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Archived News Item
February Message from the Superintendent
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Originally Posted 02-13-2009
February, 2009 In these tough economic times, we are ever mindful of the financial challenges placed upon our school district's budget, as well as the budgets of our community members. It is a fact that we will need to cut some costs and expenses from our budget for the 2009/2010 school year. We are currently looking at reducing approximately $715,000 - $1 million. These budget cuts and/or adjustments represent painful decisions, as each program and position in the New Prague Area Schools is a valued one. The need to cut the budget is a result of inadequate state funding and our stagnant enrollment. Minnesota school districts receive the majority of their funding from state aid, primarily originating from income and sales taxes. In addition, we receive federal dollars and grants, as well as local aid revenues from property taxes. Our current school funding formula is outdated, complicated, unbalanced and too reliant on property taxes. Over 90% of the districts currently have to rely on local taxpayers just to keep their districts afloat. In recent years, school districts across Minnesota have had to turn to voter-approved operating referendums to manage their day-to-day operations. With the state facing a $5-$6.5 billion shortfall, Minnesota public schools could, again, face significant reductions. Our per-pupil expenditure is New Prague is very low compared to other districts in the state, ranking 319th out of 330 districts in our expenditure. Fortunately, in 2007, we passed an operating levy to assist us in funding our schools, and, for this support, we are grateful to the community. During the past few months, I have continually updated our employee groups regarding the budget evaluations, as well as conducting meetings with various community and civic organizations. On Monday, March 9, I will be presenting the 2009/2010 recommended budget adjustments to the Board of Education, with the adoption of the 2009/2010 budget expected at their March 23rd meeting. During the past months, we have been reviewing our entire budget, allowing us the opportunity to research and evaluate the entire operation of our school district with the most current and reliable financial information possible. In preparation for the budget cuts, we have carefully considered the needs of our students and programs in light of existing resources. Throughout this process, we adhered to three primary goals to guide our evaluations: maintain quality district programs; maintain reasonable class size; and provide support for instruction. It is still my hope to see a new blueprint in Minnesota for funding our public schools. A plan that would be more responsive toward helping schools meet 21st century standards, providing every Minnesota student fair and equitable access to a world-class education. Such sweeping reform will not happen overnight. However, with a long-term commitment to creating a fair and responsible funding formula, we can create a system that works for rural, urban and suburban school districts. Until then, it will be up to us to decide the quality of the education we provide for the children of New Prague. For generations, the people of New Prague have supported the school district with their dollars and I sincerely admire and appreciate that. Your actions demonstrate your belief that a strong school system produces a thriving community where children return to raise their families and a secure financial base where strong schools support healthy real estate values. I recognize these are difficult times, calling for sacrifice and thoughtful, strategic spending. You have my sincere promise, that with every dollar given to the students and programs of New Prague, we will be fiscally prudent and sound in each decision made. Thank you, once again, for the support you have given to our schools in the past and for all we will do together to meet the needs of our children in the future. School District Calendar Calendars for 2009/2010 and 2010/2011: The drafts of the 09/10 and 10/11 school district calendars are now available for you to look at on our website. Any questions or comments, please submit them to Donna Friedmann, Director of Human Resources. Pop Open a Good Book and Read New Prague area teachers and staff are preparing to Pop Open a Good Book and Read! That is just one of the themes being used to kick off the reading months of February and March. Each building is putting its very own creative spin into each and every reading activity. New Prague High School will provide opportunities for students to explore high interest leisure reading materials in the Media Center. The Student Council will also be advertising the importance of reading by creating signs encouraging the student body to "Read with Trojan Pride". Students and staff will be encouraged to share written book reviews. These reviews will be displayed on "The Trojan Reading Wall". Staff will also be displaying the "READ" shirts, emphasizing and discussing the importance of reading. In the Middle School, "caught reading" tickets will be passed out to students who are "caught" in the act of reading just for fun! Teachers will share their favorite Top 10 books with their students. Students will share with their classmates mini-book talks about what they are currently reading. The hungriest of readers at Raven Stream Elementary School may be selected as the lucky winners of a bag of microwave popcorn just for reading. Friday, February 27th is designated as "Read across Raven Stream" where all the students and staff will line the hallways ready to "Pop Open a Good Book and Read". A student from each grade level will be awarded a "READ" t-shirt if their name is selected from a drawing at the end of the month. During the month of February, each grade level will have a special "Mystery Reader" come to their rooms to read to them. Eagle View classroom doors and windows are adorned with "I Love to Read" signs. Dr. Seuss characters are featured throughout the building as students' celebrate Read Across America. Reading promotional phrases are found daily on TV monitor announcements. The Hockey Club will share their love of reading with students in February at Eagle View. Students will also enjoy special guest readers throughout the month of March. On Fridays, classrooms will pair up to Pop Open a Good Book as they share stories with each other. Falcon Ridge Elementary School displays an outside drive-by-sign that speaks loudly to us all. It says, Stay Warm, Cuddle Up with a Book. Their building theme is Read, White and Blue to commemorate our new president and President's Day. High School students and sports players will be reading their favorite books with students. Grandparents and other adults will volunteer to be guest readers in our buildings. Superintendent Menozzi will also be reading his favorite childhood books to an audience of attentive listeners at the elementary buildings. Thank you! We appreciate and value your time and talent. Many K-12 teachers and staff members in all five school buildings have purchased "READ" shirts to visually show and model a poignant message about the power of reading. Did you know that reading is crucial to the academic success of each and every child? It wholeheartedly affects a child's self esteem and school attitude in grades as young as kindergarten. Read nightly to your children – have them read to you. Read often. Set up nightly reading routines and goals. Practice is the key to any kind of success. Make time to practice reading. Observe the results. |
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