Advertisement First up was a Safe Rides to School presentation by Virgina Loehr, program coordinator for the La Crosse County Health Department.
Loehr said her department’s goal was to have Safe Routes programs in place in all 40 middle and elementary schools in the county. So far 14 are on board.
Part of the process to get no-match grants to implement Safe Rides programs require municipalities to develop a plan. Beginning last week and concluding this week, local bicycle and pedestrian safety committee members are conducting an audit of walkablity in the area, just one of several steps necessary to qualify for the DOT program.
“It’s a tedious process,” Loehr said.
In addition to health and environmental benefits the program offers, Loehr said, is the reduction in traffic before and after school when parents pickup and drop off children.
“It’s a challenge, but it’s a good thing to bring back to the community,” said middle school Principal Dean Buchanan. Buchanan attested to traffic problems caused when parents drive children to and from school.
Loehr offered the startling statistic that 42 percent of students walked to school in 1969. In 2001 that number was down to just 14 percent.
Members of the city’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee are well on their way to inventorying the safety of village pedestrian and bicycle routes.
Each committee member was given maps and a quadrant of the village to evaluate. They were asked to walk or bike the streets as a child would. As they go they will be marking and prioritizing areas that need improvement.
“Of course, we’re not saying send your child out alone,” Loehr said. “We’re trying to advocate for supervised walking.”
Soccer field
Troop 77 Boy Scout Andy Quinn gave a slide presentation detailing his Eagle Scout project, the addition of a flag pole and landscaping near the soccer field scoreboard.
His presentation documented the numerous steps involved both in installing the flag and landscaping, and in fundraising for it. A number of local businesses and individuals donated time, materials and money to complete the project.
Quinn received a sincere round of applause and thanks from board members.
“I went over there to take a peek at it and it is very nice,” said Board member Ann Bina. “You did a very good job.”
Ball field
The Friends of West Salem Youth Baseball gave a presentation highlighting a successful year for the Panthers, including the chance to host a first-ever sectional playoff game.
Members reported that phase one of a three-part improvement project has been completed at a cost of $86,000. So far improvements have been made to the field layout, irrigation system, fencing, drainage tile, warning track, bull pens and infield materials.
Portions of phase two, slated to be completed this year, have already been finished. Jobs left include moving six lighting fixtures, replacing 44 light bulbs and to adding 10 new fixtures at a cost of $20,500.
The total estimated cost of phase three, to begin in 2009 is $130,000. Those improvements include a grandstand and press box ($30,000) and a new concession stand ($45,000).
Members said they have about $5,000 on hand. Among fund-raising efforts offered up, the suggestion was made that the board reconsider its previous decision not to allow sponsored field signage.
Superintendent Nancy Burns said some phase three items such as a field groomer ($9,895) could be added to the upcoming school budget.
Co-curricular hires
The board approval of hiring Todd Van Order as head boys basketball coach was taken up in closed session. On Monday Superintendent Burns said Van Order was not given approval in closed session and that the issue “might” be taken up again in a future meeting.
The board also approved a number of co-curricular positions for the upcoming year.
At the middle school, Jon Jones (eighth-grade head football coach), Justin Running (seventh-grade head football coach), Ronnie Laack and Josh Brewer were all approved. Both Laack and Brewer have experience coaching middle school football and wrestling.
High school volunteer coaches Ernie Tourville (boys soccer), Jamie Olson (football), Scott Johnson (football), Jacob Pederson (football), Rob Athnos (football), Jonathan Chisholm (football) and Kevin Dreyer (football) were also approved.
Contracted high school coaches hired include Sarah Weber (freshman volleyball), Amy DuPont (head gymnastics coach), Carrie O’Hearn (assistant gymnastics coach), Peter Arentz (assistant wrestling coach), Corey Peterson (head boys track and field coach) and LeRoy Krall (head girls track and field coach).
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