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Dakota County

Tribune

Farmington | Rosemount and the surrounding areas

www.dakotacountytribune.com

NEWS Candidate questionnaires Read about the candidates for County Board District 4, District 196 School Board and Rosemount City Council before the primary inside this edition.

OPINION Grants available to students Several two-years schools in Minnesota are offering scholarships to incoming students for the 2016-17 academic year. Page 4A

THISWEEKEND

July 28, 2016 • Volume 131 • Number 22

Drum corps event coming to Farmington National acts to perform Saturday at Boeckman Middle School

by Andy Rogers

include brass musicians, percussionists and a color guard. “If you enjoy watching a marching band, you’re going to love this,� Molho said. And these are the best of the best. The lineup includes the defending 2015 Drum Corps International Open Class World Champion Vanguard Cadets from Santa Clara, California; second place Blue Devils B from Concord, California; and fourth-place finishers Genesis from Austin, Texas. Open Class finalist Colt Cadets from Dubuque, Iowa will also be competing. “They’re among the very top of their class,� Molho said. “They’re currently scoring among the top corps for this season.� They’re prepping for the DCI National and

World championships next month in Indiana, so attendees will see them in top form. “This is one of the last times they have to get ready,� Molho said. The teams include many of the best 22-and-under college and high school drum corps members the country has to offer. “These are people who are really passionate about their music and art,� Molho said. “They practice all day and all night. They love their art.� Minnesota corps River City Rhythm (Monticello), the Govenaires (St. Peter), Minnesota Brass (St. Paul) and Chops (Minneapolis) are all scheduled to appear Saturday for the only joint appearance of all four Minnesota-based drum corps this season. The Minnesota Brass is one of several local and national The Minnesota Brass drum corps performing at Boeckman Middle School Saturday evening. The event will also serve as a fundraiser See DRUM, 2A for the Farmington marching band. (Photo submitted)

Just for the kiddies

Police, residents connect

SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE

A few of the best drum corps in the nation are bringing their sticks to Farmington this weekend. “March On! A drum corps show� is scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday at Boeckman Middle School, 800 Denmark Ave. It will feature some of the top 2015 World Championship Open Class finalists. The performances are similar to marching bands, “except way faster,� said Eric Molho, Minnesota Brass drum corps executive director said. “It’s way louder and way more intense.� “They’re performing on a football field, but it’s as much dance as it is marching,� he said. “They’re true athletes.� The 10-minute performances will tell a story and

Writer’s words brought to life

National Night Out is Aug. 2

Apple Valley writer Denis J. LaComb’s debut play “Riot at Sage Corner� is set to premiere at the Steeple Center in Rosemount. Page 14A

SPORTS Wrestlers vie in Fargo Several wrestlers from Dakota County joined the festivities at the USA Wrestling Junior and Cadet National Championships. 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

by Andy Rogers SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE

The Rosemount Lions Kiddie Parade brought out scores of children and their parents on Sunday night for a march from the parking lot of Rosemount United Methodist Church to Camfield Park. Many more participants signed up for the parade than last year. Cub Foods offered free food and drinks after the parade in Camfield Park when the Lions Club members revealed the parade award winners. (Photos by Tad Johnson)

School Board candidates debate the issues by Jessica Harper SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE

Candidates for an open seat on the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan School Board gathered at Rosemount City Hall on July 20 to debate the issues. Craig Angrimson, Michael Atherley, Sachin Isaacs, Wendy Brekken, Christopher Dahling, John Millea and Rachel Wetzsteon are all vying for one four-year term on the District 196 School Board. Wetzsteon did not attend the forum, which was held by the Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce. Candidates were asked a series of prepared questions as well as those submitted by the audience pertaining to the achievement gap, the district’s financial management and allday early childhood programming, among other issues. When asked how they would address the district’s changing demographics and achievement gap, Brekken and Atherley pointed to magnet schools as a tool that has been effective in ensuring racial balance among schools with in the district. Brekken said she also believes early education opportunities will help address achievement gaps between white students and students of color. Dahling agreed that early childhood programs are an important tool

to help all students prepare for school. He added if elected, he would also explore changes to English as a second language classes to separate children by level of proficiency instead of grouping students with different proficiency levels into one class. Millea noted that much of the increasing diversity in District 196 and neighboring districts is composed of immigrants whose first language is not English. Millea said he believes strengthening ESL classes is key to helping these students succeed. Isaacs pointed to early intervention and ensuring there is diversity among teachers and administrators as ways to address the needs of an increasing diverse student population. “It starts with leadership,� Isaacs said. “Children want to be able to look up to adults that relate to them and their background.� Angrimson pointed to literacy collaborative initiatives, which provide early intervention for students who struggle to read, as the best way to ensure all students are meeting their education goals. When asked how the district can address the achievement gap while maintaining other programming, such as the gifted and talent program, Atherley said he will ensure funds are dedicated to both programs. He said he believes family involvement

is a major component to closing the achievement gap. Millea said he plans to ensure all students are challenged by their academics and reach their full potential. Brekken said she believes the district is already making strides in both these areas and will work to continue this progress. Dahling pointed to space and funding constraints as a challenge to providing and expanding gifted and talented programs. “The gifted and talent program often doesn’t have the space to accommodate all of those who should be there,� he said. “Our hands are tied by state mandates and funding.� Angrimson and Isaacs said they will work to ensure all children are meeting their full potential and plan to research whether gifted and talented programs are struggling and how to resolve the issue. When asked about their position on the Minnesota basic skills standards, all candidates agreed that basic skills evaluations are important but that one test alone doesn’t accurately measure a student’s performance. The candidates took slightly different approaches on whether the district should implement later start times for high school students. See FORUM, 5A

Farmington police officers often attend 30-35 parties during National Night Out which is scheduled for Aug. 2 this year. Officers take advantage of every opportunity to get out in the community, Farmington Police Chief Brian Lindquist said, because most people rarely have contact with the police except for what they see on television or during a traffic stop. Lindquist recognizes that many interactions with the public can be negative. “You get that gut reaction from when you see that police car in your rearview mirror and think ‘Oh, no. What did I do wrong?’ � Lindquist said. “Let’s take that off the table and sit around and chat.� National Night Out has perhaps inspired a few extra calls to the police department this summer in the wake of the shooting deaths of police officers in Texas and Louisiana in July. Following the violent incident in Texas where five police officers were killed, the Farmington Police Department received several phone calls, visits and treats from community members earlier this month. Lindquist said while those incidents happened a world away, it still hit close to home. “You have this added concern,� Lindquist said. “You do an extra look around. You still have those incidents in Kansas and Wisconsin, too. It’s not limited to big departments. It’s all sizes. It’s not the same world as it was two years ago.� The visits and support continued throughout July. “We received a lot of See NNO, 5A

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