By Lori EhdeLuverne School Board members approved a new program aimed at addressing needs of high-achieving students.The elementary school has received $2,500 from several organizations in donations to launch Math Olympiads, an enrichment program for the 2003-04 year.Elementary Principal Melody Tenhoff shared information with the board during a Tuesday night meeting.She made reference to the fact that Future Images, a program for gifted and talented students, was discontinued several years ago due to funding cuts.Math Olympiads will be one way to challenge these same types of students."This isn’t seen as a replacement for that program," Tenhoff said. "It’s just a way to better serve these high achieving kids."The program will be available to about 30 students in grades 3-5 who will be selected based on teacher recommendations and test scores.Board member Bill Stegemann asked if special programs were in place for students on the other end of the pendulum who are struggling with learning."There’s already a lot of money being spent on low-achieving students, through Title I monies and special education funding," Tenhoff said.Students participate competitively in Math Olympiads on-line. There is no travel involved.The donated money will be used primarily to support time invested by two teachers, Pam Christensen and Jennifer Engesser.Tenhoff said she’s excited about the opportunity to nurture gifted minds, and she hopes money will be available in future years to continue the program."High-end learning kids learn differently and can really use that different mode to challenge them," she said.In personnel matters Tuesday, the boardoHired Linda Limesand as long-term substitute for Stacey Lihs, middle school English teacheroHired Nick Nafziger as head boys’ hockey coachoHired Jesse Gladis as eighth-grade boys’ basketball coachoAccepted the resignation of Gordie Hansen as eighth-grade boys’ basketball coachoAccepted the resignation of Christy Reisch, media center paraprofessional.In other business Tuesday, the board:oReviewed the revised 2003-04 budget. District Finance Officer Marlene Mann reported that another 20 students had left the district since the June census. This represents a $100,000 per year loss to the district in per-pupil aid.oConducted its capital outlay hearing, during which time it reviewed buildings and grounds improvements scheduled for the next several years.One large line-item scheduled for 2004-05 is resurfacing the track on Cardinal Field at an estimated cost of $120,000.oNoted the next board meetings are at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 20 and Dec. 22.
