Spring Recycling
Lawn & Garden
Page 14
Page 16
Income Tax Tips Page 23
Saints Finish Strong at State Wrestling Tourney Page 24
Spring Musical at St. Francis High School Page 32
WWW.THE-COURIER.ORG | NEWS@ISD15.ORG
APRIL 2018 | VOLUME 25, ISSUE 8
The Courier School district focus on safety St. Francis Area Schools 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
TROY FERGUSON
SUPERINTENDENT, ST. FRANCIS AREA SCHOOLS
We are living in a stressful and unnerving time given the recent school violence that has gripped our nation. Our awareness and trepidation are heightened by the tragedies in Florida and Maryland. Sadly, these acts of senseless violence have become common and are the focus of broadcasts and social media far too often. We are all deeply saddened by these tragedies and mourn the loss of innocent life. It is important during these times to remind everyone that the safety and security of our students and staff has always been and will remain a top priority in St. Francis Area Schools. The school district works closely with both city and county law enforcement and has developed partnerships aimed at prevention and quick intervention when an unexpected emergency arises. We contract with the St. Francis
Police Department to have two police liaison officers in our schools within St. Francis city limits. The Anoka County Sheriff ’s Department serves our schools on the east side of the district. Officers make a committed effort to connect with students and work with staff. The relationships they build are instrumental in keeping our schools safe. A year and a half ago, we began training students and staff on ALICE protocol for an armed intruder situation. We continue to advance that training and preparedness in the event that the unthinkable should ever happen. We have tightened procedures for entering our buildings during the school day. Building entrances are monitored by school staff and an ID is required to enter during the school day. While this may seem an inconvenience to some, I ask for your understanding and patience. Our office staff are often
greeted with a statement like, “You know me. Why do I have to show my ID?” To that I say, all know me as well and I have told them if I don’t produce an ID, they are directed to not let me in. The passing of the bond in November will help us greatly improve the security of entrances in all of our buildings. In addition to the secure entrances, we will update and improve video surveillance and warning capabilities within the buildings. We know these measures are important to our community, as you voiced the importance of safety when
we presented our bond information last spring and fall. We understand many of our students may be struggling with the recent events in Florida and Maryland and they may want to talk to you about them. We have links to resources on the home page of our website at www. isd15.org, that may help you with those discussions. In addition, our school counselors, social workers and staff are available to support your children and your family to work through these challenging times.
St. Francis Area Schools prepare to right-size TROY FERGUSON SUPERINTENDENT, ST. FRANCIS AREA SCHOOLS
In what will be a multi-year effort to right-size the budget for St. Francis Area Schools, district leaders and the school board are working to adjust the budget by $3.7 million for the 2018-19 school year. Budget right-sizing is aligning revenues and expenses to create a balanced budget by evaluating enrollment trends and projections. The goal is to continuously end the fiscal year better than projected on a multi-year basis. The school board approved moving forward with right-sizing the budget at the January 22, 2018 school board meeting. A number of factors, including last year’s larger than expected decrease in enrollment, this year’s projected decrease in student enrollment and correcting previous budget oversights, have resulted in the adjustment amount. In addition, general operating expenses continue to rise every year and school district revenue sources do not keep pace. District leaders are working together to right-size the CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
Mike Stoffel, St. Francis High School language arts teacher, read Hooray for Reading Day! by Margery Cuyler to Kathi Greene’s kindergarten class during “I Love to Read” Day on March 2 at Cedar Creek Community School. Stoffel is a regular guest reader in this class to share his love of reading with these children. PHOTO CREDIT: KATHI GREENE, CCCS KINDERGARTEN TEACHER
The Pines Craft Retreat
Fully furnished kitchen, 5 cozy bedrooms (with bedding and towels)
Large crafting area with 5-foot tables and comfortable/adjustable chairs LLC
350 Off
$
A weekend rental during the summer Offer expires 8/31/18.
Specially designed for groups of 5-16 for scrapbooking, quilting, reunions, get-a-ways, meetings, retreats and more!
Wireless internet 55-inch flat screen TV and Blu-ray player Downstairs kitchenette, lounge and workout area
763-228-9501 • 3301 Viking Blvd., East of Hwy. 65 in East Bethel • www.thepinescraftretreat.com
Inside Schools in Action..................................... 2 School Board Highlights........................ 8 Community Education......................... 10 Community & Business........................ 20 Sports & Outdoors................................ 24 Meetings, Benefits & Events................. 27 Life........................................................... 28