By Lori EhdeLuverne School Board members accepted an offer by the elementary booster club, Parents: Partners in Education, to fund swimming lessons for the next two years."I want to thank PPIE for all the work they’ve done on this," said board member Vicki Baartman, who made the motion to accept the offer."From what I’m hearing there’s a real focus in education on wellness, and what better way to get exercise than swimming? It would be prudent for us to take advantage of this."Board member Colleen Deutsch seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.For about 25 years, Luverne elementary students have had the opportunity to take swimming lessons as part of the elementary school health curriculum.The district bused students to the Rock County Pool and Fitness Center and paid $12.50 for each student's two-weeks of swimming instruction.Luverne School Board members cut the program starting with the 2004-05 school year as part of its overall effort to trim the budget.The measure represented roughly $3,000 in savings to the district per year.Recognizing the value of the program, PPIE offered last fall to pay for the 2004-05 swimming program through its fund-raising budget.School administration and board members, however, declined the offer, because a one-time funding of the program wouldn’t help for future years.So, PPIE turned to other sources to fund the program for two years.PPIE member Katie Baustian presented board members with the information at their meeting Thursday, Jan. 27.To fund the program for the next two years at a total of $6,800, she said PPIE has agreed to give $4,100, with the rest coming from interested donors.For example, the city of Luverne approved $750 and Sioux Valley Physicians and Luverne Optimist Club offered $500 apiece.Elementary physical education teacher Dan Amborn encouraged the board to accept the money."It’s an incredible program that’s wonderful for the kids," he said. "It’s giving them an opportunity to do something that some of them wouldn’t otherwise get a chance to do."He said future funding of the program won’t likely be an issue, since most parents pay up to $25 for two weeks of lessons in the summer, and this program requires $12.50 per student, plus busing to the pool."From what I’m hearing, there’s a multitude of parents willing to pay the $12.50 plus $12.50 to adopt another kid," Amborn said."There’s no doubt that if you use the money available now, this program will flourish on donations alone."The board’s decision to accept funding for the program will ensure swimming lessons will continue for the next two years.If the public is interested in supporting the swimming program or other PPIE projects, they can contact PPIE president Kayla Jarchow, 449-4745.