Columns/Opinion

School principals offer advice for parents who want to help kids

Joe Nathan Column -- Anoka-Hennepin and other school leaders have several suggestions/requests of parents for the coming school year.

Some schools in Minnesota have started classes already but most start the day after Labor Day on Tuesday, Sept. 7.

Voters, parents should pay close attention to tax levy referendums planned for November

Don Heinzman editorial -- As students go back to school, parents in 81 school districts, voters and particularly parents, should pay close attention to property tax levy referendums planned for November.

There are two kinds of levy referendums. One is the election to renew and/or expand existing operating levies. The other is the election to authorize new property tax levies for school capital improvement purposes.

Governor's race narrows to two months of campaigning

Clicking on the Web by Howard Lestrud, ECM Online Managing Editor -- QUESTION: Who was the first governor of Minnesota? ANSWER: Henry H. Sibley assumed office on May 24, 1858.

QUESTION: Who will be the next governor of Minnesota? ANSWER: It will either be Mark Dayton, Tom Emmer or Tom Horner.

Nice national poll and multi-million dollar Minnesota loss

Joe Nathan Column -- Minnesota did well in one, and terribly in another major national education news story last week. Ideas developed here were strongly endorsed in a highly respected national poll on public attitudes toward education.

Minnesota did not receive a cent of the more than three billion dollars awarded by the U.S. Department of Education to nine states and the District of Columbia, as part of its “Race to the Top” (RTT) Initiative.

Minnesota counties are going through redesign to provide their services

Don Heinzman Editorial -- Counties are joining the parade of governmental entities to provide services more efficiently in what they call a “Redesign”.

The Association of Minnesota Counties realizes counties won’t have the dollars to do all they are doing now. If they don’t come up with a new way of delivering services, the Minnesota Legislature, strapped for funds, will.

Education funding must be a priority for state legislators, governor

ECM Editorial Board -- With the present K-12 public education system in serious financial trouble, the education of Minnesota’s students is at risk.

During the past decade, the increase in state funding to K-12 education has been less than the costs of running the educational program. There were no increases in the basic formula three of the last 10 years, 1 to 2 percent increases four of those years, and four percent increases three years. Over the past two years the economic crisis has restricted per-pupil funding to schools to zero dollars.

Millions are stakeholders in addictive pastime, fantasy football

Clicking on the Web by Howard Lestrud, ECM Online Managing Editor -- Everyone has a fantasy about something and we know for sure there are millions across America who have a fantasy for professional football, meaning they are in at least one fantasy football league. As the beginning of the 2010 National Football League season begins, many fans are doing their homework prior to their fantasy football league drafts.

The 2010 season marks my eighth time I have participated in fantasy football through a league organized by some of my co-workers at ECM Publishers.

Setting “Smart” goals with youngsters

Joe Nathan Column -- “If you are not sure where you are going, any road will take you there.” That’s a slogan from Lamar Alexander, one of my mentors. I think families might apply it this month with their youngster(s).

Some people will respond, “Hey, we don’t want to rush kids. They should be exploring possibilities. We don’t want to limit their options.” I agree. So, for example, a goal could be too specific. A six-year-old probably should not be setting a goal of getting into Harvard. She/he has lots of time to explore various higher education possibilities.

Very valuable “back to school” resources are free

Joe Nathan Column -- You won’t find four of the most valuable things students can take “back to school” for sale on line, or at any store. They are free.

These are things families can provide at absolutely no cost – but they are extremely valuable. We’re talking about a positive attitude toward learning and school, a willingness to help out the school in some way, well-rested students and an enjoyment of reading. Let’s take them one at a time.

Minnesota State Fair is summer highlight for many Minnesotans

by Howard Lestrud, ECM Online Managing Editor -- A summer highlight for many Minnesotans and even out-of-state visitors is the Minnesota State Fair. This year’s State Fair will run from Thursday, Aug. 26 through Monday, Sept. 6 (Labor Day).

After four years of territorial fairs, the first Minnesota State Fair was held in 1859 near what became downtown Minneapolis, the year after Minnesota was granted statehood. The 2010 Minnesota State Fair, now located in Falcon Heights, thus is the 151st edition of what many call The Great Minnesota Get-Together.

Social host ordinance is being more widely accepted by cities, counties in Minnesota

Don Heinzman Editorial -- More cities and counties are passing the social host ordinance that’s the latest attack on people hosting parties for underage drinkers.

Underage drinking is on the rise and it takes place mainly in homes where an adult allows it knowingly or unknowingly.

Shirley Sherrod episode emphasizes need for fair, accurate reporting

Don Heinzman Editorial -- The Shirley Sherrod episode ought to be a wake-up call to all who seek fair and accurate information during this politically partisan media cultural frenzy we are experiencing.

Sherrod was shamefully dragged through a process of being asked to resign after a conservative blogger, Andrew Breitbart, displayed part of a speech she’d given 1986 at a NAACP convention. Breitbart presented her as a black woman who had spoken against the white race, which turned out to be false after her entire speech was scrutinized. In fact, the opposite was true, as Sherrod actually had helped a white farmer save his farm, a fact the farmer and his wife corroborated.

Preparations begin for return to school in a few weeks

Clicking on the Web by Howard Lestrud, ECM Online Managing Editor -- The summer is definitely flying by and sound evidence is at hand when we realize that the school bells will be ringing in most Minnesota schools the day after Labor Day on Tuesday, Sept. 7. As students and parents prepare for school to resume, it’s a good time to travel the Internet for tips in getting back to school.

Many families have already been out shopping for school supplies. For some families, it’s a task that lasts all year long.

Anderson Kelliher merits nod in deep DFL primary field

ECM Editorial Board endorsement in DFL gubernatorial primary -- Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s eight years in office have given voters ample time to compare his no-new-taxes version of government with the more progressive model that had prevailed for decades.

November’s gubernatorial election again presents clashing philosophies.

On the Democrat-Farmer-Labor side, Margaret Anderson Kelliher is the best candidate to make her party’s case in a robust contest with Republican endorsee Tom Emmer and Independence Party endorsee Tom Horner.

Anderson Kelliher, a 12-year veteran of the state House of Representatives, was elected speaker in 2007. She faces former U.S. Sen. Mark Dayton, also a former state auditor, and former House Minority Leader Matt Entenza in an Aug. 10 primary.

Speaker of the House Margaret Anderson Kelliher has been elected to six terms in the Minnesota House of Representatives. She serves District 60A. The ECM Editorial Board of ECM Publishers Inc. has endorsed her for governor in the DFL primary.

Columns/Opinion

School principals offer advice for parents who want to help kids

Voters, parents should pay close attention to tax levy referendums planned for November

Governor's race narrows to two months of campaigning

Nice national poll and multi-million dollar Minnesota loss

Minnesota counties are going through redesign to provide their services

Education funding must be a priority for state legislators, governor

Millions are stakeholders in addictive pastime, fantasy football

Setting “Smart” goals with youngsters

Very valuable “back to school” resources are free

Minnesota State Fair is summer highlight for many Minnesotans

Social host ordinance is being more widely accepted by cities, counties in Minnesota

Shirley Sherrod episode emphasizes need for fair, accurate reporting

Preparations begin for return to school in a few weeks

Anderson Kelliher merits nod in deep DFL primary field

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