Supe of the Day

Budget season is here again

2012-01-27T09:07:00.000-08:00

The school board heard the budget forecast for 2012-13 last night. We are looking at a $2.1 million deficit for next year. To look at all the information available at this time, and to see the schedule of events, go to the district's 2012-13 budget webpage.

Also, here is the podcast of last night's meeting:

video platform video management video solutions video player

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Holiday dinner a big success

2012-01-06T13:11:00.000-08:00

Our wonderful district staff and Taher put on a free community dinner at the high school on Christmas Day. If you would like to see a slideshow of the decorations and event, check out the district Facebook page.

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Letter to MDE

2012-01-04T05:56:00.000-08:00

In our continuing efforts to make change at the state level, this letter was sent to MDE Commissioner Brenda Cassellius last week. I think the gas station analogy puts the plight of NBAPS and its residents in perspective:

Dear Commissioner Cassellius,

I write to you this day on behalf of North Branch Area Public Schools and the communities it serves, to share with you the results of our recent operating levy proposal and express our dissatisfaction with the current funding formula. It is my deepest hope that, in doing so, we can cease to be the example of what is wrong with K-12 funding, and instead inspire a solution.

North Branch Area Public Schools enrolls 3,143 students K-12 in the Chisago/Isanti County area. Our most recent levy attempt failed this November, and marks the eighth consecutive such failure since 1998. We were recently referred to in the Star Tribune as the “unluckiest” school district in the state. Our budget woes have been featured in the Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, and on CNN.

Our inability to pass an operating levy is a primary reason we are one of the lowest-funded school districts in the state. The state funding formula, and specifically an equalization factor that has remained unchanged in almost 20 years, is a primary reason we are unable to pass a levy.

In 1994, when the equalization factor was put in place, it was designed to give school districts across the state an equal playing field with the wealthiest districts. It allowed for property poor districts to receive equalization aid on a sliding scale if the school district had a market value per pupil unit below $476,000. According to MDE, records indicate that in 1997, two school districts out of 358 were above that figure and the average market value per pupil unit was $175,000.

Over the succeeding years, property values skyrocketed and the average market value per pupil unit is projected to be $469,000 in 2013. Increasing property values however, do not equate to an increase in wealth. It does equate to an increase in taxes though, and Chisago County - which makes up the bulk of our school district - has one of the highest median property tax rates not just in the state, but the entire nation.

While property values and tax burdens have steadily increased, the state’s equalization factor has remained unchanged since its inception and no longer reflects a figure designed to keep property poor districts on a level playing field with property wealthy districts. In 2013, 69 school districts will have a market value per pupil above $476,000. And though the majority of districts still remain under that figure, the average dictates that less fortunate school districts qualify for less state aid than ever before, making the challenge of offering students the same advantages as wealthy districts all but impossible.

Here are some examples of the drastic differences in operating levy tax impact, based on the maximum levy amount of $1,605 per pupil:

• North Branch Area Public Schools: $407 per $100,000 of property value
• Orono Public Schools: $125 per $100,000 of property value
• Westonka: $143 per $100,000 of property value
• Wayzata: $188 per $100,000 of property value

Even our closest competitors to the south realize an advantage when trying to provide for students:

• Chisago Area Public Schools: $358 per $100,000 of property value
• Forest Lake: $312 per $100,000 of property value

Imagine if you will that school funding is like buying gas. When North Branch pulls into the station, it is instructed to use pumps at which the price of gas is $4.07 a gallon. When Orono pulls into the same station for the same gas, it is allowed to pay $1.25 a gallon. Any fair-minded person would agree that the situation as it stands is inherently unfair for school districts and, far more importantly, students. The result for a school district like North Branch Area Public Schools has been nothing short of devastating.

The same holds true for other equalization factors, most notably debt equalization. Increases in property values have pushed more districts “off the formula” with a larger share of debt service shifting to local property taxes, further increasing the local burden. This magnifies the difficulties North Branch Area Public Schools faces in asking voters to approve operating levies.

Since 2003-04 we have cut $14 million in staff and programs with millions more expected each year into the foreseeable future. Fees to parents have been increased, supply lists have grown, class sizes have increased, leadership and oversight decimated, buildings closed, the school week reduced, extracurricular activities slashed, and programs eliminated. In the last four years we have cut 89 full-time equivalent positions, and despite declines in enrollment we have fewer staff serving more students than ever before. Those job losses have also contributed to an overall decline in the local economy.

The constant drumbeat of lost opportunities has accelerated enrollment declines - further exacerbating our funding issues, and a funding system so complex only very few understand has frustrated our public to the point of causing an almost complete breakdown in the relationship between school district and community.

The situation here can only be described as toxic, and at the root of that toxicity lies inequitable funding.

Despite our great and numerous challenges, NBAPS has done remarkably well at continuing to provide a competitive education. However, that cannot continue into the future without significant change to the way schools are funded in the near future.

Each year we have to look our residents in the eye and tell them that circumstances are such that their children’s educations remain under-funded. We tell them that the situation cannot continue much longer, the state must correct the problem. We have been saying that now since 2003-04. It has been almost a decade of waiting and watching an entire generation of students and families stuck between a rock and a hard place; hoping for change.

We appreciate so much what you do for the children of the state. It is our sincerest hope that we can work together in these challenging times to create an equitable funding structure that acknowledges all kids deserve the same opportunity for a high quality public education.

Sincerely,

Deb Henton, Ed. D.

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Looking back - looking ahead

2011-12-21T08:10:00.000-08:00

This is my last column of 2011 and, looking back, there is much to be thankful for. Most importantly, students and staff have remained largely safe and in the bosom of their families. It is easy to forget that NBAPS is more than just the latest headline; we are a large family and we care very much for our fellow staff members and our students.

I am grateful for the many notes of support and encouragement we receive during rough periods. The kindness so many of you show buoys our spirits and reminds us that families rely on us to provide a high quality education, and have faith that we do so.

It has been an exciting year; advertising is now allowed in our schools, planning for D3 has been ongoing, and Patron Tours were a huge success. Which reminds me...if you want to come along on our Tuesday, Jan. 10 tour, call (651) 674-1018.

Overall it has been a year of rising above obstacles, strengthening partnerships, and working together to ensure the highest quality education for each and every student. We are proud of that effort and even more proud of the results.

The coming year promises to be one of great excitement and challenges. Budget season is almost upon us; not a happy time here. Students and families will worry about losing programs and many of our staff members will endure great stress wondering if they will have a job next year.

On the bright side, high school students will be bringing their devices to school in a couple of weeks, and we are confident the middle school is not far behind. Teachers will be piloting technology projects in classrooms as a result of the district’s Focus Forward mini-grants. There will be highs and lows, and opportunities for us to shine.

And shine we shall. That’s my resolution to you for 2012.

Happy holidays everyone!

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Open enrollment night

2011-12-15T10:59:00.000-08:00

Hi all! I'm going to try and get back in the swing of things over here at the blog. I'll start by posting the most recent School News column:

At North Branch Area Public Schools, we have many things to offer prospective students. We also know that it is imperative we do everything we can to attract new students.

