November 2010 Volume 7 Number 11
IN THIS ISSUE... • • • •
Time to Cast Your Mary Diedrick Hansen Staff Writer
VOTE
Education................................... Page 8 River Connections.. ..................... Page 9 Community Columns................ Page 10 Back in Time............................ Page 12
Stage is set for new SSP theater director Page 8
School Board
I
n the school board race, three candidates are challenging three incumbents, while 12-year board member Deborah Clark is running unopposed in Ward 1. Because funding is the greatest challenge facing school districts, the Voice wanted to know each candidate’s plan for continuing the district’s success in academic performance in view of an ever-dwindling budget. We asked the following question with a reference to a wellknown, low-budget yet high-achieving charter school serving at-risk students in New York City. Q: Schools are under pressure to improve the academic performance of their students. Lack of funding is being blamed for the struggles many schools are facing. Yet some inner-city schools (e.g., Harlem Village Academies) are instructing students facing seemingly impossible obstacles to overcome, and their students are excelling. What accounts for their success? Are components of their success being implemented in South St. Paul’s School District?
ELECTION GUIDE: South St. Paul City Council and School Board Dakota County races
Area archeologist unveils glimpse of the Native American culture in Mississippi river valley Page 9
Wendy WoodsFelton
Incumbent, At-Large Board Member for eight years Education: South St. Paul High School and Inver Hills Community College Occupation: Sales at R.C. Dick’s grocery store in West St. Paul, receptionist and certified Minnesota Adult Basic Education and English Language Learner’s assessor at Northern Dakota County Tri-District Community Education. “I am not familiar with the Harlem project and do not feel I can respond to the question appropriately. We have the Inter-
national Baccalaureate Program in our district as we are the first K-12 IB district in Minnesota. The IB program is for all our learners and we are confident that it will lead our students into the future with a globally based instruction.”
Rich Dippel
Running for the At-Large position Education: Bachelor of Science in Business Education from Winona State University, Master of Science in athletic administration from Minnesota State UniversityMankato Occupation and relevant experience: Ac-
tivities director at St. Croix Preparatory Academy. Business Education and Technology teacher, coach and administrator, South St. Paul public schools for 11 years, South St. Paul Parks and Recreation director for five years. “Harlem Village Academies, like all other public charter schools, has a different set of rules to play by than a mainstream public school. Charter schools have an ability to control class and school size that is not afforded to mainstream public schools. Dayton’s
Election Guide/ page 2
Back in Time: Leadership at SSP Schools Page 12
E lection Guide continued from page 1
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ery year in all areas. But teachers, administrators and the school board must be willing to explore new and different approaches to addressing our students’ needs.”
Bluff Elementary, a St. Paul Public School, is an example of a local school that has been able to make dramatic improvements that can serve as Bruce Hagerty an example of how posiIncumbent, Ward 2 board tive changes can be made. member for 12 years Dayton’s Bluff was able Education: South St. to effect positive change Paul High School and by adopting programs University of Minnesota that emphasized collabograduate ration across building Occupation: Director sectors, required strong of purchasing and buildleadership and innovative ing services at Hubbard learning techniques and Broadcasting continual analysis and “Revenue improveuse of data. ment is unlikely. We have “With the implemento accept that and get on tation of the K-12 IB with providing the best program, South St. Paul educational opportunihas taken steps to base ties we can under the instruction on researchcircumstances. We have based academic instructo quit finding excuses tion at all grades. Since and find solutions. As I the implementation of read about the Harlem the K-12 IB program, Village Academies apthe district has seen test proach, I find quite a bit scores improving on a Ad for SSP Voice:Ad for SSP Voice 10/30/09 PM Pagewith 1 of 2:24 similarity our IB regular basis. programs. “Realities are that it “Teachers run their will be challenging to classrooms. Administraimprove test scores ev-
tors and peers observe those classrooms to assure that effective teaching is occurring. Teachers have significant support. When it comes to decision-making, there is a level of local control in the school district. However, that is tempered with some funding being available only as categorical aid, the need to have students pass mandatory state proficiency tests to graduate, the need to make annual yearly improvement to stay off of or get off of the No Child Left Behind list, and make annual incremental improvements in state achievement tests. You will find school board members have been creative, have thought outside the traditional boxes, have sought out alternative revenue sources via grants and public/private (investments), and will continue to find ways to meet the needs of students with the funds available.”
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Lisa (Veith) Rother
Running for the Ward 2 seat Education: South St. Paul High School graduate; Minnesota State University-Mankato graduate; Certified property manager Occupation: Property management division vice president at Hempel, a local real estate company, with 15 years of budgeting, operating, management and negotiating experience “It is important to point out that South St. Paul has seen improvement in their test scores during these trying economic times. South St. Paul is K-12 IB with a set curriculum, so the program is not the same as the charter school scenario. My research concludes that the success of the inner-city schools is directly related to the strategic plan that was developed and implemented by good leadership, with
a clear vision. The teaching staff was their number one priority. They nurture their talent while allowing them freedom to develop their passion in the classroom. They are not teaching to the test, they are developing people. The schools are quite successful in getting the community and parents involved. “While I believe that South St. Paul is headed in the right direction with the recent hire of our new Superintendent Dr. Webb, there are certainly areas to improve upon. There is a huge disconnect between the board, teachers and community. One of my goals is to gain back their trust and unify the community as a whole. We need to reach out to the teachers and partner with them on the individual development of each child, by offering them flexibility and continuous educational opportunities.”
Shelly Forester
Incumbent, Ward 3 board member for nine years Education: South St. Paul High School and Inver Hills Community College graduate Occupation: Controller, equal employment and affirmative action officer at Glewwe Doors, Inc. “Harlem Village Academies have their success based on strategies which include Collaborative Learning Communities, empowered teachers, continuous improvement, accountability and rapid response assessment. Their academic strategies include rigorous standards, college-bound curriculum, frequent diagnostic testing, a longer school day, individual tutoring and Saturday school. “South St. Paul has many of the same characteristics as evidenced in our K-12 IB program, which provides a comprehensive curriculum based on best practices.
4 VOTE
Tom Q. Seaberg for City Council on November 2
1335 Thompson Avenue • South St. Paul
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The South St. Paul Voice is published monthly and distributed to 8,500 homes and high traffic businesses in South St. Paul. Publisher & Editor: Tim Spitzack Copy Editor: Leslie Martin Reporter: Mary Diedrick Hansen Contributors: Bill Knight, Lois Glewwe Masthead design by Nick Germano Advertising: Mario Polanco, Henry Torres Home Delivery: Independent Delivery Service Bulk Delivery: SC Distribution 651-285-1119
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1643 So. Robert St., West St. Paul, MN 55118 Phone: (651) 457-1177 sppc@stpaulpublishing.com www.stpaulpublishing.com The South St. Paul Voice assumes no responsibility for the opinions expressed by contributors and for the validity of claims or items reported. Copyright South St. Paul Voice 2010. All rights reserved in compliance of Federal Copyright Act of 1978.
