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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, October 22, 2018 Page 7 the school is a valuable asset to the community and is such a unique model of ed- ucation that draws great families to the area as well as putting Roseville on the map for supporting alternative approaches to education. Ms. Jaqueline England, 224 North McCarrons Boulevard Ms. England stated she lives directly across the street from the proposed Montes- sori school. She indicated she was at the meeting on behalf of herself and her parents who also live in the home and eighty-five of her neighbors who signed a petition that gives their extreme support of the amendments to the zoning. Mr. Scott Prihoda,3116 Prior Circle Mr. Prihoda echoed the comments previously presented by other residents about how important this school is to them as a family. He stated all three of his kids go to Hand in Hand. He stated their children have grown tremendously there and the teachers and support staff have been amazing. He noted his family moved from Eagan to Roseville and a big part of that reason was being the school. He stated his family would love for the school to stay in Roseville. Ms. Bethany Ricks, 2080 Giesmann Street Ms. Ricks stated when she heard that the Armory might become a school again, she was really excited. She would love to see the building full of life again. She stated when she went on the Hand in Hand website to learn more about them, she did not see anything in regard to policies towards LGBTQ+ families and their children. She stated the closest she could find was looking at their teacher train- ing program, that program is affiliated with Bethany Global University which has a lifestyle statement that is explicitly homophobic and transphobic. Ms. Ricks stated she called the school and was invited to tour it, which she appre- ciated. She stated it was wonderful to see how well loved the students are by both their parents and staff She appreciated how welcoming and kind the people at the Montessori was. When she asked for clarification around LGBTQ+ families she was told the school did not have a policy because no one has asked. She indi- cated she is now asking. It was implied that to be Christian it meant you could not be affirming of the LGBTQ+ community. She stated she worried for families that might think they are entering an affirming environment. She worried that her LGBTQ+ neighbors will not be welcome in the new school or other community programs being mentioned at the meeting. She stated she was not at the meeting to speak against the school but did want to express her reservations on this item. She stated she is asking for clarity from Hand in Hand in their policy towards LGBTQ+ families and children and for that policy to be clearly stated on their website. Ms. Tara Anderson, Ms. Anderson stated her family lives close to the Armory property and she has always liked that property. She stated the building is a part of Roseville history