Summary of December 7, 2006 School Board Study Session

12-8-06: A correction and additional information about the 7 period day has been added below, in red.

Go to the Minnetonka School District Web site for continually updated Questions and Answers regarding proposals currently under consideration

Present: Board members Adams, Erdahl, Langseth, Maes, Stefan, Wenmark; Supt. Dennis Peterson. Absent: Board member Litsey.

Decisions made: The Board will focus Dec 7 & 21 discussions on these three proposals, and expects to vote on them Dec 21 or Jan 4:   

    Embedded Health Education Model
    Elementary Spanish and/or Chinese Immersion School-within-a-school program
    Enhanced High Potential Services
    The Board decided to hear proposals for MHS Physical Education changes on Dec 21 but will
     not vote on this until after the first of the year.

Discussion about Pre-IB and Pre-AP
The proposals for Pre-Advanced Placement Grades 6-10 and Middle Years International Baccalaureate Grades 6-10 have been delayed for possible consideration for the 2007-08 school year; they will not be considered for the 2006-07 year as previously planned. Board members Erdahl, Langseth, Maes and Stefan expressed interest in more detailed information about both Pre-AP and Pre-IB. Board member Wenmark  said he's only interested in Pre-AP and expressed his opinion that IB is a "Trojan horse" meant to undermine American education, culture and nationhood. These concerns are similar to those he wrote about in a July 6, 2006 Chanhassen Villager guest column. Mr. Wenmark stated that the Fridley school district plans to spend $4 million on an IB middle years program and wondered if Minnetonka has properly budgeted for the proposal. Dr. Peterson said that the proposals now under consideration by the Board are both within the district's budget and the board's Strategic Plan, including pre-IB, and that Minnetonka certainly does not plan to add $4 million to its budget. During the proposal presentation, Mark Larson, Executive Director of Teaching and Learning, Bill Jacobson, MMW Principal and Pete Dymit, MME Principal, stated that, ideally, both pre-AP and pre-IB would be implemented at both MME and MMW so all district students have these options, in addition to the regular curriculum.

Discussion about 7 Period Day
Bill Wenmark also suggested that the Board should discuss bringing back the 7 period day since so many parents and teachers have complained about the new 6 period day. Judy Erdahl pointed out that fewer than 100 MHS students were actually taking 7 classes when the Board studied $3.5+ million in budget cuts in 2003-04;  and stated that she is not willing to spend $1.5 million (the amount saved by going from 7 to 6 periods) to serve so few students. (Editors' Note, 12-8-06): TF notes show that Ms. Erdahl actually referred to fewer than 100 Juniors and Seniors - an important distinction because there were likely 9th & 10th grade students who used the 7th period for study hall or another elective.) Erin Adams said she would like the Board to evaluate the impact of the 6 period day to see if improvements can be made, but is not willing to raise class sizes or make cuts in other areas to come up with $1.5 million; other Board members expressed agreement with her. Peggy Stefan said she's very proud that only 4 teachers were cut during the 2004 budget cuts, and she would not like to pursue raising class sizes or cutting teachers before giving the 6 period day time to work. Link added 12-8-06: Last spring, the Board reviewed the impact of budget cuts, including new fees and the 6 period day. You can read the details, including the original rationalization for the recommended budget cuts, on the district Web site. In addition, some of this information is outlined in the district's annual report, mailed to every household in November 2006 and available in pdf format.

Discussion about High School Health Education Delivery Models
   During Public Comments, many teachers were present to support several Minnetonka Health teachers who spoke in opposition to the proposed changes; the changes would result in the high school Health curriculum being delivered at several specified times throughout a student's high school years, rather than in one concentrated semester; this would free one semester credit for students wishing to take another elective or academic course. Among the points made by the teachers: they felt this was introduced at the 11th hour with no input from them; they are most effective delivering curriculum in a classroom setting with daily contact with students; no one else handles health education in way described by the proposal; don't want to lose the service learning component; kids need a semester to reinforce decision-making skills; moving away from "skill-building model" to "informational model" a bad idea; mental health a controversial topic and health teachers need time to help kids deal with personal issues that may come up.

Tax Hearing
   Tom Berge, retired district Finance Director, returned for this meeting to review for the public and the board the details of the tax levy. The Board expects to certify the levy at December 21 meeting.
No one spoke during Public Comments about the tax levy.