Thisweek Farmington and Lakeville

Page 1

Fine art and outdoor family fun are in store at the Eagan Art Festival June 26-27. SEE STORY IN THISWEEKEND ON PAGE 7A

Thisweek Farmington-Lakeville JUNE 18, 2010

VOLUME 31, NO. 16

A NEWS OPINION SPORTS

www.thisweeklive.com

Opinion/4A

Public Notices/6A

Real Estate/9A

Announcements/11A

Sports/12A

Classifieds/14A Photo by Rick Orndorf

A group of Lakeville North graduates strikes a silly pose for their parents’ cameras following the 2010 graduation ceremony held at the Target Center on June 11. For more graduation photos see Page 10A

Photo by Rick Orndorf

Lakeville South student speaker Adam Kunkel delivers his speech about not wanting to grow up and taking time to savor today’s moments during the commencement ceremony on June 11.

dreth

Photo by Kara Hil

asia Morgan ol seniors Anast pree shared ho Sc h ig H on Farmingt istina Le Hanson and Chr ay, (left), Alexander as Hanson gave a thumbs up Frid e t th en at st om ony – the fir a relaxed m e graduation cerem June 11, before th e graduation photos see Page 10A or new school. For m

Tiger Class of 2010 makes history by Kara Hildreth THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS

Farmington High School’s Class of 2010 made history as the largest graduating class ever with 386 seniors taking home diplomas at the new school inside Tiger gym. Graduation commencement was held Friday, June 11, away from Tiger Field due to a forecast for rain, but the spirited celebration included a packed house of community members, family and friends.

Photo by Kara Hildreth

Trevor Ausen, student council president, shared a few inspirational words in his senior reflection to fellow students before he collected his diploma.

Joint keynote speakers, senior Rachel Sand and Brenda Lund, faculty speaker, shared humorous reflections about school life and offered an inspirational message to seniors. Trevor Ausen, student council president, shared a few words in the senior reflection, and District 192 Superintendent Brad Meeks offered congratulations, wisdom and guidance. Applause was given to recognize the top See Farmington, 10A

More than 870 receive diplomas by Derrick Williams

More than 870 students, accompanied by their friends and family, filled the Target Center on June 11 as Lakeville’s seniors from both North and South high schools took part in 2010 commencement ceremonies. All told, administrators, school board Derrick Williams members and teachers handed out diplo- E-mail mas to 444 Lakeville South students and lakeville.thisweek@ecm-inc.com

Board reviews class-size targets Cost to reduce class sizes by one student is $300,000 to $350,000 by Kara Hildreth THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS

After parents spoke out about the potential for larger class sizes in elementary schools this fall, the Farmington School Board reviewed its policy regarding class-size targets Monday, June 14. Of particular concern to parents are proposed class-size target increases for second grade, which is proposed to rise from 20-25 students to 26-30 and fourth-grade targets from 25-28 students to 25-30. If the board were to revise elementary class-size targets down-

FARMINGTON ward by one student, it would cost an additional $300,000 to $350,000. To reduce it by two students would cost about $750,000, according to Superintendent Brad Meeks. Board Member Julie McKnight reminded people that voters did not approve a recent levy question that asked for $750,000 to reduce class sizes by two students in primary elementary grades. There was a discussion whether or not to keep “instructional resources� as an option for principals

when elementary classes reach more than 25 students, according to the current policy. Board Member Julie Singewald said she would be on the conservative side and remove “instructional resources,� leaving principals only the option of hiring another teacher in order to reduce class sizes. Board Member Julie McKnight indicated she did not want to hinder principals if they have a better idea on how to distribute any additional full-time equivalent teachers. Board Member Veronica Walter See Classes, 6A

Tattoo studio opens in Lakeville Owner: Tattoos more mainstream due to television effect by Derrick Williams THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS

Tattoos used to be taboo. Just 20 years ago, body art was associated with biker gangs and rebellion. “People didn’t want tattoo shops in their communities,� Shannon Scalise said. “Now, tattoos are becoming mainstream. There’s been a shift in perception. For me, it’s the ‘L.A. Ink’ effect. Tattoos, the culture, it’s all on TV for people to see.� That shift led Scalise to open Lakeville’s only tattoo shop, Fineline Body Art, earlier this spring. “I started looking in this area about six years ago,� Scalise, an Apple Valley resident, said. Fineline is located on the corner of Cedar Avenue and County Road 46 in a Play It Again Sportsanchored business complex. Scalise is the only artist in his shop. His wife, Heidi, runs the office. General 952-894-1111 Distribution 952-846-2070 Display Advertising 952-846-2011 Classified Advertising 952-846-2000

437 North students. North senior Alexis Friesen and South senior Adam Kunkel delivered the student graduation speeches. Next year, graduation will likely move back to Lakeville, with each school hosting its own graduation.

THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS

LAKEVILLE He can do both tattoos and body piercing. Lakeville, Scalise said, has been great. “Getting the license, starting in this community, we had to prove ourselves a little,� he said. “But we’ve really been accepted. People have welcomed us.� Scalise is a self-taught tattoo artist with more than 19 years of experience, he said. “I got my first tattoo when I was 18. I thought I could do it,� he said. “That’s how I got started.� Since then, Scalise has trained with artists around the world, worked all over the country, and had his own shops in Illinois and Florida. “I don’t really specialize in one thing,� Scalise said. “People want Photo by Derrick Williams a wide variety of art and I can do Shannon and Heidi Scalise stand in their all styles and all types of tattoos.� new tattoo studio, Fineline Body Art, Lakeville’s only tattoo studio. See Tatoos, 6A

at:

District’s bus fees to match state guidelines by Kara Hildreth THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS

The families of more than 100 District 192 students will need to pay for school bus transportation this fall as part of a potential revenue enhancement. The change could raise an estimated $35,000 for the 2010 school year. Each year, the district spends $3.4 million on transportation. When the 2010-11 district budget is adopted Monday, June 28, the School Board is expected to approve the bussing policy to match state guidelines. If adopted, the new policy will ask parents from three neighborhoods within one mile of their school to pay $270.40 per student for bussing based on a state funding formula for the 2010-11 school year. The state requires free bus transportation be provided to elementary students who live more than one mile from school property and to secondary students in high school who live more than two miles from school property. “Also, given the fact that we’ll have to treat middle schools like elementary schools because sixth grade is included as elementary under state law, the total budget impact will be lower with fewer students being affected,� said Aaron Tinklenberg, district communications specialist. Students who need to cross roads that are considered hazardous such as Akin Road, Highway 3 and 195th Street to walk to school will still be offered free trans-

DISTRICT 192 portation regardless of the distance to school. A number of other Minnesota districts already charge bus transportation fees. “When we are faced with flat funding year after year, there are a lot of other districts that are also looking for additional ways to increase revenues,� said Jeff Priess, finance director. Families can pay the fee in full or by monthly payments, Priess said. A letter will be sent to homes in the affected neighborhoods. Under the district’s proposal, the Farmington neighborhoods from the following schools would be charged for bussing: North Trail – homes along Fieldcrest Avenue, north of 175th Street, and on Fieldcrest Court, Firestone Path, Firestone Circle and Firtree Place. Meadowview Elementary – homes near the intersection of 195th Street and Pilot Knob Road, including those residences along Estes Path, Escalade Way, 197th Street and Escort Trail. Farmington Elementary – homes located south of Park Drive and west of Highway 3. The district’s website has an interactive map of the proposed bussing change and affected neighborhoods at www.farmington.k12. mn.us. From the main page, click on the budget icon and then the bussing map link. Kara Hildreth is at farmington.thisweek@ecm-inc.com.

!" # $%% & '" (' )$$% # * + , - . ( /

&

!""'! !

$

0 & 12&210 !!!3 4 - ! 3-$5


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.