SEPTEMBER 22, 2005MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 2184, ROCK COUNTY, LUVERNE, MINNESOTA. A regular meeting of the Board of Education, ISD #2184, was held in the District Office on Thursday, September 22, 2005, at 7:30 p.m. The following members were present: Vicki Baartman, Colleen Deutsch, Laura Herman, Dan Kopp, Cary Radisewitz, Bill Stegemann, and Becky Walgrave. Also present: Gary Fisher, Marlene Mann, Donna Judson, Stacy Gillette, Patsy Amborn, Lisa Dinger, and Matt Crosby, K101/KQAD Radio.The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Becky Walgrave. Announcements were given. Motion by Stegemann, second by Deutsch, to approve the agenda with addendum. Motion unanimously carried. Lisa Dinger presented information to the Board regarding the Elementary Child Guide program. Administrative reports were given.Motion by Stegemann, second by Herman, to approve the school board minutes of September 8, 2005, with one spelling correction. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Deutsch, second by Baartman, to approve payment of the district bills as presented in the amount of $794,258.02. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Stegemann, second by Deutsch, to receive the Student Activity Report showing the balances as of August 31, 2005. Motion unanimously carried. Stacy Gillette reviewed the Annual Report on Curriculum, Instruction and Student Achievement. Motion by Deutsch, second by Kopp, to approve this report. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Stegemann, second by Deutsch, to approve the budget publication report. This must be published by October 1. Motion unanimously carried.Motion by Radisewitz, second by Herman, to set the Proposed 2005 payable 2006 Property Tax Levy at the maximum. This year the levy will increase 4.33%. We will not need to hold a Truth-in-Taxation hearing this fall because the increase is under 5%. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Kopp, second by Deutsch, to accept the resignation of Nick Nafziger as Boys Hockey Coach effective August 1, 2005. Motion unanimously carried.Motion by Radisewitz, second by Deutsch, to approve the following student teachers from South Dakota State University – Lucas Sursely (Band) and Eric Price (Math). Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Stegemann, second by Baartman, to approve student teacher Rebecca Goehle from Augustana College in Elementary. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Stegemann, second by Kopp, to accept the resignation of Cheryl Cronberg, paraprofessional, effective September 23, 2005. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Herman, second by Deutsch, to approve the hiring of Jason Berghorst as long-term substitute for Lindsey Bonnett, special education teacher. Motion unanimously carried.Motion by Kopp, second by Stegemann, to approve a maternity leave request for Lori Gladis, Spanish teacher, for five weeks beginning on or about January 9, 2006. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Baartman, second by Deutsch, to approve a maternity leave request for Kelly Bergan, fifth grade teacher, for eight weeks beginning on or about December 4, 2005. Motion unanimously carried.Motion by Stegemann, second by Herman, to approve the hiring of Dustin Groen, paraprofessional, beginning October 3, 2005. Motion unanimously carried. Superintendent Fisher presented information and the following resolution for the JOBZ program:A SUB-ZONE RESOLUTION OF APPROVAL TO AUTHORIZE TAX EXEMPTIONSWHEREAS job creation, business development, and individual wealth growth in Luverne, Minnesota, have been less than the national and state averages; and, WHEREAS the resulting affects of such lagging job creation, business development, and individual wealth growth have harmed and are forecasted to continue to harm the economy of Luverne; and, WHEREAS the Job Opportunity Building Zone (JOBZ) Program created in Minnesota Session Laws 2003, 1st Special Session, Chapter 21, Article 1, allows for the formation of tax free zones; and WHEREAS an application for tax free zone designation in the City of Luverne, County of Rock, Minnesota is being prepared for submission to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development via the Southwest Regional Development Commission in partner with the Luverne Economic Development Authority. