By Lori EhdeWhen Jerry and Chris Reisch bought land near the Blue Mound State Park last fall, they planned to build a new home there, clean up the property and add a cattle barn. Because a livestock operation is considered a non-conforming use of land in an A-1 zone, they were required to apply for a variance to build a 40-by-104-foot indoor cattle working facility.The variance hearing Tuesday night brought more than 20 residents to the Human Services Building in Luverne.Concerned neighbors spoke of conserving the peaceful nature of the park and protecting their neighborhood from the sights, sounds and smells of a cattle feedlot that they feared would also threaten their water quality.They also encouraged the board to consider the intent of the A-1 zone around the park and that the board’s decisions have reaching effects for decades to come. For example, if not for a county decision several years ago, there would be a gravel operation near the bike path and cliff line hiking trails.Reisch and several supporters spoke of the rural nature of the area and that the property already had cattle, so improving the appearance of the lot with a new building would only improve the neighborhood.For the past eight years, Reisch has been moving cattle on and off the property that Greg McClure was renting."I’m not planning on doing anything different with it," Reisch said. "I just want to make it look nicer. I’d like to be a good neighbor."The essence of the variance request boiled down to a few key questions, according to Rock County Attorney Don Klosterbuer.He asked how many animal units the property was permitted for. Even though livestock is a non-conforming use of land in an A-1 zone, it’s allowed for Reisch as long as he doesn’t expand the non-conforming use.In other words, he can’t have more cattle than the previous land owner had, and, according to Klosterbuer’s interpretation, he can’t "intensify" the level of the cattle operation.Reisch said he was under the impression he was grandfathered in for up to 175 animal units because that’s what was registered on the property for the 2003 Rock County feedlot audit. That would allow for up to 200 feeder cattle on the roughly 17 acres in that location.But Klosterbuer said that 2003 registration represents an inventory of cattle on the property at that time. It doesn’t mean that’s the number that’s permitted on the property.In the variance application process, the law considers the animal units originally registered on the property, and in 2001, Greg McClure registered 66 animal units."You say you’ve been operating there for eight years, and you want to do the same thing you’ve been doing," Klosterbuer said. "Then how do we get from 66 animal units in 2001 to 175 animal units in 2003? The law doesn’t allow you to unilaterally expand that use."Klosterbuer said it’s important to make the distinction between Reisch’s cattle operation and the building permit."Is the variance request for a building or to expand the non-conforming use?"He asked Reisch how he’d describe the cattle business he plans to operate with the new building."Are we cow-calf operation or a feeder cattle operation?" Klosterbuer said.Reisch said, "Whatever the niche is in the market. I can’t answer that, because I don’t know what the values will be."Klosterbuer said it’s important to know, because a cow-calf operation wouldn’t affect the neighborhood or park visitors. They’re moved about once a year, and otherwise, the animals are relatively settled in the pasture.But a feeder cattle operation would represent truck traffic, noise from vaccinating, castrating and dehorning and smell and flies from manure in a confined space.Reisch said he didn’t do those things in the past on the property McClure was renting, but if he had the new building, he said he likely would.Klosterbuer said the A-1 zone wouldn’t allow construction of a facility unless he conforms to the pre-existing land use, which wouldn’t include the level of feedlot activity that feeder cattle would entail.Ben Vander Kooi, president of Blue Mounds State Park Partners said he attended Tuesday’s meeting for information."Frankly, after what I’m hearing tonight, I’m concerned," he said. He said the current cow-calf operation in a pasture isn’t a concern, but feeder cattle in the numbers Reisch is proposing would be detrimental."I would ask you to deny the variance," Vander Kooi said.The board has until mid-July to rule on the variance request.