Page 2 - South St. Paul Voice - November 2010
Experienced Leadership for South St. Paul’s Future Prepared and paid for by Tom Q. Seaberg, 125 8th Ave. S., South St. Paul, MN 55075
E lection Guide Our instruction is culturally relevant and differentiated to accommodate the needs of all learners. Our teachers write and continually reflect on their curriculum for their grade. They work collaboratively in Professional Learning Communities focusing on accountability, student learning and student needs. We use Northwest Evaluation Association testing three times annually, measuring the growth of each child. Teachers use this data to customize their own instruction focusing on student achievement. South St. Paul schools provide interventions for math and reading for struggling students and targeted services after school. South St. Paul High School offers a zero hour before school so students can participate in music and still take all the required courses. Our district-wide IB programs: Primary Years Program (grades K-6),
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Middle Years Program (grades 7-10), Diploma Program (grades 11-12) contain four core elements: curriculum/curriculum framework, professional development, rigorous student assessment and a program for authorization and reevaluation.”
Amy Williams
Running for the Ward 3 seat Education: Bachelor’s degree in English and political science from the University of Memphis Occupation: Former public finance banker with large national bank and now a stay-at-home mom “First and foremost, I believe what accounts for their (Harlem Village Academies) success is having a support system comprised of teachers, administration, school board and parents willing to think outside of the box. This is critical to our entire public school
system if we are going to ready our children for a global economy. We need to come up with fresh ideas for funding and bridging the gap between the resources we have and the resources we most need. South St. Paul has the first K-12 International Baccalaureate (IB) program in the state of Minnesota. The federal and state mandates are embedded in the IB curriculum. “Within that framework, our schools are teaching critical thinking, life skills, and preparing our children for a highly competitive job market. Our district has seen annual improvements with respect to test scores. However, if we are to continue to move forward with success in these trying economic times, changing demographics and sparse resources, then we will have to do as Harlem Village Academies and others have done and reach out to
Todd
PODGORSKI SSP City Council
VOTE TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2nd • Husband and father of 3 • Deputy Sheriff in Ramsey County • Past SSP School Board Member
"Working together, we can make South St. Paul Better." Paid and prepared by the Todd Podgorski for City Council Committee 651 15th Ave. No., SSP, MN 55075
local and regional nonprofits and businesses, as well as look at every possible grant opportunity. We are very fortunate to have Dr. Dave Webb as our new superintendent and I believe he has a vision for moving our district forward.”
City Council It’s not business as usual at City Hall. With Local Government Aid from the State being whittled away, city leaders are being forced to make tough decisions about consolidation and cutting of staff and services. How will residents be affected? How can more revenue be generated to fill city coffers? In this election, three city council seats are up for grabs.
Don Madland
Education: Graduated with honors from South St. Paul High School, studied Design at Ari-
zona State University and Inver Hills Community College Occupation: Owner, South City Motors Inc. of South St Paul Relevant experience: Member, South St. Paul Police Reserves What cuts will need to be made in order to balance the budget? “Being a small business owner I am always looking for ways to cut costs while maintaining quality services. I make decisions regarding budget and services on a daily basis so I take this issue very seriously. City leaders need to turn to citizens and ask them to help prioritize things that are important for them. Most likely one of the main answers will be public safety, which is why I volunteer as a reserve police officer. Programs like this help maintain somewhat of a balance to our budget. For citizen input, we could set up an
online survey and hold town meetings to discuss our concerns.” Will continued tax increases be used to balance the budget? “I am 100 percent opposed to all tax increases to balance our budget. I have plenty of experience in cutting costs. We need to take a closer look at our City’s comprehensive plan. Because of our strict regulations and city codes we are pushing residents and businesses out of South St Paul. We need to look at the big picture. We need to restructure our comprehensive plan and focus on the here and now. Then everything else will fall into place. The future is now; if we stay on the path we are on now, nothing will be done. What we are doing now is not working.”
Election Guide/ page 4
RE-ELECT BRUCE HAGERTY
South St. Paul School Board in Ward 2
MAKING SOUTH ST. PAUL SCHOOLS GREAT! Endorsed by Superintendents, Teachers, Parents and Legislators. • "Outstanding leader in public education" • "Respected and experienced advocate for students" • "Demonstrated understanding of the issues" Prepared and paid for by Bruce Hagerty , 351 Fifth Ave. N, South St. Paul, MN 55075
South St. Paul Voice - November 2010 - Page 3
E lection Guide continued from page 3
Todd Podgorski
Education: Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Winona State University, Associate in Applied Science in Law Enforcement from Inver Hills Community College Occupation: Deputy Sheriff, Ramsey County Relevant experience: South St. Paul School Board Member, 20032006. What cuts will need to be made in order to balance the budget? “Without knowing how much the State may or may not cut to South St. Paul in Local Government Aid in the future, it is difficult to say how much will be needed to cut. I will work to avoid cuts to police services and will need to be open to cuts in other areas if the budget is not able to be balanced with current revenue. However, I believe that a tipping point can be reached where the middle class views the lack of quality services and public infrastructure as a sign to move out. I will look for ways to cut costs to the services we have come to expect while investing more in public infrastructure that will help increase the value of our homes and the quality of our lives.”
Will continued tax increases be used to balance the budget? “It seems likely that in the future a balanced approach of cutting some areas of the budget and raising some taxes will be needed.”
Lucky (Tiger Jack) Rosenbloom
Education: Training in law enforcement, paralegal, education and counseling psychology. Occupation: Selfemployed: Tiger Jack’s Business; author, pianist, Community Corrections Employee and Social Studies Teacher What cuts will need to be made in order to balance the budget? “I am not looking at any cuts. My plan is to hold off on special projects and/or other projects that will raise taxes. My focus will be on families and our business owners. Our neighbors need to be number one during job cuts and/or reduced work hours. Special projects don’t need to eat and stay warm. Our families or business owners do.” Will continued tax increases be used to balance the budget? “No tax increases. However, I have a concern with the rise in crime and a police department with less than
P L E A S E C A ST YOUR VOTE ON N O V. 2 N D FOR
Lisa (Veith) Rother
Your community news and information source 20 officers. I will increase police power, finding ways to add more officers and equipment needed to protect our neighbors. Our neighbors are struggling during this hard economy. I will not stand for any council member adding the extra burden of increased taxes.”
Marilyn Rothecker
Incumbent for four years Education: Bachelor’s degree in Education from St. Cloud State University Occupation: Retired What cuts will need to be made in order to balance the budget? “The mayor, city council and staff are currently working on a re-organization plan to restructure departments within the City so the City can maintain the current level of service. We are doing this by partnering with the school district for services and examining all positions within City departments. We must think outside the box. We must continue to develop partnerships with other communities, businesses, organizations and residents. We must listen to the community and staff for new ideas. This is not an easy task, but the current mayor and council are up to the task and we are taking it one step at a time.
