Both of these schools are rated in the top 10 elementary schools in MN. Let's not chip away from these schools that are doing so well. They also provide a traditional academic atmosphere. For those of us in the Stonebridge area, the open structure is not a fit for all kids. Marine and Withrow offer an option for a traditional school. In order to get more kids there, have a bus stop in Stillwater (North hill and South hill). This will keep more kids in the Stillwater public schools instead of those families looking for a traditonal setting at St. Croix Prep, St. Croix Catholic, Salem and homeschooling.

How about NOT eliminating all day kindergarten? To make this cut is to start our students at a disadvantage. Research supports full day kindergarten as a contributing factor of greater academic achievement. Full day kindergarten students performed statistically significantly higher than half day students on nationally standardized tests measuring skills in reading, spelling, and handwriting, as well as on tests measuring individual skills. They show statistically significant mean gains on the English, mathematics, and handwriting subtests of these standardized achievement tests. Similar results have been found in studies on other achievement outcomes, including prerequisite reading skills and oral language assessments. The benefits of full day programs appear to extend beyond the end of kindergarten, with evidence that full day students have higher academic achievement in third and eighth grades. It would be a foolish cut to make.

I don't agree with the proposed idea of having Kindergarteners go to school all day, every other day. I think that would be confusing to them and doesn't help them get used to the school schedule. A better solution might be to offer half day Kindergarten every day, and allow parents the option to opt-in and pay for all-day Kindergarten if they choose. I know I'd prefer to pay extra for all day Kindergarten as opposed to paying for daycare on days when the Kindergartners otherwise wouldn't have school. Other schools in the area (like South Washington County) charge for all day Kindergarten (and half day is covered). This could save money for the district, and allow them to also make money by charging for all day Kindergarten for those parents who opt to do that.

As a mom of 2 children on the Autism spectrum, I know the value and the need for the specialists in the system. They are not a luxury item that is not very needed, and can just be eliminated - such as reducing the hours in the school day or increasing sport costs. The number of children on the spectrum is on the rise, and the need for specialists will only increase-not decrease. I know firsthand that while regular school teachers are great, they simply do not have the time to deal with the behavioral issues that come up in the already very full classrooms. The autistic child is simply put aside while they focus on the kids who are listening. I love our children's teachers, but they do not have the knowledge that autism specialists have, nor the time to deal with autistic children who need that one-on-one attention that only a specialist can provide. Without specialists on hand, there will be children who fall through the cracks in large numbers on a YEARLY BASIS. I know their brains work differently, and only the specialists understand how to teach them in a way they understand. If any of the board member had/have children on the spectrum, they would understand how important they are. What are the kids to do, just wander around the school & classrooms while the teachers go about their daily routines; no guiding whatsoever? That is exactly what would happen; teachers DO NOT have the time to put towards teaching children on the spectrum That is a FACT; our teachers have told us that. So I ask you; how is it possible to eliminate that important position? It's jut not. I beg you to keep the Autistic specialits on hand, without them, it's just not possible for the kids on the spectrum to thrive or learn AT ALL. Please.