e g h iin Ti er l THE
April 6, 2010
Volume 50 Issue 23
1015 Division St. Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613
Iowa education budget forces CF changes Sara Gabriele Staff Writer
After a much awaited closure, the Iowa legislature convened Tuesday night to make a final decision regarding state budgets that included the allocated amount for Iowa schools. Lawmakers authorized a two percent growth in school district budgets for the next year. Although their decision was the best of the possible outcomes, because budget cuts were already made previously this year, the state aid still falls short of what the district needs according to Cedar Falls Schools administration. “You have to remember that this year there was a 10 percent across the board reduction in state aid,” Director of Secondary Education Dan Conrad said.
“The two percent allowable growth next year is based on a figure that includes that 10 percent reduction.” In short, it translates to a $1,466,794 cut from the school district. Much of this will be made up for by an increase in property tax, but the school district will still be enacting a series of cuts to fill the rest. “Our goals regardless of the outcome were to make sure any reduction we made would be the farthest away from the classroom as we could get,” Conrad said. “But when you get to a million or a million and a half of reductions, you’re going to affect the classroom.” Superintendent David Stoakes developed a set of recommendations that will be acted upon by the school board at their meeting on April 12. His first
level of proposed cuts that trim almost $500,000 from the district budget include early retirements, cuts to transportation, staff cuts to associate and clerical positions, and a new model for nursing staff. The early retirements of administrators, technicians, secretaries, associates and clerical positions were initially estimated to generate around $125,000, although Conrad said they now only expect to generate around $50-60,000 from this. Transportation for bus routes may also take a cut by increasing the distance students must live to warrant a bus ride from one mile to two miles. The district estimates the savings from this to be around $20,000, and an additional $10,000 is proposed to be cut from transportation to
athletic events by limiting the number of long distance tournament rides the district funds. Aside from transportation to athletic events, the recommendations include few other cuts from CFHS activities. This is because some, like sports, are mostly funded by outside sources like booster clubs, and will only be cut if participation goes down. Others, such as music and drama, are considered central to the academic mission of the school. “We want to try to keep cuts away from students as much as possible and not cut programs,” said principal Dr. Rich Powers. Powers said he feels many of the extra curricular activities are an integral part in education and important to many students, and cut-
ting them will generate very little savings. The recommendations also include $256,000 in cuts to staffing, namely 16 associate positions from across the district, one elementary or secondary media specialist, and a new model of nursing staff. Of these, the proposal for the reduction of nurses is perhaps the most controversial. The proposal follows a new model that would replace the school nurses in all nine buildings with health assistants who are contracted by Black Hawk County. Three registered nurses would then circulate the district, each staffing three buildings. CFHS nurse Sue Gettman voiced concern about the proposition of this new
beyond the classroom as well. She organizes a fun trip to the prom each year, helps students run a craft show and is a coordinator of H-Unit, a group that brings general education students together with students with disabilities.” “I am honored to receive the Legend award,” Frahm said, “My goal each day is to advocate for those with mental disabilities, assist their families in anyway possible, teach students to become independent and educate the community on the issues related to people with disabilities. By receiving this award it has shown me that my efforts of assisting
those with disabilities has been successful.” For Frahm, the award is not for her, but for all the people she’s taught and worked with in her career. “The benefit of receiving the Legend award is that it is a wonderful reminder of all the families and students with disabilities I have been able to work with throughout my teaching career, and the ones I have yet to meet. My students and families have taught me that the small things in life are important, and sometimes it just takes a smile and a listening ear to brighten someone’s day,” Frahm said.
