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<br />and if not approved, they will lose $1.6 million in funding. He noted that the school portion of <br />taxes will go up on the tax statements, even though this is not an increase in taxes, because of <br />things out of their control, such as debt service. He stated that they are asking people to express <br />concern about this to the State elected officials. He stated that their school district is delegation <br />challenged and has no power players taking on their cause, so they need help from outside their <br />area. He noted that they have a website at www.elkriver.kI2.mn.us that has all the detailed <br />information that he reviewed tonight. <br /> <br />Councilmember Jeffrey stated that there is an expected $2 billion budget shortfall for the next <br />legislation and asked if Mr. Bezek was concerned about an unallotment and asked what would <br />happen if everybody votes no. He stated that he works in public higher education and "feels Mr. <br />Bezek's pain". <br /> <br />Mr. Bezek stated that if they don't get it, there will be staffing and programs cut and noted that <br />he is planning for it not to pass, but hoping it will pass. <br /> <br />Councilmember Elvig asked if Councilmember Jeffrey sees a different caliber of kids coming in <br />to his school from different districts. <br /> <br />Councilmember Jeffrey stated that he is not necessarily seeing differences from certain school <br />districts, but they are seeing that kids out of high school are not as prepared as they used to be so <br />they have to create transitional programs to help out. <br /> <br />Councilmember Look asked what level of student Elk River teaches to, for example the low, <br />middle or high achieving student. <br /> <br />Mr. Bezek stated that they probably cater to the upper middle percentage of students, because <br />they just don't have the programs that some schools do. He stated that, for example, they don't <br />have college in the schools. <br /> <br />Councilmember Look stated that some school districts are teaching to the lower percentage <br />levels so their test scores are better. He stated that he understands sometimes parents are pulling <br />their kids and finding them someplace else to go because schools aren't teaching at the level their <br />kids need and they are getting bored. <br /> <br />Mr. Bezek stated that they are a little below average for the ACT scores, but noted that it comes <br />down to the fact that they need some help from the State to get things turned around. He stated <br />that their major communities are Otsego, Rogers, Zimmerman and Elk River. He stated that he <br />is open to having a conversation between Ramsey and the school board, if the Council is <br />interested. <br /> <br />Councilmember Elvig stated that the City had conversations with the Anoka-Hennepin School <br />District in sharing demographic information and taking a look at where there may be property for <br />future schools, which is something that could happen with the Elk River School District also. <br /> <br />City Council Work Session / October 28, 2008 <br />Page 2 of 6 <br />