Faith
Will continued tax increases be used to balance the budget? “Unfortunately, the answer is yes. With the continual loss of Local Government Aid, changes in market values of properties and the number of foreclosures we have experienced in South St. Paul, we must strive to find new revenue by being creative in our thought process including partnerships, being a watchdog for spending, looking for community and staff input and finding new dollars to fund our staffing and programming. We can no longer run programs because ‘it has always been done that way.’ I will strive to get the level of taxes at the lowest rate possible.”
Tom Q. Seaberg
Incumbent for 13 years Education: South St. Paul High School graduate; degree in Radio/ Television Broadcasting from Brown College Occupation: Group Sales and Call Center Manager at Mystic Lake Casino Hotel since 2003 What cuts will need to be made in order to balance the budget? “Right now we are looking at staff cuts and shared services that will reduce expenses by approximately $400,000. The reduction in staff
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Page 4 - South St. Paul Voice - November 2010
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was helped by two retirements in Public Works. This will give us the opportunity to reorganize that department. This reorganization will also include a shared services agreement with the School District to help both the City and the district share expertise and resources among us that will lead to a more efficient delivery of services, and help us save money. We are also looking at additional reductions to each department in the city.” Will continued tax increases be used to balance the budget? “Most of the residents in South St. Paul will not see a tax increase on the city share of their property tax bill for 2011 or 2012. We are building to a zero percent increase in compensation for city staff and we have a fiveyear plan to eliminate Local Government Aid from the revenue side of the City’s budget. In order to achieve that goal we have implemented or will be implementing in 2011, shared services and staff reductions that will help us achieve a more efficient delivery of services in all of the city’s departments. While the goal is that these budget cuts and joint services won’t affect the city’s ability to deliver the services we currently provide, that will not be the case, but we must live within our means. The budget for 2011 is a work in progress, and we honestly do not know what revenues we will receive from the State or when we will receive them. We all have a deep respect and understanding of how the recession has affected all of us in South St. Paul. We take a very conservative approach to budgeting and how any increase in the city levy affects people who live and work in South St. Paul. I will do my best and work hard to search for public/pri-
vate partnerships and to share staff and resources with the school district and surrounding communities to continue to make South St. Paul a great place to live, work and play.”
Micky Gutzmann
Incumbent Education: Master’s degree in English from the University of St Thomas Occupation: Acting director of Council Contracts and Procurement, Metropolitan Council What cuts will need to be made in order to balance the budget? “Too many cuts will need to be made. The Council has instructed staff to be creative. How can we look at our staff, our tasks, what dollars we have and don’t have, and what can we do about it? Tough questions, but they have risen to the task. There are some retirements that won’t be filled, some positions may not be the same as they were before, and there are some creative revenue-generating ideas. Some capital projects may be pushed off a bit further. These are very difficult times.” Will continued tax increases be used to balance the budget? “I think it is inevitable to say you won’t raise taxes at all. The cost of services, wages, insurance, it all keeps rising. The key is to look for and find efficiencies, collaborate if possible, and partner where we haven’t done so before. We are not the only city in this position in these times, so others are looking for solutions, too. These are options that will continue to be on the top of the page, above raising taxes.” For polling information, contact Christy Wilcox, South St. Paul city clerk, at 651-5543204 or visit www.southstpaul.org.
E lection Guide Dakota County Commissioner District 2
Communities include West St. Paul, South St. Paul, Sunfish Lake and Inver Grove Heights Precincts 8-10.
Incumbent Commissioner Kathleen Gaylord, who has served on the County Board of Commissioners since 2003, is being challenged by former Sunfish Lake Mayor Molly Park. The challenge facing all elected officials is balancing budgets. It’s been suggested that duplication of services between state and counties could be eliminated if some of the programs were merged, thus reducing costs. The two candidates were asked this question and their responses are below.
Kathleen Gaylord
Education: Juris Doctor, William Mitchell College of Law; Bachelor of Arts in economics, magna cum laude, University of Minnesota; post graduate work in Public Administration and Business Taxation; South St. Paul High School graduate with honors. Experience/Occupation: County Commissioner since 2003; South St. Paul mayor; National Association of Counties; National League of Cities; attorney, partner, Weinblatt & Gaylord; senior corporate counsel, Northwest Airlines; executive director, Minnesota Tax Study Commission; president/chair of multiple regional, state and national policy organizations. Selected committee Appointments (edited for space): Association of Minnesota Counties Board of Directors, General Government Policy Committee, Legislative Steering Committee (alternate); Dakota County Community Development Agency Board, Law Library Board (Chair), Regional Railroad Authority; Facility Operations Committee for Thompson Park Center (Chair); Metropolitan Emergency Services Board, Executive Committee (Chair); Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board; Wakota Bridge Coalition; Vice Chair, National Association of Counties Finance and Intergovernmental Affairs Steering Committee; member of three subcommittees Should the County merge programs with the State to cut costs and bureaucracy? “If a merger would cut costs and bureaucracy, we would certainly consider it. Unfortunately, with huge deficits looming over the state, even good ideas to consolidate service delivery are on hold. The state does not have the staff or resources to directly assume the work being done by counties. “Rather than a state merger, Dakota County has built a network of cooperative agreements throughout the organization with cities, counties, regional organizations, faith communities, schools and others to provide high-quality, cost-effective services. We share detox and training facilities, workforce and communications centers, water and solid waste management, broadband, emergency services, snowplowing…and many other programs and services with other entities. “Our response to today’s economic challenges will shape the Dakota County of tomorrow and our strategy will address how the county delivers services, which services are needed, re-evaluate internal county systems to improve administration, and reform the state and local tax system. Working together, we can provide essential services in a way that is efficient, effective and responsive, but also fair to taxpayers, employees, and all Dakota County residents who need and use county services.”
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Molly Park
Education: Master’s in education, speech pathology and audiology, Boston University; Bachelor of Arts (Phi Beta Kappa) speech and drama, College of St. Catherine Occupation: Retired Speech Pathologist, Clinical Faculty - University of Minnesota Hospitals Relevant experience: Mayor of Sunfish Lake, 8 years; Dakota County High Performance Partnership (co-chair); Employee Healthcare and Wellness Committee (co-chair); Pandemic Flu Coordinated Response Team (co-chair); Dakota County Regional Roadway Visioning Study Steering Committee; Northern Dakota County Cable Commission Board of Directors; Catholic Community Foundation Board of Directors, Grants Committee (vice chair); League of Minnesota Cities Board of Directors, Public Relations Committee Should the County merge programs with the state to cut costs and bureaucracy? “The county and the state, as well as the county and its cities, and the county and its neighbors such as Scott or Ramsey County, should begin to explore areas of collaboration. This must be undertaken with a thoughtful, systematic approach and must include all members of interest at the table. Cost analysis, quality of services, and respect for the unique characteristics of each government entity are key components of this endeavor. Elimination of duplication of services and enhancing the economics of service delivery should help guide the process. The county and the state should look at other examples of merger to maximize success. The Dakota Communications Center (DCC) that joined all of the public safety dispatch entities in the county using 800 mega Hz technology is a prime success story. Developed by the Dakota County High Performance Partnership (HiPP), the DCC will save taxpayers approximately $8 million in the next fiveyears. Through the HiPP, which I currently co-chair, we are beginning to discuss cooperation opportunities with Scott County. Already, the two counties share a workforce center, so collaboration isn’t a strange process. Government today faces new challenges which demand broader thinking for better solutions.”
