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Thisweek Burnsville-Eagan march 9, 2012

VOLUME 33, NO. 2

NEWS OPINION SPORTS

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Opinion/4A

Public Notices/7A

Announcements/5A

Sports/8A

Classifieds/9A

Chance controversy roils district Ex-Burnsville school administrator had filed charges and complaint by John Gessner Thisweek Newspapers

Tania Chance, the School District 191 administrator who was paid nearly $255,000 in a separation agreement, had earlier filed charges with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights and a complaint with the Minnesota Board of School Administrators. The board of administrators complaint concerned district Superintendent Randy Clegg, according to the separation agreement. Chance, the district’s former human resources director, withdrew the charges and claim as a condition of

Bill would widen net for disclosure

the buyout, the document said. Thisweek obtained an unredacted copy of the agreement last week. Copies released earlier by the Burnsville-Eagan-Savage district had nine lines blacked out on the advice of its attorney. District-supplied copies also didn’t include letters of reference for Chance supplied by Clegg and School Board Chair Ron Hill. Thisweek has obtained the letters. The agreement required the two officials to write letters of recommendation. See Chance, 7A

Myhra’s bill responds to Chance controversy

agreement with Chance, the former head of huThisweek Newspapers man relations in Burnsville In the wake of E a g a n - S av a g e the Tania Chance School District controversy, a Burnsville legis- Pam Myhra 191. The agreement lator has introduced a bill that expands gives Chance $254,815 to the definition of govern- essentially sit out the last ment-employee separa- 18 months of her twotion agreements requir- year contract (see related stories). Under terms of ing disclosure. Rep. Pam Myhra, the agreement, she reR-40A, introduced the signed on Feb. 1. legislation amid an up- The district has come roar over a separation See Bill, 7A by John Gessner and Tad Johnson

Holberg move opens 56B for GOP hopefuls

Boiling mad Anger over Chance buyout spills out at board session by John Gessner Thisweek Newspapers

Simmering anger over the $254,815 buyout of School District 191 administrator Tania Z. Chance boiled over March 1 during a School Board listening session. Calls for resignations of all board members and warnings that voters will take their revenge at the ballot box the next time the district holds a levy referendum were heard from a crowd approaching 200. Two Burnsville police officers stood watch over the

Tania Chance meeting room at the Burnsville High School Senior Campus. About 25 people spoke, demanding answers that board members say are shielded from view by state data privacy law and the terms of the separation agreement between Chance and the district. Under terms of the agreement, Chance – the 39-year old former executive director of human resources – resigned on Feb. 1, with 18 months left on her contract. The buyout covered salary, severance and other claims due her See Anger, 14A

Beyond the Yellow Ribbon

Peterson, McCall to seek endorsement by Aaron Vehling Thisweek Newspapers

Redistricting of state House and Senate districts late last month has caused Mary Liz a stir in Burnsville Holberg and Lakeville, as incumbents and challengers vie for seats in new territories. The changes sparked a scrambling in the local GOP with consequences that reach as far as the Lakeville school board. Rep. Mary Liz Holberg, R-Lakeville, the House Ways and Means chair, announced March 1 in an email to supporters, and obtained by Thisweek, that she was running in the newly created, Lakeville-centric House District 58A. “I grew up here and we

Roz Terry Peterson McCall raised our family in Lakeville,” Holberg wrote in an email to supporters. “It has been a true honor and privilege to represent such a great community that has so much to be proud of.” The new district, 58A, makes up most of Lakeville and has no incumbent. Redistricting split Lakeville into three House districts, meaning Holberg would have had to run for re-election in 56B, a primarily Burnsville district with the Orchard Lake area basically the only piece of See GOP, 7A

Photo by John Gessner

Joy Adams, 14, volunteers with Burnsville’s Beyond the Yellow Ribbon campaign as well as the city’s fire administration office.

Burnsville volunteers make commitment to veterans, families by John Gessner Thisweek Newspapers

Dakota County Jail tests distance video visits Technology could expand to other jails

by Laura Adelmann Thisweek Newspapers

Friends, families and children may never have to enter jail to visit an incarcerated relative in Dakota County again. Under the first pilot program in Minnesota that may become permanent this spring, the Dakota County Jail has installed an electronic visitation system that allows people to visit jail inmates from home. Visitors call the jail on computers at home using Skype, a free online video telephone program, and inmates receive calls through a video system in the jail developed by TurnKey Corrections, the company that operates kiosks at the jail where inmates can purchase snacks and toiletries. The video calls cost 35 cents per minute, are limited to 15 minutes per hour and are monitored by TurnKey. General 952-894-1111 Distribution 952-846-2070 Display Advertising 952-846-2011 Classified Advertising 952-846-2000

Photo submitted

A kiosk, like this one, is used by Dakota County Jail inmates to order commissary, request services, receive messages and conduct video visitation. If adopted permanently, corrections officers would also monitor calls on a screen, said Dakota County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Lawrence Hart. “We need to maintain security,” Hart said. “Two sets of eyes are better than one.” Concerns include inmate access to graphic images or behavSee Skype, 14A

The youngest member of Burnsville’s Beyond the Yellow Ribbon campaign isn’t shy about her admiration for men and women in uniform. “Whenever I see someone in the military, I thank them for their service,” said 14-year-old Joy Adams. “Lately I’ve been asking them, ‘Do you know what the Yellow Ribbon is?’ ” Beyond the Yellow Ribbon is a program spearheaded by the Minnesota National Guard to help service members, veterans and their families, especially those dealing with deployment or post-deployment reintegration. Burnsville is about to be recognized as a Beyond the Yellow Ribbon city, and one of the campaign’s most energetic volunteers is a techsavvy teen who dreams of being a cop. Adams, the youngest of some 40 Burnsville volunteers, serves on three Beyond the Yellow Ribbon committees and is the site administrator for the Yellow Ribbon section of the Burnsville Commonplace website. She will also run the Yellow Ribbon website (Burnsville.org/ byr) hosted on the city website. An expanded version will soon go live. Adams joined the cause last

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September after seeing a Beyond the Yellow Ribbon promotional video circulated by the city. An uncle of hers, Jesse Hamel, is an Air Force major who recently returned from administrative duty in Iraq. Adams said she has other friends in the military, one of whom is deployed. Adams said health restrictions will prevent her from joining the Marines, an idea she had kicked around, but she hopes to one day serve her community as a police officer. “Being a cop is giving back to your community, and joining Yellow Ribbon is like giving back to the men and women who serve our country,” Adams said. The adults working on the campaign (chaired by Mayor Elizabeth Kautz and School District 191 Superintendent Randy Clegg) were immediately impressed by the youngster, said Deputy City Manager Tom Hansen, a key organizer. “She’s technically very savvy,” Hansen said. “She lugs this huge laptop around with her everywhere she goes.” Adams, he noted, also volunteers for the Fire Department, helping inspections update its records. “And, she is a delightful young lady just in general,” Hansen said. Grown-up things don’t faze Ad-

ams, whose parents are John and Karen Adams of Burnsville. “I don’t hang out with kids my age,” she said matter-of-factly. “I get along with adults better. I think being homeschooled has something to do with it.”

Yellow Ribbon city

Adams has been part of the effort to make Burnsville a Beyond the Yellow Ribbon City – a certification that will be made official on March 30. Burnsville and two other cities will be certified in a 3 p.m. ceremony at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 10658 210th St. W., Lakeville. Gov. Mark Dayton and Minnesota National Guard Adjutant General Richard C. Nash will attend. To gain certification, Burnsville’s eight Yellow Ribbon subcommittees were required to complete action plans showing ways different segments of the community can support veterans now and in the future. “Obviously, the ones that are deployed are kind of the priority, but it’s all vets and their families,” said Hansen, who served 10 years of active Air Force duty and 15 with the Air Force Reserves. See Yellow Ribbon, 6A

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March 9, 2012 THISWEEK

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Few remain at Country Village Apartments by John Gessner Thisweek Newspapers

Contrary to some officials’ expectations, almost no one was home at Country Village Apartments in Burnsville on Monday morning. Only five units at the 138unit complex were clearly occupied when inspection teams knocked on doors Monday morning, Deputy City Manager Tom Hansen said. Another few units may still be occupied, Hansen said. Sixteen more units contained some furniture and other leftovers that were likely abandoned by tenants who moved out, he said. March 1 was the cityimposed deadline for vacating Country Village, whose

rental license the city revoked on Jan. 19 after owner Lindahl Properties failed to meet a deadline for fire code improvements. The fire code improvements were the first in a series of required improvements at the troubled complex, which the city has wrestled with for nearly a year over disrepair, mold and pests. “I was thinking 30 or 40” units might remain occupied, Hansen said. “This far exceeds my expectations.” Eric Grumdahl, housing manager for Dakota County Community Services, fretted last week that up to 75 units might remain occupied. Hansen said last week that Lindahl would be cited for each unit still occupied

at the time of the city inspection. Each citation carries a $1,000 fine, he said. A team including the county’s housing services and several nonprofits has worked to help relocate Country Village residents, many of whom are lowincome and faced potential barriers to finding new housing. The fact that few remained on Monday shows that the city was “patient” and “measured” and that residents were well-informed of their options, Hansen said. Meanwhile, Lindahl Properties is working to fix all code violations — an easier task when the units aren’t occupied, Hansen has suggested — in hopes of being re-licensed.

