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Newsleader Sauk Rapids-Rice
Friday, Oct. 21, 2016
Sauk Rapids senior Keller on ‘slow road’ to recovery
Volume 2, Issue 41 Est. 2015
Town Crier
by Cady Sehnert news@thenewsleaders.com
League of Women Voters to hold SR forum
The League of Women Voters of the St. Cloud Area is sponsoring a free candidate forum at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 25 at the Sauk Rapids City Council Chamber. The forum will feature two candidates running for mayor: Kurt Hunstiger and Guy Konietzko, along with four candidates vying for two open seats on the city council: Merle Gales, Steve Heinen, Nicholas Sauer and Layne Schmitz. Attendees will have an opportunity to hear the candidates address issues of concern to Sauk Rapids voters. Questions will be invited from the audience in written form, and the League of Women Voters will provide a moderator and timer to conduct the forum.
Kids Fighting hunger hosts ‘We are Thankful’ event
Kids Fighting Hunger is excited to announce its fourth annual “We Are Thankful” communitywide food-packaging event on Sunday, Nov. 20 at the River’s Edge Convention Center in St. Cloud. This event is designed to give 600-plus families, adults and children in our community a chance to help provide some much -needed food to families in Central Minnesota and in Sierra Leone. Three shifts are available to volunteer: 9-11 a.m., 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 1-3 p.m. Donations are needed to pay for ingredients. For more information, visit thenewsleaders.com and click on Oct. 21 Criers.
Anna Marie’s seeks part-time volunteers
Anna Marie’s Alliance is seeking volunteers to help organize donations from noon to 4 p.m. weekdays. The mission of Anna Marie’s is to provide a safe place for victims of domestic abuse and to achieve systems change that reduces violence. Anna Marie’s Alliance continues non-profit advocacy work to decrease domestic violence and to provide advocacy, safe shelter, education, support and referral services for victims of abuse. It receives donations to help meet the needs of its clients. For more information, visit thenewsleaders.com and click on Oct. 21 Criers.
For additional criers, visit www.thenewsleaders.com and click on Criers.
Postal Patron
contributed photo
Daunte Keller is currently a senior at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School.
Daunte Keller is on the mend. The Sauk Rapids senior was injured on Oct. 7 during the first half of the Storm and Sabre football match-up. The game was paused for about 30 minutes as Keller was tended to on the field, taken off on a stretcher and transported to the St. Cloud Hospital for further medical attention. The Newsleaders spoke with Rena Keller, Daunte’s mother, on Oct. 17 to check up on the 17-year-old senior. “He’s on the slow road,” she said. “Today was the first day he went back to school. I just picked him up. He made it until about 1:30 p.m. He’s home now and totally beat.”
Keller recounted the panic that accompanied her son’s hospitalization two weeks prior. “He had lost feeling in his feet, hands and arms,” she said. “Fortunately that feeling came back on Saturday (Oct. 8).” Doctors said while tests showed Daunte had no broken bones, he had suffered both a “stinger” and concussion. A stinger, in medical jargon, is a common, neurological injury experienced among football players caused by a collision. It can result in damage to the neck and shoulder region. Numbness and partial paralysis is common. Keller was discharged from the hospital Oct. 9. The Newsleaders sends hope of a speedy recovery for Daunte.
Sheriff’s department seeks indecent-exposure suspect by Dennis Dalman editor@thenewsleaders.com
A suspect in an indecentexposure incident is being sought by the Benton County Sheriff’s Department. The man is described as a white male in his late 40s with dark brown hair, possibly driv-
ing an early 2000s model of a Chevy Suburban, harvest-gold in color. According to a press release from the Benton County Sheriff’s Department, this is what happened at about 7:30 a.m. Oct. 18: A woman was driving westbound at about that time on
65th Avenue NE at the intersection of 55th Avenue NE in Mayhew Lake Township. The woman observed a vehicle stopped on the side of the road. She reported as she drove past the man, she saw the man’s pants had been lowered and he was lifting his shirt to expose his genitals to
her. Anyone with information about the man or the incident should call the Benton County Sheriff’s Department at 320968-7201 or Tri-County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-255-1301. Or visit the following website: www.tricountycrimestoppers. org.
Firefighters, police host open house by Dennis Dalman editor@thenewsleaders.com
Many hundreds of people, including entire families, attended the Sauk Rapids Fire Department Open House on Oct. 15, and all kinds of fun activities kept the visitors busy. Sauk Rapids firefighters and police officers hosted the event. There were free pumpkins given away to children; popcorn; cookies; beverages; grilled meats; bingo; prizes; and lots and lots of balloons. The warm – but not too warm – fall weather was ideal as visitors strolled on the huge parking lot and in the large fire station. Children, wearing their plastic fire chief hats, delighted in crawling
up to sit in the fire trucks. Police officers and firefighters stood in groups and chatted with visitors; others were so busy helping at the activities, they didn’t have much time to visit. One of the highlights was Sauk Rapids Police Officer Matt Bosma and his K-9 pal, Thunder, an extremely friendly German shepherd who was petted and pampered happily all afternoon by hundreds of eager little hands. The parked vehicles of the many visitors were lined up for blocks just east of the fire station. It was, by all accounts, one of the most successful open houses the fire department has ever hosted.
photo by Dennis Dalman
Three Sauk Rapids police officers enjoy a chat on a fineweather day Oct. 15 during the Sauk Rapids Fire Department’s Open House. From left to right are Charlie Swiggum and son Jameson, Brent Bukowski and Katy Lund. The police department also participated in the fire department’s annual openhouse day. For more photos, see the back page.
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Friday, Oct. 21, 2016
Rice City Council learns about development programs by Dave DeMars news@thenewsleaders.com
photos by Dave DeMars
Above: John Uphoff, director of the Benton County Economic Development Partnership, briefs the council on how the partnership aims to help the city of Rice grow and become more attractive to new businesses while retaining those businesses already established in Rice. Below: Sarah Wilczek, coordinator of the Chamber of Commerce “Trick- or-Treat Main Street” event, describes some of the highlights for the city council. The kids and family friendly event will be held from 3-5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28.
