Board delays action on survey

Chuck Kajer, Managing Editor

The New Prague Area School Board tabled action during its regular meeting on Monday, July 12, on an agreement with Springsted Inc. to conduct a survey and provide other services to prepare for a possible levy referendum in the fall of 2011.

The board had discussed the proposal at several workshops. The company would help the district plan for the referendum by determining how much residents of the district would be willing to invest in the district. Board members want to ask voters to extend, and possibly increase the amount of the levy in order to maintain current program levels and avoid future cuts. The board has cut $1.8 million from its budget over the last two years.

Board members seemed to have a consensus on the scope of the survey and how it would be conducted. The survey would cost no more than $14,300, which is below the $15,000 figure the board had discussed at a previous meeting.

However, it was pointed out that the $14,300 would include a 10 percent discount for the district to switch all of its financial services consulting to Springsted. The district has worked with Springsted in the past in some areas, but has used a different accounting firm.

Board members were not ready to make that commitment. They asked Superintendent Craig Menozzi and Operations Director Tim Rybak for more information, which they will discuss at their workshop meeting on August 9.

Fitness program

Also at the July 12 meeting, Jill Rohloff and Megan Giesen from Queen of Peace Hospital's Fitness Center and Pat Pribyl, principal at Raven Stream Elementary School, talked about a fitness program the school has been piloting with fourth graders for the last two years.

Based on what they have learned with the program, Rohloff and Giesen said they plan to implement it in all three public schools, as well as at St. Wenceslaus School.

The goal is to improve the children's awareness of the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle