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www.SunThisweek.com NEWS Charter school eyes location

June 12, 2015 | Volume 36 | Number 15

Graduation day

A charter school for grades kindergarten through eight is eying a location somewhere among area cities. Page 3A

The ECM Editorial Board says pet projects should not stall state budget negotiations. Page 4A

THISWEEKEND

Burnsville city levy may rise by 3.7 percent next year Building program could add to tax hike by John Gessner

OPINION Missed opportunity

A Division of ECM Publishers, Inc.

Burnsville | Eagan

SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE

The city of Burnsville needs $1.1 million more in taxes next year — a 3.7 percent increase — to maintain current services and cover planned spending increases, City Council members were told June 9. That would raise city taxes on a median-valued home by $59, a 6.8 percent A Burnsville High School graduate adjusted her tassel for a photo before crossing the increase, according to the stage to receive her diploma. About 650 members of the Class of 2015 received diplomas city. The median Burnsduring the June 5 commencement ceremony at Pates Stadium. More graduation photos ville home value is projectare on Page 10A and at SunThisweek.com. (Photo by John Gessner)

ed to rise by 2.7 percent, from $208,900 in 2015 to $214,700 in 2016. City taxes on $1 million in commercial property would fall by 0.7 percent. Residential property values have continued to rebound since the recession while commercial-industrial values have stagnated. A further tax increase to begin work on aging city buildings — including the outdated, undersized police station — could also emerge. The city should get started next year on $24.9 million in projects spread out over See LEVY, 22A

District 196 eyes reserves, not cuts by Jessica Harper SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE

Music amid the animals The annual Music in the Zoo concert series kicks into high gear this month with concerts by Buddy Guy, the BoDeans and others. Page 21A

SPORTS

The Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan School Board is considering a proposal to borrow from the district’s reserves again next school year to balance the budget and avoid making cuts. The district’s general fund budget is expected to face a $4.07 million loss in 2015-16. Officials predict general fund revenues will total $327.3 million in 2015-16 and expenditures About 585 members of the Eagan High School Class of 2015 received diplomas on will be $331.3 million. Saturday, June 6. The event was moved indoors to the high school gymnasium after District officials proinclement weather was expected to approach the area. (Photo by Jessica Harper) posed at a June 8 meet-

ing to absolve the deficit by reaching into district’s general fund balance. All Minnesota school districts maintain a general fund balance to assist with cash flow. After covering the loss, the general fund balance would total $26.4 million, which is 7.98 percent of general fund expenditures. Board policy requires a fund balance that is at least 5 percent of the general fund expenditures. If the plan is approved, 2015-16 will be the third consecutive school year See BUDGET, 19A

Eagan showcased in travel show premiere by Jessica Harper SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE

Zenner zips to state titles Eagan High School boys track star Sam Zenner helps his team win three events at state meet. Page 12A

ONLINE To receive a feed of breaking news stories, follow us at twitter.com/ SunThisweek. Discuss stories with us at facebook.com/ SunThisweek.

While many travel shows on television feature exotic destinations, one new show will highlight all the interesting and exciting places right here in Minnesota. And it’s kicking off the series with a spotlight on Eagan. “The Minnesota Traveler� is a new travel and tourism show on FOX Sports North and Fox Sports Wisconsin that features popular and lesser known destinations as well as local eateries in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. In its premiere episode at 8:30 a.m. June 28, host Jennifer Mergen will visit popular

Boy’s mother pleads guilty to manslaughter by John Gessner

A city of Eagan public hearing notice for June 23 regarding rezoning of approximately 33 acres at 510 Lone Oak Road from Agricultural to Limited Industrial is inside this edition. Page 14A

INDEX Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . 4A Announcements . . . . . 8A Sports . . . . . . . . 12A-13A Public Notices . . 14A-15A Classifieds . . . . . 16A-19A

News 952-846-2033 Display Advertising 952-846-2019 Classified Advertising 952-846-2003 Delivery 952-846-2070

A 26-year-old man pleaded guilty to murder June 3 in the 2013 childabuse death of a 4-yearold Burnsville boy. William Alphonso Warr, 26, pleaded guilty in the June 11 death of Key’ontay Miller Peterson, who lived with his mother at 31 Horizon Heights Road in northeast Burnsville. Both Warr and the boy’s mother, Sha’reese Monique Miller, were charged in the case of a boy whom authorities say lived in a violent household plagued by intimidation. He went untreated for serious inter-

Each episode will air three times a week and will be broadcast throughout Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin and the northern half of Iowa. The first episode will re-air on July 1 and 3. McCally said he believes the show will provide a fresh look at travel and tourism. “We plan to take viewers on a journey. It will be things that may be familiar and other things that are new to them,� he said. Jessica Harper is at jessica.harper@ecm-inc. com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

End of school bittersweet for Teacher of the Year

Man pleads guilty to murder in 4-year-old’s death

SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE

PUBLIC NOTICE

Eagan destinations such as Twin Cities Outlets and Cascade Bay waterpark, and stop at local restaurants. “We try to convey what makes these locations special,� the show’s co-executive producer John McCally said. “There’s lots of attractions, parks and things to do in Eagan, particularly from a sports perspective.� Brent Cory, president and CEO of the Eagan Convention and Visitors Bureau, said he is flattered Eagan was chosen for the show’s first episode. “When we learned of this opportunity, we thought, ‘Wow, what a unique opportunity to showcase Eagan,’� Cory said.

nal injuries inflicted by Warr and died after Miller reportedly tried to cool his feWilliam vered body Warr in the bathtub, authorities said. Charged with seconddegree manslaughter, Miller pleaded guilty in March and will be sentenced on June 19, according to court records. As part of a plea agreement, Warr will serve 30 years in prison, Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom said in a news release. The sentence is an upward departure from state sentencing guidelines because of the victim’s vulnerability, Backstrom See DEATH, 19A

Bohr moving on from Hidden Valley by John Gessner SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE

Desks were stacked against a wall June 5 in Jennifer Bohr’s sixthgrade classroom at Hidden Valley Elementary. A colleague stopped for a word and a hug. A student came to deliver the giant goodbye card, filled with individual salutations on sticky notes, that classmates had intended to give their teacher a day earlier on the last day of school. Chosen last month as School District 191’s 2015 Teacher of the Year, Bohr may have spent her last day in front of a class on June 4. The 23-year district veteran will start a new career phase next year as a teaching coach in Burnsville-Eagan-Savage.

Teacher of the Year Jennifer Bohr, pictured on the day after the last day of school, will work as a teaching coach next year instead of returning to her classroom at Hidden Valley Elementary. (Photo by John Gessner) “I think I’m in a little bit of denial,� said Bohr, who finds the last day of school bittersweet enough already, especially for sixth-graders moving on to a new school. “There were lots of

tears yesterday,� Bohr said. “I teared up a couple times. It was just an emotional day. I was in bed at 8 o’clock last night, asleep by 9.� See TEACHER, 22A

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