Each student with special needs has an individual education plan (IEP) that by law must be funded. All children including those with special needs have an equal right to an education as guaranteed by the 14th Amendment. They also have a right to the same funding as all children.

The problem comes when the cost of mandated individualized programs for special needs children is greater than the state and federal funds provided. Local school districts then by law must pick up the extra cost from their general funds, causing school boards to cut funds and opportunities for all students.

In 1967 Congress passed a law requiring school districts to have an individual plan for each learning disabled child and promised to provide 40 percent of the funding. The state of Minnesota also is expected to provide funds to educate these children. At no time was it suggested that local school districts would have to fund what the federal and state governments refused to provide.

Look at what’s happened in Minnesota alone.

According to the Minnesota Department of Education, in 2012 it cost $1.8 billion to fund these individual plans. The state and federal government covered $1.2 billion, forcing local school districts to bolster special education funding by almost $600 million from their general operating funds.

Had the federal and state governments paid what was promised – another $450 million – local school districts would have had to pay only $150 million more last year.

Obviously this system is broken. There has been no action by either the federal or state governments to close the funding gap that compels the diversion of local school district funds from programs for all to the cost of mandated IEPs.

The federal government is content with the underfunded status quo. Gov. Mark Dayton had budgeted an extra $125 million for special education. State legislators would rather spread any new funding to their local districts, rather than give more to districts that educate many of the disabled learners.

A leading advocate for children with learning disabilities contends that a local school district’s subsidy of the funding gap is part of the community’s responsibility to educate all children.  She notes that students with special needs also lose opportunities when districts cut operating budgets.

In a survey taken by ECM education columnist Joe Nathan, 40 Minnesota school superintendents said their No. 1 priority for the federal government is full funding of special education.

We favor a concerted effort to have the federal and state governments live up to their commitments, because after all they are the ones who mandate that these IEPs be funded.

Until the people rise up and demand that the federal and state governments live up to their promises, under-funding will continue and students who have no IEPs will continue to feel the loss of educational opportunities they deserve. —An opinion of the ECM Publishers 

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Jennifer Mueller and her son, Tyler dressed for German Festival success.

The German Heritage Festival committee would like to thank everyone who helped to make the first German Heritage Festival an amazing success. Approximately 1,000 people of all ages gathered at Lions Park in Elk River to enjoy a wide variety of exciting German music performed by Command Performance, the Bavarian Musikmeisters and Northstar Boys Choir. The Elk River Lions and MCCoys served great German food and beer while children enjoyed costumed characters and fairytales by Youth Theatre Workshop in the castle tent. All ages had fun trying their skill at the carnival games sponsored by Abba Roofing and Windows, Coldwell Banker Vision, Thrivent Financial and Guardian Angels.

We greatly appreciate the support of the Central Minnesota Arts Board, the Minnesota Stage Legislature as well as all of the individuals and businesses who helped to make this idea a reality. — Eileen Anderson, Elk River (Editor’s note: Anderson wrote this on behalf of herself and the rest of the Elk River German Heritage Festival Committee Members Brian Budahn, Harold Gramstad, Jennifer Mueller and Deborah Weston.)

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Here are a few tips:

•Always buckle up — and insist passengers are belted, too. In a crash, unbelted motorists can slam into and injure or kill others inside a vehicle.

•Wear lap belts low and snug across the hips; shoulder straps should never be tucked under an arm or behind the back — not only is this unsafe, it is illegal.

•Children under age 13 should always ride in the back seat. Kids under 4 feet 9 inches should be in a booster seat. Learn more about the child passenger safety and the booster seat law.

•Pregnant women should wear the lap belt under the stomach, as low on the hips as possible and against the upper thighs. The shoulder belt should rest between the breasts.

Airbags are designed to work with seat belts to keep vehicle occupants in a safe position during a crash — airbags are not effective when the motorist is not belted.

Seat belts restrain motorists in the vehicle’s designed protective space, giving them room to live in the event of a crash. Seat belts also keep a motorist correctly positioned behind the wheel to help maintain control of a vehicle.

Thank you for taking the time and effort to keep our roads in Sherburne County safe. —   Mark Lees, Elk River (Editor’s note: Lees is the Community Health Coordinator for Sherburne County Health & Human Services.)

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Thank you (Elk River Area School District) for clearly laying out the reasoning behind the cuts to the music program at Elk River High School. The data was clearly presented and the formulas were mathematically sound. What will not add up, however, is the overall impact on students at the high school. I believe these actions, while no doubt saving the district money, will have an impact that is disproportionately negative for the amount of money saved and is in direct conflict with previous commitments to the arts and specifically music.

