Wyoming library 5th busiest for ECRL

In its first month of operation, the Giese Memorial Library in Wyoming was the fifth busiest among the 14 libraries operated by the East Central Regional Library system. Thatís according to figures released by ECRL for December of 2005. The new Wyoming library opened on Dec. 3. In less than one month of operation, the Wyoming library reported circulation of 5674 or 8.1 percent of all circulation in the ECRL system. The Wyoming library trailed only Cambridge, North Branch, Princeton and Mora where circulation totals were higher. The North Branch library is in its second month of operation and had total circulation of 6809 in December.

School board will begin levy talks

The ISD 831 School Board will resume discussions this winter for an excess levy referendum for this fall. The school board, meeting in regular session on Jan. 5, agreed to begin the talks but no meeting dates were established. Board members were asked to communicate possible meeting dates to Superintendent Lynn Steenblock before a meeting date was set. The discussion will focus on what steps the district must take in the aftermath of last fall's public rejection of request to replace the current excess operating levy with a new and larger local property tax levy. The district has one year remaining on the operating levy that is in place. The levy is used to supplement the districtís general fund with dollars that are not available through regular state aid. Meeting dates this month and next were suggested.

Bresin reelected board president

Bill Bresin was elected president of the ISD 831 School Board for 2006, but the decision was a 4-3 tally at the Jan. 5 organizational meeting. Bresin defeated member Keith Dunham for chairmanship position. Dunham found votes from new members David Gay and Eric Langness and himself while Bresin won with votes from new member Julie Corcoran, Joe Grafft, Rob Rapheal and himself. Graft was elected vice-president on the same 4-3 split decision, topping a bid for Dunham to serve in that capacity. Rapheal was elected clerk on a 4-3 vote while Corcoran was elected treasurer on a 7-0 vote.

Mitchell seeks Senate endorsement

Don Mitchell, Scandia, a former ISD 831 Board of Education member, will seek the DFL endorsement in Senate District 52. Mitchell, 56, is a life-long resident of Minnesota, and a 30-year resident of what is now Senate District 52. Major issues where he hopes to have an impact are K-12 education financing, campaign financing, conservation and the arts. Mitchell was twice elected to the Forest Lake school board, was board chair for three of the four years he was in office. Mitchell taught at Stillwater Junior and Senior High Schools from 1975-79, then went into independent contracting work, in education and training at 3M. In 1984 he established an S-corporation, through which he has provided technical writing, training, documentation, software design, and management services to large and small businesses. He currently serves as president of PN Products, a plastics manufacturing company in Scandia. Mitchell is married to Dr. Barbara Staub, and is the father of Will (21), Joe (17), and Sarah (15). He is a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Marine, where he has served on the church council, in stewardship campaigns and the call committee. He is a graduate of Wayzata High School and Stanford University, and has a Master of Arts in teaching from St. Thomas.

Board salaries will revert to old rates

Salaries paid to school board members in ISD 831 will revert to 2005 rates on July 1 of this year following school board action on Jan. 5. As a mean of addressing budget concerns last year, the board voted to reduce salaries from $200 a month to $180 a month. Under the action taken last year, the salaries were slated to revert to the old rates on July 1 of this year. The action by the board on Jan. 5 officially sets the salaries for the calendar year. Member Eric Langness abstained in the 6-0 decision that also drew some questions from member Keith Dunham. ìWe have five months to talk about it,î Dunham said. On a 4-3 vote, the board declined to postpone the decision. The administration will prepare a new report showing board salaries for other neighboring and conference school districts.

Board committees handed tasks

School board committees in ISD 831 were handed a pair of tasks by the school board Thursday, Jan. 5 during the boardís organizational meeting. On the request of member Keith Dunham, the boardís staff welfare committee will review time frames for contract negotiations with the superintendent of schools. Dunham requested a 90-day lead time be set in the process. The police committee will begin a review of standing committees. Dunham urged that the curriculum review committee become a formal school board standing committee because of its important function. He also argued for more direct board involvement in the finance and staff welfare committees. The two committees have no more than three board members on their rosters and also draw on citizens and school personnel for membership. Dunham said making the committees full board committee would help improve school approval ratings and easy public skepticism on certain areas. The committees now meet on the third Thursday of the month during the board work session format. Reports are made to the full board on the first Thursday of the month. The committees were established to streamline board business and allow public participation, official said. If the change is made to full standing committee status, a second regular meeting night each month may be necessary.

Model railroad show in FL Jan. 28-29

A model railroad show is coming to Forest Lake this month. The Great River Valley System will present its third annual Forest Lake Model Railroad Show at Northland Mall on Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 28-29. The show is free and will include numerous model railroad displays. Show hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 28 and 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 29. For more information, call Steve at 651-433-3039.

Tree disposal site open until Jan. 29

The city of Forest Lake is once again offering its residents a site for disposal of Christmas trees which will remain open through most of January. The public works garage at 843 SW 4th St. (next to the Forest Lake Fire Hall) is the site where trees can be taken. The site will be open until Jan. 29. City officials request that all tinsel, plastic bags, wires and metal be removed from the tree. For more information, call Forest Lake City Hall, 651-464-3550 and select option one.

Grade 8 math meeting set Jan. 12

Parents of eighth-grade students in ISD 831 are invited to a Math Information Meeting at 7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 12 at the Forest Lake High School Media Center. This meeting will detail the topics and sequence of topics for both mathematics choices in ninth grade, Integrated or Traditional math. There will be a presentation by secondary math teachers and administrators, as well as a time for general questions and answers. Anyone with questions regarding mathematics course offerings or the informational meeting may contact Jennifer Tolzmann, curriculum coordinator, by e-mail (jtolzmann@forestlake.k12.mn.us) or phone (651-982-8352).

Pulkrabek elected county board chair

Washington County Commissioners on Jan. 3 elected District 2 Commissioner Bill Pulkrabek board chair for 2006. District 3 Commissioner Gary Kriesel was elected vice-chair. Pulkrabek, who represents the area which includes Lake Elmo, Landfall, Oakdale and part of Woodbury, has served on the county board since 1999. He also served as the mayor of Oakdale from 1995 to 1998. Pulkrabek was board chair in 2002 and vice-chair during 2005. Kriesel completed his first year on the county board in December. He has served two years on the Stillwater City Council Pulkrabek succeeds District 4 Commissioner Myra Peterson as chair. Commissioners presented Peterson with a plaque honoring her service throughout 2005. The board also appointed commissioners to serve as representatives or liaisons with 53 groups and organizations. Board meetings were set for the first four Tuesdays of each month at 9 a.m., except for legal holidays.

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Forest Lake Times
P.O. Box 218
880 SW 15 St.
Forest Lake, MN 55025
651-464-4601
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