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The Rice Park Board could receive a $5,000 grant for longterm park development, according to Brian Skroch, a member of the Rice City Council. Skroch informed the council that in a recent meeting with Samantha Hageman, the Benton County SHIP coordinator, he learned of the possibility of the grant. SHIP is an acronym for the Statewide Health Improvement Program, a Minnesota Department of Health division that works to create good health in the state by decreasing obesity rates and reducing the number of people who use tobacco products or are exposed to secondhand smoke. Part of that program is finding entities, like the Rice Park Board, that would be able to benefit from grants aimed at creating a more healthy environment for residents. The city is eligible for the grant, Skroch said, if it develops a long-term parks plan and meets other stipulations that will be forthcoming. The city would be obligated to pick up certain costs associated with the planning process. Skroch also told the council he and Hageman would be meeting with members from the county Wednesday, Oct. 26 to discuss future funding and other funding mechanisms that could be utilized to enhance programs for the city. Another meeting will take place soon with Mark Hauck of the Department of Natural Resources, and Dr. Christina Bemboom, principal of Rice Elementary School. Part of the SHIP program includes working with schools to encourage “Safe-Routes-toSchool” programs so kids arrive
safely at school ready to learn, and the “Farm-to-School” program to encourage schools to incorporate healthy local foods in their nutrition programs for kids. The “Complete Streets” deals with making sure there are enough sidewalks and crosswalks to make it easier for people of all ages to get physical activity and providing trails and activity areas to improve health. There may even be some regional funding to help pay for trails and the development of more parks. A meeting with the park board is scheduled at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26 at Rice City Hall.
Economic activity
John Uphoff of the Benton County Economic Development Partnership stopped by to introduce himself to the council and to briefly update its members on economic activity in the Rice area. Uphoff is new to the Economic Development Partnership with only four weeks on the job, but he has other ties in the area, having previously served a variety of economic development programs. Uphoff said he intends to delve deeply into development plans that various locales in the county may have and to render assistance whenever possible. “As the Benton County Economic Development Partnership develops its strategic plan,” Uphoff said, “we want to make sure we analyze the market and in so doing, take a good strong look at what has already been done and what is underway.” Uphoff said he views his role as that of being the point person focusing on business retention in the area, growth and the addition of jobs. Right now, the focus is on developing the Benton County story to make the
county an attractive place to do business. One business, Mighty Axe Hops, is in the early stages of developing a 120-acre farm expansion in Benton County’s Gilman Township, banking on the fast-growing craft-brewing industry’s demand for hops. Eric Sannerud, a young entrepreneur, has invested in a $4.6-million project to grow and harvest the hops used in making beer. Brewers, it seems, want locally grown product when they brew their beer. “Our goal is to be working at the federal level to be getting EDA money that all kinds of counties around us are getting,” Uphoff said, “but since we haven’t had a coordinated effort behind it, we were missing out. My goal is to get $25 million in federal funding in the next 10 years.”
Halloween event
Before approving the Rice Chamber of Commerce special-events permit, the council also heard a short summary from Sarah Wilczek of the “Trick-orTreat Main Street” to be held from 3-5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28 along downtown Rice. “It’s an exciting and fun event for local businesses and our kids and families,” Wilczek said. With 29 businesses signed up to take part and an expected 200 or more kids out trick-or-treating, a scary but fun time should be had by all. A fun photo-op will be provided in Veterans’ Park. In other business, the council approved the following: a Turkey Bingo gambling permit for the Rice Firefighters’ Association; a request for proposal of a new assessor; and a request for proposal for a new insurance agent.
Newsleaders’ to publish Halloween costume contest Snap a photo of your family-friendly costume, and post it to our Facebook page! If you don’t have access to Facebook, please feel free to email pictures to advertising@thenewsleaders.com. Include your first and last name, home town and age of each person in the photo. Feel free to send in your photos anytime up to Friday, Oct. 28. Winners will be placed in the paper and receive a treat basket. All other photos will be posted on our website.
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Friday, Oct. 21, 2016
Sauk Rapids-Rice Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
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Five candidates vie for four school board seats Five local residents will vie for four Sauk Rapids-Rice School Board seats this November. They are the following: Ryan Butkowski, Tracey Fiereck, Mark Hauck, Tracy Morse and Jan Solarz. Four of the five responded to questionnaires sent out by the Newsleaders. Election day is Tuesday, Nov. 8.
