according to MPR there is likely to be negotiations during the budget session.

The Star Tribune has more, including information on a bill addressing expected difficulties 2010 graduates may have passing the test:

According to a bill introduced Monday in the Minnesota Senate, students who fail the new math and reading graduation tests would have a temporary, alternate path to graduation if they are in seventh through 11th grades this year.

Students who don't pass the first time could still graduate if they meet three conditions: complete all other state and district graduation requirements; participate in the district's remediation program for the subject they failed, and try to pass the test two more times.

I was asked to comment on these issues and I will tell you what I told reporter Emily Johns; I would not be opposed to moving toward an "end of course" system of exams because I think it would be superior than the system we currently have in place. The assessment would be of much greater value to the teacher, and would allow students to take exams while material is fresh.

Expect more on this emerging debate in the months to come.

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Online learning taking off

The Rochester Post-Bulletin has an interesting article today on the growth being experienced in online learning:

Across the nation 1 million students enrolled in online classes in 2007, according to the North American Council for Online Learning. That number has exploded since 2000, when online enrollments were estimated at less than 50,000.

Minnesota currently has 22 certified online schools, coming from 15 school districts or consortiums and seven charter schools. The Minnesota Legislature in 2003 allowed school districts to offer the classes to public and private school students.

In Minnesota, more than 5,000 students take all their classes online.

In other news: Rushford-Peterson District Superintendent Chuck Ehler discusses the pitfalls of weather related closing decisions, and Wilson Elementary in Anoka is one of five schools in the state making a public push to increase the presence of dads in school.

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The stimulus package and NBAPS

The Star Tribune is reporting today that President Obama's stimulus package has passed in the House of Representatives:

...the two-year stimulus plan would provide up to $1,000 per year in tax relief for most families, dramatically increase funding for alternative energy production, and direct more than $300 billion in aid to states to help rebuild schools, provide health care to the poor and reconstruct highways and bridges.

What could this mean for North Branch Area Public Schools?
According to a spreadsheet received by the district, we could potentially receive almost $1.3 million in additional funding over the next two years. The bulk of the funding would likely be designated for specific purposes, like special education, Title I, and general construction projects.

We asked Congressman James Oberstar to represent our interests in the process of creating the stimulus package, specifically in the area of construction funding, and we are grateful for his leadership in creating this opportunity.

It will likely be some time before the details of the stimulus package are ironed out and we know how the funds can be applied. I can tell you that even with the additional funds from both the state and federal government, NBAPS will need to make budget adjustments for next year, because our enrollment continues to decline.

Meanwhile, the drive to create equity in school funding at the state level remains as important as ever.
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Thoughts on Gov. Pawlenty's budget proposal

Governor Tim Pawlenty released his initial budget proposal yesterday and we are very relieved K-12 education was such a high priority in his proposal.

The district is expected to receive $230,000 more in 2009-10 than it would have under the current law, and $375,000 more in 2010-11 than it would have under current law. The increases represent a 1.3 percent improvement over the next two years.

However, due to the $460,000 in one-time funds North Branch received this fiscal year, which will no longer be available, and projected enrollment declines, the total amount of funding the district will receive over the next two years will be less than this year's funding level.

Other areas of the state budget are looking at deep cuts. Higher education is looking at an 8 percent cut, local government aid will be cut over 5 percent, and health and human services will be reduced by $996 million. With K-12 not only escaping cuts but actually realizing even the small increases in the formula that it did, it shows that the Governor views K-12 education as a high budgeting priority.

We should definitely be relieved our district has already gone through the Q-Comp process as it looks now like all non-Q-Comp districts will be scrambling to go through the process by 2010. In order to qualify for those funds we won't have to do anything but continue the practices our hard-working teachers voted to put in place before this school year.

There are still a lot of unanswered questions, but the overall situation tends to highlight some of the general problems with education funding. As I noted above, declining enrollment will insure our funding will decrease over the next two years; the federal government inadequately funds special education; and it is possible that the Governor's funding for performance plan could create further inequities within the state's school districts.

The new Minnesota Miracle is still the answer to the inequities we face. You can read more about that here, and listen to a speech I gave on the subject here.

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A summary of education bills

There are a couple of items of interest in the news this morning:

Minnesota Public Radio has a summary of the many education related bills before the state legislature this season, including House File 2, the new Minnesota Miracle.

Also, Senator Dan Sparks (DFL - District 27), gives his impressions of the SEE Legislative Kick-Off, at which I was privileged to speak last Thursday.
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SEE's Legislative Kick-Off

On Jan. 22, at the SEE Legislative Kick-off in St. Paul, I was asked to deliver a speech in front of lawmakers and educators summarizing the difficulties North Branch Area Public Schools has faced over the last decade due to the current funding formula.

