OCR Text |
Show i 0 0 'j y inn fKf- - 0 p 30 u. rnssocnoN SrtT tn'vSUlTt '1006 11 There is only one good, knowledge, and one evil, ignorance. i'f Socrates .ah Basin 50$ mu Peak The name game The 664 babies bom in and Uintah counties last year most likely wont be going to school with 1 classmates with the same name as theirS. Duchesne ' 17 Tuesday I ' &:.'YU January 9, 2001 ' Roosevelt, Utah 88, Number 2 www.ubstandard.com Vol. 11 Seepage ft? 53? ABUSES GO Fee Waivers Duchesne School District LARGELY UNMONITORED Increasing use of fee waivers putting crunch on schools By Leslee E. Whiting Its been about eight years since a S action lawsuit was filed in Salt Lake by Utah Issues, a advocacy group represen tingparenta who could not afford to pay school registration fees. District Court Judge John Rokich ruled intheir favor, man- financial eligibility is ripe for abuse. The use of foe waivers was the dating that all schools and principals assure the court thatfee waiver infor- highest in 1998 in the Duchesne mation was being distributed and County School District, when 578 stupublicized and that the waivers were dents took advantage ofthe waivers. (See related chart on this page.) Duf-in- g granted without discrimination. Even though fee waivers have been the 1999 - 2000 school year, 649 around in some form for appnnd- - students had their fees waived at the mately 20 years, the lawsuit ensured junior high an d high school level. The that parents who cannot afford to pay waived foes amounted to $39,409. foes charged by schools to help cover By law, students requesting fee costs ofeverything from text books to waivers must fall under one of five lockers, stained glass classes and categories to qualify: activities, and drivers Eligible for free school lunch education courses, did not have to do Receive Supplemental Security so. Income (SSI) While no one argues the need for Family receives Aid for Families the waivers for families who honestly with Dependent Children (AFDC) cannot afford to pay the cost of educatIn foster care (under Utah or local government supervision) ing their children, the program which goes largely unmonitored for In state custody p1 low-inco- Everything you've always wanted to know about ethanol A community, meeting is scheduiedforthis Wednesday as part ofa feasibility study for a proposed ethanol plant in Roosevelt Farmers will want to be sure to attend. See page 2 m Prison sentence A Myton has been sentenced to two 1 - IS year terms in the Utah State Prism following her child sex abuse charges. Whileno one argues the need for the waivers tor families who honestly cannot afford to pay the cost of educating their children, the program which goes largely is ripe for abuse. unmonitored for financial eligibility urricular I ' Those who do not qualify based on those eligibility requirements, but who wish to apply for foe waivers be--. cause of serious financial problems, may still do so, but are asked to complete a separate sheet, called the fee waiver asaet test," stating the reason for the request and providing a list of their financial assets. However, school district officials say the asset forms are rarefy filled out, and are sometimes returned with the name signed, but the financial queries crossed out, as if daring the school officials to question anything. staff simply dont have the time or manpower to confirm that each applicant qualifies, essentially everyone who signs their name to either the fee waiver form, or the fee waiver asset SEE FEE WAIVERS on pegs 3 TABIONA HIGH Per Cahta Expenditure Pek School $5470 $5068 $6600 $875357081 $3818 $4634 conviction on Seepage 10 m Championship Cats At a school where 80 qualify for free lunch, use of fee waivers is low IT'S A REAL TRAGEDY" Community mourns loss of high school wrestler while working, explained Duchesne County School District Superintendent John Aland. The state mandated fee waiver A look at school district records allows eligible fami-- i j which will shows that over the past four to waive the cost of all fees associByAldonRachele ated with educating or providing ex- - In fact, state school officials, who first : years, only one school, Tabiona High, came up with the option of allowing' has had any students willing to work activities for their chilTop athlete arid student at 'Seepage 17 dren, also provides the student with kids to work off what they owe when in lieu ofthe fees their families cant Duchesne High, Cole Peterson, a sethe chance to work in lieu of paying the fee waivers were first handod down afford. The small rural school, with a nior and a member ofthe Eagle wresthose foes. by the courts, have informed local high school enrollment of 82 students tling team, collapsed and died Tuesin 1999 - 2000, also had a very small The effort ofassigning kids various districts not to worry about promotday evening, Jan. 2. He was driving his ing the work in lieu program