I am a parent of a 2005-06 kindergarten child. I am extremely frustrated with the Luverne School Board’s decision to cut the all day every day program and also with the decision to add an enrichment course. This course will only force parents to pay for their child's PUBLIC education.My belief is that the school board and administration should have had a public meeting for the parents to voice their opinions. I am saddened by the idea that the board and administration are using my child to make a point.Stacy Mente,Adrian

We are parents who are concerned about the School Board’s decision to eliminate all day every day kindergarten. The School Board’s decision to go to morning kindergarten and charge tuition for the afternoon class just isn’t fair. There are parents who cannot afford to pay this tuition and their children will miss out on the additional educationally based activities that the Kinder Plus program will offer. Will those students who cannot attend Kinder Plus be behind those that do attend and how will this affect their education in the future? In the years to come what will it cost the school to help those students who are behind because they could not attend Kinder Plus? Are we going to discriminate against those who cannot afford tuition or find financial assistance?At a time when we hear about "No child left behind," we would ask the School Board to reconsider their decision and allow the same educational opportunities for all students, even the kindergarteners. Kevin and Julie FickLuverne

First, let me say that I am extremely disappointed that our State government does not see the need to fund all-day kindergarten for all kindergarten students in the state. Parents, contact your legislators and urge them to support full funding for kindergarten. Secondly, I am extremely disappointed that our school district, administration and school board would make the choice to cut the all-day kindergarten program in spite of all the benefits it provides. It is even more upsetting that they would vote to provide enrichment to those students that can afford $1,350 a year. The district is not "cutting" any money, only taking in additional revenue from parents. I firmly believe that the all day program is beneficial to all students. ALL kindergarteners need physical education to develop gross motor skills, music to enhance learning from rhythm and rhyme which helps with reading and math skills. How can we provide equal education for all students when music, art, physical education, social activities and curriculum extension are reserved for those that can pay?What exactly is the district’s spending priorities? What is important to our community? Parents, make your voice known!Paula JelkenLuverne

I'm a concerned parent that has a child that was planning on going to kindergarten next fall. But the decision the School Board has made has possibly changed our minds.We are in the Ellsworth School District and open enrolled to Luverne. Since both my husband and myself graduated from Luverne we felt that we wanted the same for our kids. We are considering sending our son and daughter (which is in second grade) to Ellsworth. We have sent our son to Discovery Time for two years for him to get used to going to every day all day and now that was all for nothing.I would like to know how the School Board came up with dollar amount for the Kinder Plus? A lot of families will not be able to afford to send their child to this program. I thought Luverne has a policy of No Child Left Behind! But I guess we can for the Kindergarten kids. Disappointed Future Kindergarten Parent,Jeff and Missy FickEllsworth

Recently there was a Star Herald article about the School Board’s decision to eliminate all day every day kindergarten, but do people fully understand what was decided? While I do not agree that reducing the kindergarten program was the only acceptable option, that is not my greatest concern. Why was there no parent or community involvement in this decision? A survey was sent out in kindergarten roundup packets recently, but many parents did not receive it timely or were unaware that it was included. Is the School Board prepared to allow families to open enroll into surrounding districts that offer all day every day kindergarten since their late action to eliminate the Luverne program was taken well after the open enrollment deadline?My biggest concern is the $150 monthly fee for the afternoon program. One-hundred and fifty dollars is a lot of money for many families. The Minnesota Child Care Assistance Program may be able to help some, but not all. And, while the afternoon program is optional, it will present a definite advantage to children participating in it. Children whose families cannot afford the program will miss out, and they will fall behind. Has the School Board thought about how it will provide the skills these kids are missing when they get to first grade?Go back to the table. Get creative, be innovative and find a way to fund all day every day kindergarten for ALL of these kids.Diane Holmberg Luverne

I’m writing in concern for the upcoming 2005-2006 school year in regard to the kindergarten program.I understand why the school needed to cut the all-day-every-day program, but I am very disappointed. I know the town prides itself on our excellent school programs and that’s why it’s hard to understand why we would want our children to only get half-day kindergarten while all the small towns around us are still providing their kids with an all day every day kindergarten.I’m also concerned with the enrichment program they are offering in the afternoon for $150 a month. That is a lot of money for an enrichment program and it would leave a lot of kids unable to participate because of the cost. My understanding was that all children are entitled to equal education in a public school system and this is not equal. I’ve been told that my concerns don’t really matter, but I’m choosing to share them anyway in the hopes that somebody does care. Kristee and Mike HartLuverne

