Sports Lakeville South defeats Eagan Page 14A
Burnsville • Eagan SunThisweek.com
Jan. 11, 2019 • Volume 39 • Number 45
Established 1975
Zoning standards update may Metcalf gets frank about principal video, racial climate lead to more affordable housing Eagan council reviews residential zoning
McParland apologizes for repeating profane racial slur
by Andy Rogers SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
by John Gessner
The Eagan City Council recognizes that the city has an affordable housing issue. A 2018 survey of residents by the National Research Center revealed a lack of variety and affordable houses as two main top concerns. One way to help is to
SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
Before a gym full of parents, teachers and students at Metcalf Middle School Jan. 3, the school principal tried to atone for uttering a profane racial slur that was captured on video. At a meeting held to discuss the incident and its repercussions, Principal Shannon McParland twice apologized in brief statements. “The most important thing I need to say is I’m sorry from the bottom of my heart,” she said in tearful opening remarks. “I’m sorry I wasn’t fully understanding the power of words I said and the impact that resulted, which has caused pain and harm to this community.” The video has elicited reactions ranging from some teachers’ fear of being recorded and falsely represented by students to the contention by some students of color that it’s a symptom of a racially hostile school climate. McParland, who’s in her first year at the Burnsville school, offered no ex-
ensure the city’s residential zoning standards are conducive to more affordable houses. During a City Council workshop Tuesday, the council reviewed a citizen survey as well as zoning standards. Council members were unanimous that a change was needed. In recent years, one of the residential zoning standards, R-1S, was intended to provide some flexible lot sizes for smaller houses, but it’s led to what Council Member Paul Bakken referred to
as “McMansions on tot lots.” Council Member Cyndee Fields said “we have developers who come in and tried to take advantage” of the zoning standards. The zoning standards’ intent was to allow for a variety of housing styles in the city. There’s not a lot of vacant land in Eagan, so it allowed developers some flexibility with topography. The zoning standards allowed for smaller lots, higher maximum building See Housing, 13A
Budget: ‘None of these are easy’ District 196 School Board reviews proposed adjustments by Patty Dexter SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE Photo by John Gessner
Metcalf Middle School Principal Shannon McParland apologized Jan. 3 for uttering a profane racial slur that was captured on video. She says the video captured her repeating the words of a student who had used profanity and racial epithets against her and other staff members. cuses and asked for heal- school, Sioux Trail Eling. ementary, before coming “As a leader in this to Metcalf in a series of building, my words im- principal reassignments. pact our school — every “Harm was caused to my moment, every day,” said students.” McParland, who was prinThe seven-second video See Metcalf, 13A cipal of another Burnsville
The Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan School Board got a look at $7 million of recommended budget adjustments for the 2019-20 school year on Monday, Jan. 7. School Board members will be asked to act on the recommendations during the Feb. 11 meeting. “We know these are painful cuts. None of these are easy,” said Board Mem-
Photo by Patty Dexter
District 196 Superintendent Mary Kreger listens as Director of Finance and Operations Mark Stotts speaks on Jan. 7 to the School Board about proposed budget adjustments. ber Art Coulson. mendations presented on Superintendent Mary Monday and what was preKreger said there are no dif- sented to community memSee Budget, 17A ferences between the recom-
New Site. New Address. More Service. • • •
• • •
Events Calendar Utility Payments City News
Public Meeting Video Road Construction Updates Property Information
• • •
Job Opportunities Parks & Recreation Much More!
www.burnsvillemn.gov Index Opinion
4A
Sports
14A
Public Notices
16A
Classifieds
18A
Calendars
22A
Announcements 23A
15322 Galaxie Ave., Suite 219, Apple Valley, MN 55124 952-894-1111 News | 952-846-2033 Public Notices | 763-691-6001 Classified Advertising | 952-392-6888 Delivery | 763-712-3544
&
!""'! !
$