Nine-day schedule remains on the table District 191 eyes big cost-saving changes

by John Gessner Thisweek Newspapers

Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School Board members began sifting March 1 through a menu of cost-saving options that could bring big changes to District 191. And they’re not averse to discussing perhaps the biggest change of all – a “nineday schedule” that would lengthen the school day by 36 minutes while cutting the school calendar by 17 days. The measure would save an estimated $796,000 per year. “A nine-day schedule is intriguing to me,” Board Member Dan Luth said during a board workshop. It’s one of more than a dozen big-picture options administrators put on the table after soliciting ideas from employees and budgetlevel bosses in the district. Eying an estimated $15 million in shortfalls over the next three years, the district is looking for ways to permanently cut costs. One that didn’t find

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board support is putting all ninth-graders at Nicollet Junior High. The idea is part of a larger proposal to include ninth grade in the Burnsville High School program. The plan would save about $207,000 while reserving Metcalf and Eagle Ridge junior highs for seventh- and eighth-graders. Board members agreed to explore an employee self-insurance plan that would save about $800,000. But achieving similar savings by increasing walking distances and eliminating special bus routes for hazardous crossings was rejected. “You cannot do something that violates a child’s safety on the way to school,” Board Chair Ron Hill said. Increasing class sizes by an average of one student at both the elementary and secondary levels also met resistance. Estimated savings are $700,000 and $336,000, respectively. “I think they need to stay on the table, personally, both

of them,” Luth said. Board Member Paula Teiken said she’s not keen to raise class sizes. Board members also objected to eliminating stipends for athletics and activities coaches and supervisors. The district could save an estimated $641,575 by eliminating athletics and activities stipends in junior and senior high. Senior high stipends alone cost $440,245. Smaller savings are available at the elementary level. Two options involving school closings remain on the table. They are closing an elementary school, maximizing space in the junior highs by adding grade six, and making the nine remaining elementary schools grades kindergarten through five. That would save an estimated $403,120. The other is closing one of the three junior highs, for a savings of $666,950. John Gessner is at john.gessner@ecm-inc.com.

A license application will have to pass muster with a City Council clearly angered by the condition of Country Village and its owners’ slow progress on fixing the problems. “The property’s got a long history,” Hansen said. “I feel confident in saying the council is very unlikely to approve any piecemeal licensing of the property. They really want the thing to meet code.” Teams that knocked on doors Monday morning included police, fire and building inspectors, as well as representatives from the county and the Scott Carver Dakota CAP Agency, Hansen said. John Gessner is at john.gessner@ecm-inc.com.

CSM to hold neighborhood meeting about Lockheed Martin site

CSM Eagan LLC, a subsidiary of CSM Corporation, will hold an informationalneighborhood meeting 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 14, at the Eagan Community Center, 1501 Central Parkway. The meeting, which will be in the South Oaks Room, is open to all interested parties to discuss plans for the redevelopment of the Lockheed Martin property located at 3333 Pilot Knob Road in Eagan. This neighborhood meeting is being held in advance of CSM’s formal submittal to the city of Eagan for its request for a Comprehensive Guide Plan change and rezoning of the property. Representatives of CSM and its consultants will be at the meeting to provide a presentation and answer any questions.

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THISWEEK March 9, 2012

Police suspect Eagan woman in home arson Officer taken to hospital following fire by Jessica Harper Thisweek Newspapers

homeowners, but found no one. One officer was transported to a nearby hospital for evaluation and has since been released. Eagan firefighters quickly extinguished the small blaze. An investigation by the Eagan police and fire departments and the state fire marshal determined arson caused the fire. The woman has since been taken into custody and transported to the hospital for a psychological evaluation, police say.

An Eagan woman is a suspect following a morning fire in her home, police say. The woman called police around 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 2, to report a domestic dispute between her and her husband. Upon arrival, officers noticed the home on the 1200 block of Deerridge Court was on fire and ran Jessica Harper is at jessica. inside to search for the harper@ecm-inc.com.

Photo submitted

Molly Goin is congratulated by Eagan High School representatives Matt Moore and Dr. Polly Reikowski at a Feb. 8 program honoring 4-H Key Award recipients.

Goin receives 4-H Key Award Molly Goin, a Dakota County 4-H Ambassador and a five-year youth leader with the Dakota Ramblers 4-H club in Eagan, has been awarded the Minnesota 4-H Key Award. The award is the highest honor a 4-H member can receive.

A junior at Eagan High School, Goin is the secretary of the 2011-12 Dakota County 4-H Federation and is a leader in community service for her club. Goin received the award Feb. 8 at the Southview Country Club in West St. Paul.

Dakota Electric celebrates 75 years Dakota Electric Association will celebrate 75 years of service to its members at its annual meeting on Thursday, April 12, in the social hall at St. Michael’s Catholic Church,

22120 Denmark Ave., Farmington (next to Dakota Electric’s office). The meeting begins at 7 p.m.; doors open at 6 p.m., and refreshments will be served before the meeting.

Foundation 191 accepting grant applications

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Foundation 191 will offer grants of up to $8,000 to selected projects for 201213 in the Burnsville-Eagan-Savage school district. This marks the third year Foundation 191 has offered grants for projects in the schools. To be considered, applications must be submitted by May 1. Applications and grant criteria are available at the Foundation website at www.foundation191.org.

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Community Food Day is March 10 Community Food Day will be held Saturday, March 10, at Echo Park Elementary School, 14100 County Road 11, Burnsville. Hosted by Valley Natural Foods of Burnsville and Homegrown South, the free event will include: • Community food dialogue, 10 to 11 a.m. Learn about Homegrown South and other healthy local food initiatives, explore individual and community needs and help determine future steps. Discussion will be led by Lisa Horn, executive director, Eagan and Lakeville resource centers. • Open house, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Meet local farmers, gardeners, food producers and activists representing Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), community gardens and others committed to a healthy food network in the Twin Cities south metro. Sign up for CSA shares and community garden plots. For more information, contact Gary Johnson, community relations developer, Valley Natural Foods at (952) 891-1212, ext. 236, or community@valleynaturalfoods.com.

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March 9, 2012 THISWEEK

Opinion Thisweek Columnist Backed into a corner, District 191 board may have made the best decision by Tad Johnson Thisweek Newspapers

Everyone seems to have opinions about the separation agreement between the Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District and Tania Chance, the district’s former human resources director. My opinion is that this was the best move for the future of the district and its human resources department. More than 160 district teachers and parents aired their frustration at last week’s District 191 School Board meeting over the lack of disclosure in the settlement agreement of the “reasons” for Chance’s departure and about the amount she was paid to leave – $254,815. After Thisweek Newspapers obtained an unredacted version of the agreement and published its contents with an online story Thursday, it shed light on the nature of those reasons, but questions still remain and probably will never be answered. The new information revealed that Chance had filed charges with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights and/or

the Equal Opportunity Commission and a complaint with the Minnesota Board of School Administrators. We do not know the nature of the charges or the complaint. Were they frivolous or did they have merit? We do know that the complaint filed with the Board of School Administrators was regarding Superintendent Randy Clegg. That complaint could be anything from a question about his qualifications to something he said or did. Some have concluded that Clegg was the target of the Human Rights/EOC charges, but the agreement does not name him or any party that the charges are against. Because both actions were dropped as part of the settlement agreement, their contents will not officially enter the public record. It is unfortunate that this disclosure will not come to light because it may inform our opinions of Clegg, Chance and other people in the district. The public body that knew the nature of

those complaints, the School Board, rendered the only decision that matters in this case. It decided to pay Chance and avoid litigation, which could have cost as much as or more than the settlement amount and still leave the district on the hook for monetary damages. It also effectively cut off disclosure of the nature of the complaints. While the board members’ choice will mean they will face more questions at reelection time, this may have been their best decision. The school board separated immediately with Chance, who apparently had concerns with the district and its leadership. Chance reportedly also had her share of detractors, and there was a level of distrust between teachers and her department. The opportunity to hire a new human resources director can bring a new climate in this regard. The separation, though, will still continue to dog Clegg and the School Board. Many have questioned the amount of money the district paid. The board’s decision to enter into a twoyear contract with the kind of severance

provisions included is hard to defend for an employee with only one year of service. The severance provisions are typical for top-level administrators, and $250,000 (of which about 30 percent could be taken out in taxes) is on par with other buyouts. School boards and city councils know that signing such contracts have met with public outcry. They should use that leverage to push back against administrators on severance issues during negotiations. Regardless, the cloud of the separation agreement between the district and Chance will continue to hang over the district because there is not satisfactory closure. One thing is for certain: The fallout from this episode will continue to be felt until all those involved move on in one way or another for the good of the district and its core mission to educate young people. Tad Johnson is managing editor of Thisweek Newspapers and the Dakota County Tribune. He is at editor.thisweek@ecm-inc. com. Columns reflect the opinion of the author.

Guest Columnist Demand accountability from District 191 by Mark Nesvig Special to Thisweek Newspapers

ment Data Practices Act if the amount paid out exceeds $10,000 of taxpayer money. Ms. Chance had filed a claim with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights and another against Superintendent Randy Clegg with the Minnesota Board of School Administrators. One of the terms of the settlement was that she drop all existing claims and agree not to bring future claims. The district has offered its own comment suggesting the claims were without merit, but they chose to settle rather than defend the claim, which could prove costly in and of itself. This shows more bad judgment. The board has set a dangerous precedent. If they believed the claims were without merit, why would they agree to such a large settlement? What happens now when the next district employee makes a similar claim? Are they going to hand out quartermillion-dollar checks to anyone who asks for one? Of course, this comes at the expense of the students’ enormous needs at a time when budgets are being slashed and more is being asked of teachers, parents and local taxpayers. The board members have breached the public trust and stained the reputation of the district. This misstep has served to give credence to the “anti-school” forces, those who vilify teachers and their union at every opportunity and feel that all public schools willfully waste taxpayer dollars and are accountable to no one. It’s time to hold accountable those truly responsible for this fiasco. The continued presence of the current leadership will only serve to further harm the district’s reputation and delay the necessary repair of the damage done. I encourage all residents of the district to attend the next board meeting Thursday, March 22, and demand accountability.

In the wake of the recent controversy surrounding the quarter-million-dollar buyout package given to former human resources director Tania Chance, I attended the March 1 Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School Board meeting hoping for, if not expecting, some forthright answers from our superintendent and the rest of the board. Unfortunately, those answers did not come. In spite of the fact that hundreds of concerned residents were expected to and attended the meeting, the board chose to not put the issue on the agenda. Instead, all public comments were relegated to the board-created “listening hour,” which precedes the official meeting, only has two board members in attendance due to the Open Meeting law, and is not placed in the official record. Many people, myself included, spoke up, offering pointed comments or asking specific questions, all of which were met with mostly silence, as is the custom at all listening hours – which, of course, is why they were created. Board Chair Ron Hill acknowledged prior to the start of the listening hour that he had a pretty good idea why so many people were there. Yet, even armed with that knowledge, Hill and the rest of his colleagues didn’t see the need to allow a formal question-and-answer session at the official meeting. I don’t question the board members’ integrity, but I do question their judgment. The judgment that led to the hiring of Ms. Chance, led to giving her an unnecessary and ultimately costly contract extension this past summer, and that led to giving her more than a quarter of a million dollars of taxpayer money without any explanation to the citizens who are now forced to foot the bill. As they say, the cover-up is worse than the crime. Local news outlets are challenging the district over their refusal to provide the Mark Nesvig is a resident of Savage. Col“specific reasons” for the severance pack- umns reflect the opinion of the author. age, as is required by the state’s Govern-

Letters Bullying should be against the law To the editor: Did you know that the main cause of preteenteenage deaths is because of bullying? Well it is. Bullying has increased drastically since 2008. So here is some important information about this life-threatening harassment. On many different social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, and My Space, you can see that a big number of the comments are cruel and terrorizing. This is a form of bullying called “cyberbullying.” It is like bullying someone over the phone, Internet, or any other technological device. But, it causes just as many suicides as regular bullying. It can take people’s lives away … and it will. Fifty-six percent of students have been cyberbullied at least once, if not on a regular basis. So, bullying is practically like a death sentence to someone who didn’t deserve it. Also it’s

like a long and painful murder. Murder is against the law, isn’t it? Why shouldn’t bullying be? Now here are some of the bullying situations that happen at school. When at school a student can be physically, verbally, and even in some cases, sexually harassed. Each type of bullying is as effective as the next. When you are being bullied, you feel like there is no way out. The bullies use that weakness against you. Statistics show that every teen has either been bullied or was a bully at least once in their life. These days harassment can spread around like a disease; like a disease that we need to find a cure for. Every day we are losing lives that can never be found again. If you have ever been bullied, speak up. Don’t be silenced by voices that don’t know what it is like. Every fight is a battle but in the end, no one wins the war. Bullying should be against the law so that

all the victims can rest in peace. CARRIE WAGNER Apple Valley

Litigation could have turned out worse for district To the editor: I can understand the people of Burnsville are upset about the recent settlement that was given the human resources director and as much as they want an explanation the one as noted by the School Board should be the end of it. Can you imagine if the real reason came out and the school district was sued for $1 million and in the end the verdict was in her favor. If the district did not have to issue her a contract then shame on them. Based on how court settlements are done these days “I would be careful of what you want as you may not like the outcome.” RICHARD DANIELS Rosemount

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THISWEEK March 9, 2012

Postal Service sues union over lockers at Eagan location

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by Jessica Harper Thisweek Newspapers

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Drees - Springer Brianna Lynn Drees, daughter of Troy and Kim Drees of Apple Valley, and Steven Jeffrey Springer, son of Jeff and Lynda Springer of Cresco, Iowa, announce their engagement. Brianna is a 2005 graduate of Apple Valley High School and a 2009 Graduate of University of Wisconsin-Madison. She currently is employed as a Scientific Services Specialist with National Marrow Donor Program in Minneapolis. Steve is a 2004 graduate of Crestwood High School and a 2008 graduate of University of Wisconsin-Madison. He currently is employed as a Senior Marketing Specialist with Target Corporation in Minneapolis. A June 23 wedding is planned at Mayo w ood Sto n e B arn i n Rochester.

disregards the applicable regulation.” It contends that the facility’s lockers abided by federal regulations, but the arbitrator said those regulations didn’t apply to the plant in Eagan. The suit states King also failed to properly consider the collective bargaining agreement between the Postal Service and the union when forming his opinion. APWU spokeswoman Sally Davidow said she has not yet seen the lawsuit, and declined to comment further. Peter Nowacki, spokesman for the U.S. Postal Service, also declined to comment on the litigation. The Postal Service announced in late February it plans to move mail processing to the Eagan facility from Duluth and Rochester in Minnesota, and La Crosse and Eau Claire in Wisconsin. Its consolidation plan is aimed at reducing the Postal Service’s growing deficit, which is predicted to be approximately $12 billion in 2012. Jessica Harper is at jessica. harper@ecm-inc.com.

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Age 57 of Rosemount passed away unexpectedly Feb. 26, 2012. Survived by his children; Leslie (Brian) Hanley, Christopher (Katy) LaBonne, 5 grand-children, mother Evelyn LaBonne, sisters Bonnie (Peter) Noll and Deborah LaBonne. Services March 9th, 11:00am at Cremation Society, 7110 France Ave S. Edina, MN.

The U.S. Postal Service has taken its union to court over employee lockers in Eagan. A lawsuit was filed this week in hopes of overturning an arbitration ruling that requires the Postal Service to install larger lockers at its processing and distribution center in Eagan. Though it may seem inconsequential, the expense of installing larger lockers would be $200,000, according to a Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal report. The issue surfaced two years ago when the American Postal Workers Union filed a work-condition grievance against the Postal Service. In it, the union claimed employees’ existing lockers were too narrow and short to accommodate winter gear. In December, arbitrator Hamah King ordered management at the center to install lockers at least as large as those at the facilities the new center replaced. The postal service argued it would create too great of a financial burden. The federal lawsuit filed March 2 by the U.S. Attorney’s Office alleges King’s ruling “ignored relevant contract language and …

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Joseph J. LaBonne

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March 9, 2012 THISWEEK

Man charged in high- �� speed pursuit in Eagan PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE forced the vehicle to slow down using stop sticks. Jones A Minneapolis stopped in a ditch man is facing felony near Lone Oak charges in connecRoad after an offition with a highcer used the pursuit speed chase March 1 intervention techin Eagan. Steven Jones, 48, Steven Jones nique in which an officer slams his or has been charged by the Dakota County Attor- her vehicle into the suspect’s ney’s Office with fleeing a to render it immobile. peace officer in a motor ve- While searching his vehicle as well as a fifth-degree hicle, officers found a pipe, controlled substance crime. which subsequent testing The criminal complaint showed had trace amounts states the following: Of- of cocaine. ficers at around midnight Jones was immediately March 1 attempted to stop arrested. He remained in a vehicle driven by Jones, the Dakota County Jail as who was a suspect in an ear- of Wednesday afternoon. lier pursuit in Minneapolis. He is scheduled to ap Rather than pull over, pear in court March 27. Jones fled down Cedar Av- Jones has a prior conenue, exited onto Cliff Road viction of fifth-degree conand raced north on I-35E. trolled substance from 2005. At times he topped speeds Jessica Harper is at jessica. of 105 mph, police say. At I-35E under harper@ecm-inc.com. Duckwood Drive, an officer by Jessica Harper Thisweek Newspapers

Yellow Ribbon/from 1A

for instance, that the high school (Burnsville High), through Mr. (Dave) McDevitt’s community activities class, reached out and actually organized a homecoming halftime ceremony where they unfurled the flag and made collections for the Wounded Warrior campaign.” Hansen said he plans to remain active in the Yellow Ribbon campaign even after retiring from the city at the end of May. An effort to start a veterans reintegration network in Burnsville several years ago faltered – something Hansen doesn’t want repeated this time. “We made an honest effort five years ago,” he said. “I’ll be honest, it failed, because there was no continuity assurance. This has the structure to ensure continuity.”

The new website will serve as a “one-stop shop” for veterans services provided by state and county agencies, Hansen said. It will give information on local veterans events and link volunteers with families of veterans needing help with chores such as lawn mowing and snow shoveling. Area businesses that offer veterans discounts will be able to register on the site. “Valley Natural (Foods) and Jo Jo’s Rise and Wine and a lot of stores in the Burnsville Center offer military discounts,” Adams said. Through the website, the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon campaign will be able to track the activities of its committees and their work in the community, Hansen said. John Gessner is at john.gess “Right now, it’s anec- ner@ecm-inc.com. dotal,” he said. “We know,

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INVITATION FOR QUOTATIONS Student Transportation Services Burnsville School District ISD 191 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that written, sealed quotations will be received by Burnsville School District, until 10 a.m. (SST), Wednesday, April 4th, 2012, for certain Student Transportation Services. On the above date and time, authorized persons of Strategic Source, K12 Trans and Burnsville School District will publicly open the quotations received and read aloud the names of interested parties submitting quotations, the dollar amount of their quotation and other pertinent data. This meeting will be held in the Business Department at the District Center, 100 River Ridge Court, Burnsville, MN 55337 Quotations must be received by U.S. mail or delivered in person, on or before the above date and time, in a sealed envelope clearly marked "Burnsville Student Transportation Services" to: Burnsville Public Schools Jon Deutsch, Director of Operations 100 River Ridge Court Burnsville, MN 55337 The School District will hold a mandatory informational meeting for interested service providers at 10:00 a.m., March 21, 2012 at the District Center. The School District's student transportation needs that are the subject of the specifications will be reviewed and questions answered. Questions regarding the RFQ and Specifications will be accepted until March 23, 2012 at 5:00 p.m. A response to all questions received, will be provided to all interested parties by March 28th, 2012 at 5:00 p.m. via email. Quotations received after the due date and time will be rejected. Burnsville School District is using an open bid process for the services of Student Transportation Services and disclaims usage of any other options allowed under applicable law. The School District reserves the right to reject any and all quotations and waive irregularities therein and further, reserves the right to award the contract for services to the lowest responsible bid that is in the best interest of Burnsville School District. The winning quotation will be judged by a combination of price and the quality of the service as indicated in the specifications. General information and specifications may be obtained beginning March 9th, 2012, by contacting Alan Nicklaus, (anicklaus@strategicsource.com)(952-887-1642). Posted________: March 9th, and March 16th, 2012 2924975 3/9-3/16/12

PUBLIC NOTICE

DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION PROJECT The Burnsville School District 191 is proposing heating plant replacement, HVAC alternations and other capital projects at Marion Savage Elementary School. This review and comment is required because estimated costs for the project exceeded the estimate in the 2010 Review and Comment. The total cost of the project is now estimated at $1,800,000. The district will finance the project using existing funds from general obligation bonds previously issued in 2010 under M.S. § 123B.59, Subd.1, (a) Alternative Facilities Levy and Bonding. The components of the project are subject to alternative facility program approval. School board approval is required to proceed with the project. The school board believes that the Marion Savage Elementary School project is in the best interest of the district. The district shall observe the requirement in M.S. 123B.59 Subd. 8 to establish and maintain a separate account for this program in accordance with UFARS for this program; the district must meet requirement in M.S.§ 123B.59 Subd. 3 to publish notice of intended projects. REVIEW AND COMMENT STATEMENT Based upon the department's analysis of the school district's required documentation and other pertinent information from sources of the Minnesota Department of Education, the Commissioner of Education provides a positive review and comment. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE Persons desiring additional information regarding this proposal should contact the school district superintendent's office. /s/ Brenda Cassellius Dr. Brenda Cassellius Commissioner March 6, 2012 This project is being funded through proceeds from the 2011A ($16,575,000) bond issuance. The district's total indebtedness is $ 111,427,844. 2930487 3/9/12

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NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CITY OF EAGAN, DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA Project No. 1083 - Beacon Hill Road Storm Sewer Improvements NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council of the City of Eagan, Dakota County, Minnesota, will meet at the Eagan Municipal Center at 3830 Pilot Knob Road, Eagan, Minnesota 55122, on Tuesday, March 20, 2012, at 6:30 p.m., or as soon thereafter as possible. The purpose of the meeting will be to hold a public hearing on the improvements, known as Project No. 1083. The proposed project is in accordance with the preliminary engineering report dated February, 2012, prepared by the City Engineer. The estimated cost of the foregoing improvement is as follows: $29,800. The area proposed to be impacted by said improvements is described as follows: The area located within the Northwest 1⁄4 of Section 33, in Township 27, Range 23, in the City of Eagan, Dakota County, Minnesota. All persons who desire to be heard with respect to the question of whether or not the above improvements should be made shall be heard at said time and place. Dated February 21, 2012 BY ORDER OF THE CITY COUNCIL /s/ Christina M. Scipioni By: Christina M. Scipioni Eagan City Clerk 2922310 3/2-3/9/12

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PUBLIC NOTICE

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DOCUMENT 00 11 13 ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS PROJECT IDENTIFICATION: Sealed Bids will be received for the REBID of Marion Savage Elementary School Heating Plant Replacement and HVAC Alterations, 4819 West 126th Street, Savage, MN 55378, for Burnsville Eagan Savage Public Schools, Independent School District No. 191, in accordance with the Bidding Documents prepared by Armstrong, Torseth, Skold & Rydeen, Inc., Architects and Engineers, 8501 Golden Valley Road, Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN 55427-4414, Phone 763-545-3731 and their consultant Clark Engineering Corporation, Structural Engineers. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Project consist of replacing existing air handling units, replacing existing controls with a new DDC system, replace the existing steam boilers with hot water boilers including replacing steam piping with hot water piping, and upgrading the ventilation systems, with associated electrical and minor general construction work. Work consists of installing Owner furnished hot water boilers, air handling units, induction displacement units and rooftop unit. TYPE OF BIDS: Single Lump Sum Bids will be received for the total Scope of the Work for the Project to include general, mechanical, and electrical construction. BID DATE: Bids must be received on or before April 3, 2012 at 3:00 P.M., local time. DELIVERY AND OPENING OF BIDS: Bids shall be delivered to and opened at Independent School District No. 191 Administrative Services Center, 100 River Ridge Court, Burnsville, Minnesota 55337. Bids will be opened publicly and read aloud immediately after the specified time of closure for bidding period. Interested parties are invited to attend the bid opening. PROCUREMENT OF BIDDING DOCUMENTS: Bidding documents and plan holders list may be procured from: ARC (American Reprographics Company), 3005 Ranchview Lane North, Plymouth, Minnesota 55447, Phone Number: 763-694-5900; Fax Number: 763-694-0216. BID SECURITY: Bids shall be accompanied by a certified check, cashier's check or Bid Bond in the amount of 5 percent of the Base Bid submitted, made payable to the Owner, as a guarantee that the Bidder will, if awarded the Contract, enter into a Contract with the Owner in accordance with Bid submitted and the Contract Documents. TIME OF COMPLETION: Owner requires Substantial Completion of Contract Work on or before August 17, 2012. OWNER'S RIGHTS: Owner reserves the right to reject a Bid which is incomplete or irregular, the right to waive informalities or irregularities in a Bid received, and the right to accept a Bid which in the Owner's judgment is in Owner's best interests. WAGE DETERMINATION REQUIREMENTS: Contract is subject to compliance with the applicable Schedule of Prevailing Wages issued by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry. BIDS REQUESTED BY: Burnsville Eagan Savage Public School Independent School District No. 191 Administrative Services Center 100 River Ridge Court Burnsville, Minnesota 55337 2931125 3/9-3/16/12

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PUBLIC NOTICE ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

Sealed proposal bids will be received by the City of Eagan, Minnesota, in City Hall at 3830 Pilot Knob Road, until 10:30 A.M., C.D.S.T., on Thursday, March 29, 2012 at which time they will be publicly opened and read aloud for the furnishing of all labor and materials and all else necessary for the following: JOHNNY CAKE RIDGE ROAD PROJECT NO. 1047 Overlay

WESCOTT ROAD/GLACIER DRIVE PROJECT NO. 1073 Overlay

SLATER ROAD/WHISPERING WOODS 4TH AND 5TH PROJECT NO. 1076 Overlay

NORTHVIEW PARK ROAD/ BRADDOCK TRAIL/ELRENE ROAD PROJECT NO. 1077 Overlay

JOHNNY CAKE RIDGE ROAD PROJECT NO. 1078 Overlay

DENMARK AVENUE/ CLUBVIEW DRIVE PROJECT NO. 1079 Overlay

RAHN ROAD PROJECT NO. 1080 Overlay City Contract No. 12-01 Involving Approximately: 100,000 7,000 20,000 230 200 180 73,000

S.Y. Mill Bituminous Pavement L.F. Concrete Curb & Gutter Removal & Replacement TON Wear Course Bituminous SP Mixture EA Truncated Domes Detectable Warning Paver Plates S.Y. Concrete Driveway Pavement S.Y. Concrete Valley Gutter Removal & Replacement L.F. Pavement Markings Together with Miscellaneous Structure Adjustment & Site Restoration

Complete digital contract bidding documents are available at www.questcdn.com . You may download the digital plan documents for $20.00 by inputting Quest project # 1847635 on the website's Project Search page. Please contact QuestCDN.com at 952-233-1632 or info@questcdn.com for assistance in free membership registration, downloading, and working with this digital project information. Complete contract documents may also be seen at the offices of the City Clerk and City Engineer, Eagan, MN, at 3830 Pilot Knob Road, Eagan, MN 55122, Phone (651) 675-5646. Contractors desiring a hardcopy of the complete bidding documents may obtain them from the office of the City Clerk, Eagan, MN upon payment of $50.00. No money will be refunded to any person who obtains plans and specifications. Best Value Contracting Selection: This project is extensive, involving many affected property owners. Timing of the project is critical for the safety of the general public and to minimize disruption. In addition, the City has limited financial resources to commit to the project. Accordingly, the project must be accomplished with a minimum of interruption, on time, and without cost overruns. The City believes that only a contractor with good experience in constructing this kind of project is necessary. Two factors will be considered in the contractor selection process: price and performance. The process for the consideration of proposals for the award of this Project will take into account not only the Contract amount bid for construction items, but also the bidder's ability and performance on previous similar projects, within and outside the City of Eagan, and the bidder's availability of major equipment to perform this project. The evaluation criteria to be utilized will be the total proposal price divided by the aggregate average technical performance score, as determined by the technical evaluation committee. Mandatory Pre-Bid Meeting : A mandatory Pre-Bid Conference will be held at 10:30 A.M., C.D.S.T. at the Eagan Municipal Center at 3830 Pilot Knob Road on Tuesday, March 20, 2012 in the Eagan Room (2nd Floor). The purpose of the conference is to provide details and answer questions regarding the evaluation/ selection criteria that will be used, along with bid price, to select a Contractor for contract award under the Best Value Contracting Authority. Failure to attend this meeting shall eliminate an absent bidder's bid submission from contract award consideration. Attendance at the conference will be recorded. Technical Proposal Deadline: Prospective Bidders' technical proposals must be received by 10:30 A.M. C.D.S.T., Monday, March 26, 2012 at the Eagan Municipal Center at 3830 Pilot Knob Road. Each bid proposal shall be accompanied by a bidder's bond naming the City of Eagan as obligee, a certified check payable to the Clerk of the City of Eagan or a cash deposit equal to at least five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid, which shall be forfeited to the City in the event that the bidder fails to enter into a contract. The City Council reserves the right to retain the deposits of the three lowest bidders for a period not to exceed forty-five (45) days after the date and time set for the opening of the bids. No bids may be withdrawn for a period of forty-five (45) days after the date and time set for the opening of bids. Payment for the work will be by cash or check. The City reserves the right to reject any and all bids and technical proposals, to waive irregularities and informalities therein and further reserves the right to award the contract to the best interests of the City. Christina M. Scipioni, Clerk, City of Eagan 2917812 3/2-3/9/12

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE OF THE CITY OF EAGAN POLICY OF NONDISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF DISABILITY The City of Eagan is committed to the policy that all persons have equal access to its programs, services, activities, facilities and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, marital status or status with regard to public assistance. Auxiliary aids for persons with disabilities will be provided upon advance notice of at least 96 hours. If a notice of less than 96 hours is received, the City of Eagan will attempt to provide such aid. Telephone: (651) 675-5000; TDD: (651) 454-8535. 2919979 3/2-3/9/12

