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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 20 2011 11
EDEN PRAIRIE
$1
news EP school district enrollment down by 300
EAGLES FLIGHT LIGHTS UP THE NIGHT
Enrollment has declined by almost 150 more than what district anticipated
PHOTO BY LEAH SHAFFER
The Eden Prairie Eagles Marching Band perform an exhibition of “An Eagles Flight” at the Prairie Colors Marching Band Festival Saturday night. The University of Minnesota Marching Band closed the evening in celebration of the Prairie Colors Festival’s 20th year. EPHS alumni who are members of the University of Minnesota Marching Band were recognized at the event. See Eagle News on page 7 for more photos.
EPHS District enrollment 2005-06
9,897
BY LEAH SHAFFER lshaffer@swpub.com
2006-07
9,790
2007-08
9,729
It appears the boundary change has had an impact in the number of families staying with Eden Prairie Schools. The district’s enrollment has declined by 147 students more than anticipated this year. The district had anticipated a decline of approximately 160 students at the start of this year because of attrition (larger graduating classes versus smaller incoming kindergarten classes). However, as of October, enrollment has gone down by 306 students compared to last year. A total of 9,301 students are enrolled in Eden Prairie Schools this fall. During Tuesday’s School Board meeting, Board Member
2008-09
9,747
2009-10
9,718
2010-11
9,607
Oct. 1 est.
9,301
Source: Eden Prairie School District
John Estall asked district staff how they can begin to bring some of the kids back. In response, Educational Services Director Stephen West noted that the district needs to focus on what it does well. “Let’s talk about the excellence in this district,” he said. During the presentation to the Board, Chief Operating
Enrollment to page 11
Ready for roundabouts? Four roundabouts scheduled to open this winter near 169/494 interchange BY LEAH SHAFFER lshaffer@swpub.com
Roundabouts are becoming more common in the metro, but the 169/494 interchange project takes it to a new level. Six roundabouts along the frontage roads of the interchange will be installed when the project interchange is reconstructed at the end of 2012. Four of those roundabouts will be open by early this December, according to TK Kramascz, a MnDOT spokesperson. By December, two roundabouts will be open on both sides of the new Washington Avenue bridge spanning Interstate 494. A third roundabout will be open south of 494 on Marth Road and the fourth one will be open on the frontage road of West 78th Street in Edina. “Those will be open toward the end of November, early December as we wrap up the construction season,” said Kramascz. MnDOT has been putting out a blitz of information to prepare motorists for roundabouts. A ny project kiosk (including one stationed at the Eden Prairie Center mall) usually includes a large model of a roundabout and toy cars for visitors to study. Additionally, MnDOT is hosting a Roundabout World Café & Open House this Saturday at Braemar Golf Course
Tips for roundabouts When
approaching a roundabout, slow down and get into the appropriate lane.
Yield
to pedestrians in the crosswalk. They have the right of way.
When
entering a roundabout, yield to vehicles already in the circle. Merge into the traffic flow when it is safe. Continue
through the roundabout until you reach your exit. Do not stop or pass in a roundabout.
Courtesy of mndot.gov, citing the Minnesota Driver’s Manual Chapter, Chapter 3, page 26.
Test your roundabout skill with a golf cart What: Roundabout World Café & Open House – Information and activities including a “golf cart ready” roundabout will be available to attendees. When: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15 Where: Braemar Golf Course, 6364 John Harris Drive, Edina Info: Call 1 (877) 563-4768 or visit www.dot.state.mn.us/ metro/projects/169 that includes a “golf cart ready” roundabout to try out.
WHY ROUNDABOUTS? The fi nal two roundabouts are scheduled to be completed in 2012 with the rest of the interchange project. The new interchange at Interstate 494
and Highway 169 will include four new flyover bridges to replace the cloverleaf exits; six roundabouts to help direct the flow of traffic on the frontage rounds; and most notably, a signal free Highway 169. Project planners originally looked at adding signalized intersections on the frontage
roads, but the number of intersections would create a problem in timing the red lights. Traffic volume analysis also showed that the intersections along the frontage roads didn’t warrant traffic signals. Using a mix of intersection control devices wasn’t an option either because that can lead to traffic back-ups. That left the roundabout option. According to the MnDOT website, roundabouts lead to safer intersections. According to MnDOT, “a study by the National Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that intersections converted to roundabouts show a 39 percent decrease in all crashes and an 89 percent decrease in fatal crashes. Pedestrians are also safer in roundabouts because traffic is moving more slowly.” Additionally, “Roundabouts can handle high levels of traffic with less delay than most stop signs or signals. The tight curves slow traffic so entering and exiting are easier and more efficient,” according to the site.
ONGOING DETOURS As construction is wrapped up for the season, drivers will continue to face significant detours around the interchange. According to MnDOT, Washington Avenue will be closed at Viking Drive until late October for roundabout construction. Detours will direct
Roundabouts to page 11
SUBMITTED ART
The proposed memorial, designed by Leo A. Daly architects, would have a site at the State Capitol.
A memorial for the state’s fallen firefighters Local firefighters work to raise funds to move memorial to a more fitting location BY KARLA WENNERSTROM editor@edenprairienews.com
In Minnesota, 193 fi refighters have died in the line of duty. Minnesota’s firefighters are raising funds to move a memorial to those 193 out of the baggage claim at the MinneapolisSt. Paul International Airport and to a more fitting location, the State Capitol. Eden Prairie Fire Chief George Esbensen is president of the Minnesota Fire Service Foundation, the group leading the charge to move the memorial. Esbensen said a statue was commissioned in the 1980’s with Minneapolis fi refi ghter
How to help The Fire Service Foundation is hoping to raise $600,000 by Dec. 31, 2011. Donations to the Minnesota State Firefighter Memorial fundraising effort can be sent to: Minnesota Fire Service Foundation c/o Flagship Bank, 7525 Office Ridge Road, Eden Prairie, MN 55344-3644. Online contributions can be made at: mnfireservicefoundation. org. Contributions are tax deductible. You can also find more information on Facebook: Facebook.com/ MinnesotaFireService Foundation. Jef f Bar tholomew and his daughter serving as models. The statue was dedicated
Memorial to page 11
VOL. 37, ISSUE 49/41
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