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Student enrollment takes a dive

By Lori EhdeLuverne School District’s enrollment took a hit this year, with 37 fewer students enrolled this year than last year.Last year in September, 1,322 students attended Luverne schools in preschool through 12 grade. This year, that number is 1,283.Dropping in enrollment has been a trend the past several years in Luverne, but this year represents a notably steeper drop than previous years.In September of 2001, there were 1,327 students and September of 2000 there were 1,348.Luverne School Board members reviewed enrollment figures at their Thursday, Sept. 11, meeting. While there wasn’t much discussion, declining enrollment is a big deal for school budgets, which receive state funding based largely on the number of pupils served.Considering state aid averages $5,000 per student, This year’s dip in enrollment represents a loss of roughly $185,000 in revenue for Luverne School District. There were 107 seniors last year, and this year’s kindergarten class has 98 students, but there were losses in other areas — particularly in the high school, which lost 24 kids in 10th, 11th and 12th grades.For example, there were 108 students in the junior class last year, but this year that same class returned with only 99 for their senior year.Similarly, there were 115 10th-graders last year, but they returned as juniors this year with only 107. The ninth-grade class last year had 107 students, and this year as sophomores, they returned as a class of 100.Board member Steve Tofteland asked if was just coincidence that those particular grades have lost so many students.High School Principal Gary Fisher responded that expectations and requirements change in the high school years."We’re looking for accountability," Fisher said, without going into detail.Many of the students leaving Luverne High School are attending classes in Ellsworth."We do have some students attending there where they may find it easier to earn a diploma," said Superintendent Vince Schaefer.In other business, Thursday the board:oReviewed numbers from Luverne’s Interactive TV classes. Ag instructor Dennis Moritz instructs four animal science classes on ITV with students participating from Edgerton, Adrian, Springfield and Comfrey.About a dozen Luverne students are able to attend sign language classes via ITV from Brenda Winter, who teaches from Hills-Beaver Creek.oHeard a presentation from Luverne Economic Development Authority Director Dan Statema on the JOBZ legislation. Since the school district is a taxing entity, a JOB zone in Rock County would need district approval.The board tabled action on the matter, pending further information.oHeard a presentation on the district’s Conservation Reserve Program application, which the federal government denied.oHeard a presentation from Randy Creeger of the Brandenburg Prairie Foundation, which is willing to provide seed necessary to establish a 10-acre prairie plot for educational purposes. It would be on the far northwest corner of school property, immediately north of the Loren Forest farm site. Seeds would be planted late fall 2004 or spring 2005.oHeard the first reading of the district’s policy on the Pledge of Allegiance, per new Minnesota legislation requiring district’s to do so.The school’s policy generally states that students in the district shall recite the Pledge at least once a week, unless a particular student or teacher chooses not to.The new law requires districts to have a Pledge policy on record, but it doesn’t change what’s already been in place in Luverne.oHeard that Keith Erickson, former Luverne Middle School Counselor, will work 20 to 25 hours per week in the Alternative School to help replace Rose Toering who resigned.oApproved maternity leave for English teacher Stacy Lihs, beginning Nov. 20.oApproved a leave of absence for second-grade teacher Jennifer Engesser Nov. 12-17 for four school days.

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