Guest Speakers
Waite Park Elementary School Principal
Waite Park is adding programs for advanced and basic readers.

Northeast Middle School Principal: Ben Perry
This is his third year as principal. He has 62 staff members but is missing a French teacher, and there are no replacements available in the district. The guidance counselor left to have more time for her family; they are also looking for replacement for her. $245,000 has been cut from their budget. Enrollment is projected for 504 students, 480 have enrolled so far. Students seem happy and adjusted.

NEMS took top honors at the State Fair in art ? this is the 15th year in a row that Industrial Arts has also won top honors at the fair.

The school is participating in a new state program, TAP (Teacher Advancement Program). 70% of school staff must vote in favor of the program. It provides $280,000 for mentors and coaches to help teachers implement best practices. Graco has also given a grant to help build an advisory program.

African-American students missed AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress), part of No Child Left Behind in reading by 2.3%, so they will focus on that this year. Last year they were AYP in both reading and math, so this year is better than last.

Reports
Waite Park Park & Rec ? Larry and Tony providing food for Fall Festival on September 17. Park very busy.

Community Education ? Classes at Waite Park for another year. School budget cut .5 engineer position so no night engineer. After school program for kids every weekday. Spanish classes being planned.

Waite Park Voice ? Next issue on September 15. Following issue planned for November.

Block Leader/Crime Update ? Weed It and Reap coming soon, Thursday ? Sunday event. Waiting for extra cops in Northeast. Looking for proposals to bring families back to Central Avenue. For example, bring the Buick club up to Grace Manor.

Council President reports crime up 30% this year in 2nd precinct. West side of Johnson lots of graffiti on garages.

Shoreham Yard/Central Avenue ? Dioxin discovered at the Cedar Services Area of Shoreham Yards. State, Railroad and City met recently to talk about cleaning up one of the ten parcels, which will take 6-8 years. The State asking for public input by 9/31/05. Lawsuit is settled and CP Rail has started to move. Discussed clean-up is for area along Central. After delaying the start of clean-up for years, now everything is being rushed and the current plan is to not clean the site up to the best possible standard.

CDC ? September 19 at 7pm meeting of Columbia Park neighborhood about redeveloping 37th & University which may also have pollution issues.

Community Garden ? Council President says garden looks good.

NRP/CPED ? Will be submitting an application for Phase II NRP funds.

Public Education in Northeast ? Meeting on September 27 at Edison from 6:30pm ? 8:30 pm, and have regularly scheduled meetings for the last Tuesday of each month.

Correspondence Committee ? No report

New Business
None

Old Business
Fall Festival
Fliers distributed in English and Spanish to school kids on Friday. Still looking for volunteers

Habitat for Humanity
Tour/dedication on Thursday, September 8 evening to tour the homes and meet neighbors

Other
Seniors-on-the-Go trip to LaCrosse rescheduled for September 29

St. Anthony Citizens Advisory Committee seeks community representatives. Volunteers, Peter Huxminn 2105 St. Anthony Parkway and alternate Jim Dew, 2215 St. Anthony Parkway were nominated as representatives to the committee.

Motion to Adjourn passes.

Respectfully submitted
Eric Gilbertson
Substitute Secretary, Waite Park Community Council

Tia Karelson
Secretary, Waite Park Community Council