Communicator SEPTEMBER 2017
From the Superintendent By Superintendent CHACE B. ANDERSON WE ARE OFF to another great school year in the Wayzata Public Schools! We started the school year with over 11,600 students districtwide, up nearly 400 students from last year at this time. We are fortunate to be in a growing community and the demand for Wayzata Schools has never been greater. This is a great community, with great schools and great kids. Our staff are invested in our mission and work hard every day to provide excellence for each and every student. This issue of the Communicator includes information about three school funding requests that will be brought to Wayzata School District voters on November 7, 2017. I hope you will take time to learn more about the referendum and vote on November 7. There are several ways that voters can learn more about these school funding requests: Visit www.wayzata.k12.mn.us/referendum to view fact sheets, a short video, a sample ballot and other resources. > VISIT any Wayzata School District school
Excellence. For Each and Every Student.
Maintaining Excellence as We Grow
ON NOVEMBER 7, Wayzata School District residents will vote on whether to increase funding to support students, staff and schools. For nearly a year, community-based enrollment growth and finance advisory groups have been working with district staff to analyze what students, staff and the schools need to maintain an excellent educational experience. In response to the research, the School Board voted unanimously to put three school funding requests on the November 7, 2017 ballot:
DID YOU KNOW? Demand for our schools has never been greater.
• If current housing trends continue, Wayzata Public Schools can expect approximately 1,000 new students K-12 by 2019. • New housing developments are going up 2-3 times more rapidly than developers had projected in the north, and there is continued growth in the southern part of the district as older homes turn over to young families. • The Growth Task Force recommends a new elementary school be built immediately. Question 1: Renew and increase the operating levy • While there are elementary-level capacity issues, to maintain educational programs and services there should be adequate space at the middle schools Question 2: Approve bond funding for the district’s and high school for several years due to the recent growth and facilities needs expansion of Wayzata High School and moving Question 3: Renew the technology levy to support early childhood programs out of Central Middle teaching and learning School to make space for middle school students. • Additional facilities needs include traffic safety issues 7000 Elementary Enrollment vs Building Capacity at several schools, cafeteria 6019 6017 space concerns at Central 5910 5749 5749 6000 5515 Middle School, outdated 5344 5091 elementary media centers 4841 5000 and performing arts space issues at East and West 4000 Middle Schools. Funding is not keeping pace.
3000
2000
> CALL 763-745-5050 > EMAIL referendum@wayzata.k12.mn.us > ATTEND an Information Session:
Wednesday, October 11 at 7 p.m. Central Middle School Auditorium 305 Vicksburg Lane North, Plymouth As always, I welcome your thoughts and questions at chace.anderson@wayzata.k12.mn.us.
1000
0
2015-16
2016-17
2017-18
2018-19
2019-20
2020-21
2021-22
2022-23
Actual Enrollment Projected Enrollment Elementary building capacity (Capacity increases in 2016-17 when Meadow Ridge Elementary opens and again in 2018-19 when Meadow Ridge's addition opens)
Elementary enrollment already exceeds building capacity and is projected to continue growing.
• State education funding has not kept up with inflation, nor with increasing educational costs and needs. • Inadequate funding is putting increased pressure on the district’s operating budget, which funds teachers, classrooms and other school operating costs. Maintaining Excellence… (continues on page 2)