Winsted-Lester Prairie
Journal, July 22, 2002
Opinions expressed on Lester Prairie survey
The following are answers from a community wide survey recently administered to the citizens of Lester Prairie by the city. Answers that made negative comments about private businesses were omitted.
City services: Any changes that should be considered?
· better city hours to accommodate working people
· city offices open longer
· consolidate police/fire with Winsted
· fund for restoring historic buildings
· fix parking lot
· for city this size we do not need so many cops
· keep streets clean
· city cut down our trees without permission
· reduce amount of police
· 1-city manager; 2-county police service
· taxes too high
· maintenance/gravel on alleyways
· appliance recycling/hazardous waste drop
· offices open later in day for working people
· garbage collection
· county cops only
· City Clerk should be at City Hall later than 3 p.m.
· City Manager
· longer hours of city office/for out-of-town worker
· city hall office open later; change trash provider
· city clerk office open later
· reduce amount of city ordinances
· extend city clerk 8:30-5:30
· don't need three policemen
· better police, friendlier, don't play favorites
· police department too large, dollars not spent wisely
· upgrade snow plowing for alleys earlier in a.m.
· longer city office hours
· decreasing or eliminating police department
· eliminate local police
· library/meeting areas
· roads
· better dog and cat control
· four-way stop at bank
· city manager
· Second full-time maintenance man
Other comments:
· plow streets more often
· hold music concerts in summer
· keep city hall office open until 5 p.m.
· sweep all city streets
· school system needs definite attention
· county aided patrol instead of eight police
· better school system and activities associated w/school
· concentrate on downtown city park.
· too many big city rules and ordinances
· storm shelter
· light rail passenger system to Minneapolis
· should have city wide cleanup day
· control juvenile curfew; stricter vandalism punishment
· library downtown
· move co-op/feed mill out of town
· removal of drug dealing in the community
· clean up the dump
· enforcement of blight ordinance
· owners shouldn't be allowed to use lawn for parking
· need storm shelter at mobile home park
· more things for teenagers to be involved in
· downtown offers little and appears trashy and run down
· nothing for kids to do - bike/skate area main st.
· flush hydrants more often
· maintenance/enforcement of blight, garbage, disrepair
· need better quality city water!
· town team baseball
· recreation for school kids
· another bank
· clean sewer manhole traps
· bank intersection is blind intersection
· mail delivery would be great
What does the school do well?
· good teachers
· small classrooms
· spend money
· brings new people to town
· talking with parents
· small classes
· individual attention and music program
· a few good committed teachers
· operate on budget with good foundation
· grades K-6
· athletics and school "closeness"
· sports
· teach
· small class sizes
· wide variety of subjects
· integrates all levels
· prepare kids for further education
· elementary education
· staff knows the students
· extra curricular
· sports program
· hire good teachers
· small class size
· educate students
· curriculum, class size, teacher quality
· good K-6 programs
· teach
· haven't done anything well
· keep classes small
· quality teachers - elementary
· responsible staff and teachers
· small class sizes
· promotes self confidence in kids
· educate children
· notify of deficiency before failing student
· K-6 really well
· small town ownership/independent
· promotes good relations students and faculty
· grounds are clean
· good education/prep for college
· teach the children
· good teaching staff
· good college bound academics
· elementary grades
· good teachers
· educate our children/one on one help
· prepare students for college
· safe environment for children
· offers variety of subjects
· keeping parents involved
· educate
· prep for college
· creates close knit atmosphere
· elementary teaching
· teaches fundamental education
· opportunity to learn different languages; computer access
· covers subject areas well for small school
· elementary
· I'm not satisfied
· elementary teaching staff
· class size
· bring the community together
· small class sizes; students helping students between grade levels
· after school activities
· balanced curriculum to meet needs of students
· overall generally satisfied
· giving our kids the education they need
· educate the kids
· keep the programs here to keep the kids
· great education
· hands-on learning
· sports
· looks to individual children's needs
· very convenient location
· small class sizes
· work with different learning styles in elementary
· lying
· very little
· does well with ethnic diversity
· collect fees
· extracurricular activities
· K-6 certain teachers are great
· small enough for all students to be involved
· more one-on-one here is good
· small class sizes for more one-on-one learning
· literature to parents; communication
· math
· well rounded choice of classes
· very good elementary ed. program
· teaching
· field trips for the kids
· basic education
· good educators
· conceal information from the public
· grade school
· smaller classes, more one-on-one
· accommodating the kids
· big asset to community
· small class size
· nothing
· teach
· complain about space, not enough equipment and shorthandedness
· extra help to kids who need help with reading and math
· offers great education
· everything
· one-on-one with small classes
· with smaller classes, kids get more one-on-one
· teach wide area of subjects
· provide a school
· teach the students
· athletic and industrial arts
· smaller classes, concerts (child interaction)
· elementary education
· personal attention; small classes
· teachers are friendly with students
· student/teacher ratio
· helping kids succeed
· smaller in size
· provides intimate learning environment
· basic classes
· offers many sports and different academic classes
· teach the basics; opportunity for all students to participate
· great K-6 program
· sports
· sports
· overall good education; provide good extracurricular
· good elementary teachers
· teach children
· treating kids well
· one-on-one, small environment
· favoritism
· small class sizes, more one-to-one teaching
· everything
· strong elementary program
· still belongs within our home town; small classes
· puts out good info in the papers re: games, events, and meet the students
· reward kids for good jobs; get parents involved
· small class size; good athletics
· keeps classes small
· educate kids
· good teachers, dedicated dean of students
· K-6 grades
· caring for the kids
What does the school need to improve?