PUBLIC NOTICE

INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT 196 Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan Public Schools Educating our students to reach their full potential PINEWOOD ELEMENTARY BUILDING AUTOMATION SYSTEM REPLACEMENT Notice is hereby given that sealed bids will be received for the Pinewood Elementary Building Automation System Replacement by Independent School District 196, at the Facilities and Grounds Office located at 14445 Diamond Path West, Rosemount, MN 55068, until 2 p.m., March 22, 2012, at which time and place bids will be publicly opened and read aloud. Complete instructions on how to obtain Bidding Documents can be found at: http://www.district196.org/District/LegalNotices/ index.cfm. If you should have any questions regarding this bid you may contact the Facilities Department at (651) 423-7706. Joel Albright, Board Clerk Independent School District 196 2924431 3/2-3/9/12

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THISWEEK March 9, 2012

Bill/from 1A under fire for not disclosing the reasons behind the buyout. At the advice of its attorney, the district concealed nine lines of the document that exposes the existence, but not the nature, of charges Chance had filed against the district. “The point here is that people want to know what public funds are being used for,” Myhra said. “There is quite an outcry regarding

GOP/from 1A Lakeville left for her to represent. The Valley Park neighborhood in Lakeville will be in a district with Apple Valley in 57A. Holberg’s move leaves 56B open for new candidates. Lakeville school board vice-chair Roz Peterson and GOP Second Congressional District chairman Terry McCall, both Republicans, are seeking their party’s endorsement on March 17. DFLer Will Morgan, a teacher in the BurnsvilleEagan-Savage school district and former two-term House member, announced his bid last week to return to the Capitol. “I’m looking forward to the challenge,” Morgan told Thisweek last week, discussing the need for him to introduce himself to the Lakeville portion of 56B. Peterson, 46, a school board member since 2007,

Chance/from 1A The redacted lines include references to “charges pending with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights and/or Equal Opportunity Commission” and “complaint(s) made on or about Dec. 8, 2011 to the Minnesota Board of Administrators regarding Randall Clegg.” The agreement doesn’t elaborate on the charges or complaint. The unredacted copy says: “Chance has submitted documentation to the School District that she has withdrawn all charges pending with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights and/or Equal Opportunity Commission, including but not limited to the Charge referenced in the e-mail dated Dec. 9, 2011 to Mario Hernandez at the Minnesota Department of Human Rights.” It continues: “Chance has submitted documentation to the School District that she has withdrawn complaint(s) made on or about Dec. 8, 2011 to the Minnesota Board of Administrators regarding Randall Clegg.” Another condition in the redacted portion of the agreement is that Chance withdraw “all data requests made to the School District under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act.” Elsewhere in the agreement, Chance relinquishes rights to any claims, “past and present, known or unknown,” against the district for a range of possible violations, including violation of the state Human Rights Act, the Equal Employment Opportunity Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act and other civil rights laws. Discrimination was the charge in the Department of Human Rights case. Chance “contacted our office to begin the process of filing a charge of discrimination” with the department, Hernandez, the department’s legislative and communty affairs director, wrote in an email response to the news-

the situation that’s happening in Independent School District 191, with over a quarter of a million dollars settlement. People want answers. They also really want education funding to go to pay for what’s happening in the classroom, for students to be learning.” The bill, which amends the personnel-data section of the Minnesota Data Practices Act, may not be lawyer-proof. It adds to the definition of public data “a settle-

ment agreement for a lump sum payment made in lieu of salary or other compensation, or any agreement settling any dispute.” The bill makes public the terms of any agreement “or other arrangement” arising from an employee relationship, including a buyout. That phrase replaces one which says that the terms of any agreement “settling any dispute” must be public. The law already requires “specific reasons” for buy-

outs that exceed $10,000 in public money. That’s where disclosure becomes tricky, according to Mark Anfinson, general counsel for the Minnesota Newspaper Association. The law is ambiguous in setting forth what kinds of “reasons” should be disclosed in a separation agreement, he said. District 191’s lawyer, Maggie Wallner of Kennedy and Graven, maintains that, for example, the fact that Chance and the

district “wish to terminate their employment agreement” constitutes a reason. It’s hardly the kind of “reason” angry residents and teachers in the district are clamoring for. But government bodies often cite reasons such as “save on legal fees” or “end the dispute” to dodge controversies in separation agreements, Anfinson said. “That way the public bodies don’t have to discuss the bad stuff,” he said. Strengthening the law to

provide a wider definition of “reasons” is also tricky. That could violate data privacy law by disclosing employee information that is private under the law, according to Anfinson. Myhra’s bill passed the House Education Finance Committee on Tuesday and was headed for the Civil Law Committee, Anfinson said.

made her announcement in a Facebook post on Monday, March 5, indicating that she had been asked to run for the seat. “I want to be able to address having a great working environment for jobs that is more conducive to job creation,” Peterson told Thisweek. She said that though she is a longtime Lakeville resident and has been involved extensively in that community, she has significant ties to Burnsville as well. Peterson, who works in commercial real estate, is a member of the Burnsville Chamber of Commerce and has been doing business in the city for years, she said. Peterson is also chair of the Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce. Peterson’s role as the Dakota County district director for the Minnesota School Boards Association offers her an insight into the broader view of educational

issues. “My involvement with MSBA has allowed me to be in front of state and federal issues,” Peterson said, referring to the times she has testified before the state Legislature and met with federal representatives. Because she is two years into her school board term, Peterson would need to resign from her seat, leaving an opening on the board. McCall, 63, of Burnsville, announced his run on March 4. In an interview with Thisweek, McCall said his advantages over Peterson lie with his more than 20 years of experience as a resident and political participant in Burnsville, though “I would never hold her youth and inexperience against her.” “My activist role, or more political involvement, over the decades in Burnsville might give (me) a bit of an edge there with the delegates and alternates who ul-

timately make the decision,” he said. As to his political leanings, McCall said he was “more of a constitutionalist” when it comes to efficient, limited government. “I know a lot of Tea Party folks,” he said. “I’ve been to some of their functions. I’ve been a Ron Paul supporter, and was an alternate for him at the (GOP) national convention in 2008.” McCall recently campaigned to be the chair of the Minnesota GOP, in a bid to replace Tony Sutton. Pat Shortridge won that contest. Lakeville School Board Member Bob Erickson had been considering a run for the GOP endorsement in 56B. His last bid for state office was in 2010, when he ran against Lakeville attorney Dave Thompson for endorsement for the Lakeville-Farmington state Senate seat Thompson now occupies. Thompson won

the endorsement and was elected. Peterson said that “obviously Bob is a friend of mine and somebody I respect. I didn’t want to move forward without his ‘blessing,’ so to speak.” By running in the new 58A, Holberg ostensibly maintains the GOP trifecta that consists of herself, state Rep. Pat Garofalo of Farmington and Thompson of Lakeville. She also then is able to run for re-election in more familiar territory. State residency requirements likely mean that Holberg, who has been in the House since 1999, will have to move to the new district upon winning the seat. She currently lives in northwest Lakeville, near Peterson. “I will miss those of you who will be in the new Senate District 56,” she wrote, “but will be working with you to make sure that the Republican candidate in the open seat in Lakeville/

Burnsville will join me in the 2013 Republican majority House Caucus.” Thompson said at the time of Holberg’s announcement that he was glad she seeks to remain in his Senate district. “She has been a model member of the House for all the years she has been there,” he said. “I look forward to continuing to work with her, both personally and professionally.” Thisweek has been unable to connect with Holberg, despite the newspaper’s multiple voice mail messages left with her staff. The endorsing convention is at Burnsville City Hall on Saturday morning, March 17. Sign-in begins at 8:30 a.m. Burnsville Editor John Gessner contributed to this report. Aaron Vehling is at aaron.vehling@ecm-inc. com or www.facebook.com/ thisweeklive.

paper. “Prior to the charge being filed, Ms. Chance decided not to pursue her charge of discrimination.” Stan Mack, executive director of the Board of School Administrators, said he couldn’t confirm or deny the existence of a complaint. He cited state data privacy law. Under the agreement, which the School Board approved in January, Chance resigned voluntarily on Feb. 1. She was paid $254,815 to sit out the last 18 months of a two-year contract, which the agreement says includes salary, leaves and other benefits due her. Interest in the already inflamed case was heightened by a stormy School Board listening session March 1 (see related story) attended by about 200 people, many of them teachers. Speakers blasted the board for making such a large payout without explaining the circumstances of the settlement. Some called for all board members to resign. Hill, one of two board members conducting the session, told the crowd the board is seeking an advisory opinion from a state agency on whether it properly interpreted the Minnesota Data Practices Act when it redacted part of the agreement on the advice of its attorney. The district said on its website an opinion is forthcoming on or before April 17.

tive structure that will benefit employees, and also enhance the district’s ability to provide more effective service to our employees. Her collaboration with the school board, staff and the utilization of outside resources were all part insuring (sic) success.” Clegg’s letter, dated Jan. 16, also lauded Chance, who came to the district in July 2010, as an effective change agent. “Dr. Chance’s attention to detail was evident as she successfully managed restructuring of the human resources department while simultaneously supporting major changes in the district health insurance plan, changes in contracting substitute services, implementing significant staff reductions due to budget reductions, and coordinating department software system upgrades,” it reads. When confronted with “a variety of challenging and unique employee situations,” Chance was “clear and forthright in addressing the specific situation while maintaining a sharp focus on the district’s educational mission.”

2 that it “cannot confirm or deny that the newspaper has printed redacted information from the separation agreement, because to do so would release private data.” “Complaints can be made to state agencies, and they must be accepted for processing regardless of whether or not there is any merit to the allegations. If fact, most complaints made to agencies

are dismissed. “But to get a dismissal, the employer must spend significant money and time — even for claims that have no merit whatsoever. When employers are faced with potential litigation, they have to consider the cost of defense versus settlement — and that is especially true for a public school district. To do otherwise would be acting irre-

sponsibly.” The district redacted part of the agreement to protect it from liability should the state or a court determine that the data is private, it said. In that case, the district’s liability would be “in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.”