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SCHOOL BOARD OF ISD 2184, LUVERNE, MINNESOTA, that the Luverne School Board at its meeting held on the 22nd day of September, 2005, upon careful consideration and review, approves the specific areas designated in the application for tax free zones, approves the use of tax exemptions and tax credits within designated zones (subject to proper review and approval by the other appropriate taxing authorities within the zones), and encourages the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development to approve the Tax Free Zone Application being submitted by the Southwest Regional Development Commission in partner with the Luverne Economic Development Authority. Specifically, the Luverne ISD 2184 approves the transfer of 2.07 acres to the W.233.97 feet of Lot 2, Block 1, Gabrielson Industrial Subdivision (414 W. Gabrielson Parcel #20-1872-000) from the Southwest corner of Parcel #20-2134-000 to further promote job growth. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Luverne ISD 2184 agrees to provide all of the local tax exemptions and credits required and provided for under the Job Opportunity Building Zones (JOBZ) Legislation and agrees to forego the tax benefits resulting from the local and state tax exemptions and credits provided under the Job Opportunity Building Zones (JOBZ) Legislation.Motion by Radisewitz, second by Baartman, to approve the foregoing resolution. Motion unanimously carried. Committee reports were given. The upcoming meeting dates were reviewed.Motion by Stegemann, second by Deutsch, to adjourn the meeting. Motion unanimously carried. Dated: September 22, 2005 Colleen Deutsch, Clerk(10-20)

The Housing and Redevelopment Authority of Luverne has developed its Annual Agency Plan in compliance with the Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act of 1998. It is available for review at the Blue Mound Tower at 216 N. McKenzie in Luverne, MN, weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. A public hearing will be held on December 14, 2005, at the Authority’s office at 12 p.m. The public may attend.(10-20)

DISTRICT COURTPROBATE DIVISIONFIFTH JUDICIAL DISTRICTNOTICE AND ORDER FOR HEARING ON PETITION FOR DESCENT OF PROPERTYSTATE OF MINNESOTACOUNTY OF ROCKESTATE OFJENNIE ROZEBOOM DECEDENTA Petition for Determination of Descent has been filed with this Court. The Petition represents that the Decedent died more than three years ago, leaving property in Minnesota and requests the probate of Decedent’s last will, if any, and the descent of such property be determined and assigned by this Court to the persons entitled to the property. Any objections to the Petition must be filed with the Court prior to or raised at the hearing. If proper, and no objections are filed or raised, the Petition may be granted.IT IS ORDERED and Notice is further given, that the Petition will be heard on Monday, November 14, 2005, at 3:30 (p.m.) by this Court at Rock County Courthouse Luverne, Minnesota.(1) Notice shall be given to all interested persons (Minn. Stat. 524.1-401) and persons who have filed a demand for notice pursuant to Minn. Stat. 524.3-204.(2) Notice shall be given by publishing the Notice and Order as provided by law and by: Mailing a copy of this Notice and Order at least 14 days prior to the hearing date./s TIMOTHY K. CONNELLTIMOTHY K. CONNELLJudge Date/s/ SANDRA L. VRTACNIKSANDRA L. VRTACNIKCourt Administrator DateAttorney For PetitionerBENJAMIN VANDER KOOI, JR.VANDER KOOI LAW OFFICES, P.A.127 E. MainP.O. Box 746Luverne, MN 56156-0746507-283-9546Attorney I.D. No. 112124(10-13, 10-20)

DISTRICT COURTPROBATE DIVISIONFIFTH JUDICIAL DISTRICTNOTICE AND ORDER OF HEARING ON PETITION FOR PROBATE OF WILL AND APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORSSTATE OF MINNESOTACOUNTY OF ROCKESTATE OFJoAnn Elizabeth Gieseke DECEDENTIt is Ordered and Notice is given that on Monday, November 14, 2005, at 3:30 (p.m.) a hearing will be held in this Court at Rock County Courthouse Luverne, Minnesota, for the formal probate of an instrument purporting to be the will of Decedent, dated April 18, 2005, and codicil (N/A) to the will dated N/A, and separate writing (N/A) under Minn. Stat. 524.2-513 ("Will"), and for the appointment of Deborah J. Fodness whose address is: 917 Geiser, Box 361, Larchwood, IA 51241 as personal representative of the Estate of the Decedent in a SUPERVISED administration. Any objections to the petition must be filed with the Court prior to or raised at the hearing. If proper and if no objections are filed or raised, the personal representative will be appointed with full power to administer the Estate, including the power to collect all assets, pay all legal debts, claims, taxes and expenses, to sell real and personal property, and do all necessary acts for the Estate. Notice is also given that (subject to Minn. Stat. 524.3-801) all creditors having claims against the Estate are required to present the claims to the personal representative or to the Court Administrator within four months after the date of this Notice or the claims will be barred. /s/ TIMOTHY K. CONNELLTIMOTHY K. CONNELL Judge Date/s/ SANDRA L. VRTACNIKSANDRA L. VRTACNIKCourt Administrator DateAttorney For Personal RepresentativeBENJAMIN VANDER KOOI, JR.VANDER KOOI LAW OFFICES, P.A.127 E. MainP.O. Box 746Luverne, MN 56156-0746507-283-9546Attorney I.D. No. 112124(10-13, 10-20)

NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALENOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that default has occurred in the conditions of the following described mortgage:DATE OF MORTGAGE: October 20, 2003ORIGINAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF MORTGAGE: $77,038.00MORTGAGOR(S):Debbie Counts and, and Joseph Counts, both single personsMORTGAGEE: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc.DATE AND PLACE OF RECORDING:Recorded: February 19, 2004Rock County RecorderDocument #: 158134LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY:The S. 96 feet of the N. 192 feet of the E. 148 1/2 feet of Block 22 in Helgeson and Qualleys Addition to the Village (now City) of Hills, Rock County, MinnesotaCOUNTY IN WHICH PROPERTY IS LOCATED: RockAMOUNT DUE AND CLAIMED TO BE DUE AS OF DATE OF NOTICE: $84,992.94 THAT all pre-foreclosure requirements have been complied with; that no action or proceeding has been instituted at law or otherwise to recover the debt secured by said mortgage, or any part thereof;PURSUANT to the power of sale contained in said mortgage, the above described property will be sold by the Sheriff of said county as follows:DATE AND TIME OF SALE: November 10, 2005 10:00 A.M.PLACE OF SALE: Sheriff’s Main Office Courthouse Steps, West Entrance Luverne, MNto pay the debt secured by said mortgage and taxes, if any, on said premises and the costs and disbursements, including attorneys fees allowed by law, subject to redemption within 6 months from the date of said sale by the mortgagor(s), their personal representatives or assigns.Mortgagors(s) released from financial obligation: NONETHIS COMMUNICATION IS FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. THE RIGHT TO VERIFICATION OF THE DEBT AND IDENTITY OF THE ORIGINAL CREDITOR WITHIN THE TIME PROVIDED BY LAW IS NOT AFFECTED BY THIS ACTION.THE TIME ALLOWED BY LAW FOR REDEMPTION BY THE MORTGAGOR, THE MORTGAGOR’S PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES OR ASSIGNS, MAY BE REDUCED TO FIVE WEEKS IF A JUDICIAL ORDER IS ENTERED UNDER MINNESOTA STATUTES, SECTION 582.032, DETERMINING, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT THE MORTGAGED PREMISES ARE IMPROVED WITH A RESIDENTIAL DWELLING OF LESS THAN FIVE UNITS, ARE NOT PROPERTY USED IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, AND ARE ABANDONED.Dated: September 22, 2005Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. MortgageeWilford & GeskeAttorneys for MortgageeLawrence A. WilfordJames A. Geske7650 Currell BoulevardSuite 300Woodbury, Minnesota 55125(651)209-3300(9-22, 9-29, 10-6, 10-13, 10-20, 10-27)

Chuck Matson gives advice direct from drug users: Don’t even start.The professional speaker was here in 2002 and talked to Luverne students in an unforgettable, dynamic presentation. He is speaking to them again next week and is broadening his audience by inviting the general public. The local Meth Task Force sponsors the presentations.He will speak Monday, Oct. 24, to the Luverne High School at 9:30 a.m., Luverne Middle School at 10:45 a.m. and Hills-Beaver Creek High School at 1 p.m.As a veteran of the Omaha Police Department, he has seen first-hand the aftereffects of drugs and shares what he has seen, including pictures, in his presentation. He tells listeners that drug use supports terrorism, because people like Osama bin Laden and groups like the Russian Mafia produce drugs. Matson also plays at people’s vanity by showing them mug shots of drug users looking worse over time. He also shows brain scans of drug users and how the damage is irreparable.Some of our readers might not think there’s a drug problem locally, but not everyone who’s busted for possession makes the paper. And thanks to meth cookers, even law abiding cold medicine users have to sign off on purchases of certain drugs so the illegal drug problem touches all of us.Methamphetamines are getting a lot of attention, with a few manufacturing sites found in Rock County in the past two years and a special task force formed to address problems with meth. Other drugs, so-called party drugs, are also on the rise and create just as much long-term damage to the brain and body as meth does.Matson is a dynamic and convincing speaker, and we hope the general public and our school kids remember his message and share it with those who can’t make his presentation.