Ryan Butkowski
Name (and family information, if you wish): Ryan L. Butkowski. One son, Gavin Butkowski in fifth grade at Mississippi Heights Elementary School. Please give a brief biographical background: Born and raised in Sauk Rapids. Married in 2000 and had started a career in project management. Gavin was born in 2006 and moved back to Minnesota in 2010. Please give highlights of your education, jobs you’ve held, memberships, honors received, special skills and knowledge: Attended preschool at Trinity Lutheran in Sauk Rapids, Riverside for kindergarten, Pleasantview Elementary grades 1-4, Hillside for fifth grade, Sauk Rapids-Rice Middle School and Sauk Rapids-Rice High School and graduated in 1997. Attended SCSU post-secondary program while at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School junior and senior years. I then chose North Dakota State University to pursue computer engineering. When I left NDSU for Las Vegas in 1999, I enrolled at University of Nevada-Las Vegas. My professional career started as an intern at Bankers Systems in St. Cloud, which is now Walter Kluewers Financial Services. After the internship, I moved to Las Vegas and began work with an airport-services company, ServiceTec. After ServiceTec, I partnered with a small group and owned several franchises, including Cold Stone’s and Schlotzsky’s. After the partner-
ship dissolved, I went to work for Best Buy to roll out their recent Geek Squad acquisition nationwide. I was approached by a software company, Compressus, in the radiology field for project management. I left Best Buy and spent six years with Compressus. After leaving Compressus, it was time to focus on family. It has allowed me the time to focus on my own litigation consulting firm while putting my family first. Why are you qualified to serve as a school-board member? With all of the professional, small-business ownership and personal experience I’ve gained, nothing compares to being involved in the local community and the ParentTeacher Advisory Council at Mississippi Heights Elementary School. For the last five years, I’ve been on the board of the PTAC as treasurer to president. This has given me a unique involvement with the school, the administration, the parents and most importantly the students. As a parent of a fifth-grader at Mississippi Heights, I have a keen eye on the operational and day-to-day function at the school. The last two years I’ve also been on the Community Education Advisory Board that guides Sauk Rapids-Rice Community Education progress forward. Being engaged and active in the community from several points of view best summarizes my qualification for service to the community on the school board. What do you see as the chief function of a schoolboard member? As an elected official, the job is to ensure the community, parent and student needs are met. Sometimes the decisions are not easy and take a great amount of deliberation, but to be able to serve the best interests of all comes with great pride. Community members want to be heard and I will gladly engage all to ensure understanding and progress is
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communicated. Everyone’s fear, of course, is the unthinkable: violence in schools. Do you think the district’s security measures are adequate? If not, which ways could they be reinforced? The idea of security isn’t a new one for Sauk Rapids-Rice School District. With the introduction of the intercom systems, locked doors and lock-down drills, the district as a whole is security -aware. It’s not about adequacy, it’s about relevance and perseverance. The district’s security measures are fluid and will remain fluid to ensure the safety of our children. I firmly believe the district will do and continue to do what is necessary to keep our kids and staff safe. That being said, there are real struggles to ensure our buildings are safe. The biggest challenges are budgetary and understanding. The city and district plan to do the joint field-house project. When completed, will that satisfy the sports needs for the schools? Being father of an active 10-year-old boy, we’ve seen firsthand how booked our facilities are as of today. Community Education gets a huge call out here in being able to juggle the facility scheduling with what we have currently available for facilities. Once the final details are worked out on the field house, I do believe it will help Sauk Rapids-Rice become a great host to local and regional activities. Are sports over-emphasized in the district, and do students spend too much time involved in them? Growing up, I was not involved in sports after elementary school. I enjoyed going to the games and attending pep rallies, but there were other things the schools offered. Sports aren’t for everyone, and I think Sauk Rapids-Rice has always had a lot of options for the students. From classes with Community Education to after-school clubs, the opportunity for our kids is there
whether or not they are into sports. There’s a lot of good that comes from school sports from team-building, elevated fitness levels and time management. But of course for every benefit there are those negative comments as well. I feel Sauk Rapids-Rice does everything it can to walk the balance wire on sports. Have you examined the district’s policy regarding bullying? Is it adequate or does it need improvements? How would you change it? I have examined the district’s policy on bullying. The policy today isn’t what it was three years ago, nor is it the same as 10 years ago. This is again, much like security, something that is a fluid policy that will need to be changed as time goes on and the district grows. New insight and community feedback is essential to ensure the policy remains relevant. I do feel the district does put forth its best effort to prevent, engage and stop bullying. Some people complain schools should get back to the ABC basics and too much technology and “frills” are taking over the basics. What would you tell those people? Our students are just starting the journey of adulthood; are we OK as a community sending them out without the very basics of technology? This is what I have told people for the last five years that I have been involved in the Mississippi Heights PTAC. This comment has always spurred a conversation that furthers the understanding of technology in the classroom and what it looks like when it is integrated into the curriculum. The PTAC for years had a focus on technology at Mississippi Heights. We were able to engage parents and staff on the importance of technology in the classroom. Students are under extreme pressures: homework; tests; extracurricular pursuits; all School • page 4
Butkowski
Fiereck
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School from page 3 sorts of parental, peer and societal expectations to achieve – not to mention lack of sleep. Are there ways to lessen those pressures for them? I am a firm believer in moderation. If we teach our kids moderation and limits, they will eventually learn to know when they’ve reached their own limits. They will sometimes fail, but they will learn from it. Being able to get back up and sort through the chaos will only make them stronger. We cannot control all of their pressures for them. We can only give them the tools needed to make sure they understand what’s important and what can wait and sometimes what can be left behind.
Tracey Fiereck
Name: Tracey Fiereck, seeking my second term on the Sauk Rapids-Rice School Board. I am married to my best friend, Paul Fiereck. We have two daughters – Morgan, who is in seventh grade at Sauk Rapids-Rice Middle School; and Isabelle, who is in fourth grade at Pleasantview Elementary. Please give a brief biographical background: I was born and raised in the area. I graduated from Sartell High School. My husband and I worked and lived on his family’s farm in Clear Lake for a few years. We then moved back to the area, ending up in Sauk Rapids to raise our family. Please give highlights of your education, jobs you’ve held, memberships, honors received, special skills and knowledge: I have a degree in accounting. While in college, I started working for cmERDC, which is a non-profit organization that provides services to
Sauk Rapids-Rice Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com schools in Minnesota. I have worked for cmERDC for 17 years. I currently manage the Administrative Services Team. My team provides administrative services and software to public and charter schools. In addition, I co-manage the Internet service provided to 70 school districts and public libraries throughout Central Minnesota. I belong to the Minnesota Association of School Business Officials, Minnesota Association of School Administrators and am currently serving my third term on the Uniform Financial Accounting and Reporting System Advisory Committee at the Minnesota Department of Education. Why are you qualified to serve as a school-board member? I am fortunate to have a career I truly enjoy. In the course of 17 years, I have gained extensive knowledge and experience of school operations, including financial reporting, student reporting, budgeting, tax levies, funding streams, federal grants and reporting, legislative changes, policies affecting Minnesota schools, human resources and telecommunication infrastructure. My experiences, along with a deep passion for doing what is right for the kids in our community, is what makes me qualified to continue to serve as a school-board member. What do you see as the chief function of a schoolboard member? Policy work, as well as hiring/evaluating the superintendent are the main functions of the school board. I believe the school board and school administrators are also responsible for strategic planning and visioning, setting expectations and ensuring quality programming to best prepare our students for life after high school. In every decision we make, we are responsible to ask ourselves if we are making the
right decision for the children and citizens of both Sauk Rapids and Rice. Everyone’s fear, of course, is the unthinkable: violence in schools. Do you think the district’s security measures are adequate? If not, which ways could they be reinforced? Continuous learning and improvement are our goals with everything we do. I think our administration and staff have worked hard to ensure the safety of all students. Doing so has required rethinking how we have done things in the past. Last summer, I was able to participate with administration, staff and local law-enforcement officials in a security assessment developed and analyzed by the Department of Homeland Security. It was reassuring as a parent to learn the things we are doing well, but also things we could improve. Surveillance, lockdown procedures and secured entrances are areas to consider for further improvement. The city and district plan to do the joint field-house project. When completed, will that satisfy the sports needs for the schools? While the school district has been involved in discussions with the City of Sauk Rapids, the school board is not aware of the city’s final decision related to building a field house. The school has been approached and asked about our willingness to support ongoing costs to operate the facility. Ultimately, the school board would look to residents to prioritize. I personally support the project and believe if done right it would be a great asset for our community. I do not, however, believe it would satisfy all athletic-facility needs because the district has 800 more students now than it did seven years ago. I do think it could provide needed space and opportunity for both our students and the community. Are sports over-emphasized in the district, and do students spend too much time involved in them? In Sauk Rapids-Rice, we have abundant and quality activity programming for our children. As a school board and administrative team, we have worked extremely hard to eliminate financial barriers for families and to make more opportunities available for all.