State Senator, District 39
Incumbent DFL-endorsed Jim Metzen is being challenged by Robb Soleim Jr. Metzen is serving his seventh term as District 39 State Senator. Before that he served as State Representative for 10 years. His special legislative concerns include finance, employment, education, taxes and economic development. Metzen is chair of the Business, Industry and Jobs Committee, and a member of the following committees: Capital Investment, Commerce and Consumer Protection, Finance, and Rules and Administration.
Soleim, a small business owner specializing in early stage business financing along with long-range college and retirement planning, holds a master’s degree in business adminstration. He interned with U.S. Sen. Rudy Boschwitz, volunteered on several Congressional and gubernatorial campaigns, and has served as president, Board of Directors of The Children’s Safety Centers and as a volunteer firefighter with the Mendota Heights Fire Department. His legislative concerns are increased taxes and fees. Soleim Jr. has taken the Taxpayer’s Pledge to not raise taxes. If elected, he will vote in favor of policies that cut government spending to fix the budget deficit, and would author an amendment that would limit the growth of government to no more than 1 percent over the rate of inflation.
State Rep., District 39A
Incumbent, DFL-endorsed Rick Hansen is being challenged by Republican-endorsed Don Lee. Hansen is serving his third term in office after being elected in 2004. Previously he served as a board member on the Dakota County Soil & Water Conservation District. His House Committee assignments include: Capital Investment Finance Division; Environment and Natural Resources Finance Division, Environment Policy and Oversight; Game, Fish and Forestry Division. Hansen’s greatest legislative concerns are energy conservation and transportation infrastructure. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Upper Iowa University and a Master of Science in soil management from Iowa State University. Lee holds a Bachelor of Science in computer science from the University of Minnesota and has held various positions in engineering and management at Cray Research, Adaptec, Instrumental, Inc., and others. He has also run a small Internet Service Provider (ISP) company and is currently building a startup business in software consulting. In 2008, he was a delegate to the Basic Political Operating Unit (BPOU) 39A convention, Congressional District 2, and the Republican State Convention. In 2009, he became deputy chairman of BPOU 39A. His legislative concerns are that government has become too big, intrusive and expensive. His agenda will be to reduce the size, scope and power of the state government, and return power, money and prestige to the people and local levels of government.
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South St. Paul Voice - November 2010 - Page 5
N ews Briefs
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Library happenings
For more information on the following library events, call 651-554-3240 or visit www.southstpaul.org/library. • Storytimes - Storytime for infants and their caregivers is offered Mondays at 6:30 p.m. Toddler Storytime for children age 3 and under and their caregivers is offered Tuesdays at 10 a.m. Preschool Storytime is offered Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. • Book Bunch - a book club for 4th-6th graders, is offered 4-5 p.m., Mon., Nov. 1. November’s theme is “War Stories.” • Paws to READ – Caesar and Lulu, reading assistance therapy dogs, will be at the library 4-5 p.m., Nov. 10 and 24. Registration is required. • “Clicks, Claps, Klunks” - Minnesota Percussion Trio will present “Clicks, Claps, Klunks” at 11 a.m., Sat., Nov. 13. Claves, tin cans, buckets, paper, spring poles, snare drums, and even the human body can all be used as percussion instruments. Discover the wide variety of musical possibilities that exist in the everyday world. All ages welcome. • Early release day activities - Elementary-aged students are encouraged to visit the library on their early-release days. A fun, one-hour program
of making recycled art is offered 3-4 p.m., Nov. 17 and Dec. 15. Registration is required. • Facebook page - The library now has a facebook page for teens. To find out more about teen activities offered through the library, search South St. Paul Public Library Teens. • Book discussions – November’s title is “The River Wife” by Jonis Agee. Hedie Rails travels to Missouri during the Great Depression, intent on starting a new life as Clement Ducharme’s wife, but family diaries uncover a horrifying past that threatens to repeat. All discussions are held in the library meeting room. The Wednesday group meets at 1 p.m., Nov. 17; the Thursday group meets at 7 p.m., Nov. 18. Information packets are available at the library’s front desk and at www.southstpaul.org/library. • Drop-in computer help – Staff are available in the library meeting room 2-3 p.m., Wed., Nov. 10 to answer questions about basic computer programs and applications. • Holiday closures – The library will be closed on Veterans Day, Thurs., Nov. 11, and Thurs., Nov. 25 and Fri., Nov. 26, in observance of Thanksgiving. It will reopen at 10 a.m. on Sat., Nov. 27.
New Veterans memorial installed The text on the back of the new memorial at Veterans Field serves as a gentle reminder that our freedom comes with a cost — the lives and liberties of the men and women in our Armed Forces. The memorial was dedicated in late September as a tribute to all U.S. veterans. Creat-
Music Instruction Guitar, Bass, Drums, Keys & Vocal Call Rob at 651-454-5796
We salute our Veterans! Thanks for your service to our country.
Dakota Premium Foods 425 S. Concord 455-6611 • Central Square Community Fitness Center “Where South St. Paul comes together”
100 - 7th Ave. N. 306-3690 • Jodee Paape & Associates, LLC 100 BridgePoint Dr.,Ste. 120 455-4621 • Ries Electric 777 N. Concord 451-2238 • Thompson Trucks and Parts, Inc. 316 Malden St. 455-9300 • Mayor Beth Baumann
James P. Leary, Jr. Certified Public Accountant
1560 Livingston Ave., Suite 102, West St.Paul 450-9373 • Midwest Fabrics 1226 S. Concord 451-6289 • South St. Paul Healthy Youth Coalition
Working together to prevent underage drinking in South St. Paul by linking family, school and community for healthy youth.
Page 6 - South St. Paul Voice - November 2010
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ing the memorial was the idea of Dale Cemensky, president of the Vietnam Veterans Chapter 639, and others in his club. They enlisted the help of members of the American Legion Post 481, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 295 and the Military Order of the Purple Heart to raise $5,000 for the project. All groups meet in South St. Paul. The VFW, 111 S. Concord Exchange, is hosting a Veterans Day program at 11 a.m., Thurs., Nov. 11. From there, members will travel to Kaposia Education Center, 1225 First Ave. S., for a community program, which begins at 2 p.m. For more information, call 651455-1505.