FEATURE, page 4
CFHS teacher honored with advocacy award Jayne Durnin Staff Writer
Two weeks ago Tammy Frahm, a CFHS resource teacher, won the Arc of the Cedar Valley’s Legend award. The Arc of the Cedar Valley is a non-profit organization that serves people with intellectual disabilities as well as their families and caregivers. “The mission of Arc is to advance the total well-being, dignity, individual potential and rights of persons with Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, intellectual and other related developmental disabilities and their families,” Arc board member and
resource teacher Bridget to community members and Bakula said. teachers who demonstrate Each year the ideals of the the Arc awards organization members of the as stated in the community who mission stateare advocates ment. for individuals “Mrs. with disabilities Frahm displays with the Legend many attributes award. that made her “Members of a nominee and the ARC board recipient of nominate Tammy Frahm the Legend who they feel CFHS resource teacher award,” should receive Bakula said, the award “She has based on their efforts and high expectations for all actions related to helping students and helps each those with mental disabilistudent learn to the best of ties,” Frahm said. their abilities. Mrs. Frahm The award is presented extends those expectations
2 opinion our view
Eliminating nurse a huge handicap School administrators and officials have made it clear that some budget trimming will take place this year. The picture is still foggy, but some facets of the potential plan have risen to the surface. One of the cornerstones of one of these plans that many students, teachers and parents are talking about deals with the potential cutting of school nurses and replacing them with a smaller group of nurses who travel from building to building. The editors here at the Hi-Line look at this potentiality with great disdain. School nurses are an essential element to any school, just as important as some lower-level administration members. To simply cut them would represent a major mistake on the part of the suits behind the decision-making process for the school district. School nurses help to control the spread of diseases within schools. Having a singular "traveling" nurse would greatly handicap the school’s ability to administer the appropriate shots and pills that help students to make it through the day with a minimal amount of time out of class, not to mention the gaps that arise in cases of medical emergency. Cutting costs may be an essential, but the elimination of a number of nurses around this district would be, simply, a mistake. The elimination of these jobs would deprive nurses of their livelihoods and students of their access to essential health aid. There are many places where fat can be cut from the budget, but this is not one.
Contact the Tiger Hi-Line
The Tiger Hi-Line is a weekly publication of the journalism classes of Cedar Falls High School, 1015 Division St., Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613. Our website is www.hiline.co.nr. The Hi-Line is distributed to CFHS students on Tuesdays to read in their DEAR (Drop Everything and Read) classes. Columns and letters do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Hi-Line or Cedar Falls Schools. The Hi-Line editorial staff view is presented weekly in the editorial labeled as Our View. Reader opinions on any topic are welcome and should be sent to the Tiger Hi-Line staff or delivered to room 208. All letters must be signed. Letters must be submitted by 3 p.m. on Thursday for publication the following Tuesday. Letters may not exceed 300 words and may be edited to meet space limitations. Include address and phone number for verification.
Editorial Staff
Editors-in-Chief: Maggie Devine and Vincent Stigliani News Editors: Vincent Stigliani and Ben Sadkowski Opinion Editor: Monica Clark Sports Editor: Alex Entz Feature Editor: Aubrey Caruso On-Line Editors: Vincent Stigliani and Maggie Devine Entertainment Editor: Maggie Devine Senior Writer: Alex Entz Photo Editor: Ben Sadkowski
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tiger hi-line April 6, 2010
Future of tanning beds in doubt for those under 18 Spring has arrived — by in their 20s have an asIowa's standards, anyway. tounding 150 percent higher This chance. To make means matters worse for the days teenage fakeof green bakers, the chance grass, of getting skin sunshine, cancer is increased smelling even more because flowers, they are younger. outdoor Tanning beds are grilling also the cause of and short premature aging shorts and wrinkles, sun have poisoning, eye Ellen Gustavson damage, photoreturned. Staff Writer But for sensitivity and many, even a weakthat means one thing: time to hit the tanning beds. Teenage girls especially seem to feel the need to use tanning salons regularly to "fake-bake" their way to a summer glow. Apparently, being white is as out of style as hoop skirts. In fact, 80 percent of people under age 25 think they look better with a tan. "[A fake tan] looks good on some but really bad on others," sophomore Kaitlin Izer said. While it may be nice to emerge from the long, bitter winter looking like you've spent a week (or in some peoples' case, a month) at the beach, it ened immune system. may not be nice in the long Of course, the tanning run. It is almost common salons would prefer we knowledge that tanning is remain ignorant of that. bad for skin. Numerous They've been advertising studies have shown a contanning as being "safe and nection between tanning beneficial," something the beds and skin cancer, which Federal Trade Commission has been on about a 60 peris trying to stop. Don't be cent rise in the last 20 years. fooled by the claims that In fact, women who tan just fair skinned people are once a month are 55 percent better off tanning inside more likely to develop than burning outside. The melanoma. Younger women truth is, any exposure to UV
radiation damages skin. A panel of experts at the FDA is trying to prohibit tanning for people under 18. The new health law that Congress just passed will also make tanning salons charge a 10 percent tax in hopes of reducing the number of tanners. According to the ITA (Indoor Tanning Association), 40 percent of girls and 11 percent of guys age 17 to 18 fake bake. As for the non-fake-baking population, well, we think it's a rather ridiculous practice.
