Painful cuts scheduled for Lester Prairie Schools

[LyndaJensen]

Painful cuts are scheduled for the Lester Prairie School District, with the board looking for public input about where to cut and how much. It is possible that all of the items listed on the poll above will be cut, with additional cuts being suggested such as dropping cross country, high school band performances, and Knowledge Bowl, among other things. A special meeting has been set for 7 p.m. Monday, March 2 in the Lester Prairie School gym to discuss a lengthy list of possible budget reductions to be made. To see an article about the most recent school board meeting as well as a complete breakdown of suggested cuts, click here. To email school board members directly, click here. School Board Member Joe Miller said at the last board meeting that another levy might bring in additional funds but the money would not come into the school as revenue for another year.

[kenelson]

THis school cannot afford more cuts, as more families will enroll in other districts that have more stability. Small communities with small schools, just don't have what it takes to keep families feeling satisfied.. that their kids will get the best education and offer school activities that other districts have that are very successful.. LP Schools lost $15,000 from our family, as we enrolled 3 out of our 4 kids, in other district.. That's a lot of money this small school cannot afford to keep losing..

[ekrats74]

The one thing they need to do is cut one princple and give the AD position to a teacher or someone that is willing to take the extra time to supervise game so we can save money on have no superviser at game but the AD should be there. I agree that if we make these cuts that we will loss more students. We can not aford to loss any students. The only way is to not cut all that they are wishing for but to take some of the extra money we do have and cut about $250,000. If we cut the superentendent to 50 percent and one principle we would cut about $150000. I do hope we have a lot of paerent at the meeting on Monday the 2nd of March.

[LyndaJensen]

To Supporters of Music in Our Schools, from Tracy Cederstrom, LP Band and Choir Director:
The Lester Prairie School Board is faced with some difficult decisions as they look at next year’s budget. Sadly, the band program is on the list of possible cuts. While I recognize the fact that none of the potential cuts are particularly desirable, I especially don’t believe that it would be prudent to eliminate the band program. I assure you that I am not merely trying to save my job; rather, I am advocating on behalf of the students-- those who already play instruments, as well as those who would be beginning their instrumental music activities in years to come.
Participation in band carries with it so many immensely important benefits.

Learning to play an instrument requires coordination, discipline, ordering of thoughts, finding patterns, following directions, teamwork, and the necessity of learning a completely different language-- that of reading music. Research shows that students who study music score higher on standardized tests in math and reading, receive more honors in school, rank high in self-esteem, and are less likely to use drugs (including alcohol and tobacco). Also, the skills learned in music education can be used and enjoyed for a lifetime, not just for the few short years a person is in school. And let’s not forget-- band is fun! Some of my fondest memories as a student are tied to the comradery and success I experienced in band.

There will be a public forum on Monday, March 2, at 7:00 p.m., in the Lester Prairie gym, at which community members will be given a chance to voice their concerns regarding the various proposed cuts. I would deeply appreciate it, on behalf of the Lester Prairie student musicians (both present and future), if you would attend the forum and offer your support of the band program. I will probably not speak very much myself at the forum, because I think a more powerful statement could be made by parents and community members-- of course the band director would be opposed to cutting the band program, so my words probably wouldn’t carry as much weight as much as those of people whose children would be negatively impacted by the loss of the band program in our school.

Thank you for your support of the Lester Prairie music department, and I thank you in advance for anything you can do to help ensure that our students continue to have the opportunity to participate in band.

[denisejohnson]

First and foremost it is very disturbing that we would consider cutting the programs that are for those who are not athletic. This is just outragous. Why can't we look at cutting some of the money that goes to the football or basketball teams. Band & Choir - Have one fulltime teacher that teaches K - 12. This is what we had growing up. The band and choir could be 7 - 12 versus the way it is now. You have Band, Monday, Wednesday & Friday and Choir Tuesday and Thursday. Skip the private lessons with students for band and then the teacher could do K-6 the rest of the time. They could also be a study hall teacher if needed. Why is it so costly for the yearbook. We never had this kind of expense, maybe you could find parents to volunteer their time for this extra activity. For cheerleading, find a parent to volunteer their time and in my school, you paid for your own cheerleading uniforms not the schools responsiblity. If a new uniform was needed you paid for it, if you could sell it the next year, then so be it. The plays could also be done by parents who were interested in volunteering. How can you reduce the elemtary staff when you already have two combo classes. Do you need all the admin people? Can the teachers be responsible for taking lunch money, can the teachers be responsible for doing the library as it is only once a week? Do we need two principals? There are so many other things that could be cut versus sacrificing what is important to our kids. Knowledge Bowl, Plays, Music & Band - These are things that our kids can take with them after high school they teach so much, how to debate, how to stand up in front of people and speak and so much more. What will they get with Football or Basketball after they graduate? Why aren't these programs even mentioned in the budget cuts? Also, the basketball games, if you played the school and had a JV game at 5:00 boys one time, then girls the next, then the girls varsity game next and the boys varsity game after it would be 10:00 but would you could cut the bus expenses in half (all schools) and the time the schools need to be open and people would be able to attend all the games versus going to one or the other. This could be a huge savings if you wanted to look into it. Maybe a slight increase for the participation in activities would be okay also. Maybe they also need to discontinue the open enrollment and that would force a lot of people to put their kids back into the district. It seems the smaller communities are suffering because of the open enrollment. One final thought, if you sacrifice too much for the kids I have a feeling that many will leave which will hurt the school even more. Don't cut the programs that are for those who are not into the athletics.

