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September 24, 2013 Page 2 of 7 5 Ayes, 0 Nays - Motion Carried Commission Minutes Mayor Jacobsen received the following minutes on behalf of the City: • Planning commission Minutes from August 20, 2013. Special Order of Business 1. Update from Mounds View School Superintendent Dan Hoverman Dan Hoverman, Mounds View School District Superintendent, thanked the Council for their time this evening. He explained several members of the School Board were in attendance this evening and had a presentation on behalf of the school district. John Tynjala, Mounds View School Board, explained that Mounds View schools were focused on adding value. The districts mission statement was reviewed in detail along with the priorities for the 2013 -2014 school years. These priorities included all -day every day kindergarten for the fall of 2014, early college program implementation at Mounds View High School, financial stability through levy renewal in 2013 and contract negotiations to enhance financial stability while securing the best employees. Mr. Tynjala discussed how the demographics in the district have been changing over the past 20 years. He indicated the districts enrollment has remained steady over this time, while the number of students receiving free and reduced lunch has increased during this period. Roughly, 30% of the student population was receiving free and reduced lunches. Mr. Tynjala then reviewed the performance standards that have been achieved by Mounds View students. It was noted the district had the fourth highest number of National Merit students in the State of Minnesota. In addition, the district's students were one to three grade levels above the national average for standardized tests. These achievements were a testament to the commitment the district had to its students. Mr. Tynjala discussed the STEAM program taking place at Edgewood Middle School. He noted this program had focused learning on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math. The numerous benefits of the early college program were then reviewed. He stated all students could now receive a two -year associate's degree by the time they graduated high school. This program received the 2013 Grand prize from the States Local Government Innovation Award. Councilmember Bauman recommended the district acknowledge PSEO students in the future at graduation. Mary Jo Sager, Mounds View School Board, discussed the value of the education the students in the Mounds View district were receiving. She indicated a spring community survey shows that 90% of the community receives a good value from its investment in its public schools, with 91 % of residents stating the quality of the education was excellent or good. In addition, 91 % of the residents were proud and would recommend the Mounds View schools to others. Ms. Sager commented the 2006 levy will expire in 2014. If voters do not renew the proposed levy, the local schools will stop receiving $11.5 million each year. She explained that the district was not asking for an increase, but was simply hoping to renew the current levels being paid to schools. This would assure that class sizes could be maintained and current programming would remain in place. Ms. Sager reviewed several measures that have been taken by the district to contain costs. She indicated administrative costs for the district were low when compared to districts of similar size, while the investment made in each student was the highest when compared to districts of similar size. She then encouraged all New Brighton residents to support the levy this year on November 51b Councilmember Burg thanked the School Board members for their presentation this evening. She was excited to see the district continuing to head in such a positive direction. Commission Minutes S,pcelal order of Business 1. Update fivm Mounds View 56001 Superintendent Dan Hovwlnan