Teachers agree to wage freeze

By Ed DuBois

      In answer to the financial struggles encountered by the Buffalo Hanover Montrose School District in recent years, the district’s teachers have negotiated a 2009-10 and 2010-11 contract that includes a wage freeze in the first year of the two-year agreement.

      The School Board approved the agreement at their meeting last Monday evening, Oct. 26 at the Discovery Center in Buffalo.

      “This signifies a willingness to pitch in and help,” said Supt. Jim Bauck.

      He added that the teachers negotiated in good faith and understand the dilemma facing the school district.

      The only teachers who will receive a pay adjustment are 56 teachers (out of 357 teachers total) who completed the required credits for on-going learning increases.  That means 84 percent of the teaching staff will have their pay frozen this 2009-10 school year.  For 2010-11, a two-percent pay improvement was approved.  Overall, the teachers’ package includes only a three-percent improvement over two years.  This includes all costs of the contract, such as insurance, FICA and more.

      Teachers’ union chief negotiator Kip Wold commented after the negotiations process, “Considering the financial situation and the fact we (teachers) had to take a freeze, this was one of the best negotiations I have had with the board.  This board team was especially respectful of our table team and the issues we brought to the table.  They were great to work with.”

      “The district’s financial plight has been well documented over the past two years as we have asked residents to open up their pocket books to provide more revenue to sustain services and programs due to the stagnation of state funding,” noted Supt. Bauck to the board.  “Tonight, various employees and employee groups, via their contracts, are indicating their willingness to pitch in and help the district’s financial bottom line.  While the district by law has to bargain in good-faith contracts with its employees, these employees have stepped forward over the past few months to show their ‘good-faith’ in this district and community.”

      Bauck went on to list other staff in the district who agreed to a pay freeze and that the board approved in the “personnel consent agenda” portion of the meeting:

      * Superintendent, principals and directors of finance and operations, teaching and learning, special education, human resources, community education, food service, buildings and grounds;

      * Technology staff (information systems coordinator, senior technicians, technology supervisor); and

      * Non-affiliated staff (controller, communications coordinator, payroll supervisor, secretary to the director of finance and operations, secretary to the director of human resources, secretary to the superintendent and board of education, mental health practitioner/program assistant, Phoenix Learning Center coordinator, family advocate—co-located therapist, and cultural liaison).

      All of these employees’ pay will remain at the 2008-09 level.

      “They were willing to step to the plate and help out,” Bauck commented.

      Negotiations with other union groups, such as clerical, food service, custodians, educational support professionals, and community education, are taking place, and Bauck could bring news about those outcomes in November.

      Bauck said the school board’s action to approve contracts indicates a number of positives for the district.

      “What this says for us tonight is that the district has a good working relationship with its employees; our employees are cognizant of the district’s financial plight; our employees are willing to step up and make a difference; and finally, the cost savings from this action (to be tabulated at the end of the process, but will roughly exceed $500,000) will significantly help the district’s financial bottom line.”

      Before making the final call for the vote to approve the teachers’ contracts, School Board Chair Dave Wilson stated that Human Resource Director Moreen Martell and all the other staff involved did a great job with this process and what the board was asking her to do.

      The Board’s student council representative, Billy Ogdahl, asked a question about the possibility of reducing wages.

      Board member Melissa Brings said employees in the private sector can often recover from hard times by receiving bonuses in good times.  But employees in the public sector do not get such bonuses.

      Board member Rolf Mohwinkel said the School Board does not have the prerogative to reduce wages.  Salaries are negotiated with unions.

      Board Chair Dave Wilson said it was huge to get an agreement for a wage freeze.  He added that while the teachers’ wages are frozen they are now teaching larger classes.  Wilson remarked that reducing wages could result in losing some very good teachers.

      Supt. Jim Bauck said the BHM School District ranks in the bottom 10-15 percent in per pupil spending compared to other school districts.

      Board member Patti Pokorney stated she is very grateful “for the teachers we have.”

      (Portions of this report were provided by Laura Barta of BHM communications.)

      In other business:

ENROLLMENT AND CLASS SIZES

      The Board receives an enrollment report in October every year.  This year’s report shows enrollment decreased about 12 students compared to last year.  The total this year is 5,741, and the total last year was 5,753.

      On one hand the enrollment decrease means the district will receive a little less state money (which is provided per pupil).  On the other hand, the district is not facing as much need for more space.

      The Board also received a class size report.  Class sizes have again increased at each grade level since last year, K-5 from 22.95 to 24.32, middle school from 27.87 to 29.32 and high school from 28.96 to 30.90.

