By Jolene Farley
The Hills-Beaver Creek School Board set a time and date for a public forum on the proposed locker room and fitness center project.

The forum and open house are planned for Monday, March 3, in the high school gymnasium. Tours of the locker rooms will be offered before the forum, from 6:30 to 7:20 p.m. and continue after the meeting is over.

Superintendent Dave Deragisch will open the forum with a history of the construction project, including results of two surveys mailed to district residents.

Discussion topics include building requirements, where the new locker rooms will be located and the proposed materials for the project.

Information will be provided on the estimated property tax impact of the project, according to property type, and changes in property taxes since 2001.

Deragisch asked board members if they thought written statements from area coaches should be included with the other information.

"They (the coaches) all said point blank, "You have the worst locker rooms," he said.

Agendas for the public forum will be posted in Hills, Beaver Creek and Steen.

Voters will go to the polls Tuesday, March 11, to decide on the proposed $400,000 levy needed for the project.

School budget cuts
The full February state aid payments were dispersed despite Minnesota Governor Pawlenty’s budget cuts, according to Deragisch.

"You don’t know how I was worrying about the February payment," he told the board.

"Everyone in this room and everyone in these communities will be affected by these budget cuts," he said.

Costa Rica trip
Spanish teacher Teri Richards updated the board on the student trip to Costa Rica, Central America, in June.

Richards assured the board that the company that booked the trip will postpone or refund the money for the trip if the United States goes to war and it is unsafe to travel.

Twenty Hills-Beaver Creek students are signed up for the joint science and Spanish trip.

"We’re going to make the best decision," said Richards. "We’re not going to put anyone in any danger."

Curriculum update
The Curriculum Advisory committee meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 11, touched on many topics. The language arts program purchased last spring from Scholastic was discussed.

Roger Jackson presented information on adding three classes, pre-algebra, consumer math and geometry to the curriculum.

Business, Industrial Arts/Technology and Vocational Agriculture are on the cycle to purchase textbooks for this year.

The Power Mechanics class is pricing hoists for the shop. The class maintains some school vehicles. Cost for a hoist is estimated at around $5,500.

Steve Wiertzema is looking at new Accounting I and II textbooks.

A sub-committee was formed to research and evaluate the current science curriculum and prepare for when textbooks are due to be purchased next spring.

In other board business:
oEnrollment projections are stable for the next few years.

"We are seeing a very steady, consistent number of students from year to year," Deragisch said. "We’re a very efficient one-section school."

oConcession stand sales totaled $11,349 this year. Of this amount, various groups received $4,539.

By Jolene Farley
Hills-Beaver Creek Superintendent Dave Deragisch expressed concern about possible state aid cuts to the board at a Monday meeting.

A state aid payment is expected this month, according to Deragisch. He said a "buy nothing" policy could be put in place if the payment is cut during Minnesota Governor Pawlenty’s budget negotiations.

"If we’re being affected now by the cuts, we’re going to have to stop buying things," he said. "It hurts the kids. When teachers buy things, it’s for the kids."

Deragisch went on to say the H-BC district currently has a healthy fund balance and he feels sorry for some other area schools that aren’t as fortunate.

He also informed the board that many of the programs funded by the Rock County Collaborative last year, including reading, math, and writing nights, Book of the Week Club and the Kid Care After School Program, are in jeopardy unless the programs can cash flow.

"A lot of the money we use for the Collaborative is gone," he said. "It‘s all part of the hurt."

In another cut, school districts are now forced to pay for pre-inspections of school buildings for health and safety issues. This service is used to help officials correct any issues before an Occupational, Safety, and Health Administration inspection.

Before the cuts, the Department of Children, Families and Learning paid for the preventative service.
"She goes through the building and makes recommendations," said Deragisch.

The district has received a $352 bill for the 2002-03 school year. Cost of the service is determined by the square footage of the inspected buildings.

H-BC to pair with Edgerton in track
The board voted to pair with Edgerton in track. The team, with less than 10 Edgerton students, will be called Hills-Beaver Creek-Ellsworth-Edgerton.

"We should make it clear we’re not going there to practice," said board member Matt Larson.

The track team uses the track in Luverne and Rock Rapids, Iowa, to practice. Tom Goehle is the track coach.

"I think it’s important as small schools that we work together," said board member Ann Boeve. "We need each other."

Board changes
student accounts
The board voted to change the Patriot Millwork checking account so that each year the balance is zeroed out, not carried over from year to year.

