A dramatic increase in Hispanic student numbers in Albert Lea schools prompted board action Monday to add another English as a Second Language position to the school district – the second addition in as many months.

Tuesday, February 06, 2001

A dramatic increase in Hispanic student numbers in Albert Lea schools prompted board action Monday to add another English as a Second Language position to the school district – the second addition in as many months.

Keith Erickson, director of special services for the district, said the ESL caseload has steadily increased since the end of the last school year. In May 2000, the program served 37 students at the middle-school and high school levels. That number has expanded to 49 in January.

With the latest added position, the district now has 5.8 ESL teachers to work with these students.

&uot;We’re doing our best to keep up with the need,&uot; said Erickson.

District wide, the number of ESL students at all grade levels has jumped from 80 students in May 1997 to 195 in January 2001. Most of the students, 95 percent or more, come from Spanish-speaking backgrounds, said Erickson.

ESL teachers are in short supply nationwide, and other Minnesota districts are experiencing similar growth in Spanish-speaking students, said Erickson.

&uot;The challenge now is to find someone to fill the position. We’re hoping a January college graduate will come along,&uot; said Erickson.

In other school board news:

n The board voted to dispose of the Hammer School building, either by demolition or sale. The building, located at the intersection of Hammer Road and Bridge Avenue, has been used in recent years as a locker and storage facility. Because it is in need of new siding and a new roof, Facilities and Transportation Director Bruce Olson said it is too expensive to maintain.

Olson said he would like to see the building removed or torn down by mid-April.

n Finance Director Mark Stotts told the board higher-than-expected heating costs are pushing the budget. The district is paying about 50 percent more for heating this winter that last year, he said.

Stotts said a budget amendment may be necessary in the coming months.

n The board heard a report from Halverson school officials about a bully prevention program for the students and teachers. Building on the success of conflict resolution and peer mediation programs already in place, the bully prevention program is part of an overall effort to ensure a safe and comfortable learning environment, said Halverson principal Del Stein.

The program focuses on identifying bullies, how to report the behavior, and where bullies and their victims can get help.

n Community Education Director Heidi Cunningham told the board federal changes in the GED program will force students who haven’t completed all five subject tests to start over beginning in 2002. Cunningham is trying to contact all GED students with remaining tests to complete the course by the end of the year.