      “We are seeing class sizes of 28 and 29 in first and second grade and 30 to 33 in third and fourth grade,” the Board was told.  “At the middle school there are also many sections with 30-plus students.  The high school has English sections as high as 37, math as high as 39, science as high as 35, and social studies as high as 39.”

      Budget reductions in recent years have lowered the number of teachers and increased the class sizes.

AUDIT

      The Board received a 2008-09 audit report with a clean opinion on financial statements.  It was the best opinion that can be given.  During the report, $51 million of expenditures in the general fund were being discussed, and the point was made that the district saw some savings due to recent energy saving efforts.

POLICIES

      The Board accepted revised policies on: family and medical leaves, harassment and violence (religious, racial and sexual), mandated reporting of child neglect or physical or sexual abuse, mandated reporting of maltreatment of vulnerable adults, early entrance, and the use of potassium iodide (KI) in the unlikely event of a nuclear generating plant event.  The Board also accepted policies on: student discipline, bullying prohibition, sex non-discrimination, and Internet acceptable use.

PROUD OF

      The School Board is proud of:

      * Shelly Geurts, a teacher at Phoenix Learning Center who received a technology grant from the Qwest Teachers and Technology Grant Program;

      * Kirk Fredrickson and Jensen Maiden, who have been named Commended Students in the 2010 National Merit Scholarship Program; and

      * Denise Casey, a kindergarten teacher at Parkside Elementary; Bonnie Skoglund, a kindergarten teacher at Hanover Elementary; Tom Gould, a social studies teacher at Buffalo Community Middle School; Shana Bregenzer-Brenny, an English language development teacher at Buffalo High School; and Barb Janski, a special education teacher, who all received Leadership in Educational Excellence Awards from Resource Training and Solutions.

DONATIONS

      Contributions accepted by the Board include:

      $518.68 from Target Take Charge of Education to MES;

      $791.20 from Kemps to MES;

      $200 through RMG “Refer a Friend” program — Scott and Rhonda Nordin — to BHS;

      $2373.90 from Target Take Charge of Education to HES; and

      $323.12 through Wells Fargo Match Gift program to HES.

MEETINGS

      Upcoming meetings include:

      * Special Board Meeting on Monday, Nov. 9, 4:30 p.m. at Hanover Elementary School;

      * Board Workshop on Monday, Nov. 9, 4:45 p.m. at Hanover Elementary;

      * Joint meeting with local legislators on Monday, Nov. 9, 7:30 p.m., at the Rockford Community Center, along with the Rockford and Delano School Boards; and

      * Board Meeting on Monday, Nov. 23, 7 p.m., in the Board Room at the  Discovery Center.

Levy referendum and board election Tuesday in BHM

      Voters in the Buffalo Hanover Montrose (BHM) School District have two tasks next Tuesday, Nov. 3.  Both a levy referendum and a school board election are taking place that day.

      The polls will open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.

      Four incumbents are unopposed in the Buffalo Hanover Montrose (BHM) School Board Election.

      Dave Wilson, Jeff Mattson and Doug Olson are running for three four-year terms.  Sue Lee is running for one two-year term.

      A levy renewal is being proposed in the referendum.

      After two consecutive, unsuccessful years of district levy elections, Supt. Jim Bauck made a recommendation to the School Board in August to focus on trying to maintain a stable budget for the district.  Rather than ask for new levy funds this November, Bauck suggested they concentrate on the renewal of a current levy that is set to expire after taxes payable in 2010.  The renewal of a levy is routine and part of the normal budget process, the school district reports.

      The amount of the levy renewal is $110.55 per student and would be levied in 2011.  There would be no change in taxes from this renewal.  Also, the renewal will not be indexed to inflation; the district will simply continue with what is already in place.

      “The renewal of the levy will provide stability in the budget while state funding continues to be very unpredictable,” Bauck said.  “In over 30 years in education, I have never seen state funding so unstable.  There is no increase in state education funding for the next two years, and there is a real potential funding could be reduced.  The funding formula rests at $5,124 per student, of which 8.7 percent is currently being ‘back filled’ by federal stimulus funding.  That 8.7 percent amount represents $471 per WADM (Weighted Average Daily Membership).  Unless the state has sufficient revenue to fill in for the federal stimulus funds, schools will face a reduction in funding as early as the fall of 2010.”

      The district continues to face an uncertain financial future and new funding is needed. However, Bauck suggests that while the economy seems to be holding its own, and perhaps coming back, the right thing to do is ask for a renewal and not create any additional financial hardship.

