CC_Minutes_2014_1117 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Regular City Council Meeting Monday,November 17, 2014 Page 13 for the School District at 8.6%, with the understanding that the general levy would not increase in the future. Dr. Thein responded that, with tax statements coming out today, most taxes re- mained flat, depending on property valuation fluctuations, with levy increases for the School District driven by student numbers. Dr. Thein noted that,with the Dis- trict's acquisition of the Harambee School, it now had 425 more students than in the past, with those costs covered by tuition in the past, but no longer true; along with full day/every day kindergarten classes as well. Dr. Thein assured Coun- cilmembers and Roseville District residents that the District had been and contin- ued to be careful about levying dollars; and clarified that they were in the "kid business" not the "banking business;" and noted that the levy dollars are received after the fact and after funds were already expended to educate the students. Dr. Thein advised that the levy for the referendum actually decreased some. Councilmember Laliberte questioned if the District was unaware of the conse- quences in pursuing Harambee and the need to plan for that student influx. Dr. Thein responded that the District did plan for the students, but due to the leg- islature's delay in approving the acquisition, the District had to pursue the only available option. While the District would have preferred to handle things differ- ently, Dr. Thein noted that the acquisition of Harambee would still prove to be a good return on the public's investment. Given limited English proficient students and changing demographics, Coun- cilmember Laliberte asked for an update on District plans to address that achievement gap or equity program. Dr. Thein noted the improvements shown to-date in that gap, while recognizing the achievement impacts in those classrooms, provided the students remain in the District from K through 12. Dr. Thein noted that frequent moving by those fami- lies, or attendance issues for students, drastically affected their proficiencies. From his personal perspective, Dr. Thein noted that the District's ACT scores showed students well prepared, and were holding steady for the most part, and still remained above the state's average considering the diversity and background of the District's students. Dr. Thein noted that closing that achievement gap re- mained the District's number one priority and focus on student achievement. Dr. Thein encouraged ideas from individuals and hearing of other areas of exper- tise available to the District and its students; with the goal of offering broad pro- gramming and continuing to see students excel academically. Dr. Thein recog- nized the efforts of the District's hard-working staff; and expressed his personal appreciation and privilege in living and working in the community, offering his intent to stay in Roseville even after his upcoming retirement.