We are pleased to announce Open Enrollment Night on Tuesday, Jan. 3, from 5:30 – 7 p.m., at Sunrise River School, North Branch Area Middle School, North Branch Area High School, and the Area Learning Center.

Open Enrollment Night is an opportunity for us to show off our wonderful facilities, staff, and programs. Staff will be on hand at each site to answer questions and show students why NBAPS is the right solution for them. There is much to be proud of!

We offer world language K-12, and have Spanish, music, and phy-ed in elementary school. There are Kindles in our media centers, and college in the schools. A robotics program, half-day, every-day Kindergarten, specialized learning for gifted and talented students, and individualized math and reading instruction are all available. And that is just a sample.

Our Focus Forward initiative is resulting in big changes in how we educate; changes that reflect the times we live in and the skills students need in a tough, technology-driven economy.

Roughly a dozen mini-grants across the district will put technology in the hands of kids, and teachers on the path to providing technology skills across the curriculum. Our D3 (Discover Digital Devices) program allows high school students to bring devices they already possess into the classroom.

Do you know students outside the district? Encourage them to attend and learn more. We have even expanded our busing borders, and though we can’t give everyone a ride from their home, students looking to open enroll here may be closer to a bus stop than they think.

We can make this a great night. If you have questions, or if you know people who might want to know more, please don’t hesitate to contact me at (651) 674-1012.

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Rachel’s Challenge

2011-08-11T06:47:00.000-07:00

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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The K-12 Omnibus bill

2011-08-11T06:46:00.000-07:00

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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Hoping for a faster start

2011-08-11T06:45:00.002-07:00

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.

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Make a difference

2011-08-11T06:45:00.001-07:00

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!

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Reaching consensus on an operating levy

2011-08-11T06:44:00.000-07:00

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.

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A change coming for next year

2011-07-05T05:20:00.002-07:00

As is always the case between school years, there will be many changes at North Branch Area Public Schools this summer. Some of those changes are budget related and others are simply to improve the delivery of services and make the district more effective.

One change that will directly affect families is the change from the Skyward student information system to the TIES student information system. We are very excited about this change and we hope that you will see the benefits as you familiarize yourself with the system.

For the school district, switching to TIES has many benefits. Perhaps most important, it will allow us to streamline student data and make it immediately available for teachers, who can compare it to other students not just at NBAPS but in surrounding districts as well. It will allow teachers to better and more quickly react to educational red flags, and should improve the educational experience altogether.

Switching to TIES means the school district will be able to better serve families in a variety of ways. As we move through the process of changing systems, we will provide additional details on how the system can make life easier and provide opportunities to be more involved in your child’s education.

I strongly encourage families to sign up for the service when it becomes available. One important reason to do so is that the district will switch to paperless report cards to save money. Report cards will be available through the TIES information system. Of course, paper copies will be made available for those without internet service.

A letter should be received by families in the near future announcing the change. There will be more information passed along as the summer progresses. As always, if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact me.

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The reasons why

2011-07-05T05:20:00.001-07:00

Over my many years as an educator and administrator I have been asked why I am so passionate about my job on numerous occasions.

For all of us there are times when we struggle with our decisions, but if we look closely it is not hard to find the reasons we do the things we do. For me, graduation is one of those reminders.

North Branch Area Public Schools sent the class of 2011 into the world last Wednesday. I watched as Principal McDonough conducted his first such ceremony as a principal; I watched as the school board proudly handed out diplomas, I watched as staff worked so hard to make the occasion memorable, and I watched with pride as a group of young adults ended one chapter of their lives and began another.

Few feelings are felt more strongly in education than the pride in sending a group of people into the world knowing you have done everything you can to give them the tools to pursue their dreams and make the most of their opportunities.

Soon enough, these graduates will embark on careers of their own, start families, and become responsible for the education of another generation of young minds. It is an awesome responsibility and one I have no doubt these graduates will take very seriously.

We often hear what is “wrong” with education. There are about as many thoughts on that as there are people to express those thoughts. Unfortunately, most don’t know and may never seek to find what is “right” in education. I would suggest you look no further than our students. Despite the challenges they face they received a top-notch education provided by district staff and the taxpayers who support the district.

Creating generations of adults – ready to carry on and nurture the American dream – is something we can all be proud of.

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Addressing change for students

2011-06-14T08:27:00.001-07:00

It is important to remove as much stress from students as possible to clear the way for education. One important stress students face is moving to a new, unfamiliar, building from a site they are comfortable with. At North Branch Area Public Schools, we do everything we can to alleviate that stress and allow transitioning students to return next fall without the anxiety associated with change.

Students starting at Sunrise River School next year will have the Jump Start Kindergarten program, offered through targeted services and made possible by the district’s ever-increasing access to data. Kindergarten orientation will be August 16, 17, and 18, and there will also be an open house. Early Childhood students have already had exposure to Sunrise through activities early this winter. Special education students have had transition meetings and families have been “handed off” to Sunrise.

Students starting at the middle school next year will receive a building tour on June 1 and 2, from 2:30 - 3:30, and Trinity Christian School students have been invited to take part in that event as well. It is a chance to hear about programs and be introduced to staff. A newsletter will be going out soon to middle school families that will also include information about Sneak-a-Peek day on Aug. 25, as well as open house on Aug. 31.

Middle school students starting high school next year have already received an activities orientation, and on Friday, May 27 eighth grade students toured the facility to gain familiarity. Open house will be Aug. 31 from 6 - 8 p.m.

Students completing their high school education and transitioning to STEP (Student Transition & Employability Program) have the opportunity for an extended school year and educational planning meetings have been held with staff and families.

It is hoped that these opportunities will allow students to return to school next fall without the fear of the unknown that comes with changing sites, giving them a chance to start the school year able to focus primarily on their studies.

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Another year coming to a close

2011-06-03T08:26:00.000-07:00

School ends next week and it has been another remarkable year at North Branch Area Public Schools (NBAPS). I am always amazed at the enthusiasm of staff and families to make the school year as successful as possible.

This year brought unique challenges to the district in the form of a school closure and a new schedule, a four-day school week. In both areas I have seen great success in transition.

Closing Main Street School was made possible by a realignment that saw kindergarten and first grade students at Sunrise River for the first time and the return of fifth grade to North Branch Area Middle School, among other changes. There was much moving last summer and, of course, concern about how these changes would impact students. But these transitions were handled remarkably smoothly; a testament to the care staff put into making it successful and the partnership of families who want to see education thrive at NBAPS.

The four-day week was also a significant change, but no less successful. We continue to improve the schedule in ways that work for families, and it is again that partnership and the dedication of staff that are key to the successful transition.

I have spoken with many who enjoy the extra family time. We also know that some still face challenges adjusting and we want to help in any way we can. Make no mistake, the four-day week is here because our community demands that we find “outside the box” solutions to saving money and we will demonstrate this summer that it is accomplishing just that.

So, thank you to staff at NBAPS, and to all our families as well. You have made the 2010-11 school year one we can look back on with pride. Thank you also to the community that supports our district. We are proud to be your partner in creating a bright future for generations of students.

