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And now, Superintendent Fahrenwald is tilting at windmills -- literally. Rutland School District is applying to be part of the PUC's "Wind for Schools" program. If Rutland is among the five South Dakota schools that will be chosen, Fahrenwald is willing to stake $3500 of the district's money on this forward-looking project:
Rutland Superintendent Carl Fahrenwald said not only would there be energy savings with the installation of a wind turbine, but a science curriculum would also be provided to the school [Elisa Sand, "Rutland Vies for Possible Wind Turbine on Property," Madison Daily Leader, 2008.02.14].
Superintendent Fahrenwald is no mere caretaker, serving his time until Governor Rounds or the big-city contingent of the Legislature put him and his school out of business. Fahrenwald is saying to his students, his town, and Governor Rounds, Rutland is here forever. Now that's school pride.
One must admire Mr. Fahrenwald for his self-preserving determination to keep Rutland open. Parents are concerned today that their students are offered a tremendous palate of opportunities that help them earn a well-rounded education and help them advance their education after high school. At what point do Rutland's taxpayers decide that the high cost of operating a full K-12 school, and the excessive cost per student is not supported by the limited class offerings and activities that surrounding schools like Chester and Madison offer. The State should consider a different school for its wind energy program.
ReplyDeleteI challenge anonymous to actually check into Rutland's school and tell me what classes and opportunities their students are lacking. Also, let's see an actual breakdown of cost per student between Rutland and Madison. I know Rutland students who are actually more involved in extra- curriculars than the students in Madison high school are allowed to be. Also, what advantage do their elementary students have by the much lower student-teacher ratio. When you have a class of 10 students, they are getting more of the the teacher's time and attention than a class of 25 students. If the taxpayers in Rutland want to keep their school open, that should be their choice. And I do admire Mr. Farhenwald for doing everything he can to help his school district acheive that desire.
ReplyDeleteAnd no, I do not live in the Rutland district and my children do not attend Rutland school.
DRK
Anon #1 has a point. If Governor Rounds is set on closing Rutland, why invest in wind energy for the school? Currently, the number is 100 students or less, but there has been talk in Pierre of raising the minimum student number to 150 to expedite the process. That would hurt several area schools.
ReplyDelete