      “The renewal will provide budget stability for the district to the degree we can control locally, without increasing taxes,” Bauck said.

      The levy being proposed for renewal represents about $23 of property tax on a home worth $100,000 and about $46 on a home worth 200,000.  It represents around $93 on a property worth $400,000 and $116 on a property worth $500,000.  This information was provided by Ehlers & Associates, Inc.

      Polling places for the referendum are the Buffalo Community Middle School, Montrose Elementary School and Hanover Elementary School.

      By voting in favor of the proposed renewal, you are extending an existing voter approved property tax authorization.

HLWW, Monticello, Rockford school votes Nov. 3

      In addition to the school board election and referendum taking place next Tuesday, Nov. 3 in the Buffalo Hanover Montrose School Districts, some voting is taking place in the Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted, Monticello and Rockford School Districts, as well.

HLWW

      A referendum is taking place next Tuesday, Nov. 3 in the Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted (HLWW) School district.

      Question 1 on the ballot proposes to extend the District’s current $500 per pupil levy for a period of 10 years.  This revenue will be used to finance school operations, such as curriculum, supplies, staff positions, and building repairs.  This is an existing levy, and the District is asking to renew it.  There is no increase in question one.

      The second question proposes adding an inflationary rate for the levy in question one.  Question two can only pass if question one passes.

      The third question proposes to revoke an existing $50 per student levy, which expires in 2013, and replace it with a $150 per student levy for a term of 5 years.

      The school district reports the following tax impacts:

      A renewal of the levy in question one will cost the taxpayer (-$2.00) in taxes on a home worth $100,000.  An addition of the inflationary increase in question two would be approximately +$2.00 in taxes on a home worth $100,000.  A revoking of the $50 levy and increasing to $150, as proposed in question three, would be +$20.00 in taxes on a home worth $100,000.  The increase would be $49 on a home worth $250,000 and $99 on a property worth $500,000.

MONTICELLO

      Five school board candidates are running for three positions in the Monticello School District.

      The candidates are: Jill Bartlett, Scott Hill (incumbent), Liz Leitch-Sell (incumbent), Robbie Smith, and Jeff Young.  (Incumbent Jeff Burns did not file for re-election.)

ROCKFORD

      Rockford is conducting an operating levy referendum on Nov. 3.  The District’s goal for the operating levy is to provide the best educational services with the available resources and fund necessary additional programs due to inadequate funding from the state.

      Approval of the operating levy referendum would: add necessary remedial staffing at the elementary and high school levels to ensure students are achieving their abilities; add student and parent support services at all buildings; lower class size in early elementary years to help ensure all students have success at reading and math; and add a teacher at the high school to ensure students have required electives.

      Since the last unsuccessful operating levy referendum on Nov. 4, 2008, the District has made $1.2 million worth of reductions in staffing, programs and services for the 2009-2010 school year and balanced the budget.  This has resulted in fewer course offerings, higher class sizes and reduced student services.

      The District will ask voters to increase its annual levy $395 per pupil for a period of five years, starting in 2010.

      The property tax impact for a property with a taxable market value of $300,000 is $18.36 per month or $220 per year.

      If you own one of the basic property types (non-agricultural), you can calculate your personal annual tax responsibility by multiplying .0007345 times your taxable market value on your property tax statement.

Family safe after home destroyed

By Ed DuBois

      A firefighter saved a priceless family belonging when a house was destroyed during the night of Wednesday, Oct. 21 in Chatham Township.

      Laura Nichols saw something that “looked important” and decided to take it out of the burning house.  When she showed it to its owner, Wendy Hubert, she exclaimed, “You have no idea what this means to me!  That’s the only thing I have left from my brother!”

      She was talking about a jacket and other memorabilia that was on display in a picture box.  Wendy’s brother had died in a car crash 23 years ago, and before that he was a high jumper on the USA track team and had won some medals.  He once competed in China, Wendy said.

      “These things cannot be replaced.  Someone couldn’t give me a million dollars for that jacket,” she commented, her voice growing hoarse with emotion.

      Wendy expressed sincere thanks to Nichols and all the firefighters from several communities who helped at the scene, 734 Bice Ave. N.W., on Oct. 21.

      Wendy and her husband, Dean Hubert, and their two children, daughter Jordan, 13, and son Owen, 12, had lived in the house a year.  All were safe, including their English bulldog, Peggy, after the fire.  Wendy and her two children were in Arizona at the time of the fire.  Dean was coming home around 9:20 p.m. from work after a late meeting when he found what he initially thought was a break-in, and then he realized a fire was underway.  Firefighters soon arrived.  The neighborhood has no fire hydrants, so tankers were called in from several fire departments.

