Meeting Notes 21Jan10

The black comments were posted in the PMS meeting minutes for 21Jan10. The comments in color were additional items I recorded in my notes. It was a casual open form with Dr Sicoli addressing about 12 parents. There were more questions and comments from the parents, however you'll get the gist. If you were there and see any errors, please contact me and I'll correct it accordingly. Thanks.


Guest Speaker, Superintendent – Dr. Aldo Sicoli

• There are approximately 12,000 students in the district
• Parent & community involvement is “large” in this district
• Not without many types of challenges
• In the future, will be needing to reduce budget drastically, first by $1.6 million and then by $5.7 million
• We are not alone in budget struggles; it is predicted that it will be worse before it gets better and this is a long-term issue
• State may defer some Spring payments
• Need committed parents, educators & School Board members

Opened up to Q&A discussion with parents at meeting:

What is the status of the vacant buildings in our district?

• There will be a meeting to discuss this next week at PMS
• 287 looking to buy some land on Hosterman site. Best to sell them the existing building site instead of dividing the parcel. (ie worth more) If it happens, 287 will likely need most of the Sandburg bldg while Hosterman is demolished and the new 287 facility is built.
• Therefore the Winnetka and Cavanagh programs can not be moved into Sandburg until the 287 facility is complete.
• Northport and Lakeview need remodel, zero, one or two schools may be needed to house students depending on which option is selected. Current options under consideration.
• 1. Demolish Northport and build new school on the site which is large enough to hold Northport and Lakeview students. Would require a capital levy vote.
• 2. Complete major remodel of both Northport and Lakeview. Would require use of district capital and alternative funding. (ie levy w/o vote)
• 3. Complete base remodel of Northport and Lakeview. Would require alternative funding, may be able to be done during Summers?
• Likely district will keep New Hope Elementary. Need parking for CHS. Use the building for CHS Wrestling. Use the playfields for other CHS sports. All RAS programs will not fit in Sandburg. May use NHE for some of them.
• The Highview bldg near HS will need to be demolished. No other use identified.
• Cavanagh and Winnetka are on hold until Hosterman / Sandburg issue is resolved. (ie can't empty them until Sandburg is truly available)
• ESC/Bus garage relocation is on hold indefinitely. Ball is in Ryan's court to get rezoning work done/estimated. Ryan is hesitant in this economy. Besides, current ESC/Garage location is good/centralized.
• Other issues is losing the competition swim pool that is in Hosterman.
• Task force has monthly meetings and will deliver their report over the summer
• Changes have a domino effect, when one program moves, it affects another, etc.

What is the future for Extracurricular Activities?

• If balance is reduced at the rate predicted, Extra activities will likely be affected.
• Extracurriculars may some day not be affiliated with the schools due to funding issues. However students of this generation deserve as good as we had.
• Currently there is a fund balance of 3%.
• Low class sizes and other factors have reduced the number of in school and out of school suspensions significantly at PMS. (~40% YTD)
• MCA tests are being reviewed. A college task force is reviewing options: end of course exams, ACTs, etc.
• Some groups are starting to work on national testing stds. Would be lower than current MN stds.
• Class sizes will increase in the future

What is our district doing for PR?

• Pointing out the positives, like both HS being in the top 100 in the nation
• Provide a quality product and market it
• Be creative with how we bring student back
• RAS sent out a letter to RAS parents that left the district for other options. The letter invited them back to RAS.
• Mtka spends to advertise in Movie theaters, letters, etc.
• Some districts have a higher cap on levy due to when granted this when the law was passed.
• Declining enrollment hard to manage financially. Lonny Smith the new Busn Director has some great ideas.
• Previous district opened many magnet schools to keep and draw students.
• Open enrollment helps districts. 1 in 7 in Edina are open enrollees. Great district.
• Look at new programs (like STEM programs)

What are the top challenges you are facing?

• Dealing with the achievement gap (priority not only for our district, but the nation)
• Students do well in RAS, however high mobility makes it difficult.
• MAP is better than MCA since the kids take it 2 to 3 times per year, and it monitors growth.
• Other countries wish their students would be as creative as our students.
• MAP testing is a useful tool/reviewing testing, etc.

What do you see as strengths of our district?

• Rigorous academic programs
• Plenty of opportunities to be challenged
• Are than a year’s progress in a year’s time
• Diversity
• Teaching, learning, technology
• GREAT staff here, highly committed to student learning!