after a number students about 6 percent vehicle and was accompanied by a who requested their school fees be teammate at about 6 student in the Provo area was injured BREAKING THE MOLD p.m. Tuesday waived. (See related chart.) when he complained ofaterriblehead- "About 80 percent ofour students qualify for free or reduced lunch. Most It's been a rough couple ofthe parents could claim a fee waiver, but they dont. They pay what they of days around here at can until they have it paid off at the end of the year. Things do cost money Duchesne High School. and we realise that cash money is not available sometimes, but there are They (the students) lost a things to do, explained Tabiona good friend. School Principal Robert Park. Park responds to each fee waiver ache two blocks from home. He lost form by requesting on the form that consciousness and his friend had to Katie Nelson By the student work for a certain number take over the I think women bring a steeringwheel and drive of hours ao they can participate in to the Petersons Tradition has changed in this term home. Cole Peterson The Duchesne School County different foe. perspective paying their for Duchesne County Commissioners. was pronounced dead when emergency Districts 1999 - 2000 yearly report Not everyone who gets the request medical is included in this issue of theSfon-dqrLomaStradinger took herplace Tuespersonnel arrived on the scene. not a better perspective, will come in and work, but the majorPeterson was the third of Brad and The newspaper, which is day, Jan. 2 as tire first woman ever to ity will, Park explained, adding that Shauna Petersons four children. but another perspective hold the office of County Commisprinted annually, includes reports since the fee waiver mandate was sioner in Duchesne County. The Utah State Medical from the principals at each of the I think and thats passed down eightyears ago hes only Examiners Office is trying to deterTradition is not necessarily somedistricts 13 schools, along with rerefused had who to one parent mine why directors reports from the techPeterson, who thing Loma is interested in. important. spond. "TTie rest have always tried to was described by his father as "heal thy I think its long overdue that nology department and Applied work it off either in frill, or in part I as a women participate in public office, horse, collapsed and died. Technology Education. District and loves it When she needs to get allow them $5 an hour ... most of the Lorna. "Our hearts are in the An autopsy performed on Cole also obtain informacan says patrons to she mountains drives near the kids are very good to come and do the home and the home is the basis of away tion on teacherpupil ratios, disPeterson, Wednesday, Jan. 3 was inNeola. SEE TABIONA HIGH on page 3 conclusive, said the boys father, Brad, society. I think women brings differenrollment trict trends dropout While Loma says she is a ent perspective not a better perrates, special education, Schools to kind of girl, traveling is not spective, but another perspective Career, Early Childhood Program, outofthe She would HIGHEST IN YEARS entirely question. and I think thats important." and child nutrition. like to visit Vermontin the fell, where swimThe results of how Duchesne Hiking, hunting, biking, "The colors are beauti fill, "she says. ming, weight lifting; and exercising She would like to stay at a bed soul County School District students are some of the activities that Lorna breakfast and take a performed on the Criterion Referbicycle tour to Tests (CRT), StanfordAchieve-men- t enjoys. ence fall colors in the Vermont experience During the winter months Lorna Another destination in her travels Test (SAT) and American walks three miles a day and lifts CollegeTeating Program (ACT) are would be Prince Edward island in weights in her home. When warmer Canada. also listed. weather rolls around, swimming and The financial portion ofthe newt-pape- r Barbra Hazard romance novels are bicycling become part of her weekly not on Lome's The total average water content of covers district expenditures list in fact. reading routine. water The total for Duchesne County as of and spending pupil drainage budgets, per average Jan. 1 2001, is 98 percent. TofrisoupandSushi are her favorand fee waivers. Monday, content of drainage for ite things to eat She enjoys pheasant SEE STRADINGER on page 3 Last year on Jan. 31 the total percent and likes all kinds of fruits and vegwas 62 percent. Duchesne Cou nty as of etables. Lorna is very heal Currant Creek drainage which is at and only stops for "fast food" out of 1 , 2001 , is 47 percent, is the lowest average in Jan. Monday, desperation. Cooking is not her favorthe Snow Survey and Water Supply 98 percent. ite activity, although she loves to wash Forecast. Currant Creek was at 51 dishes and clean house. "IfTmstreesed last year at the end of Januaiy. percent I clean house,says Lorna. "It