Lincoln High School in Thief River Falls hosted an open house Wednesday for parents and students. It offered students and parents an opportunity to find their classrooms and meet teachers. Some students participated in orientation. Orientation is an opportunity for students to learn how things work at the school. The purpose, of course, is to provide students with accurate information, help them feel comfortable in the new surroundings, and encourage confidence. The first day of the new school year for all public schools in Minnesota is Sept. 5 after the long Labor Day weekend.

by David Hill
Editor

School District 564, Thief River Falls, has no intention of halting its Student Resource Officer program.

During a meeting of the Board of Education Monday, Aug. 29, Superintendent Chris Mills said administrators had met with law enforcement in Thief River Falls to discuss the SRO program and changes to the law. Mills said it was a timely meeting and the consensus was that they did not want to suspend the SRO program.

New limitations have been put on SROs under a new state law. It limits use of force and is leading some departments in Minnesota to end their programs. The Moorhead Police Department and School District announced SROs would not be sent back to local schools until a change is made to the law.

Mills said it has become a big issue. He explained that he thought the language had been inserted into a bill later in the process and that legislators didn’t understand what the consequences are. He added that the language may have been inserted in the bill because not all SROs are licensed and because Districts are paying part of their salaries, which makes them employees of the Districts. He added that he didn’t think the authors talked with the Police and Peace Officers Association.

The SRO in Thief River Falls schools is a post certified officer. Members of the Board of Education said he has a great relationship with the kids.

Mills said he thought the purpose of the language in the bill was to eliminate physical restraint unless there was a potential for physical harm. He said the governor has not commented on the subject, but Mills believes the governor will, and hopes the governor will call for a special session to address the issue in October.

Mills said that in the meantime, if an incident arises where physical restraint is necessary in Thief River Falls’ public schools, the SRO will call a patrol officer. He said it was his understanding that physical restraint is necessary maybe three times per year.

Levy Referendum meeting

A community forum regarding the levy referendum will be at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 4, in the Lincoln High School Commons.

Three levies will be on the ballot in November.

The first levy proposal would increase general education revenue by $750 per pupil. It would first be levied in 2023 for taxes payable in 2024 and would be applicable for 10 years.

The second levy would be used to pay for technology equipment, networks and infrastructure. It would raise about $800,000 for taxes first levied in 2023, payable in 2024, and would be authorized for seven years.

The third question proposes to increase the District’s general education revenue by $407 per pupil. It would be first levied in 2023 for taxes payable in 2024, and would be applicable for 10 years.

The second and third levies are conditional upon the first levy passing.

Lease

The Board of Education approved entering into a lease agreement with the City of Thief River Falls. The lease covers use of the Huck Olson Memorial Civic Center, the Multi-Events Center complex, and the Ralph Engelstad Arena, which is managed by VenuWorks of Thief River Falls. The term of the lease is for five years. The District will pay $138,789.65 for the 2023-24 school year, $140,871.49 for the 2024-25 school year; $142,984.56 for the 2025-26 school year; $145,129.33 for the 2026-27 school year; $147,306.27 for the 2027-28 school year. The lease covers maintenance, repairs, insurance, utilities, crowd control, and other topics.