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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