Letters of recommendation

Hill’s letter of recommendation, dated Jan. 13, said he “highly” recommends Chance for “any leadership position in the area of human resources.” She managed a “complete overhaul” of the district’s human resources operation “with a great deal of professionalism. “This type of change can be difficult for staff and employees to understand and accept. She was able to move the district to a more effec-

District responds to Thisweek story

The district said in a statement after a version of this story was posted on Thisweek’s website March � ��

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John Gessner is at john.gessner@ecm-inc.com.

Sports 8A

March 9, 2012 THISWEEK

Eagles win seventh straight state title Four Apple Valley wrestlers earn individual titles by Andy Rogers Thisweek Newspapers

No surprises here. Apple Valley High School’s wrestling team brought home several pounds of hardware after winning its 20th state team title last weekend, and Eagle grapplers lined the podium at the individual tournament. The Eagles had four individual champions, one runner-up, three third-place finishes, one fourth and one sixth at the Class AAA state individual tournament. Few wrestlers were as excited after their wins as Brandon Kingsley, who claimed his fourth state title. As a senior, he knew this would be his last chance to go out on top in high school. “It’s what you train for,” Kingsley said. “All the years spent in the practice room to the point where you can barely walk out, it’s been worth it.” He defeated Eastview’s Mitch Rechtzigel, one of his best friends, by a score of 6-3 in the final. Mark Hall won his second state title. As an eighth

Photo by Rick Orndorf

Apple Valley’s Maolu Woiwor celebrates after winnning the state title at 106 pounds. grader he’s well aware there’s potential to win six in Minnesota. He went 43-0 this season, finishing it off with a pin over a senior in the

state final. “I’ll wrestle bad if I get ahead of myself,” Hall said. “My coaches told me I can’t win six state titles this year. I can only win my second.” Two wrestlers won their first state titles for Apple Valley. Maolu Woiwor won at 106 pounds and Seth Gross was the champion at 120. Dayton Racer was the runner-up at 138, losing a close match by two points in the final. Dakota Trom placed third at 132 after losing to the eventual state champion, Forest Lake’s Ben Morgan, in the quarterfinal. Mason Manville (152) and Ben Sullivan (170) both brought home the bronze, and Shamar Williams wrestled to fourth at 126. Daniel Woiwor dropped to sixth as the result of two injury defaults. Apple Valley may not have reached the win total of the past two years when seven individuals won state titles in 2010 and 2011, but of the team’s 13 state entrants, just three (Trom, Kingsley, Sullivan) are seniors. The

Photo by Rick Orndorf

Apple Valley’s Mark Hall won his second state title over the weekend at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. rest of the team’s place winners were eighth, ninth and 10th graders along with junior Daniel Woiwor. “We’re a young team,” eighth-grader Hall said. “You never know what’s going to happen. People say that last year Apple Valley had the best wrestling team Minnesota has ever seen. Next year we have to work hard to become the best team the nation has ever seen. Even though we were young, we still wanted to be the most prepared team in the state.” While the atmosphere in the locker room was intense as ever, Kingsley noticed a difference this year in the youthful mood. “This was one of my fa-

vorite teams I’ve been on,” Kingsley said. “The energy is so much more. People say I talk so much. Having these kids with such high energy and keeping the mood up was great. I’ve had to be a leader this year. You’ve got the eighth and ninth graders walking in with high school kids. … They worked just as hard as everybody else.” Hard work was a common theme among all the Apple Valley wrestlers. Wrestlers often comment on how it’s steel sharpening steel. “You look left and there’s a three-time state champion,” Hall said. “Look right and there’s a four-time state champion. ... We work by far the hardest. One of the

hardest practices I’ve ever been through in my life. My first practice I cried.” The Eagles won their seventh consecutive state team title on March 1, defeating St. Michael-Albertville 49-24 in the final. In the final, Maolu Woiwor (106 pounds), Williams (126), Trom (132), Racer (138), Hall (145), Manville (152) Kingsley (160), Sullivan (170) and Daniel Woiwor (182) were victorious. Williams, Trom, Hall, Manville, Kingsley, Maolu Woiwor and Daniel Woiwor were named to the all-tournament team in Class 3A. Andy Rogers is at andy. rogers@ecm-inc.com.

Brotherhood of Wildcats hopes Irish win two events at state Stern champ at to make weekend special the breaststroke, 200 medley relay wins gold

Eagan boys hockey team qualifies for state for second straight season

by Andy Rogers Thisweek Newspapers

When the Eagan High School boys hockey team’s first line steps onto the ice this weekend at the Class AA state tournament at the Xcel Energy Center, friends will be watching from the best seat in the house: the bench. With several brothers on the team, the Wildcats often feel like one, big, supercompetitive family. “I feel like our team is one big brotherhood,” senior captain Will Merchant said. “We’re all so close. We hang out. We have two sets of twins. We feel like we’re all brothers.” The story of the boys’ hockey careers together is about to reach its climax. The senior-heavy Wildcats will play in the state tournament this weekend for the second straight season. It’s one last opportunity for the seniors to play the game they grew up with together and go out on top. “This group of seniors is so special,” head coach Mike Taylor said. “They are so tight. They are such good friends and they love to compete. Our small-area games in practice are way more hatchet fests than (games). They battle. They work hard at their skills. They love to compete.” Many of the Wildcats have been on the ice together since their youth hockey days in Mites. Taylor is also a middle school teacher in Eagan, so he knew what was in store as the head hockey coach years ago. “They were the rat pack of our whole school,” Taylor said. “Some teachers like that. Some teachers, it drives them crazy. They’ve been like this since they were 10.” The 2011-12 season has been their playing peak, with just three losses in the 2011-12 season. “It’s been the most fun season I’ve ever had,” senior captain Michael Zajac said. “These guys are unbelievable to play with. We’re all

Photo by Rick Orndorf

Eagan boys hockey players celebrate after winning the Section 3AA title last week for the right to play at the state tournament this weekend. such good friends. One thing Eagan also has this year is experience. Last March the Wildcats lost to eventual state champions Eden Prairie 5-1 in the semifinal. “Hopefully they’ve learned that the first one isn’t the only one,” Taylor said. “We threw all of our energy in that first one last year. I think we were flat against the second one and we got mad and played a team that was flat. I would hope they understand it takes three good performances, not just one big day.” Eagan bounced back to defeat Edina for third place. The experience was worth the effort to get back to state again this season with nearly every player back. “We get to play in front of 18,000 people,” Zajac said. “We just have to go in with full confidence. There’s so many people who want to play in the state tournament. I’m just lucky enough to get to play it twice.” The Wildcats advanced to the state tournament after winning the Section 3AA title on March 1 at the Coliseum at the Minnesota Fair Grounds. The section final was quite a bit different the past two years for the Wildcats. In 2010 and 2011, the Wildcats played two tight games against Apple Valley that

weren’t decided until either overtime or late in the third period. This time around, the outcome looked inevitable by the end of the first period. Eagan defeated Hastings 10-1. The Wildcats made quick work of the Section 3AA field, outscoring teams 29-2 in three games. “I think we’re playing our best hockey of the season,” Zajac said. “Everyone from the goalie to our fourth line are playing great.” Tommy Nowariak, Cody Mason, Derick Kuchera, Nick Kuchera, Eric Peterson, Cullen Willox, Will Merchant, and Zach Glienke all scored goals while Will Peterson had two. Tommy Muck had three assists, and Sam Wolfe and Nick Smallidge each had two. As the No. 3 seed, Eagan is scheduled to play Moorhead, the team’s same quarterfinal opponent in 2011, at 1 p.m. at the Xcel Energy Center on Thursday. Last season Eagan shut out Moorhead 4-0. With a victory, the Wildcats would move on to play the winner between No. 2 Maple Grove and Hill-Murray at 6 p.m. on Friday. Visit www.ThisweekLive.com for updates. Andy Rogers is at andy. rogers@ecm-inc.com.

The Rosemount boys swimming and diving team brought home gold medals in the 200-yard medley relay and 100 breaststroke from the Class AA state meet last weekend at the University of Minnesota. At the beginning of the season, Rosemount’s 200 medley relay had a goal of winning a state title. Last season the same four swimmers – Braden McCormack, Jacob Stern, Luke Dowell and Conor Manning – were second in the state behind Eden Prairie. “It was quite the storybook ending for a great season,” head coach Patti Wegner said. “The majority of our guys at the state meet were seniors, so I am happy that they could all end their careers on such a high note. All of their hard work really paid off.” McCormack, Stern, Dowell and Manning swam the relay in 1 minute, 33.37 seconds, breaking the Class AA state meet record set by Eden Prairie last year. Rosemount went in hoping for a rematch with Eden Prairie, but the Eden Prairie swimmers that set the Class AA record last season switched to the 200

Photo by Rick Orndorf

Rosemount’s Luke Dowell swims the butterfly at state. and 400 freestyle relays. The lineup change worked for Eden Prairie as the Eagles won the two freestyle relay events and took the state team championship by more than 100 points, but for one event it was all Rosemount. The relay was nearly stroke for stroke with Minnetonka at first, but Stern’s breaststroke ability gave the Irish the lead on the second leg, and Manning left everyone in his wake in the final leg. Their time nearly broke Minnesota’s all-time state meet record, missing by six hundredths of a second. Stern was also the star in the 100 breaststroke. He won the gold medal in 57.46 seconds, a lifetime best and one second ahead of Burnsville’s Ben Albert. “He really wanted it and went after it right away,” Wegner said. “He went out fast and then just kept going. He is the hardest worker I have ever met and I am glad that he could go out on top. He of course wished he could’ve gone faster, but it was his best time ever and he broke his

own school record again.” Stern was also 14th in the 200 individual medley. The 200 freestyle relay won the silver medal thanks to the efforts of Sheldon Hatlen, Dowell, Stern and Manning. Eden Prairie won the event and set the all-time state meet record. Hatlen, Urness, Braden McCormack and Dowell finished sixth in the 400 freestyle relay. Braden McCormack charged to third in the 100 backstroke. Manning earned another spot on the podium by finishing fifth in the 50 freestyle, about a half-second out of first. Hatlen swam in the 100 freestyle finals, finishing seventh. Urness was 16th in the 200 freestyle and 13th in the 500 freestyle. Dowell was 11th in the 100 butterfly and Matthew McCormack was 15th in the 100 backstroke. The team placed fourth overall, 28 points behind Minnetonka and Maple Grove, which tied for second. Andy Rogers is at andy. rogers@ecm-inc.com.

