Laura Cottington's Blog

High Stakes Testing thought's...

2012-01-06T21:33:00.001-06:00

As we prepare for the last half of the school year and our standardized tests, this reflection really isn't comically...it is reality.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Maple Grove, Mn

The Funding Debate will never end...

2011-11-08T14:21:00.000-06:00

Yesterday MPR had a lively debate about funding our schools. If you have time to listen, it is worth your while. My personal experience and truth lies with the fact, that over the last decade, our students have been borrowed against while our adults use their dollars to balance the budget on their backs.

Here is yesterday's discussion on MPR:

Additionally, what our tax payers may not understand, is that when the State increases the education aid payment shift, it causes districts to have to borrow money that results in interests that take away from our students directly. That is what happened this last session, in order to balance the budget for the year. In a recent AMSD (Assoc. of Metro School Districts) revealed that member districts are "expected to borrow approximately $382 million with interest costs close to $3 million (about the equivalent of 60 teaching positions)." This years shift was 60/40. In a sense, that is like your boss telling you that they don't have the money to pay you your full salary this year, so they will give you 60% of it this year and 40% next year. Keep your fingers crossed that your mortgage lender will understand that one!

Together, we need to research the facts, so that mistruths don't lead our voters away from our future work force, in which we all will depend on. While District 279 is fortunate this time around, to not be going out for a referendum, I wish the 126 Districts whose future depends on them the best, for all of our students sake.

School Board Election Rumors

2010-10-28T22:20:00.000-05:00

With the election looming around the corner, and with 3 candidate spots up for grabs, the email campaigns are hard at work. A constituent recently contacted the Board seeking clarification in regards to the following email circulating. Below is an email I sent out in response to many who had asked me about it and had been receiving similar emails.

This is the email I sent with a copy of the attached email being addressed...

All,

You are receiving this from me because some of you have requested this information, and others are friends and folk who have an investment in this district...your children and grandchildren and neighborhood children!

Below is an email I received from a 279 resident seeking clarification of rumor and truth. Following the included email below, are comments from Barb Olson, Osseo Community Relations Director. All information is public; there is no violation in resending this message.
Many of you have already shared this email with me and asked for clarification to share with neighbors. There have been urban legends around sending students in the southwestern area of our district to Park Center for over 20 years. I know this factually, as I have friends whose children have graduated from a neighboring district because they heard that myth when their children were entering grade school. They open enrolled out of our district, and now know differently after 20 years.

As I have shared with many of you. Please seek the source before assuming the chatter. I promise to always get back to you with the facts and as soon as I have them. Feel free to contact me with any questions pertaining to the misinformation below. Barb Olson's email follows the email below that was sent for clarification on behalf of the Board on Wednesday.
Sincerely,
Laura Cottington

The email I received:
Elections are coming up this Tuesday Nov. 2nd. As you may or may not know, the school district will be making boundary changes within two years. The goal is to equalize academic and socioeconomic barriers between the east and west areas of our district. This proposal includes removing any dialogue to keep neighborhood schools and to include the public during hearings. At this time, the rumor is that the district will be split into thirds- horizontally, from east to west. This means children, starting at kindergarten, could be bussed to Brooklyn Center. It is also rumored that south of Bass Lake Road will go to Park Center High School. (that's where it gets very personal for me.) Although I'm in favor of looking at alternative ways to equalize the differences in our district, I'm not in favor of taking away neighborhood schools, or placing my children in schools that are an hour bus ride away, in an area where I cannot guarantee their safety; especially after paying Maple Grove taxes.
We have a way to stop this. On Nov. 2nd please vote for MLB- McNeil, Lunt, and Burgett. (see attached flier) These people have good standing in the school district and have agreed to fiscal responsibility AND neighborhood schools. I am also adding to the bottom of the email an email I received from District 279 United a grassroot organization started by parents during the last school board fiasco. THe candidates websites are listed at the bottom.
Even if you don't have children in the school system, you must think how this will effect our home values. A plummeting school system equals plummeting home values.
Please vote for MLB on 11/2. I (and my kids) would appreciate it.
THanks,

Pat
All-

Only 2 ½ weeks to go until School Board Elections 2010. We need your help to make sure that McNeil, Lunt and Burgett are sworn in as school board members come January 2011.
The opposing ticket is Epley, Antolak, and Rebman. Or as we like to say EAR –as in the administration has their ear, and they will vote how they are told. Not how the voters want. Why should you be concerned about these three?
Tammie Epley voted to remove the language from the school board rules that require them to try to put your child in a school close to their home. She was a parent representative with NWSID (the magnet consortium) and was involved behind the scenes in the movement of the magnet to Weaver. She was appointed to her board position, over Teresa, by the current board.
In 2008,Antolak told us there is “no such thing as neighborhood schools and that he did not need to look out for our children”. He resigned his position on the board to seek a legal position in the district. Now he wants his old job back.
Rebman helped Laura Cottington during the recount –that left Teresa Lunt 7 votes shy of a school board seat. In 2008, he filed a legal complaint against us and the three candidates we endorsed.
EAR will support the coming agenda of the administration, which looks to include: new school boundaries based upon race and economics not neighborhood schools, a continuance of behavior policies that are not applied to all children equally, and continuing increases in expenses without proven outcomes.
We have been fighting for too long to give up now. We are closer than ever with Teresa getting the endorsement of Education Minnesota-Osseo and all three of our candidates receiving the Republican endorsement. But we need your help to make sure that we see MLB elected and finally have a school board that represents their constituents.
Here are some ways you can help:
1) Yard signs - We need high traffic yards to neutralize EAR. If you know of someone who has a great yard, could you contact them, or let us know who might be able to help?
2) Lit Drops - We have fliers!!!! We have been dropping them off in parking lots, in paper tubes and going door to door. If you would be willing to drop some in your neighborhood, or have some time to drop in another area that would be great! Every flier counts! Make it a family activity –kids love lit drops, just ask ours.
3) Tell your friends and neighbors! Nothing is more powerful than a personal referral. We have business cards to pass out to help them remember when they get in the voting booth. All three candidates also have Facebook pages that you can friend and recommend to your Facebook friends.
4) Money - We have been spending a lot of money on our "Tri-candidates" campaign lately, including business cards and fliers that support all 3 candidates. We are in the hole right now and could use help. Donations for District 279 United can be mailed to Tracy Krasnoff at 17639 76th Ave N, Maple Grove, MN 55311 or handed to any of District 279 United Leads.
Money and Time for Candidates - Contact candidates through their website and let them know how you can help.
Teresa Lunt - www.teresalunt10.com
Jim Burgett - www.voteburgett.com
Jay McNeil - www.votejaymcneil.com
We know everyone is busy and that times are not the best in regards to excess cash. But, elections are not easy or cheap. Any time or money you can give today only improves the experience your child will have in our schools in the future.
If you can help us out in any way, please email me back and let us know what you can do. Remember, any time you can give is an investment in your kids and community.
Thanks!!!
Tracy Krasnoff
District 279 United Co-Chair on Behalf of
District 279 United Leads: Tracy Krasnoff, Shellie Tryon, Maureen Kettelson, Derek Haidle, Rob Borsch, Greg Zick
From Barb Olson:

I am responding on behalf of School Board chair John Nelson to thank you for sharing this message and offering to help stop this completely inaccurate rumor.

There is absolutely no truth to the rumor that the district is planning boundary changes. We have announced on multiple occasions (including at the most recent school board meeting) that we do not currently have plans, nor are we contemplating plans, to change school boundaries. The rumor below is entirely fiction.

The rumor may be based on a misunderstanding of our work to address a state mandate to reduce racial isolation. The misunderstanding could also be related to a statement in our strategic plan about “future work” related to racial and socio-economic balance. That latter statement reflects an idea proposed nearly four years ago by a work group that suggested steps that could be taken to achieve a particular strategy. In the four years since that particular statement was proposed, our superintendent and school board have chosen not to move it forward for action and there are no plans to do so.

The method we did choose for reducing racial isolation is to partner with seven other school districts to promotevoluntary integration through magnet schools. Our magnet schools are making progress in that area, and we plan to continue them.

We are grateful that you brought the e-mail below to our attention. We are disappointed that something so inaccurate is being disseminated to members of the community. We sincerely appreciate your offer to share this response with any networks you have that may have been exposed to the misinformation.
Sincerely,
Barbara Olson

School/Community Relations Director

ISD 279-Osseo Area Schools

11200 93rd Avenue North

Maple Grove MN 55369

p: 763.391.7002

f: 763.391.7071

olsonbarb@district279.org

www.district279.org

Standards Based Grading

2010-10-18T13:58:00.001-05:00

Our system is doing a lot of work around standards based grading and reporting. Below is a video by Dr. Douglas B. Reeves, a respected voice and researcher in educational leadership. Reeves shares the importance of changing out of date grading practices. Our learning leaders, our principals, are working with staff and families with this type of information, as we do the work of evaluating our students.

