As a Lutsen township resident I am writing to share information with other taxpayers regarding Birch Grove School’s request for $20,000 from each township (Lutsen, Tofte and Schroeder). The amount requested and received last year by Birch Grove School was $8,000 from each township. This new request is a 125 percent increase, that’s a lot.
Birch Grove’s enrollment is only 18 students, nine of which are from Lake County. Only 50 percent of the students attending Birch Grove School are from Cook County. Only four of the 18 students are from Lutsen. Lutsen, Tofte and Schroeder taxpayers are being asked for $60,000 to support Birch Grove School, each year. Lake County and/or its townships or towns do not fund Birch Grove School, even though 50 percent of the students are residents of Lake County
Another concern is there is not a plan for long-term sustainability for Birch Grove School unless township donations are continued. Birch Grove School is asking that the request for $20,000 become a lineitem on the Lutsen, Tofte and Schroeder annual budgets. This is not a one-time request.
Also, please note that MCA results are based on educational growth not a received grade. The higher the growth rate the higher the MCA rate. In other words, if a school has average or above average scores to start with, it is difficult for them to show growth since they are already on the upper half of the scale. If a school is starting with lower MCA rates then it is easier to show growth. Also, the lower the number of students tested the greater the chance you will have better MCA results.
Finally, it was reported that student to teacher ratios are 4 to 1. This is a desirable ratio for parents and students, but is it realistic? It is definitely not feasible without outside monetary resources. Be ready to pay for a long time.
Asking for a $20,000 donation annually (from each township) for an unlimited time frame is too much. Please consider taking time out of your busy day and come to the Lutsen town hall for the annual meeting on March 10 at 7:00 p.m.
When Birch Grove asks for $20,000 vote “no.”
Louise Abelon
Lutsen
Leave a Reply