I think activities, whether it’s swimming, drama, football, soccer or robotics, enrich the learning of our students. They teach sportsmanship, teamwork, dedication and commitment, some of which cannot be learned in a classroom. With that being said, school work needs to be top priority. Parents and students need to find that balance together. Have you examined the district’s policy regarding bullying? Is it adequate or does it need improvements? How would you change it? Yes, our school board reviews the bullying policy annually, which was revised in June. The Sauk Rapids-Rice policy was recently recognized by the Department of Education as a model policy. I know the policy meets all legal requirements, but we want to continue to work with our students and residents to make changes as appropriate. We are fortunate in Sauk Rapids-Rice to have a dedicated staff, administration and community, which ensures our children are safe and comfortable throughout the district. Some people complain schools should get back to the ABC basics and too much technology and “frills” are taking over the basics. What would you tell those people? Our world is changing quickly. Do we want to create leaders or followers? The district’s technology initiative was based on the belief all students should have equal access and opportunity. Without access to technology, children would not have accurate information or be able to keep current with content and worldly events. I am a strong supporter of technology in education, but I also believe there must be a balance. Some things are still best done with a pen and paper, and our students are not afraid to let us know, which we appreciate. I am incredibly proud of the collaboration that occurs in our classrooms today. Students are under extreme pressures: homework; tests; extracurricular pursuits; all sorts of parental, peer and societal expectations to achieve – not to mention lack of sleep. Are there ways to lessen those pressures for them? Life is full of pressures, and we should ex-
Friday, Oct. 21, 2016 pect our students, our children and our community to do great things. With that being said, it’s important to remember they are kids. They need to play, be with friends, read a book for enjoyment, eat right and get enough sleep. We also need to be “present,”by listening to our children and supporting them. Please feel free to add any ideas or comments. I want to thank the Sauk Rapids-Rice Newsleader for the thoughtful questions and for the opportunity to share the many great things happening in Sauk Rapids-Rice. I would also like to thank my fellow board members for their leadership and support. To the Sauk Rapids-Rice staff, thank you for what you do every day. You are inspiring. GO STORM!
Mark Hauck
Name: Mark Hauck. My wife, Joanie, and I have raised three wonderful women, the youngest graduated this past spring. I am running for office because I want to continue to serve the school communities that have served our children so well. Raised on a farm south of Foley, I married my highschool sweetheart, Joanie. As we began to raise a family, we focused on teaching our young children. After deciding to be our own daycare provider, we enrolled our daughter in Early Childhood programs at the SRR School District. This was the start of my journey of being involved in our schools. My career has been in natural-resources fields for 25 years. Please give highlights of your education, jobs you’ve held, memberships, honors received, special skills and knowledge: Bachelor’s degree in earth science from St. Cloud State University; teacher in Princeton and Becker; Benton Soil and Water Conservation District manager; community assistance specialist for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and union member and member of the SR Green Committee. Honors include SWCD Employee of the Year, DNR Commissioner’s Award and National “Magna Award” winner as part of the SRR School Board Why are you qualified to serve on the SRR School
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Friday, Oct. 21, 2016 Board? I am qualified to serve as a school-board member because all of my children have attended Sauk Rapids–Rice schools, and my wife and I have been very active in our schools. I have initiated and supported numerous projects alongside the school staff. I know how to be a member of an effective team and know how to put plans into action. I have served on numerous boards and have chaired three, including the Sauk Rapids–Rice School Board. What do you see as the chief function of a school-board member? The chief function of a school-board member is to support student achievement. This is accomplished by board members having effective communication with the community, school staff, the superintendent and other board members. The board also reports information to the community, listens to concerns and sets and reviews school district policy. The Sauk Rapids-Rice School District takes security very seriously and has recently made meaningful improvements. All doors are now locked during school hours, school representatives have participated in active shooter training at SCSU, schools conduct lock-down drills, schools installed cameras on locked doors to screen visitors, and the district required criminal background checks for those volunteering at schools. The Department of Homeland Security and local law enforcement evaluated security in all SSR schools. Finally, the police departments of Sauk Rapids, St. Cloud, Sartell and Waite Park in conjunction with community members evaluated security policies and procedures. Everyone’s fear, of course, is the unthinkable: violence in schools. Do you think the district’s security measures are adequate? If not, which ways could they be reinforced? Can more be done? Yes. Our schools were built before a time where school shootings were a concern. Increased building security is supported by the school board and was called for by the community Facilities Task Force that was convened earlier this year. The city and district plan to do the joint field-house project. When completed, will that satisfy the sports needs for the schools? When the high school was built in
