Jan Mitchell, LWV observer
Noel Stratmoen was absent.
Announcements included:
- Amber Barksdale’s success at the spelling bee.
- Bridgewater students’ Pennies for Patients campaign generated over $2300.
- Gymnastics and wrestling team members advance to state.
- Morgan Zabel broke school scoring records in basketball – both boys & girls!
- Many Northfield students participated in recent music performances in the metro.
Public comments – Eleven people spoke about the Companeros program and its impact on families in Keya Paha. They don’t want their students to go to Greenvale, and want to find ways to keep them at Bridgewater. Stability is one reason, and one parent noted that since Greenvale is not making AYP, they have a right to refuse to send their students there, and to get transportation to another school. One parent noted that with a child in each program (Companeros and Contemporary), her children perceived inequality – with Contemporary students seen as not quite as good. One parent said the family might consider moving if his daughter didn’t get into Companeros. Another noted that she had heard when they were first in town that Greenvale was not a “healthy” school – mold problems, etc. Kari Nelson spoke to that concern, saying she had heard the same thing years ago, but that the situation has been remedied – no basis for concern now. Parents want help from the schools to ease the transition to a different school.
Then a team of district administrators took questions submitted in the past couple of weeks about the Companeros proposal (which will be voted on at the March 8th Board meeting). Among the questions:
*How many children will be in the ESL kindergarten section? - about 20
*Will math classes be taught in Spanish? – maybe, depending on available teacher
expertise. But if students are bilingual, their success in all academic areas
is better than other students by the upper elementary grades
*Are there enough native Spanish speakers to make the 1/3 2/3 ratio that is
desired? Yes, and quite well distributed in the 3 attendance areas. Of
course, it is not known if they will select the Companeros program.
*For students in the current Companeros program, how will the literacy angle
be addressed? The PLCs will concentrate on this issue.
*Will other curriculum be sacrificed to upgrade the literacy component in
Companeros? – no
*Will the District be able to find bilingual teachers? Yes- if they advertise early!
The Board thanked the people who came to express their views, and assured them that some Board members had had similar situations with their children as district boundaries were realigned. They also thanked the administrative team that worked on responding to questions.
Tom Stinger presented the Financial Forecast & Budget Assumptions for the budget development process. It assumes that state funds will be essentially flat, and anticipates major budget shortfalls when the referendum funds expire in 2014. Enrollment is expected to stay about the same.
The Board approved the calendar for the next school year, and noted that the dates will be the same even if PLC changes are made.
The meeting adjourned at 9:58.