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Community Service Day continues tradition

2011-05-31T08:25:00.000-07:00

Friday was North Branch Area Public Schools Community Service Day. This was the third year our students and staff have partnered with cities and civic groups to help get the area ship-shape for the upcoming summer.

Over those three years our students and staff have performed a number of wonderful duties in and around the district and I get a real sense of pride when I am driving around the district and see that work on display; the fresh coats of paint on the Lions park bathrooms in Stacy and the ball field bleachers in Sunrise, the beautiful flower gardens at the Villages of North Branch, and the squeaky clean windows at the local public library, to name a few.

There are far more service projects that aren’t as obvious but just as important. We have performed road clean-up in North Branch, groomed and tidied parks and other public areas in Harris, Stacy, and Sunrise Twsp. The partnerships that have been created across the district have been very beneficial for the community and, especially, for students.

It is very rewarding to hear from those partners after the fact. They tell how much they value the students and staff and how appreciative they are of the service projects we perform.

This year, Community Service Day included a musical concert for the lunch crowd at the Chisago County Senior Center, with songs performed by middle school music students. I hope it was a hit!

All of us hope you appreciate Community Service Day as much as we appreciate providing the service and, most importantly, the valuable lesson for students about taking care of the people and places in their community. That is a lesson worth learning over and over again in life.

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Year one: Four-day week

2011-05-24T08:23:00.000-07:00

At long last, spring is in the air, and with the belated seasonal change comes another round of four-day week surveys.

For those who may not be aware, the district committed to surveying staff, students, and parents about their experiences with the four-day week. These surveys are being conducted twice this school year; once last fall and again coming up toward the end of May.

Last fall the district surveyed over 3,000 people and the response was very positive. The district also learned some things that could be improved and have worked toward making the schedule better as a result. Anyone interested in those results can visit our home page (www.northbranch.k12.mn.us) and click on “Four-day school week information” on the left side. On the research page under “monitoring” is a presentation and the complete survey report given to the school board in December.

We are excited that we have been able to make some improvements to the process, including the ability for all students to take the survey electronically, greatly reducing costs associated with printing and data collection.

Another change; if you are a parent, you will be receiving a postcard in the next two weeks with instructions on how to take the survey. Last fall, parent surveys were conducted at parent/teacher conferences.

As we near the end of the first year of implementation, the anecdotal evidence we have received has been very positive and we are so grateful for the partnerships that have made the schedule as successful as it has been. We will be analyzing savings as the end of the fiscal year draws near to make sure it is accomplishing what we hoped. Of course, as in all things, we will report those findings to you.

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Four-day weeks catching on

2011-05-13T11:04:00.000-07:00

With the financial challenges facing public school districts not just in Minnesota but across the country, the four-day week is getting a serious look from many points of the compass. The LA Times wrote an editorial on the subject this week and highlighted some of the benefits:

There appear to be educational benefits as well. Absenteeism among students and teachers in these schools has fallen appreciably, the report said. (As a result, schools also paid less money for substitute teachers.) Students reported feeling more positive about school. Dropout rates fell, students behaved better and participation in extracurricular activities rose. Parents of young children often objected to the change because of the need to find childcare, but once the programs were in place, the report said, they often found that it was easier to find care for one full day a week than for several partial days. Test scores didn't fall, and in many cases, they rose.

We have seen indications of some of these things over the course of this year, but not all. We will certainly know more after the school and fiscal year end and we are able to look more closely at our implementation.

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Money where our mouth is

2011-05-13T10:10:00.000-07:00

I have repeated the phrase “everyone an ambassador” at school board meetings, in public, and this column on numerous occasions. These are not just words to us, we are on a quest to create ambassadors amongst our staff and our families, and have vowed to be ambassadors ourselves.

Next fall we will host a “Principal for a Day” event in which individuals will be invited to spend a full day getting an unvarnished look at what it takes to run a school district. We hope to invite key community members with a wide range of views. Space is limited and only a handful can be accommodated for the experience to be meaningful, but if you would like to be considered, please contact me.

Also next year, expect monthly “Patron Tours,” which will allow for larger groups to get a more general, half-day look at the day-to-day operations of a public school.

Do we want to create ambassadors with these events? You bet! We are confident when you see our hard-working staff, polite and dedicated students, and our successes despite great challenges, becoming an ambassador for the district will be an easy decision.

At the district level, many are participating in important discussions at the state and speaking to legislators, bringing our challenges to the forefront. In these efforts we are working hard to be ambassadors for the district and the community.

We are dedicated to doing a better job sharing the wonderful things happening here, the exciting innovation, and the daily success stories of students and staff.

It is common knowledge that a strong school system is important to a strong community. We intend to start showing off the wonderful experience we offer here, and we hope you will join us. Together we have much to accomplish and it is together that we will get there.

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The future of middle school sports

2011-04-29T10:09:00.000-07:00

When the school board approved the 2011-12 budget recommendation it approved the elimination of some middle school sports, including boys and girls soccer, baseball, and softball.

Those sports were chosen for a number of reasons. They cannot easily be combined into a 7-12 sport like wrestling or tennis, both of which were combined between middle school and high school for next year. Also, the capacity existed for local sports associations to put in place opportunities for students to play their chosen sport at either the recreational or traveling level.

When the planning process for the budget got underway in earnest, the district reached out to the North Branch Area Athletic Association (NBAAA) and the response was very positive.

We have had several meetings with representatives of different sports and the cooperation between the district and those associations has been wonderful. Everyone involved in the process has been driven by a common goal; do the very best we can to continue to offer kids the opportunities they need to be successful in school and in life.

For those parents who will be making use of the association provided athletic opportunities in soccer, baseball, or softball, I encourage you to keep an eye on the NBAAA Web site (http://www.northbranchsports.org/).

One thing that could be a significant change from participating in these sports at the middle school level is the sign-up process. It is likely that sign-up for NBAAA opportunities will take place well in advance of traditional middle school sports, which occurs just prior to each season. At the association level, sign-ups can take place months before the start of a season to give clubs a chance to make sure coaches are in place, uniforms ordered, fields scheduled, and equipment provided.

The cooperation between the district and the NBAAA is an inspiration, and demonstrates what can be accomplished when interests come together to provide opportunities and save money.

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District business is now easier to find

2011-04-18T05:34:00.001-07:00

North Branch Area Public Schools is making a change regarding how it shares school board meeting agendas, packets, and podcasts this week and we believe this change represents an improvement to citizens’ ability to find the information they need.

The change is the result of Budget Boot Camp, and utilizes an online product called Boardbook to facilitate paperless meetings.

Overall, the switch to paperless meetings will save the district thousands of dollars a year in staff time and printing costs, a good thing in these current economic times. It also allows the district to more readily share information prior to meetings, as we can now very easily make the school board packets available to the general public online.

As well, it allows us the ability to keep all of our meeting information in one place, and documents, agendas, and podcasts from each meeting easy to access with fewer clicks! Going forward, all meeting information will be available in a single place.

