After-school programs in Albert Lea got a much-needed boost Monday from a federal grant program.

Tuesday, June 19, 2001

After-school programs in Albert Lea got a much-needed boost Monday from a federal grant program.

Curriculum Director Judy Knudtson announced a $1.68 million grant from the 21st Century Community Learning Center for after-school and summer programs such as targeted services. The district is one of 308 to receive the awards out of more than 3,000 applicants, she said.

&uot;It’s wonderful news. We were so close to getting this last year,&uot; Knudtson said.

The grant, spread out over three years, will bolster Albert Lea’s many alternative learning opportunities for at-risk students, Knudtson said.

&uot;It’s a growing part of our programming in the district, and this is such a good opportunity to keep moving ahead,&uot; she said.

Knudtson said more details of the grant will be available later in the summer, but she know she will have to attend a training session in Washington D.C. as part of the grant award.

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In other school board news:

n Finance Director Mark Stotts told the board the district will likely go into the next fiscal year without a completed budget. With the standstill at the legislature, Stotts said he doubts he will know how much state aid the district will receive before July 1 when the new year begins.

&uot;We do certainly have funds in the bank to keep things going in the event that we don’t receive our state aid payments,&uot; Stotts said. &uot;How long we can keep things going is another matter.&uot;

Stotts said the expenditure side of the budget is set, along with the capital budget, but the legislature will need to pass a k-12 budget bill before he can finalize plans for the coming year.

n Facilities and Transportation Director Bruce Olson said the sale of unusable and surplus items over the weekend took in over $6,500, but many items remain.

Olson said he hopes to hold a giveaway or another sale to get rid of the hundred of leftover chairs, desks, computers and other items. He may contact charitable organizations about donations, he said.

&uot;We still have a lot of stuff to get rid of,&uot; Olson said.

n The board approved a new student handbook for Albert Lea High School. Assistant Principal Mary Williams said the handbook includes a few additional policies and clarifications, especially in the areas of terroristic threats, disorderly conduct and bullying.

&uot;We model the policies after other districts in the Big 9,&uot; Williams said. &uot;It basically goes through revisions every year.&uot;