Communicator APRIL 2017
From the Superintendent By Superintendent CHACE B. ANDERSON
WHAT AN EXCITING time of change it is for Wayzata Public Schools! I hope you take some time to read more about the recent work of the Growth Task Force, made up of 25 parents and community members, in this issue of the Communicator. After reviewing extensive data, the Growth Task Force recommended building a ninth elementary school to accommodate our growing resident student population. We are proud that families are choosing the Wayzata Schools to provide an excellent learning experience for their child. You can learn more about the growth on our website at www.wayzata.k12. mn.us/growth. This issue also provides more information about the funding we receive from state and local sources to operate our schools and the challenges we face. As always, I welcome your thoughts and questions. Send me an email at chace.anderson@ wayzata.k12.mn.us
Growth Task Force Recommends Adding an Elementary School
IF CURRENT TRENDS continue, the Wayzata Public Schools can anticipate another 1,000 students in grades K-12 by the year 2019. That projection, along with additional housing, enrollment, capacity and construction data, led a community Growth Task Force to recommend the school district build a new elementary school as soon as possible. The Growth Task Force, made up of 25 parents and community members, met four times in January “to review objective data and information in relation to the continued housing growth in our cities, and the capacity of our schools/facilities, and provide a recommendation as to whether additional facilities may or may not be needed, when the facilities may be needed and to what extent.” Growth based on demand
According to city leaders, new housing developments in the north are being completed 2-3 times faster than originally planned by developers due to consumer demand. There is also steady growth in the south due to housing turnover bringing in young families. While the district has capacity issues at the elementary level, projections
State and Local Funding are Key for Schools THE LEGISLATURE IS in session, and school funding is an item on the budget agenda. What the Legislature will ultimately decide is not clear, but here are some relevant facts: • For years, state funding has not kept up with inflation nor with increasing student needs and educational costs. • School districts rely on State funding for the vast majority of their operating funds. • Since 2009, state funding increased an average of just over 1 percent per year while costs have increased by 3 percent – forcing Wayzata Public
Excellence. For Each and Every Student.
Schools to cut more than $16 million from its operating budget during that same period. • Regardless of likely State legislative action this spring, more cuts will be needed in Wayzata for 2017-18. The district has done its best to keep cuts away from the classroom, but that becomes increasingly difficult. Demand for Wayzata Public Schools has never been greater (see related article, “Growth Task Force Recommends Adding an Elementary School” on page 1). District Funding… (continues on page 2)
show there is adequate space
Recommendation at the middle schools and from the Growth high school through at least Task Force:
2030. This is due to the recent expansion of Wayzata High School and moving early childhood programs out of Central Middle School to make space for middle school students. “We believe that building a new elementary school is a necessary next step for the Wayzata Schools,” said Allison Storti, Growth Task Force member. The Growth Task Force also recommended that the Board consider the following additional recommendations: • It is a priority to maintain smaller class sizes throughout the district. • It is important to look at equity of facilities among schools in the district. “Due to our school district’s continued robust growth, the members of the community Growth Task Force believe that a new elementary school needs to be available as soon as possible.”
Growth Task Force… (continues on page 2)
2 Growth Task Force…
(cont’d from pg. 1)
• Consideration should be given to building a facility that can receive an addition if and when needed in the future. Next steps in planning for growth
Wayzata School Board Chair Chris McCullough shared the Board’s appreciation for the work of the Task Force in helping to look at the district’s continued growth and the school capacity challenges it poses. The Board’s next steps: • Include the Task Force recommendation to build a new elementary school into the comprehensive review of districtwide facilities needs currently underway. • Include the recommendation in the overall budget review, which will take place this spring. “We are a growing school district and we need both state and local funding to support that growth,” shared McCullough. “We are honored that families are choosing the Wayzata Schools and grateful that our community is so supportive of its schools.” For more information, visit www.wayzata.k12. mn.us/growth.
Funding…
(cont’d from pg. 1)
leaders are grateful that families are choosing the Wayzata Schools to provide an excellent learning experience for their child, but also recognize the financial pressures that growth brings. “As we continue to experience significant growth due to the demand of our community and our schools, it becomes increasingly challenging to provide everything our students need and our community expects without increasing revenue,” explained Wayzata School Board Chair Chris McCullough. “Our community’s support is a critical part of how we provide excellence, for each and every student.”
Miranda Mead Honored with Prudential Spirit of Community Award MIRANDA MEAD, a junior at Wayzata High School, has been named as one of Minnesota’s top two youth volunteers by the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, a nationwide program honoring young people for outstanding acts of volunteerism. Miranda’s inspirational story begins with what Miranda, former cross-country runner, first thought pain in her back was a running injury. But days after her 16th birthday, tests revealed she had Ewing’s Sarcoma, an Miranda Mead was awarded the Prudential Spirit of Community Award aggressive type of bone cancer. Miranda was silver medallion at the March 13 Wayzata School Board meeting. Present for determined to turn her negative experience the award, pictured left to right: Mark Johnston, WHS English teacher, WHS Principal Scott Gengler, Miranda Mead, Mike VanBinsbergen, local Prudential into something positive for other young representative, Superintendent Chace Anderson and Wayzata School Board children suffering from childhood cancer. Chair Chris McCullough. At a local fundraiser, Miranda learned about an organization called The Truth 365, whose goal is to educate and mobilize people to join the fight against childhood cancer. After expressing interest in working with the group, Miranda began participating in its cancer awareness photo shoots and public service announcements. She also started speaking at local and national events, sharing her story with audiences and helping to raise money. In addition, Miranda hosted a weekend event in Washington, D.C., that The Truth 365 puts on annually to unite childhood cancer foundations and families whose children are fighting cancer. As a state honoree, Miranda received $1,000, an engraved silver medallion and an all-expense-paid trip in early May to Washington, D.C., where she will join top honorees from each state for four days of national recognition events. During the trip, 10 students will be named America’s top volunteers of 2017.