New District Brochure!

2010-10-11T21:38:00.000-05:00

District Brochure

First District eNewsletter for the year!

2010-09-25T13:51:00.000-05:00

Great way for community members to stay informed.
Subscribe to District279 Connect!
Click HERE to view current issue.
Click HERE to subscribe to it!

MN Gubernatorial candidates debate education policy

2010-06-23T15:22:00.000-05:00

Below is a link to the forum held June 22nd.
The event was hosted by:
Cosponsored by Parents United, Growth & Justice, Minnesota Minority Education Partnership, Minnesota Rural Education Association, and Ready4K.

Parent/Community Meeting about our District Gifted Education Model with Dr. Marcia Gentry

2010-03-24T11:02:00.010-05:00

I have heard from many parents expressing the desire to better understand the restructuring of our Gifted Education program. The new format was implemented at the beginning of this year at the elementary level.

While there have been many forms of communication sent to families in regards to the change, we all know that we learn better when we can see, hear, and participate in understanding new information. Tonight gives everyone the opportutnity to do so.
Gentry Flyer Wednesday March 24 2010 Pm 7 - 8[1]

Homelessness Happens...

2010-03-17T12:45:00.005-05:00

...yes, it happens in Maple Grove...it happens in nearly all of our District Schools.

Yesterday, District Officials, some Board Members, and several community groups and businesses particpated in the "Housing for All" Roundtable. The District hosted the event, and Superintendent Hintz gave the opening welcome. Tamiko Thomas, our District Homeless Liaison, presented our midyear Student Homeless Report and shared vital information in regards to our efforts in transporting and educating our students. Ms. Thomas also shared that students lose 4-6 months of academic progress with each school move. For some of our students, that can occur several times a year.
(Click on photo to enlarge)
This past year, our District was awarded the ARRA McKinney-Vento Education for Homeless Children and Youth Grant. The award was given in conjunction with Brooklyn Center Schools. Our District is utilizing it to ensure that our homeless students enroll, attend, and succeed in school.

I have often heard from constituents that "our schools just need to teach and to be fiscally responsible, we need to only focus on education!" While I support being fiscally responsible, I also support our students, who deserve a level playing field in being successful. When our public schools produce highly successful students, we all prosper. Local business can hire competent employee's, which is crucial given our shrinking workforce. Employed and successful graduates promote healthy and safe communities. Those are all facts that are supported with data.

I want all students afforded the opportunity to succeed, otherwise, I have no business serving this community on the Board. I am thankful for community conversation and collaboration, as was evident with yesterday's forum. We have much work to do for an amazing investment...our students...our future workforce...our community...our pride!

CLICK HERE FOR LINK TO CHANNEL 12 COVERAGE OF YESTERDAY'S EVENT

Minnesota's Dept. of Education "Race To The Top" Application Submitted today

2010-01-20T12:56:00.004-06:00

Last week at our regular board meeting, the board adopted a resolution to support the District's RTTT application. The vote passed 5-1. Our administration had and continues to participate with the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) as we wait and see where Minnesota will stand in this process. For me personally, I am challenged with the possibility of it not being fully funded, and of failed promises, just as we have seen with the government only funding an average of 15% of the promised 40% of special education dollars some thirty years ago.

I supported our district decision, because for me, there are components of the achievment gap and teacher preparation and training, to name a few, that we need to continue to address.

There is also an "opt out" time given once the grant is awarded. Again, speaking for myself as a Board Member, and not representing the Board's decision...I can not leave an opportunity to improve student learning, especially when there is an opportunity to withdraw if we see funding challenges we do not agree with.

Below is a copy of today's application by the Minnesota Dept. of Education.

20100117 MNRTTT Application[1]

Consider joining District 279 Parent Legislative Network

2009-11-22T22:31:00.004-06:00

As a past co-chair, and current Board Liaison to the District 279 Parent Legislative Network, I would invite you to participate in the network as we prepare for the next legislative session. The Parent Legislative Network works with districts across the state and participates with Parents United to seek equity in education for all students in the state of Minnesota, as well as a voice for our students in District 279.

Our district has seen a great deal of change over the years, of which we celebrate. We have a beautiful, diverse population with over 87 dialects spoken, nearly 46 % students of color, and we are the 5th largest district in the state, with over 21,000 students in and out our doors daily.

