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With the backing of the Gilmanton Board of Education, the local Education Association created a new program that has benefitted the entire community. It is called "Excellence in Education," and it certainly meets the criteria of the title.
"In the negotiations process it is always especially fulfilling when the board and teachers agree on something that is both imaginative and useful to the whole district. But that's exactly what happened last year," said Hans Madland, the teachers' chief negotiator.
"We wanted to help make the school more than just a place where kids go every day, and we wanted the adult community members to come here for something other than sports events." |
It happened like this:
The increasing cost of health insurance premiums was causing the board and association to think about changing carriers. When they found a company that was more affordable and that wouldn't significantly reduce the benefits, the switch was made. Then the two teams began to explore what might be done with the savings.
Since it might be a one-time savings, the board agreed to split the amount as long as the teachers' association used its half for some project that would benefit the entire district.
Although the association had 100% control of these funds, the stipulation was that the money could not be used for items that normally fell within the district budget (textbooks, maps, materials, etc.).
After considerable thought and discussion, the association decided to spend the $2,500 for programs other than sports or Parent-Teacher Conferences. Roger Dahlin was a member of the "Excellence in Education" Fund Committee.
"What to do with the money was the hardest part. Once we made the decision, the rest went pretty much like a lesson plan," Dahlin said.
Kirsten Almo, the association president, handled the particulars.
"We are a little community, very rural," said Almo. "We chose events that we thought might offer community members opportunities that they wouldn't otherwise have. So, we picked music for one night and parenting skills for two more evenings," she added.
The music event was a huge success. Held at the school on a Sunday afternoon, it featured a 19-piece group called the "Prime Time Big Band" from Eau Claire.
Led by Arcadia High School Band Director Jim Gallagher, this group of professional musicians enormously pleased the crowd. "Their selections were outstanding," said Almo. "Folks were up dancing right away."
With a monetary grant from their district union organization, Coulee Region United Educators, there was a nice array of snacks. Table flowers also added to the festive atmosphere.
Attendance exceeded all expectations.
But while it is much easier to gather a crowd for free entertainment, there was concern that the parenting skill-building presentations might not go as well.
Corwin Kronenberg, a former Minnesota classroom teacher who is now an educational consultant, was scheduled for two presentations. One topic was on developing better discipline strategies and the other on "teaching your kids responsibility."
The community's response to Kronenberg was equally positive.
"We sure picked the right person for the other events," said Dahlin. "Corwin had us laughing and crying at the same time, and his structured advice was right on the mark. He gave the kind of information that can make a positive difference for family relationships," he added.
"We are looking forward to his second appearance next fall," said Almo. "The word will get out in town and I wouldn't be surprised if the crowd doubled."
Then she added, "We wanted to help make the school more than just a place where kids go every day, and we wanted the adult community members to come here for something other than sports events. These three events have helped to accomplish that and we're proud."
Public schools work for Wisconsin and they work well! Year after year it is the Wisconsin students who score #1 on the American College Test. Many things contribute to this record of success.
In Gilmanton, it is the Education Association's creative use of some unexpected money that is part of its contribution as members continue to build on the best.
Posted June 11, 1997