-PROG PAN-O ION SECT issue Included
Family Night at Eagan Market Fest offers music and more. See Thisweekend Page 14A
Thisweek Farmington-Lakeville JULY 1, 2011
in this
VOLUME 32, NO. 18
A NEWS OPINION SPORTS
www.thisweeklive.com
Messages/2A
Opinion/4A
Announcements/6A
Public Notices/8A
Sports/9A
City Council skips steps to hire David McKnight
A miracle in Lakeville Senior center plan overcomes hurdle
His city connections, experience drove decision
Lakeville City Council agrees to consider moving seniors, historical society, Yellow Ribbon group to former police station with conditions
by Laura Adelmann THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS
by Aaron Vehling THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS
The empty former police station may not be empty by September 2012. After a couple months of debate, a majority of the Lakeville City Council has agreed to pursue moving the Lakeville Senior Center, the Lakeville Historical Society and the Yellow Ribbon organization into the site across the street from the city hall. The decision was a popular one at the senior center. “(The seniors) are excited,� said senior center coordinator Linda Walter. “They know we need more space.� See Center, 8A
Classifieds/10A
Photo by Rick Orndorf
Sunday, June 26, marked the grand opening of Killebrew Field in Lakeville. The Miracle League field is designed to allow children with disabilities to enjoy baseball. Among the notable moments was when Nita Killebrew, the late Harmon Killebrew’s wife, threw the first pitch. Another was when former Minnesota Twins player and manager Frank Quilici (above) congratulated a runner for reaching first base.
Pan-O-Prog spares no fanfare in naming Speiker grand marshal Lakeville Family Bowl owner has a long history with the festival by Aaron Vehling
Unexpectedly, the Farmington City Council unanimously named David McKnight as Farmington’s new city administrator. Council members cited the lifelong Farmington resident’s David strong connection McKnight and commitment to the city as key factors in making a decision they said was difficult because of the quality of the applicants. McKnight, currently the city administrator of Mendota Heights, indicated in interviews his long-term vision for the city, which included a focus on economic development and improving the city’s bottom line. See McKnight, 6A
Search complete: Jay Haugen is new Farmington Schools superintendent Transition to begin in July; contract expected in August by Laura Adelmann
THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS
THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS
For more than 30 years, Don Speiker worked to ensure our state’s infrastructure was sound. He was a manager in the Minnesota Dehe always took off partment of Transwork for Pan-O-Prog. portation’s materiBut it was no vaals and research lab, cation. Speiker recwhich did such things ognized the delicate as conduct tests on relationship between soils to ensure they community involvecould hold bridges. ment and a good While he was dobusiness opportunity ing this, he also over for his well-located the years laid a solid Photo by Aaron Vehling establishment. foundation for down- Don Speiker is this year’s Grand “We run quite town Lakeville as Marshal for the Pan-O-Prog Grand a few events during owner of the Lakev- Parade. As owner of the Lakeville Pan-O-Prog,� he said. ille Family Bowl and Family Bowl, he’s participated in many One of the most as an active member years of the event. popular is the bowling of the Pan-O-Prog tournament. The enfestival. try fee is $10, he said, aback,� he said during a Speiker was named recent interview one after- with all of the proceeds gothe grand marshal of this noon at the Lakeville Fam- ing toward the prize. year’s Pan-O-Prog Grand ily Bowl, the downtown Speiker has been retired Parade, which starts at business he has owned from MnDOT for nearly 5:30 p.m. Saturday, July 9 since the late 1980s. “It’s four years and finds himin downtown Lakeville. an honor and a nice thing self still working nearly 40The Lakeville-born- to have happen.� hour weeks at the bowling and-raised man respondEven while he was run- alley. ed with his characteristic ning things at the MnDOT In retrospect, he said modesty when he learned labs and trying to balance he doesn’t know how he of the honor. that with ownership of the worked both jobs. He said “I was a bit taken bowling alley, Speiker said See Speiker, 8A
