Facilities planning keeps District 196 busy in 2022 | Apple Valley

This is a theme that will continue through 2023 as the School Board prepares to hear final recommendations this month.

In 2022, new principals arrived at several schools to take another step towards normalization as mask-wearing became voluntary after dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Here’s a round-up of District 196 news for 2022.

Optional mask wearing

The School Board voted 6 to 1 at a special meeting on March 1 to review the district’s COVID-19 operational plan in accordance with new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on masks in K-12 and early education settings. Approved the change.

Under the amendment, wearing face masks in school buildings and buses was made voluntary, but the district said it would support those who chose to continue wearing face coverings.Those who have returned from quarantine, the district said. was advised to wear a mask, but was not required to do so.

The school board has approved agreements with multiple unions, including the Rosemount Principals Association, the Independent School District 196 Association of Architectural Engineers, the Minnesota Teamster Public and Law Enforcement Workers Union Local 320, and the School Services Employees SEIU Local 284. bottom.

Negotiations with SEIU Local 284 entered arbitration in late March after the union and the district initially failed to reach an agreement on compensation for transportation workers. Union members and the school board subsequently approved the new contract in May.

Compensation and benefits arrangements were also approved for multiple employee groups, including non-union managers, special staff, assistant managers and deans, unlicensed professionals and directors.

Facility recommendations come

The Facilities and Facilities Steering Committee, which includes Wold Architects department heads, principals, and representatives, began meeting in June 2021 and was responsible for future facility planning. The group delved into registration. capacity issues; needs and possible facility options for primary, secondary, special, foodservice, and community education;

District 196 officials will make final recommendations on future facility needs and the Board of Education’s plans at its January 9 meeting.

The proposed preliminary recommendations, previously presented to the school board and the wider community, focus on three main categories – growth. Provide students with a consistent experience across the school. Safety, Security, Supervision. The district solicited public feedback through three face-to-face meetings and an online form.

District officials say the pressure for more space is greatest in the southeastern part of the district. New housing development continues in Rosemount, South Apple Valley and North Lakeville. Rosemount High School, Rosemount Middle School, and Scott Highlands Middle School all need more space. The campuses that house Rosemount Elementary, Rosemount Middle, and Rosemount High are at capacity and are no longer able to expand.

The committee breaks down facility plans related to growth into “current stage,” “future stage,” and “long-term/latent stage.” The committee was intended to consider future plans beyond eight to ten years.

At this stage, the commission’s preliminary recommendations include construction of a new 20th elementary school at Akron Avenue and Bonaire Pass in Rosemount, which the school district likely already owns. The recommendations also include the construction of new Rosemount Middle School buildings at determined locations, the addition of science to Scott Highlands Middle School, and additions to existing Rosemount High School. The existing Rosemount Middle School building will be repurposed.

To address a consistent school experience, the committee’s recommendations include:

– Added science labs to middle schools such as Scott Highlands and Dakota Hills, as well as Apple Valley, Eagan, and Eastview High Schools.

– Possibility of adding to Dakota Ridge School.

– Transition Plus refurbishment.

– Create more multi-purpose learning areas at school

– Improving school performance spaces.

School districts have outlined multiple safety and security needs, such as replacing security camera systems or adding cameras. Increased site safety in selected buildings. Increased lighting in secondary schools. Modify some restrooms for surveillance and access.

District officials say the potential bond referendum to complete all of the tentatively planned Phase 1 projects could total $374 million. A recent community survey showed that $10 per month is the median amount of tax increase taxpayers can afford.

Subscriber numbers not keeping up with expected growth

District 196’s October 3 registrations showed that total registrations were relatively flat compared to the previous year. Director of Finance and Operations Mark Stotts told the school board on Oct. 10 that the total enrollment for all schools and programs he has is 29,047, and from 2021 he will be down 39 students. He said he was. student. Stotts said the school district will revise its budget to reflect his 24 fewer students.

Stotts said the district is still feeling the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.The school district believes not all eligible students have returned.

Stotts noted that over the past decade, the school district has consistently attracted about 1,000 unsolicited students from other school districts. Over the next eight years, the school district predicted an increase in enrollment of about 3,000 over the next 10 years, but current enrollment has not kept pace with that expected increase, Stotts said. says.