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Backstreet Grill
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Mon. 8-2:30, Tues.-Fri. 6-2:30 & 4-8, Sat. 7-1:30, Sun. 8-12:30
N ews Briefs Barb Yackel to run skating program at Wakota Arena
Barb Yackel, a South St. Paul High School graduate and 38-year skating professional, is returning to South St. Paul to run the Learn to Skate Program at Wakota Arena. Yackel, who has a long history of running successful skating schools, has an impressive professional background, including ISI national events coordinator and program director in Dallas, Tex. (2003-2006), competition director Minnesota based ISI competitions (1985-2003), owner and director of Jump & Spin Skating School in St. Paul (1974-2003), and director of skating schools in Hastings, South St. Paul, St. Mary’s Point and Eagan. The Learn to Skate Program will begin in November. For more information, contact Jason Dwelle, Wakota Arena manager, at 651-5543330.
Emerging country music star to appear at VFW
Minnesota-based country singer-songwriter Shane Wyatt will perform Nov. 5 at the South St. Paul VFW, 111 S. Concord Exchange. Wyatt, who performs frequently at the VFW, is splitting his time between songwriting in Nashville, Tenn., and performing around the Midwest. He will perform songs from his debut album, “The Last Cowboy,” which was released in 2008. He wrote all the songs on the
Your community news and information source album. Wyatt has shared the stage with some of country music’s biggest stars, including Randy Travis, The Bellamy Brothers, Joe Nichols, Phil Vassar, Kellie Pickler and Montgomery Gentry. In addition, he has performed at Country Fest in Cadott, Wisc., and WeFest in Detroit Lakes, two of the largest country music festivals in the Midwest.
SSP named Yellow Ribbon City
With Veterans Day approaching, it’s fitting to note that South St. Paul is a city dedicated to helping veterans and their families. In late September, Governor Tim Pawlenty announced that South St. Paul was one of 18 Minnesota cities, counties or companies to receive the Yellow Ribbon designation. The award is the result of months of planning by South St. Paul City Council Member Marilyn Rothecker and representatives from area veterans groups, churches and businesses to create programs that support service members and their families.
Read Across SSP
Volunteers are needed the first Friday of each month to read to elementary students in South St. Paul. The Read Across South St. Paul program has reached over 60,000 students. For more information, contact Deb at 651-5543230 or deb.griffith@ southstpaul.org, or visit www.southstpaul.org.
Senior Center activities
The South St. Paul Senior Center, located at the Central Square Community Center, 100 Seventh Ave. N., is offering the following activities for adults age 55 and over. • Dancing and social hour - Offered 1-2:30 p.m. the last Tuesday of each month. This free event includes dancing, music and refreshments. • Penny Bingo - Bring your pennies on the first Monday of each month to the senior center for Penny Bingo. Play begins at 1 p.m. • Movies matinee Afternoon at the Movies and Old Time Movies are shown at 1 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month and third Tuesday of each month, respectively. Cost is $1. Refreshments are provided. For more information on other programs offered for seniors, call the senior center at 651-3063693.
Fare for All Express
Fare For All Express will be held 4-6 p.m., Nov. 23 at Central Square Community Center, 100 Seventh Ave. N. Fare for All Express is a program of the Emergency Foodshelf Network that partners with organizations around the Twin Cities metro area, including South St. Paul Central Square Community Center. It is a cooperative food buying program that buys food in bulk directly from wholesalers and passes the sav-
The Great Halloween Get Together
The ninth annual Great Halloween Get Together will take place 5-7 p.m., Sun., Oct. 31 along Marie Avenue, from Seventh Avenue to Fourth Avenue. Participants are invited to trick-or-treat along this route to receive treats from area businesses and event sponsors. Nearly 2,000 youth and adults participated last year in this safe and friendly Halloween activity. Volunteers are needed to make this year’s the event a success. To volunteer or receive more information, contact Deb Griffith at 651-554-3230 or deb. griffith@southstpaul.org.
Jaycees to host Halloween party
The South St. Paul Jaycees is hosting its third annual Halloween Party at 7 p.m., Sat., Oct. 30 at the Croatian Hall, 445 Second Ave. S. The theme of the event, which is for people age 21 and older, is the Golden Age of Hollywood. Participants are encouraged to dress as their favorite celebrity. Cost is $8, or $7 with a food donation. Proceeds support “Armful of Love,” which provides toys and clothes for needy families at Christmastime, and Neighbors, Inc. food shelf. For more information, visit www.sspjaycees.org. ings on to participants. The program can result in a 50 percent savings on monthly groceries by purchasing “express packages.” No advance payment or pre-registration is needed to purchase packages and there is no limit to the number of packages that can be purchased each month. Fare For All is open to everyone. There are no income-based requirements for participation. Participation does not affect eligibility to receive assistance from the foodshelf. For more information, call the community center at 651-306-3690 or visit www.southstpaul. org.
Holiday Craft Fair
Crafters are needed for the annual Holiday Craft Fair at the Central Square Community Center, 100
Seventh Ave. N. The event takes place 9 a.m.3 p.m., Sat., Dec. 4. Cost is $20 for exhibitors. For more information or to receive an exhibitor reservation form, call 651306-3690 or visit www. southstpaul.org/department/parksand recreation/upcomingevents.
Volunteer opportunities • The Minnesota Reading Corps is seeking reading tutors for the 2010/2011 school year. The program provides free, one-on-one tutoring to children age three through third grade. Minnesota Reading Corps members receive a living stipend, reimbursement for college (up to $5,350) and health insurance (for fulltime members). For more information or to apply
online, visit www.MinnesotaReadingCorps.org or call 1-866-859-2825. • Neighbors, Inc., a social service agency serving Northern Dakota County, has a number of volunteer opportunities to assist local residents. For more information, contact volunteer@ neighborsmn.org or call 651-306-2145.
Comedy at the Clarion Hotel
Planetplutopium is hosting a comedy show 7 p.m., Thurs., Nov. 4 at the Clarion Hotel, 701 Concord Blvd., South St. Paul, featuring live acts from Comedy Central, BET Comic View, and Russell Simmon’s Def Comedy Jam. For more information, visit www. planetplutopium.com or call 651-367-4753.
