ACTION
OF
SCHOOL BOARD
THE
MEETING RECAP I ISSUE 59, VOL. 11 I 07/13/2020
Tom Heidemann
Board Chair
Marci Anderson
Marci Anderson
Vice Chair
Nicole Hayes
Bill Harvey
Treasurer
Bill Harvey
Jeff Simon
Clerk
Jeff Simon
William Fields
Director
Anna Dirkswager
Nicole Hayes
Director
Erin Heers-McArdle
The Anoka-Hennepin School Board met in a virtual meeting in compliance with state law to conduct district business on
Monday, July 13.
Recognitions
Oxbow Creek Elementary School - Stock Market Game First Place
Missy Monson, principal, presented a video presentation created by John Wippler, grade four teacher, which outlined a
successful first place finish in the Stock Market Game this spring. Students Arabella Cleys, Lila Olson and Sasha Ramon
were highlighted for their financial and investment management skills.
Elementary and secondary education
High School Schedule Update
Dr. Timothy Gadson III, associate superintendent for high schools, led a presentation recapping the work of a high school
explorations committee that has been evaluating possible school schedule options. Gadson was joined by Becky Brodeur,
principal of Andover High School, Nancy Chave, Principal of Anoka-Hennepin Regional High School, Michael George,
principal of Champlin Park High School, and Jessica Lipa, director of career and technical education and program director
for STEP. The committee is exploring a number of options based on the ability to maintain and expand learning options
for students and build improved teacher communication and collaboration into the school day. The process to gain
stakeholder feedback will continue throughout the 2020-21 school year prior to additional presentations and feedback
from the School Board.
Facilities Condition Index Evaluation
Greg Cole, chief operations officer, Steve Anderson, director of buildings and grounds, Dave Maroney, vice president of
ATS&R, and Blayne Parkos, associate partner of ATS&R presented an updated presentation on a Facilities Condition Index
Evaluation (FCI), a School Board planning process to manage investment in the over 5.6 million square feet of existing
school properties in a balanced and fair manner. The plan is intended to assist in planning for the next ten years of
district facility improvements.
Synthetic Turf Update
Greg Cole, chief operations officer, and Steve Anderson, director of buildings and grounds, presented an update
on planning for synthetic turf on high school stadiums. A timeline for design and bid approval was presented for
consideration. The board considered options for Andover, Blaine, Champlin Park, and Coon Rapids high schools. A
recommendation to consider an on-campus stadium at Anoka High School was presented for consideration.
Finance
Pay 2020 Tax Levy Timeline
Michelle Vargas, chief financial officer, presented a calendar of key decisions for the School Board and staff regarding
establishing the 2021 tax levy. The School Board set a public truth-in-taxation hearing for Monday, Dec. 14, and agreed to
establish the preliminary levy at their Sept. 28 meeting. These actions are taken to maximize the public’s understanding
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