Loading...
6.8. SR 11-06-1995ITEM 6. 8. { ity of� MEMORANDUM lk • River TO: Mayor &City Council FROM: Pat Klaers, City Administrator DATE: November 6, 1995 SUBJECT: School Consensus Committee School Superintendent Dr. Flannery has requested that the City Council appoint two citizens to the School Consensus Committee. This Committee will provide feedback to the School Board by the end of February, 1996, on issues of major importance to the District. It appears that the emphasis of the Committee will relate to the overall organization of the schools and the need for additional facilities. Please see the attached October 25, 1995, Elk River Star News article on this citizen committee and the three page charter for the Consensus Committee as provided by the School District. I have indicated to Dr. Flannery that the • City Council would discuss this Committee on November 6, 1995, and would be making appointments on Monday, November 20, 1995. • 13065 Orono Parkway • P.O. Box 490 • Elk River, MN 55330 • (612) 441 -7420 • Fax: (612) 441 -7425 • District -728 School Board a pproves citizen.-only task force by Jim Boyle many high schools the district Staff writer should have now and in the tion is deemed appropriate, or to of school chil- Hassan Township, Livonia . An 18- member citizens task future, how much will the pub- -the parents, dren if the plan calls for some Township, Otsego, Rogers, Zimmerman will be asked to force will study the need for lic pay for a bond issue, where school space and bring back should schools be - located and form of alternative scheduling of the school day or school appoint their representatives. recommendations to the Elk how many years should a bond year. Those interested in being named to the committee 8ivex. Area. :School ; Board on •- referendum.at-tempt. to. cover: The . District The 18- member committee should apply at their local city .1.28 .'Board of ansensus Oommittee :; duration jVll,,dey},se. a ;plan will be comprised of two mem- bens from nine cities and town- council or town board. that it can take to the uTi�i will attempt to reach consen- p c, ships. City and town councils' p t3' sus. on questions like how either in an election, if an elec- . from Dayton, Elk River, .' 2 / Elk River Star News i Wednesday, October 25, 1995 CI DISTRICT - OFFICE ID :612- 441 -7368 Post -11" brand tax transmittal memo 76711 w c1 pages ► ,> The Focus 1C. "Aj \,11A -10­7 NOV 01'95 Charter for the Consensus Committee 11 :06 No.010 P.01 10 -24 -95 The Citizens Committee, with staff support and information, will come to consensus on the issues that have divided our citizens and led directly to two failed School Bond Elections. The Committee will come to grips with issues like what is the appropriate number of high schools for our School District, now and in the future? Other issues include the maximum amount of bonding they believe the citizens will approve, school locations and the number of years any bonding issue should attempt to cover. Based on their consensus, the Committee may also forward to the School Board any school facility ideas that they believe meet their criteria. • The Result Based on the concensus of the Committee and on the facility ideas recommended, the School Board will develop a plan that they can take to the public, either in the form of an election, if an election is appropriate, or to parents if the plan calls for an alternative school schedule or year. The Issues The Citizens Committee will be asked to come to consensus on as many of the following questions as possible: * Should schools be built to solve the crowding problems? * Is muliti -track Year - Round - School a viable option? How long would this solve the problem? * How many high schools should there be in our district and is there a preferred size and grade -level configuration? * Is there a point where schools are too big, too small? * When should students be bused out of their communities? * If the School Board puts together another building plan, • how far into the future should it go? For implementation? DISTRICT - OFFICE ID:612- 441 -7368 NOV 01'95 1106 No . 010 P.02 For planning? • * Should we expand any school on School Street? * How long should students be expected to ride buses? * Is it important that we keep our current grade -level organization? (K -6, 7 -9, 10 -12) * What is the most the majority of people will pay to improve schools? * Is there a way to build a district perspective? Is this important? Membership The Consensus Committee will report directly to the School Board. The Committee should include the following members: 1. Two members from each of the following cities and townships: Elk River, Otsego, Rogers, Zimmerman, Dayton, Hassan, Livonia, Big Lake and Ramsey. The idea here would be to include the major population centers. Orrock could, for example, be put together with Livonia and Frankfort with Hassan. • We would ask that these citizen members apply to their city councils and township boards and be appointed by these local governmental bodies. We would ask the councils and boards to appoint individuals who - have credibility in the community; "If they say it, it must be so." - have a reputation for being thoughtful and responsible. - have a history of community service. - have a commitment to the best education for all children. • 2. Staff No staff will be a part of the actual committee. The task for the staff would be to make sure that the citizens had access to all the data and opinion that is available in the School District. They may assist the committee in getting information from other school districts and sources. 3. Committee Chair Ron Bratlie, Director of Support Services, will chair the Consensus Committee . DISTRICT - OFFICE ID:612 -441 -7368 • 4. Facilitator Timeline NOV 01'95 11:07 No.010 P.03 A professional facilitator from outside the District area will be hired to serve as the Consensus Committee's facilitator. Application and Appointment in October and November Meetings and Recommendations in late November, early December, January and February. Provide an informal intermin report to the School Board on January 23. ' Recommendation to the School Board on February 27. Budget There will be a $1,500 budget for incidental services and needs. If the School Board decides on an outside facilitator, a budget will be established to • take care of this need. The dollars will come from the general contingency budget. bd /miselconsen •