Sun Tanning Risks •Skin cancer (melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma) •Skin burns
•Premature skin aging (wrinkles & leathery skin) •Eye damage (cataracts) •Damage to immune system Sophomore Rhydian Talbot joked, "Fake baking is great if you want to be an oompa-loompa, but I'd rather be human, thank you." However, if you just can't stand living in your own natural, healthy, wrinkle-free skin, save yourself the money (and cancer) and try some sunless tanning lotion. It's OK — we all know you're white anyway.
SPORTS 3
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tiger hi-line April 6, 2010
Men’s track dominating early Jayne Durnin Staff Writer
The men’s indoor track season wrapped up last week with a successful finish at the Dickinson Relays at UNI and another victory in the Early Bird Invitational last Thursday. “We are coming off a dominant Dickinson Relays performance,” head coach Bob Schmidt said. “James Harrington won the 200 meters and ran on the winning 4X2 and 4X4 teams. Those two relays placed first, and
our 4X1 relay placed third. Senior Jake Jamison was third in the 400 meters.” There are 27 returning letter winners, including top individuals Harrington, senior Austin Long and Jamison. “As a team we won (the Early Bird Invitational), by demolishing the competition,” Long said of the team’s second victory in two meets. “This team has the potential to be an outstanding one, and we are farther ahead in our performances
then we have been since I have been head coach,” Schmidt said. The team’s distance runners, as well as the sprinters, have started the season strong due to conditioning and running through the winter weather. “I would say that we’ve got a lot of potential to do great things because we work hard and we have a lot of talent,” Jamison said. The team has also stayed very healthy for the season. “We haven’t had any major injuries yet, and the solid
warm-up we do before practice and meets is what keeps us healthy,” Jamison said. The Tiger’s are confident about their upcoming season and look forward to running outside as the outdoor season begins this week. “We need to keep up the intensity while at practice. The key to winning races is always to go hard during practice,” Long said. The men’s track team will face their next challenge when they run on April 6 in Marshalltown at the Quadrangular meet.
Women’s track winning early meets Kaylee Micu Staff Writer
With new team members and a new year, the CFHS women’s track team has had no trouble showing the competition who the real jungle kings are. “There’s a lot of unity this year, and the freshman are really talented,” junior Cassie Crotty said. “Compared to other years, we’ve gotten a really good head start and not many injuries.” Head Coach Troy Becker has lead the women’s track team of 65 off to a great start this year. “Yes, we have a very large and talented 9th grade class. Several of them are
already playing key roles for our team at the varsity level.” Becker said. The team is coming off first-place victories at the Jefferson Meet and at the Early Bird Invitational at home. “Our 4x8 is looking really good. Our hurdlers’ are doing really good too,” Crotty said. Senior Allison Duchman lauded the team’s strengths. “We have talented freshman and a lot of depth in every event,” she said. “We lost some outstanding seniors, but we feel really good about the talent of our new team members, and the team attitude this year has been outstanding,” Becker said.
Hannah Van Meeteren Photo
Freshman Maddie Hersom hands off the baton to junior Cara Strike in a late relay in the Early Bird Invitational last week at home. Duchman spoke about her desire to run track. “I like to learn about my teammates, and I love to run.” The MVC meet will happen on May 7. This event will consist of 14 schools
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competing against one another. “Our team goal is to win Conference,” Duchman said. The team came within points of winning the conference last year.
Gold Star Sponsors ($250) •Cedar Falls Community Credit Union •Element Portraits and Design •National Dance Academy Cedar Falls •Sandee’s •The Shirt Shack •Together for Youth at Allen Women’s Clinic
Tigers in Action
Women’s Track Away 4/6 @ Ames Invitational, 5 p.m. Away 4/10 @ J-Hawk Invitational, 11 a.m. Home 4/10 @ Tiger Invite, 5 p.m. Home 4/13 @Tiger Invite, 5 p.m. Men’s Track Away 4/6 Quadrangular @ Marshalltown, 5 p.m. Away 4/10 @ Ames “HiCovey” Invitational, 2 p.m. Away 4/13 @ Wahawk Relays, 5 p.m. Women’s Soccer Home 4/8 vs. Cedar Rapids Washington, 5 p.m. Away 4/13 @ Waterloo West, 5 p.m. Men’s Soccer Away 4/8 @ Cedar Rapids Washington, 5:45 p.m. Home 4/13 vs. Waterloo West, 5 p.m. Women’s Golf Away 4/7 @ Waverly Away 4/13 @ MVC Triangular @ Dubuque Hempstead, 3:15 p.m. Men’s Tennis Away 4/6 @ Cedar Rapids Washington Home 4/10 vs. Dubuque Senior, 8 a.m. Home 4/10 vs. Dubuque Wahlert, 12 p.m. Away 4/13 @ Dubuque Hempstead, 4 p.m. Women’s Tennis Home 4/6 vs. Cedar Rapids Washington, 4 p.m. Home 4/9 vs. Waterloo Columbus, 4 p.m. Away 4/10 @ Dubuque Wahlert, 8 a.m. Away 4/10 @ Dubuque Senior, 12 p.m. Home 4/13 vs. Dubuque Hempstead, 4 p.m.