With celebrations, we have challenges. Funding shifts throughout the years, and the way we now have to fund our basic operational dollars, has required many districts, including ours, to seek levies just to operate. This is a different way to fund education compared to the "old days" when levies were used for excess funding needs. We now have to go to taxpayers at the local level, seeking a vote to keep our doors open, to pay utilities...to pay our precious teachers!

Many of our taxpayers don't understand the changes that have taken place over the years. Many believe that when there is a levy question, it is just the district asking for more money for their "fluff and stuff", when in fact, there has been a shift in the formula, from the state level, requiring us to ask for dollars at the polls.

To add to the confusion, we have a temporary umbrella, called stimulus dollars, of nearly $13.5 million to offset unallotment shifts and other funding discrepancies. That umbrella is gone in 2 years, and in that time, more schools will go out for levies, which already over 91% of our districts in the state have!

What will happen when the umbrella is torn, and we are left to the elements again?

We need you, and parents alike, to be a voice to our state and nation, to help put education back in the forefront.

When you have great education, and great early education (as research from the Chamber and others continue to reveal), you have healthy communities, a stonger workforce, and a stronger economy. Investing in our youth is a return you will see.

For more info or to join our parent run Parent Legislative Network, email District279PLN@gmail.com .

Here is a clip form Parents United that stresses the importance of coming together.

Why Parents United from Parents United - Minnesota on Vimeo.

For more information on the parent run District 279 Parent Legislative Network, contact District279PLN@gmail.com

Open Meeting Law

2009-10-15T12:36:00.003-05:00

I had the opportunity to participate in the Minnesota School Board Association's "Lunch and Learn" session today. The topic today was "Minnesota's Open Meeting Law". I am sharing the handout, with permission, that was shared with Board Members across the state who participated. If you have questions, please email me with a contact number, and I will be happy to call you and answer any questions you may have.
Minnesota Open Meeting Law

Hate Crime Rally Tonight!

2009-10-01T11:54:00.005-05:00

Many of you in the community are already aware of a horrific hate crime that occured in Brooklyn Park. Our District is comprised of 8 municipalities, of which Brooklyn Park is one of the largest. This hate crime was allegedly committed based on race as you will see in the included links below. Our challenge is great. When these attitudes prevail in our community, they are filtered into our schools through beliefs and attitudes.
Please join me tonight in supporting this rally. Let your voice be clear that we will not allow this sort of hate to continue anywhwere in our community, state or nation.

The information below is taken from Carol Woehrer's organized rally page on Facebook. I am copying her information here for those who do not have access to Facebook:

Rally Against Racist Attitudes
"Celebrating Diversity in Brooklyn Park and the Twin Cities"
Date: Tonight, October 1, 2009
Time: 5:30pm-8:30pm
Location: Zanewood Community Center, Harkopf Park, 73rd Ave N and Zane Ave
City: Brooklyn Park, MN
Map
Bring a sign and a candle (but not required)
Multicultural Music by "Heart in the City"
Opening and Closing Prayers by Brooklyn Park Pastors

Addressing the Rally will be:
Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman
Brooklyn Park Chief or Police Michael Davis
State Senator Linda Scheid
State Representative Mike Nelson
Brooklyn Center Mayor Tim Wilson

(If the rain persists, the meeting will take place in the Zane Community Center/71st and Zane)

Click on the following for:
Star Tribune Article
Kare 11 News
WCCO Channel 4 News

I Run...You Run...We all Run together!

2009-09-24T16:53:00.004-05:00

I feel it critical to stay connected daily to everything education. I follow education through organizations, associations, government and others through Twitter, Google Alerts, Facebook, local and national media outlets. So today, I almost skipped a "whitehouse twitter" I saw on my phone. Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, was to speak on his support of the Reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. A copy of his speech was posted on http://www.ed.gov/ .

The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) came into reality during Lyndon Johnson's War on Poverty in 1965. It was intended to face the educational needs of our nation's children who were in the most need. Along with it has come some funding with many mandates. Unfortunately, the funding hasn't supported the mandates. In the last decade, you have become familiar with the ESEA being referred to as No Child Left Behind or NCLB.

There has been so much controversy about NCLB, that when I saw the "tweet", I wasn't sure I wanted to read it, but did. It make me ponder, whether I agreed with everything or not, but it also brings to the front, some of the reasons I ran for school board.

I ran...

...because I too believe, as Sec. Duncan said in his speech today "More than any other issue, education is the civil rights issue of our generation and it can’t wait -- because tomorrow won’t wait – the world won’t wait – and our children won’t wait." I believe we have much work to do in improving the "Opportunity Gap" for our students of color. This isn't just a district problem, it is a national problem. The challenge is all of ours...parents, students, teachers, administrators, community. Whether we have kids or not...all students are a part of our community now, and now is the time we need to address all learners and all needs. Our students can never wait.

