More Alarming News from District 911

School District 911 has shown their disrespect to the Isanti City Taxpayer. The first issue is the playground at the new school in Isanti. This was originally presented to the City of Isanti as part of the school build. The City was asked to waive fees in excess of $20,000. These fees were waived in anticipation of this playground serving the entire neighborhood. The School District did not include the playground in the final build.

Now the School district will be sending out our children to raise the funds to build the playground. Our children will literally be responsible for the School Districts decision not to fund this park. If this is the School Districts decision then they should pay Isanti back the $20,000 plus dollars Isanti contributed to this project through fee reductions. The letter in the Cambridge Star is asking only Isanti Businesses and citizens to help pay. The Isanti Taxpayer should not pay a District expense. The children going to this school are not just Isanti City kids. Children from the surrounding townships will also be attending.

The second issue is the School Resource Officer. The School District and the City of Isanti have had a letter of understanding stating the District pays 68% of the School Resource Officer. Isanti has not received a single payment for 2005-2006 school year and is stilled owed more than $7,000 from 2004-2005. To add insult to injury, Cambridge is being paid for their School Resource Officer. Isanti City staff will be meeting with School District staff to resolve this issue.

As an Isanti City resident and Council Member I believe it is shameful to have the Taxpayers of Isanti pay District wide expenses. I would expect more from the District 911 School Board. I will not stop working on this issue until the City of Isanti is treated fairly.