Auditors recommended the change to comply with Department of Children, Families and Learning recommendations to "clean up" an estimated $250 million held in student activity accounts in the state of Minnesota.

"It would be severing our association with Patriot Millworks," said Deragisch. "It will be run like a business now."

All revenues, expenses and payroll would run through the account. Any profit would be used to purchase supplies for the next year or new equipment.

Boeve asked if students could earn a business credit by participating in Patriot Millworks.

"When you have an account that has that kind of dollars running in and out of it, it’s a lot of work," she said.

Virus causes absenteeism
More than 40 students, or one-third of the elementary students, were absent Monday with a virus. School nurse Lois Leenderts submitted forms, required when there is a severe increase in student absences, to the Department of Health.

The Hills-Beaver Creek Early Childhood Family Education students in both sections mad Valentine crafts, read books, did finger plays and sang songs at class Monday. Ana Hagen (left) and Sidney Fick, both in the second session class, begin work on a craft project.

Submitted photo

Gold’n Plump glass is
still three-quarters full
There are a lot of long, sad faces in town over the layoffs at Gold’n Plump. … And, they’re probably warranted, especially among those whose jobs are being eliminated.

I’m afraid the news took community morale down a few notches, especially timed so soon after the closure of Jubilee Foods and Cook’s clothing.

In addition to those vacant buildings, we have other significant holes in town, including the beautiful Tri-State insurance office building, some industrial park locations and several Main Street storefronts.

Combine that with declining rural population and a dismal state budget, and we’ve got all the makings of a perfect pity party.

I tend to be an optimist of sorts, but I would encourage everyone to keep the Gold’n Plump news in perspective.

For one thing, the majority of laid off workers live in Worthington. It’s not as if our local housing market will take a major hit, or that our local economy will miss those paychecks.

Until recently, these Worthington employees commuted to and from Gold’n Plump via bus. They weren’t stopping for gas or groceries in Luverne, and it’s likely this town hasn’t seen one penny of their paychecks.

With that in mind, the layoffs represent more psychological damage to the town than an economic hit.

The main thing to keep in perspective is Gold’n Plump is still here. There are 140 jobs leaving, but 130 are staying. It’s still one of Luverne’s major employers.

Four and half years ago, we were looking at an empty IBP plant in need of renovations generating no property taxes for local coffers.

Gold’n Plump came in and spent $2 million to remodel the plant and now pays more than $20,600 annually in property taxes.

That hasn’t changed.

From 1999 to 2002 Gold’n Plump contributed more than $87,000 in charitable donations to local causes. In addition it donated $17,420 worth of chicken to various organizations and events, and another $16,500 in corporate and employee red arrow contributions.

That amount doesn’t include volunteer hours generously contributed by Gold’n Plump executives and employees.

In addition, the business circulates an estimated $1.6 million through the local economy by doing business with local merchants. That doesn’t include money spent by corporate executives staying at local hotels and eating in local restaurants.

This won’t change either.

CEO Mike Helgeson made it clear last week that Gold’n Plump is committed to staying in Luverne.

Coming from a lot of meat packing executives (especially the ones we used to deal with in Luverne), promises to rural communities don’t mean much.

But I’ve always felt Gold’n Plump is different.

The organization prides itself on the integrity of its company and its employees. In the four years I’ve known them, I’ve been continually impressed by its standards of ethics and generosity.

If you ask the employees, they’ll say the same thing. Gold’n Plump is simply a great asset to have in the community — with or without the 140 deboning jobs.

Next Palace movie has added significance, due to Challenger tragedy
"October Sky", will be showing this weekend at the Palace Theatre.

The movie is a true story about Homer Hickam, a coal miner’s son, who was inspired by the first Sputnik launch to take up rocketry against his father’s wishes.

Homer and three friends are determined to build their own rocket and help get America back in the "space race."

After the first couple of rockets cause some damage, they move their experimenting into the woods, so their parents won’t know about it.

With the help of a machinist from a local mine to build a rocket casing and some moonshine from some local stills, they continue in their efforts.

Hickam, who wrote the book that the movie was based on, later went on to work on the Shuttle program at NASA.

A movie review from Roger Ebert gave the movie a 3.5 star rating, out of four and the IMDb.com rated it 7.8 out of 10.

How will Minnesota’s budget crisis affect rural Minnesota
That is a good question, and I’m not sure anyone knows the answer yet.

However, a nonpartisan coalition of citizens, consisting of private and public sector leaders, employers and employees, community and faith-based organizations, are going to get together to talk about their budget concerns.