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E ducation
Your community news and information source
Stage is set for new SSP High Theater Director Mary Diedrick Hansen Staff Writer
N
ew South St. Paul theater director Eric Holsen said it was brutal selecting performers for the high school’s upcoming November performance of “Frankenstein – 1930.” Of the 48 students who auditioned, he had the painful task of whittling that number to 17. “There were so many good kids,” he said. Holsen assumed hisnew role in August and, after watching the summer community performance of “The Music Man,” he said it was obvious that the strong tradition of theater in
South St. Paul has developed into a successful program with school and community support and a high level of theatrical talent. Holsen was hired through South St. Paul Community Education and will be in charge of working with students and community members in developing talent and producing four plays each year. Theater wasn’t Holsen’s first career choice when he attended Concordia College in Moorhead. It was his future wife, Kris, who was on the theater path. The two met in astronomy class, and after Holsen graduated with a double major in English
and social studies, the couple moved to Mankato, Minn. Kris pursued a master’s degree in art and theater at Minnesota State University-Mankato while Holsen commuted to nearby Waseca, where he taught 7th and 8th grade English and social studies. For the next eight years, Kris directed the Waseca summer youth community theater program, with Holsen assisting as technical director. When teaching positions opened up for both of them at Studio Academy in Rochester, Minn., they accepted. Holsen continued teaching his two subjects but was also required to direct one of three plays produced each
New Senior Housing in South St. Paul Opening Fall 2011
Apply now for Thompson Heights, an independent living senior (age 55+) housing development that will be located on Thompson Avenue between 13th and 15th Avenue North in South St. Paul. The building will be completely smoke-free and will feature: • Mix of one- and two-bedroom units • Underground Heated Parking Garage • Secured Entrances • Exercise Room • Laundry Facilities • Community Room with Kitchen • Exercise & Club Rooms • Elevator • Secured Entrances • Screened Porch There will be 60 units, of which 54 will have affordable fixed rents, and six two-bedroom units will have market rate rents. Affordable Fixed-Rent Units: • Income Limits: One person: $45,100; Two people: $51,550 • Rent: 1 bedroom = $550; 2 bedroom = $673 Market Rate Units: • No income limits • Rent: $895 (includes one underground parking space)
Note: These are 2010 income limits and rents and they are subject to change.
To request an application, call 651-675-4440. For more information visit www.dakotacda.org or call 651-675-4400 Page 8 - South St. Paul Voice - November 2010
year. Kris directed the second, and published playwright Forest Musselman, who was also teaching at the school, handled the third. Holsen said he discovered the power of doing art with kids during his eight years at Studio Academy. “Theater can have a big impact,” he said. “For certain kids it’s the right activity. Through theater they learn confidence and learn to feel their voice.” When an opportunity opened for the Holsens to move to the metro area, Kris took a job teaching drama in Osseo. Eric once again was hired to teach his two subjects but also became theater director at the college prep school, Spectrum Academy, in Elk River, and became responsible for producing three plays a year. A lot of creativity went into pulling this off since performance space had to be rented, and the set design could only be as big and as complicated as what Holsen could fit into the back of his truck. Holsen called it a “traveling show.” When the community theater director position opened in South St. Paul, Holsen remembers thinking, “‘Wow! That sounds like my dream job.’ I eagerly applied for it and am thrilled that I was hired.” Along with selecting a season’s worth of plays and auditioning the cast for Frankenstein, Holsen has restarted the high school Drama Club. “We have a crackerjack group of officers and hope to build theater skills through theater games, and work on teamwork, awareness and vocal skills,” said Holsen. “But the kids will decide.” Producing four plays each year is no easy feat. Assistance will be required from students, parents, a hired technical director, and in the case of musicals, a music and choreography director.
South St. Paul theater director Eric Holsen “I don’t know how to do everything. You’d be able to tell if I was doing the choreography,” said Holsen with a chuckle. When selecting plays, Holsen first looks at the educational value and challenges that will be posed to students, and considers “curb appeal” second. “It’s a psuedo-business operation,” he said. “But it’s important for the kids to have a lot of variety with different sized productions and different kinds of roles. We want challenges for all the kids. We also want to represent different types of theater: the classics, drama, comedies, big ensemble and small, musical and non-musical.” Something new is a One-Act Play Festival coming this winter, with three or four one-act performances. “It will add even more variety and provide small cast ensemble experience,” he explained. “Student directors and designers can get involved. Two of the oneacts will be for junior high students only, and one of the plays will go to State competition.” An example of the antics that will occur in one of the plays, written by Forest Musselman, Holsen’s former colleague at Studio Academy, is about a group of high school kids and their theater director who are trying to
decide which play they should perform. The conundrum is that a pop machine has been placed in the middle of the stage by school administration and they have to work around it somehow. “It spoofs advertisement and product placement,” said Holsen, “and provides a variety of acting roles from Charlie Chaplin to ‘2001: A Space Odyssey.’” He went on to explain that the “Frankenstein – 1930” production is loosely based on Mary Shelley’s book but is more along the lines of Boris Karloff films, with a heavy dose of Mel Brooks. “It plays up the campiness. We are amping up the fun for this one,” said Holsen. “It’s almost like B-grade horror movie and sappy soap opera with its love triangle and pitchforks, and graveyard and torch scenes, and Igor. The challenge in this play is for students to bring reality into characters who are caricatures and not very realistic. Comedies are deadly serious.” “Frankenstein – 1930” will be performed at 7 p.m., November 18, 19, 20 at the high school auditorium, 700 Second St. N. Advance tickets are $7 for students/seniors and $9 for adults, and can be purchased at www. showtix4u.com. Prices at the door are $8 for students/seniors amd $10 for adults.
R iver Connections Tracing their footsteps
Your community news and information source
Science Museum archeologist unveils another glimpse of the Native American culture of the Mississippi River Valley Tim Spitzack Editor
T
here’s a broken piece of pottery in a storeroom in the heart of the Science Museum of Minnesota that to the casual observer is a nondescript, drab relic. However, to Ed Fleming, curator of archeology at the museum, it’s so much more. When he views this fragment, he can envision it as a bowl filled with corn. He can see a Dakota woman grinding that corn with a pestle made of bone. He
on a dig of the Ranelius site in Spring Lake Park Reserve, located west of Hastings. It’s a site the museum first became familiar with in the 1950s when archeologists were shown pottery, arrowheads and tools that were discovered by Ken Klink, who then lived in the area as a teenager. For the past five decades, the Science Museum has stored some of those artifacts in a room in the downtown St. Paul museum. Fleming took a keen interest in the collection
facts and put them away in storage. Fleming obtained a Legacy Amendment grant this year to revisit the site and look for more evidence that provides a glimpse into the lifestyle of this region’s earliest inhabitants. He assembled a team, which included a geophysicist, a research assistant and five volunteers, and began research in June. In July, they used state-of-the-art equipment to locate and dig for artifacts and other signs of human activity, such as fire pits and
‘We were looking for evidence of human occupation and for pieces that put the puzzle together,’ said Fleming.
