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Mounds View City Council February 8, 2010 <br />Regular Meeting Page 2 <br />Mr. Hoverman indicated a goal for the year was to increase the level of personalization within • <br />the school system. He explained staff has put in motion processes to monitor more closely how <br />all students are performing and not just those at risk. The system has created individualized <br />goals for each student as they proceed through high school. <br />Ms. Sager noted the calendar has been restructured to provide for less breaks in the school <br />schedule. In the 2010-11 school year there will be no half days that will save the district over <br />$130,000 in transportation costs. Mr. Hoverman added that instructional time was not reduced <br />with the change in the calendar. <br />Mr. Hoverman indicated another initiative has begun to create connections with the students. He <br />explained that school sponsored activities engage students and provides opportunities to students <br />not involved in extra-curricular sports. Students perform better academically when engaged and <br />involved in school. <br />Ms. Sager indicated the district was seeking creative and innovative ways to assist students to <br />avoid cuts and increase revenues in light of the current economic situation. Energy savings has <br />been a major source of improvements. <br />Council Member Mueller questioned the expense of educating one high school student for the <br />entire school year. • <br />Mr. Hoverman stated this would be difficult to estimate due to the wide range of services <br />provided to students, such as special needs or post secondary options. He indicated he would <br />report back to the Council with a range. <br />Council Member Mueller asked for further information on the hybrid online courses. <br />Mr. Hoverman explained the district offered 19 hybrid courses at this time between both high <br />schools. This allows the students to take a course without meeting in class with a teacher on a <br />daily basis. Courses will continue based on student interest. <br />Mayor Flaherty felt the online hybrid courses were going to set the district apart and would <br />benefit the self-starter students. He then asked if class sizes could be discussed and suggested <br />offering the honors classes in an auditorium setting. <br />Mr. Hoverman indicated this has been discussed and he would be more interested in offering the <br />online courses versus the large group. The flexibility provided in the online courses allows for <br />enough engagement while avoiding the large classes. <br />Council Member Gunn noted she was thrilled to see the school district has taken on the dean <br />model. This would serve the students well through their high school years. <br />Mayor Flaherty thanked the representatives for the information presented to the Council. • <br />