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Wednesday, September 24, 2008

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Razidlo: District working on bridge with business sector

By JODIE TWEED

Staff Writer

Superintendent Steve Razidlo told area business professionals Tuesday that the school district has "had a rough go of it in the past week," referring to board member Ruth Gmeinder's resignation and questions over the district's budget.

But Razidlo said despite the challenges and a "very lean budget," it appears the district will be financially solvent this year and the district wants to continue and strengthen its work force partnerships between area businesses and its schools.

Razidlo spoke at a roundtable discussion Tuesday morning of the Brainerd/Baxter Business Council of the Brainerd Lakes Chamber at the Northland Arboretum. About 35 people attended the event. Razidlo asked to hear from the business community about priorities the district should focus on to better prepare future employees. Several people asked Razidlo questions about the business community's role within area schools and how business leaders may encourage parents to become more actively involved in the schools.

Brainerd Superintendent Steve Razidlo spoke at a roundtable discussion with the Brainerd/Baxter Business Council of the Brainerd Lakes Chamber Tuesday morning at the Northland Arboretum. The topic was about what Brainerd schools could do to help business and future industries in the community. Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls
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The district, along with four other area school districts, Central Lakes College and the Brainerd Lakes Chamber, have partnered on a three-year project to develop Bridges Academies and Workforce Connection, which created a "bridge" between education and business, offering student internships, job shadowing and other opportunities for rural high school students. Bridges Academies last year provided 250 college credits through CLC to area high school students who took classes in areas like engineering and health sciences, at their own schools. Razidlo also spoke of the district's "Project Lead The Way" grant, which is providing engineering curriculum and hands-on learning opportunities for all seventh- and eighth-graders, as well as engineering courses at the high school.

Razidlo said the school district still hasn't built a strong connection with the local manufacturing community and will continue to work on building a relationship.

"That's one of our targets," Razidlo said.

Steve Mau, owner of General Rental, said what he's looking for in an employee is a well-rounded student, one who has taken classes like shop. Razidlo said schools can no longer serve as a state-of-the-art training laboratory for students. Instead, partnerships with businesses, which allow students to visit and explore career opportunities in real-world situations, is a smart step forward. Razidlo said schools often have outdated equipment. For example, he said Brainerd High School has lathes that came from a World War II battleship.

Dale Benson of Brainerd Lakes Health asked how the district was trying to get more parents, who also are taxpayers, active in the schools. Razidlo said this is a challenge. He said the district has seen a decrease in parent participation at the schools' traditional open house events. However, Razidlo said the district has seen an increase in volunteers, including parent volunteers, as a result of last year's failed referendum and budget cuts.

Lisa Paxton, Brainerd Lakes Chamber chief executive officer, said that businesses have a captive audience with its employees every day and can encourage their employees to take an active role in their child's education.

Razidlo shared that one of his biggest concerns now, after the $5.5 million budget cuts have been made, is at the kindergarten through fourth-grade level where class sizes have experienced the largest increase. He said the district will be looking at student data during the next week or so to find out what impact higher class sizes have had on students, compared to years' past at this time.

Razidlo noted that the school district hopes to embrace a wide range of learners and at the same time, in this tight economy, keep an eye on global competition.

JODIE TWEED may be reached at jodie.tweed@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5858.

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