Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Voters approved 10 more years of funding for School District 191 by a margin of more than two to one.
Good news for the Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District: Voters resoundingly approved a measure that will renew an existing operational levy for the next decade. The referendum passed with 67.7 percent approval. As of 11:30 p.m. the unofficial tally stood at 4280 votes for yes. Only 2046 voted against the levy renewal — about 32 percent of all ballots cast. The levy generates about $10 million annually for basic, day-to-day expenses. It was originally approved in 2002. At the time, the levy was set to expire in 2013. Because of Tuesday's vote, the levy will continue for another 10 year term. The election of 2011 stands in marked contrast to 2007, when a similar proposal passed by a mere 330 votes. However, this sweeping victory is not…
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Earlier this month, ISD 191 established an award to honor those who help disabled kids thrive at school.
Know someone who makes a difference in the lives of disabled students? If so, Independent School District 191 wants to hear from you. Recently, the district announced that it would seek nominations for its first-ever 2011 Inclusive Education Practices Award, an effort to recognize staff members who go the extra mile for kids with special needs. Such an award has been discussed for some time, said Stephanie Corbey, director of individualized student services at ISD 191. "It's something we've wanted to do for a while," Corbey said. "There are probably a lot of people doing good work out there and we want to recognize them." Nominations can be made by any parent, student or school district employee. Nominess can be an individual or a school …
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Foundation 191 recently gave the Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District thousands in grant money to support a robotics program, literacy initiatives and a calculator lending library among other things.
In a time of budget cuts and economic uncertainty, the Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District got a small windfall at its last meeting on Sept. 1. Foundation 191, an independent non-profit, gave the cash-strapped school district $10,459 for 11 supplementary school programs that would otherwise go unfunded. During this grant cycle, the foundation received 27 applications, said foundation President Stephen Fiebiger, almost double the number of requests last year. All told, the applicants requested $91,000 in grants. It is the second year that the foundation has offered grant packages to the school district since the non-profit started up in 2005. Fiebiger believes the influx is due to positive buzz. He said the foundation's reputation among…
Friday, September 2, 2011
Thursday, the board considered unspecified allegations concerning an employee behind closed doors. After deliberating for less than half an hour, the board opted to fire 'Employee A.'
Updated at 6:37 a.m. on Sept. 2 After less than 30 minutes behind closed doors, the Burnsville-Eagan-Savage Board of Education made a unanimous vote to fire a person, referred to publicly as "Employee A." The resolution adopted by the board was vague as to the exact nature of the allegations against Employee A, citing "incompetence and misconduct" as grounds for discharge. When asked for specifics, Superintendent Randy Clegg said that he could give no further information until the employee had been fully discharged. "I can't provide any information until he has been fully terminated. It could be up to a year from now," Clegg said. "It just depends on the process and what rights he exercises that are allowed to him by state statute." Clegg…
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Robert VandenBoom will take former School Board Member Gail Morrison's seat at the next meeting.
For the first time since long time Board Member Gail Morrison resigned in June, the Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District has a full-fledged board. After several rounds of voting, the board narrowed the field of nine candidates down to four, then three then one: Thursday night, Robert VandenBoom was selected by the board to fill a Morrison's vacant position. "It was humbling to be chosen from a group of people who are so qualified. It makes me feel really good," VandenBoom said. "I was very surprised." Those who made the initial cut were VandenBoom, Sheryl Burkhardt, Seema Pothini, and Clynt Reddy. The board then went through another round of voting to determine the top three: Reddy, Burkhardt, and VandenBoom. By 6:44 the Board was …
Monday, August 8, 2011
On Thursday night, school board candidates were asked: What would you do to help bridge cultural gaps? Two answered from experience: Seema Pothini and Clynt Reddy entered school as children of recent immigrants.
Editor's Note: Nine candidates are vying for former Board Director Gail Morrison's spot. On Thursday night, the group was subjected to an extensive, three-hour interview with the sitting member of the board of Education. Over the next few days, Patch will release portions of this interview question by question. The finalist will be chosen on Aug. 18, when the board will put the matter to a vote. Chair Ron Hill: As our district becomes increasingly diverse, what should be done to make sure that students of ethnic and demographic groups have same opportunity to advance? Bill Randall: I would work on increasing awareness of our diversity. One thing that struck me as remarkable was a program I saw at Rahn School where it was a music and dance …
Friday, August 5, 2011
On Thursday night, the Burnsville-Eagan-Savage Board of Education put nine candidates for a vacant seat up to the test: What policies would they suggest to keep student achievement on the increase even as financial resources dwindle?
Editor's Note: Nine candidates are vying for former Board Director Gail Morrison's spot. On Thursday night, the group was subjected to an extensive, three-hour interview with the sitting member of the board of Education. Over the next few days, Patch will release portions of this interview question by question. The finalist will be chosen on Aug. 18, when the board will put the matter to a vote. Board Director Paula Teiken: One of our most important goals is to increase student achievement. In a time of declining resources, what do you see as priority and what experience and insight can you bring to the board as we enter a year of difficult choices? Sheryl Burkhardt: As you address this the method you need to use are test results. …
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Board of Ed bids adieu to Gail Morrison, who is giving up her post after almost 11 years.
Earlier this month, longtime School board Member Gail Morrison announced she would resign her position. Last Thursday, she attended her final meeting. There her colleagues honored her with a reception and expressed their gratitude. Here are some snippets of their parting statements: • Superintendent Randy Clegg: "On a personal note, over the past years it has been my privilege to have worked with Gail. I have greatly valued her council, her insights, observations and her ideas," Clegg said. "Gail's long history in the community and knowledge of the school district has been an invaluable asset to me and to the board." • Board Member Dan Luth: "I'm really, really going to miss you," Luth said. "Those who have watched you and I on the board …
The district could be flooded by dozens of applicants seeking former Board Member Gail Morrison's spot.
Last Thursday, the Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District bade farewell to outgoing Board Member Gail Morrison and embarked on what could be an arduous search for her replacement. "Looking at what other districts have seen, in response they've had upwards of 40 people apply for these positions," said Superintendent Randy Clegg. Morrison, a veteran of the school board, announced her resignation this month. Morrison was one year into her third term, each of which is four years in length. Because more than half of Morrison's term remains, the Board of Education must appoint a successor, who will serve until the next general election in 2012. Clegg outlined the process for the board on Thursday: Would-be board members will submit a resume, …
Friday, June 10, 2011
At Wednesday's graduation ceremony, Darian Ziegler offered classmates words of wisdom.
Wednesday night, Burnsville Alternative High School's class of 2011 celebrated the graduation of 91 seniors. Here are some final thoughts from Student Darian Ziegler, with shout outs to the school staff, Tupac Shakur, Gandhi, and Martin Luther King, Jr. among others. Scholarships Editor's Note: This is not a complete list. More to come. • Burnsville Noon Rotary Darian Ziegler Amanda Rhymes • Class Acts Christian Carruthers • Cedar Stars Okuon Cham Lorenzo Armendariz, Jr. • Red Cross Young Minds Change Lives Dovie Littlecrow Darian Ziegler For more graduation coverage click the following: BHS graduation photo gallery, Senior Awards, BHS Scholarship Winners, listing of Academic Distinction, video of Graduation Music, video of BHS …