Please stay tuned to the district home page (www.northbranch.k12.mn.us) for details regarding how to find and use Boardbook. Links will be placed under the “district office” drop-down menu and will also accompany meeting announcements placed on the main section of the page as those meetings approach.

We are very excited to be making use of yet another online tool to provide our families, public, and staff the information they need to be aware of what is happening with the district and make informed decisions regarding the future of education in North Branch.

As always, please feel free to call the district at (651) 674-1000 if you have any questions or require assistance using this innovative feature.

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Making our voice heard

2011-04-08T13:46:00.000-07:00

As you may have seen in press releases this week, high school principal Coleman McDonough has been chosen to be a part of Commissioner of Education Brenda Cassellius’s Working Group on School Funding. There are a number of reasons why I can’t think of a better choice.

As an educational leader and former teacher, Coley is a passionate advocate for education with a laser-like focus on making sure education works as well as possible for families. Since arriving in North Branch last summer, he has demonstrated time and time again that his first priority is children.

As well, he is not afraid to speak his mind, and community members can be confident their interests will not be on the sidelines as the funding group works toward its goal of creating equity in education funding for all students.

Perhaps most importantly, Coley is a parent and has children in, this district. As a parent, he wants the what we all want for our kids; the same opportunities offered countless students statewide not living in regions that face the challenges we face here. Like other parents in our district, he is bound and determined to see that the students of North Branch Area Public Schools (NBAPS) have a brighter future as a result of this process.

Equity in school funding is the most major issue facing NBAPS and the families it serves, and we are approaching the issue from a variety of angles. As Coley is making his voice heard at MDE, I am heading a subcommittee of Schools for Equity in Education exploring the possibility of suing the state for its failure to uphold its constitutional duty to provide a uniform education for all students.

As well, school board members are making their presence felt even now at the Capitol on our behalf.

I mentioned some weeks ago that we all must be ambassadors of the district. These are just a few examples of how the district is taking that message to heart.

Everyone an ambassador

2011-04-08T13:45:00.000-07:00

There’s no doubt circumstances beyond our control hurt the district and community. Problems with funding plague us, and the pursuit of operating levies frustrates district and community alike. Staff and program reductions trouble those with children in the district or who remember a different time, one of growth.

Between our efforts to collect local revenue and the need to cut, there is ample opportunity for stakeholders to feel frustrated. That frustration often manifests as anger at the district.

With the economic downturn - very much a local issue - circumstances are exacerbated.

Lost is a community focus on the quality education we offer at North Branch Area Public Schools (NBAPS); replaced by an almost constant aura of negativity. As a partner with the community we feel that negativity and how it affects the district, but we also know it affects the community and its future.

Most realtors will tell you strong schools are a must for families looking to move. That was important when gas was cheap and home values climbing; it is much more important in times of expensive gas and challenged housing markets. People won’t start coming until we give them ample reason. Recovering economically can start by ending the divide between district and community.

The district works hard to be transparent and forthcoming. We are starting to see community partnerships that ease the burden of cuts.

We all need more.

We must become ambassadors for the community; its beauty, people, opportunities, and yes, its schools.

Don’t trust us? Call me and let’s talk. Think we mismanage the district? Give us opportunities to demonstrate differently. Don’t think much of our schools? Come see our quality. There are many reasons to champion our schools. Tax hawks will be impressed with how efficient we’ve become. Those passionate about education will love our innovations to maintain quality and variety.

There is something for everyone to love at NBAPS. If that message were carried with the same enthusiasm as negativity, we may start to see a change in the economic landscape.

The budget recommendation

2011-03-16T07:39:00.000-07:00

Last Thursday (March 3) the district presented its 2011-12 budget recommendation to the school board. It includes $1.2 million in one-time resources used to mitigate the severity of cuts, and another $1.2 million in cuts to bring next year’s budget in line with expected resources.

As is always the case, the district used the Strategic Plan, written by staff and community members, as a guide. This year we also had direction from the school board in the form of the fall levy questions, which asked for funds to protect teachers, electives, athletics, and fine arts offerings.

There are significant changes to activities at both the middle and high school level, reductions in elective offerings, and, of course, cuts to teaching staff, unavoidable here after so many years of cuts. I am sure many of the details appear in this issue of the Post Review, and the public is welcome to visit our web site (www.northbranch.k12.mn.us) to learn more.

However, it has also become our custom to try and add enhancements to the educational experience at North Branch Area Public Schools. Budget cuts are a fact of life here and should not hinder us from providing as many opportunities as possible. This year we were able to add three new college credit courses, which will save families much in tuition costs following high school.

We have also expanded world language offerings K-12, improved gifted and talented programming, provided more support for students and teachers, and made transportation improvements we hope will attract new families to the district.

You can learn more at our web site and provide input as well. There will be a public hearing on the recommendation this Thursday, March 10, 6 -7 p.m., in room 126 of the North Branch Area Education Center.

Budget season is always a very difficult time for staff and the families we serve, and this year is no different. We appreciate the support of the community during these challenging times.

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NBAEF comes full circle

2011-03-02T05:42:00.001-08:00

Although it went largely unnoticed in the general scheme of things, this week was historic for the district and community. Years of effort culminated in what is sure to become a tradition; the awarding of grants by the North Branch Area Education Foundation (NBAEF).

The idea started as a district Strategic Plan goal and was embraced by many who worked tirelessly these last few years in pursuit of creating a foundation as a source for local financial support of new educational initiatives and scholarships.

Last fall, the foundation held its first major - and very successful - fundraiser and raised thousands of dollars. The foundation used a portion of those funds to create an endowment and cover operating costs, and was able to make $10,000 available to teachers in the form of local grants.

This week, the majority of those grant requests were acted upon, and most were approved.

Because of the foundation, and the generosity of the community, microscopes will have a sorely need cleaning, students will have the opportunity to use “smart response” systems in class, early childhood students will have the educational benefit of smartboard technology, and there may be more to come.

The foundation is a very worthy cause. The dollars raised don’t go far away where the benefit is never felt. It is local leaders, making local funds available to local students and a fine example of the support the district has in the community. I hope you consider this worthy cause as you look for opportunities for charitable giving. Go to: www.nbaef.org to learn more and see how you can be involved.

The district and community owe the foundation and its supporters a debt of gratitude that will only grow from year to year. On behalf of all those who have benefitted - and the many who will in the future - I extend my personal thanks to everyone who made this historic occasion possible.

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Can you call on our behalf?

2011-02-16T09:22:00.001-08:00

North Branch Area Public Schools (NBAPS) and the problems it faces due to inequitable funding from the state is no secret. It used to be, outside our district it wasn’t widely known. But we have gone to great lengths to bring the plight of the district to the attention of policy makers.

A year ago I wrote the governor Pawlenty personally to describe our circumstances and seek change. We recently were featured in a front page story in the Star Tribune about inadequate funding and what can result. Never before has the district’s situation been more in the public consciousness than it is at this very moment.

As a community and district, we have a historic opportunity in front of us right now and I hope I can ask of all of you a small favor. Please call your legislators.

I know it is said so often it is almost trite. But I could not be more serious.

