School Board News
1. Board approves potential cuts
The Anoka-Hennepin School Board recently approved a list of potential reductions in staff, programs and services. These reductions will be incorporated into the budget for the 2008-09 school year if referendum levy questions going to the voters November 6 are not approved.
Without the levy, the district will face
a $41 to $42 million deficit for the 2008-09 school year. This figure includes the loss of approximately $25-$26 million in referendum levy dollars from the five-year levy approved by voters in 2002 that is now expiring. It also includes approximately $4 million from the impact of inflation over the five years of the levy, and approximately $12 million resulting from inflationary costs not covered by state funding.
Totaling $42.3 million, the reductions include closing up to six elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school, which would change all attendance area boundaries in the district. Also on the list is elimination of 507 regular education teachers, which would increase class size by six to 12 students, depending on the grade and school. Another 239 positions would be cut including administrators, special education staff, instructional coaches not funded by grants, technology support teachers, counselors, secretaries, paraprofessionals and custodians.
The reductions would result in increased class sizes at all grade levels. Class size would increase by six to 12 students at the elementary level, depending on the grade and number of classes at each grade in a particular school. Middle school classes would increase an average of 8.5 students and high school classes an average of seven students. These averages are based on simulations that applied the cuts in staff to actual schools of varying levels and sizes to determine the outcome.
The cuts would also result in loss of courses and programs for students. At the elementary level, specialty teachers for one area - art, music or physical education - would be eliminated as well as the Talent Development Program teachers funded by the 2002 levy.
At the middle and high school level it is more difficult to say which specific courses would be eliminated because it would depend, in part, on student registration. However, students would have fewer opportunities to take electives. At both middle and high school level, study halls supervised by paraprofessionals may be substituted for some elective choices. A new high school program schedule would be implemented that would reduce the number of class terms a student would take from 64 to 48.
Middle school courses supported by the 2002 levy, such as advanced math, as well as some electives would be eliminated. Some elective and low enrollment high school courses such as International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement and career and technical education courses would likely be eliminated.
High school activities, such as sports, debate and marching band, would be affected by higher fees. Fees would likely increase to cover the actual cost of offering the activity. The increase would vary by activity, but would average approximately $500. Programs that do not remain viable with the higher fees would be eliminated. The fees students currently pay do not cover the full cost of the activity.
The board took comment from citizens who attended public meetings Sept. 13 and 18 to comment on potential cuts. Board members announced their intention to formally approve a list of cuts so voters would know exactly what is at stake when they vote. The board took this approach for the 2002 levy after voters in 2001 said they didn't fully understand what would be cut if they voted no.
As informal discussion of potential cuts has circulated in the district over the past few weeks, some citizens characterized the cuts as a threat or said they didn't believe the district would actually carry them out if the levy was not approved. During the public meetings Superintendent Roger Giroux stressed the reality. "It's frustrating to hear, 'they're bluffing.' Folks, it's $42 million we won't have next year. Regardless of the vote, we have to provide the best education possible," he said.
Most citizens who spoke during the hearings said they preferred no cuts. Some suggested that the district first cut the "nickels and dimes" and cut administrators before cutting items that directly impact students. Prior to the 2002 levy, the district made cuts year after year, trying to avoid items that directly impacted students. Since the salaries of teachers and others who work directly with students are the largest share of the budget, it is difficult to make cuts without eliminating teachers and other positions that directly affect students.
"The board has always said, 'try to manage through without any cuts to students,' and we have always tried to do that," said Dr. Giroux. "People in the hearings said, 'watch your nickels and dimes.' You bet. We have always done that." The district's financial records bear this out. Independent auditors who review the district's finances each year have characterized the district as a "low cost, best buy" for providing an "above average program at a below average cost."
Nevertheless, the board directed the superintendent to find small ways to economize. Dr. Giroux promised to "capture anything that will put another teacher in front of the kids."
More information about the referendum levy and ballot proposal as well a potential cuts will be mailed to citizens prior to the election. It is also available on the Web site. Click on the following link to reach the Levy 2007 section:
www.anoka.k12.mn.us/levy2007
Thursday, October 04, 2007
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Fair's Bazaar leveled
The fair's International Bazaar buildings were bulldozed Thursday to make room for a new, larger building.
The new bazaar will include a stage area, more than 100 sales spaces - and will be usable for events when the fair isn't being held.
The mostly-wooden structures were built in 1970. They were originally called the Mexican Village. The name was changed to International Bazaar in 1984.
The Bazaar, located on Judson Avenue just east of the Haunted House, will be more than 17,000 square feet larger than the old facility.
The new bazaar will include a stage area, more than 100 sales spaces - and will be usable for events when the fair isn't being held.
The mostly-wooden structures were built in 1970. They were originally called the Mexican Village. The name was changed to International Bazaar in 1984.