sees her surrounded by a flurry of activity: young men returning from a hunting expedition with deer on their backs, children scurrying between dome-shaped wigwams, and wood smoke hanging in the air of a temporary village on the bank of the Mississippi River that is serving as a fall residence for her tribe. Discovering the history of the Native Americans of the Upper Mississippi Valley has become a passion for Fleming, who this summer led a team of archeologists
because it helps him better understand other research he has done on Native American life in the region. Since 2002, he has been studying the remains of Native American village sites near Red Wing, which held one of the largest populations in the upper Midwest between the years 1050 and 1300. In the 1950s, the Ranelius site was one of five major excavation projects in the Spring Lake Park Reserve area. However, little documentation was done on it. Researchers recorded their findings in journals, but the information was sketchy at best. They simply collected and cataloged the arti-
house basins. “We were looking for evidence of human occupation and for pieces that put the puzzle together,” said Fleming. “It’s just a small pilot project but is part of a broader effort to understand settlement in the Spring Lake Park and Upper Mississippi areas.” The team discovered hundreds of artifacts, including arrowheads, stone fragments and the location of a fire pit, which indicates that the area was likely a temporary campsite rather than a permanent village. Fleming plans to publish a report of his findings in a local archeological journal and hopes to receive more funding to revisit
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Fleming’s team spent three weeks this summer looking for Native American artifacts at the Ranelius site at Spring Lake Park Reserve. the site in the future. The area around the excavation site is much different today than when Native Americans inhabited it because of the effects of the Hastings Dam, which was built in the 1930s. By studying maps created by the Mississippi River Commission in the 1890s, the team was able to see the
landscape and vegetation of the river valley prior to the construction of the dam. At that time, Spring Lake was a small lake surrounded by marshland. The fact that the dam caused such damage to the landscape made the area that much more attractive for the team to study.
Fleming holds a Ph.D. in Anthropology, a M.S. in Archaeology and Paleoecology, and a B.A. in Anthropology and Art History from the University of Minnesota. He specializes in the study of stone and ceramic artifacts, and in the interpretation of archaeological materials.
A Great Read for Veterans Day! Once in a lifetime a story will change your heart and your perspective... John Jenkins, a young journalist, is marking off time at the smalltown Marquette Messenger until he can get into the big-league newspapers. After all, nothing significant ever happens in a farming community, he thinks. Then one day Jenkins is given a routine, dull assignment—to write the obituary of an elderly local farmer, Alfred Gutzman. The remarkable untold story Jenkins uncovers through his investigation, happenstance encounters with people who knew Gutzman, and covert visits to his farm, challenge everything the young reporter holds dear...
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For more information, visit www.timspitzack.com South St. Paul Voice - November 2010 - Page 9
A rts & Culture
Watch our own TV show and watch for lots of upcoming events
Wondering what is new with the South St. Paul Mayor’s Youth Task Force? Here goes! We will be producing, writing, filming and starring in our own TV show on Town Square TV. Our goal is to make a TV show each month that will air on Channel 15. Our plan is to roll out our first show in December. What will our show be about? We will
V.F.W. POST 295
Your community news and information source have important guests from the community talk about what is happening in South St. Paul for youth. It will be a show about youth and what we like to do, places we like to go and things we like to do. We will have live demonstrations, reviews, segments from out in the community, and highlight some of the events that we are involved in, as well as upcoming events. Sounds like fun, right? We think so but we also know it will be a lot of work. Last month, about 20 Task Force members took the Introduction to Community Television at Town Square TV. Our instructor, Dan Mundt, gave us a great overview of what it takes to make a TV show. Our next training was Studio Production, which taught us how to operate studio cameras, audio boards, video switchers and a variety of other equipment in the studio. We are all excited to produce our own segments, be the hosts in front of the camera and share some of the events and activities that we will be hosting. Right now, our biggest challenge is coming up with the right name for the show. Do you have a suggestion? If so, email it to Deb Griffith at deb. griffith@southstpaul.org or call her at 651-554-3230 and we’ll consider it. So, watch for us on Town Square TV in December as we roll out own new TV show! In addition, here are a few of the upcoming activities and events that the Mayor’s Youth Task Force is involved in or is hosting. • Back by popular demand, it’s the 5th & 6th Grade Halloween Party, held 6-8 p.m., Fri., Oct. 29 at Central Square. Admission is $3. We’ll have contests, treats, and Halloween Deal or No Deal. Wear your favorite costume and prepare to have a good time. • The Great Halloween Get Together is held 5-7 p.m., Sun., Oct. 31 on Marie Avenue. The Task Force
will assist with the evening’s festivities, from running games to handing out candy. All South St. Paul trick-or-treaters are invited to attend this safe and fun event. • Hat and Mitten Drive - The Task Force will once again sponsor a Hat and Mitten Drive benefiting Neighbors, Inc. Hats and mittens will be collected at City Hall and various locations around town starting Nov. 22. They can be for young and old alike. On Dec. 2, the hats and mittens will be gathered to decorate the Christmas tree at Central Square during the Holidaze in South St. Paul event. • Holidaze in South St. Paul takes place Thurs., Dec. 2, starting at 5 p.m. at Central Square. We’ll have free photos with Santa, story time, cards to the troops, and free activities for the kids. At 6:30 p.m., join Mayor Baumann, along with the South St. Paul High School choirs, as they lead a candlelit procession from the high school to the city’s Christmas tree for the annual tree lighting. • Skate with Santa is offered at 10 a.m., Sat., Dec. 18. Come enjoy some free skating with Santa, holiday music, cocoa and cookies at Wakota Arena. The Task Force is co-sponsoring the event. Admission is free. For additional information about the South St. Paul Mayor’s Youth Task Force or the upcoming events, contact Deb Griffith, community affairs liaison, at 651-554-3230 or deb.griffith@southstpaul.org or check us out on the city’s website at www.southstpaul. org and click on SSP Mayor’s Youth Task Force. In addition, the Task Force will be helping out the South St. Paul Lions’ Club Annual Seniors’ Thanksgiving Dinner, which brings us to the final thought we wish everyone a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving!
South St. Paul • 651-455-1505 www.vfwpost295.org
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Hall rental & special packages available for fundraisers. Page 10 - South St. Paul Voice - November 2010
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A rts & Culture
Neighbors, Inc. By John Kemp Executive Director of Neighbors, Inc.