We have a new governor, and a new legislature with a new majority, and things are happening at the state at an almost frantic pace. It has been some time since education and funding have been more a topic of discussion.

Our legislators are acutely aware of the problem and are looking for solutions to help us. We hear from them regularly regarding different bills and means to give NBAPS students a level playing field.

It is doubtful we will see additional funding in the near future, and we may yet experience a cut at the state level. At the same time, there are promising signs that the legislature “gets it,” and is looking for ways to correct the problem.

Legislators representing our district include Rep. Bob Barrett, Rep. Kurt Daudt, and Sen. Sean Nienow. They need to hear from you as soon as possible. Let them know that we appreciate their efforts and await the change we so desperately need.

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Many Flags this weekend

2011-02-11T10:22:00.000-08:00

Community Education is again hosting its Many Flags of North Branch tonight, from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at Sunrise River. I hope you can attend this event, it is packed with great food, crafts, and fun! Click on the flyer above to see the details.

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The 2011-12 budget process

2011-02-11T09:47:00.000-08:00

One thing not often discussed when the district addresses budgets is the process that goes into the final recommendation.

Budgeting is ongoing all year, with sites paying close attention to expenditures, looking for ways to be more efficient. In fact, NBAPS schools are some of the most accountable in the state for their budgets.

The process of preparing a budget recommendation for the school board gets seriously underway in January when district leaders convene Budget Boot Camp, a comprehensive look at the district and possibilities for savings and reductions.

Once annual audits are complete, we are able to forecast the next year’s deficit, which is presented to the school board at a work session.

Between that work session and the final recommendation, each site in the district is given a projection of enrollment decline for the next year as well as a reduction amount. At NBAPS, the “money follows the student,” which means that each site bases next year’s budget on how many students we expect they will serve. In this way we ensure every student receives his or her fair allotment of funding from the state to the best of our ability.

The district is also receiving input from the community and staff during this time, and while not all suggestions are feasible, there have been many suggestions from the public the district has embraced. Some of those examples include closing the Main Street School, reducing Middle School activities, and the four-day week.

The final recommendation is presented to the school board for consideration as a whole. The reason for that is the recommendation’s complexity. Each cut potentially affects many other areas of the budget and considering the budget line by line isn’t feasible. Making cuts in one area can result in additional expenses in another.

The district conducts a public hearing on the recommendation (March 10 this year), and the school board is afforded time to study the recommendation, offer suggestions, and ask questions prior to its final approval later in March.

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Finding cuts is more challenging

2011-02-04T05:32:00.000-08:00

The 2011-12 budget season began in earnest last Thursday, Jan. 27, at the school board working session. Unfortunately, I am not able to report any changes since last budget season. The state still has not adjusted the funding formula and the trend over the last few years of declining enrollment continues, and is expected to continue for the foreseeable future.

The total deficit for next year is $2.4 million and the process of finding reductions in a budget that has been cut to the bone since 2003-04 has already begun. For the third year I conducted Budget Boot Camp, a comprehensive study of district business in hopes savings previously undiscovered can be found.

The previous two years of Budget Boot Camp resulted in hundreds of thousands of dollars in savings; unfortunately those kinds of savings are not readily available to the district anymore.

The school board took a big step in addressing the severity of cuts last Thursday when they provided consensus to use the district’s $700,000 in federal stimulus money, and another $200,000 in staff development carrryover, reducing the deficit to $1.5 million immediately. There may be other funds available to the district to further alleviate the reductions, but the matter requires careful study.

While the use of those funds gives the district relief from cuts for next year, stimulus and staff development funds are “one-time” funds that the district will not have at its disposal the following year. That means that more will need to be cut from subsequent budgets.

The good news is that the district has budgeted wisely over the years and, as a result, has been able to build its fund balance again, and options like the OPEB (other post-employment benefits) trust create relief for the general fund.

Please monitor the district website (www.northbranch.k12.mn.us) for budget information and important dates as they become available. Between now and mid-March the district is accepting input. I am looking forward to hearing from you.

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We appreciate the conversation

2011-02-02T06:04:00.000-08:00

Education Minnesota president Tom Dooher was gracious enough to visit our district last week and meet with teachers and myself to talk about public education issues, the state, and how North Branch fits into the equation.

We talked about current legislation and how, if passed, North Branch Area Public Schools (NBAPS) would be affected. We also talked about how dedicated NBAPS staff is and how incredibly the staff as a whole has weathered budget cuts and failed levies, and persevered. More than perseverance though, this staff has excelled at making the very best of our situation and maintained an environment that allows students the opportunity to thrive.

Perhaps most importantly, we discussed the very crucial issues facing NBAPS. You can’t live in our district and not know the primary issue we face; state funding. The current general funding formula is organized to reward the districts with great property wealth while district like ours, with little commercial industrial property and high tax burdens, are punished. There are systems in place to assist districts with great poverty, but those don’t help us either.

Essentially, NBAPS exists in a place in which we don’t have the wealth to subsidize our state funding, and we don’t have poverty enough for the state to subsidize the district.

We also talked about the spiral affecting the district; we are forced to cut programs and people are encouraged to look elsewhere for education, which in turn impacts enrollment and requires the district to make more cuts.

Dooher expressed great understanding about our issues and promised to continue carrying our message.

Will you join him? We have new representation at the state level and they need to hear from all of us about how important it is to solve this problem; solve it for our community and solve it for our children, who’s education suffers more with each passing year.

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Budget season set to begin

2011-01-19T12:06:00.000-08:00

I'm going to try something new here; posting my "School News" column each week after it is published. Here is this week's column "Budget season set to begin:"

As we have reported often in recent months, the district must cut well in excess of $1 million from next year’s budget to bring expenditures in line with state funding, which has remained flat for years while the cost of running a district increased. By early February we should know the exact size of the projected deficit.

The needed cuts are the next chapter in a book documenting $13 million in cuts since 2003. Unfortunately, the district has exhausted every means necessary to reduce these deficits with as minimal impact on education as possible. Over the last few years we have:

Reduced middle school activities seasons
Contracted with SCRED for special education services
Shared employees, and wages, with other entities
Reduced energy usage by over $200,000
Moved to a four-day week
Closed and demolished the Main Street School
Clamped down on supply budgets at every level
Cut administration by 25 percent

These are a few examples of ways the district has reduced spending over the long-term in order to mitigate annual deficits.

As we explained leading up to the fall election, the district no longer has areas to find these savings. There are no more buildings to close, no more schedule solutions. We cannot afford to lose more leadership, it is cut to the bone. As it stands, we have two assistant principals for 3,500 students.

In the fall levy questions, we warned that activities, electives, and teachers would have to be cut. Activities and electives will have to make way to protect basic subjects. Teachers account for roughly half of the budget and there is no way to cut large amounts without affecting their numbers. And unfortunately, inflation means that funding received pays for less every year.

Class sizes will rise, opportunities will disappear, and more people will lose their jobs, making an already challenged local economy that much more so. If you have savings ideas that might help avoid program and staff cuts, please call me. My phone number is (651) 674-1012.

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Enjoy the season!