Rechtzigel brings home the silver medal Senior leaves high marks in the record books at Eastview by Andy Rogers Thisweek Newspapers

Mitch Rechtzigel is the highest finisher at the state wrestling tournament that Eastview High School has had in more than a decade. Rechtzigel left the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul on Saturday night wearing the silver medal after coming in second in the 160-pound weight class behind Apple Valley’s Brandon Kingsley. It was Rechtzigel’s first trip to state. Last year he was third in Section 3AAA behind the eventual state

champion and state runner-up. “I worked hard to get up to their level,” Rechtzigel said. “I was hoping to close the gap a little more – get a little closer. “I have no complaints. It’s been a lot of hard work and it’s been worth it.” On his way to the state final, Rechtzigel defeated Centennial’s Blake Solberg 17-2, St. Cloud Tech’s Bryant Amundson 10-1 and Lakeville North’s Anton Kalista 6-0. It was nice for Rechtzigel to hear the announcer say Eastview at the state tournament for once. “People aren’t used to seeing somebody from the other side of Apple Valley in the finals,” he said. “It was nice to see. I hope it’s just the start.”

Kingsley, who won his fourth state title last weekend, said it was special to see Rechtzigel there. “We’ve wrestled together ever since we were five,” said Kingsley, who beat Rechtzigel 6-3 in the final. “It’s always been back and forth. I’m so glad he finally made it to state this year.” Rechtzigel went down as the career wins and takedowns leader at Eastview. He broke Adam Fokken’s record set in 2001 when he won a state title; Rechtzigel is the highest state place winner since then. Teammate BJ Groskreutz went 0-1 and Jacob Rukavina 0-2 at state.

Andy Rogers is at andy. rogers@ecm-inc.com.

THISWEEK �� March��9,�� 2012 �� 9A ��

Blaze fall in the section final

Photo by Brian Nelson

Burnsville’s Tyler Sheehy, No. 22, gets physical against Edina in the Section 2AA final last week. The Blaze lost to Edina 6-3 in the Section 2AA championship game Feb. 29 at Mariucci Arena, marking the third time in five years a playoff loss to the Hornets has kept Burnsville out of the state tournament. Despite being outshot 37-14, Burnsville (17-10-1) pulled even at 3-3 when senior forward Cory Chapman beat Edina goalie Willie Benjamin with a sharp-angle shot at 4:46 of the third period. But the Hornets took control later in the period with two goals 33 seconds apart, then added an empty-net goal with 53 seconds remaining. Jake Maxson and Tyler Sheehy scored the other two goals. “I feel bad for the kids,” head coach Janne Kivihalme said. “They’ve been so close the last couple of years, worked so hard, but they haven’t been able to get past Edina. All we can do next year is work hard and hopefully we’ll get to this game again.”

Blaze wrestler just misses out on championship Andy Underhill battles for 120-pound title by Mike Shaughnessy Thisweek Newspapers

He was facing a wrestler who had beaten him just one week earlier, but Burnsville’s Andy Underhill went in with confidence in his game plan and ability. “You’ve just got to have confidence and have your head in the game,” he said. “Otherwise, you can’t really expect to win.” Underhill almost closed his high school career with the biggest victory of all. He had a three-point lead over Apple Valley’s Seth Gross in the second period before losing 5-4 in the 120-pound championship match at the state Class 3A individual tournament March 3. Gross and Underhill went into the tournament ranked first and second in that weight class by The Guillotine. Leading 2-1 in the second period and starting in the down position, Underhill narrowly avoided being put on his back, then scored a reversal for a 4-1 lead. Before the period was over, however, Gross escaped and then scored a takedown to tie the match.

his junior year – Gross escaped the first time he early in the third has done so – apperiod and held peared to pay off the lead until the for Underhill. He final whistle. Unfinished fifth in a derhill was trying loaded bracket at to lift Gross for a 130 pounds in the takedown attempt Underhill state junior freewhen time expired. One week earlier, Gross style championships in pinned Underhill in the April 2011. second period in the Class Sand, the Blaze’s first3A, Section 3 champion- year head coach, said “it’s really all about confidence ship match. In the rematch, “I with him. He’s the best thought I did OK, but it wrestler I’ve had in four could have been better,” years as a coach, and he needed to know how good Underhill said. “Even though he was he was.” pinned the last time they Although he came up wrestled, we knew if Andy just short in his effort to be was able to stay off his Burnsville High School’s back, he’d have a good first state wrestling chamchance to win this match,” pion since 1977, another Burnsville coach Sam Underhill has two more Sand said. “He believed he years to take a shot at it. was going to win, too.” Sophomore Billy Under This was Underhill’s hill had a 30-win season third trip to the Xcel En- and finished third in Secergy Center for the state tion 3 at 106. tournament but the first “I think he will be a time he has medaled. He state champion,” Andy was 31-12 as a sophomore Underhill said of his and qualified for state at brother. 112 pounds. Last year he Burnsville senior Harry was 29-10 and reached Bramley qualified for state state at 119. at 145 but lost his two “He’s only been wres- matches to finish 26-19. tling since eighth grade, which is later than a lot Eagan wrestlers of other kids (at the state fourth, fifth tournament) started,” Eagan senior Mitch Sand said. Wrestling in the high Johnson, making his third school off-season after appearance at the state

tournament, earned his first medal by finishing fourth at 220. Johnson, who went into the tournament ranked fifth in the weight class, defeated No. 1-ranked Nick Edling of St. Michael-Albertville 2-0 in the first round. He beat Justin Wheaton of Robbinsdale Armstrong 4-0 in the second round before losing to Hastings’ Isaac Eichmann 4-1 in the semifinals. Johnson, 31-3, won one wrestleback match before losing to Owatonna’s Coyte Kuefner for third place. The previous two seasons, Johnson wrestled at state as a heavyweight. This year Eagan junior Colin Fisher reached state in that weight class and finished fifth. Fisher (33-7) beat Tanner Lowe of Coon Rapids 3-2 in overtime in the fifth-place match. It was the last of three overtime victories for Fisher at the state tournament. He was 4-2 at state, with his losses by one and two points. Mike Shaughnessy is Dakota County sports editor for Sun Newspapers

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12A

March 9, 2012 THISWEEK

Clint and Gloria Racine

Mary Doran

‘Stars of the North’ recognized U.S. Rep. John Kline, RLakeville, honored Eagan residents Clint and Gloria Racine and members of the United Methodist Church with Congressional Certificates of Special Recognition at his sixth annual “Star of the North” ceremony at the Lakeville Area Arts Center. Eagan Culver’s franchisee owners Clint and Gloria

Racine sponsor a number of blood drives each year to benefit the Red Cross. Additionally, they provide other incentives for people to give blood, including a “Pint for Pint” promotion. Kline honored members of the United Methodist Church who traveled to Haiti to help rebuild homes destroyed by the 2010 earth-

quake. A team has been making the trip since 2001. Team member Mary Doran accepted the award. To nominate a resident of the 2nd District for a “Star of the North” award, visit http://kline.house.gov and click on the “Star of the North Nomination” link under “Contact Us.”

Eagan Briefs

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Wedding workshop set March 18 The Eagan Community Center will host the eighth annual Wedding Workshop from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 18. Admission is $2 at the door. The Eagan Community Center is located at 1501 Central Parkway. Call (651) 675-5550 or visit www.eagancommunitycenter.com for more details.

City seeks advisory commission members The city of Eagan is looking for applicants for several commissions that advise the City Council. There are up to 12 openings on Eagan advisory commissions and two openings on a multi-city watershed management board. Terms are for two years each. Applications are due March 28 for vacancies on the Advisory Planning Commission, the Advisory

Parks Commission, the Airport Relations Commission, and the Energy & Environment Advisory Commission. If interested, the same application form can be considered for appointment to the Gun Club Lake Watershed Management Organization. Application forms can be found on the city’s website at www.cityofeagan.com under the “About Eagan” tab or forms may be picked up at the Eagan Municipal Center, 3830 Pilot Knob Road. Descriptions of each commission are also available on the website. For questions, call assistant city administrator Dianne Miller at (651) 675-5014.

Home & Leisure Show is March 16-17 The Eagan Civic Arena will host its 13th annual Home & Leisure Show March 16 and 17. Admission and parking are free. There will be a variety of free seminars throughout

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the two days. Show hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. More than 80 vendors will showcase their home and leisure products and services. Visit www.eagancivicarena.com for a complete list of vendors and a schedule of free seminars.

Peer support group offered in Eagan A NAMI Connection peer support group for adults recovering from mental illness meets weekly in Eagan. The free group is sponsored by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Minnesota. Trained facilitators who are also in recovery lead NAMI Connection groups. The group meets at 7 p.m. Mondays (except the third Monday) at Advent Methodist Church, 3495 Lexington Ave. S., Eagan. For more information, contact Cristina at (651) 283-4821, or call NAMI at (651) 645-2948.

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THISWEEK March 9, 2012

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Thisweekend Bach featured at Baroque Bash

Pop hits, sans instruments A cappella group Home Free plays the Lakeville arts center March 10

by Andrew Miller Thisweek Newspapers

Photo by submitted

The Dakota Valley Symphony will present Baroque Bash concerts at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday, March 18, at the Burnsville Performing Arts Center, 12600 Nicollet Ave. Baroque music fans will have the opportunity to hear Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 4. Solo pianist Elise Molina, pictured above, will play Bach’s Piano Concerto in F minor. Tickets range from $5 to $15 and can be purchased in person at the box office, or via Ticketmaster at (800) 982-2787 or Ticketmaster.com.

