Sun Thisweek Apple Valley

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Apple Valley SunThisweek.com

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Dec. 14, 2018 • Volume 39 • Number 41

Established 1975

District 196 considers $7 million in budget adjustments School Board to hear recommendation in January by Patty Dexter SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE

Ro s e m o u n t - A p p l e Valley-Eagan School District officials are considering $7 million in budget adjustments for the 201920 school year. These could include reductions in staffing, allocations for instructional supplies to schools and professional development that requires substitute teachers to be used, according to focus group presentations the district gave during the first week of December. The district held three focus group sessions at schools in Eagan, Rosemount and Apple Valley Dec. 4-6 to get feedback on the potential adjustments. Superintendent Mary Kreger said the meetings drew participation from over 150 people including parents, students, employees and community members. “It was quite an impressive turnout and it really was great because we understand how much our community does care about this school district,” she said during the Dec. 10 School Board meeting. During the sessions, attendees heard a presentation of the recommended adjustments and then divided up into small groups to discuss the proposal with a facilitated

Lunds & Byerlys plans to build Apple Valley store Company anticipates opening store in 2021 by Patty Dexter SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE

Photo by Patty Dexter

Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan School District Superintendent Mary Kreger speaks to attendees of a budget adjustment focus group session at Falcon Ridge Middle School, Dec. 6. discussion. A volunteer facilitator asked attendees if they were aware of the reasons for the district’s projected shortfall; which adjustments they would and would not support; if there are other adjustments they would recommend in addition or instead of the proposed cuts; if they would support a levy referendum in 2019 and what they want

the School Board to con- schedule improvements for two years. sider. A levy referendum Why the deficit? was approved by votAccording to the dis- ers in 2013 after the district, $34 million in bud- trict promised that no get adjustments were additional cuts would made from 2009 to 2012 be made for at least two which included cutting years. The district went 200 positions, reducing without making cuts to transportation service, the classroom from 2014 eliminating activity bus- to 2018. es, raising student activNow, officials are proity participation fees and jecting a $25 million budfreezing employee salary get shortfall from 2019

to 2022 “due to years of inadequate funding from the state.” “For many of you it’s the first time you’re hearing this. For the School Board, the budget advisory committee, for administration, we’ve seen this coming for quite some time,” Mark Stotts, director of finance and operations, said. “This isn’t a new phenomenon. The See Adjustments, 22A

Apple Valley residents and visitors may one day be able to shop at a Lunds & Byerlys store built on reclaimed mining land. Lund Food Holdings Inc. announced on Dec. 4 that it has signed a purchase agreement with AVR Inc. to purchase a seven-acre parcel of land in the planned Orchard Place development in Apple Valley for a future Lunds & Byerlys store. “Apple Valley is a magnet for high-quality commercial development, and we are thrilled that Lunds & Byerlys has chosen Apple Valley,” Mayor Mary Hamann-Roland said in a statement. “We look forward to Lunds & Byerlys bringing their premier shopping experience to our residents and the whole region.” The Orchard Place development will be on 414 acres of land that is being mined south of County Road 42, east of Flagstaff See Store, 22A

On premises design, manufacturing and jewelry repair. Best value, premier quality and made right here in Apple Valley! Call 952-432-9595 www.JayFJeweler.com Located at NW corner of Cedar/ 42 at Times Square!

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