By Sara QuamThe Luverne City Council formed a special committee of Mayor Andy Steensma and Council members Maynard Lafrenz and Esther Frakes to take charge of the hiring process for a new city administrator.Greg La Fond’s last day is Friday, and by then the committee hopes to have a draft job description ready to advertise the position through the League of Minnesota Cities.The city of Luverne is a member of the League, which offers lobbying, legal advice and other services to its member cities. The city of Luverne will advertise the position through the League’s Web site to start. The League may also offer guidance in the hiring process. City staff will also be heavily involved in this stage.The city paid Brimeyer Group, Hopkins, two years ago at $14,000 to advertise and make contacts for the job. Brimeyer also did background and credit checks, but the city can do some of that now.The Council narrowed Brimeyer’s selection to the final five, who were interviewed for the administrator.Councilman Bob Kaczrowski said, "Almost more important than the hiring,is what we’re going to do in the interim. … When we used Brimeyer last time, it took five to six months, but it would be nice to shorten that."As a matter of getting by before a temporary or permanent administrator can be found, City Clerk Marianne Perkins was designated as the signatory for official city documents in the absence of an administrator.A representative from the union and another consultant for the city couldn’t meet before La Fond was terminated, effective Friday. In order to continue negotiations with the union to finalize the contract, La Fond submitted a proposal to continue that process for $5,433 including consulting services, mileage and per diems. The mayor requested he submit the proposal, but the council hasn’t decided on it yet.

By Sara QuamFew would disagree that the Rock County Law Enforcement Center is inadequate. Whether the facility’s condition actually warrants spending and, if so, how to spend the money are the questions. Rock County Commissioners took the first step in securing money for a new or remodeled jail by hosting a bond hearing for a five year capital improvement plan (CIP) Monday night.The CIP allows for either Law Enforcement Center renovation or new construction, a fiber loop for county computer operations and a new courthouse garage in 2005. Not knowing costs for a law enforcement building project, commissioners indicated they would probably bond for about $1 million and supplement the rest of the project from an existing building fund.The hearing drew about 10 people, who got the chance to review the process of a county bond and offer opinions on how to handle the Law Enforcement Center. Dave Lorenzen, a Denver Township officer, asked the board what the difference was between bonding for this CIP and the vote five years ago to bond for law enforcement improvements."The public has expressed its feelings already. I’m not saying they were right or wrong, but people in the townships and county are going to think it’s the same thing," Lorenzen said.Five years ago, voters turned down a ballot question to bond for $1 million to renovate the LEC. Through the current process the county is using, voters don’t have a direct say in the bonding. But they do have options.If the board votes to use general obligation bonds to pay for projects through the CIP, the bonding is subject to a reverse referendum that can be forced through a petition signed by 263 voters (5 percent of last election’s turnout).The petition would have to be completed by June 23.The ballot question would be whether to bond at all, not whether voters agreed with parts or all of the CIP itself.The 2000 vote failed by less than 200 votes.Commissioner Jane Wildung said, "The issue last time had to do with whether they thought it was the right project. I heard so many comments that people thought it should have been built new. There was division among the employees, and without their support, it couldn’t go through."Wildung said the "tremendous safety and security issues" make the project necessary — whether newly constructed or remodeled.Springwater Township Chairman Darrell Hoeck said he favored building new over repairing the current facility."It’s like any old building. I just about don’t think it is worth going after to repair," Hoeck said.Clinton Township board member Steve Top said he would support building a new LEC if it didn’t mean a remodeling project for the abandoned one would also sneak up on taxpayers.County Board Chairman Ken Hoime said, "We have good employees who deserve a good place to work. … That building is chopped up and really outdated."About one-third of the space inside the LEC is unusable. Another issue has been security: once inside, people can leave without having to have an escort. Also, there is no holding area for prisoners when first arrested or when waiting for court appearances. There have been up to four prisoners on a bench that serves as a holding area. Sometimes, officers are left with no option but to handcuff prisoners to folding chairs. Evidence storage and moisture problems on communication equipment are also problems in the current LEC.Commissioner Ron Boyenga said convenience of the location is a consideration for keeping the existing facility.County Administrator Kyle Oldre said plans for the existing LEC, built in 1900, are a part of the study.Wildung said, "The old law enforcement center is essentially unusable so it’s hard to vote to spend for a new one until we can have a plan for the old."Commissioner Richard Bakken said he leans toward remodeling the current building to keep the courthouse campus in tact, something that the city and county are proud to feature in photographs and tours.Robert Tangeman, Luverne resident, said, "This courthouse here is something I am so proud of, and I brag about it to everybody. … The outside of that law enforcement center is architecturally beautiful and a nice match to the courthouse. It’d be a crime to tear it down."Bakken said, "If we can’t make it work to remodel, I guess we’ll have to build new, but I’d sure like to know that for a fact before we bring in the wrecking ball."The CIP is preliminary at this point. The state has to review it even if a petition doesn’t force the issue on the ballot.Oldre said, "It’s a big decision for this county because whatever you do, it’s a commitment to a building that will last another 80 years."(GRAPHIC cutline)Costs for taxpayersCounty Commissioners had the hearing Monday in order to get public input for bonding up to $1.75 million, even though commissioners say it will probably end up being closer to $1 million.In that case, the effects of the tax increase would be felt at 2.44 percent in the county line item. (Of course, school or city taxes wouldn’t change.)For a residential homestead property with an estimated market value of $133,500, the difference would be $11.08 in 2006.For a residential homestead property with an estimated market value of $63,500, the difference would be an increase of $3.47 in 2006.For farmland with a value of $59,000, the increase would be $5.93 in 2006.If the county bonds, it has 20 years to pay it back, so tax increases would last that long.

