South metro school briefs

New bus fees approved The Lakeville school board signed off last week on the details of new busing fees that will go into effect this fall.

Starting this fall, students who live between half a mile and two miles from school will have to pay $150 if they want to ride the bus. Families with several students won't be charged more than $450, and some students will be eligible for fee waivers.

State law requires school districts to provide free transportation to students who live more than two miles from school, but some districts charge fees to students who live closer. Lakeville's new fees are part of a plan to fill a $6 million budget hole; the board approved the package of budget cuts and changes in February for the upcoming school year.

Students who will be affected by the new fees will get a letter from the school district with information about how to sign up. For details, go to the district's website at www.isd194.k12.mn.us.

Mock trial team wins national honors A team from Lakeville North High School won second place this month at the National High School Mock Trial Championship, making it farther than any Minnesota team in the competition's history, team supporters said.

The team faced off against a school from Indiana in the final round of the tournament, which was held May 6-10 in Atlanta.

These students competed: Max Eichenberger, Luis Guitart, Melissa Cheney, Josh Brogan, Corinne Solheid, Marie Ferguson, Liz Korby and Anna Skidmore.

American Indian youth to hold dance, art show The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Committee will celebrate Dakota culture and traditions with a free youth dance and art show on Thursday.

The event will be held in the auditorium of Prior Lake High School, with a performance for students in the afternoon and another at 7 p.m. The evening exhibition, which will last about an hour, is open to the public. Refreshments will follow.

About 50 young people are expected to perform, dancing in handmade regalia to the songs of the Little Six Drum Group.

The high school is located at 7575 W. 150th St., Savage.

Board officially hires new superintendent It's official: Jane Berenz is the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan school board's choice to succeed Superintendent John Currie when he retires this summer.

The board hired Berenz in a unanimous vote last week, telling a district committee to hammer out a contract with her that will be brought back to the board for approval.

Berenz, who is currently the district's director of teaching and learning, has worked for the district for 22 years and graduated from Apple Valley High School. She'll start her new job on July 1.

SARAH LEMAGIE