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»School board considers cutting seven positions for next year
Posted Local at Feb 24, 2011
Several Bennett County School District teachers were in attendance Monday night to hear the school board discuss cutting seven positions for next year.
Superintendent Wayne Semmler said he was not asking the board to take action that night on his proposed areas of cuts, just to be aware what they are looking at doing to keep within the budget.
Semmler said the cuts are the positions, not necessarily the persons in those positions, making the argument those in the affected cut positions may qualify for another position.
“We plan to keep the people we feel will better serve the needs of the students and the school,” Semmler told the board and the teachers in attendance.
He said the cuts may need to go even deeper if the state follows through on the proposed 10 percent cuts to education.
“We’re pretty much to the bone right now,” Semmler stated. “Everyone needs to contact their legislators and let them know how you feel about the cuts.”
The position cuts include: Two high school special education aides; one 7-12 Physical Education instructor; one 9-12 Math/Science instructor; one FACS instructor (reduced to 2/3); one Literacy Coach; one Elementary Library Aide.
The board heard from Devonna Lone Wolf regarding the fees the school charges to use the Martin Grade School Activity Center.
Lone Wolf said she puts on several basketball tournaments a year, five last year and all in Martin. She said the fee to use the facility for a three day tournament is $900 and argued that takes almost all the revenue raised and she can not afford to pay that much. She asked the school what it costs them during that time and asked if the same fee is charged to everyone.
Mr. Semmler said the school is forced to have liability insurance for each event not under the school and said there is janitorial expense to the school.
Lone Wolf pointed out the events are fund raisers for spiritual activities and her events are well run and promote sportsmanship and teamwork. She also noted it is an economic plus for local businesses each time she hosts the events in Martin.
She told the board it was her understanding that when the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Tribe donated money to the school for the Activity Center, the fees would be waived.
Craig Dillon said former school CEO Mike Stroup and former board member Scott Hicks came to a District meeting and said we could use that building for free when they were trying to get the funds. Dillon said there is an agreement somewhere that states that and he’ll look for it and contact Scott Hicks.
Semmler said the only agreements he has say nothing about using the facility at no cost and that is what he has to work with.
Board chairman Diane Weber suggested Lone Wolf and Semmler sit down and look at what can be done to make it work. She said the board is always open to proposals on the use of the facility, such as a reduced fee. Those proposals can be brought to the board for consideration.
Lone Wolf’s tournaments have a $150 per team entry fee with 80 percent of the monies going back to awards.
The Shakopee Tribe donated $250,000 in 2005 to go towards the Activity Center.
In other board discussion, Semmler reported March 11 is the last day of legislation and March 28 is the last day to override a governor’s veto.
“It’s getting scary,” said Semmler about the chances of losing more revenues soon. “I encourage the community, board members and teachers to contact their legislators soon. Our local legislators are loyal to education but they’re getting beat up out there.”
The Superintendent said the snow makeup day is this Friday.
Principal Bob Graham reported that the Parent Teachers Conferences went well with about the same attendance as the previous one. He also announced four wrestlers qualified for the State Wrestling Tournament and the District basketball tournaments are getting underway.
Grade School Principal Stacy Halverson said they had a nice turnout for Parent Teachers Conferences and Carol Risse had 100 percent attendance for her class.
There are 73 kids participating in the Spelling Bee which was moved to Tuesday because of the late start. Attendance is at 94.4 percent at the grade school. Dakota Step testing will be in April.
Belinda Ready expressed concern over the dropping attendance, especially at the Junior High.
Co-Business manager Karen Coyle said Friday is the deadline to turn in petitions for school board for the upcoming election. So far two have been turned in for the two positions.
Board member Todd Alexander said he visited with members of the Vetal Volunteer Fire Department and said they are interested in getting the Riverside School building, but they do not have funds to pay for it because it will take money to fix it up after they get it. Alexander said they would like to set up a meeting with himself and Dondee Krolikowski, the other member of the school’s buildings committee.
The board approved the proposed 2011-2012 school year calendar, which includes a 150 day school year. Homecoming is set for Sept. 30 and graduation is set for May 12, 2012.
The board approved the use of the facilities and waiving the fee for rent for the Matt Shangreaux Memorial basketball tournament to be held in May. The organizers have agree to pay the insurance and cover janiorial expenses.
The board accepted the resignation of Nichole Thompson as assistant girls basketball coach, effective Jan. 20.
The board was told Coca-Cola and Pepsi have both presented proposals to be the exclusive vendor for their products at the school. Each is requesting a five year agreement. Semmler said he will keep negotiating with both and bring their proposals at a later date. He said it could be a good financial deal for the school, but said they can also continue to buy from both as they do now.
The board agreed to combine the voting precincts for the April 12 election with Martin Rural 26, Martin Rural 27 and the City of Martin voting at the Martin Fire Hall. Vetal and Tuthill will vote at Riverside School and American Horse to vote at American Horse School.
After going into executive session, the board returned to regular session and made a motion to not renew the contract of music and band instructor Marj Oleske.