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Roseville Human Rights Commission Meeting Minutes — Apri111, 2007 �age 2 of 7 1 Ms. �ager reviewed demographic information from an annual repori (dated October 2006), 2 showing the increasing diversity in current cnrollment at the Hi�i School level to thai of F.arly 3 Childhood and Kindergarten enrollrnent. 4 5 Ms. Eager and Dr. "I`hein reviewed c�emographics and comparisons of the district compared to 6 that of the St. Paul School District, showing that RAS was second only to the St. Paul District in 7 students of color and growing trends in Latino and Hmong cultures. Furthcr demographics 8 among communities represented in fihe district as well as grade levels and building to building 9 were noted. 10 11 Dr. Thein notcd that at Brimhall School, a�arge percentage of Hmong students were evident and 12 a total of 57 differcnt languages were represented in that onc school; with English as Second 13 Language (ESL) classes continuing to grow and currently serving 17.5% of the total enrollmcnt 14 speaking languages other than English. 15 16 Throughout the evenia�g, discussion focused around equitable aa�d respectfu� educational 17 expericnces for students, faxmilies, and staff mcmbers regardless of race, gender, ability, sexual 18 orientation, socioeconomic status, home or first language, religious, national origin or age. 19 20 Dr. Thein summarized the district's philosophy and mission in keeping class sizes as low as 21 possible; spending comparisons with other districts and allocation of those resources for students 22 and providing "community-wide" education for all age levels from birth up, emphasizing scnior 23 citizens, transition centers, adult basic education, special �eeds students, Fairview Alternative 24 High School, and other alternativess for Middle School students {i.e., Crossroads and 25 Cannections) to assist students in making the adjustment to High School and ensuring fheir 26 success. 27 28 Discussion included non-English speaking adult oppoi-tunities; open enrollment advantages, 29 impacts and chailenges; noted that the younger the age group the larger diversity was represented 30 in the derxxographics; open enrollment considerat�ons and impacts for students of color; Special 31 Needs students offered the same rights and responsibilities as any student, based on spacc 32 available and addational costs realized by the district for specialized needs and the need for the 33 district to be prudent azzd make sure space was available and the appropriate program was 34 available and that it was cosf-effective. 35 36 Additional discussion included Individual Education Plans for special needs students; high 3'7 mobility rates experienced by school districts, impact on the dis�rict's stability, and impact on 3 8 studen#s as they "float" from one school distric# #o another; noted that the district is serving more 39 students now than in 1986; post-secondary options for students during their High School years 40 and funding considerations; and lessons thc City could learn from ihe district regarding dealing 41 with diversity issues. 42 43 Dr. Thein. reviewed the district's goals over the next several ycars (R.E.A.L) related to resources, 44 equity, achievement ("kecping the main thing the xnain thing"); and staff leadership to servc as �45 an example for studenis. 46