I ran...

...because I believe in the direction our district leaders are guiding us. We have a Mission and Strategic Plan that takes our students beyond high school, and into their dreams and aspirations as global learners.

I believe our District wants the best, who will commit their best right here, right now. Our leadership in 279 believes that, as evident in our Strategic Plan. The work comes in our Professional Learning Communities, our parental involvment, our students, all of our staff (from bus drivers to custodians to teachers, etc...) , and our community.

The work is happening now, but I also know the District is forcasting and planning far ahead, knowing there will be things we will "reauthorize" in our district and that there will be things we reform and change.

Back to The Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, and his speech today and his urgency to Reauthorize the ESEA. I am not sure how I feel. I can't really put words to it. I am for standards and accountability, but the way we measure that is the challenge. I also get concerned when we rush through things just to have them done. I am concerned with a Reauthorization. I too, do not believe we can wait for reform, because we can' t afford to lose the students we have now while we figure it out....but we also can't just keep things in place if they aren't working.

The last ESEA/NCLB did not have mandates for Gifted Education, it continues to carry on issues through the Individuals with Disabilities Act, which was supposed to be funded at 40% by the government, and has only averaged 13-19%, leaving districts dipping into their General Education Funds. The Federal Stimulus dollars will be boosting that to nearly 24% for just the next two years, but will return again following that, still leaving us far short of the 40% they are supposed to fund.

To reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act immediatly for the sake of not losing our students is a tough one. On either side there are many crucial options to be weighed. Do I believe we need reform? Yes, but I also know we have students right now that can't wait. We need to reform as we go in small incriments, and plan ahead for larger reform.

Just as our district leadership is guiding us with our Strategic Plan, so the story goes, and should perhaps be one we follow when looking at the ESEA. The Strategic Plan had years of thought and input before implementing the last couple of years. It is reviewed annually and revised as we go ...including changes (or reform) that need to occur. Reforming and reframing with data to drive us in our decisions. I know our district can't lose (have them fall behind) students today, for sake of reform tomorrow.

I hope our educational leaders at the national level look at the needs of students everywhere in whatever direction is adopted. I hope we keep high standards, but I hope our teachers are then equiped with the proper tools and training to address all of their students needs.

I ran...

I ran for school board to be a part of a system I believe in, and one that I want to see succeed, because the success is in our students.

You can run away and not participate, or you can run along side District 279.

Let's run together. Let's run a marathon together that last's a lifetime...that we catch a second wind with to keep pushing our students to succeed...that finds supporters on the sidelines wanting to encourage our students...that finds all of us at the finish line together, knowing we did it and can now do it again.

On your marks, get set.....see you at a school near by!

President Obama's Speech on Sept. 8th

2009-09-04T13:50:00.003-05:00

Our district has been busy fielding many contacts over the last 24 hours in regards to the speech our President will be making on September 8th. Here is a link that provides further information.

PRESIDENT OBAMA'S SPEECH SEPTEMBER 8TH

If you have further questions, please feel free to contact me at cottingtonl@district279.org

Magnet Schools make Metro Mag!

2009-09-02T00:34:00.004-05:00

Metro Magazine featured Weaver Lake STEM School.

Wondering about H1N1?

2009-09-01T23:42:00.003-05:00

I have heard some concerned voices in the community regarding what our district is doing in preparation for H1N1 this fall. Preparation is just one part of our district plan. Dr. Kim Riesgraf shared tonight at our board meeting that we are following best practices and have plans for prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery. Stay informed by visiting the H1N1 Novel Influenza Updates.

Input needed for future State High School Assessment

2009-06-30T00:12:00.005-05:00

The Minnesota Legislature passed a law in May, and Governor Pawlenty signed this law, which authorizes the creation of a task force to develop recommendations for the future of Minnesota’s high school assessment and accountability system. The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) is leading this effort, along with The Assessment and Accountability Task Force. The task force is comprised of leaders from K-12 organizations, higher education institutions, businesses and other key stakeholders in Minnesota’s educational system. The group is co-chaired by the Director of Assessment at the MDE, Dirk Mattson, and the Exec. Director of the UofM College Readiness Consortium, Kent Pekel. DEADLINE FOR INPUT IT JULY 15! (Source Parents United)

Please click here to take the survey!

District 279 Home Page

2009-06-14T23:19:00.000-05:00