In response to a letter from MGEA

I am writing to let the people of our school district know that, despite MGEA's decision to work the contract, the Cottage Grove PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) will continue to work towards raising money for our schools and supporting our children. Now, more than ever, parents and our community at large need to band together to give our children the best educational experience possible. While I did receive a letter from MGEA indicating that they are encouraging their membership not to participate in the PTO Fall Festival on October 2, we will remain focused on our mission and use this event to raise as much money as we can to put SMART Boards in our schools, as well as providing the many other services that we offer both teachers and students.

Our goals will not change. Our focus will remain on providing valuable and much needed resources to our children.

District loses Mary Ellen Van Valin

Unfortunately, our district is set to lose one of it's most valuable administrators. Mary Ellen Van Valin, Director of Business Services, has tendered her resignation effective at the end of the school year. For the entire article in the Herald Independent, please see http://heraldindependentonline.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=21&ArticleID=1755

I talked to Mr. Gerlach and this spot will be a difficult position to fill, considering the specialized certification that is needed. In addition several other districts are looking to hire a person for the same position.

I believe that the loss of Mary Ellen is a symptom of a larger problem that this district has. The question is, how much longer will we let it continue?

Racial Tension in the Monona School District

Last night I sat in on the School Board meeting and listened to Charlie Ellis plead with the Board to take action on the abuses that some of the students in this District are dealing with at the hand of other students. I was in absolute awe as I listened to him speak about a student throwing a half stick of dynamite on another student's porch "just for fun". My stomach lurched as he told the tale of a young girl being cornered in a parking lot and how it has traumatized her. Racial slurs; threats of bodily harm; students wandering around armed... This is unacceptable and I hope that the Board takes swift action to impose a no tolerance policy of this behavior. These activities all fall under the same umbrella - bullying - and it is unacceptable at our schools. The right a student has to feel safe at school is non-negotiable. Period.