Shamrock Film Fest’s main event is Saturday, March 10 Top entries in this year’s Shamrock Film Festival will be shown Saturday, March 10, at the Steeple Center in Rosemount. The Best of Show event runs from 6 to 9 p.m. and features screenings of winning films in the festival’s various categories, followed by an awards ceremony. Admission is $5. The judging this year is being done by a panel of three local filmmaking professionals, and they’ll be present at the Best of Show event to give feedback on

their choices. The festival includes categories for amateur and professional films, local and foreign films, and movies by youths 15 and under. Money, movie tickets and filmmaker-association memberships are among the prizes that will be handed out to winning filmmakers, according to festival director Beth Adams. More about the festival, now in its fourth year, can be found at www.shamrockfilmfest.com.

A bit of the Irish

Don’t be surprised if some of the guys in Minnesota-based Home Free Vocal Band are sporting some very un-Minnesotan tans at their concert this weekend at the Lakeville Area Arts Center. As regular performers on Royal Caribbean cruise ships, they’ve been getting plenty of sun in recent months. Last week saw the band visiting Jamaica, Honduras and other tropical locales. “Every three of four weeks we’ll go out on a cruise – we perform two shows on one night, and the rest of the week we’re passengers,” said Home Free tenor Matt Atwood. “We get to kind of be tourists for a living. It’s a pretty good deal.” The a cappella group will be taking the Lakeville arts center stage at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 10, for an all-ages concert that features classic and contemporary pop hits, performed with only the human voice and microphones. Home Free’s set list includes songs by bands ranging from the Beatles and the Beach Boys to Jason Mraz and Train. “We try to do a show that appeals to everybody,” Atwood said. “We’ll take a song like ‘Rockin’ Robin’ – the parents and the grandparents love it, but because we’re a cappella we do it with a beat-boxer so it appeals to young people, too.” Home Free formed in 2001 when Atwood, his

Photo submitted

Home Free’s family-oriented concerts feature classic and contemporary hits, performed with only the human voice and microphones. The a cappella group covers songs by bands ranging from the Beatles and the Beach Boys to Jason Mraz and Train. Mankato East High School classmate Adam Rupp, and Rupp’s brother Chris decided to put together a vocal group in order to enter a church talent show. It’s snowballed from there. “Our first incarnation was just that church talent show thing, but after that we found people wanted to hire us for Christmas parties, nursing home shows and company events,” Atwood said. “We were like, ‘Wow, maybe we can make money at this.’ Now it’s a full-time gig for all of us.” Tickets for the Home Free concert are $15 for adults, $8 for seniors and students, and are available in person at the arts

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Locklin Road will celebrate the cultural heritage of Ireland with live Irish music in a pub-like setting at the Lakeville Area Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 17, St. Patrick’s Day. The venue will provide an assortment of Irish-influenced appetizers, dessert, coffee, and a cash bar. Tickets are $15 and are available at the Lakeville Area Arts Center, 20965 Holyoke Ave. Advance purchase is recommended. Call (952) 985-4640 for more information.

theater and arts briefs ShamROCKS and Shenanigans music festival Best Western Premier Nicollet Inn, 14201 Nicollet Ave S., Burnsville, will present ShamROCKS and Shenanigans, an all-day rock ’n’ roll Irish celebration on March 17, St. Patrick’s Day. Performances will include Momentary Lapse of Floyd, Ipso Facto, Wishful Sinful featuring Jef Cerniak, Saints of Circumstance and more. A pool party will begin at 3 p.m. with a special musical guest. All-night music in the ballroom will start at 5:30 p.m. with doors opening at 5 p.m. Tickets are available at www.jambasetickets.com, $10 in advance, $15 at the show. Adults only. A special room rate will be available. Call (952) 4352100 for more information.

Art Fete opens in Burnsville The Burnsville Visual Arts Society will hold its 30th annual member art show, Art Fete, March 8 through April 14 at the Burnsville Performing Arts Center, 12600 Nicollet Ave. This year’s exhibit will feature the artwork of more than 65 BVAS artist members. Artwork on display at

the show can be purchased by calling (952) 895-4685. The exhibit is free and open to the public during gallery hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

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is at www.homefreevocalband.com. Andrew Miller is at andrew. miller@ecm-inc.com.

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center, by calling (952) 9854640 and online at www. ci.lakeville.mn.us under the “Lakeville Area Arts Center” link. More about Home Free

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March 9, 2012 THISWEEK

Anger/from 1A under the contract, according to the agreement. Since the March 1 board session, it’s been revealed that Chance had filed charges with the state Department of Human Rights and a complaint against Superintendent Randy Clegg with the state Board of School Administrators (see related story). Those facts, contained within the separation agreement, had been blacked out on the advice of the district’s attorney. Chance withdrew those charges under terms of the buyout. While those revelations reveal little about the nature of the dispute between the district and Chance, even that scant information wasn’t known to the anxious throng at the March 1 listening session. It’s inexcusable to pay that kind of money without giving the public answers, Burnsville resident Joel Smetanka, a father of three, told Board Chair Ron Hill and Board Member DeeDee Currier, who conducted the session. “Most of us look at this and what we see are teaching jobs disappearing; we see class sizes increasing,” Smetanka said, questioning why Chance was hired in the first place. Linda Kraemer of Burnsville questioned why Chance – who worked 18 months for the Burnsville-Eagan-Savage district – was given a twoSkype/from 1A iors, or video visitors wearing inappropriate clothing or sharing criminal information. If a violation occurs, the inmate and caller can be blacklisted from the system. Since distance video visiting started in January, there has only been one infraction, said Todd Westby, TurnKey’s general manager. “The response has been overwhelmingly positive,” Westby said. “Kids can visit with mom and dad in jail and not have to come into the jail environment.” He said families have passed around a laptop at the dinner table to interact with an inmate, show them a holiday meal and bake cake while on the call. “One couple even got married,” Westby said. Dakota County Sheriff Dave Bellows said video visiting saves jail staff from having to escort inmates to visitation areas, and keeps visitors from having to find transportation to see their friend or family member in jail. To use the system, visitors register at Inmatecanteen. com, set up an account and

year contract after her first year with the district. “Frankly, I’m stunned,” said Mark Nesvig of Savage, accusing the board and Clegg of “arrogance.” “I just don’t see how this district moves forward with the leadership we’ve got in place,” said Nesvig, whose call for board members’ resignations was greeted with whoops and clapping. “I just couldn’t possibly imagine voting for a levy with you, Mr. Hill, or anybody else who supported this package” in office, Nesvig said. The many teachers in the audience included Andy Karageorgiou, who alluded to larger morale problems stemming from Chance’s tenure in the district. “Some people in this room have not been listening,” said the Metcalf Junior High social studies teacher. “Teachers have tried to communicate. Parents have tried to communicate. ... Some of the way people have been treated over the last few years has not been right.” Retired teacher Dale Bedard said the “pride” in the district over his 35-year tenure has been eroded “lately, since we’ve had a new superintendent.” Clegg, who hired Chance, came to the district in July 2008, replacing Ben Kanninen. Ron Melen of Burnsville invoked the word “Watergate.” “Don’t cover up,” he told Hill and Currier. “We don’t want a Watergate here. Be provide a credit card to call the jail. During daytime hours, inmates are allowed to receive calls in their housing unit, unless they are in a class or on lockdown. Inmates are limited to one call per hour, and if behavioral issues arise, phone privileges are taken away. Funds raised through the phone and canteen system are shared between the jail and TurnKey. Hart said the jail’s canteen funds are used for rehabilitation programs intended to expand inmates’ options once released from jail. “I’m not one that is going to spend a lot of money on cuisine, but I’m going to put it into programs,” Bellows said. Since the system went live, the jail has received between $2,800 and $3,300 per month, according to Westby. He said visitor traffic is down at the jail, while 44 percent of visitors are using the system, and monthly spending on phone calls more than tripled from $30 per month to $100 to $120 per inmate. “The inmates love it, because it’s not 9 to 5 Sunday only,” Westby said. Bellows said the jail will

transparent. Whether it takes six weeks or six months, we want to know.” Some speakers called for all board members to show their faces. Hill said the session wasn’t a formal meeting, so gathering a quorum of board members would violate the open-meeting law. But Board Member Paula Teiken stepped forward to address the crowd. “I feel terrible about the distress that this has caused our district,” Teiken said. “It’s difficult to understand. It looks like we’re choosing not to speak. We’re following the advice of our attorney” in choosing what to disclose. She urged people to reconsider statements about future levy referendums. “I want you to be mindful, you can vote board members in or out,” Teiken said. “But the children that are receiving those levy funds are our students and our future.” The district, under pressure from the Star Tribune and Pioneer Press newspapers, is seeking an advisory opinion from the state on whether the information it included in, and redacted from, the separation agreement satisfies disclosure requirements under data privacy law. An opinion is expected on about April 23 from the Department of Administration’s Information Policy Analysis Division, Hill told the crowd.

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continue to offer on-site visitation, which also takes place using video screens. The 20-year-old system is being updated at a cost of about $12,000 to $15,000. Whether the distance video visiting remains a part of the upgrade is still undecided, Bellows said. “I want to make sure the technology is working right for us,” he said. TurnKey President Patrick McMullan said technology is eliminating older modes of communication, and predicted Skype-like systems will appear in other jails across the state and country. “You’ll never have ‘Jailbook’ like ‘Facebook,’ ” he said. “But if you look, inmates only have the ability to communicate by the U.S. Postal Service and telephone. Five years from now, the desk phone won’t exist anymore.” Bellows said at a jail administrator’s meeting that Dakota County’s distance video visiting experiment drew a lot of interest. “Sherburne County is coming here to look at the system tomorrow,” he said. Laura Adelmann is at laura. adelmann@ecm-inc.com.

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John Gessner is at john.gessner@ecm-inc.com.

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