Why is the district resurfacing the high school track?

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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H1N1 ebbs

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

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

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

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Flu absences

A reader asks:

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

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

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

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Swine flu reaction softening?

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

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

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

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

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