NEW LONDON –– The New London-Spicer School Board is working out the details of a partnership with the state Department of Natural Resources that could serve as a vital link in a plan to extend the Glacial Lakes State Trail from New London to Sibley State Park.
The NLS School Board heard an update Monday about the proposal to develop a five-mile bituminous biking and hiking trail as a new arm of the 22-mile paved trail that currently stretches from Willmar to Stearns County.
The new $1.3 million proposal, which won legislative approval this spring in the bonding bill, will snake around the edge of the school’s property by the middle school and elementary school in New London.
Prior to the board’s meeting Monday, members of the NLS building committee took a walking tour through the school’s nature area where the bike trail could be located.
Superintendent Paul Carlson said the heavily wooded school property will make a “beautiful” route for the state trail.
The board had some concerns, including the proximity to an existing school trail and playground and concern about possible alterations to the nature area, which is used for tree and plant identification for classroom education.
Carlson said the DNR has indicated that trees involved with that program that were in the path of the trail would be moved or replaced.
“Those details have to be worked out,” he said.
Carlson said the school will have considerable flexibility in where the trail goes on the school property and will have the final say on using the school property for the trail corridor.
“I think it’s a pretty neat partnership we’re contemplating and glad to be a part of,” Carlson said.
A side benefit to the district will be having nearly two miles of trails –– including the state trail and the school’s existing paths - looped throughout the school property. That will provide safe biking and hiking opportunities to students, he said.
After the trail leaves the school property it will go underneath Kandiyohi County Road 9 in a concrete box tunnel, said Carlson, and then continue west parallel to County Road 40.
Once the trail reaches U.S. Highway 71, the DNR plans to install another tunnel to the west side of the highway.
Carlson said the DNR is still working on land acquisition and it may be two to three years before the trail is completed.
The board at its next meeting later this month may consider a formal agreement with the DNR.
Also:
• The school board is considering a resolution to ask the Legislature to give the district flexibility on the first day of school.
Because Labor Day isn’t until Sept. 7 next year, NLS may ask the Legislature to allow students to attend classes on Sept. 1-3, have a four-day weekend and resume classes on Sept. 8.
The issue will be discussed at the Minnesota School Boards Association, Carlson said.
• The board agreed to hold two informational community meetings on a $14.6 million proposal to build a performing arts auditorium and gymnasium with fitness center that will be on the ballot in November. The meetings will be held at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 24 and also Oct. 9 in the high school cafeteria in New London.
• The board was informed that enrollment at the beginning of September was 1,411, which exceeded the budgeted enrollment of 1,384.
• The labor committee reported that a tentative contract agreement has been reached with the district’s educational support professionals, which includes the non-teaching staff. A two-year contract with the teachers was approved last year and does not expire until 2015.
