BOUNDARY
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PREPARING STUDENTS FOR LIFE
Anoka-Hennepin to seek public input on attendance boundary changes
BOUNDARY
CHANGES
Some 38,000 students attend Anoka-Hennepin schools , coming from 13 communities that make up the district . Every day , more and more of these students are attending school in the northern portion of the district , in the rapidly growing areas of Blaine and Ramsey . About two-thirds of the district ’ s schools , however , are in the southern portion of the district .
In November , voters in Anoka-Hennepin agreed to invest in the district and its students through the passage of the Fit for the Future referendum . This plan includes the promise to construct two new elementary schools in Blaine and Ramsey where populations are significantly growing , and to create additional classroom space at some existing schools to make way for growth and portable classroom removal . Safe and secure learning environments will result districtwide .
Now , with construction set to begin on many projects in the spring and the new schools expected to open for the 2019-20 school year , the district is preparing for the next step : attendance boundary changes .
Attendance boundary changes are needed at the elementary and middle school levels ( Blaine and Coon Rapids areas ) to balance student enrollment all across the district with new and existing space . With or without the referendum , attendance boundary changes were going to be needed — information which was shared often during the referendum election last fall . Now though , with the referendum results , there ’ s more classroom space to work with — specifically where it ’ s needed , in Blaine and Ramsey .
“ Our district has made every effort to create neighborhood schools that families connect with and are proud of ,” said Chuck Holden , chief operations officer . “ Our district has had great success with this . So even though your family may experience a change , know that all of our schools have inviting communities that will be extending warm welcomes to its new families .”
The district ’ s process for attendance boundary changes is just beginning . Proposals are being shared in the coming weeks , with ample time between now and the end of the school year for parent / guardian , community and staff feedback . A School Board decision is tentatively planned for Sept . 24 .
Six educators named candidates for Minnesota Teacher of the Year
Six Anoka-Hennepin educators have been named candidates for Education Minnesota ’ s 2018 Minnesota Teacher of the Year award .
However , in an unusual twist , all six candidates teach at Blaine High School ( BHS ).
The teachers are : Cheryl Bailey , special education ; Elizabeth Dorsing , math ; Shawn Everson , math ; Rachael Fountain , English ; Jonathan Kell , math ; and Ashley Topp , English . The six are among the 167 statewide candidates for the award .
BHS Principal Jason Paske said he recognized all six during the school ’ s staff meeting Jan . 23 .
Feedback opportunities start Feb . 22 , 26 and 27 at elementary schools . Blaine and Coon Rapids middle schools will follow with meetings March 1 and 6 . Ask your student ’ s school for the exact date and time at their site . Another opportunity for feedback will be at the high school cluster community meetings this spring :
● Wednesday , April 18 at Coon Rapids High School .
● Monday , April 30 at Blaine High School .
● Tuesday , May 1 at Champlin Park High School .
● Wednesday , May 9 at Anoka High School .
● Thursday , May 10 at Andover High School .
“ This is going to be a community-rich process ,” said Holden . “ It ’ s important the district hears community perspectives on the highlights and challenges of the proposed attendance boundaries . There will be multiple ways to do this both in-person and electronically .”
Recommendations for the proposed attendance boundaries are based on planning parameters that ensure effective operations of the district . They include :
● State and federal guidelines .
● Efficient use of district resources .
● The teacher / student ratio , established by the School Board through the budget process , determines adequate space .
● Lower teacher / student ratios have priority at elementary schools , most notably kindergarten and first grade .
● Educational support and programming based on the student demographics of the attendance boundary .
● Bus rides are reasonable lengths .
● Students living within a mile of their school walk ( if there aren ’ t hazards present on their walk to school ).
● Adjoining attendance boundaries with as minimal disruption as possible .
● High school attendance boundaries remain the same .
● Growth from current and future residential development .
● Attendance boundaries that change will remain in effect for at least five years at elementary schools and ten years at middle schools .