T
he third annual Walk to End Hunger will be at the Mall of America on Thanksgiving morning, Nov. 25. Neighbors is one of a dozen organizations in the Twin Cities that organizes this event as a means of raising funds to support our hunger relief programs. When the idea first surfaced in early 2008 it was an instant “Why didn’t I think of that?” moment. What better day to engage the public in helping fund programs that provide food to people who are hungry than Thanksgiving Day? Think about it. What do most of us center Thanksgiving Day around? Eating, right? We sit down at a table laden with more food than most of us could eat in several days; we eat until we’re stuffed; we pack it all away and a few hours later haul it back out and start over again. But what about those hundreds of thousands of people in Minnesota who don’t have sufficient access to food? What do they do on Thanksgiving? Statistics tell us that on any given day more than 400,000 people in our state will not have sufficient food. Unless they are fortunate enough to be able to participate in one or another of the Thanksgiving Day meal programs available in some communities, Thanksgiving Day is pretty much like any other day; a day in which at least some of the people in the family go to bed hungry. So on Thanksgiving Day we hold the Walk to End Hunger. Our guiding principle is “Give back before you give thanks.” Gather your friends, relatives, neighbors, the people you worship with, anyone you can find. And bring them out to the Mall of America. The doors open for registration at 7 a.m.; the Walk kicks off at 7:30 a.m. You can walk anytime between 7 and 10 a.m.; you can make your walk as long or as short as you like; and you’ll be out of the building in plenty of time to get home, prepare the royal feast, say “Thanks for the bounty that fills our tables,” celebrate with your friends and family and still watch football or take a nap. The “give back” part comes with using the Walk as a means of raising funds to support your local hunger relief organization, in this case, Neighbors. The “Walk to End Hunger” is like any other walk-a-thon or skate-a-thon, in which people seek pledges and/ or donations from other people to support them in their participation in the event of choice. We encourage our friends, neighbors and supporters to sign up for the Walk, and to ask others to donate in support of their efforts to help provide financial support to Neighbors. We encourage them to form walk teams, groups of people who join with them to raise funds and participate in the event. Or you can simply register for the event, pay a registration fee and come walk. You can even call in to our phone-a-thon on Thanksgiving morning to make a contribution. Registering to participate, either as a walker, a team captain, or just someone who wants to use the occasion to make a donation to Neighbors in support of the event, is easy. You can stop by Neighbors and pick up a brochure and registration form, or call us and we’ll mail it to you. Fill it out, send it back and we’ll do the rest. You can register or donate online, either by going to the Neighbors website (www.neighborsmn. org), clicking on the link to the Walk to End Hun-
Your community news and information source ger registration site, and following the directions, or by going directly to www.walktoendhunger.org. On the Walk website, at the bottom of the page is “Additional Information” and a drop down menu. Click on the menu, and then click on Neighbors, Inc. Click on “submit” and you will be taken to a new page. If you want to start a team, or walk on a team, there are options for that. If you simply want to make a donation, click on “Join a Team” and on the next page, under “Select a Team” click on “Neighbors, Inc. Walk Team.” Hit “continue,” fill in the requested information and then go to the bottom and fill in the amount of your gift. Or, if you are going to walk, you can wait until the day of the event and register on site at the Mall of America. Our goal is to have at least 400 people register and walk as Neighbors supporters in this year’s event. Won’t you be one of them? Give back before you give thanks. What a wonderful concept!
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South St. Paul Voice - November 2010 - Page 11 10/18/10 2:37 PM
A rts & Culture Head of the Class Lois Glewwe Contributor
S
outh St. Paul started the 2010-2011 school year with a new superintendent. Dr. David Webb came to the position from Fridley, Minn. For Dr. Webb, the transition from former superintendent Patty Heminover, (South St. Paul’s first female superintendent) has gone smoothly. That
wasn’t always the case when a new superintendent was selected. In the first 18 years of the city’s history, 1887-1904, 11 different men held the position. It wasn’t until Louis Isaacs was appointed to the top job in 1904 that any stability was established. Only 11 people have held the position in the 106 years since. Part of the reason for
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the turnover in the city’s earliest years was that the administration of public schools was a new venture for most communities. In the case of South St. Paul, Dakota County had always provided for schools throughout the region. It wasn’t until 1887, when South St. Paul was incorporated, that it became necessary for the new entity to establish school procedures and policies. In those first years, one of the elected members of the City Council was appointed as the school representative. George Wentworth, now of Wentworth Avenue fame, was the first such appointee. It was Wentworth who convinced the Council that a Superintendent of Schools was needed to oversee the education needs of the new city. Frank Miner was hired and paid $75 for the month of April 1887 as
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South St. Paul has had 22 Superintendents of Schools since 1887. Pictured above is Superintendent D. E. Hickey with members of the graduating class of 1913. Hickey served from 1911 to 1926. Graduates that year included 10 women and one man, Milton Joyce, who didn’t show up for the class photo. the first superintendent. Miner was also a teacher in the system, as was his brother, Jesse. Unfortunately, in December 1887, Frank Miner resigned and his brother was discharged that same month. C. L. Greenough was named the sucessor on Jan. 8, 1888, and led the city through one of the most challenging periods in its history. It was 1889 when half of the members of the South St. Paul City Council resigned and left to create their own new city of West St. Paul. After the dust settled a few weeks later, South St. Paul had lost five of the nine schools that had been built, as well as the financial support and resources that the farmers of what became West St. Paul had provided to the struggling new city. The crisis led the City Council to appoint a committee on schools. Frank Waterous, founder of today’s Waterous Company in South St. Paul, commission man Charles Fitch and Pierce Connelly soon realized that the city needed assistance to resolve the issue and recommended that a Board of Education be appointed. Thus the first School Board was appointed on April 15, 1889. The first members were John Kochendorfer, P. Foley and J. J. McNally. At the end of that school year, the new board reported that 342 students had attended school; 291 residents
and 54 non-residents. Salaries for teachers were set at $40 a month and $3,500 was set aside for the construction of two new school buildings. In August 1890, new guidelines for school administration were voted on and control of the schools was turned over to a new Board of Education, consisting of Superintendent Greenough, James J. Mitchell and Joseph Gester. It was also determined that no married woman would be eligible to teach in South St. Paul. School Board members were slated to receive $150 a
year and were instructed to visit the schools twice a month. It isn’t clear what caused the School Board and City Council to completely eliminate the position of superintendent from 1891 to 1895 but on July 15, 1895, John Pemberton was named to the restored position. The instability of the position was typical for the next eight years. As the school district matured and administrative procedures improved, some consistency was able to be established as the following roster of leaders of the schools shows.
SSP School Superintendents Frank Miner April-Dec. 1887 C. L. Greenough Jan. 1888-Oct. 1890 C. B. Gilbert Dec. 1890-Feb. 1891 Vacant - 1891-1895 John Pemberton July 1895-July 1896 H. S. Curry July 1896-Jan. 1897 Lindsay Webb July 1897-April 1898 Lee Galloway May 1898-July 1899 Bert Russell Aug. 1899-May 1900 Martin Helm June 1900-June 1901 W.R. Ball July 1901-Aug. 1903
C. T. Conger Sept. 1903-June 1904 Louis Isaacs 1904-1911 D. Edward Hickey 1911-1926 Irvin T. Simley 1926-1957 Harvey Jensen 1957-1970 Marvin Rosen 1970-1972 Ray Powell 1972-1982 David Metzen 1982-2000 Kent Baldry 2000-2003 Dana Babbitt 2003-2007 Patty Heminover 2007-2010 David Webb 2010-present