By Lexi MooreHills-Beaver Creek School Board members approved a new K-12 science curriculum during their meeting on Monday night.The H-BC curriculum advisory committee, including board member Ann Boeve, recommended the Scott Foresman Company science curriculum that spans from kindergarten to senior high.Science instructors and H-BC Elementary Principal Todd Holthaus have been researching possible science curriculum for two years and determined that this company offered the best services for H-BC’s needs.The group took steps to ensure the new curriculum meets both federal and state science requirements.Ann Boeve had the highest respect for the committee and their commitment to the curriculum they chose."I believe this is what they want and I recommend we approve it," Boeve told board members. "They were very confident with it, which I liked."Holthaus explained that the new curriculum will overlap and connect grade levels and offered many advantages over the current texts.The curriculum has few items that would need to be reordered on an annual basis and it offers leveled readers for younger grades. This gives students of all reading levels a chance to read and comprehend the concepts.The committee included an experimental Web-based enhancement for junior high students. The Web program adds $7 to the price of each textbook and gives students the ability to access their textbook online.The total cost of the new curriculum is $22,230.33 for both the elementary and secondary science programs.A motion made by Boeve was seconded by Gary Esselink and approved by the board to accept the Scott Foresman K-12 Science Curriculum. The new texts will be used when students begin in the fall.In other school news:
The Minnesota House and Senate finished their regular sessions without making decisions on key educational policy. Minnesota governing bodies are meeting in a special session that began Tuesday at 12:01 a.m.When the special session closes, the H-BC School Board members will be able to see what kind of financial support they are going to receive from the state. Because a decision was not made to mandate a statewide start date during the regular session, the H-BC 2005-2006 school year at H-BC will begin and end according to the school calendar approved by the board on April 11.Students will return to school on Sept. 1, 2005. The year will end on May 25, 2006, with graduation services on May 26.
The board approved summer contracts for Laura Louwagie, Mary Mudder, Diane VandenHoek, Angie Blosmo and Sara Oldre as summer employees with the H-BC School District.Sara Oldre will act as Book of the Week Club coordinator and the remaining individuals will act as instructors.The Book of the Week Club is for children living in the H-BC area in sixth grade or younger. There are 90 students registered for the program that will meet on Wednesday mornings in June and July. Each week the program will have a new theme.Parents interested in signing up their children for this event can call Oldre at 673-2541.Funding for the event comes from Rock County Family Services, Sioux Valley Energy and the $25 registration fee.
