09-28-1988 - Agenda Packet City Council - regular meeting

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- directed administration to certify to the State Demographer the following population estimates for Orono Independent School District No. 278 which will serve as the basis for the Community Education levy: Age: 0 - 5 Total: 790 6 - 16 go2,019 17 - 20 If 839 Total 3,648 - requested bids on health and dental insurance for 1988-89, as regUired by law; - approved the continued u;e of the Community Resource Pool for 1988-89, costs to be shared by the Orono Education Fund and Orono Community Education; - approved the Treasurer's Report for May, 1988; - approved the Activity Fund Report for fourth quarter, 1988; - approved the bills as covered by vouchers 059922 through 059971 and 059216 through 059406. Dr. Mich stated that he would use the time designated for the Superintendent's Report to provide those in attendance with background information covering the problems/considerations the Board contended with in making the decisions that put in the place the schedule which was approved at the July 21, 1988 Board meeting. Dr. Mich stated that the problems covered areas such as overcrowding in the elementary school, potential overcrowding in the middle school building, late bus problem at the elementary school, length of school day for elementary school students, and lack of adequate preparation time for elementary teachers. He then provided information or the considerations the Board faced including facilities needs/costs, original structure of central campus, long-range planning, academic improvement, student welfare and transportation. Dr. Mich informed the audience that because of the sensitive negotiations involved regarding the Maple Plain School, the Board was directed by the school district attorney to remain silent on the entire issue but at the earliest possible time, which was after the July 21 meeting, the parents were informed of the return of the Maple Plain School, the establishment of a primary school and the change in school starting times. Dr. Mich stated that the Board's decision caused a number of concerned parents to voice their opinions and he expressed appreciation to parents for voicing those concerns as this provided him the opportunity to categorize the concerns into three primary ones - too early an elementary start, sharing a bus with high school students and child care needs at the end of the day. As a result of these concerns, Dr. Mich recommended that the starting times be altered by a few minutes, that the buses be monitored during '.he first few weeks of school and that an after school activities program be initiated fo elementary and primary students. He also informed the audience that during the year a task force will be established to examine child care needs and the school's responsibility in this area. )r. Mich stated that it is regrettable that this session couldn't have been held ,t an earlier time as he feels that communication is necessary between school and community but in light of the circumstances before them, the Board made sound judgments for the welfare of the students to provide the best instruc- tional program possible and the decisions were passed to the community as quickly as possible.