[velvetrose]

THis school cannot afford more cuts, as more families will enroll in other districts that have more stability. Small communities with small schools, just don't have what it takes to keep families feeling satisfied.. that their kids will get the best education and offer school activities that other districts have that are very successful.. LP Schools lost $15,000 from our family, as we enrolled 3 out of our 4 kids, in other district.. That's a lot of money this small school cannot afford to keep losing..

What do you consider a "stable" or "successful" district? And perhaps this district would be both those things if families wouldn't enroll their children in other districts. That's a problem - so many people think the grass is greener...schools belong to the communities they serve. It would be so much better if families would invest in their local schools and support them rather than jumping ship, then maybe this school would be as stable and successful as you need it to be.

It would have been in this district's best interest to have bitten the bullet and merged/paired with another district years ago. But its really beside the point now whether you agreed or disagreed (or were even around at the time) with the decision years ago to maintain the LP School District. It is what it is and its imperative now that the residents of this district enroll their children here.

And I also hope that the music/band program is not eliminated. Mrs Cederstrom does a wonderful job, and if there is to be any hope of retaining students the school has to offer more than just athletics programs for students.

[MrsC]

One of the proposed cuts is to reduce the guidance counselor position to 80%. Mrs. Mattson is an amazing asset to our school-- the students love and respect her, feel very comfortable talking with her, and know that she truly cares about them and wants to help them succeed. She is very dedicated, going above and beyond the requirements of her job to ensure that she is meeting the needs of the students. I am worried that she would be forced to look for employment elsewhere if she were cut to 80%, because it's difficult to make ends meet on less than she is currently paid. Over the past few years, she has built very solid relationships with so many students-- they know her and trust her. It would take a lot of time for a new counselor to get to know the students, and for the students to get to know him or her well enough to feel the comfort level they feel with Mrs. Mattson, which might not ever really happen, because it's likely that the new person would not be as approachable as she is. She has also established positive relationships with parents, staff, and community members. Personality and "people skills" are such vital attributes in guidance counselors, and we already have someone who excels in those attributes, so I feel we should do everything in our power to keep her here.

[tulip]

I really think that the wrong message has been given to the public about the cuts. All of the news that is coming out from the state and federal government says that funding isn't going to be cut and in same cases additional funds are going to be given. I think that a doomsday message has been sent out and that isn't necessarily the case. While some cuts are going to have to be made, I don't think it is as bad as it seems.

The school is going to have to make the adjustments for declining enrollment. Three full time administrators aren't necessary for a district this size. Nor is a full-time counselor. While I don't wish to see any of these people leave or get cut I think it luxury to have that many administrators. Maybe a person could be hired that held a teaching license in a subject area and a counseling license, a half time counselor should be enough. I think it is more important to keep band, junior high sports, and of course teachers!

I think that it is time for community ed to pay for itself. If you want to participate people should pay their fair share. Athletic fees are also ridiciously low compared to other districts such as Hutchinson. Why doesn't the school have the students pay for their planners every year? I know my neices and nephews have to in their schools. There can always be grants or scholarships for the students that are unable to pay the fees.

Lester Prairie School is in the same position as most other schools in the state. Most schools are looking at some cuts this year. In many ways Lester Prairie is in better shape than many of these school. We are not in debt and we have a community and staff that cares about their school!

[kenelson]

THis school cannot afford more cuts, as more families will enroll in other districts that have more stability. Small communities with small schools, just don't have what it takes to keep families feeling satisfied.. that their kids will get the best education and offer school activities that other districts have that are very successful.. LP Schools lost $15,000 from our family, as we enrolled 3 out of our 4 kids, in other district.. That's a lot of money this small school cannot afford to keep losing..

What do you consider a "stable" or "successful" district? And perhaps this district would be both those things if families wouldn't enroll their children in other districts. That's a problem - so many people think the grass is greener...schools belong to the communities they serve. It would be so much better if families would invest in their local schools and support them rather than jumping ship, then maybe this school would be as stable and successful as you need it to be.

