A committee made up of community members, students and school district staff has been studying ways to change the daily class schedule in Rochester's public high schools, and they say they've found three different ways to do so.

We'd politely suggest that the list of possible alternatives to the current seven-period, two-semester schedule can easily be narrowed down to one.

As we understand it, the whole point of this committee's efforts was to find a way to reduce costs at the high school level, and of the three proposals under consideration, only a trimester-based, five-class-per-day system would definitely accomplish that goal. That schedule would accommodate fewer elective courses and would require fewer teachers -- and personnel costs make up the lion's share of the school district's budget. To significantly reduce costs, the district must employ fewer people.

So, although school officials say any decision is still a long way off, it's clear to us that there's a major debate looming for the school board and the community. In the face of a $5 million shortfall for the 2010-11 school year, are we prepared to reduce the educational options for some of our best and brightest students?

Rochester tends to recoil from such suggestions, but this time might be different.

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The right call

Speaking of schools, we applaud the New Ulm school district for taking a strong stand against unsportsmanlike conduct by fans at high school sporting events. More than 40 students have been disciplined for taunting opposing players during a volleyball game Oct. 22 against Fairmont.

The problems began early, when a large group of New Ulm students walked out of the gymnasium during visiting players' introductions. Then, during the match, officials warned the students to stop making derogatory comments about the Fairmont players. When the crude insults didn't stop, the troublesome students were ejected from the gym.

New Ulm Superintendent Harold Remme has blocked these students from attending any athletic events for two weeks, and those who are athletes themselves were suspended for two contests. As a result, 11 football players missed the New Ulm's playoff opener against Hutchinson, which New Ulm lost.

It's an ugly situation, and some families believe the district has over-reacted, but we disagree. Rochester and other districts in our region have seen their share of inappropriate fan behavior, and we applaud New Ulm for taking a principled stand.

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Attention, please

We suspect that those involved in Minnesota's air travel industry would prefer to stay out of the national spotlight for the next decade or so.

First, we had the incident at the Rochester International Airport in which passengers spent six hours on a cramped commuter jet in the middle of the night, not allowed to disembark while Continental Airlines and ExpressJet tried to figure out what to do next. Now we have the "distracted flying" fiasco that played out in the skies over Minneapolis-St. Paul and on into Wisconsin. No one in Minnesota was at fault this time, but everyone now knows that it's possible for pilots to fly right past the Land of 10,000 Lakes without noticing. Honestly, we've heard the Midwest referred to as "flyover country," but this is ridiculous.

The Federal Aviation Administration was right to revoke the licenses of the pilots who were too engrossed in their laptops to pay attention to radio traffic, and we expect that new, stricter rules will be put in place to make sure such an incident doesn't happen again. In the not-so-distant future, cockpits might be equipped with real-time video cameras, not just voice recorders, to ensure that someone on board is paying attention at all times.

There are 5 comments - Display All Comments

AverageJo
e
Anywhere, US

Posted on 11/2/2009 at 9:31:36 AM

The New Ulm district did not overreact, but it did apply punishment *differently* to students based on who they are. Consequently, the punishment was more severe for different students accused of the exact same behavior.

School districts need to put the blindfold back on and execute its disciplinary functions without regard for the who but instead focus exclusively on the behavior—past and present.

Isn’t that what this editorial board preaches every other day for how our society should operate?

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irishman
Rochester, Mn

Posted on 11/2/2009 at 10:09:23 AM

I have no problem with any athletes involved receiving more punishment. As players themselves they should know better than to think abusive fans are acceptable.

Whoever threw a coin on the floor should be very seriously disciplined beyond all others.

Thanks New Ulm district for standing up. Your students will make better adults if they learn this lesson now before they become the bonehead throwing batteries or fighting in the stands. Very low class!!!

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easterner
Rochester, MN

Posted on 11/2/2009 at 6:58:13 PM

One way to narrow the achievement (formerly “opportunity” gap) is to get rid of electives (educational options) for our brightest and best.  How short sighted.

I can hear the screaming already when our “best and brightest” can’t get into the best colleges and universities which require/strongly recommend four years of a foreign language.  I can hear the screaming when elective classes, such as AP sciences, are eliminated.  I can hear the screaming when the fine arts are eliminated. 

The problem is that the school climate is so poor right now - thank you, School Board and Supt. Dallemand - that there is no way in heck that a referendum would pass.  A case of “cut your nose off to spite your face,” but this incompetent board with its choice of superintendent will be a huge stumbling block to doing what is right for kids.

It is about the kids, isn’t it?

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anonymous
Rochester, MN

Posted on 11/2/2009 at 8:11:50 PM

East is sadly, very correct.  If Dr. D. actually cared anywhere near as much about the kids, as he does about his career, he’d resign knowing that’s the ONLY way Roch. might consider a referendum.  In reality, they have no chance. 

On the plus side, Byron should be seeing even more students soon.  Their levy shouldn’t be too big a deal one way or the other.

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bluestar
rochester, mn

Posted on 11/3/2009 at 8:58:58 AM

Why isn’t it an option to cut school administration?

How much has the increase in Edison employees been of the course of time? In the last say, 2,5,10,15 years?

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