HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Resolution 2008-090CITY OF PLYMOUTH
RESOLUTION NO. 2008-090
WIffiREAS, Robbinsdale Independent School District 281 (ISD 28 1) is undertaking a strategic
planning process, which may include closing schools, to address a $5 million budget shortfall
following the failure of its most recent referendum initiative; and
WIffiREAS, one of the schools ISD 281 is considering closing is Pilgrim Lane Elementary
School, located in Plymouth; and
WIffiREAS, more than 25 percent of Plymouth households are located in ISD 281, and 2,284
ISD 281 students are Plymouth residents; and
WIffiREAS, during difficult budget times, it is vital for the School District to foster relationships
with communities and constituencies that are willing to financially support its mission of
providing excellent education; and
WIffiREAS, the City of Plymouth recognizes the essential role education and strong schools
play in the health and vibrancy of our community as evidenced by the many partnerships
between the City and ISD 281; and
WIffiREAS, the City of Plymouth Comprehensive Plan includes vision statements citing the
importance of education to a healthy community; and
WI-1EREAS, nearly 60 percent of Plymouth voters demonstrated this sentiment by voting to raise
their property taxes in the failed ISD 281 referendum; and
WIffiREAS, the City of Plymouth was one of only two cities that voted in favor of the
referendum; and
WIffiREAS, the City of Plymouth has historically collaborated with the ISD 281 to maximize
City and School District resources, including:
• Funding the $1.3 community gym at Armstrong High School;
• Building, maintaining and/or financially contributing to several ISD 281 owned
parks, playgrounds and playfields, including Pilgrim Lane Elementary, Plymouth
Middle School, Armstrong High School baseball field, and
• Providing facilities for ISD 281 middle and high school teams, including Zachary
Playfield, Bass Lake Playfield, Plymouth Creek Playfield, Plymouth Ice Center; and
WIffiREAS, the ISD 281 has a financial stake in maintaining strong neighborhood schools
because it minimizes the number of families opting to open enroll and promotes healthy property
values that yield increased property taxes to support the district over the long-term; and
Resolution No. 2008-090
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WHEREAS, 941 students attend Pilgrim Lane and Zachary Lane Elementary Schools in
Plymouth; and
WHEREAS, a number of Plymouth students also attend the highly acclaimed Spanish Immersion
Program at Robbinsdale Middle School; and
WHEREAS, both ISD 281 elementary schools located in Plymouth, Pilgrim Lane and Zachary
Lane, are strong neighborhood schools that dissuade Plymouth families in the district from
opting for open enrollment or seeking private school options; and
WHEREAS, the district has proactively addressed pending fiscal challenges through building
renovation analysis and prudent financial planning; and
WHEREAS, ISD 281's Facilities Renovation Program shows that the renovation of Pilgrim Lane
is projected to be less than the renovation costs of other district facilities.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED THAT THE PLYMOUTH CITY
COUNCIL:
Opposes the closing of Pilgrim Lane Elementary School because it would weaken a
strong neighborhood school in a community that supported ISD 281's referendum.
Urges the ISD 281 to make its decisions based on sound, long-term financial analysis.
Encourages parents, students and other Plymouth residents to attend and participate in
public information meetings planned by the ISD 281 to discuss budgetary, cost-
saving and school closing/restructuring issues.
Adopted by the City Council on March 11, 2008.