The Bazaar, located on Judson Avenue just east of the Haunted House, will be more than 17,000 square feet larger than the old facility.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
This is for Real...Honest
Designer Marc Jacobs’ new backwards high heels are sure to keep them guessing and you falling.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Tim Eagen, 54
Eagen, Timothy P. "Tim" age 54, of Forest Lake, died unexpectedly Monday, September 17, 2007 Preceded in death by his parents, Vivienne & Reginald Eagen.
He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Victoria "Vicki"; daughters, Abigail "Abbey", Erin, Mara; sisters, Nancy Lanoue, Lynn (Ted) Fleener; Brothers, Mike (Sharon), John (Ella); and many other relatives and friends.
Funeral Service 10:00 AM, Friday, September 21, 2007 at Crossroads Evangelical Covenant Church, 17445 Notre Dame St., Forest Lake. Visitation 4-8 PM, Thursday, at Mattson Funeral Home, 343 North Shore Drive, Forest Lake. Mattson Funeral Home & Cremation Service (651) 464-3556 www.mattsonfuneralhome.com
Click here for Guest Book
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Burglars break into art studios at Northrup King building
By Tim Harlow, Star Tribune
Burglars didn't take much, but over the weekend they did cause considerable amount of damage to doors and locks inside a northeast Minneapolis building that houses studios and shops featuring the work of several Twin Cities artists.
One or more culprits entered the Northrup King Building sometime between Saturday afternoon and Sunday afternoon and used an "unknown tool" to force open the doors to 14 businesses on the second floor of the sprawling 800,000 square-foot building at 1500 NE. Jackson St., Minneapolis Police said.
One business which specializes in Peruvian rugs reported that a laptop computer was stolen, but no rugs were missing. Two other businesses reported missing items, said building owner Debbie Woodward.
Woodward told police that damage to the businesses involved may exceed $75,000.
A business owner discovered the damage when she came to her studio Sunday afternoon. She had locked the door when she left Saturday afternoon, but found that it had been pried open when she returned at 4 p.m. Sunday.
A security guard had been on duty at the time of the incident, but he told police that he was unaware of the burglaries, according to a Minneapolis police report.
The building which is nearly two blocks long is open and accessible 24 hours. Each individual suite has a door that is able to be locked. Beyond that, each studio or suite owner is responsible for its own security, Woodward said.
"This will probably make more people put more locks on their doors," Woodward said. "And if they want to get a security service, they are welcome to do that."
Woodward said trouble like the break-ins is rare and infrequent and that it remains a safe place for artists to display and sell their wares.
"We don't have much trouble here," Woodward said.
The building is home to more than 130 artists and is the epicenter for two extremely popular visual art events, Art-A-Whirl in the spring and Minneapolis Art Attack in the fall. Studios and shops are open to the public from 5 to 9 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month, and at other times by appointment.
Police are still investigating. No one had been arrested as of Tuesday afternoon, said Sgt. Tammy Diedrich.
Tim Harlow • harlow@startribune.com
Burglars didn't take much, but over the weekend they did cause considerable amount of damage to doors and locks inside a northeast Minneapolis building that houses studios and shops featuring the work of several Twin Cities artists.
One or more culprits entered the Northrup King Building sometime between Saturday afternoon and Sunday afternoon and used an "unknown tool" to force open the doors to 14 businesses on the second floor of the sprawling 800,000 square-foot building at 1500 NE. Jackson St., Minneapolis Police said.
One business which specializes in Peruvian rugs reported that a laptop computer was stolen, but no rugs were missing. Two other businesses reported missing items, said building owner Debbie Woodward.
Woodward told police that damage to the businesses involved may exceed $75,000.
A business owner discovered the damage when she came to her studio Sunday afternoon. She had locked the door when she left Saturday afternoon, but found that it had been pried open when she returned at 4 p.m. Sunday.
A security guard had been on duty at the time of the incident, but he told police that he was unaware of the burglaries, according to a Minneapolis police report.
The building which is nearly two blocks long is open and accessible 24 hours. Each individual suite has a door that is able to be locked. Beyond that, each studio or suite owner is responsible for its own security, Woodward said.
"This will probably make more people put more locks on their doors," Woodward said. "And if they want to get a security service, they are welcome to do that."
Woodward said trouble like the break-ins is rare and infrequent and that it remains a safe place for artists to display and sell their wares.
"We don't have much trouble here," Woodward said.
The building is home to more than 130 artists and is the epicenter for two extremely popular visual art events, Art-A-Whirl in the spring and Minneapolis Art Attack in the fall. Studios and shops are open to the public from 5 to 9 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month, and at other times by appointment.
Police are still investigating. No one had been arrested as of Tuesday afternoon, said Sgt. Tammy Diedrich.
Tim Harlow • harlow@startribune.com
Thursday, September 06, 2007
Monday, September 03, 2007
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