District 742

The St. Cloud Area School Board is beginning the tough task of cutting more money from the district's budget. The board is expected to approve the process for making those cuts during tomorrow (Thursday) night's meeting.

Our frigid cold temperatures forced some schools in Central Minnesota to start two hours late this (Friday) morning, while a few others closed. However, all of the schools in the immediate St. Cloud area ran on time. District 742 Superintendent Bruce Watkins says it's always a tough debate about what to do in extreme cold conditions.

The St. Cloud Area School Board has selected Cindy Harner to head the board in 2011. They also voted to keep their salaries the same for the year.

The St. Cloud Area School Board will hold their reorganizational meeting this (Monday) afternoon. The Chairman is expected to be Cindy Harner, she has served as the Vice-Chair this past year.

The St. Cloud Area school board has approved using a Boston firm to study their special education programs. It will look at ways to curb expenses.

The St. Cloud Area School Board voted 6-1 on Thursday night to increase the district's property tax levy by 24% next year. The average home in the St. Cloud Area School District will see an increase of $75 on their property taxes next year.

The St. Cloud Area School District has come to terms on a deal to lease some farm land. During Thursday night's meeting the board agreed to a nine-year lease with Edling Farms of Clear Lake.

The St. Cloud Area School Board is considering spending $70,000 on a new study of the costs of special education programs. The school board already approved doing a study at an earlier meeting, tonight's action would approve the use of a Boston-based firm to conduct the study.

Property owners in the St. Cloud Area school district will be paying more on the school portion of their property taxes next year, if the school board approves a planned tax hike. The school board will decide the issue at tonight's (Thursday) board meeting. There is a time for public comment. The board meeting starts at 7:00 p.m. at St. Cloud City Hall.