We have heard all the rhetoric and are starting to see and feel the effects of our great state’s budget woes. Many times in recent history the state has turned to the educational institution to balance its budget. Not only is this occurring at the state level, but has also become a familiar route of our local school district. Luverne and the surrounding community has enjoyed and benefited from an excellent educational system for many years. Our schools have produced many prominent and successful citizens that live and work all around the country. The graduation rate at Luverne has always been well above the national and state averages and a very high percentage of those graduates go on to pursue higher education. The Luverne school system has been able to pride itself in providing a comprehensive and diverse curriculum to meet the needs of all students. In recent years the school district has scored well above state averages on basic skills tests. We have received many prestigious honors in the arts and have produced many successful athletic teams and individuals. We truly can be proud of our school!Over the past few years we as a staff are starting to feel that the quality of our educational system is in jeopardy. We no longer can just rely on our past accolades. As more demands are placed on programs and people, the ability to deliver high quality educational opportunities is becoming more difficult. We must look seriously at the actions that are being taken for the sake of money and evaluate whether or not they truly are worth the dollars they are designed to save. Some of the programs that have been eliminated over the past few years are: the gifted and talented program, the elementary art program, elementary computer program, and a full-time middle school counselor. Now as the district faces budget cuts there are even more programs that are in danger of disappearing. On the block this round are such things as reduction in library services for all students, less diversity of physical education opportunities, reduction in the fine arts offerings, and less vocational offerings. Another proposal would raise teacher student ratios. Considering past program reductions can we maintain educational excellence with further cuts?Now is the time for everyone in the community to become involved. The quality of our children’s education does affect each and every one of us. Call your legislators. Call your school board members and school administration to voice your concerns. Come to the school board meetings. The next meeting is at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 29, in the MS/HS Media Center.Luverne Education AssociationJane CoteDan AmbornCo-presidents