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tiger hi-line feature 4 THE
April 6, 2010
Seniors’ Prom Seniors visit Bickford for 3rd annual prom Ali Miller Staff Writer
Senior Sean Ford shares a laugh with a Bickford resident last Saturday. About 25-30 other seniors also participated. At left, senior Paul Strike has an indepth conversation about hunting with a resident.
Budget Cuts from page 1
model. “The difficulty the health assistant will have is that they don’t have the professional knowledge base to determine necessary courses of action in a situation, or to provide the assessment skills necessary to know how to intervene,” Gettman said. “Protocol can be developed, but it isn’t a substitute for professional nursing judgment and assessment skill.” Gettman described several situations where her formal training as a nurse was necessary. “I’ve had it happen where a student has had a seizure,” she explained, “or where an insulin dependent
diabetic student passed out and we didn’t have glycogen available, so I had to give a substitute gel and maintain an airway until 911 arrived. That’s a lot of responsibility for a health assistant with minimal training.” Conrad explained that while these emergancies are a possibility, they pose problems under any nursing model, and that the model being explored is similar to ones currenly used in a number of other districts. Many of the details about how much or what pieces from Stoakes’ recommendations will actually be enacted are still to be determined by several factors, and the final decision
Photos by Amelia McMurrin
Ray Reutenik had his senior prom in 1939. Now, thanks to English teacher Dianne Flaherty and her senior leadership crew, he can experience that again not as a senior in high school, but as a senior citizen. On Saturday, April 3, senior leadership members and Flaherty hosted the 3rd annual "Senior Prom" at Bickford Retirement Home. About 25-30 students participated, and almost all of the residents came out of their rooms to chat, have snacks and dance with the seniors. Reutenik was talking about memories with his wife when a song he recognized came on that he knew the name of and who it was by. "Once we heard that music playing, we knew we had to get up," he said. "I think there's such a wealth of memory with these people, and it's easier for high-schoolers to tap into those memories," Flaherty said of the elders. The majority of the time was spent just talking with and listening to the residents. Stories were shared, laughs bubbled out and smiles spread wide across the faces of both kinds of seniors. The CF seniors were not the only ones gaining from this event. "Some of them have such stories, and they just get grateful for their own grandparents. They see a different side of life rather than just going to school every day and being with their friends," Flaherty said. She
also went on as to why this event is so important and special to not only her, but the residents and students as well. "There's good energy. It's good for the residents and good for our kids. It's a win-win situation." Senior Beth Harvey participated and said she thoroughly enjoyed it. "I think it's nice we come here because they really appreciate having someone to chat with," she said. Not all of the residents get visitors, and if they do, they usually just drop in, say hi, and leave. "It's good to hear these people's stories. They're really cute. I like them," Harvey said. Cindy Meehan is a CNA at Bickford and has been there for all three years that the high school has done this. "They love it!" she said. "They really enjoy this a lot. Most of them are out here and participating and have smiles on their faces." Meehan went on to explain how the Bickford seniors will probably be buzzing all about their experience for the rest of the day and through supper time about how they had such fun with "these young kids." Some of the kids even come back on the high school prom night with their dates to visit everyone that they talked with on the Bickford prom night. The residents get pictures taken with the students, and Flaherty frames them and brings them back to the home. "We need to bring generations together," she said.
will be determined by the school board. One factor that will influence the size and number of cuts is the amount certain groups, such as teachers’ union negotiate for their salary increase. Conrad explained that the teachers’ union initially asked for a 6 percent salary increase but are probably going to receive around a 4 percent increase; however, if they agree to less than that, the deficit may be reduced to as low as $200,000. The final decision on the cuts must be made by April 30, and a public hearing will be held at a 7 p.m. on April 12 at the district’s administration center.