A TWISTER STRIKESThe following appeared in the Rock County News on June 23, 1892:Rock County Gets a Terrible Visitation From the Powers of the StormMrs. Ole Sundem and child killed in Martin Township. Crops Damaged.Rock county got a taste of the cyclone epidemic that is wandering around the country, on Monday afternoon when a destructive wind swept across the three southern townships, starting in at Manley and passing over the border into Iowa in Kanaranzi. The only loss of life occurred in Martin township, where Mrs. Ole Sundem was instantly killed by the total collapse of the house. She and her husband noticed the approach of the storm and attempted to flee from the house. Mr. Sundem succeeded in getting out with two of the children, but his wife was caught in the very doorway and hurled back into the ruins of the dwelling which was utterly demolished. She was instantly killed and two of the children who were with her were badly injured. One of them has since died.The depot, blacksmith shop, store and several residences in Manley were completely demolished, the only building left standing being the Manley bottling works.At Ash Creek out houses were blown down and chimneys demolished. A wagon tongue was blown clear through the Omaha depot, and the front end of the wagon was badly wrecked against the depot.In all parts of the territory through which the storm passed, all of the small buildings were blown down and hardly a chimney left standing.The hail did an immense amount of damage to the growing crops. Many farmers will lose their entire crop and the damage will foot well up into the thousands. One hail insurance company represented in this place estimates its loss at $6,000.The hail at Ash Creek went through the windows, tin pails and sheet iron chimneys like bullets.The storm was about a mile wide along its entire course.Will Delamater had a narrow escape. He was returning to this city from Rock Rapids and was a few miles south of Ash Creek when the storm struck. His buggy was overturned, throwing him upon the team, followed by the buggy. He and the team and buggy were tangled up together for a while but he finally escaped with only a few bruises.Trees near Ash Creek, three feet in diameter, were twisted like pipe stems, and the fruit trees were devastated of their entire fruit crop.TUESDAY NIGHT’S STORMTuesday night another storm followed in the wake of Monday’s but was not as bad. But little hail fell and no damage is reported. No wind accompanied the rain. The rain, however, fell in torrents. A heavier fall cannot be remembered by the oldest inhabitant. The streets and fields in the morning resembled huge lakes. Bridges all along its path were swept away, and all the trains east were late, the Doon not arriving until afternoon.W. A. Wright, reopened his fish pond beneath his store in the morning but did very little business during the day.The front wall of the Barck-Stephens block caved in during the night. Damages about $200.Donations to the Rock County Historical Endowment Fund can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, P.O. Box 741, Luverne, MN 56156. Mann welcomes correspondence sent to mannmade@iw.net.