2010-12-23T05:49:00.000-08:00

From all of us at North Branch Area Schools to all of you, have a wonderful holiday season filled with family and friends.

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Arena still in the running!

2010-11-09T09:26:00.000-08:00

"If We Build It, They Will Skate!" is among the top 50 in the Pepsi Refresh Grant and you can vote as often as you like in November to see it through to victory. If the arena wins, it could mean $250,000 in grant money. Follow this link to the voting page.

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Food for thought

2010-11-05T08:22:00.000-07:00

There is an interesting quote at the end of Mitch Pearlstein's "North High" column today, but he may have missed something subtle but critical:

"...please explain how American education can ever get sufficiently better as long as adequate learning and viable schools are viewed as something politicians and superintendents deliver, rather than as something for which students and their families are ultimately responsible."

Mr. Pearlstein is correct as far as it goes, a school can only be as successful if those served take full advantage of the opportunities. But in the larger sense, he misses the role a community at large has in the education of its youth.

Public education has always been a societal concern in America. As such, one generation supports another and the implied contract is that generation will carry the torch. When those already educated no longer feel like it then becomes their responsibility to pass along opportunities they had to the next generation of students, schools and communities risk failure in a much larger sense.

Community can mean what you like; the area served or the state that oversees education. Either way, when we get to the point that we want less for the next generation than we want for ourselves, we have turned our back on perhaps the greatest American tradition of all.

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Candidates Forum

2010-10-21T11:46:00.000-07:00

North Branch Area Community Education and the Chisago County League of Women Voters are hosting a candidates forum, and opportunity to get informed regarding the candidates for many offices, including:

Senate District 17
Minnesota House of Representatives (District 17B)
Chisago County Board of Commissioners (District 2)
Chisago County Sheriff
North Branch Area Public School Board

The forum is Monday, Oct. 25 beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the North Branch Area High School Auditorium. I hope you can attend.

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The Rumor Mill

2010-10-20T12:23:00.001-07:00

In case you haven't heard, the district has started a web page called The Rumor Mill, where many of the rumors heard out in the community are addressed by the district.

It is always important, when making important decisions and forming opinions, to have as many facts as possible. I hope you will stop by and read a few facts you may not have heard before.

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Enrollments

2010-10-20T12:08:00.000-07:00

Enrollment has been a topic of discussion lately and I, and likely you, have heard many things circulating in the community.

The Post Review today has an article on last Thursday's school board meeting, at which enrollment data was provided. I encourage all to read the article to be reminded that the district, like the community at large, is suffering due to factors beyond its control. Housing starts - present and past - indicate what has been happening:

As noted in a demographer’s report last February, the decline in enrollment is directly correlated to a slowdown in residential development in the area.
That can be seen by noting that for the year, North Branch has had only 2 housing starts. In the early years of this century, that number soared to some 200 starts per year.

If you would like further information on enrollments, click here to view the presentation from last Thursday which includes all the data available on current enrollments.

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Levies are everywhere

2010-10-20T09:01:00.000-07:00

The Pioneer Press has an article today about all the school districts seeking operating levies this fall:

The Minnesota Department of Education reports that 79 districts — the highest number in three years — are seeking levy authority in the Nov. 2 election to raise about $82.3 million in 2012 alone. Most levies would last for 10 years, with others for five.

Behind the spike is the state's projected $6 billion budget deficit, said Greg Abbot, spokesman for the Minnesota School Boards Association. Districts assume education funding will stay flat or fall while school costs keep going up, he said.

"The only way they can survive is if their local community steps up," Abbot said.

North Branch Area Public Schools was in the early wave of districts experiencing budget cuts due to flat funding, declining enrollment, and no operating levy in place. We've cut $13 million since 2003. We rank right near the bottom in state funding. Now, as enrollments have declined statewide and the state has not increased funding, we are seeing countless other districts experiencing the fallout. I encourage anyone who thinks budget cuts are a "North Branch problem" to read the entire article.

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Levy informational meeting

2010-10-08T08:45:00.001-07:00

The school board will host a levy informational meeting on Thursday, Oct. 14, at 8 p.m. It will directly follow the school board's regular business meeting, which starts at 7 p.m.

At the levy meeting we will present information about the three questions on the Nov. 2 ballot, and those in attendance will have an opportunity to submit questions following the presentation.

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Arena grant opportunity

2010-10-08T06:27:00.000-07:00

The North Branch Area Hockey Association is trying to secure a grant to build a new hockey arena, and the more votes they receive the better. Click here and vote for "If We Build It, They Will Skate." NBAHA is in the running to secure $250,000. You can vote every day October 1st- through October 31. Anyone 13 years and older can vote!

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Tough questions for candidates

2010-08-31T12:53:00.000-07:00

Patsy Green, Robbinsdale school board member, has a great editorial in the Star Tribune explaining why so many districts have sought, or are seeking, operating levies. She also has some tough questions that should be asked of candidates seeking state office:

•Why did Minnesota's per-pupil spending fall from 8 percent above the national average in 1997 to 1.3 percent below the national average in 2007?

•Why does Minnesota fail to fund its special-education formula, causing our school districts to spend more than $500 million in funding meant for regular instruction on special-education programs?

•With a critical need to close the achievement gap, why have our state policymakers not restored the funding cuts to summer-school and after-school programming that were made in 2003?
•Why do more than 90 percent of the school districts in Minnesota have to rely on voter-approved operating referendums to provide basic programs for their students?

I hope you will read it all.

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Why is the district resurfacing the high school track?

2010-08-25T07:04:00.000-07:00

This week I have had a few inquiries regarding the resurfacing of the high school track and how it fits with the district's budget issues. I addressed this subject a few months ago in my "School News" column (click here to go to the online version). for your convenience, I re-post the column here in its entirety:

How can we fix the track while cutting budgets?

By Deb Henton, Ed.D.
Superintendent

One difficult task school districts have, especially those experiencing budget cuts, is explaining the difference between “operating” and “capital” budgets. To put it in a local context: How can the district repair the high school track when it is cutting teachers?

Repairing the track, or replacing a roof, adding secure entrances to buildings, or conducting asbestos abatement, fall into the category of capital needs, or maintenance, and have dedicated funding sources. In simple terms, funds available for those projects cannot be used for operating expenses. So, even if the district wanted to use capital funds to keep teachers or programs, it is not allowed to do that.

These rules exist for a reason. A district has a responsibility to the community it serves to maintain its physical resources for future generations. Taxpayers provide the funds to construct buildings, parking lots, tennis courts, and tracks, and it is the district’s duty to make sure those investments are protected. When done correctly, as it has been for decades with the Main Street School, those resources can be available for students, and the community, for generations.

Were rules not in place, it would force districts to choose between the classroom and its facilities.

Replacing the track has become an urgent need. It is roughly 35 years old, and its life span is 18-20 years.

Failure to fix it could result in an inability to host track meets.

Allowing the track to fall into such a state of disrepair as to render it unusable would be devastating to the track program and disrespectful of taxpayers who expect us to maintain facilities their hard-earned money funded, and who utilize the track themselves.

