St. Paul, Minn. A group of students at the University of Minnesota has done what lawmakers so far haven’t been able to accomplish.

They’ve balanced the state budget.

That was the final project for one class at the university this semester. The process has given students some insight into the challenge the governor and the Legislature face.

“We sat in a room and argued with each other for awhile,” said Nick Hannula, a 23-year-old who just graduated with a Master’s in public policy.

This year Hannula and others took a course called Balancing Public Budgets: Minnesota Budget Challenge. It’s a class mainly for students interested in working in government.

The final project due last week was to fix the state’s $5 billion deficit.

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The North Ridgeville Parks and Recreation Department is offering a hands on camp, Bricks 4 Kidz, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. July 7 though 28 at the North Ridgeville Senior Center, located at 7327 Avon Belden Road.

Instructor John Maxwell will guide participants through four weeks of lego building projects featuring famous architecture from history and around the world.

The program will touch on a medieval castle, The Great Wall of China, the Empire State Building, the Egyptian Pyramids and the Eifel Tower.

Each week children ages 6 to 10 years old will construct something new.

Spaces are available at a first come first serve basis; registration will take place between April 11 and June 24.

To register, contact the Parks and Recreation Department at (440) 353-0860.

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Rochester, Minn. The Rochester School Board has chosen a veteran school administrator from Iowa to be the district’s next superintendent.

Michael Munoz currently works as the chief academic officer for the Des Moines Public Schools. He’s also worked as a teacher, counselor, coach and principal in Iowa and Nebraska.

School Board Chair Dan O’Neil said the board voted unanimously to offer him the vacant position.

“His connection to the community through some of the community sessions that he had and his communication of clear intent for being an educator, for being all about the students, those two things, communicating and connecting, were superlative,” O’Neil said.

The Rochester School Board will now to enter into contract negotiations with Munoz.

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ERIC SANDY/SUN NEWS Wriggly, a golden retriever awaiting adoption through Golden Treasures, plays around at the Medina County Pet Adoptathon. His fun-loving attitude earned him plenty of belly scratches throughout the afternoon, which he certainly enjoyed.

In between the echoes of dogs barking throughout the large room, area residents discussed their favorite furry friends and shopped for pet supplies from local vendors.

The 14th annual Medina County Regional Pet Adoptathon was, as usual, a big hit with animal-lovers from around the county. Held May 7 at the National Guard Armory on Lafayette Road, the event brought together like-minded people and pets for an afternoon of true community.

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