‘Throwing money at schools isn’t the answer,’ but bills need to be paidToday is Oct. 20. and that means:
There are only nine more shopping weeks until Christmas,
There’s still time to get me something for my Oct. 23 birthday, and
There are only 18 days remaining before the Nov. 8 special election on Luverne School District’s referendum.A recent phone poll in the Luverne District showed that many of our local residents aren’t familiar with the issues surrounding the referendum and don’t care.That surprises me, considering the health of a school district is a major indicator in the overall health of a community.We should ALL care about the vote, regardless of whether or not we have children in school.Families choose to live here because of the strong school, and entire businesses have located here because there’s a healthy district for the children of employees.I’m also surprised by the number of people who think they understand school finance. We have district residents (whom I’ve never seen at a public school board meeting) assert that our teachers are overpaid, our classrooms over funded and that "throwing money at schools" isn’t the answer.Unfortunately, money is the answer to maintaining a thriving district. It allows us to offer competitive salaries to the people who deliver the quality programs we’ve enjoyed to this point.Those who believe a teacher’s work day is from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. haven’t been to the school at 7 a.m. or at 5:30 p.m. and don’t see the large tote bags of work these "overpaid" teachers take home with them at night.The majority of cuts so far ($600,000 last year) represent teachers who are NO LONGER employed by the district and are no longer leading the programs we were once proud of (all day every day kindergarten and high school vocational coursework, for example).Without a referendum, we’ll be looking at additional program cuts, equally as drastic as those, and frankly, we won’t recognize Luverne School District when it’s all over.The meager 1.7 percent increase in state aid (not 4 percent legislators are bragging about) not only doesn’t keep up with inflation, it won’t keep up with this winter’s heat bill at school. That says nothing about fueling buses and maintaining computer labs.It all takes money that the state has failed to adequately provide.The district mailed information to every home last week. If you missed that, you can call the district office, 283-8088, with questions, or see the district’s Web site, www.2184.net.

I didn’t get to witness the spectacle in person, but it must have been an inspiring moment when Adrian’s Jessica Parsley returned to the court during Thursday’s volleyball match at Southwest Christian.Call me a softy, but I always find myself pulling for our area seniors during their final years of high school competition simply because it’s a rewarding experience for them.In the case of Parsley, a 6-2 middle hitter for the Dragons, her senior season nearly became a forgettable one due to a practice incident on Sept. 16.About 30 minutes into the Friday practice, Parsley collapsed to the ground in pain after she dislocated her kneecap during a drill. I’ve never seen such an injury, but the way AHS coach Mary Jo Graphenteen described it to me, my stomach felt a little bit uneasy."What I remember the most was the tears and the silence in the gym after it happened," Graphenteen recalled."I know quite a few of the girls saw Jessica’s knee and how it looked. They were in shock."When initial reports indicated that Parsley would miss the rest of the season, I grew sick in my stomach again. Here is a girl who plays just one sport, and now she’ll miss the priceless experience of playing volleyball during her senior season, I thought to myself.Parsley, however, didn’t give in that easily.Instead of cashing in her chips and calling it a year, the AHS senior set her sights on returning to the court for last weekend’s Subway Tournament in Marshall. With lots of hard work and following a rehabilitation schedule set up by her physical trainer to the last detail, Parsley surpassed her own expectations by turning in a six-kill, five-block performance in Edgerton Thursday."She really beat the odds," Graphenteen offered."When she met with an orthopedist a little more than a week after the injury, she was expected to miss for up to six weeks. She ended up coming back in about 18 days after meeting the orthopedist, which tells you a little something about Jessica’s mentality. She was committed to coming back, and she did everything that was asked of her and more in order to do it."With Parsley on the floor, Adrian automatically becomes a better volleyball team.It might be tough for the Dragons to contend for a title in the very competitive South Section 3A volleyball field, but the Dragons will not be a team opponents can look past now that Parsley is making her presence felt at the net once again."Absolutely," was Graphenteen’s response, when asked if AHS was a better team with Parsley back on the court."The first thing all of our girls said after the SWC match was how much better everyone looked with Jessica back. Over the weekend (in Marshall), she kept us in some matches we might not have been in without her. I think she’ll continue to do that the rest of the year."Even if the Dragons do falter with Parsley in the front row, Graphenteen said she’ll never forget what happened in Edgerton Thursday night."It was one of the highlights of my career to see the look on her face when she stepped on the court again at SWC," Graphenteen said.I didn’t get to see Parsley’s return to the court, but I would like to congratulate her for winning the fight to get back into action for what I hope is the remainder of her senior season.