Scott West Wrestlers Continue to Push Forward
Boys’ Basketball Team Reaches High and Low
BPHS One-Act Play Shines Again Page 2
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ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-THIRD YEAR
BELLE PLAINE, MINNESOTA, JANUARY 29, 2014
75¢ SINGLE COPY
NUMBER 5
Area Boards Want State OK to Start School Before Labor Day B.P.’s Smith, Lawmakers Back Early Start to Improve Academics
When the Belle Plaine School Board met in a planning retreat earlier this month, improving academic performance and implementation of a 1 to 1 technology plan to help students earn better grades were among the main topics. But another idea for improving academic performance and grades on standardized tests is starting school earlier than the traditional day after Labor Day. One of the ways to improve performance on statewide mandated tests could involve more time preparing for the exams through starting school before the holiday weekend. Just how early the districts may ultimately want to start the school year before the traditional end-ofsummer holiday weekend is to be determined. A group of school districts in the Minnesota River Valley south and southeast of Belle Plaine and the Minnesota River Conference is pushing for legislation to permit them to start before the Labor Day holiday. This would give students time to get back into the swing of
Blowing Snow, Crash Closes 169 Firefighters, police officers, paramedics from three ambulance services and state troopers responded at 3:10 p.m. Sunday to a multi-vehicle crash that included five passenger vehicles and a semi truck. The crash temporarily closed southbound lanes of Highway 169 just south of County Road 1, six miles southwest of Belle Plaine. Northwest winds up to 45 mph blew snow across the highway, which limited visibility and probably contributed to the crash. One person was transported to Ridgeview Medical Center with non-lifethreatening injuries.
things academically after the summer break and prepare for the exams. Currently, state law prohibits schools to begin before Labor Day without a state OK. The Minnesota Department of Education has required windows of time during which the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs) can be administered. School officials believe additional time preparing students for those exams – be it a few days or a week or two – could help improve scores.
Change the Law
Area school districts in the Minnesota River Valley, including St. Peter, Le SueurHenderson and Tri-City United, are supporting legislation permitting them to start before Labor Day when the legislature returns to St. Paul later this month. Smith likewise supports the district’s right to start the school year when it wants to and not by a formula at least partially rooted in agrarian tradition. Sen. Kevin Dahle, DFLNorthfield, has supported legislation allowing districts to start school at a date of their selection. Dahle, a teacher when the legislature is not in session, said strong opposition comes from lobbyists representing the state’s tourism industry. “I believe local school dis-
School Board
City Council Okays Final Plans for 2014 Street/Sidewalk Project Belle Plaine EMTs Karen Niesche,
Votes 3-2 to Hire Architect to Design Park Rest Rooms for $26,100
by Dan Ruud The Belle Plaine City Council Monday night unanimously approved the final plans and authorized the advertisement of bids for this year’s street/sidewalk and utility improvement project, which will include the reconstruction of Raven Street between Meridian and Walnut streets, Chestnut Street between Park Street and Commerce Drive, and Cedar Street between Park Street and Commerce Drive.