Sauk Rapids-Rice Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com 2003, the goal was to locate all athletic facilities there. As the sports facilities at the Middle School age, it makes sense to bring outdoor athletic competition fields to the present high school. The field house will serve multiple purposes, not only sports. It will also be a benefit to physical-education classes and be available for use by the public, just as all school facilities are. The SRR School District looks forward to collaborating with the City of Sauk Rapids on the construction of their field house. Are sports over-emphasized in the district, and do students spend too much time involved in them? Sports can be an important part in the development of a child. So can art, music, dance, Knowledge Bowl and the many other student activities that are offered. We are doing the best for our students when the school district offers activities so students can develop and explore their talents. Have you examined the district’s policy regarding bullying? Is it adequate or does it need improvements? How would you change it? The school board regularly evaluates every school policy. We reviewed the bullying policy when it was adopted by board action on June 20. I feel our bullying policy is strong and recognizes bullying has no boundaries and holds accountable both the perpetrator of the bullying as well as those who do nothing to stop the bullying, no matter if it’s on school property, in the community or through electronic media. Some people complain schools should get back to the ABC basics and too much technology and “frills” are taking over the basics. What would you tell those people? Technology is a tool for learning and can improve learning. How these tools are used makes all the difference. Technology provides additional ways to learn the previous tools could not. Students can now understand more deeply by creating digital content, linking previous learning with new information, connecting with instructors and collaborating in ways that were not possible before. Technology may even allow students to have true individualized learning. Family members can also use the student device at home, where the device may
be the only Internet connection in the home. I am proud to have supported the school-issued electronic devices that can have such a positive impact for students and for families. I am also proud ACT and NWEA test scores have increased significantly during the last several years and I expect them to continue to improve. Students are under extreme pressures: homework; tests; extracurricular pursuits; all sorts of parental, peer and societal expectations to achieve – not to mention lack of sleep. Are there ways to lessen those pressures for them? Parents and guardians are key to helping students balance life’s pressures. However, I also recognize the home lives of many of our students are becoming more and more complicated and challenging. Student mental health is very important to me. It is my expectation more mental-health resources are made available to students. Technology can reduce some pressure on students. Students can often connect with their teachers outside the school day to answer questions, and they can also electronically “hand in” assignments outside of the school day, even on those days when they are out sick. Please feel free to add any ideas or comments. I am proud to say my children attended Sauk Rapids–Rice Schools and proud to have served the community on the school board. It has also been an honor to serve alongside other schoolboard members who greatly respect their duties and put the interests of students and families first. I ask for your vote to continue improving student achievement, improving bike and pedestrian access to school buildings in both Rice and Sauk Rapids, and increasing student mental-health support.
Please give a brief biographical background: I am originally from Morris, moving to Sauk Rapids as I entered into kindergarten at Russell Elementary. My family rented a small farmhouse adjacent to the current high-school property. We relocated into St. Cloud until my return to Sauk Rapids in 1981 when I got married and we started our family. Please give highlights of your education, jobs you’ve held, memberships, honors received, special skills and knowledge: I opened Growing Years Childcare in my home in 1985. I am proud to have been Parent Aware-rated and I love my job. Every single day you can make a difference in the life of a child and no two days, or children, are the same. I have been an independent speaker addressing childcare issues, an instructor for the American Red Cross 1991 to 2002, 1991 Provider of the Year by Providers Choice Food Program, speaker for the tri-county orientation for new childcare providers. Before I started my childcare, I was employed by Zapp National Bank and District 742 as a secretary. I graduated from Apollo High School. I have numerous Minnesota School Board Association training hours along with courses related to childcare since 1985. Why are you qualified to serve as a school-board member? My experience and passion to do what is best for children is why I am asking voters to re-elect me to the Sauk Rapids-Rice School Board. I bring hands-on experience, having served on the board for the past 18 years. I led levy efforts prior to being elected to the board and have been a proud parent volunteer throughout the past 29 years. I have served as both a parent and board member on the Early Childhood Advisory
5 Council since 1991, on the Sauk Rapids Recreation Board from 1998 to 2016, Curriculum Advisory Council, Transportation Committee, Past Pleasantview Elementary PTA vice president, Hillside Parent Advisory Council and currently serve on the Community Education Advisory Council and the Superintendent Review Committee. What do you see as the chief function of a schoolboard member? Primarily setting and supporting good policy along with hiring/evaluating the superintendent. It’s our responsibility together with the dedicated administration and staff to do everything possible to ensure each child is valued, respected and offered the opportunities needed to graduate with the skills that are needed in an ever-changing world. We focus on strategic planning and visioning with input from the residents. When making decisions, we go back to the main reason we all serve – the children, and ask if the decision being made will be what is best for the children of our district. Everyone’s fear, of course, is the unthinkable: violence in schools. Do you think the district’s security measures are adequate? If not, which ways could they be reinforced? In Sauk Rapids-Rice we take security very seriously and there is ongoing training/evaluation of our district’s security plan. Myself, other board members and administration have been involved/trained with the most up-to-date Homeland Security recommendations for schools. Homeland Security and local law enforcement have teamed up to review our buildings and plans acknowledging a quality plan and offering areas for improvement. Nearly 100 residents met this past spring for a facilities study. Security was a School • page 7
Tracy Morse
Name (and family information, if you wish): Tracy L. Morse, honored to serve on the Sauk Rapids Rice School Board since 1998. I have been married to Tom 35 years. He is a life-long resident and Sauk Rapids-Rice alumna. Our children (Jeremy, Erik, Katie) all are graduates of the Sauk Rapids-Rice School District. We are delighted beyond words to have recently become grandma and grandpa to an adorable grandson, Mason, 10 months old.
