Action of the School Board Action of the School Board 09/23/2019 | Page 2

Greg Cole, chief operations officer, presented a status update of the first phase of the Fit for the Future projects. These
projects, and phase two and three projects, were approved by Anoka-Hennepin community members in a November 2017
referendum.
Students were welcomed the first day of school at all seven phase one project sites. They’ve also remained in budget
throughout their construction. The sites include: Brookside Elementary School in Ramsey, Sunrise Elementary School in
Blaine, Andover High School, Anoka High School, Blaine High School, Champlin Park High School, and Coon Rapids High
School. Cole showed photos of each of the phase one projects near completion of construction.
Eric Anderson, of ATS&R, shared the status of three phase two projects: Andover High School, Champlin-Brooklyn Park
Academy, and Anoka Middle School for the Arts, Fred Moore. Anderson shared that these projects are finishing up the
design portion with construction work expected to begin this school year yet.
Mike Kraft, of Mike Kraft Architects, shared the status of four phase two projects: Anoka Middle School for the Arts,
Washington, Blaine High School, Coon Rapids High School, and River Trail Learning Center at L.O. Jacob. These projects are
also finishing up the design portion with construction work expected to begin this school year.
Steve Anderson, director of buildings and grounds, shared a plan for the final phase of the Fit for the Future projects, phase
three. Phase three will include improvements to media centers, science labs and other classrooms. These projects are
expected to start in 2022 and conclude 2023.
Cole also mentioned a couple of larger projects taking place throughout the district with the long term facilities
maintenance budget: Coon Rapids Middle School (CRMS) and Blaine High School. CRMS’ project was additional classroom
space as the result of attendance boundary adjustments. Blaine High School’s project was the addition of 200 parking
spaces and the movement of a tennis court.
Elementary and secondary education
Portrait of a Graduate
Dr. Joel VerDuin, chief technology and information officer, and Michelle VanDenTop, director of technology and information
services, presented on a Portrait of a Graduate.
VerDuin described this portrait as being the “why” instead of the “what” behind how the district educates students. He cited
an example from a larger school district in Colorado that uses characteristics to describe various skills they’d like each of
their graduates to have, in addition to state requirements, as they exit the twelfth grade.
VanDenTop talked about other research the technology team completed the previous school year, including visits to
neighboring school districts and a local business.
VerDuin presented a plan to expand the team’s research, to include input from staff, students, communities and
businesses. All of these groups will respond with what they’d like to see in Anoka-Hennepin graduates.
VerDuin and VanDenTop plan to keep the board apprised as this project progresses.
Finance
Preliminary tax certification for taxes payable 2020
Michelle Vargas, chief financial officer, presented the preliminary tax certification for board approval. The action sets the
maximum tax levy payable in 2020, an amount that will be reviewed and authorized at the Dec. 9 School Board meeting.
A truth-in-taxation public hearing will precede consideration of approval on Dec. 9. This is considered a routine business
function of the School Board and the recommendation was approved on a 4-0 vote (Board members Anna Dirkswager and
Marci Anderson were not in attendance).
General counsel
Approval of master agreement for child nutrition site supervisors
Paul Cady, general counsel, presented a master agreement with child nutrition site supervisors for board consideration.
Cady explained that the proposed terms and conditions are within the authority provided by the School Board and within
budget parameters and it was approved on a unanimous vote. caffeine items such as energy drinks. The revised policy was
approved.
2