With most school districts looking at budget cuts, it appears that the YME efforts to ‘Right Size the Budget’ last year may make it unnecessary to make budget cuts for the 2010-2011 school year.
In the superintendent’s report Al Stoeckman told the board that changes in funding are on the horizon, but should not have a negative effect on YME. The State of Minnesota is delaying state per pupil aid payments for March and April to school districts that have a fund balance in excess of $700 per pupil unit. “Thankfully, our fund balance is at a level that state aid payments will not be delayed,” stated Stoeckman.
He also shared that looming on the horizon may be a proposal for the State to reduce funding for the 2010-2011 school year by $100 per pupil unit. Even though a $100 per pupil unit reduction would have an effect on YME, Stoeckman explained that when the board made cuts last spring, the budget assumptions included that type of possible reduction. “Unless there is a change, budget reductions in 2009 should carry us through the upcoming school year.”
Elementary Music
“Students in music sing, say, dance and play,” Beth Jahn, the elementary music teacher shared with the board. She went on to explain that she is using the Orf Schulwerk philosophy of music education. In addition she shared that she uses the SMART board and other technology in her classroom on a daily basis. “I don’t know what I’d do without it,” Jahn mused.
She showed a short video of students performing with ribbon wands. The $500 worth of ribbon wands were purchased with funds received through a DonorsChoice.org grant this past fall. The ribbon wands will be featured in the spring concerts.
Spring concerts are scheduled in the high school auditorium for K-3 on March 18 at 6:30 p.m. and grades 4-6 on March 30 at 6:30 p.m.
Talented and Gifted
Talented and Gifted (TAG) coordinator Elaine Halverson shared information on the Talented and Gifted programs in the elementary and junior high.
In addition to the Bees - the elementary and junior high Spelling Bee and the
elementary and junior high National Geographic Bee, students have also participated in the Conference for Young Artists on October 23 at SMSU, the Conference for Young Writers on January 5 at SMSU and plan to participate in the Science and Nature Conference coming up on May 14 at SMSU.
Personnel
The board approved the hiring of Heather Velde as Senior Advocate and accepted the resignation of Jeff Iverson as the High School Knowledge Bowl coach for 2010-2011.
Action Items
The board approved a resolution stating the intention of the school board to issue taxable general obligation bonds to finance certain health and safety projects.
The board approved a resolution to approve the Pay Equity Report.
Discussion items
The board discussed holding a second meeting in March. The purpose of the meeting to discuss a five year plan for YME that will include a wide array of topics including financing, facilities use, student outcomes, school climate, open enrollment, and curriculum. The planning meeting is scheduled to being at 5:30 p.m. on March 22.
