So what would your recommendations be to alleviate the class size/enrollment issues facing the school district? More combination/multi age classes? What do you suggest???

I haven't heard any suggestions from you guys about how you would deal with the situation.

Whoa- I have gone to meetings and the issue of class size enrollment was never brought up. What was however, was teacher collaboration, and changing our model of teaching to keep up with the no child left behind act.
There are people that are going to meetings and talking to school board members in private.
Quote:
Comparing costs: Dave Johnson provided an update of information received earlier about comparative costs related to the three remaining options. The conclusion was that the estimated net difference in cost among the three remaining options would be very small. The task force agreed that, based on this information, cost would not be a factor in the task force’s decision regarding whether to recommend changing the existing elementary configuration or not.

I agree that schools are essential to a community. While a number of years away from having school age children, I don't believe I would be too thrilled about having to bus my five-year-old everyday if indeed it can be avoided. And it can be avoided.

I hope its okay that I've been following this conversation over the last few weeks. We are planning on moving into the LSH school district from the Prior Lake-Savage district and I had seen a few postings wondering how people moving into the district would see the situation you're facing.

A little background, we have 3 kids - next year they'll be in 2nd grade, kindergarten & preschool.

Since we don't know for sure which community we'll be purchasing a house in we can see this discussion from about every angle. Initially I was really for each city having their own school. That way all of our kids will be in the same school until the oldest hits 6th grade.

As I really thought about it I started to like the idea of Pre-K thru 3rd separated from 4-5. I think that it unifies the school district and the kids will get the chance to form those life-long relationships from the very beginning. (That's the way it was for us growing up in LC & Montgomery.) I also like the idea of the staff all being together too though I don't know how they work out things the way it is now with two schools.

I really think that the 4-5th graders are on a completely different level than 3rd and younger and with all that they're going through physically I can't help but think they'd be happy to be away from the younger kids!

I have to commend both communities. We have really enjoyed getting to know people and are extremely impressed with the administration and community and the way they work together. I sincerely hope that this decision doesn't end with the communities turning on each other. Whatever the decision I look forward to seeing it play out next year and having my kids be a part of it.

(I know that there have been studies done that are in favor of separating schools between 3-4th grades as they are considering. I'll do some research and post what I can find for you to look at.)

To the posting that questioned the bus times for young students into LeSueur from Henderson. Whatever it ends up being it has to be better than the 40 minutes it takes for our oldest to get to school in the morning and we only live about a mile away! We have neighbors who walk there and beat the bus!

Here's an example of a pro-PreK-3rd schooling environment - http://www.ffcd.org/schoolachievement.html

A few more thoughts on this I had - with the return of the gifted/talented program to house grades together may be of benefit?

If the plan moves ahead with only 4-5 grades in Henderson - are there after school activites for these grades that would be able to start right away thus getting those kids home earlier from their activities (rather than waiting for the LeSueur kids to get there?). Again, not really sure how everything works now...

Kinda funny how someone (who won't even identify Him/herself) asks where the suggestions are, after squelching public comment throughout the process until the final meeting. The outcome was obvious before the meetings started. What a fine ethical example to present to our children. As far as presenting suggestions, another day has passed, and NOT ONE school board member has replied to my email to them.

Public feedback has always been welcome. I am all for it. However I am disappointed that there seems to be more negativity than anything else, Tom. It doesn't matter who I am, I am concerned with the way my children are taught. I am trying to be involved in the process.

The Task Force Charge:
To address ongoing challenges and concerns related to elementary classroom sizes at Park and Hilltop, and reflecting the LSH School District's vision of a "unified focus on high student achievement," the LSH School Board has commissioned formation of the LSH Elementary Configuration Review Task Force. The charge of this community/staff task force is to identify configuration options and conduct a thorough, systematic and objective comparative study of various elementary grade-level configurations based on maintaining Park and Hilltop elementary schools into the future; and to reach group consensus on a recommended two-community elementary configuration plan for implementation beginning in the fall of 2007. The task force is charged with developing a recommendation that acknowledges the continuing use of our two existing elementary sites.

I guess I would like to know what is meant by "negativity?" I'm getting the blame for being the only one in town opposed to this fiasco, and if I am then call me biased. But I have a feeling there's a couple more individuals on this website and in this town who will come forward and agree with me and formulate our next step. If you call that negativity, so be it, but it seems to me like anyone who doesn't roll over and go along with this reconfiguration is being negative. And I stand by my previous statement about the ethics of this process and the example it sets for our children.

"I haven't heard any suggestions from you guys about how you would deal with the situation."

I suggested that Park/Hilltop boundaries be realigned to address space needs. Was that discussed?
I also suggested that the exodus of elementary students to Belle Plaine be addressed. Was that discussed?

I'm told that one or more of the task force members that work at Park made statements to the effect of "Opposition in Henderson is minimal and not an issue." How will this be dealt with?