The inability to host meets could also have a negative economic impact on the community. Perhaps more than any other event, track meets bring large numbers of students and parents from outside the area. They purchase gas for their vehicles, eat in our restaurants, and shop in our stores.

People ask regularly, “How do we attract people to North Branch?” Track meets are one way in which we already do. The district has a responsibility to protect such a valuable resource, not just for present students and taxpayers, but future ones as well.

If you still have questions about the track, please don't hesitate to call me at 651-674-1012.

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Should be fun

2010-08-06T06:20:00.000-07:00

I will be participating in an online debate forum today at noon. Hosted by MPR, the four-day week will be the subject of the debate, and the other panel member will be Perham-Dent Superintendent Tamara Uselman. Participation is welcome so join the fun!

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NBAPS as a business for easy viewing

2010-07-23T12:56:00.001-07:00

The district now has "NBAPS as a business" available as a web page. Click here to view it without downloading.

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NBAHS had a big year

2010-07-07T13:09:00.000-07:00

North Branch Area High School is the only high school in the state to make the Star Tribune's top ten list for improvements in math. The school realized an 18% improvement!

Read more about the district's AYP results here.

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We are approved!

2010-06-22T07:55:00.000-07:00

The district learned yesterday afternoon that the state has approved our application for a four-day week. You can read the press release here, and also view the letter sent to the district from MDE commissioner Alice Seagren.

I was pleased MDE noticed the great degree to which the district went to involve as many people as possible, and am looking forward to dedicating those "fifth day" dollars to the classroom, which so many have told us needs to be our top priority.

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NBAPS as a business

2010-06-03T12:09:00.001-07:00

We have compiled a document entitled "NBAPS as a Business," which gives an overview of the size and scope of district operations. It also shows what the district receives and spends in specific areas relative to the state averages. I hope it will answer many questions people have about the district.

You can review this two-page, easy to read summary by clicking here.

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Good deeds go noticed

2010-05-26T07:14:00.000-07:00

MaryHelen Swanson, editor of the Post Review and fellow blogger, tackles Community Service Day in her latest post. I was unaware of this show of appreciation in Sunrise Twsp:

(Joel) Peterson also prepared a certificate of appreciation for each of the students, and later in the day, after the work was done, Sherry Stirling of the Chisago County Historical Society was going to open the Sunrise museum and give the kids a tour so they could learn more about the community of Sunrise. It was certainly going to be a win-win situation for everyone.

Do read the entire post.

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A voice for the have-nots

2010-05-20T09:20:00.000-07:00

The ECM editorial board has published its opinion on my letter to Governor Tim Pawlenty and the state of funding in Minnesota. It is entitled "Parents with kids in have-not school districts need to stand up for kids’ equal education" and you can read it here. Here's an excerpt:

Henton pointed out there are have and have-not districts because some receive more dollars from the state, and property-rich districts are able to pass special levy referendums.

The school funding mechanism is inequitable and needs to be fixed, she said, citing her own district where operating funds per student in 2008 was $8,136.

Compare that to Minneapolis which had total operating fund aids and levies per student of $14,324, St. Paul, $12,199; Mounds View, $12,473, Wayzata, $12,047; Lakeville, $9589 and Elk River, $9,572.

In other words, funding for a student in North Branch was $6,198 less than for a student in Minneapolis.

Compared to a student in suburban Mounds View, a North Branch student received $4,337 less total operating fund revenues.

Please read it all and share the link with anyone you know who cares about education and North Branch Area Public Schools.

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More on NBAEF

2010-05-06T12:39:00.000-07:00

The North Branch Area Education Foundation has been very busy. They unveiled a Facebook page recently, and now have an official website as well.

Check it out!

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NBAEF at Facebook

2010-04-30T06:40:00.000-07:00

The North Branch Area Education Foundation now has a Facebook page. This is a wonderful organization working to create opportunities for generations of students. It's first major fund-raiser is this fall and you can learn more about that event here.

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More good news

2010-04-22T08:13:00.001-07:00

NBAHS senior baseball player Sean Graff is the Hardware Hank "nuts and bolts" athlete of the week. MinnesotaSportsOnline has more.

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Big news today!

2010-04-16T09:43:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to basketball coach Bill Baumann on his impending induction into the MBCA Hall of Fame. To read more about this exciting news, go to the district homepage, or click here.

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My open letter to Governor Pawlenty

2010-04-07T13:33:00.000-07:00

The following was sent to the governor and copied to legislators, media, and heads of professional organizations on April 5:

Dear Governor Pawlenty:

North Branch Area Public Schools (NBAPS) is deeply grateful to you for your dedication to protecting education funding as the state has struggled with deficits. NBAPS staff, students, and community know a thing or two about deficits, and that is why I write to you today.

Since 2003-04, NBAPS has cut over $11 million from operating budgets. As each annual cut approaches, the decisions get more and more difficult, and the community more and more frustrated with valuable things lost. After almost a decade of painful cuts, valuable programs, gifted staff, and countless opportunities have been replaced by extremely high class sizes, increased fees, a shortened school week, and a community that doesn't understand why its children are worth less than those of almost every other district in the state.

Our taxpayers support education but, due to a lack of commercial tax base in Chisago County, bear the lion's share of the tax burden as residential home owners. Given the opportunity to say "no" to an operating levy and higher taxes, our community has done so six times in the last decade. We understand that decision; levies here cost taxpayers two, three times, or more what they would cost in another district, largely due to the erosion of the equalization formulas.

We are proud of what we have accomplished. The state asked districts to make do with less and we have come through each and every year. We may be one of the lowest funded districts in the state, but I would put the quality of the education here against any district in the state.

Our staff has embraced Q-Comp and ours is considered by MDE to be among the finest Q-Comp plans in the state. North Branch Area Middle School has twice (2007, 2010) been recognized with a Spotlight Award from the Minnesota Academic Excellence Foundation. On both occasions, it was the only middle school in the state to be so recognized.

We have also found creative ways to be fiscally responsible. The school board recently approved the closure of a building, the district has joined a cooperative for special education services, shares an employee with another district, and has embraced the idea of shared services for years.

However, the district and community can no longer sustain these cuts, and the frustration and mistrust they cause. While other districts in the state are passing levies to add opportunity, our teachers accepted a hard wage freeze for this year, as have I, and other employees will be expected to do the same. We are implementing a four-day week to save $175,000 a year. We have cut energy costs by over $100,000.

As a former civics teacher, I know that often-times answers to the problems we face lie in our state and federal constitutions. In Minnesota, the importance of education was understood very well by our forefathers, who articulated that importance in this passage of our state constitution: "...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."

Governor, there is little that is uniform about our public school system at this time. The current funding formula has created a vast gap between the haves and the have nots. Until this gap is addressed, the state is not living up to the promise our forefathers made its citizens, a promise important enough to include as part of the very fabric of the state.

NBAPS is looking at another $1.2 million in cuts for 2011-12, and has projected deficits well into the future. Though we realize the state has financial challenges of its own, it should not stop our esteemed leaders from finding a way to live up to the state's constitutional duty to all students in Minnesota. Please solve the funding inequities in public education. Please repair the equalization formula. There are 3,500 students at NBAPS and the quality of their education is at stake. They will never get a second chance.