MINUTES OF THE HILLS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITYApril 12, 2005Dan Dahlquist, President of the Hills EDA, called the meeting to order at 8:15 P.M. with the following Board members present: Dana Dahlquist, Jim Jellema, Keith Elbers, and Linus Svoboda. Board members absent: Ross Metzger. Others present: Connie Wiertzema, EDA Secretary; Joanne Goehle, EDA Treasurer; and Lexi Moore, Reporter-Hills Crescent. Motion by Svoboda, seconded by Jellema to approve the minutes of March 8th. Motion carried. Motion by Jellema, seconded by Elbers to approve payment of the March expenditures. Also, to combine the EDA’s CD’s into one, to be reinvested, along with $10,000 from the EDA checking account. Motion carried. The Board approved a written recommendation from LDH Construction to make minor repairs in apartment #502.The Board agreed to hire Olson’s Pest Control to treat the outside perimeter of the condo building for termites. No further discussion, meeting adjourned at 8:23 P.M.Connie J. WiertzemaEDA Secretary(5-5)

COUNTY OF ROCKNOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON INTENTION TO ISSUE GENERAL OBLIGATION CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN BONDS AND THE PROPOSAL TO ADOPT A CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN THEREFORNOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the County Board of the County of Rock, Minnesota will meet on May 23rd, 2005, at 8:00 P.M. at the Rock County Human Services Bldg. in Luverne, Minnesota, for the purpose of conducting a public hearing on (a) the intention to issue general obligation capital improvement plan bonds in an amount not to exceed $1,750,000 and (b) the proposal to adopt a capital improvement plan therefor. The proceeds of the bonds will be used to finance various capital improvements within the County pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Section 373.40.All persons interested may appear and be heard at the time and place set forth above. If a petition requesting a vote on the issuance of the bonds is signed by voters equal to 5 percent of the votes cast in the County in the last general election and is filed with the County within 30 days after the public hearing, the bonds may only be issued upon obtaining the approval of the majority of the voters voting on the question of issuing the bonds. Individuals unable to attend the public hearing can make written comment by writing to the County Administrator, County of Rock, Rock County Courthouse, Luverne, Minnesota 56156. Written comments must be received prior to the public hearing.BY ORDER OF THE COUNTY BOARD/s/ Kyle J. OldreCounty Administrator(5-5, 5-12)

10 years ago (1995)"Hills-Beaver Creek School District residents will go to the polls on Tuesday, May 16, to elect two board members to three-year terms. Incumbents Dan Siegfried and Eugene Sandager are seeking re-election to the board. Both have served one three-year term. Beaver Creek’s Lloyd DeBoer has also put his name on this year’s ballot."25 years ago (1980)"The Beaver Creek State Bank was recently accepted into the National Register of Historical Places. The honor is given to special buildings considered worthy of preservation. Placement of the property makes it eligible for federal grants for preservation purposes."50 years ago (1955)"The juvenile population of our community is enjoying real fall carnival enjoyment this week on account of a gayly painted pony Merry-go-round and Kiddy-car ride having set up business on the empty lots across the street from the band stand. One remarkable thing about the hurdy-gurdy organ is that the music ground out is all nice, clean music, with a lilt and swing from the gay nineties and on, instead of the usual hot tom-tom banshee stuff that rasped the nerves of music lovers the past decade. It’s good business, too, as it draws the old folks around and makes them easy marks for extra nickels." 75 years ago (1930)"A.A. Anderson tendered his resignation yesterday as vice president of the First & Farmers National Bank in order to give his undivided attention to real estate loans and a general brokerage business. He expects to open an office in Luverne in the near future, says the Rock County Herald." 100 years ago (1905)"The board of health the past week has been getting after persons who have been in the habit of burying dead horses and cows in close proximity to the business portion of our town. This is a proper move and the board of health should be commended for their action in this matter and should have the support of all good citizens."