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Our View
First Lady Obama delivers a speech of great inspiration A truly great speech transcends its time and place, and that is what a great speech given by First Lady Michelle Obama did last week in New Hampshire. It transcended its time, its place and it even transcended this nasty campaign season. In her speech, Obama blasted comments made by Republican presidential contender Donald Trump, the obscene remarks aimed at women he made on a bus in a Hollywood parking lot in 2005. Her speech was also a rousing endorsement of Democrat Hillary Clinton and a rallying cry for every American to cast a vote. However, beyond Obama’s sharp critique of Trump, beyond the Clinton endorsement, Obama’s riveting speech will likely stand on its own merits long after the Obamas are out of the White House and long after Trump is just a sour memory. Obama, the mother of two intelligent daughters, was speaking from deep within her heart when she delivered her eloquent, passionate lesson about the despicable disrespect and violence against women in this nation, in this world. Men degrading women is not mere “locker-room talk,” as Trump has argued, Obama said, her voice quivering with a mixture of anger and conviction. Obscene, demeaning remarks against women are not “politics as usual,” and it is not “normal,” she added. “This is disgraceful; it is intolerable, and it doesn’t matter what party you belong to . . . None of us deserves this kind of abuse . . . The truth is, it hurts. It hurts.” The children are listening, she reminded us. “This is about basic human decency,” she told the audience members, who responded with rapturous applause. “We cannot expose our children to this any longer. Now is the time for all of us to stand up and say, ‘Enough is enough!’” Trump’s dismissal of his vile remarks against women as “locker-room talk” is an insult to the millions of “husbands, brothers, sons” who don’t demean women, Obama said. We are often told as children this dumb adage: “Sticks and stones may break your bones, but words will never hurt you.” But words can break hearts, especially little hearts. As Obama put it in her speech: “The truth is, it hurts. It hurts.” Leaders must lead by setting high standards, Obama emphasized. Degrading remarks against women should never be dismissed as minor, she said, because “ . . . then we are sending a clear message to our kids that everything they’re seeing and hearing is perfectly OK. We are validating it. We are endorsing it. We’re telling our sons it’s OK to humiliate women. We’re telling our daughters that is how they deserve to be treated. We’re telling all our kids bigotry and bullying are perfectly acceptable in the leader of their country. Is that what we want for our children?” There are so many memorable lines in Obama’s speech that they are likely at some time, some place, to be engraved on stone monuments. Abraham Lincoln’s unforgettable Gettysburg Address was a tribute to the soldiers who died at the Gettysburg battlefield, but it was also more than that, much more. It was a profound call for national solidarity, for a common purpose, for the healing of wounds and for a striving for human freedom and equality. In her great speech, Obama sounded those same notes: dignity, solidarity, freedom and equality for boys and girls, for men and women. It is the kind of speech that will inspire for a long time. Dare we hope this extraordinary woman, Michelle Obama, will run for president in 2020?
The ideas expressed in the letters to the editor and of the guest columnists do not necessarily reflect the views of the Newsleaders. Letters to the editor may be sent to news@thenewsleaders.com or P.O. Box 324, St. Joseph, MN 56374. Deadline is noon Monday. Please include your full name for publication (and address and phone number for verification only.) Letters must be 350 words or less. We reserve the right to edit for space.
Friday, Oct. 21, 2016
Opinion Dylan’s genius honored with Nobel Prize We, Minnesotans, have another reason to be proud: Our very own local-kid-makesgood, Robert Allen Zimmerman, has just won the Nobel Prize for literature. That kid, now 75, is singer-songwriter Bob Dylan. He is the second Minnesotan to win the Nobel for literature, the first being that other major writer/eagle-eyed social observer – Sauk Centre-born novelist Sinclair Lewis. Why Dylan? The prize is usually given to novelists or poets, not singer-songwriters. Dylan is a new and perfect choice for the prize: a poet who happens to sing his visions. His more than 500 songs have astonished us for decades. That “spokesman of his generation” is the most oft-quoted poet-songwriter of the past 50 years. “You don’t need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.” (from Subterranean Homesick Blues – 1965). I have long argued Dylan is the Shakespeare of our time. Both of those wordsmiths forged a new language, mixing together streetcorner vernacular with traditional forms of oral and written language, combining low and high cultural forms – hipster slang meets the Bible, for example: “God said to Abraham, ‘Kill me a son.’ Abe said, ‘Man, you must be puttin’ me on.’ God said, ‘No,’ Abe said ‘What?’ God said, ‘You can do what you want, Abe, But the next time you see me comin’, you better run.’ “ (From the song Highway 61 Revisited – 1965) Shakespeare and Dylan helped us see anew; they fine-tuned our vision. In shaping language to both reflect and to create realities, they influenced the way we see the world, the way we think, the way we react. They brought a sharp focus to what the rest of us
Dennis Dalman Editor could only see blurry in this world of sometimes bewildering realities. In the 1960s, we would listen to Dylan songs and ask ourselves: “How did he know that? How come we didn’t notice that?” Like Sinclair Lewis, Dylan was not only an eagle-eyed observer; he was clairvoyant, time and again seeing changes ahead of his time, our time. There is a vivid clarity, like a feverish dream, to everything he wrote. Dylan’s songs brought a breathtaking breadth and depth to music, inviting us to explore and question all life experiences: political, social, cultural, economic, spiritual, interpersonal. Why is he so important? To fully appreciate the range of his great gifts, it helps to be older – like over 60. His magic is partly a “had-to-be-there” kind of thing. We who are now duffers grew up on radio-pop songs – fun but mostly trite teen-angst love ditties. Then, one day in the fall of 1965, I put on my Decca record player an album called Highway 61 Revisited. I was rendered speechless as I stuttered, yelling for my younger brother, Michael, to quick run upstairs to hear this new stuff. We were stunned when we heard these opening lines from a song called Desolation Row. “They’re selling postcards of the hanging, they’re painting the passports brown. The beauty parlor’s filled with sailors, the circus is in town. Here comes the blind commissioner, they’ve got him in a trance.
