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<br />Mayor Gamec reiterated that he will allow representatives from both sides of the issue to speak, <br />but noted that if the comments became repetitive, he woJJld stop allowing comments. He noted <br />truit there had been numerous letters, e-mails and the petition submitted and stated that these <br />would be part of the record. <br /> <br />Councilmember Elvig stated that he would like more of an introduction on what this issue is <br />about for those watching at home that may not be familiar with it.. <br /> <br />. City Attorney Goodrich read 810ud the proposed resolution that states that the Council supports <br />and endorses the interpretation of Minnesota Statute 124D that requires PACT Charter School to <br />give enrollment preference to pupils that are residents of Ramsey before accepting non-resident <br />pupils by lot, and that the Council encourages present and future education providers that are <br />located within the municipal boundaries of Ramsey to consider enrollment policies that give <br />preference to Ramsey pupils. He stated that Statute 124D refers to the terin "town" when giving <br />resident preference and the basic subject of the lawsuit brought by Councilmember Look is that <br />the term "town" and "city" are synonymous. He stated that the court is being asked to interpret <br />the statute next week. <br /> <br />Patty Olson, 6870 159th Lane NW, stated that she is a PACT parent and has had conversations <br />with .Councilmember Look regarding this issue. She stated that Councilmember Look haS stated <br />that he wants to do what is best for the residents of Ramsey. She stated that she feels that PACT <br />brings benefits to the community other than having only Ramsey students attend the school. She <br />stated that she knows of people who have bought homes in the City because their children were <br />enrolled in the school. She stated that many parents also use the area businesses. She state that <br />she would like Councilmember Look to not be so myopic and look at what is good for society, as <br />a whole. She stated that well educated people make for a better society. She suggested that the <br />Council put their energy, passion and influence into making Ramsey Elementary a premier <br />school so people will want to move here to get their kids into that school. She stated that this <br />energy could be put into getting Kindergarten back at the school and ways to bring in a middle <br />and high school and that would be what is best for the City. She stated that she believes if the <br />Council supports this resolution it sends a negative message to PACT families and encouraged <br />the Council to reject it. <br /> <br />David Gustafson, 7060 137th Avenue NW, stated that he has had 3 children in PACT, and <br />currently has two children on the waiting list. He stated that he has been a Ramsey resident for 7 <br />years and has had a wonderful experience with PACT. He stated that while he is tempted to <br />want to see Ramsey residents have a preference, he does not see this as a positive thing for the <br />community, as a whole, because. it would lose having the charter school be what it is today. He . <br />stated that he is proud of PACT and wants to see it continue and perhaps even add a second <br />school, so he asked that the Council does not support this resolution. <br /> <br />Councilmember Elvig asked why having more students from Ramsey would diminish what <br />PACT school had to offer. He asked if the mission of the charter school was different than a <br />public school. <br /> <br />City Council I April 8~ 2008 <br />Page 6 of 20 <br />