On Feb . 20 , interactive maps showing the proposed changes to each of the five high school cluster areas will be available at ahschools . us / boundaries .
Keep up with the latest details on the proposed attendance boundaries by visiting the district website , at ahschools . us . Questions can be emailed to boundaries @ ahschools . us or by calling 763-506-3383 . ■
“ We work really hard to build positive relationships among staff and with students , and these six teachers are great examples of the amazing staff we have at BHS ,” Principal Jason Paske said . “ They are well deserving of the recognition .”
Superintendent David Law also recognized the six teachers , announcing their candidacy for the award during the Jan . 22 School Board meeting .
“ I ’ m not sure what happened there , if it was Bengal fever or something ,” he joked . “ Good luck as you move through this process , and we ’ re very proud of you all as a school district .”
According to Education Minnesota , sometime in the next couple weeks , a 25-member panel of community leaders from around the state will whittle the 167 candidates down to a much smaller group of semifinalists , and then finalists . Then on May 6 , the 2018 Minnesota Teacher of the Year will be announced at a banquet at the Radisson Blu Mall of America .
This isn ’ t the first time an Anoka-Hennepin teacher has been up for Minnesota Teacher of the Year . Last year , Andover High School teacher Dan Bordwell was a nominee , and two years ago , BHS teacher Steve Drewlo , Monroe Elementary
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Minnesota districts for this indicator of financial health . As part of the rating upgrade , Moody ’ s Investor Service noted the district ’ s “ sizeable and growing tax base , well-managed financial position , healthy reserves and stable enrollment .” We are pleased to be able to provide these cost reductions to our taxpayers .
The district is moving in a positive direction .
In the months ahead , the district is committed to maintaining strong communication with the public regarding all aspects of the construction process and the steps necessary to prepare for the fall of 2019 and beyond .
As plans are forming for breaking ground for new elementary schools in Blaine and Ramsey , the district will begin the process of establishing new attendance boundary areas . These are decisions that will take effect the 2019-20 school year , but must be made by this November to ensure a smooth transition . Please review the multiple ways to provide feedback into these decisions in this issue of the Focus newsletter . The School Board seeks to ensure all community voices are considered prior to decisions being finalized regarding this important subject to parents / guardians .
As mentioned during the referendum information campaign , the district was committed to balancing student enrollments and setting new attendance boundary areas no matter the outcome of the election . Overcrowded conditions at some buildings and the space considerations are important variables to consider when balancing enrollments across the district . It was also shared that attendance boundary adjustments at the elementary and middle school levels will be considered with the goal of setting stable attendance boundary areas for a minimum of five years at the elementary level and 10 years at the secondary level .
With regard to class size , administration is hoping to make an impact at every level in our school system . Some sites may not see improvements until the new schools are built , but most will notice a slight decrease in core class sizes next fall .
These construction projects , proposed changes to attendance areas , and class size reductions are the result of a collective community decision supported by two-thirds of our voters in an election . Thank you for your support . As a system , we will work to advance this plan in relation to that approval as we continue our focus on our district mission of preparing students for life . ■
Anoka-Hennepin ’ s 2018 Minnesota Teacher of the Year candidates , all from Blaine High School . From left , bottom row , Jonathan Kell , math ; Beth Dorsing , math ; Shawn Everson , math ; top row : Ashley Topp , English ; Cheryl Bailey , special education ; and Rachael Fountain , English .
School teacher Nathan Elliott , Coon Rapids High School teacher Tony Hirte and Adult Basic Education teacher Donna Escobedo were named candidates for the award . Most years Anoka- Hennepin has at least one candidate .
This year ’ s program will name the 54th Minnesota Teacher of the Year , celebrating the tradition of excellence in teaching in Minnesota . Candidates include pre-kindergarten through 12th-grade and Adult Basic Education teachers , from public or private schools . The number of candidates this year is the third-most in the 54-year history of the award , and the most since 1981 . ■