One hand is tied to the tight-rope walker, the other is in his pants. And the riot squad they’re restless, they need somewhere to go As Lady and I look out tonight from Desolation Row.” When I heard those strangely beautiful lyrics, I knew instantly I was listening to a brand-new force in music. He was giving us a refocused vision of our complicated world. In the case of Desolation Row, Dylan was painting in words a hallucinatory picture of a disturbing and grotesquely comic society off its rails, far from Eden. It took my breath away – still does. That same year, in mid-November, I sawheard Dylan perform in Minneapolis Auditorium. The first half of the show was acoustic, his early folk songs, those lightning flashes illuminating injustices. After intermission, the second half was “electric” as Dylan and his band exploded into his folk-rock songs and let loose those cascading phrases of astonishing images. Half of the audience, the “folk purists so-called,” walked out in protest; they didn’t like his going electric, his rock ‘n’ roll “sellout.” Oh, what “purist” fools they were; oh, what they missed! For those of us who have listened to Dylan from the beginning with intense fascination and endless pleasure, we are happy he has been honored with the Nobel. It’s a longoverdue recognition this scruffy kid from Minnesota with the “voice like a dog caught in a barbed-wire fence” is one of the towering geniuses and pervasive cultural influences of our time, of all time. And, by the way, naysayers, make no mistake – this Nobel laureate wouldn’t make the Sunday choir, but he is not only a great writer, he is a great singer, too – that is, if you’re lucky enough to have a sensibility and ears attuned to his expressive brilliance.
Mock election gives students a voice With election day fast approaching, it’s easy to be discouraged. Many people I have talked to express concern over this election and whether we are voting for a lesser of two evils. There is also worry about whether later elections will continue this trend. As I have mentioned in previous columns, we as a society have access to more information than people could have imagined even a few decades ago. However, it seems the power of the Internet hasn’t helped us very much, considering the polarized state of our country right now. There is some hope, however, for the future. The next generation of voters, high school students, are being influenced by and educated even more about the electoral process. High schools across the area offer courses in U.S. history, government and civics. I have had many lively political discussions on a range of issues in these classes, with good points for either side. These classes foster critical thinking and research, which is essential to an informed electorate. Too often though, young people are dismissed purely on the basis of age. There are many serious issues we have opinions on, ranging from the environment, the national debt, education and so forth. Many bring great arguments and facts to back these up as well. There should be more encouragement, not less, for youth involvement in politics so we can make informed decisions right from the start. A major problem with this, however, is young people are less likely to vote. With life changes and busy schedules after graduating high school, it can be hard to settle down and figure out where and when you are supposed to vote. This is especially true for out-of-state college students. It’s important to have high participation, especially when younger votes are so critical to the outcome of the election. According to the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement,
Connor Kockler Guest Writer
immediately before or after school, or during lunch and passing time. This is a great simulation of the self-initiative needed to go out to vote in the real world. It also allows for debate within the school about the policies of the candidates and allows us to compare our results to that of the voting-age public. Students Vote results will be published Tuesday, Nov. 1, a week before the elections, with voting ending on Tuesday, Oct. 25. This gives students a chance to talk to their parents about who they voted for and why, further spreading information gained from the process. Most importantly, it gets future voters into the habit, which may serve to push up turnout in future elections. A strong democracy needs an informed and educated populace. It’s my hope programs such as Students Vote across the country help a new generation of Americans learn the ropes of our age-old democratic process. By learning about the issues and being able to express our views via a statewide vote, we can also signal some of our priorities for the years ahead. More young voters are ready to express their voices. Let’s get them off to a good start.
only 49 percent of Americans ages 18-29 voted in the last presidential election. According to their statistics, if more or less young people turn out to vote, it can significantly impact the results of the entire election. Part of why young people are less likely to vote is also routine. For many, this election will be the first time they are eligible to vote, so it is a completely new experience. Older voters have been participating in elections for many years, and so it becomes a habit. The only way to start a habit is to begin an activity and continue doing it over a period of time. The only way to be a regular voter is to start voting, and that is why I am excited about the Minnesota Students Vote program for 2016. This initiative, overseen by the Minnesota Secretary of State’s Office, will include hundreds of high schools across the state, including many in the local area. Interested students Connor Kockler is a Sauk Rapids-Rice High must first register to vote and then show up School student. He enjoys writing, politics and on the designated date to cast their ballots. news, among other interests. This vote will be purely for U.S. President, but it covers many of the issues I have addressed above. Getting oriented with a registration proThere is a limit of 250 words to political-endorsecess is great practice for ment letters to the editor. Those longer than that will voting in the future, and be edited to fit the limit. as voting is during the In addition, each letter must be signed by the writer, school day and not givwith city of residence and phone number. en special time, students The last date on which political letters may be pubwill have to find their lished is Friday, Oct. 28, deadline is Tuesday, Oct. 25. own time to vote, be it
Adhere to word limit for political letters
Friday, Oct. 21, 2016
School from page 5 topic discussed. Those conversations will be forwarded to the board and the district security committee. The city and district plan to do the joint field-house project. When completed, will that satisfy the sports needs for the schools? A field house would be a wonderful asset for both our students and our city, should the city decide to move forward with building it. In my opinion, with nearly 1,000 additional students during the last decade, the additional space would offer much-needed room and new options but it may not solve every athletic need. The city has been in discussions
Is your event listed? Send your information to: Newsleader Calendar, P.O. Box 324, St. Joseph, MN 56374; fax it to 320-363-4195; or, e-mail it to news@thenewsleaders.com. Friday, Oct. 21 Benton County Historical Society, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 218 First St. N., Sauk Rapids. 320-253-9614. mnbentonhistory. org. St. Cloud Singles Club Dance, 8 p.m.-midnight, American Legion, 17 Second Ave. S., Waite Park. 320339-4533. stcloudsingles.net. Saturday, Oct. 22 Roast Beef and Ham Supper, 4-7 p.m., Richmond Parish Center, 111 Central Ave. S, Richmond. Monday, Oct. 24 Benton County Historical SoWANTED TO BUY: Basswood and Birchwood by truckload delivered to Dodgeville, WI. Bark intact, harvested in dormancy, delivered FRESH cut. Pre-arranged purchases only. Call Al Ladd at 608-935-2341 ext.333 (MCN) A U TO M O B I L E S / M O TO R C Y C L E S WANTED MOTORCYCLES: TOP CASH PAID! For Old Motorcycles! 1900-1979. DEAD OR ALIVE! 920-371-0494 (MCN) PETS/PET SUPPLIES AKC LAB PUPS: SILVER, CHARCOAL WHITE & CHOCOLATE dews/1st Shots/ Worming. Info 715-582-4076 harborlabradors.com (MCN) ADOPTION PREGNANT? CONSIDERING ADOPTION? Call us first. Living expenses, housing, medical, and continued support afterwards. Choose adoptive family of your choice. Call 24/7. 855-390-6047 (MCN) ANNOUNCEMENTS MACHINERY CONSIGNMENT SALE, MON., NOVEMBER 14, 2016 at 9:00 A.M. Consign early by Oct. 28, 2016 for complete advertising. No Small Items, Tires or Pallet Items Accepted After Friday, Nov. 4. Next Machinery Consignment Sale is Jan. 16, 2017. Gilbert’s Sale Yard, LLC, 641-3982218. 2 Mi. N. of Floyd, IA On Hwy. 218. Tractor House Internet Bidding Available. www.gilbertsaleyard.com (MCN) AUTOMOBILES DONATE YOUR CAR, TRUCK OR BOAT TO HERITAGE FOR THE BLIND. Free 3 Day Vacation, Tax Deductible, Free Towing, All Paperwork Taken Care Of.
