Dakota County
Tribune
Farmington | Rosemount and the surrounding areas
www.dakotacountytribune.com
Jan. 4, 2018 • Volume 132 • Number 44
2017
NEWS Barn burns in Rosemount A barn on the longtime farm of the Fox family in eastern Rosemount burned to the ground on New Year’s Day. Page 3A
OPINION Columnist’s predictions Columnist Don Heinzman offers his predictions of the political football variety in his first column of 2018. Page 4A
Year in Review
Innovation is on in District 192 Solar panels installed, teachers contract approved and students and staff earn honors by Jody Peters SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
The year 2017 has been filled with milestones in the Farmington Area School District. In November, solar panels went live at Dodge Middle School after years of planning. This fall, the district approved a two-year teachers contract, although not without some reservations. Certain parties voiced their concern over changes to language related to as-
sistant activities coaches, but the contract was still approved unanimously. Throughout the year, students and staff took the concept of being in an innovation zone to heart: eight high school students were selected as part of a state honor choir, staff won awards for excellence in fields like coaching and working with special education students, and students were recognized for their work in the arts. Here are some highlights from 2017.
THISWEEKEND
Harnessing solar power District 192 made a commitment to Minnesota’s clean energy future by installing a solar electric system at Dodge Middle School. The solar facility was designed and installed by Sundial Solar Energy, a Minneapolis-based solar energy developer. “Our district is comPhoto submitted mitted to holding down Gateway Academy and Riverview Elementary students long-term energy costs study solar panels with District 192 science and technology specialist Rick Yonker. See 192, 6A
2017
Year in Review
A look back at District 196 Construction, technology, election make headlines
by Amy Mihelich
underwent a makeover, as did all of the websites belonging to individual schools in the district, to include the logo and reflect the “one district� sentiment while making them easier to navigate.
SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
Reecting the world outside A reception will be held for two artists who are combining for a new exhibit at the Rosemount Steeple Center. Page 15A
SPORTS
This year the Rosemount-Apple ValleyEagan School District underwent a rebranding campaign, updated its student information system, assigned iPads to high school students, built a new elementary school and elected a new school board member. “This was a year of growth and change in District 196,� said Superintendent Jane Berenz. Here’s a look back at some of the district’s highlights from the past year.
New technology
District rebrands
Strength in numbers The Rosemount High School gymnastics team will depend on several different athletes for it to perform well in competitions. Page 9A
PUBLIC NOTICE The Dakota County Tribune is an official newspaper of the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan School District. Page 10A
INDEX Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . 4A Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9A Public Notices . . . . . . 10A Classifieds . . . . . . . . . 11A Announcements . . . . 14A
News 952-846-2033 Display Advertising 952-846-2019 Classified Advertising 952-392-6862 Delivery 763-712-3544
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In August, the district adopted a new logo which features three interlocking infinity signs that represent academics, arts and athletics. “When Apple Valley high school opened in 1976, the leadership that established that school community really invested in the idea lessons learned in the arts and athletics were just as important as lessons learned in the
Photo submitted
The District 196 Foundation works with local partners to run the Weekend Food Program, host Summer Reading and Writing Camp and provide students with instruments through Band for All. classroom,� District 196 Communications Director Tony Taschner said. “It has always been providing opportunities in all of those areas because students have different interests.� Berenz said the logo was created to reflect the
district’s dedication to all those areas. “[The logo] focuses on our longstanding commitment to the triple-A philosophy of providing students boundless opportunities and infinite possibilities in academics, arts and athletics,� Berenz said.
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See 196, 7A
2017
Year in Review
U.S. presidency dominated headlines All politics turned local as interest piqued in the federal branch by Tad Johnson SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
The actions of any U.S. president often dominate the headlines. In 2017, it seemed that every day President Donald Trump and his administration were making major news covered by daily papers, cable television and worldwide political reporters. As a result, it seemed that more people in were engaged in what the federal government was doing this year. First-term Republican U.S. Rep. Jason Lewis found himself in the middle of crafting legislation that was followed closely by many across the country and locally. Lewis was a staunch
Angie Craig
Jeff Erdmann
supporter of bills that worked their way through the House on health care and taxes, one of which was approved by both chambers and survived a committee’s reconciling to land on the president’s desk. In the final month of 2017, a tax reform bill was adopted that would reduce corporate rates, increase child tax credits, increase the standard deduction among many other features.
“As a member of Budget Committee, I was integral in passing Jason Lewis reconciliation instructions to accomplish this tax reform,â€? Lewis said last week. “And I can tell you that contrary to a lot of misinformation, taxpayers in the 2nd District will benefit directly by seeing their taxes go down, as ‌ data clearly shows ‌ for a family of four in the 2nd District by $3,858.â€? He said the report is at https://tinyurl.com/yd67flkl. After its passage, Lewis said he spent the better part of the past two de-
cades advocating that putting more money in the hands of the people who earned it is always a good idea. “Our bill doubles the standard deduction, gives a rate cut to everyone, in each bracket, and drastically reduces taxes on Minnesota entrepreneurs,� he said. “By making our tax code internationally competitive, it also gives companies the right incentives to stay in the United States, to hire our friends and neighbors, and to give folks a raise.� He said there is still more work to do in moving toward flatter and fairer federal taxes. The bill also repealed the Affordable Care Act’s mandate that required all people to have health in-
surance — a key feature of the bill widely referred to as Obamacare. Republicans in the House passed a repeal and replacement of the ACA, which Lewis said on the campaign trail was a top priority. The Senate never got enough support for the bill and was unable to pass it along to Trump. “I will be the first to admit our side did not do a good job of messaging,� said Lewis, speaking April 10 at a Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce event at Valleywood Golf Course in Apple Valley. “I spoke passionately on the floor about this — I stand by my support. The status quo is untenable.� See POLITICS, 8A
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The logo also includes a new district motto: “One District. Infinite Possibilities.� Taschner said the motto intends to unify the large district — the fourth largest in the state — and attest to the countless opportunities it provides. The district’s website
In addition to updating the website, the district also updated its student information system, Synergy, in July. It also switched its alert system to SchoolMessenger — a program that seeks to provide better communication between parents and administrators. Converting to both new systems at the same time allowed for one cohesive data upload. It also incorporated several initiatives to enhance learning and communication. This is the second year of a threeyear implementation plan to provide a technological device to every student in grades four through 12. Students in grades 10, 11 and 12 received an iPad this year. Grades four, five and six will be added next