INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT 196
Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan Public Schools
Educating our students to reach their full potential
Legislative Advisory Council Meeting
MINUTES
6–7:30 p.m., November 19, 2014
District Office
Present:
VJ Agarwal, Derek Appleyard, Kim Craven, Valerie Dosland, Cindy Ford, Gary Krueger,
Jackie Magnuson, Chas McCready, Laura Menk, Jason Nord, Tony Taschner, David
Unmacht and Stacy Wells.
I.
Education Finance Summary
Director of Finance and Operations Jeff Solomon gave an overview of the District 196 budgeting
process and budget as presented in the Budget Guide for Our Community, which is updated as
part of each year’s final budget. The guide includes information about the district; student
demographics; achievement; leadership; strategies; the total budget (all funds); a breakdown of
the general operating fund by program, category and history; revenue sources, and property
taxes. A copy of the 2013-14 guide was provided; the most recent version is always available in
the Finance Department section of the district website at www.District196.org. For the details
about how schools are financed in Minnesota, Solomon provided a copy of Financing Education
in Minnesota, 2014-15, a publication of the Minnesota House of Representatives Fiscal Analysis
Department. He also offered to meet with any LAC member who would like to talk with him
about district finances.
Member Dosland suggested that we provide a copy of the Budget Guide for Our Community to
legislators that we meet with during our visit to the state Capitol. Taschner said he would request
copies of the guide as soon as the 2014-15 version is available.
II.
2015 Legislative Priorities
Taschner shared a draft of a single-sheet legislative priorities document for consideration. The
draft states that the School Board, administration and LAC present the following three priorities
on behalf of the district’s current and future students:
1) Provide financial stability by indexing the general education formula to inflation;
2) Authorize funding to address school space, safety and technology needs, and
3) Increase local school district control and fund or reduce unfunded mandates.
Priority 1 requests an increase to the general education formula of 2 percent per year for the next
biennium and to index future general education funding to at least the rate of inflation each year.
Priority 2 requests an increase to the lease levy and greater local authority to levy for needed
space, an increase to the safe schools levy, and a new levy to address ongoing technology costs.
Priority 3 requests greater local control in policy and funding decisions, and funding for, or
reduction of, unfunded and unnecessary mandates. The back side of the draft document is a “Fact
Sheet” that includes information about district demographics, academics, financials and
strategies.
Member Dosland suggested adding an example of a specific local control issue and unfunded
mandate under priority 3. Taschner said he would add that information in a second draft that will
be shared with members via email with the November 19 minutes. Taschner will develop a
presentation of the proposed 2015 legislative priorities that he and Dosland will present to the
School Board for approval on Monday, December 8, 6 p.m. at Dakota Ridge School.
III.
Capitol Visit
Superintendent Berenz and LAC members will make at least one visit to the Capitol during the
2015 session. In previous discussions, the group agreed to target the last week in January or first
week in February for the first visit. Taschner said the superintendent’s schedule would allow for
a visit on Tuesday, February 3, and asked if that date will work for LAC members who want and
are able to attend. There were no objections; the Capitol visit will be on Tuesday, February 3,
from 8 a.m. to approximately 3 p.m., depending on our schedule. The superintendent’s secretary
will schedule meetings with individual legislators and the schedule will be shared as soon as it is
complete. The group will carpool from the District Office on February 3.
Member Menk reported that the district’s Early Childhood Family Services Advisory Council
has scheduled a tour for local legislators on Friday, January 23, 8:30 a.m., at the new Dakota
Valley Learning Center, 4679 144th Street W., in Apple Valley. Taschner encouraged LAC
members to attend if they are available and interested in touring the new learning center.
IV.
Facilities and Equipment Focus Groups
Taschner reminded members of the focus group meetings on December 1 at Rosemount Middle
School, December 2 at Dakota Hills Middle School and December 4 at Valley Middle School,
6:30-8 p.m. each night, to get community input on recommendations being considered by a
district task force reviewing the district’s facilities and equipment needs. Several LAC members
had already signed up to facilitate or be a recorder at one or more of the focus group meetings.
The meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.
NEXT REGULAR MEETING
6-7:30 p.m., Wednesday, January 21, 2014
District Office