I have included a full transcript of the speech.

SEE speech, delivered 1-22-09

In education, we get used to demanding excellence; from ourselves, from our staff, and most importantly, from our students. And so it is with a heavy heart that I stand before this assembly of education leaders and elected officials and demand not the opportunity to excel, but rather...simply the opportunity to be average.

Average. That’s all we ask.

Currently, North Branch Area Public Schools is below the state average for school funding. How far below? You can’t get any farther below. North Branch receives the least amount of funding of any district in the state of Minnesota. We define the bottom of the barrel.

Nevertheless, we continue to provide an excellent educational environment, turning out highly capable students passing state standards at a rate higher than the state. In other words we’re providing excellence despite financial challenges greater than any other district in the state. But that excellence has been spread over continually narrowing opportunities over the last decade. As I stand before you today, North Branch has become as basic an educational experience as you may find in the entire state.

Our district taxpayers have higher property taxes than neighboring districts. As a result, over the last ten years North Branch has been forced to cut a multitude of services; each and every one of which has worked to narrow the focus of the education we can provide.

• We have lost dozens of teachers, which has had a direct and negative impact on class size each year. And, while our teachers may all be dealing with more students than ever before, they are doing so with little to none of the support staff other districts enjoy. Outside of Title I and special education, we have no paraprofessionals to lighten the load. As our class sizes and work loads have increased, the ability to intervene in the education of struggling students has all but disappeared except through the use of extended days.

We have no media instruction available to students in primary school. We have greatly reduced art specialists at that level as well. At the Sunrise River School, with an elementary student body around 1,100, we have only one full-time physical education teacher in a time when obesity in children is reaching crisis levels.

• The loss of teaching positions means the loss of programs. We can no longer offer Industrial Technology or Family and Consumer Science, and have greatly restricted music and choir programs, at the middle school level. We have no direct services for gifted and talented students.

• A bare bones administration means teachers have little to no support in regards to curriculum or instructional mediation. Implementing performance measures like Q-Comp, which requires many administrative evaluations of teachers, puts a heavy burden on a team already maxed out with the overwhelming job of simply keeping up.

• What does this mean? It means that from our freshest teachers to our most seasoned administrators, no one has any more time to give. Burn out isn’t something we work to avoid, it is something we work through. Who can say how many highly qualified people the district has lost due to burn-out? It’s hard to factor. But we can say that the people most likely to suffer from burnout are those that care the most about their job. Every time we lose a teacher or administrator to burnout, we lose somebody we cannot afford to be without.

• Year after year, with financial challenges that are common knowledge, we have seen another trend; a trend that has thrown gasoline on the already roaring fire. Hearing the list of losses I just mentioned - and believe me it was but a brief summary - would you send your student to North Branch? Well, more and more we are seeing families exercise their right to go elsewhere. We used to gain students every year, or at least break even.

Now, each year we lose more students than we gain, by significant margins. And, with each student we lose, the burden of funding reductions falls upon those that are left.

We realize that the economic times are tough; that now may not be the time to demand another Minnesota Miracle. Then again, is there ever such a thing as a “good time?” Then again, what better time than a crisis for lawmakers to take a good hard look at the business of government and use their creativity to achieve great things in new ways. Solutions found later will not help students today. They won’t get a chance to re-do their education. That is the urgency. The longer we wait the larger the body of Minnesotans we did not provide adequate support for becomes.

North Branch needs a new way. It needs a Minnesota Miracle to reverse course from the unacceptable and unfair equity gap in Minnesota schools. A current funding system that tells North Branch students they are worth less than others simply because its taxpayers are overburdened with taxes the district has no control over; a system that is leaving our schools begging for table scraps.

North Branch needs legislators to end the task of maintaining and protecting the status quo; to rise above the partisanship and protection of special interests that plagues both parties; and to come together, weather this crisis, and create equity in our schools. To do less, to not achieve, that is unacceptable for our kids.

In other words, we ask legislators for the same level of excellence they demand of public education. We need the state to move forward with another Minnesota Miracle. We need legislators to see the challenges, and the urgency, and make sure we have the workforce we need tomorrow, by investing in our schools today.

It is time to make the word “average” extinct when it comes to education funding. Give us equity. Because quality in education shouldn’t be tied to a zip code, or a commercial tax base, or parents’ ability to afford “extras.” In fact, it shouldn’t be tied to anything beyond a student’s ability to achieve.

In the State of Hockey, these are the simplest terms I can put it in: We want a chance to win. But we will never win as long as we start out every game late in the third period, down by three, and short-handed. The system is the ref that just won’t give us a break. Give us a break. Give us the chance at an even strength game that only a Minnesota Miracle can provide.

Thank you.

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