· better equipment
· need more discipline
· bussing/too controversial
· more efficiency
· get new superintendent and dean
· new superintendent
· improve staff involvement
· communication with parents
· need special ed teachers, counselor
· more space, gifted student teacher
· welcome new students better
· more parent involvement
· consolidate
· watch academic program/no missed opportunities
· communication with community
· education, administration, arts activities
· test scores, teacher wages, special learning programs
· athletics, school spirit
· program for gifted children
· develop culture of student achievement
· discipline
· discipline
· discipline
· administration
· older teachers get more involved w/student needs
· discipline
· more technical classes
· public relations
· discipline, band, chorus, gym space, counselor
· college courses
· teach respect of other peoples' property
· improvement - library
· in every area
· parent/teacher communication
· technology and information software
· more computer classes and advanced placement
· discipline and programs
· discipline/enforce rules
· superintendent has no PR skills/work better with staff and community
· arts
· better preschool; teacher involvement; better pay
· 7-12 kids get lost; communication w/parents
· needs new top management
· monitor students better; increase education levels
· more classes for advanced students
· more electives; challenge students better
· update teachers to educate
· after school activities
· full time counselor and principal
· have less sports
· more emphasis on curriculum less on sports
· discipline/listening to kids who aren't in trouble
· creative high school teachers
· class variety
· more technology - computers
· more room - larger class selections
· public relations
· special education
· CPR - courtesy, politeness, and respect
· more room
· discipline
· concerts, plays - sound is terrible
· music program
· very poor library services Sr. high/more computer classes
· Band
· nothing
· family assistance w/problem children
· technology
· punishment reflective on parents for kids' actions
· more programs/involve parents more
· technology, discipline
· identity - no one knows what's coming from LP members
· take students more seriously. Better teachers
· morale and motivation of teachers and students
· consolidation. Advanced classes.
· all programs - our school is behind other schools
· discipline
· gym is dated
· some teachers
· communication
· classes for children
· bigger parking lot
· community support
· gym space, teacher involvement in events - sporting, concerts, etc.
· get the word to people that the school does a good job
· a new superintendent. A vision and discipline in the school.
· discipline kids in trouble
· communication within the system; kids to follow the rules set beginning of year
· getting rid of kids who do drugs and damage thing or get help for them
· more discipline
· communication to public
· nursing needs and playground
· band
· extra curricular programs and classes to keep up with other schools
· keeping the attention of all students so they learn better
· discipline in high school/work with different learning styles in high school
· basic fundamental education, administration, forget frills
· programs to assist children with learning disabilities
· discipline
· needs to promote itself more; students need more hands-on experience
· teachers need to hear and see more; student-student interaction is neglected
· communication w/parents and public; public relations
· need higher standards in vocal music and band
· administration and academic awards
children need to excel in the basics; tougher criteria in those areas
· discipline
· testing for individual students for learning curve
· computer training; variety of classes
· spending money
· discipline
· structure
· communication; selling itself to the public
· discipline; stay in school, not so much running around
· pretty much everything
· teaching one-on-one
· A lot - parental behaviors, poor spending, behavior embarrassing
· technology for high school students; multimedia presentations
· closed lunch period; need a counselor
· more respect for teachers; teachers dress part of teachers
· high school looks need overhaul; student attitudes; respect and sportsmanship
· more teaching and showing how
· more classes
· more topics of education
· more class choices
· communication to parents, career and higher ed. Counseling
· students should not be allowed to leave during school hours
· better teachers
· keep students in school at all times: not running around town
· more challenges for the kids
· sound system
· lack of communication with community and other towns; discipline
· put discipline back in school system; teachers need more authority
· get new teachers
· more materials and new activities
· consolidate; organization; enforcement and respect of rules
· taking children seriously
· more discipline for problem students
· offer computer classes for kids
· some of the older teachers
· quality - teach reading, writing, math etc. in depth
· keep better track of kids during school hours
· program choice selection
· sporting activities
· some high school education; discipline
· more space for students/faculty; more individual help
· physical appearance and condition; build fine arts program; technology
· space
· school board should have children in the school
· self-promotion, community involvement
· more classes offered to kids
· adding space and academic extra-curricular activities
· new excited teachers, get rid of the "old boys" club
· higher level of offerings
· facility
· better public relations
· Communicate and listen to community - example, kindergarten program
· band program
· academics
· better computer programs
· computer lab
· teacher and student communication
· band
· teachers
· teacher/parent relationships; kindness for kids; teachers excited to teach
· offer better classes to ready kids for college
· subjects, teachers
· make students number 1
· keep kids at school to study and eat lunch; no running around town
· consolidate
· offerings at high school level; technology
· involve public more in school decisions
· parking
· consolidate
· parent notification; keep kids in school
· communication with parents; fair treatment of all students/athletes
· discipline
· facilities
· teaching the basics
· communication of plans
· Public relations work; 7-12 grade teachers need to get excited again
· better info on clubs and special events; better communication
· all day kindergarten
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