Eden Prairie Bulletin - July 20, 2015 (Jul 14, 2015)

Speaker: Mike Miner - Quality Preschool and the Governor's Universal Pre-K Plan

Mike is the Development Director for Step By Step Montessori Schools and has been involved with Montessori since he was three years old. Step by Step has 8 centers, mostly in the west metro area, serving 1200 children from 6 weeks old through kindergarten.

Mike explained the Governor’s Universal Pre-K proposal, which became a key point of contention during debate on the Education Finance portion of the state’s budget. His original plan called for optional all-day school for every 4 year old provided at Minnesota public schools. This was essentially creating a new grade for 4 year olds and cost estimates ranged from $300 million to close to one billion dollars fully phased in. The Governor later modified his proposal, calling for 3 hours of school, 5 days a week for all 4 year olds to be offered by public schools. The final education bill contained $525 million in new spending, with a significant emphasis on early childhood education. $48.25 million in additional money was placed into early education scholarships, and $30.75 million went to school readiness, which are school based pre-school programs to help ensure at risk children are ready for kindergarten. More than $280 million in early childhood education was funded in the E-12 bill that was signed into law, through a combination of scholarship, school-based and Head Start programs.

Minnesota has 1635 licensed child care centers—150 are Montessori—with 30,000 people working in child care programs with 350,000 spaces for children ages 0-6. It is estimated Minnesota’s population of young children this age is 305,000. 35% of the state’s child care centers are nationally accredited. Most states have a “mixed delivery” system, with preschool programs available through public schools or private providers. Scholarships were preferred over the Governor’s plan because research shows that getting at-risk children in quality early childhood programs reaps the greatest reward in terms of return on investment. School based programs tend to be the most expensive, averaging a cost of $19 an hour per child versus $6 or $7 an hour in private provider locations. Preserving parent choice, allowing them to choose the quality provider they preferred, was also an important factor and helps to encourage the development of quality across various types of providers.

Announcements

Vino Classico Needs Sponsors! If you can be a sponsor, or can contact a business you patronize who may be willing to sponsor, please contact Becky Deelstra. We are also building our silent auction donations, and this effort is being spearheaded by Carol Sundet Meeker and Jeannie Zetah.
Please consider being a host family for Art, the high school student from Thailand we are sponsoring for Rotary Youth Exchange. As of Tuesday’s meeting, we had no host families and 3 are needed for the coming school year. Questions? Contact Jane McGinty.
Becky Deelstra detailed a “Chicken Challenge” that has gone out to all Eden Prairie Rotary Club members to help collect canned chicken (or cash donations) for PROP for their summer food program. They need 1000 cans for August. We are in competition with the Chanhassen Rotary Club and are vying to see who can collect the greater number of pound of canned chicken in one week. Every club member received a grocery bag and envelope for cash donation/gift cards. Please bring your canned chicken or gift cards to next Tuesday’s meeting, July 21st. Mayor for the losing city will wear the “Hen Hat of Shame” at a public city council meeting!!

Spotlight on Joe Stoebner

Joe is the founder and Chair of AVI Tech Systems, father and grandfather, and gardener, and he told us of his love for all three important facets of his life. He went to work for a tech company, one of their first employees, and purchased the business 7 years later. The company grew from 1 office in Bismarck to 17 offices around the country, now employing 480 employee owners of AVI Systems. Joe said their main product is “trust”, designing, integrating and supporting complex communications systems for their customers.

Growing up on a farm, one of 9 children, Joe remembers the day he got to first drive a tractor, and he still likes mowing his one lawn with his John Deere today! He has specialized in English gardens and has 15,000 different plants in his yard. Joe’s motto about his garden is, “The price of perfection is never ending.” Joe and wife Carol have 2 children in their 40’s, and Joe has learned children never totally outgrow their need for their parents. Joe’s son has 5 children and Joe loves the hero worship aspect of being a devoted Grandpa. Which role does Joe love best? It was a tie—Joe loves all 3!

Happy Fines

Yvonne Selcer’s daughter got engaged—congratulations!! Yvonne is also happy to report she had successful eye surgery.
Cathy Haukedahl encouraged all Rotarians to support the Relay for Life that will be held July 24th in Eden Prairie, and said her bank will be sending a team.
Bev and Brad Aho just celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary—congratulations!
Carol Sundet Meeker’s daughter was married July 3rd. She is now an empty nester—and both of her children were married within the past 7 months.
Roger Jorgensen asked for prayers for a friend and colleague who waited a month at Mayo for a heart and kidney transplant, and just successfully had the surgery.

Visitors

Farryl Kluis, who recently moved from Faribault to Eden Prairie, joined the club for a second meeting.