City of East Bethel News Page 15
SFHS decade-old record broken Page 22
October 2017 | Volume 25, Issue 3
Cedar Creek Ecosystems Science Reserve celebrates 75th Page 20
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Independent School District 15 Communications Department St. Francis, Minnesota Serving the communities of Andover, Athens Township, Bethel, East Bethel, Linwood Township, Nowthen, Oak Grove, St. Francis and Stanford Township
Every vote counts Katrinna Dodge
Staff Writer
During every election, the public is encouraged to exercise their right to vote. In U.S. presidential elections, 56 percent of eligible adults (ages 18 and older) voted in 2016, according to the United States Census Bureau. In local elections, that percentage tends to decrease, except during presidential elections that occur at the same time. During the 2013 school board election, which was combined with the city of St. Francis election, 7.38 percent of eligible voters cast their ballot. The district’s voices failed the bond referendum in May, where only 23.21 percent of registered voters cast a ballot. To assist voting-eligible adults, absentee (early) voting is being offered in-person at ISD 15 Central Services Center weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. until November 6. Central Services Center is located at 4115 Ambassador Boulevard NW in St. Francis. Absentee voting is also available at the Anoka County Government Center during business hours and by mail. To mail in your vote, visit www.isd15.org/ bond to complete the 2017 Minnesota Absentee Ballot Application. For information regarding absentee voting, please contact Ann Johnson at Central Services Center at ann.johnson@isd15. org or 763-753-7044 or call Anoka County Elections Office at 763-3235275 or visit www.anokacounty.us.
h the Coffee wit ent d Superinten Saturday, October 14 9:00-10:30 a.m.
If the bond referendum fails, the educational and physical needs of ISD 15 will continue to exist. As classrooms, gymnasiums and other facilities deteriorate, programs with limited or inadequate space will continue to struggle. Addressing these issues now will be more cost effective as material and labor costs continue to rise. Passing the bond in November will put ISD 15 on track to address these deferred maintenance issues in the future. The school board of ISD 15 is proposing an $80 million bond on November 7. The approximate tax impact is an additional $1.74 annually for a $200,000 valued home on current tax rates over a 25-year period. Absentee voting is available for residents within ISD 15 or they can vote on November 7, between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. For more information, visit www. isd15.org/bond. A public forum on October 10 will be held at East Bethel Community School starting with a building tour at 6:30 p.m. and an informative presentation at 7:00 p.m. Coffee with the Superintendent at Brio in Andover on October 14, from 9:0010:30 a.m., is another opportunity to get questions answered. Email questions to board.questions@isd15.org or contact Lisa Rahn, director of Community Education, at 763-753-7048 with questions regarding the upcoming bond referendum.
BRIO in Andover
15190 Bluebird Street NW Suite 100 Stop in for free coffee and the opportunity to chat with Superintendent Troy Ferguson, Independent School District 15, St. Francis. Information about the November 7 bond referendum election will be available.
Members from the St. Francis High School football team visited East Bethel Community School on September 15 and read to elementary students. The young men representing the football team served as models for the younger students. Junior running back and wide receiver Robbie Babcock is pictured with Sara Keding’s first-grade class reading Max the Brave by Ed Vere. See page 23 for more photos. Photo by Sara Keding
District reaches out to the community Katrinna Dodge
Staff Writer
On September 18, Independent School District (ISD 15) held its first public forum about the upcoming bond referendum in November. The public forum included a scheduled tour of St. Francis High School at 6:30 p.m., presentation at 7:00 p.m., followed by a Q & A session. Superintendent Troy Ferguson explained to attendees the improvements of the proposed bond referendum. Members
of the audience included Minnesota State Senator Michelle Benson, Minnesota House Representative Cal Bahr and St. Francis Councilmember Joe Muehlbauer. The next public forum will be at East Bethel Community School on October 10, starting with a school tour at 6:30 p.m., followed by an informative presentation at 7:00 p.m. Stay informed about the bond by attending a public forum, having a coffee with the superintendent on October
14 (details at left) or visit www.isd15.org/bond for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
Inside Schools in Action.......................2 School Board Highlights...........7 Community Education..............8 Community & Business..........12 Meetings, Events & Benefits...21 Sports & Outdoors...................22 Life..............................................24