      Wendy said the family is extremely grateful to insurance agent Brian Huotari for getting Dean a hotel room at 3 a.m.

      Wendy added that neighbors have been steadily coming over and asking if there is anything they do.  She said Dean commented that the neighbors are the kindest, most gracious people he has ever known.

      A cause of the fire has not yet been determined, but Wendy was told it appears to involve an outdoor electrical outlet by the front porch.  She said that outlet had not been used lately.

Marley Stevens returns home following severe H1N1 illness

      Marley Stevens, a first grader from Buffalo who was severely ill due to the H1N1 virus, has returned home from the hospital.

      A Family Fun Night Celebration Benefit is being planned for Friday, Nov. 13 at the Rockford Township Hall.  Children’s activities, a silent auction and a dinner are taking place from 5-8 p.m., and a dance is scheduled from 7-10 p.m.

      Donations for the Celebration Benefit and Silent Auction are welcomed.  Please contact Courtney Gusel at 763-682-6696 or by e-mail at courtneyarose@hotmail.com.

      Just a few weeks ago, Marley was fighting for her life.  She woke up on a Saturday morning with a fever and a cough.  Marley laughed because she thought the cough sounded funny, but by Sunday her cough was no longer humorous and she was one sick little girl.  On Monday morning, Patty, Marley’s mother, took her to the doctor and she was diagnosed with influenza “A” with the possibility of H1N1 virus.  They were sent home and a couple of popsicles and a day later Marley seemed to liven up a bit, but by Tuesday night concern about her temperature and continuous vomiting resulted in a trip to the emergency room. Patty, with tears in her eyes, fear in her heart and a husband out of town for work, was terrified.

      Cory was on the next flight home and rushed to the hospital to be by his baby girl.  No one had any answers.  She had fluid in her lungs, and her liver was not doing what it was suppose to do.  After two nights at the Buffalo Hospital, Marley was rushed to Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis.

      When Marley arrived at Children’s Emergency Room, she was in heart failure; the H1N1 virus had been attacking her heart and her body had been shutting down.  By Friday morning her heart was only working at 25 percent, and by Saturday morning there was talk of putting her on life support.  But, with Marley’s willingness to fight, along with everyone’s thoughts and prayers, she was triumphant in this battle.  Her heart went from working at 25 percent to working at 42 percent in just a few hours.

      On Oct. 8, Marley Stevens put up the fight of her life and became a true survivor.  The emergency room doctor who admitted Marley into Children’s Hospital and had told Patty and Corey that Marley was in heart failure just happened to be walking by when Patty, along with her little survivor, were sitting on the floor playing a game.  It had been a week and a day since Marley had been in that emergency room.  Patty felt chills as the doctor proceeded to come into the room and asked, “Are you Marley Steven’s mom?”  Patty with tears in her eyes said, “Yes, I am!”  The doctor took one look at Marley, her jaw hit the floor, hands went to her mouth, and tears ran down her cheeks.  She could not believe Marley was still alive.

      “Thanks to all who prayed and kept the faith.  I truly believe it was God’s work, many prayers and Marley’s courage and determination that provided the miracle of her recovery and because of this, not only do the Stevens family and friends, but this entire community, get to enjoy this sweet little angel for many years to come,” a spokesperson said.

      Marley still has some recovering to do.  While the doctors worked hard to save Marley’s organs, the virus found a way to survive in her muscle tissue.  She is diagnosed with myositis and has damage to some of her smooth muscle tissue.  She will need physical therapy to get her muscles working the “Marley way.”  She is a very active, spunky little girl who loves gymnastics, and like Corey said, “Let’s get this little girl home and get her dancing!”

      “The good news is, after spending two weeks in the hospital, she is home, and now she just needs to dance!  So, please come celebrate this little girl’s life, love and sprit with friends and family on Friday Nov. 13 at the Rockford Township Hall,” the spokesperson said.

Wright County ordered by state agency to stop issuing building permits in Corinna Township

      The Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DOLI) has upheld an October 2008 order that Wright County has been illegally issuing building permits in Corinna Township for the last year, according to a news release from Corinna Township.  The Sept. 1, 2009 order makes Corinna Township the sole building inspector throughout all areas of the Township, officials of the Township say.

      Tom Zins, assistant county attorney, said the county has a long history of issuing permits and has not done so illegally in Corinna Township.  He added that the county has an appeal pending with the State Court of Appeals, and he commented that permits issued by the county in Corinna Township would not be illegal until after a final court decision.