Local funding part of the puzzle
Almost all Minnesota school districts rely on locally approved operating levies to supplement the State education funding received. Currently, Wayzata’s operating levy contributes $18 million to its annual budget (14% of the budget) – which is the source of funding for teachers, support staff, classroom supplies and other school operating needs. Wayzata’s current operating levy is not only
lower than most comparable school districts, it is nearly $500 less per student than the maximum allowed by State law. The last time the district asked taxpayers to increase the operating levy was more than a decade ago in 2005.
According to Jim Westrum, Wayzata’s Executive Director of Finance and Business, “Increased operating funds are needed to maintain class sizes, keep up with our growing enrollment and provide students with the support services they need to succeed – through social workers, guidance counselors, health services and other social/emotional/learning needs.” The School Board and district leadership have been working on the 2017-18 budget since January, with final budget decisions due in June. “As we review next year’s budget, we will consider asking voters to increase our operating levy,” said McCullough. “Because the State is our primary partner in school funding, we will wait until the legislative session is over to finalize our budget and funding requests.”
3 Wayzata High School Students Win State Scholastic Art Awards WAYZATA HIGH SCHOOL students have won 76 awards in the 2017 Minnesota Scholastic Art Awards, the longest-running, most prestigious national art competition. The awards are broken into three categories: Gold Key, Silver Key and Honorable Mention. Over 4,000 submissions were submitted this year with students John Bernhardt at Wayzata High School winning 20 Gold Keys, 16 Silver Keys and 40 Honorable Mentions. Gold Key winners pictured: John Bernhardt (design), Evelyn Birnbaum (drawing), Jasmine Brewer (design), Frank Fetrow (design), Maddie Francis (design), Emily Fricke (drawing), Grace Julian (ceramics), Kass Mossefin (animation), Maria Palomino Espinosa (drawing portfolio), Maria Emily Fricke Palomino Espinosa (drawing), Natalia Poteryakhin (comic), Natalia Poteryakhin (digital art), Claire Reid (drawing), Claire Reid (drawing), Claire Reid (animation), Olivia Roberts (sculpture), Katarina Testerman (drawing), Rachel Theiste (drawing), Madelyn Wood (drawing) and Chris Zarriello (digital art) Gold Key award-winning work is automatically entered Claire Reid into the National Awards competition in New York. The Scholastic Art Awards are designed to foster creative expression by secondary students and to recognize and encourage achievement in the creative arts by offering visibility and scholarships. The awards represent work from a broad range of art disciplines including animation, drawing, design, Chris Zarriello digital art, painting, crafts, sculpture and photography. To learn more about the history of the Scholastic Art Awards at Wayzata High School, visit www.wayzata.k12. mn.us/whs/msaa.
Evelyn Birnbaum
Jasmine Brewer
Frank Fetrow
Maddy Francis
Grace Julian
Kass Mossefin
Maria Palomino Espinosa
Natalia Poteryakhin
Olivia Roberts
Katarina Testerman
Rachel Theiste
Madelyn Wood
Karen Keffeler Receives State Leadership Award CONGRATULATIONS TO Karen Keffeler, principal at Meadow Ridge Elementary School, who was recently recognized with the Minnesota Elementary School Principals’ Association Division Leadership Award. The award expresses appreciation to the many outstanding men and women in the principalship who have contributed generously to improving education, their communities and their profession.
Excellence. For Each and Every Student.
First Graders Give to Families in Need
The Communicator is published for residents and staff of Wayzata Public Schools. Contact Amy Parnell, director of communications and community engagement, at 763-745-5068 or amy.parnell@wayzata.k12.mn.us with questions or comments.
Celebrating New Wayzata High School Additions with the Community NEARLY 400 PARENTS, students, grandparents, staff and district residents of all ages came out Sunday, March 5 to help celebrate the recent additions completed at Wayzata High School (WHS). Voters approved funds in February 2014 to add space to WHS consisting of: a four-story classroom addition; a new performing arts auditorium; new cafeteria, kitchen and commons space; and a new gymnasium. The Open House & Celebration Ceremony featured the WHS Wind Ensemble, Chamber Orchestra and Concert Choir, as well as a selection from this fall’s musical, “Thoroughly Modern Millie.” Chamber Ensembles performed prior to the ceremony and the WHS Jazz Ensemble Blue played during the reception in the new cafeteria hosted by the WHS Parent Teacher Organization. WHS Student Council members were also on hand throughout the building to assist with self-guided
tours.
Nonprofit Org. US Postage Wayzata, MN Permit 43
Instead of traditional Valentine’s Day activities or parties, first graders at Sunset Hill Elementary packed over 5,000 diapers for Interfaith Outreach to help families in need. After collecting diapers donated by Sunset Hill families, students repackaged the diapers into sets of 12 and included handwritten notes that fit the event’s “Packed with Love” theme. Thank you to these kind students and teachers for giving up their Valentine’s Day party to help struggling families and kids in our community.
Wayzata Public Schools 210 County Road 101 N. P.O. Box 660 Wayzata, MN 55391-0060
Communicator APRIL 2017