Staffing decisions are not usually the purview of the board. I must tell you, however, that part of the reason I am here speaking to you is that I have yet to receive a response to emails and phone calls left with Elk River school’s administration, specifically the principal’s office. As a parent I find this lack of willingness to dialogue very disappointing. In my work, both as a university music professor and as an author of instructional materials, I speak with directors from all over the country. These budget challenges are not all unique to District 728, but successful programs most certainly do exist. The common denominator in successful band programs is administrative support. Directors to a person tell me that they could not do what they do without the support of school administration. I wonder if that same level of support exists here.

This cut is supposedly being made because of student choices – specifically students choosing not to enroll in certain electives. Why punish the students who are already invested in a program because of a lack of interest somewhere else? The suggestion that band students should help fill out these electives is not at all practical. It is difficult enough for them to simply work band into their schedules. If the belief is that a certain area of the curriculum is important, then every effort should be made to encourage participation in that area. Parents and the community have demonstrated loudly and clearly that we value music education in the curriculum. The board has also demonstrated that it values music education through actions and investments made two years ago.

Cuts to other areas of the high school’s curriculum have teachers available to help make up for the loss of FTE (full-time equivalents). This is not the case in band. Many of the events that band students participate in will be, if not impossible, at the least more difficult. Events that require travel, such as visiting solo and ensemble contests or other festivals, will be more difficult, if not impossible.

Suggestions by the administration that “everything will still be offered” (referring to jazz band, pep band, etc.) are disingenuous at best. Try telling a coach that they are expected to recruit, build the necessary relationships with kids and maintain the same level of program quality all while spending 40 percent less time on site.

Investments made by the board two years ago that have resulted in increased middle school participation have not yet had time to potentially carry over into the high school. A band director who is only at a high school part time is not going to have the same opportunities to recruit. Incoming students and parents may also interpret a less-than-full-time band director as a lack of commitment to a band program. I am concerned about the affect of this action not only for the coming year, but also for the coming three to five years.

Working against these ideals is an ever-tightening budget and the constraints of a six-period day. To be sure, these are real challenges that require creative solutions. I disagree with a solution that results in penalizing students that are involved in a program that has shown significant improvement in the past two years. Especially when the potential pay-off of middle school level investments are so close to fruition. Band students are largely college-bound high achievers that do the school and the district proud. I challenge the board to seek long-term comprehensive solutions to these problems.

Thank you for this opportunity to speak to you and for your service on the District 728 School Board. Board service is time-consuming work, and that time is appreciated. — Dean Sorenson, Elk River

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As a rookie team, we were fortunate to have such a dedicated team to serve as our mentor. Coach Durand and his team were a presence in our pit area whenever asked and their guidance and assistance were instrumental in helping our team win the Regional North Star Alliance Championship and a trip to St. Louis for the FRC National Championships.

Our team has learned so much throughout our first season of competition. The genuine kindness and spirit of gracious professionalism shown to us by the Elk River team has been humbling to our students, coaches and mentors. We only hope that in the future, we can “pay it forward” and help other rookie teams as much as we have been helped by Mr. Durand and his students.

Hats off to the Elk River Robotics Team! — Mark Kolbinger, Becker  (Editor’s note: Kolbinger wrote this on behalf  of himself, Alex Jurek and  the Becker Robotics Team.)

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The boys and girls that went door to door had a great time, were treated very well and in the end felt good about themselves for raising money. Some people donated cash, most bought the coupon cards, and some even gave out bottled water to the players. It is great to know what we live in a community that still so willingly helps out the youth programs. Thank you. — Annette Olson, Elk River

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We have our 2nd annual smelt fry scheduled for Tuesday, May 28, from 4 to 7:30 p.m.  Last year’s event was a huge success and we doubled our smelt order this year, as we ran out last year.  Come on down and enjoy a great meal and get to know some people in your community.

Finally, I would like to say thank you to all of our members, volunteers, Elk River businesses, elected officials and most importantly, the community.  You have supported us through thick and thin, and we as veterans are very gracious for your continuing support.

God Bless America. — Mike Beyer, Elk River  (Editor’s note: Beyer is the commander of Elk River American Legion Post 112)

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Seems that some coaches claim they are being let go because too many parents complain about their coaching and how they handle their players.

To protect their jobs, the bill in the Legislature would require that the school board could not dismiss a coach on the basis of parental complaints only.

