Dct12 1 16

Page 1

Dakota County

Tribune

Farmington | Rosemount www.dakotacountytribune.com

NEWS Eagan family renews search New age progression photo released for teen who ran away in 1990. Page 16A

OPINION Legislators work together Columnist Joe Nathan praises legislators on both sides of the aisle who have worked to improve education in Minnesota. Page 4A

THISWEEKEND

Holiday ballet in Burnsville Twin Cities Ballet is adding a local twist to a classic ballet with “A Minnesota Nutcracker� Dec. 9-11 at the Ames Center. Page 15A

and the surrounding areas December 1, 2016 • Volume 131 • Number 40

Christmas spirit alive in Rosemount Three shows to feature holiday music, acting and more by Tad Johnson SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE

Those looking to get into the holiday spirit can find their fill in Rosemount this weekend. Christmas at the Steeple Center, a Rosemount Community Band Christmas Concert and a performance by Rosemount native Peder Eide are on the slate this season. Two performances are set for the Christmas the Steeple Center variety show on Saturday at 2 and 7 p.m., which will include music, singing, dancing, comedy and dramatic reading in the spirit of TV specials in the past starring Perry Como and Bing Crosby. The groups slated to perform are the Second Act Players senior theater, Allegro Choral Academy, Dance Connection, Hot Dish singing group, Front Porch Players theater troupe and others. This year’s show theme is “Minnesota Christmas Memories – Old and New.� Rosemount Area Arts Council member and lead organizer of the show Joanne Johnson said a brainstorming session offered the theme as each participant’s personal memories led to stories that could fit the theme. “The ‘new’ memories are the memories the au-

The Rosemount Community Band will perform a concert of holiday music on Sunday at the Steeple Center in Rosemount. (File photo) dience is creating by attending the show with their friends and families and the memories the cast and crew are making putting on the show,� Johnson said. Johnson said RAAC is thrilled to have a children’s group from Allegro Choral Academy performing along with young people from The Dance Connection. HotDish, a group of

More District 192 projects slated to be done in 2017 New kindergarten spaces, secured entrances, repaving on the calendar by Andy Rogers SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE

SPORTS New coach for Tiger boys Several returning players take to the ice for a team that made Class AA state tournament. Page 8A

PUBLIC NOTICE The Dakota County Tribune is an official newspaper of the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan School District. Page 10A

INDEX Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . 4A Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8A 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

A fee is charged at some locations to cover distribution costs.

The Farmington School Board approved designs on about $8 million worth of projects scheduled for 2017 during Monday’s meeting. The projects would not be possible without the referendum that passed in 2015, Finance Director Jane Houska said. Houska said if everything comes in as construction cost estimates, it would come in about $333,000 under budget. Dodge Middle School needs a new cooling tower and pump along with new emergency lighting to meet safety codes. The cooling tower would be ready for spring. The district also plans to replace the existing fire alarm system, which has outlived its life expectancy, in both Dodge Middle School and Riverview Elementary. The new systems will be easier to maintain, up to code and simplified, according to Timothy Rabbits, Hallberg Engineering Inc. There’s also a plan to make paving improvements at Boeckman Middle School, Dodge Middle School, North Trail Elementary and Riverview

Elementary. There are no current plans to change any lanes or traffic patterns. There are plans to build secure entrances at Meadowview Elementary and Akin Road Elementary next summer. New kindergarten space will be built at Akin Road and Farmington elementaries. Some windows will be replaced at Farmington Elementary. The new kindergarten space should be done by October 2017. The remaining projects should be done by August 2017. Last summer the district installed new boilers and fixed Tiger Stadium. The district also added new kindergarten classrooms, built secured entrances and repaved parking lots at other schools. The district planned on installing new security systems, but put the plan on hold because estimates came almost $1 million higher than anticipated.

Solar panels Solar panels are scheduled to be installed on the rooftops of district buildings beginning with Dodge Middle School this week. See 192, 5A

female vocalists who perform in the style of the Andrews Sisters, will offer their upbeat vocal stylings during the show. “Overall, we have a true variety show planned with a mix of vocal and dance performances, comedy and more,� Johnson said. “There really should be something for everyone.� RAAC will be collectSee CHRISTMAS, 6A

Veteran principal takes on new challenge Miles Haugen to lead new elementary school in District 196 by Tad Johnson SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE

The Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan School District has selected one of its own to lead the district’s new 19th elementary school slated to open this fall in Lakeville. He said he was part of Miles Haugen, who has a group of about 20 staff and been in education for 32 years teachers who started making and served most recently as Miles Haugen plans for the school in early Eagan’s Deerwood Elementary spring. principal since 2004, was selected after Haugen said the new school will an application and interview process. make use of natural light, has open The announcement was made by Super- spaces for small group work and has a intendent Jane Berenz last Wednesday. gorgeous media center. “It’s pretty exciting to have a chance The building will be conducive to to open a building,� Haugen said. 21st century learning and will be a safe He said it’s an opportunity to get to learning environment, Haugen said. know new families and students and Haugen said he’s a very visible princollaborate with them in building a new cipal who likes to collaborate with staff community. and parents. “You don’t get that opportunity very “I have high expectations for stuoften,� said Haugen, who has worked in dents to help them make the greatest a number of different schools but never gains possible,� he said. “That’s the a new one. number one thing to work on.� He said it will be his job to make sure The selection of Haugen means the these families feel welcome. district will begin another hiring process “It’s never easy to move from a build- for Deerwood, which Haugen will leave ing, especially one that they are satisfied at the end of the 2016-17 academic year. with,� Haugen said. The new school is He said it was a difficult decision comprised of attendance areas from five to apply for the position and leave the different elementary schools. Deerwood community in northern EaHe said he wants to talk to as many gan where he’s invested a lot of time. parents of the school’s future students He said he can’t say enough positive as possible to hear their concerns and things about the families and students ideas. who have attended Deerwood. “I want to include them in on the exThe new school covers a southern perience,� Haugen said. portion of the district with portions of He said his door is open through- Lakeville, Apple Valley and Rosemount out the year plus there will be summer in its attendance area. events for people to learn more about Haugen, who has worked in District the school, its curriculum and staff. 196 for most of his career and had his Haugen said he will have a hand in four children go through the system, hiring staff for the new school – a pro- said he’s been impressed with the discess that will begin after the start of the new year. See 196, 6A

! ! ! " !

&

!""'! !

$

MORE INFO More information about the opening of the new school, including enrollment guidance, is on Page 9A of today’s edition.


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.