It would have been in this district's best interest to have bitten the bullet and merged/paired with another district years ago. But its really beside the point now whether you agreed or disagreed (or were even around at the time) with the decision years ago to maintain the LP School District. It is what it is and its imperative now that the residents of this district enroll their children here.

And I also hope that the music/band program is not eliminated. Mrs Cederstrom does a wonderful job, and if there is to be any hope of retaining students the school has to offer more than just athletics programs for students.

I have been very happy with the district I have my other 3 enrolled in..My 17 year old is a Jr at LP, it was a difficult decision to have him remain at LP, but at that age, its tough to start over. He is very active in the LP school drama and I think the drama program deserves the communities support. My 13 year old was a student at LP for 5 years and my 12 year old was at LP for 5 years.. My experience was a terrible one and let me tell ya.. it was horrible.. I still cry and get upset when I think about everything that happen to me, my son, my daughter, our family. You have no idea what we went through. LP is lucky to have 1 of my children still in their district. Not to mention, my 17 year old is a 4.0 student at LP.. My experience was with the k-6 side.. There are a few I could tell ya that they need to be cut.. I will have a 5 year old starting Kindergarten this fall at the same district his brother and sister go to.. We have been so happy with their school.. We come from big districts and the opportunities larger schools have to offer, just don't compare to Lester Prairie. I was not impressed with the LP band program.. both my 7th and 6th grader are now in the jazz program in their school and love it.. The performances are out of this world! There are choices for girls who love to dance, or swim, or want to play hockey.. They have programs to help students with ADHD and keep them focused throughout their day.. They give students positive remarks instead of focusing on the negative.. My 13 year old was targeted at Lester Prairie Schools and so was our family. I will never forgive those who were involved. My 13 year old was on an IEP at LP and LP failed to help my son.. Now.. my 13 year old has been so successful and has done so remarkable well, that IEP is no longer needed for him. He was on a IEP all through Lester Prairie... Now he is not . How do you explain that? Its my only hope that our son who remains at LP will graduate where he should be. You ever want to hear the entire story of our experience with the Lester Prairie Schools I would love to fill you in.. it would make your jaw drop.. I have a right to enroll my children in any district I want. That's why they call in open enrollment.. We don't live in Lester Prairie anymore, but we do live in the surrounding area, and LP still has 1 of my 4 kids.. You want to attract families in other small surrounding areas to LP schools, but if you don't have what it takes to attract families and students, they will look to other districts.. How come nearly 30% of families that do live in Lester Prairie have their child or children going to other districts?

[kenelson]

First and foremost it is very disturbing that we would consider cutting the programs that are for those who are not athletic. This is just outragous. Why can't we look at cutting some of the money that goes to the football or basketball teams. Band & Choir - Have one fulltime teacher that teaches K - 12. This is what we had growing up. The band and choir could be 7 - 12 versus the way it is now. You have Band, Monday, Wednesday & Friday and Choir Tuesday and Thursday. Skip the private lessons with students for band and then the teacher could do K-6 the rest of the time. They could also be a study hall teacher if needed. Why is it so costly for the yearbook. We never had this kind of expense, maybe you could find parents to volunteer their time for this extra activity. For cheerleading, find a parent to volunteer their time and in my school, you paid for your own cheerleading uniforms not the schools responsiblity. If a new uniform was needed you paid for it, if you could sell it the next year, then so be it. The plays could also be done by parents who were interested in volunteering. How can you reduce the elemtary staff when you already have two combo classes. Do you need all the admin people? Can the teachers be responsible for taking lunch money, can the teachers be responsible for doing the library as it is only once a week? Do we need two principals? There are so many other things that could be cut versus sacrificing what is important to our kids. Knowledge Bowl, Plays, Music & Band - These are things that our kids can take with them after high school they teach so much, how to debate, how to stand up in front of people and speak and so much more. What will they get with Football or Basketball after they graduate? Why aren't these programs even mentioned in the budget cuts? Also, the basketball games, if you played the school and had a JV game at 5:00 boys one time, then girls the next, then the girls varsity game next and the boys varsity game after it would be 10:00 but would you could cut the bus expenses in half (all schools) and the time the schools need to be open and people would be able to attend all the games versus going to one or the other. This could be a huge savings if you wanted to look into it. Maybe a slight increase for the participation in activities would be okay also. Maybe they also need to discontinue the open enrollment and that would force a lot of people to put their kids back into the district. It seems the smaller communities are suffering because of the open enrollment. One final thought, if you sacrifice too much for the kids I have a feeling that many will leave which will hurt the school even more. Don't cut the programs that are for those who are not into the athletics.

I totally agree with this above statement!!!!! How many students from Lester Prairie that played football or basketball graduate and go on to be successful. Too much effort is put into the athletic program and not enough in the education of our children.. Grades should come first then athletics.