Jay Haugen has accepted the Farmington School Board’s unanimous June 28 offer to become Farmington Schools’ new district superintendent, subject to negotiating a contract. At the July 11 meeting, the board will officially hire Haugen, and then plans are for the board to accept Haugen’s employment agreement at its August meeting. Outgoing Superintendent Brad Meeks will stay on as superintendent of record in Farmington until July 15, when he is to begin his position as superintendent in Steamboat Springs, Colo. Haugen, 51, will begin the move from his superintendent job in the West St. Paul-Mendota HeightsEagan School District 197 to Farmington Schools, and is tentatively set to become Farmington’s superintendent of record as of July 15, said Ken LaCroix, District 192’s search consultant. Earlier in the week, the board chose against opening the search to other candidates after the district’s other finalist, St. Anthony-New
Photo by Laura Adelmann
Jay Haugen answered questions during a June 28 community forum held just before he was offered and accepted the job of Farmington Schools superintendent. Brighton School District Superintendent Rod Thompson, withdrew himself from consideration. Thompson is one of three finalists competing to be the Shakopee School District’s next superintendent. The Farmington board’s decision followed a community meeting and day-long district visit for Haugen, which included a tour of
district buildings and final interview with the board in the evening. During the community meeting, about 20 residents, primarily female, posed questions about a variety of issues, including community education and working with community members. Haugen said he supports community education, is interested in working with the community and in a separate interview with Thisweek, added that one of his primary focuses is on early childhood education. “Having students really, really ready for kindergarten is a big task. ‌ It will be one of my initiatives,â€? he said. During his final interview, Haugen emphasized the importance of keeping parents involved in their children’s education. He noted that in District 197, parents and teachers were trained to use iPads before the electronic devices were sent home with students, so the children had consistent support while using the devices for school work. School Board Chair Tera See Haugen, 8A
District 194 OKs preliminary budget amid uncertainty by Aaron Vehling THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS
When the Lakeville School Board approved the $131 million preliminary budget for 2011-12 on Tuesday night, June 28, it did so amid a statewide atmosphere of great uncertainty. At the time this story went to press on Wednesday night, Gov. Mark Dayton and the Legislature had not yet ironed out a budget deal, effectively leaving open the possibility of a shutdown of most government services and the delay of funds distribution to local school General 952-894-1111 Distribution 952-846-2070 Display Advertising 952-846-2011 Classified Advertising 952-846-2000
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come at the exact time the deficits from that arrangement would occur. Preliminary budgets are always just that – preliminary. There are subsequent votes to adapt the budget to the actual state funding levels. But this year, Klett said, that term “preliminary� is particularly relevant. “There is no budget set for schools at state level,� he said. The budget includes the recent budget adjustments and assumes the use of the aid anticipation.
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Operations The air of uncertainty surrounding state affairs trickled down to District 194. If the state were to shut down, the effects would go beyond the district borrowing to cover the gap. Tony Massaros, director of administrative services, told the board that for new teachers the state shutdown could hinder their ability to get their required teaching license. Licensure variances for community expert licenses
would also be unIf the legislative attainable until the entities came to an state government reagreement after this sumed function. story went to press, From the curthen all of those riculum perspective, concerns would director of teaching largely be moot. If and learning and Knudsen the state shutdown interim Superintendid occur, however, dent Barb Knudsen said then the educators’ ability that MCAD results (and to do their jobs would be therefore annual yearly hindered. progress assessments reThe district has posted quired by the federal No the budget on its website at Child Left Behind Act) www.isd194.k12.mn.us. would be delayed. “It would have repercus- Aaron Vehling is at aaron.vehsions through December,� ling@ecm-inc.com and www. facebook.com/thisweeklive. Knudsen said.
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districts. As reported in Thisweek at the beginning of June, the school district has taken out $9 million aid anticipation certificates The state distributes money from property taxes to the school districts in May and into June, said Mark Klett, director of business services for the district. Recent years, however, have been different. In order to balance the state books, the state has withheld the money until July and August. But a shutdown would