The board approved summer contracts for Mary Mudder and Jil Vaughn for continuing special education and special needs services during summer vacation. This ensures these students do not regress during the summer months.Larson attends final meeting:Matt Larson attended his final school board meeting as a member of the board. Larson handed in his letter of resignation during the March 25 board meeting.Board members took turns thanking Larson for his service and dedication to the board during his tenure."Thanks for your public dedication, your time and your heart. I can honestly say the kids are better off because you where a board member," said Deragisch.Larson and his family have lived in Beaver Creek for several years, but they will be moving to Madison, S.D., in June. It was with a heavy heart that Larson finished his final meeting."I got more out of it than I put in," were his final words to the board before the meeting adjourned.His daughter Hailey, a H-BC sixth-grader, attended the meeting and treated board members to cake in honor of her father’s last meeting.The board has not approved anyone to fill the vacant seat on the board but put replacement of school board member on the agenda for their meeting on June 6.Policy News:H-BC School Board members heard the first reading of three policies. The board will vote to accept or deny the new versions of policy numbers 210, 211 and 213 at the board meeting on June 6.
Policy 210 addresses the conflict of interest issue when board members are providing a paid service to the school.The new version of the policy would not allow board members earnings from the school district to exceed $8,000 in one fiscal year. Board members receiving more than that amount would have a conflict of interest in serving on the board and would need to either step down from their position or stop working for the school.The original version of the policy limits
Policy 211 handles how districts respond to criminal or civil action against the district, board members, employees or students.The new version of this policy would be amended to include the words "juvenile justice" under the Criminal Charges or Conduct section of the policy.The addition of these words would give the school authority to release educational and personnel data to juvenile justice and law enforcement
Policy 213 mandates that school districts appoint board members to the following standing committees; finance, policy, building and grounds and negotiations.

By Lexi MooreStandard & Poor’s, an independent investment research, data, and valuations provider, conducted an analysis of 332 school districts in Minnesota. The Hills-Beaver Creek School District received the highest score given for reading and math proficiency over the course of two consecutive years, 2001-02 and 2002-03.H-BC Elementary Principal Todd Holthaus presented the data to the school board Monday night. "Our students were the highest," he said. "We received a 98.9 percent. We set the bar for the other schools."Superintendent David Deragisch said he was excited about the study. "This is a reflection, not only of our students and staff, but our parents too," Deragisch said. "We are all in this together."Board member Gary Esselink asked Deragisch to deliver the following message to the graduating seniors during their commencement ceremony. "This achievement is a culmination of your hard work and efforts."H-BC was the leader among the 332 school districts in Minnesota that had sufficient data for analysis. Only 22 school districts, or 6.6 percent, were mentioned for outperforming demographically similar school districts in reading and math proficiency. These "outperforming" school districts are diverse, serving student populations in 2002-03 that range from 30.2 to 60.3 percent economically disadvantaged, while achieving average proficiency rates in reading and math that range from 80.3 to 98.9 percent. The 98.9-percent score was given to H-BC.Standard and Poor’s used three fundamental criteria to identify outperforming school districts:
School districts must achieve higher levels of student proficiency than peers. Districts must report higher percentages of students that score above state standards on reading and math tests than other school districts that serve similar proportions of economically disadvantaged students.
School districts must perform at a level that significantly exceeds
School districts must perform consistently. The first two criteria must be met in performance for at least two consecutive years.Standard and Poor’s believes that highlighting Minnesota’s 22 outperforming school districts is important because it may shed light on effective strategies and "best practices" that can help lower performing "peers" make needed improvements necessary to impact student achievement.

By John RittenhouseHills-Beaver Creek High School sophomore Kerri Fransman experienced a busy week as a member of the Luverne High School softball team.The Cardinals split a double-header against Worthington in Luverne Tuesday before sweeping a twin bill from Adrian Area in Ellsworth Friday.Luverne opened Section 3A Tournament play in Pipestone Tuesday, going 1-1 to remain alive in the double-elimination event.The Cards faced Redwood Valley in the tournament opener and scored two runs in the top of the seventh inning to pull out a 5-3 win.Fransman chipped in an RBI in the third inning of the game and scored one of the two runs in the seventh. She singled once in four trips to the plate.Pipestone blanked the Cardinals 6-0 in the second round.Luverne was limited to one hit in the game, and Fransman went 0-1 at the plate. She did draw a pair of walks against Pipestone.Fransman went 2-6 at the plate during Friday’s twin bill in Ellsworth.The H-BC sophomore singled and scored four runs during a 20-0 victory over AA in the opener.Fransman made a key play during a 3-2 victory in the finale.Trailing 2-1 in the bottom of the fifth, Fransman laid down a bunt that allowed the tying run to score from third base. Luverne proceeded to score the game-winning run as the inning progressed.Fransman went 1-2 at the plate in the second game against AA.Fransman slapped two hits in six official trips to the plate during Thursday’s double-header against Worthington in Luverne.She laid down a bunt single in the first inning of Game 1 before delivering a double in the sixth during a 10-run victory.Fransman went 0-1 in the second game, a three-run loss. She walked twice and recorded a sacrifice bunt.Luverne, 9-10 overall, resumes tournament play in Redwood Falls Saturday. The Cards play a 12:30 p.m. game.