The group is called "Take Back Minnesota," and according to their mission statement, their goal is to "increase public awareness of the effects of the budget balancing proposals on our local rural communities by presenting clear and concise facts."

To accomplish that goal the group will hold a public meeting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 4. in the Luverne High School Little Theatre.

Representatives from local schools and government agencies will be on hand to present information and answer questions.

Should seniors get
tax credits for drugs?
Senator Dayton thinks so. Dayton recently introduced legislation that would provide federal tax credits to senior citizens for their prescription drug cost.

According to Dayton’s office the new legislation, "Rx Relief for Seniors Act," would provide a credit on federal income taxes for 100 percent of unreimbursed prescription drug costs for senior citizens with no taxable income

A married couple with $50,000 in taxable income would get a tax credit equal to 50 percent on their unreimbursed drug costs.

A married couple with $20,000 in taxable income would receive a tax credit equal to 60 percent of unreimbursed drug costs.

For all seniors, regardless of income, all unreimbursed drug costs which exceed 10 percent of taxable incomes would be fully covered by the federal government.

Prudence at the Palace was a success
Approximately 150 people showed up on a very cold Sunday afternoon, to see Prudence Johnson perform at the Palace Theatre.

According to Ben Vander Kooi, the turnout will encourage the group to continue to look for other forms of talent to use the Palace stage.

Johnson is currently a solo jazz artist who was formerly with the jazz group "Women that Cook."

Publisher Roger Tollefson can be reached by e-mail at tolly@star-herald.com

Services for Sonia Haggard will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27, at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Luverne. Burial will be in Maplewood Cemetery, Luverne.

Sonia "Sunny" Haggard, 69, White Bear Lake, formerly of Luverne, died Saturday, Feb. 22, 2003, at The Pillars, Oakdale.

Dingmann Funeral Home, Luverne, was in charge of arrangements.

Brenda F. (Givens) Adams, 50, Yankton, S.D., formerly of Luverne, died Saturday, Feb. 22, 2003, at Mercy Medical Center, Sioux City, Iowa.

Services were Tuesday, Feb. 25, at United Church of Christ, Yankton. The Rev Nelson Stone officiated. Burial was in Yankton Cemetery.

Brenda Givens was born March 18, 1952, to Roland and Frances (Bach) Givens in Watertown, S.D. She attended various schools in California and Minnesota, graduating from Luverne High School, Luverne, in 1970. She was a lifeguard, an avid swimmer and golfer in high school. She graduated from South Dakota State University, Brookings, S.D., in 1974 with a bachelor of science degree in nursing.

She married Dr. Curtis M. Adams on Aug. 10, 1974, at United Methodist Church in Luverne. She worked as a registered nurse at Bethesda Hospital in St. Paul, prior to moving to Yankton in 1977. She owned and operated Klay Korner, a unique ceramic shop in Yankton, for 15 years.

Mrs. Adams was an active member of United Church of Christ in Yankton, serving on the board of Christian education, board of trustees and teaching Sunday School. She and her husband enjoyed traveling, especially to Disney World, golfing (winning several golf championships in Minnesota and South Dakota) and collecting Hummels.

Survivors include her husband, Curt Adams, Yankton; three sons, Brent (Coreen) Adams, Jonathon (Sara) Adams, all of Vermillion, S.D., and Craig Adams, Brookings, S.D.; her parents, Roland and Frances Givens, Luverne; her mother-in-law, Ada Adams, Luverne; several cousins; and many friends. She will also be remembered for her love of her special four-legged companions, Snuggles, Snoopy and Duchess.

Mrs. Adams was preceded in death by her brother, J. Brent Givens, her maternal grandparents, John and Emma Bach, paternal grandparents, Ralph and Viola Givens, and her father-in-law, Lester Adams.

Ray, Cantrell & Wintz Funeral Home, Yankton, was in charge of arrangements.

Lee Brickson, 81, Luverne, died Monday, March 3 at Luverne Hospice Cottage. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, March 5 at 11 a.m. at Dingmann Funeral Home, Luverne.

Marie Berghorst, 92, died Saturday, March 1 at the Hospice Cottage, Luverne. Visitation will be Tuesday, March 4 from 2 to 9 p.m. at Engebretson Funeral Home, Luverne, with the family present from 7 to 9 p.m. Services will be Wednesday, March 5 at 10:30 a.m. at Christian Reformed Church, Luverne with Rev. George Koopmans officiating.