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