Classified Negotiations
The school district negotiations team met with the Eden Valley?ÄìWatkins Classified Bargaining group Wednesday, Nov. 19. Continuous progress was made and we have reached a tentative agreement on language and finances. We?Äôre in the process of completing the updates to the tentative contract that will eventually be voted on by members of each bargaining group.
I?Äôd like to recognize and thank the following team members for the sacrificed time, patience, and displays of professional character and community pride while collaborating in the best interest of the Eden Valley-Watkins School District. The classified and support staff were represented by Mary Haag and Vicki Meyer, along with a designated Exclusive Representative from Minnesota Teamsters – Local 320. The district was represented by Rob Flaschenriem, Shelley Kern, and supported by administrative members from the school district.
2015 Legislative Session
The 2015 Legislative session officially begins Tuesday, Jan. 6. Our educational advocates and association representatives have identified some of the key topics for the upcoming session. Accordingly, this session will focus on state budgets and financial reserves, general education funding and early learning opportunities, post-secondary student programs and the escalating cost of tuition, as well as equalized facility and technology improvements throughout the state. I?Äôll keep you updated on the various political topics and progress throughout the 2015 session.
A Smarter School Calendar for 2015-16
This is a follow-up from my Nov. 28 newsletter regarding the school calendar and Labor Day in 2015. If you recall, we?Äôll be experiencing a late Labor Day break in 2015 that will have students reporting to school Sept. 8. As a result, the late start will push the end of the school year into the second week of June. Keeping in mind the special interests in attendance at the State Fair and summer resorts, we?Äôd like to hear your thoughts on a school calendar that would start Aug. 31, for the 2015-16 school year.
I would encourage you to contact me (453-2900 x1143) or attend our Open Forum meeting in the District Board Room at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17, to share your thoughts on a school calendar that starts prior to Sept. 8, 2015.
Buildings and Grounds
Our Buildings and Grounds committee has frequently met throughout the fall to review and monitor student enrollment numbers, tour the secondary facility and classrooms, and solicit feedback from staff and school board members for recommendations to accommodate the projected growth coming over from the elementary level in the next 6 years. As you know, the school district added eight new elementary classrooms in 2012-13 to accommodate the increased resident and open-enrolled elementary numbers. The secondary building will begin to experience significant growth in grade levels by the time we get into the 2016-17 school years. Our conservative projections below do not account for any additional non-resident / open-enrolled students. (see table below)
Projected Growth at the EVW Secondary Level
Grade 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
7 62 80 68 76 69 83 82 82 67 79
8 68 62 80 68 76 69 83 82 82 67
9 61 68 62 80 68 76 69 83 82 82
10 62 61 68 62 80 68 76 69 83 82
11 63 62 61 68 62 80 68 76 69 83
12 72 63 62 61 68 62 80 68 76 69
Total 388 396 401 415 423 438 458 460 459 462
* Numbers do not reflect additional open-enrolled students at the secondary level
Our building committee and board members are researching and discussing options that would make more efficient use of our current program space, classrooms, and various office settings. Our next meeting is set for Dec. 18, and we?Äôll continue to share creative ideas and solutions to utilize our space more efficiently and make room for our projected growth at the secondary level.
Senior Spotlight
The EV-W School District would like to recognize Jacob Bischof, son of Robert. Jacob admires his father for instilling a sense of perseverance and determination to overcome life?Äôs obstacles. Currently, Jacob is enrolled in 4 college-level courses and participates in Student Council and DECA. He has competed and lettered in baseball and football, and was recognized for Eagle Pride in football. Jacob is known for his great sense of humor and adding some fun to the school day. Congratulations!