Elementary School Attendance Area Task Force
Moorhead Area Public Schools
7 p.m. December 4, 2003
Townsite Centre Board Room
Members Present:
Jeff Schaumann,
Dann Bjornstad,
Tim Magnusson,
Beth Henning,
Terri Smith,
Kevin Kopperud,
Dan Bacon,
Sue Ringham,
Jim Cummings,
Julie Arnold,
Brenda Rapske,
Mark Weston, and
Lynne Kovash.
Members Absent:
Diane Mead,
Rosemary Hirchert, and
Lisa Christian.
District Representatives:
Dr. Larry Nybladh, superintendent, and Pam Gibb, communications coordinator.
Call to Order
Mark Weston called the meeting to order.
Approval of November 20 Meeting Minutes
Task force members reviewed the minutes. Bjornstad moved, seconded by Arnold, to approve the minutes. Motion carried.
Communications
None.
Review Attendance Area Scenarios
Task force members reviewed the three revised scenarios. The scenarios were developed based on discussion at the last meeting. Task force members focused on Scenario 4B. For the Robert Asp attendance area, the southern edge would extend from the Red River along Center Avenue to 14th Street, south one block to Main Avenue, east following Main Avenue to 17th Street South, south on 17th Street to 4th Avenue South (including all residences facing 17th Street South), east on 4th Avenue South to Main Avenue, following Main Avenue to 20th Street South, then south on 20th Street to 12th Avenue South, east on 12th Avenue South to the district boundary, excluding the subdivision Meadows South Addition.
The northern edge of the Ellen Hopkins attendance area would extend from the Red River along Center Avenue to 14th Street, south one block to Main Avenue, east following Main Avenue to 17th Street South, south on 17th Street to 4th Avenue South (excluding all residences facing 17th Street South), east on 4th Avenue South to Main Avenue, following Main Avenue to 20th Street South, then south on 20th Street. The eastern edge would be 20th Street South from Main Avenue to I-94. The southern edge would be I-94 from 20th Street South to Eighth Street, north along Eighth Street to 20th Avenue South, then west on 20th Avenue South to the Red River.
The northern edge of the S.G. Reinertsen attendance area would extend from the Red River east along 20th Avenue South to Eighth Street South, south on Eighth Street to I-94, east along I-94 to 20th Street, north on 20th Street South to 12th Avenue South, and east to the district boundary, including the subdivision Meadows South Addition.
This scenario has the Greenwood area in the Robert Asp attendance area and the South Meadows Addition in the S.G. Reinertsen attendance area. The scenario tries to use main roads as boundaries. There was discussion of keeping Greenwood together because of the work to develop community in that neighborhood.
Dan Bacon reminded task force members that the kindergarten enrollment numbers he used are high because they are based solely on the census data. This means the projected enrollment for each building will be lower than what was provided with the scenarios. There was further discussion of class sizes and the impact of the immersion program on the enrollment at Ellen Hopkins Elementary School
It was determined that Scenario 4B leaves growth in the S.G. Reinertsen area for future residential development in that part of the community. The enrollment is also the most balanced between the three schools with this scenario.
Lynne Kovash provided information about boundary exceptions. The majority of boundary exceptions for child care reasons are approved. The district would still be able to use administrative transfers when necessary to help balance class sizes.
Dan Bacon was asked to provide estimated percentages for students eligible for free / reduced-price meals for each of the three elementary schools based on Scenario 4B. Those are: Robert Asp, 35 percent; Ellen Hopkins, 30 percent; and S.G. Reinertsen, 24 percent. There was further discussion about the South Meadows Addition going north or south. Kevin Kopperud commented that he appreciated that the boundaries were not straight east-west lines
Bjornstad moved, Brenda Rapske seconded, to approve the boundary recommendation as presented. Motion carried with a unanimous vote.
Recommendation Report
The draft of the recommendation report will be prepared and sent to committee members for final review. Once the report is submitted to the superintendent, the recommendation will be presented to the School Board Jan. 12 for review. The School Board is expected to act on the recommendation Jan. 26.