By John RittenhouseHills-Beaver Creek-Ellsworth-Edgerton athletes established records during the Red Rock Conference Track and Field Championships in Slayton Tuesday.Senior Cassi Tilstra set a new school standard for the girls in the 400-meter dash. The boys 800-meter relay team of Jan Sommerling, Kale Wiertzema, Tyler Bush and John Sandbulte posted a new meet record.Tilstra covered 400 meters in 59.32, winning the event and besting Nancy Hume’s old school record of 1:00.1, which was established in 1980.The 800-meter relay won a conference title and set a new meet record with a time of 1:34.33.The record-setting efforts proved to be the highlights of the meet for the H-BC-E-E teams, which finished fourth in their respective fields.H-BC-E-E’s girls won the 800- and 1,600-meter relays with respective 1:51.69 and 4:13.12 efforts. Amanda Connors, Mya Mann, Rosie Lewis and Tilstra ran the 800. Amanda and Cassi Tilstra, Mann and Jocelyn Bucher joined forces in the 1,600.Lewis, Connors, Kelly Mulder and Ashley Bucher placed second in 54.57 for the Patriot girls.The win produced by the 800-meter relay proved to be the lone RRC title captured by the H-BC-E-E boys.Sommerling (23.85 in the 200), Bush (1:58.28), Wiertzema (51.95 in the 400) and Cody Scholten (6-0 in the high jump) placed second individually.The 400-meter relay team of Scholten, Wiertzema, Jon Klaassen and Bush placed second in 46.46.Here is a look at the rest of H-BC-E-E’s individual efforts and the team standings from the RRC meet.Boys standings: Fulda 147, Southwest Christian 137.5, Murray County Central 107.5, H-BC-E-E 77, Mountain Lake-Butterfield-Odin 63, Adrian 54, Southwest United 41, Comfrey-Springfield 37, Westbrook-Walnut Grove-Red Rock Central 37.Girls standings: MCC 117.5, SWC 98.5, SWU 93, H-BC-E-E 86.5, Adrian 81, Fulda 67, W-WG-RRC 65, ML-B-O 61.5, C-S 39.5.H-BC-E-E girlsThird place: Lewis, discus, 105-5; Kari Roozenboom, 100 hurdles, 18.38.Fourth place: C.Tilstra and Cassie Duncan cleared 4-6 to share fourth place in the high jump; Mann, long jump, 15-0; Mann, 800, 2:29.3.Fifth place: 3,200 relay (Ashley and Jocelyn Bucher, Rayna Sandoval and Amanda DeBoer), 10:48.5.Sixth place: Mulder, long jump, 14-8; Lewis, shot, 32-2.H-BC-E-E boysFourth place: Scholten, 100, 12.08.Fifth place: Cody Schilling, triple jump, 36-7.Sixth place: Sommerling, 400, 54.12; Scholten, 200, 24.67; 1,600 relay (Sandbulte, Klaassen, Schilling and Derek Haak), 3:50.8.

