There are many things about our world that rob kids of the opportunity to learn compassion and kindness. Technology is an incredible tool, but it is also cold, and the social interactions of kids and adults alike become increasingly faceless and devoid of a human connection. Media also has a role; physical beauty or power are celebrated and kindness, patience, and empathy often portrayed as weakness.
Rachel Scott was a student at Columbine High School when she became the first victim of an event that shocked the world. Since her death as a result of those shootings, her father Darrell has devoted himself to honoring Rachel’s memory by reclaiming kindness and compassion for students and society in general.
Rachel’s Challenge (www.rachelschallenge.org), the organization created in her name, seeks to bring permanent positive change to not only schools, but communities as a whole by starting a “chain reaction” of compassion and kindness. We are so pleased to announce a day-long Rachel’s Challenge event at NBAPS everyone can be a part of.
I hope you will mark your calendar for Sept. 15. Middle and high school students will have assemblies that day, followed by a community-wide event that evening at the high school.
Rachel’s Challenge will challenge you with five elements: eliminating prejudice, daring to dream, choosing influences, words of kindness, and starting a chain reaction in our community.
Schools and communities who have experienced Rachel’s Challenge report positive, long-lasting changes for the better. We live in a wonderful community and I hope you will join us for Rachel’s Challenge and take its message and inspiration into your life and interactions with others.
Couldn’t we all use a little more compassion and kindness in our lives? Through Rachel’s Challenge, we can put those qualities into the world around us knowing that it will come back to us ten-fold. That sounds pretty good to me.
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Thursday, August 11, 2011
The K-12 Omnibus bill
Last week state government passed the Omnibus K-12 Education Bill, and many have asked questions about its impact on North Branch Area Public Schools (NBAPS). The bill is 140 pages long so, as I write this, I haven’t yet had a chance to go through it thoroughly, but there are things about the bill that I can share with you now.
The state will once again delay payments to schools, called a “shift,” and it will mean that NBAPS, like other districts, will have to borrow additional funds.
There are many other elements of the bill that have direct impact on our district as well. The state has once again waived, for two years, the mandatory 2 percent set aside generally earmarked for staff development. The district and teachers have worked very cooperatively in the past to make these funds available in the general fund.
Over the course of the bill, the funding formula for schools will increase $50 per pupil annually, and while it is certainly appreciated, it won’t be near enough to close the funding gap the district has been victimized by for so many years.
Some other changes; the January 15 deadline for completing teachers union negotiations, which subjects districts to severe fines if not met, has been waived; maintenance of effort requirement for nurses, counselors, social workers, psychologists, and mental health workers has been repealed; and there has been a one-time reduction in state funding for Q Comp for districts currently receiving this funding stream, which includes NBAPS. We don’t know at this time if or how the reduction might affect our district.
There are other changes as well and many details are yet unclear. The department of education will be holding information sessions on the legislation. I will provide more information to the school board and public following those sessions.
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The state will once again delay payments to schools, called a “shift,” and it will mean that NBAPS, like other districts, will have to borrow additional funds.
There are many other elements of the bill that have direct impact on our district as well. The state has once again waived, for two years, the mandatory 2 percent set aside generally earmarked for staff development. The district and teachers have worked very cooperatively in the past to make these funds available in the general fund.
Over the course of the bill, the funding formula for schools will increase $50 per pupil annually, and while it is certainly appreciated, it won’t be near enough to close the funding gap the district has been victimized by for so many years.
Some other changes; the January 15 deadline for completing teachers union negotiations, which subjects districts to severe fines if not met, has been waived; maintenance of effort requirement for nurses, counselors, social workers, psychologists, and mental health workers has been repealed; and there has been a one-time reduction in state funding for Q Comp for districts currently receiving this funding stream, which includes NBAPS. We don’t know at this time if or how the reduction might affect our district.
There are other changes as well and many details are yet unclear. The department of education will be holding information sessions on the legislation. I will provide more information to the school board and public following those sessions.
(end)
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Hoping for a faster start
The school board hosted a levy informational meeting at 6 p.m. last Thursday, and roughly 100 personal invitations were sent in preparation. The meeting was listed on the district Web site, Facebook page, and Twitter account. Despite all that, the turnout was less than what the school board and district were hoping for.
Thanks to those individuals who did give so freely of their personal time to attend this very important meeting. Those in attendance were engaged and enthusiastic about helping the district remain competitive and getting the community growing again.
However, the handful in attendance cannot accomplish all the work that comes with a citizens committee, at least not easily. There remains a mountain of work to be done if the district is to mitigate future cuts with an operating levy. The good news is that with each volunteer that workload is lessened. If enough people come forward to assist the school board, the workload is small and very manageable.
In a time when apathy’s tentacles seem to be spreading to the far corners of civilization, the district needs advocates more than ever. The state continues to struggle with issues beyond education, and the current generation of students’ education cannot be put on hold until a larger solution can be reached.
The school board reached what it felt was a workable compromise with the community, seeking a “stop gap” three-year levy that would reduce, not eliminate, the need for cuts over that period. It was voiced by one school board member – in a position to know – that this compromise could change people’s minds about supporting the district.
If indeed there are citizens who have been waiting for the district to “compromise,” and put forth a more modest proposal, it is our sincerest hope they will contact their preferred school board member, voice their support, and consider advocating for the school district.
(end)
Read more!
Thanks to those individuals who did give so freely of their personal time to attend this very important meeting. Those in attendance were engaged and enthusiastic about helping the district remain competitive and getting the community growing again.
However, the handful in attendance cannot accomplish all the work that comes with a citizens committee, at least not easily. There remains a mountain of work to be done if the district is to mitigate future cuts with an operating levy. The good news is that with each volunteer that workload is lessened. If enough people come forward to assist the school board, the workload is small and very manageable.
