The Byron Buzz

October is Bully Awareness Month

As we recognize Bullying Prevention Awareness Day on Monday, October 7, we want to emphasize our commitment to creating a caring and supportive environment for all 2,325 students in our district. Our dedicated staff works tirelessly to foster positive relationships and help students understand the dynamics of bullying. We focus on the roles of the bully, the bullied, and the bystander, equipping our students with strategies to address bullying effectively.

In recent years, we have observed that online bullying can be particularly challenging. The visibility of harmful comments increases the impact on victims, who often find it difficult to stand up for themselves without exacerbating the situation. Additionally, the anonymity of the internet can lead individuals, including adults, to say things they wouldn't say in person.

Parents, we encourage you to maintain open lines of communication with your children about their experiences with bullying. It’s important to ask your child to share what they encounter online, including their own posts. You have every right to be involved in these conversations. While we actively work to address bullying in our hallways, we also recognize that it can happen in digital spaces.

If you suspect that your child is experiencing bullying, please reach out to their school. Our team is here to educate and support students, ensuring they feel safe and empowered. Remember, we are all in this together, and our shared goal is to help every child succeed. Thank you for your partnership in this important effort!

Go Bears!

Dr. Mike Neubeck, Superintendent

Email: mike.neubeck@byron.k12.mn.us
Website: https://www.bears.byron.k12.mn.us/
Location: 801 Frontage Road NW, Byron, MN, USA
Phone: 507-775-2383
Facebook: facebook.com/byronbears
Twitter: @neubecksupt

• Residents are being asked to approve a 10-year levy, with inflationary increases, to help cover operational costs. This levy is structured to raise $1.9 million annually, based on a contribution of $800 per student.

As we continue to navigate the financial landscape of our district, we want to provide you with some important updates regarding our operating levy history and the upcoming Town Hall meeting.

Operating Levy History

Byron is currently one of 92 school districts in Minnesota without an active operating levy to support our finances. Contrary to previous beliefs, we have indeed had operating levies in the past. Here’s a brief overview of our history:

• 1994: $208 per pupil for 10 years (Did Not Pass)
• 1995: $214 per pupil for 10 years (Passed)
• 2001: $126 per pupil for 10 years (Passed)
• 2009: $504 per pupil for 5 years (Did Not Pass)
• 2010: $450 per pupil for 6 years (Did Not Pass)
• 2011: $290 per pupil for 6 years (Passed)

In 2011, Superintendent Dr. Wendy Shannon highlighted the importance of the passed referendum, allowing the district to restore class sizes, maintain programs, and remain financially stable. However, as we approach 2024, we are facing many of the same financial challenges that have persisted since 1995.

Current Financial Challenges

Financing for school districts has always been a challenge, and without an operating referendum, we will need to consider reductions that will impact our educational offerings. We recognize that our residents already provide substantial financial support, and we are asking for your understanding as we navigate these future challenges.

The recent increase in enrollment helped us maintain essential services in the past, but this fall, we've only seen a modest increase of 12 students. A recent demographic study indicates that growth may level off or decline if current housing trends continue, further complicating our financial situation.

Upcoming Town Hall Meeting

To discuss these important issues and gather community input, we invite you to our next Town Hall meeting:

Date: Monday, October 14
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Byron Middle School

Your participation is crucial as we explore the future of our district and consider the steps we need to take to ensure the continued success of our students. We look forward to seeing you there!

Thank you for your continued support and dedication to the Byron School District.

To view information about our referendum please visit our website!

The High School Drama Department is preparing for their fall production It's a Wonderful Life on November 1, 2, and 3. Please mark your calendar as this will be a great opportunity to support our student actors in the High School Auditorium.

Please mark your calendars for Wednesday, October 23rd. The Byron Education Association will be hosting a Question/Answer format where the six school board candidates will be given questions to answer on various topics. There are four vacancies on this for this year's elections. Those elected will serve four year terms. More specific details will sent out soon.

Two fall sports teams have seen their season come to an end as they begin to prepare for postseason play. The Boys' Soccer team (8-3-2), the Girls' Soccer team ((10-2-2) and the Boys/Girls' Cross Country Teams have had successful seasons and are poised to make a run at section championships. The Volleyball team will finish their regular season on October 15 and the football on October 16. Come out and support our Bears! Best of luck to our players and coaches.

Beginning this fall, you are able to skip the ticket lines and purchase your tickets for any varsity activity/athletic competition online. We encourage people to use this online ticketing so we can serve you faster and more efficiently. Before attending a game, go to this link: Byron Athletic Homepage where you can pay for the tickets and download them to your phone. Skip the lines and get a better seat for the big game.

Tuesday, October 8 - Boys/Girls' Cross Country - 4:30 at Austin

Tuesday, October 8 - Boys and Girls Soccer Section Games - 5:00/7:00 - TBD (Home)

Tuesday, October 8 - Volleyball - 7:15 Cannon Falls (Home)

Thursday, October 10 - Football Game - 7:00 Fairbault (Home)

Saturday, October 12 - Volleyball Invitational - 9:00 (Home)

• Last chance alert! Registration for these classes wraps up next week. Don’t miss your opportunity to dive in—secure your spot now!

  • Safe Driver Class - 4 Hour Class on 10/14
  • Kids in the Kitchen: Pizza Party Pros after school on 10/15
  • CABS (Child and Baby-Sitting Safety Class) on 10/17
  • Home Alone on 10/17