White Bear Lake wants levy renewed

White Bear Lake's school board will ask voters to renew the district's operating levy this November.

The levy approved by voters in 2007 is expiring at the end of this school year. If the levy is renewed this fall, taxes will not be increased, administrators said.

Should the levy lapse, it would result in a 15 percent reduction in revenue and lead to larger class sizes, closure and consolidation of some school sites and fewer programs for students, administrators said.

Teacher named best in districtChristy Anderson has been named Mahtomedi's Teacher of the Year. Anderson, a fifth-grade teacher at O.H. Anderson Elementary School, has taught in Mahtomedi schools for 16 years.

"It is impossible to name a school district whose young people are brighter or more talented, or whose teachers work harder and have greater results than ours," Anderson said. "I'm fiercely proud of our schools and staff, and, in light of the excellence with which I am surrounded every day, it is a tremendous honor to be named the 2011-2012 Mahtomedi Teacher of the Year."

New activities director at Woodbury HighWoodbury High School this month appointed Jason Gonnion as its activities director.

Gonnion had been dean of students at Forest Lake Area High School. There he coordinated numerous efforts for the school including college and career readiness initiatives, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math), National Honor Society, Student Advisory, Financial Aid, Link Crew and Athletics and Activities leadership.

"Mr. Gonnion is a dynamic leader who is passionate about all high school activities. I see him as a strong, committed leader who will take the activities program at Woodbury High School to new levels," said Linda Plante, Woodbury High School principal.

Band teacher has music publishedDoug Bradley, the Lake Middle School band director, had his song, "Liberty Celebration," published this month.

The piece was originally created for the Liberty Ridge Elementary School's sixth-grade band and was commissioned by the Liberty Ridge PTA. The song also was selected for the 2011 Editor's Choice CD by J.W. Pepper Company, a large music retailer.

Berg nominated to represent stateNancy Berg, the Project Lead the Way biomedical science teacher at East Ridge High School, has been selected as a finalist for the 2011 Minnesota Presidential Award in Science.

A national board will choose one science teacher from each state. Winners will travel to Washington, D.C., to have lunch with the president, meet with legislators and receive a $10,000 prize.

The Minnesota representative will be selected this winter.

DAAREL BURNETTE II