Agenda Packets - 2013/10/14 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council September 23, 2013 Regular Meeting Page 2 1 through levy renewal in 2013 and contract negotiations to entrance financial stability while 2 securing the best employees. 3 4 Greg Madsen, Mounds View School Board, discussed how the demographics in the district have 5 been changing over the past 20 years. He indicated the district enrollment has remained steady 6 over this time. It was noted the number of students receiving free and reduced lunch has 7 increased during this period. 8 9 Mr. Madsen then reviewed the performance standards that have been achieved by Mounds View 10 students. It was noted the district had the fourth highest number of National Merit students in the 11 State of Minnesota. In addition, the district's students were one to three grade levels above the 12 national average for standardized tests. These achievements were a testament to the commitment 13 the district had to its students. 14 15 Mr. Madsen then discussed the STEAM program taking place at Edgewood Middle School. He 16 noted this program had focused learning on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math. 17 The numerous benefits of the early college program were then reviewed. He stated all students 18 could now receive a two year degree by the time they graduated high school. The Humphrey 19 School at Public Affairs names the Early College program the top local government innovation 20 in the State of Minnesota for the year. 21 22 Bob Helgeson, Mounds View School Board, discussed the value of the education the students in 23 Mounds View were receiving. He indicated a spring community survey shows that 90% of the 24 community receives a good value from its investment in its public schools, with 91% of residents 25 stating the quality of the education was excellent or good. In addition, 91 % of the residents were 26 proud and would recommend the Mounds View schools to others. 27 28 Mr. Helgeson commented the 2006 levy will expire in 2014. If voters do not renew the proposed 29 levy, the local schools will stop receiving $11.5 million each year. He explained that the district 30 was not asking for an increase, but was simply hoping to renew the current levels being paid to 31 schools. This would ensure that class sizes could be maintained and current programming would 32 remain in place. 33 34 Ms. Sager reviewed several measures that have been taken by the district to contain costs. She 35 indicated administrative costs for the district were low when compared to districts of similar size, 36 while the investment made in each student was the highest when compared to districts of similar 37 size. She then encouraged all Mounds View residents to support the levy this year on November 38 5ti' 39 40 Mayor Flaherty understood the importance of the district's schools to the community. He 41 reiterated that the district was not requesting additional taxes, but simply for the current levy to 42 be renewed. He requested further information on how the security of students was being 43 addressed by the school district. Mr. Hoverman explained how the school buildings have been 44 locked and secured for the protection of each student. Access has now been limited to one door 45 at the high school and the School Resource Officers have become a greater presence.