Agenda - Council Work Session - 09/08/2008

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time, he does not understand how the City can change it now. He stated that this is not a good message to send to businesses eit4er that the City can ch~ge its expectations whenever it wants. Jack Hudson, .16201 Nowthen Boulevard, stated that he had prepared notes for tonight's meeting, but grabbed the wrong folder. He stated that the folder he had with. him was for an essay contest at the school that the parents . are helping with, which again shows the level of involvement parents have at PACT. He stated that he has had 4 children attend PACT and his oldest even gradUated 2 years early. He stated that this seems to be a case of "choking on a flea and swallowing a camel". He stated that the purpose of charter schools has to do with providing additional educational needs in the State of Minnesota and the value of this is that they really allow parents to have options in the quality of education they seek for their children. He stated that there are charter schools that are Spanish immersion or even ones that are focused on science and mathematics. He stated that there is reciprocity whereby parents can send their kids to a. charter school in Minneapolis if they choose. . He stated that when they were looking at charter schools, they lived in Brooklyn Park and were willing to drive and make the sacrifice to take advantage of the educational opportunity available at PACT. He stated that they moved to Ramsey largely because of the school. He stated that he would like to urge the Council not to lose track of the overall purpose for the law and asked that they let the legal situation play out. Vicki Atkinson, 15811 Sodium Street NW, stated that she moved to Ramsey 7 years ago and her children started' in the Ramsey Elementary School, but have since moved to PACT. She. stated . that she is concerned that if the Council chooses to force PACT to change the way students are brought in, that this will send a negative message about the Anoka-Hennepin schools. Shestated that there could be the perception that those schools are not good enough for their children. She stated that PACT is a good school and should be allowed to function the way it has been. She stated that if the Council votes on the resolution, she would like Councilmembers Look and Dehen to abstain from the vote. Councilmember Jeffrey stated that the Council is not going to "force" anything onto the residents. He stated that there will be a ruling made by thecourts.and he wants to make sure that people understand that any action the Council takes will not invoke a change. Sandra Pierson stated that she lives in Oak Grove and feels the Council should oppose this resolution. She stated that her son has special education needs and was in the lottery for 2 years before he was admitted. She stated that she looked at and applied at many schools, but was looking for smaller classroom sizes and if there would have been a change in enrollment, her son probably wouldn't have had a chance to attend PACT. Jeff Baumann, 10452 Mississippi Blvd, Coon Rapids, stated that he feels this is like the City killing the fatted goose because this legal action will cost the school $50,000. He stated that there have been discussions about eliminating the Kindt;lrgarten program to pay for the lawsuit expenses. Mr. DeBruyn stated that to cOQlIDent on Councilmember Elvig's question about whether having Ramsey students will "diminish" the quality of education at PACT, he does not think that this has ever been stated. He stated that between 20% and 25% of their students come from Ramsey. City Council! April 8, 2008 Page 8 of20 .