BLHS Hall of Fame planned for graduation 10-7-17

   The Big Lake Board of Education last week gave its approval to the first induction of graduates to the BLHS Hall of Fame, and will recognize them at their 2018 graduation. The Hall of Fame will be comprised of two inductees annually; graduates who have gone on to distinction in their careers. Instructors Loren Holthaus and Joe Hartel met with the board for 20 minutes, explaining the intent of the Hall of Fame and where persons may access application forms. They said the program should be operational by the end of October.

   “We want to recognize the former students who have lived ‘The Hornet Way’ during their time after graduation,” said Hartel. “Anybody can nominate another person.” Criteria for nomination are that: 1. They be a graduate of BLHS, five years after leaving school; 2. They can be alive or deceased; 3. They have a proven record of leadership in their community. Forms must be submitted to the induction committee by March 1 of each year.

   Other information and application forms will be made available on the district website and in The Tribune. The teachers have designed the local Hall of Fame following visits to several other schools having one in place, including Becker, St. Cloud Tech, Little Falls and Monticello. At graduation, new inductees will be recognized at a social and given a plaque in recognition of them. They will also be recognized at the commencement service. Larger plaques will be hung on the wall outside the principal’s office at the high school. Should nominees not be selected for induction, their applications will be held by the committee for review (and possible induction) in future years.

David Watts of US Solar met with the board and secured conditional approval of an Xcel  Energy electricity contract for the next 25 years; a contract that will assure the district a specific electrical rate even if the annual rates to other users goes up. This would affect only BLHS and BLMS, as the two elementary schools are served by Connexus. It could save the district up to $3,122,789 over the 25-year term; first year savings would be $10,173. Watts’ firm has enrolled several districts in the program, to include Becker, Sartell, Robbinsdale, Orono, Hopkins and Watertown-Mayer. “There are no up-front costs, no escalators,” said Watts. The agreement is pending final attorney review for the school. 

During open forum at the meeting, Shana Deckard, parent of a middle school student, expressed her concern for the procedure in which her daughter was omitted from two EXCEL Programs this year. Her daughter had tested in the 90th percentile in recent tests, but was denied admittance to two of four classes applied for. “I wrote to the PTA. There was never one notification... of stipulations,” she said.  “I always saw Big Lake as an excellent district, but we are failing our students. “I am not a very happy parent right now. “How are other students treated? Changes (in the program) should be reported to parents.” There was no response from district administrators nor the board at the meeting.

   Supt. Steve Westerberg addressed the issue after the meeting, saying there are four EXCEL programs for middle school and two programs for high school students, all year-long programs. These programs are designed to provide more educational challenges than mainstream classes. And yes, student admittance is based on past student achievements. “The EXCEL Program is under review at this time,” he said. “How it’s presented and how we’re hitting the target (for accepting students.”