Sauk Rapids-Rice Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com with the school board asking our support for ongoing operating costs for the facility. Personally, I do support the idea of the field house, but as a board it’s our responsibility to look to our residents for direction with the field-house project as education is our first priority always. Are sports over-emphasized in the district, and do students spend too much time involved in them? Academics are always top priority I think and studies confirm participation in activities teach so many essential skills for life. Education is definitely enhanced with students being involved in any of the many activities offered in Sauk Rapids-Rice whether it is debate, football, band, speech, gymnastics, music, drama or any of the many choices avail-
able to our students. Reducing costs for participating in activities was a priority for the board which has allowed more opportunities for students to participate and less financial burden for families. Have you examined the district’s policy regarding bullying? Is it adequate or does it need improvements? How would you change it? Yes, the board reviews all policies annually. The bullying policy received recognition by the Department of Education recently as a model policy. Some people complain schools should get back to the ABC basics and too much technology and “frills” are taking over the basics. What would you tell those people? As a district, it’s our belief all of our students deserve and
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benefit from equal access to technology. Even our youngest learners are extremely skilled at doing research, compiling data and imagery and then presenting their findings in electronic format to an audience. The district’s technology initiative allows our students to learn current content and world events and sets a solid foundation to compete for jobs on a global scale. I’m so proud our students are learning in a setting where they have access to technology. Students and teachers both have blended technology where it’s best used and recognized where traditional learning fits best. Students are under extreme pressures: homework; tests; extracurricular pursuits; all sorts of parental, peer and societal expectations to achieve
– not to mention lack of sleep. Are there ways to lessen those pressures for them? For even our youngest learners, having balance and setting priorities is important to their overall well being. This is a life skill that continues to be adjusted and fine-tuned as children and their world grow. I think as adults, we have a responsibility to set a healthy example and then guide even a young student to develop a good a balance between school work, friends, activities and family. Please feel free to add any ideas or comments. I’m so thankful for the opportunity to be a part of the Sauk Rapids-Rice school district. It is humbling to work with professionals who are so passionate, enthusiastic and dedicated.
Community Calendar
ciety, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 218 First St. N., Sauk Rapids. 320-253-9614. mnbentonhistory. org. Sauk Rapids City Council, 6 p.m., council chambers, Sauk Rapids Government Center, 250 Summit Ave. N. 320-258-5300. ci. sauk-rapids.mn.us. Tuesday, Oct. 25 Sauk Rapids Lions Club, 6:30 p.m., VFW, 901 N. Benton Drive, Sauk Rapids. e-clubhouse.org/sites/ saukrapidslionsmn. Thursday, Oct. 27 Coffee and Conversation, a senior discussion group, 9 a.m., Country Manor, 520 First St. NE, Sartell. Sauk Rapids Chamber Meeting, 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m., Sauk Rapids Government Center, 250 Summit Ave. N. 320-251-2940.
Friday, Oct. 28 Benton County Historical Society, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 218 First St. N., Sauk Rapids. 320-253-9614. mnbentonhistory. org. Trick or Treat on Main Street, 3-5 p.m., Main Street, Rice. Sultans of String Performance, 7:30 p.m., Stephen B Humphrey Theater, St. John’s University, 2840 Abbey Plaza, Collegeville. 320363-5777. csbsju.edu/wow. Saturday, Oct. 29 Craft and Bake Sale, sponsored by Sartell Area Churches, 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m., St. Francis Xavier School, 308 Second St. N, Sartell. Life Banquet, sponsored by MCCL Chapters of Rockville area, Cold Spring-St. Nick and Richmond, 4 p.m. social, 5:30 p.m. dinner, music and speaker Brody
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Sauk Rapids-Rice Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
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Friday, Oct. 21, 2016
Firefighters, police host open house photo by Dennis Dalman
Top left: Firefighters measure out and cut lengths of string for the hundreds of balloons given away during the Sauk Rapids Fire Department Open House Oct. 15. The firefighters are Bryce Sequin, a “newbie” recruit (left); and Brian Katzberger, a 12-year member of the department.
photo by Dennis Dalman
Bottom left: Children enjoy petting a K-9 police helper named Thunder at the Oct. 15 Sauk Rapids Fire Department Open House. The dog’s police “buddy” is Matt Bosma (left), a member of the Sauk Rapids Police Department, which also shared a visible presence at the fire department’s open-house event.
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