Area students better than average

THUMBS UP:

Several school districts in Southwest Minnesota recorded major improvements and testing scores above the state average in the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments released by the state’s Department of Education. Minneota Public Schools led the way by earning above-average scores in all seven grade levels for reading and math. In fourth grade reading, 84.4 percent of Minneota students were proficient compared to the state average of 57 percent. Marshall Public Schools students did well too. Superintendent Scott Monson reported that his district was 2.1 percent above the state average in reading, 1.6 percent above the state average in math and 4 percent above the state average in science. While other school districts in the state are struggling, it’s encouraging news that students here are excelling.

Farmers, county forced into a corner

THUMBS DOWN:

Yellow Medicine County Commissioner Ron Antony told a farmer complaining about the Minnesota’s buffer law that the state is “putting our feet to the fire too.” The farmer was protesting the buffer law over his terraced property. The farmer feels he shouldn’t have to plant Conservation Reserve Program cover crop on the buffer strip in addition to the conservation measures they have already taken. Antony explained that it’s the county’s responsibility to enforce the law and that it was the Water Conservation District’s duty to determine compliance. The farmer explained that farmers don’t like to be forced into a corner when they already being proactive. Counties are also being forced into a corner.

YMC board takes proactive measures

THUMBS SIDEWAYS:

Yellow Medicine County Commissioners were also being proactive with a data breach suffered in its Family Services department. Apparently an intake worker attempted to fax a case file to a specific entity but had incorrectly entered the last two digits of the fax number. The error sent the fax to a private number that was not related to the case. The board voted to sign a letter of engagement with a law firm just in case any claims are filed against the county over the breach.