MENOMONIE - The Menomonie school board agreed Monday that it won't consider cutting Student Achievement Guarantee in Education classes or a construction project to address an elementary classroom shortfall for the 2010-11 school year.

The board did not take official action but reached a consensus on the two issues. SAGE is a state program that aims to reduce class sizes in kindergarten through third grade.

The district has a space crunch because the 4-year-old kindergarten program has grown and, subsequently, regular kindergarten enrollment has increased.

Other proposed solutions include trying to rent the former Cedar Falls School that the district sold, redrawing elementary school boundaries, renting space such as at Alliance School, using a portable classroom, or re-designating a classroom used for a specific activity, such as music or art.

The idea of having intermediate schools - meaning younger and older elementary students at different buildings - has been discussed.

In January, the board will take up long-term space issues. It is expected to make decisions about 2011 and beyond by next summer.

In other action the school board:

n Approved a five-year contract with Menomonie Educational Opportunities Board of Governance and the school board to facilitate the operation of Lucas Charter High School.

One change in language allows the MEOB to dismiss a student, and then it may recommend expulsion to the school district from which the student came. The expulsion decision will remain with the student's school district of origin.

The policy also outlines discipline policy, attendance and conduct, and expellable offenses.

n Approved hiring an additional special education paraeducator at River Heights Elementary for a new special-needs student.

n Learned there has been a request to consider a controlled bow deer hunt on high school property near the Red Cedar River. District Administrator Dan Woll said he would consider it and if needed would bring a recommendation to the school board, but certainly would not approve anything that puts students at risk.

Powers can be reached at 715-556-9018 or pamela.powers@ecpc.com.