is relax- while the By Katie Nelson water average coning. tent percentfor Currant Creekisdown Until a year ago Loma had never Farmers were tipping their "cups this year everything else has gone up last summer when predicted storms at least 4 percent, with increases as shotaguiLNawsheisamemberoftwo failed to materialize during winter high as 96 percent. gun clubs and the NRA (National Rifle Association). Hunting is a definite and spring leaving the Uintah Basin Brown Duck water contentis above interest in her life. She has hunted high and dry. This year the mountains average at 116 percent increasing 62 deer and elk and would like to hunt are looking a little whiter. However percent from the end of January lost bear and cougar. Luma align has her there are still no guarantees. year. Lake Fork l.Mosby Mountain, concealed weapons license. ReHiekerson Park, . Data from USDA-NaturIndian Loma was bom in Sturgis, South source Conservation Service sno-tCanyon and East Willow Creek drainDakota and grewup in Rapid City. She sites show that the water content in age are all above average. Several andKirk, her husband of29yeara, met 2001 snow is looking better than it drainage are above the 90 percent while they were attending college in has for the last three years. level including Rock Creek. Trout Siuth Dakota. They have one daugh-t- e Last year around this time snow-pac- k Creek drainage is at 58 percent inand two sons. Luke, the was only half as high as it should creasing 20 percent from last year. have been for the time of year. This Stradingers oldest son, is 27, and a Thera is not one particular drainUtah Highway Patrol trooper. Libthat affects our area more than according to Brent Draper, agriyear age daughter, is cultural engineer with the Conservaerty, their another. Draper stated that all areas in serving an LDS mission California. tion Service, snow is on an average, reflect each other. The Natural ReTheyoungest son, Spencer, 19, gradusource Conservation Service willpost right were it should be. ated from Union High last year and is aSnow Survey and Water Supply ForeSnowpack does not reach its maxiLorna construction. and working in mum point until April, when runoff cast update in the Standard twice a Kirk also have two granddaughters, begins and the snowpack turns into month to provide snowpack informaMesa and Morgan. the summer water supply. Right now tion data collected on the 1" and 15 Duchesne County is home for THE FIRST Lorna Stradinger is the first woman to be elected to the there are no guarantee or predictions of each month. Loma. She has lived here for tenyears Duchesne County Commission. for any phenomenal snow fall. Union Cougar matmen won their own tournament over the weekend, battling the Carbon Dinos in a wrestling bout. By Leslee E. Whiting according toan article inthe Salt Lake Tribune. Mora tests were done, and results shouldbe available this week. Peterson was an outstanding wrestler, who placed fifth in the Year 2000 Newest Commissioner School likes bikes. Sushi, guns ft district's books on philosophy yearly report in this issue d. stay-at-ho- 3 SN0WPACK Water outlook showing improvement this year 30-ye- ar al Hole-in-Roc- k, el ld R COPY 1 Cole Peterson State Wrestling meet at 171 pounds, and was ranked third in his weight class this year with a 13 - 3 record. He had done well in various regular season tournaments. Duchesne High principal Stan Young reported that the death has been a horrible shock, and said, "Its been a rough couple of days around here at Duchesne High School. They (the students lost a good friend. Young commented, "He was a great kid, and one that a lot of people gravitated to, a hard worker an da good role model. Its a real tragedy. A Duchesne High employee said, "Cole Peterson was well known and well liked and the unexpected death has affected all at the school. Casey Winn, Duchesne wrestling coach and fellow team members; reported that there was nothing out of the ordinary with Petersons Cole was his usual self. He was happy and in there working with the team, said Principal Young. Peterson hadnt complained ofany headaches or recent heart problems before Tuesday, Jan. 2. Duchesne High postponed its boys 2-- A basketball game with arch-riv- al Altamonte which was scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 3, and gate receipts from the North Summit-Duchesn- e game on Friday, January 5 went to benefit Petersons family. The AJ tamont game at Duchesne has been rescheduled for Feb. 13. School was dismissed this past Friday so that students could attend Coles funeral services at the Duchesne LDS First Ward Chapel. An obituary that appears in the Uintah Basin Standard this week states: "Our cowboy left for bigger mountains to ride and wilder horses to tame. It also stated that Cole was in the process of trainings number ofhorses for various people, and that he had a SEE COLE PETTERSON on paps 3 |