These coaches do not need this protection; rather, frustrated parents need some avenue so that unworthy coaches are taken off the playing field.

Don’t get this wrong. Almost all coaches are qualified, do a good job and should never lose their jobs.

These are the coaches who put the welfare and development of the character of their players above winning. These are the coaches who know the techniques of coaching the sport, who know how to assemble a team, develop team chemistry and bring out the best in their players, win or lose.

These are the coaches who strictly follow the rules, know how to teach, how to develop a player, bring him and her into the starting lineup, reward the players when they do well and counsel them when they make mistakes.

These are the coaches who respect the players, their fellow coaches and the parents who put their hearts and souls into developing their children, believing that sports develop teamwork, character and relationship-building.

Parents who try to get these coaches removed should be ashamed of themselves, and school boards should have the spine to ignore unworthy parental complaints and keep these coaches.

But, let’s face it: There are a few coaches who don’t deserve to be on the field, the ice and the courts. Getting rid of them is not easy for parents when they have a legitimate complaint.

These are the coaches who put winning above the athlete’s welfare; who berate the players in front of the public; who play favorites, sometimes with their own sons and daughters; who bend the rules of the game; and who recruit players outside the district, displacing those who gave their all for starting positions.

Yes, these are the coaches who have no time for the parents who have honest questions and don’t get answers. Parents don’t know where to turn for fear that objecting would only make matters worse for their youngsters.

Athletic directors tend to over protect even the bad coaches, for, after all, they appointed them. High school principals want to back their athletic directors, because that’s the way the system works.

School boards are the last resort for parents, because they, after all, are the elected representatives of the public.  Alas, school boards too often take the easy way out and follow the administration’s recommendations and hide behind privacy rules for their actions.

School boards do not need a law that would essentially make it harder for parents to be heard and to remove coaches who have no business teaching and coaching students. Already, coaches are notified they will not be rehired for the next year and have a chance to appeal.

There’s a reason no state has a law like this. It’s unnecessary. — Don Heinzman (Editor’s note: Heinzman is a columnist for ECM Publishers and a member of the ECM Editorial Board.) 

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But it begs the question: Why no interest? Why do families and students not understand the importance of involving students in the fine arts programs when available? In part, we have said that our music educators need to be better about recruiting students into their programs. If only the same thing could be said about hockey, for example, where one would typically have to have try-outs, and only a small percentage of those expressing interest would actually be afforded a chance to make the team.

Before you jump to the conclusion that this is anti-sports rhetoric, please know that my son played hockey and I coached the sport for nine years. Rather, this is an examination of the community and school culture that fails to support and understand the true value of our fine arts curriculum and the return on that important investment.

My children attended school in a neighboring district, where in high school, they were afforded the chance to be taught by an orchestra teacher, a choir director, a band instructor and finally a theater teacher. The involvement in these fine arts programs was amazing, and the concerts and plays each year were almost always sold out. Often, they put out additional chairs or held multiple performances so everyone would have a chance to attend.

All three children went on the receive substantial scholarships to three prestigious higher learning institutions – Carnegie Melon, Florida State and Berklee College of Music in Boston. All three played sports, for which they received no financial support or funding as they entered their college years.

As I sat through three different scholarship and awards ceremonies for each of these children and their peers, I saw numerous substantial grants and scholarships being awarded to students with fine arts backgrounds. I also recognized, looking back, that almost every single honors student took part in either choir, orchestra or band. There was a distinct connection between academic achievement and the fine arts programs. The return on investment is there – and families need to realize this.

Recently there were articles in many of the metro papers and a feature on KARE 11 about Anoka High School’s Symphonic Rock Concert – a fundraiser for families in need. They sell so many tickets that they have to hold the concert on two days. Last year they raised $30,000, this year their goal was $50,000. Not only do all of the school music groups take part, but the teachers have their own band, and the superintendent even makes a guest appearance during which he plays and sings along with the bands.

Recruitment starts at the very top and works its way down. It should not be the job of the just the band director to awaken the community to get them to realize that there is value in steering our students toward the music and fine arts programs. The return on this investment is more than the potential for scholarships, it is learning cultural values and understanding that will last a lifetime. We need to change our culture, not based on a financial management plan, but based on what we deem to be important.

You can’t hand someone a single seed and ask them to plant it between the cracks in the pavement to grow an entire flower garden. Like any good program, in order for it to grow, you need a better foundation and much nourishment in order for the full garden to appear.

“If you build it, they will come.” — Jeff Beahen, Elk River

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