      Applicants in shoreland areas of Corinna Township have been illegally required to obtain building permits, including payment of application fees, by Wright County since the fall of 2008, Township officials allege.  Wright County appealed the October 2008 order to the Commissioner of DOLI, who ultimately agreed with the state agency that Corinna Township has properly appointed its own building code official and that Wright County must stop issuing such permits.

      Wright County has appealed the recent decision but is currently abiding by the Sept. 1 order and is no longer issuing building permits or conducting inspections in Corinna Township.  Corinna landowners, whether in shoreland or non-shoreland areas, now need a building permit only from the Township and can direct applications or questions to (320) 274-8049, the Township says.

      Corinna Township has previously attempted to become the sole shoreland zoning authority so that landowners do not need to go to two places for their permits.  A July 2008 resolution by the County Board denied the Township this authority.

      Documents relating to the DOLI order and the ongoing efforts of the Township to obtain shoreland zoning authority can be found at www.corinnaplanning.info or by contacting Corinna Township at 320-274-8049.http://www.corinnaplanning.info

      Zins said the appeal with the State Court of Appeals is being handled by the Minnesota Counties Insurance Trust (MCIT).

Neil Gleason honored with Eagle Scout Award

      On Sunday, Aug. 30, Neil Gleason was presented with the Boy Scouts of America’s highest rank, Eagle Scout, at his Troop 358 Eagle Scout Court of Honor.  Neil attends Buffalo High School and is the son of Dennis and Kim Gleason of Buffalo.

      Neil has been involved in Scouting since the first grade.  He began as a Tiger Cub and has worked his way up through the ranks.  After earning his Arrow of Light award in Cub Scouts, Neil became a Boy Scout in 2003.

      Over the years, Neil has experienced camping in all forms of weather.  He especially enjoyed the annual, week-long camps at Many Point Scout Camp near Park Rapids, MN and a high adventure experience at Sea Base Scout Camp in Florida in 2007.

      Neil has served his community with his troop in collecting food for the food shelf during the Scouting For Food program, worked at the Lion’s Club Pancake Breakfasts, cleaned road ditches, visited nursing homes, made gifts and served treats during Teacher Appreciation Week, mentored young Scouts and worked on several Eagle Scout service projects of his fellow Boys Scouts.

      For his own Eagle Scout project, Neil organized the building of castings around 90 memorial bricks that were laid into the ground at the Zion Lutheran Church amphitheater.  He worked with the appropriate adults to determine financial and project plans and purchased supplies.  He then coordinated the work of 30-plus adults and Scouts who helped to dig up and transport the bricks, build the castings and finally place the new memorial castings in the ground to complete the project.

      In addition to community service and serving others, a Scout must earn 21 merit badges, along with holding troop leadership positions to earn the Eagle award.  Neil has served his troop as Assistant Patrol Leader, Scribe, Librarian, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, and was elected to the Order of the Arrow in 2006.  He has earned 26 merit badges and completed other activities, such as wall climbing, a polar bear swim and sailing.

      Neil also completed the God and Family program in Cub Scouts under the guidance of Pastor John Folkerds and the God and Life Program in Boy Scouts under the guidance of Pastor Steve Svoboda.  He is one of only two Scouts in his troop who has completed both of these programs.

      Scouting provides the opportunity to try new things while developing life-long leadership skills.  Taking care of the earth and learning to “Be Prepared” (the Scout Motto) are engrained in the Scouting program.  Neil had many adult and student leaders to thank for helping him along his Scouting journey during his ceremony on Aug. 30 at Zion Lutheran Church in Buffalo.

Change your clocks, and your alarm batteries

      When turning clocks back one hour on Nov. 1, you should also change the batteries in your smoke alarms, recommends State Fire Marshal Jerry Rosendahl.

      Daylight Saving Time ends Nov. 1.  This time of year, we fall back one hour, and around the middle of March we spring ahead one hour.

      Last year, residential fires claimed 38 lives in Minnesota; 75 percent of the deaths occurred in homes without working smoke alarms.  State Fire Marshal Jerry Rosendahl thinks these facts alone should be enough to convince people to install and maintain smoke alarms.

      “Those 38 victims died without time to escape,” Rosendahl says, “An inexpensive alarm and a set of fresh batteries could have saved their lives.”

      About 96 percent of American homes have smoke alarms, according to the National Fire Protection Association.  However, a third of the alarms contain dead batteries or no batteries at all.

      So, this weekend, while changing your clocks, why not change your batteries, too?

 
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