5.1. SR 11-20-1995ITEM 5. 1.
T y of� MEMORANDUM
Ik TO: Mayor and City Council
River
FROM: Sandra Thackeray, City Clerk
DATE: November 20, 1995
SUBJECT: Appointment of City Representatives to
School Consensus Committee
INTRODUCTION:
On November 6, 1995, the City Council discussed the School Board's request
to appoint two citizens to the School Consensus Committee. It was the
Council consensus to review letters of interest at the November 20, 1995,
Council meeting. It was also the consensus of the Council to have each
Councilmember offer a suggestion at the November 20 meeting as to who
may be a viable candidate.
• The City has received two letters of interest; one from Lee Ecklund and one
from Billie Blackwell. These letters are enclosed for your review. Both Mr.
Ecklund and Ms. Blackwell have indicated that they will be present at the
Council meeting. Also enclosed is the "Charter for the Consensus
Committee" as prepared by the School Board.
is
ACTION REQUESTED:
Council appointment of two Elk River citizens to the School Consensus
Committee.
s: \school.doc
13065 Orono Parkway • P.O. Box 490 • Elk River, MN 55330 • (612) 441 -7420 • Fax: (612) 441 -7425
::STRICT -D= r 10E !D:512-441-7-75S N01,) C1 ' 9E 1106 Nc . 010 p . 0:
post -It" brand tax transmittal memo 76711 • of a9K ' ,>
c� L1a.�.� S
k.
[. rt
r-ax '4 1 ---?y� `v1 10 -24 -95
Charter for the Consensus Committee
The Focus
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 s 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 mullti -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?
LISTRICT- OFFICE ID :612 - 441 -7362
1 '
�V 01 _ VE) NUJ
For planning?
• t 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 -f, 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 tM
is Consensus Committee .
:D:612-441-736S
„58
• 4. Facilitator
Timeline
Budget
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.
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.
bdlmisciconeen
•
is
Lee Eklund
18232 Albany Street
Elk River, Minnesota 55330
Sunday, November 12, 1995
Mayor Hank Duitsman and Elk River City Council Members
City of Elk River
1234 Main Street
Elk River, Minnesota 55330
Dear Mayor and Council Members:
I am submitting this letter to express my interest in participating as a member of the Citizens Committee being
convened to assist the Elk River School Board in developing facility requirements for the local school system.
Our family moved to Elk River five years ago because we wanted to live in a non -metro community with a large
enough school system to support an excellent educational program for our children. After a wide search of the
surrounding Twin Cities area, we decided on Elk River.
I have been following the school bond issues with keen interest. I am interested in educational excellence, not
only for the sake of my children and others, but for the long -term viability and healthy growth of the community.
I believe excellence fosters excellence, and the school system is the foundation for the development of a
sound, prosperous community. Elk River has reached a critical juncture in the funding process for our school
system. With the failure of two recent bond issues, our steps at this point must be sure - footed, decisive, and
*Mrrect. The City of Elk River and our school district cannot afford failure the next time.
I have over 25 years of working experience, beginning my career with three years of science /math teaching
experience at the secondary level. My background covers a broad spectrum from three years as a Marine
Corps Officer during the Viet Nam era to my current management position with a Twin Cities logistics
consulting firm. I have lived and worked in various parts of this country as well as the world. My perspectives
are broad but tempered by the reality of my experiences. Success in business has shown me the importance
of knowledge based in fact as a tool in negotiating issues to a logical conclusion. And of course, the need for
wisdom in compromise is ever - present.
I understand the needs of education, but as well the facts of budgets, community loyalties, and sound
business decisions. When the first bond issue threatened to bus 700 Elk River students to surrounding
communities, my presentation of supporting demographic data to the School Board resulted in revision of
bonding plans. Consequently, this kept a more proportionate number of schools centrally located and closer to
a greater number of students. I believe that Elk River is and should remain the central point for education
within the district. As the County Seat for the fastest growing county in the State, we should be taking the lead
not only in community development, but educational development as well --- one will only enhance the other.
This means first an intelligent assessment of the whole district, coupled with sound planning to meet our
educational needs, and finally, presentation of facts to the community in a positive way to promote support and
ultimately passage of a much - needed bond issue. Our community cannot afford failure!
Sincerely,
•
Lee Eklund
k