By Lori Ehde
Luverne Alternative School students choose to learn in the alternative setting for a number of reasons, ranging from teen pregnancies to catching up to meet graduation requirements.
Alternative School Director Jan Olson informally surveyed students about why they’re in the alternative school and not in Luverne High School classrooms.
She shared their responses with School Board members during their regular meeting Thursday, Jan. 23.
Olson said many of the students are "freshmores," who are in 10th grade but haven’t officially reached that status with their course work.
Those students are catching up in the alternative school.
"I kind of cringe when I have ninth-graders come down there," Olson said. Most alternative students are juniors and seniors. "It’s going to take them longer, but they think they can graduate with their class."
Most of the students are Luverne district residents and two Adrian students are here to get their coursework on track for graduation.
Some are pregnant and trying to work and keep up studies at the same time, and others mentioned they’re in alternative school because they got in trouble or felt they didn’t fit in the regular school setting.
Some work night jobs and said that they attend alternative school because it’s too hard to get up for 8 a.m. classes.
When board members questioned the use of alternative school by those who want to sleep in, Olson said there’s usually more to it than that.
"When they come at noon, they’re better prepared rather than coming in half asleep," Olson said.
She added that some students have trouble staying in school at all, and at least alternative school keeps them on track for graduation.
"It prevents these kids from dropping out," Olson said.
She pointed out that these same students are in class in the evenings, at a time when many students their age can get in trouble.
"It’s an important bridge for the high school and alternative school to work together on," Olson said.
The Luverne Alternative School opened five or six years ago with only a handful of students.
Today it’s staffed by three part-time instructors who offer high school classes in the brick building at 110 N. Oakley St. (the former agriculture services building).
An average of 70 students attend per week, an average of 18 per day. Of those, 17 are full-time students and 16 are part-time.
Classes are offered from 12 to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
Balanced budget, so far
Marlene Mann, district financial officer, presented board members with a revised expenditure budget for 2002-03.
Expenditures this year will total $12,061,089, after adjustments for staff contract settlements and hiring two additional teachers in second and third grade.
Mann presented the revised revenue budget of $12,522,068 in December. This figure is based on current aid promised by the state.
The district’s budget so far is balanced, but with threats by the Legislature to cut school funding, Mann said she may end up preparing another revised revenue budget before the end of the school year.
In personnel matters Thursday the board:
Accepted the resignation of Rhonda Winter, Early Childhood Special Needs teacher, effective Feb. 14.
Approved a leave of absence without pay Feb. 17-26 for Sharon Oksness, paraprofessional,
Approved the resignation of Julie Schroeder, paraprofessional, effective Jan. 31.
Approved a preliminary seniority list for licensed staff
Approved seniority lists for custodial staff, paraprofessionals, early childhood staff and the alternative school.
New buses
Board members accepted low bids from Grande American Bus Sales (Blue Bird) for a handicap mini bus and a 72-passenger regular bus.
Both are 2003 models that the district will begin using at the start of the new school year.
The handicap bus cost $49,000, including a $275 white roof the board approved for air conditioning efficiency.
"We do have some medically fragile kids, and that bus goes all summer long to Sioux Falls," said Superintendent Vince Schaefer.
It seats 18 passengers plus two wheel chairs. It has a wheel chair lift and single door lift.
The 72-passenger bus cost $60,500. It has a 190 HP diesel Caterpillar engine, which meets new air quality standards.
That price includes trade on a 1989 59-passenger bus that the district will be able to utilize the rest of the school year.
In other business Thursday the board:
Set the driver’s education fee at $225 per student for summer 2003 class sessions. This is a 25 percent increase to help the district meet costs of offering the service.
Schaefer said it costs the district $275 per student, and the board may consider another increase in future years to bring the fees in line with costs.
Elected officers and divvied up committee assignments. Dan Kopp is the new board chair, Becky Walgrave is vice-chair, Bill Stegemann is clerk and Colleen Deutsch is treasurer.
Noted the next regular School Board meetings are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Feb. 13, Feb. 27 and March 13.