In a time when apathy’s tentacles seem to be spreading to the far corners of civilization, the district needs advocates more than ever. The state continues to struggle with issues beyond education, and the current generation of students’ education cannot be put on hold until a larger solution can be reached.
The school board reached what it felt was a workable compromise with the community, seeking a “stop gap” three-year levy that would reduce, not eliminate, the need for cuts over that period. It was voiced by one school board member – in a position to know – that this compromise could change people’s minds about supporting the district.
If indeed there are citizens who have been waiting for the district to “compromise,” and put forth a more modest proposal, it is our sincerest hope they will contact their preferred school board member, voice their support, and consider advocating for the school district.
(end)
Read more!
Make a difference
As noted in last week’s column, the NBAPS school board unanimously supported seeking an operating levy this fall. All school board members see the need and the reality; the need to provide for the community’s children to the best of our ability, and the reality of the state’s situation, which doesn’t hold much promise for solving inequities in funding in the near future. So, it will be up to local taxpayers to provide additional means for students.
Toward a successful levy this fall, each school board member provided the district names of constituents they believe would be interested in serving on a citizens committee, and interested in supporting additional funding for our schools. Those citizens have been invited to an informational meeting at 6 p.m., this Thursday, in room 126 of the North Branch Area Education Center.
Whether or not you receive a postcard invitation to the meeting, your presence is needed and appreciated. If you have an interest in education, are frustrated by our lack of state funding, or simply want to see our community compete with surrounding communities more aggressively, you are the type of person that can make a difference.
Throughout history, from suffragists to the Tea Party, the most successful attempts at change were built from the ground up. In my tenure here I have seen grassroots support for the district grow each year. Despite almost insurmountable challenges last fall, grassroots efforts were extremely successful in making more people aware of the district’s situation.
It is the school board’s desire to spread that awareness even further this year, and you are integral to that effort. Please consider attending this all-important meeting and learn about ways you can contribute to creating better partnerships between community and schools.
I’ll see you there!
(end)
Read more!
Toward a successful levy this fall, each school board member provided the district names of constituents they believe would be interested in serving on a citizens committee, and interested in supporting additional funding for our schools. Those citizens have been invited to an informational meeting at 6 p.m., this Thursday, in room 126 of the North Branch Area Education Center.
Whether or not you receive a postcard invitation to the meeting, your presence is needed and appreciated. If you have an interest in education, are frustrated by our lack of state funding, or simply want to see our community compete with surrounding communities more aggressively, you are the type of person that can make a difference.
Throughout history, from suffragists to the Tea Party, the most successful attempts at change were built from the ground up. In my tenure here I have seen grassroots support for the district grow each year. Despite almost insurmountable challenges last fall, grassroots efforts were extremely successful in making more people aware of the district’s situation.
It is the school board’s desire to spread that awareness even further this year, and you are integral to that effort. Please consider attending this all-important meeting and learn about ways you can contribute to creating better partnerships between community and schools.
I’ll see you there!
(end)
Read more!
Reaching consensus on an operating levy
Our school board conducted a work session on the subject of a fall operating levy Thursday night, and had a robust and productive discussion. As reported in this issue, the school board reached consensus on a single question with a tax impact of $120 on an average home for three years.
I encourage everyone to access the podcast of the meeting at the district home page (www.northbranch.k12.mn.us) and listen in. We are fortunate to have a diverse school board, and members’ care and concern for the community and district is evident in each of their positions.
With passage of the proposal, the school district would see additional revenue of roughly $1.5 million annually to soften cuts while we wait for the state to address inequities in education funding. It’s short duration would allow taxpayers to assist the district through these difficult times without a long-term commitment.
The operating levy question as decided upon by the school board is an attempt to meet the community “half way” and it was exciting to hear school board members discuss the opportunity to mitigate cuts in the short term.
NBAPS is facing another projected $2.5 million in cuts next year, on top of roughly $14 million in cuts over the last decade. As I’m writing this column, the state is waking up to a government shutdown that could linger for weeks. While we hope the legislature and governor will be able to come together and solve the problems with school funding, the shutdown suggests that the two sides of the political aisle remain far apart on major issues.
Waiting is not an option for us; we must find ways to reduce the effect cuts have on our community’s children. Soon you will hear more about the levy, what it will mean for education, and its effect on the community. It is my hope, with or without a levy, the end result of this process is stakeholders with a better understanding of the district’s situation and the impact it is having on education.
(end)
Read more!
I encourage everyone to access the podcast of the meeting at the district home page (www.northbranch.k12.mn.us) and listen in. We are fortunate to have a diverse school board, and members’ care and concern for the community and district is evident in each of their positions.
With passage of the proposal, the school district would see additional revenue of roughly $1.5 million annually to soften cuts while we wait for the state to address inequities in education funding. It’s short duration would allow taxpayers to assist the district through these difficult times without a long-term commitment.
The operating levy question as decided upon by the school board is an attempt to meet the community “half way” and it was exciting to hear school board members discuss the opportunity to mitigate cuts in the short term.
NBAPS is facing another projected $2.5 million in cuts next year, on top of roughly $14 million in cuts over the last decade. As I’m writing this column, the state is waking up to a government shutdown that could linger for weeks. While we hope the legislature and governor will be able to come together and solve the problems with school funding, the shutdown suggests that the two sides of the political aisle remain far apart on major issues.
Waiting is not an option for us; we must find ways to reduce the effect cuts have on our community’s children. Soon you will hear more about the levy, what it will mean for education, and its effect on the community. It is my hope, with or without a levy, the end result of this process is stakeholders with a better understanding of the district’s situation and the impact it is having on education.
(end)
Read more!
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