Agenda - Council Work Session - 04/01/2008

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It V,.;:) Contacts ~ i Forwarded message -- From: Daniel DeBruyn <~;U;!~J~r1!Y.!l@y; ~.COfTl> Date: Wed, Jan 30, 2008 at 7:04 PM Subject: Re: Enrollment at PACT To: jo!1npdelJen@aQl.com Cc: looksigns@gmail.com Spam Recently Deleted My Folders Manage Folders D. A new home on the D Web -oh my! ".,/ ~f ..'~ V" o Mr. Dehen, I had assumed that Mr. Look was copying you on our correspondence as I rei: your name copied on the bottom of the letter from MDE written to Senator Jungbauer. I was also aware that your child was on the waiting list as Mrs. Whitby, our Business Accounts Specialist, had indicated that she had spoken with you at least once regarding your questions and/or concerns regarding the statute as it relates to the proximity preference. My last correspondence to Mr. Look was not intended to imply that siblings would get any different preference that those that live in Ramsey, assuming that the end result of the discussion with MDE allows Ramsey residents preference. They would receive the same preference as siblings and those thi live within the 2/5 mile proximity preference which is already being implemented in our enrollment/lottery policy and has been for the past two years. My point was simply that I do not believe that the intent of the statute was to displace siblings on the list. While I can appreciate our difference of opinion as it relates to this statute, I do not believe that PACTs enrollment policy and lottery practices have been , erroneous by any means. We have made every effort to comply with MN Statl 124.0. I have had no less than 10 discussions with MDE employees and they thoroughly read our policy several times since we have moved to Ramsey, specifically as it relates to the statute, enrollment and the lottery. Not once have they expressed that we were somehow out of compliance or not meetinc , intent of the law. If, after further review and consultation with legal . _____ __-----. ___ ___..___...__._j cO~P5e!.jt. i~.Qe.teflnine.qJtJat_Q.l.ILQQjic'll..needs to be...adiustad...we.w' comply and make the necessary adjustments. However, these are Board polic and need to go through the proper internal procedures in order to make these changes. Unfortunately, this process will require the postponement of the February 1st lottery until April 15th. Note: As a parent with a student on the kindergarten lottery list, you should be receiving a letter to this effect in the mail either today or tomorrow. This will allow the Enrollment Committee, the Steering Committee and the Board to address the policy adequately to ensure that the entire policy is adjusted accordingly. Moving more quickly would force us to rush this process potentially leading to a faulty policy. I wish it was different, but having received this opinion from MDE a week before the scheduled kindergarten lottery left me with few options. I am sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. In closing, let me first express that we are honored that both of your families are seeking enrollment at PACT Charter School. I have had two of my own ; . children in the school for the past 10 years and can speak to the quality education they have received. Our efforts in working with MDE on this statute interpretation are intended to ensure that the law is being applied consistently, thoughtfully and fairly for PACT and all other charter schools across the state (now numbering around 145). We wish to continue our posith relationship with Ramsey and support the community. As I have .been doing with Mr. Look up to this point, I would be happy to give you both status updates. once I have a better sense of the direction this will be heading. -39- "'T"'l- __I~_