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Volunteers needed for long-range facilities task force

Posted Online: 11/20/02

By Ken Runberg, District 911 Superintendent

The Cambridge-Isanti School Board is preparing to study our school buildings, and to establish a long-range facilities plan. The long-range facilities plan will be our "road map" for the next five to ten years to ensure that appropriate and adequate school space is available for our students.

There are a number of reasons a long-range facilities plan is needed in ISD #911.

1. Due to enrollment growth, there are now +4800 K-12 students in ISD #911. After four years of level enrollment, the number of students increased by approximately 100 students this school year. Our school buildings were at capacity prior to the enrollment increase. There are no empty classrooms. If more classroom space is needed, additional portable classrooms or construction will be needed, or class sizes will increase.

2. Leased classroom space is already a reality. All of our Early Childhood programs are located in "store-front" buildings, which are leased. ISD #911 is leasing the former Warehouse Grocery Store in Cambridge and the Landmark Bank Building in Isanti to provide space for our early childhood programs. There are pre-school children on a waiting list.

3. Portable classrooms are also being leased. Two portable classrooms are being leased at the Isanti Elementary School for the School for All Seasons and two others are being leased for the Rum River South Program, which is located at the ISD #911 Education Center.

4. Office space is being leased at the Regional Treatment Center for the Rum River Special Education Cooperative. There is no space in our present facilities to house the RRSEC staff.

5. Large tracts of new homes are being built in Isanti and Cambridge. Multi-family units are also being constructed. School district enrollment is being impacted by the new construction.

6. Our grade level organization should be reviewed and possibly restructured. Our present grade level organization is elementary schools (K-4), middle schools (5-8) and high school (9-12). Instruction, curriculum, and student development may be more effectively worked with through a different grade level configuration.

7. Our elementary schools are some of the largest in Minnesota. There are 900 children in the Cambridge Elementary School and 825 children in the Isanti Elementary School, including the students enrolled in the School for All Seasons. The average elementary school in Minnesota has fewer than 400 students.

8. ISD #911 provides Kindergarten on an all-day, every-other-day schedule. The best schedule from a student achievement and development point of view would be everyday kindergarten, on a full-day basis. Space constraints do not permit an all day, everyday kindergarten program.

The long-range facilities planning process will include consideration of all of the above issues, and will develop recommendations for resolution. The planning process will be inclusive.

The School Board has authorized the establishment of a Long - Range Facilities Advisory Task Force. The Facilities Advisory Task Force will be responsible for developing the long - range facilities plan recommendations for the school district. The Facilities Advisory Task Force will include parents, students, school district employees, community members, business persons, senior citizens, and community leaders. All precincts in our school district will be represented. It is anticipated that the Long ñ Range Facilities Advisory Task Force will include at least 50 persons.

The Long ñ Range Facilities Advisory Task Force will meet approximately two times per month, in the evening, until the recommendations are completed, which should be accomplished by the end of the present school year. The Long ñ Range Facilities Advisory Task Force will be led by an educational/architectural facilitator, who will be contracted by the school district. The Superintendent of Schools will help facilitate the planning process.

At this time we are asking persons from throughout ISD #911 to volunteer to serve on the Long ñ Range Facilities Advisory Task Force. If you are interested in being involved in this very important planning process, please complete the following form and forward it by December 2nd, 2002 to:

Superintendent Ken Runberg

Cambridge-Isanti School District #911

315 7th Ln NE

Cambridge, MN 55008

Or, you may call 763-689-6202 to communicate your interest.

LONG ñ RANGE FACILITIES ADVISORY

TASK FORCE APPLICATION

Date: ----------------

Name: -------------------------------

Street/PO Number:----------------------

City or Township: -----------------------

Zip Code: --------------

Telephone: --------------

Email: ---------------------------------

Please place an X by each of the following that describe you:

-- Parent -- Grandparent

-- Student -- Home Owner

-- Renter -- Business Owner

-- Female -- Male

-- Elected Official -- ISD #911 Volunteer

Education Level:

-- Less than HS Diploma

-- HS Diploma or GED

-- Voc/Tech College

-- Some College

-- BA or BS College Degree

-- Post Graduate

Comments:

Please submit the application by Monday, Dec. 2. Thank you!

--ÝIf you have any questions about the Long-Range Facilities Advisory Task Force or any issue in the Cambridge-Isanti School District, you are welcome to contact Superintendent Ken Runberg at 689-6202. Thank you!