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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