I hope you will strongly consider visiting NBAPS in the near future. We would very much like the honor of showing you how far we have been able to stretch every taxpayer dollar. More importantly, we would like you to see first-hand that we, as a district and a community, are out of options.

We need action now to ensure a generation of our children can contribute to a brighter tomorrow for the state of Minnesota. Please don't hesitate to contact me at your earliest convenience to arrange a visit.

Respectfully yours,

Deb Henton, Ed.D.
Superintendent

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Budget bites

2010-03-26T10:39:00.000-07:00

Here's a neat website if you want to stay current on state budget issues: MinnesotaBudgetBites.org.

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More four-day news

2010-03-24T08:28:00.000-07:00

Joe Nathan, education columnist for ECM Publishers, has penned a column based on what he has learned about the four-day week from Ogilvie superintendent Ed Harris. Nathan also spoke to Rush City superintendent Vern Koepp and myself. Also this week, another Minnesota district has approved a four-day week.

UPDATE: At the Post Review, an editorial expands on the Nathan column.

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End of course exams update

2010-03-12T10:58:00.001-08:00

In May of 2009, I wrote about the need to move state standard math testing to an "end of course" exam. It's nice to see the state looking at the solution more seriously:

The changes proposed by the state Department of Education would require state tests at the end of algebra II and biology courses. Those courses are required to graduate, and the new tests would be worth a quarter of the grade for the courses. Required exams in geometry and chemistry or physics eventually would be added.

These proposed changes are very much a step in the right direction, in my opinion.

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Answers lie at the state level

2010-02-24T06:23:00.000-08:00

Minnesota 2020's John Fitzgerald has an incredible article everyone in North Branch Area Public Schools needs to read. Here's an excerpt:

North Branch is considering conversion to a four-day week next year. Can other financially troubled districts like Robbinsdale, Brooklyn Center or Minneapolis be far behind?

The problem is simple. Minnesota has cut aid to schools by an inflation-adjusted 14 percent since 2003. None of the state's school districts can survive with that kind of a cut to their revenue unless they have very wealthy property owners who are willing to raise taxes to make up for the state's inadequate funding. Understandably, the number of those wealthy districts is few.

North Branch is not one of those wealthy districts.

Please, if you care about education at NBAPS, read it all.

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School finance 101 and the four-day week

2010-02-05T11:00:00.000-08:00

North Branch Area Public Schools is hosting two important meetings on Thursday, Feb. 18. At 6 p.m., in the Sunrise River School cafeteria, all are welcome to attend "School Finance 101," hosted by Schools for Equity in Education's Deb Griffiths. Just in time for budget season, learn how schools are funded and the challenges faced by NBAPS.

Immediately following that one-hour presentation, the district will host the first of three informational meetings on the four-day school week (7 - 8:30 p.m. SRS cafeteria). Early estimates suggest the district could save a minimum of $125,000 annually by implementing such a schedule. Please go to the four-day school week information page to learn more.

Two other public meetings will follow:

Feb. 22: School board room (204), Main Street School, 7 - 8:30 a.m.
Feb. 23: High school auditorium, 5 - 6:30 p.m.

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Budget season begins

2010-01-29T08:46:00.001-08:00

There is all kinds of new budget and four-day week information at the district website today, including this podcast of last night's work session:

Both budget and four-day week now have dedicated web pages where you can learn more and provide input. Click here for the 2010-11 budget homepage, and here for the four-day week homepage.

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NBAPS has important announcement

2010-01-22T10:57:00.000-08:00

North Branch Area Public Schools made a very important announcement today. You can read it here.

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NBAPS on the map

2010-01-20T09:18:00.001-08:00

The Minnesota Department of Education has a neat new feature at its website called "Minnesota Education Mapper". It allows users to view schools, districts and education regions and includes other useful map information. You can also identify schools and districts by location and view report card information and more.

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SEE the solution

2010-01-18T09:26:00.000-08:00

Schools for Equity in Education has released its 2010 legislative platform, which you can read here.

Among other things, it calls for a new funding system, greater taxpayer fairness, reductions in funding disparity, and the elimination of reliance on the operating levy.

As you know, NBAPS has become the poster child for problems with the current state funding system. I encourage each and every one of you to call your representatives and encourage them to work toward changing the system that has been so damaging to our district and community.

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Hoops for a cure

2010-01-15T11:12:00.000-08:00

In just a few short weeks, the North Branch Area and Chisago Lakes high school basketball programs raised over $9,000 for cancer research. A check presentation was made to the American Cancer Society during a double-header between the two programs on Jan. 12.

It's a wonderful outcome for cancer research and the student athletes and coaches involved. Many thanks to a community that really stepped up and answered this call.

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Where it's all headed?

2010-01-12T07:56:00.000-08:00

Here's an interesting trend in post-secondary education:

Both the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system say they've seen double digit increases in recent years in the number of students taking online courses.

Online courses can take multiple forms. The article linked above talks about "hybrid" courses, in which students spend a portion of their time in class, and a portion learning online. North Branch Area Public Schools has something similar, its distance learning program, which blends classroom time with both offline and online learning.

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A holiday salutation

2009-12-22T11:54:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-15T10:15:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-10T09:25:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-08T06:42:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-04T11:15:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-03T08:05:00.000-08:00

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

2009-11-24T07:01:00.000-08:00

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

2009-11-12T09:57:00.001-08:00

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

2009-11-12T06:29:00.000-08:00

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

2009-11-05T08:32:00.000-08:00

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

2009-11-04T11:16:00.000-08:00

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?

2009-11-04T06:49:00.000-08:00

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.

(end)

An endorsement

2009-10-28T13:16:00.000-07:00

I am pleased to announce that the St. Paul Regional Labor Federation has endorsed the district's operating levy effort.

'If not now, when?'

2009-10-23T07:30:00.000-07:00

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

2009-10-20T09:39:00.000-07:00

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

2009-10-07T13:12:00.000-07:00

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

2009-10-05T09:37:00.000-07:00

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?

2009-10-01T13:46:00.000-07:00

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

2009-09-30T10:00:00.000-07:00

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

2009-09-29T08:00:00.000-07:00

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?

2009-09-22T14:47:00.001-07:00

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.

(end)

First levy info meeting next Tuesday

2009-09-18T06:49:00.000-07:00

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.

Flu absences

2009-09-08T09:08:00.000-07:00

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

2009-09-01T06:35:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-27T11:26:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-25T12:00:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-21T09:39:00.001-07:00

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.

(end)

More on OPEB

2009-08-18T10:13:00.000-07:00

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.

Neat!

2009-08-06T10:03:00.000-07:00

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

2009-07-31T11:55:00.001-07:00

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.

(end)

World language in day care?

2009-07-22T09:55:00.000-07:00

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

2009-07-21T07:50:00.000-07:00

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

2009-07-10T08:13:00.000-07:00

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

2009-07-09T10:03:00.000-07:00

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

2009-06-25T07:19:00.000-07:00

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

2009-06-17T12:54:00.001-07:00

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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