May 2013 Communicator Brief

Excellence. For each and every student.

May 2013

District Maintains Highest Rating for Financial Management

Welcome to the New Communicator Brief

N

o, your eyes aren’t playing tricks on you. This is still the Communicator – the main source of news and happenings in the Wayzata Public Schools – it’s just a shorter version we are calling the Communicator Brief. In a recent survey of district residents, the Communicator was named as the number one source of information about what’s happening in our schools.

We are committed to staying connected with residents through a number of print and electronic communications vehicles. You will continue to receive the 8-page edition of the Communicator four times a year full of student, staff and district accomplishments, photos and news on important district issues. And watch for the Communicator Brief in between issues to keep you up-to-date.

Let us know what you think of the new Communicator Brief by sending an email to communications@ wayzata.k12.mn.us.

W

ayzata Public Schools recently had its “AAA” bond rating reaffirmed by Standard and Poor’s Ratings Services. Wayzata first received the “AAA” bond rating in September 2008 as evidence of the district’s strong financial health. There are many advantages associated with the “AAA” bond rating, including access to lower interest rates and borrowing costs, and greater stability to deal with the unpredictability of school funding from the state. Wayzata is the only district in the state to be given a “AAA” bond rating by Standard and Poor’s.

Wayzata Public Schools 210 County Road 101 N. P.O. Box 660 Wayzata, MN 55391-0060

T

he MyWay for Student Learning initiative launched in January with the first iPads being distributed to students in grades 6-8 on a 1:1 ratio and to students in grades K-2 on a 3:1 ratio. All students will have access to an iPad over the next two years. MyWay is the long-term effort in the Wayzata Public Schools to make sure that each and every student is prepared to thrive today and excel tomorrow in our ever-changing global society. For more information, visit the District website at www.wayzata.k12.mn.us

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and community engagement, at 763-745-5068 or amy.parnell@wayzata.k.12.mn.us with questions or comments.

Brief

The Communicator Brief is published for residents and staff of Wayzata Public Schools. Contact Amy Parnell, director of communciations

Communicator

MyWay for Student Learning Launched in January

From the

New Elementary Additions Underway – Additional High School Space Being Considered

superintendent

Thanks for reading the first issue of the Communicator Brief ! We are excited to use this new tool to provide you with short, timely updates in between issues of the Communicator – the quarterly newsletter of Wayzata Public Schools.

In each issue of the Communicator Brief, we will share information about what we are doing to prepare each and every student to thrive today and excel tomorrow in an ever-changing global society.

This issue highlights new elementary additions being built to meet the learning needs of elementary students already in our schools, as well as planning currently underway to meet the needs of a growing high school student population. I hope you stay connected and learn more though upcoming issues of the Communicator and Communicator Brief, and also visit our newly-updated district website at www.wayzata.k12.mn.us for more information.

- Chace B. Anderson, Superintendent

R our total K-12 resident student enrollment is expected to

ecently updated student enrollment projections indicate that

increase twice as fast as it has increased over the past 10 years.

This anticipated growth can be attributed to an increase in births, an inflow of students from private schools and significant new home development in the northern portion of our district.

An important part of balancing student enrollment and addressing future district capacity needs is underway with additions being built at Greenwood, Oakwood and Sunset Hill Elementary Schools. The additional classroom and instructional space will be done in time for the 2013 -14 school year and should provide sufficient space for our growing elementary student population for approximately the next five years.

We are also in the process of determining what action is needed to address our growing secondary student population.

At this time, we expect being able to address middle school enrollment increases without building additional space to any of our middle schools.

However, enrollment is projected to grow by 600-900 students during the next 10 years at Wayzata High School. To address the needs of an increased student population, the Wayzata School Board is considering a November 2013 referendum to seek voter approval to add additional space to WHS. A citizens committee, including parents and district staff members began meeting in

March with district architects to review planning done thus far, along with results of a recent community survey to gauge support for a possible referendum. Watch for more information in upcoming issues of the Communicator and the Communicator Brief.

Additions to Greenwood, Oakwood and Sunset Hill Elementary Schools are underway to meet the needs of our growing elementary student population. The new space will be completed for the 2013-14 school year.