NCLB Debated at Minnesota Capitol

There is fierce debate about the future of the No Child Left Behind legislation, and it has been happening in Minnesota. Some legislators are eager to turn down federal funding for Minnesota’s schools, estimated at about $240 million dollars.

It’s useful to remember that Northfield only receives 3-4% of its school funding from federal sources. So sometimes it feels like the “tail is wagging the dog.” On the other hand, federal funds provide important special education and Title I services among other things.

The following editorial is worth reading about this issue.

Budget Cutting Process On Track

The process of cutting the budget is on track. While unpleasant, it must be done. Northfield’s staff is stepping to the line and working hard during February to suggest 10% cuts. We on the Northfield Board of Education will finalize a budget representing the final cuts in early April.

IN THE MEANTIME WE ALL CAN HOPE THAT THE LEGISLATURE IS ALSO STEPPING UP TO THE LINE. FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS AN INEXCUSABLE FLAT LINE ON STATE FUNDING FOR THE SCHOOLS HAS RESULTED IN SIGNIFICANT LOCAL PROPERTY TAX INCREASES ESPECIALLY TO HOMEOWNERS.

Two dates are important to the local budget trimming process:
1. March 15, 7:00 pm: A public hearing on proposed cuts.
2. April 4, 7:00 pm: The final reductions will be put forward by the board.

And at the legislative level? The session is on, and the debate about school funding is hot. It’s time for readers to contact their legislators to express their support of Minnesota’s excellent public schools.

Blogging for fun and educating my friends

Last Sunday as I sat in the middle of the living room floor I looked at the mounds of paperwork, all necessary pieces of information for me as I get ready for the next school board meeting. I have invested in a three hole punch, hoping for some kind of order to this blizzard of paper. But the more important thing to consider is whether I am bringing some order out of this chaos…. maybe, and maybe not.

There are real issues here:

1. The Northfield district is in a real financial bind. There is a process to deal with it, but that process is demanding (I wonder how school principals are coping with yet another high priority assignment) and full of minefields. I wonder if the public has been able to have enough input. Are there people who have something to say and have not been heard?

Blogville

Tonight I am in blogville, along with eight other erstwhile citizens in various degrees of blog building. Ray Cox is here, always the learner…. and I thought he was the king of blogville. But no, he must think he is ready for advanced training. I forget my password, and must struggle with admitting that, but our blogmaster Griff Wigley is forgiving and reminds me of what that password must be. Finally I get in, but now I must post a link. It’s my assignment. I select a topic I have been working on all day, the No Child Left Behind Act, and the thing it insists the State maintain, the famous school report cards: