Legislative Deadline ?Äì May 22
As I prepare my Friday, May 19 Update, we still have no formal bills adopted for education, taxes, transportation, bonding, etc. As the legislative session inches toward Monday?Äôs deadline, rural tax payers and schools have their eyes on a tax credit that would provide 40 percent property tax relief to farm property for taxes paid on school bonds. The tax credit, dubbed ?ÄúAg2School,?Äù has bipartisan support from Gov. Mark Dayton and both the House and Senate. However, it?Äôs packed in the omnibus tax bill, which is as partisan and contentious as it gets. Wouldn?Äôt it make sense to pass the bills and provisions that have bipartisan support that would allow our schools, farms, and businesses to move forward with establishing their annual budgets, finalizing spring purchases and planning, or making those critical decisions to expand or reduce jobs and production?
Tell our legislative leaders in St. Paul to quit playing politics, meet the statutory deadline, and compromise for the betterment of Minnesota.
USDA Summer Meal Program
Schools have been designated as the best sites for summer meal efforts. In most cases, children and parents are familiar with local schools, and schools are known for providing nutritious food in a safe and welcoming environment. The Eden Valley ?Äì Watkins School District will assist the USDA as well as other Federal and State agencies by providing serving sites within our schools. Designated serving sites, dates and times within the school district include:
?Ä¢ Watkins Elementary ?Äì We will be serving breakfast from 8-9:30 and Lunch 11-1 when swimming lessons are in session: June 5-30 (Monday through Friday), July 10 ?Äì Aug. 17 (Monday through Friday).
?Ä¢ Eden Valley Elementary ?ÄìWe will be serving breakfast from 7:30-8:30 and Lunch 11-12:30. The dates are: June 19-30, July 10-20.
?Ä¢ EVW High School ?Äì Breakfast will be served 7:30-9 a.m., and Lunch will be served 11 a.m.-1 p.m. The high school will be serving meals starting June 5-30 and July 10-Aug. 17 (Monday-Friday).
You can learn more about the USDA Summer Meal Programs by contacting Food Service Director Brittany Hirschauer at (320) 453-2900, ext. 1106, or visiting: www.summerfood.usda.gov.
Community Satisfaction Survey
The school district recently released its third-annual Community Satisfaction Survey. The community survey is located under the News tab of the District home page (www.evw.k12.mn.us) and will be available until June 1. We?Äôre seeking feedback and input from all of our community and school-district stakeholders. The survey responses will be compiled, analyzed, and then used to assist our decision-making toward continuous improvement. Thank you for taking the time to provide us with your constructive feedback.
End of Year Reminders
?Ä¢ The last student day of the 2016-17 school year is Thursday, June 1. As in the past, we?Äôll dismiss students early to accommodate graduation plans and preparation. Student dismissal times will be:
a. Watkins at 1 p.m.
b. EV Elem. at 1:10 p.m.
c. EV-W HS at 1:40 p.m.
?Ä¢ The graduation ceremony for the Class of 2017 will take place in the JP Gym on Thursday, June 1, at 8 p.m.
?Ä¢ Training for designated staff in levels 5-7 of the Barton Reading and Spelling System takes place on June 5, 6, and 7.
Senior Spotlight
The EV-W School District would like to recognize Hunter Flaschenriem, son of Lou Ann. Hunter is described as a young man with strong character, reliability, and motivation. Following high school graduation, Hunter plans to attend the University of Minnesota-Morris and pursue a degree in mathematics or business. The EV-W administration and staff are extremely proud of Hunter and his many accomplishments. Congratulations!