By John RittenhouseThe Luverne softball team remains alive in the Section 3A Tournament after going 1-1 in Pipestone Tuesday to open the event.Luverne nipped Redwood Valley by two runs in the opening round before losing a six-run decision to Pipestone in the second round.The Cardinals capped Southwest Conference play by splitting a double-header with Worthington in Luverne Thursday.Luverne, 9-10 overall, resumes play in the double-elimination section tournament Saturday with a 12:30 p.m. game in Redwood Falls.Section 3A playThe Cardinals extended the season by going 1-1 to open the Section 3A Tournament in Pipestone Tuesday.Luverne edged RWV 5-3 in the first round before falling 6-0 to Pipestone in the second round.The Cards plated a pair of runs in the top of the seventh inning to win the opener.With the score deadlocked at three, LHS received a two-out break when Natalie Domagala reached base on a catcher’s interference call. Kerri Fransman reached base on an error before Sarah Ailts delivered a two-run double to give the Cards a 5-3 cushion.When LHS pitcher Sarah Wynia retired RWV without allowing a run in the bottom of the seventh, the Cards prevailed by two runs.Wynia fanned 11 batters, walked five and surrendered five hits while going the distance on the mound.Fransman received an RBI in the third inning and Alison Brands slapped a two-run double in the fourth.The Cardinals couldn’t keep the momentum going in the second game against Pipestone.The teams battled to a scoreless draw through four and one-half innings before the Arrows took advantage of six Luverne errors in the bottom of the fifth to score six runs.Sarah Schneekloth singled in the fifth inning to account for Luverne’s lone hit in the contest.Wynia tossed all six innings for LHS, striking out five batters, walking two and surrendering four hits.Worthington setThe Cardinals capped a 4-8 Southwest Conference season by splitting a twin bill with the Trojans in Luverne Thursday.The hosts cruised to a 12-2, six-inning win over Worthington in the opener. The Trojans evened the series with a 4-1 victory in the finale.Wynia turned in a solid pitching effort to lead the Cards to victory in Game 1. Wynia fanned nine batters and walked three during a six-hit effort.The Trojans scored two runs against the LHS pitcher to tie the game in the top of the second, but the Cards scored the next 10 runs to win handily.Ailts drove in three runs with two hits and Jessa Dahl picked up two hits and two RBIs to lead the Cards at the plate. Fransman and Domagala added two hits each.Luverne took a 1-0 lead in the second game when Domagala walked before scoring on Ailts’ fielder’s choice.Worthington countered by scoring the final four runs to win by three.Wynia went the distance on the hill. She recorded seven strikeouts, walked two batters and yielded four hits.Domagala doubled and Courtney Fodness singled for LHS in the game.

By John RittenhouseThe Luverne and Adrian High School baseball teams received their final tune-ups before postseason play by squaring off against each other in Luverne Monday.Luverne snapped a deadlock at one by scoring two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning and fought off a late challenge by AHS to post a 3-2 win.Zach Wysong put the Cards in front 2-1 with an RBI single in the fifth. Jared Pick, who walked earlier in the inning, scored from third base when a Luverne batter drew a throw to first base after a third strike eluded Adrian’s catcher.Adrian’s Joel Hoffman delivered an RBI double in the top of the seventh to trim Luverne’s lead to one run at 3-2. The Dragons had runners on first and third when the final out of the game was registered.Wysong opened the scoring for LHS with an RBI double in the first inning. Adrian knotted the score at one with Glen Kruger’s RBI double in the top of the fourth.J.T. Bruynes picked up the pitching win by tossing two innings of scoreless relief. Pick started the game and yielded one run in four innings. Ben Nath pitched the seventh inning and earned a save.Will Lutmer received the loss for AHS, pitching in relief for starter David Hoffer. Brandon Diekmann also pitched for AHS.The 9-8 Cards open Section 3AA play at noon Saturday in Pipestone, where they take on Murray County Central. The 11-9 Dragons host first-round games in the Section 3A Tournament Saturday. The Dragons play a noon game against Wabasso or Springfield.Box score AB R H BIJ.Pick 2 2 2 0Wysong 3 0 2 2Cote 1 0 0 0Boelman 2 0 0 0Herman 3 0 0 0Graphenteen 3 0 0 0Bruynes 1 0 0 0Boler 1 0 0 0Richters 1 0 0 0Oeding 1 0 0 0Lundgren 1 0 0 0B.Pick 1 0 1 0Nath 2 1 0 0Tofteland 2 0 0 0