In September, the council authorized the preparation of the final plans and specifications for the project. But following feedback from a number of affected property owners and a petition signed by 39 people, the council agreed to reduce the number of proposed sidewalks in the project area by almost 50 percent. The council also decided to keep the cul-de-sac at East Raven Street as is. With the changes, City Engineer Joe Duncan told the council last Tuesday night that the estimated construction cost of the project has been reduced from $1.3 million to $1.2 million, the tab for which will be picked up by the city and assessments to benefitting property owners. A final assessment hearing will be
held later this year after most of the work is completed. The park board had recommended that sidewalks be constructed on both sides of the 200 and 300 blocks of Cedar and Chestnut streets, and East and West Raven streets. But most members of the audience during the public hearing on Sept. 3 voiced considerable opposition to that many sidewalks, which they said would reduce lawn sizes, result in the loss of many trees and cause financial hardship for a number of people. The final plan approved by
City Council
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Belle Plaine Dollars for Scholars Phone-A-Thon This Weekend Belle Plaine Dollars for Scholars will conduct its 23rd annual Phone-A-Thon this weekend. Dozens of students will take turns manning the phones asking District 716 residents to make pledges. This year’s donations will generate immediate funds for 2014 scholarships. Annual fund-raisers such as the Phone-A-Thon, Car Raffle and Wine Tasting/Silent Auction generate the monies for scholarships to be awarded each year to the graduating students. One hundred percent of the donation goes toward the scholarships. More students are choosing to continue their education at a post-secondary level. As community and schools grow, the continuing challenge and goal for Dollars for Scholars is to present scholarships to all students who apply. Students will be calling po-
tential donators this Saturday, Sunday and Monday evening. Donations of any and all sizes are greatly appreciated. If every donation is increased by $5, Dollars for Scholars would earn an additional $5,000 for this year’s graduating class. Dr. Todd Meeker of Belle Plaine Chiropractic has donated $250 Belle Plaine Bucks as this year’s Phone-A-Thon challenge. To be eligible for the drawing all you need to do is increase your Phone-A-Thon donation by $5 over last year. For every $5 over last year, you will receive an additional ticket(s) to be entered in the drawing. If you are not contacted during the Phone-A-Thon but would like to contribute to a Belle Plaine student’s post-secondary education and have your name entered in the drawing, mail a check to: Dollars for Scholars,
PO BOX 81, Belle Plaine, MN 56011. Donations must be received by March 14 to be eligible for the drawing. Dollars for Scholars is a nonprofit organization consisting of local volunteers interested in providing local students with financial assistance to pursue higher education. Dollars for Scholars uses the funds raised locally to match scholarships offered by dozens of individuals, businesses and community organizations. All of the funds raised are awarded to Belle Plaine graduates. Anyone interested in becoming a member of Dollars for Scholars can contact President Lisa Bahr at 952-8732702 or add a note with your donation.
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Ted Weber to Receive County Award Honor Stems from Care Provided to Long-time BPHS EMT Teacher
by Dan Ruud The late Tim O’Laughlin, who was a teacher in the Belle Plaine School District for 34 years, including as the school’s emergency medical technician (EMT) instructor, would often comment to his students: You better do your skills correctly because someday you may have to do them on me. That time came during the late night/early-morning hours of July 8 after O’Laughlin, 74, suffered a massive heart attack at his Belle Plaine home. The EMTs were Karen Niesche and Ted Weber, both of whom were students of O’Laughlin a number of years ago at Belle Plaine High School. They also knew him well through their involvement in the local ambulance service, which O’Laughlin was a major part of for decades. He also worked many years as the Scott County Emergency Management Services director and served on the Belle Plaine City Council from 2005 through 2010. “It had to be a difficult call for Ted and Karen,” said O’Laughlin’s wife, Pat, who also is an EMT. “Responding to a call that was for your original emergency medical technician instructor had to be shocking.” Pat said that when Ted and Karen arrived, she and Belle Plaine police officer Dave Weckman were doing CPR on Tim, who eventually died at the scene. Under difficult circumstances, Niesche and Weber did their best to help extend their
Ted Weber and Karen Niesche of Belle Plaine will received the prestigious Morris Miller Outstanding Service Award at next Monday’s Scott County Board meeting. former teacher and “friend’s” life. Niesche, 43, and Weber, 54, both agreed the call was one of if not the most emotional ones they’ve ever been on in their long careers as Belle Plaine EMTs. “You do your best on every call but this one was especially emotional,” said Weber, adding that he has never forgotten his teacher’s saying about “doing your skills properly because someday you may have to do them on me.” Niesche never forgot O’Laughlin’s saying either. “I remember it vividly. It echoed in my mind,” she said. “I cannot say enough positive things about all of the responders who came to our home, Pat said. “So many times we take for granted the help we may need in an emergency. Belle Plaine has been blessed with a wonderful number of ambulance volunteers over the years. Having been a volunteer
Tim and Pat O’Laughlin member myself (for 29 years) and being on many ambulance calls, I understand how hard it can be when the victim is your friend.” After Tim’s death, Pat said she decided to nominate Weber and Niesche for the Scott County
County Award
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