Stotts said kindergarten enrollment was “very significantly” below the district’s expectations. Kindergarten classes usually consist of 2,000 to he 2,500 students, and this year the kindergarten had about 1,800 students.

Leadership change and new hires

Several schools have had leadership changes and 2022 has had other new recruits. Two new school board members also started their terms.

Rob Nelson is next Principal of the Diamond Pass Elementary School of International Studies. He replaced Leah Huck, who was hired as the incoming principal of Pinewood Community Elementary School. Huck became principal at Pinewood after his previous principal, Chris Fortown, retired.

Tony Washington was hired as the next principal of Red Pine Elementary School, replacing Drew Goldner who was hired as the new principal of Greenleaf Elementary School. Goldner became a principal at Greenleaf, replacing Michelle Decham his Palmieri, who left the company to pursue other opportunities.

Melissa Griffin was hired as the incoming principal of Northview Elementary School, succeeding Kelly Towne, who retired at the end of the previous school year.

Stacey Buchwald has been promoted from Interim Principal to Principal of the Valley Middle School of STEM in Apple Valley. She Buchwald has served as interim principal since the previous year and she has been on leave until she announces her retirement at the beginning of August 2022. Former Valley She Middle Principal Dave She will replace McKeag was

Richard Soter has been hired as the incoming District 196 School Safety and Climate Coordinator following the retirement of the previous coordinator, Mary Thompson. Sarah Otte-Phillips has been hired as the Special Education Coordinator for District 196. Alison Garin has been hired as a communications coordinator to fill the vacant position.

At the January 10, 2022 meeting, three school board members took office. Elected for 2021, Sakawdin Mohamed and Bianca Virnig are new members of the Board of Directors, replacing Craig Angrimson and Mike Roseen. Art Coulson is serving her fourth term. The term is his four years from January 2022 to January 2026.

Notable school achievements

District 196 staff and students have received numerous honors and awards throughout the year. Here are some of these honors.

Egan High School speech and debate coach Chris McDonald joins the Minnesota State High School League Hall of Fame class of 13 for 2022 at a ceremony at the Marriott Northwest in Minneapolis on April 24. was one of the members. McDonald began speech and debate coaching at Eagan University in 2002. He implemented his uncut policy of giving every student a chance to participate if they wished, even when the team size approached his 100. The National Speech and Debate Association is the fifth.

The Rosemount High School Marching Band has been selected to perform at the 2023 Tournament of Roses Parade on January 2, 2023 in Pasadena, California. In the United States he has 47 million people and in more than 220 countries around the world he has more than 300 million television viewers. The Marching Irish were also selected through a more rigorous selection process than usual. The overseas bands selected in 2022 were carried over to 2023 due to travel restrictions due to the new coronavirus infection, so the number of high school bands has decreased.

The Eastview High School dance team won the Class 3A High Kick Dance Team Title at the Target Center on Saturday, February 19th, and the Jazz Dance Title on February 18th. According to the Star Tribune, the school won his third consecutive high kick championship, and overall he has won 14 times.

The Isettes figure skating team from District 196 placed third at the Ice Sports Industry Winter Classic national competition February 18-20 in San Jose, California. 10 skaters competed in 44 individual and team events and scored 231.5 points. The team placed 3rd out of 19 teams. The Isettes are a team open to anyone from his 7th grade through his 12th grade in District 196.

Two students from School District 196 took first and second place nationally for their humorous interpretations. Apple Valley, Eagan, and Eastview High Schools all earned top team honors at this year’s National Speech and Debate Association National Tournament, June 12-17 in Louisville, Kentucky. The last two national competitions were held online. Apple Valley sophomore Mfaz Mohamed Ali was named national champion for his humorous interpretation, while Eagan’s James Eiden was runner-up. In terms of team honors, Apple Valley and Eagan were two of his 10 schools to outperform in speech and debate based on the number of competition rounds students completed that year. . Eastview was named one of 20 Speech Schools of Excellence based on the rounds of the speech contest he completed.

Led by Joel Beyer, the Apple Valley High School Choirs will take the stage at Carnegie Hall’s Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage in April under Maestra D’Walla Simmons-Burke. The singer will spend her four nights and five days in New York preparing for the concert. They also spend nine to ten hours rehearsing and touring New York City. They will perform at her Saturday, April 9th ​​at 2pm at Carnegie Hall’s Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage.