The Devils Lake Public Schools hosted a long-range planning session on Tuesday night to look at enrollment trends, possible curriculum changes and the district's buildings, among other things.
But there are some things that are out of the administrators' hands.
Dr. Steve Swiontek, Superintendent of Schools, said the one “X factor” in their long-range planning is the rising water on Devils Lake.
“Pre-K has been on the rise for the last six or seven years,” he said, “but I believe our numbers will stabilize.”
Swiontek said he feels the lake has had a negative effect on the school district and could cause an overall decrease in the district's enrollment numbers.
“I see the lake as a big factor in our enrollment,” he said. “Why would people move here? Start a business here?”
Swiontek said if the lake continues to rise, more homes will be lost and more businesses will close, which means more people will be moving from Devils Lake.
If that happens, he said, school buildings may close and teachers may be laid off.
“Let's hope that doesn't happen,” he said. “Let's hope they figure out what to do with the lake.”
At the public meeting, which was held in the high school commons, Swiontek also discussed the building updates that were made possible from federal stimulus dollars and the budget history for the past five years.
He said the mill levies have dropped from 223.32 in 2005-2006 to the current 133.53.
“Five years ago we were at a very high number, one of the highest in the state,” Swiontek said, “we've been able to drop those levies down to 133.”
He said he doesn't see the district reducing the remaining levies any time soon, unless they get a hand from the legislature.
Swiontek also talked about math and reading scores, certified personnel and expenditures per pupil.
He then broke the school board members and community members into small groups to discuss the following five areas: Academic and extracurricular activities, instructional and administrative staffing, facility needs and utilization, district tax levies and student achievement.
Most of the talk focused on education, technology and possible media centers for Minnie H and Prairie View.
The meeting was deemed a success, but Swiontek said he was disappointed with the low turnout.
“It would have been nice if there was better attendance,” he said. “Maybe next time we'll hold it in the middle of winter.”
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The Devils Lake Public Schools hosted a long-range planning session on Tuesday night to look at enrollment trends, possible curriculum changes and the district's buildings, among other things.
But there are some things that are out of the administrators' hands.
Dr. Steve Swiontek, Superintendent of Schools, said the one “X factor” in their long-range planning is the rising water on Devils Lake.
“Pre-K has been on the rise for the last six or seven years,” he said, “but I believe our numbers will stabilize.”
Swiontek said he feels the lake has had a negative effect on the school district and could cause an overall decrease in the district's enrollment numbers.
“I see the lake as a big factor in our enrollment,” he said. “Why would people move here? Start a business here?”
Swiontek said if the lake continues to rise, more homes will be lost and more businesses will close, which means more people will be moving from Devils Lake.
If that happens, he said, school buildings may close and teachers may be laid off.
“Let's hope that doesn't happen,” he said. “Let's hope they figure out what to do with the lake.”
At the public meeting, which was held in the high school commons, Swiontek also discussed the building updates that were made possible from federal stimulus dollars and the budget history for the past five years.
He said the mill levies have dropped from 223.32 in 2005-2006 to the current 133.53.
“Five years ago we were at a very high number, one of the highest in the state,” Swiontek said, “we've been able to drop those levies down to 133.”
He said he doesn't see the district reducing the remaining levies any time soon, unless they get a hand from the legislature.
Swiontek also talked about math and reading scores, certified personnel and expenditures per pupil.
He then broke the school board members and community members into small groups to discuss the following five areas: Academic and extracurricular activities, instructional and administrative staffing, facility needs and utilization, district tax levies and student achievement.
Most of the talk focused on education, technology and possible media centers for Minnie H and Prairie View.
The meeting was deemed a success, but Swiontek said he was disappointed with the low turnout.
“It would have been nice if there was better attendance,” he said. “Maybe next time we'll hold it in the middle of winter.”
