Recent content from Anthony Lonetree
East Side elementaries top pared-down list for St. Paul school overhauls
With falling enrollment, board to scrutinize list of renovations.
Minnetonka schools' open enrollment under state scrutiny
State action comes after receiving evidence showing the district accepts nonresident students on a first-come, first-served basis, and without conducting lotteries.
St. Paul school board OKs new contract for Superintendent Joe Gothard
The vote puts him at the helm of the state's second-largest district for another three years — and with an $8,000 pay raise in the first year.
Richfield school lunch-shaming spurs new call for state fix
The lunches were tossed because the students owed $15 or more, but the action was quickly halted when administrators became aware of the situation.
St. Paul group steps up fight against new charter schools
District board chairwoman signs onto the campaign seeking moratorium.
Incumbents win in divisive Minnetonka school board race
The 11-candidate race focused on open enrollment was in contrast to 2015, when voters backed new funding for schools and four seats drew only four hopefuls.
Minnetonka school board race reveals divide over open enrollment
A crowded field for the first time includes challengers determined to rein in the district's aggressive use of open enrollment to attract students.
Competitive field vying for St. Paul school board seats
Two front-runners confront challenges as Election Day approaches.
St. Paul school district's facilities report details oversight concerns
It suggests few updates were provided as projects grew in scope, such as with Humboldt High work.
St. Paul school district puts hold on building projects
First wave of building renovations came in millions of dollars more than projected.
St. Paul delays after-school programming due to shortage of bus drivers
Class work that was set to begin next Monday now will launch on Oct. 21.
'Every Monday should start like this': East metro school celebrates new $100K fitness center
A video helped their science-focused middle school land a new $100K fitness center. On Monday they celebrated.
St. Paul school board's pay vote raises transparency questions
St. Paul Public Schools officials acknowledge the move should have been better publicized.
St. Paul school board eyes property tax levy increase of up to 5%, raises its pay
District had been awaiting state's number-crunching.
Former St. Paul teacher settles retaliation suit against district for $525,000
Aaron Benner said district retaliated against him for criticizing its discipline practices.
St. Paul schools avert $4 million penalty after union delays health insurance switch
The district and union also are in early talks on a new two-year contract.
A day of firsts marks opening day for Minnesota schools
The emphasis was on the new: New shoes. New start times. New principals. New clothes — even uniforms pulled together at the last minute.
Slowdown for external review leaves five St. Paul schools projects on hold
Work continues at Humboldt, Como Park as district awaits external report on facilities plan.
St. Paul schools flip start times so teenagers can sleep in
Twenty-one elementary schools with nearly 10,000 students will start school an hour earlier to let the big kids occupy their old 8:30 a.m. start-time slot.
Former St. Paul teacher can seek punitive damages from district, judge rules
He's suing St. Paul district, alleging retaliation for criticizing discipline plan.
St. Paul teachers propose mediation in health-insurer dispute
School district has threatened to sue union.
St. Paul's Gothard wins school board's support
The board announced it plans to begin negotiating renewal of the three-year contract that Joe Gothard signed in 2017.
St. Paul School District threatens to sue unions over health-care dispute
The unions representing teachers, teaching assistants voted to leave HealthPartners mid-contract, which would trigger $4 million penalty.
St. Paul teachers pitch compromise over health-care issue
Deal aimed at avoiding $4 million penalty for the school district.
More than two dozen file for St. Paul City Council races
Another 10 filed for the four seats on the school board on the ballot in November.
Case filed by Coon Rapids transgender student gets go-ahead
Judge rejects district's attempt to dismiss suit filed by transgender student.
'Fergie' Ferguson, legendary rock roadie, dies at age 74
Ian "Fergie" Ferguson was a guitar-tech legend who had the ears and trust of heavy metal heroes from Ritchie Blackmore to Yngwie Malmsteen to Kirk…
St. Paul teachers' health insurance move threatens budget
Union vote puts district at risk of $4 million penalty from HealthPartners.
Losing students, St. Paul aims for a middle school revival
Investments include a new school in Woodbury.
St. Paul rec centers to lend a hand as school hours change
A free after-school program for students in grades 1 through 5 is being expanded.
Robbinsdale schools superintendent aims to ease discontent
Superintendent Carlton Jenkins had hoped he and his critics could "move on."
St. Paul school board renames school that honored slave-owning president
Linwood Monroe Arts Plus to drop name of President James Monroe.
Monroe High alumni fight the proposed renaming of St. Paul's Linwood Monroe Arts Plus
St. Paul arts school plans to drop name of slave-owning president.
Children's Hospitals, nurses reach 3-year agreement
Teams representing the nurses and the hospitals met for 21 hours and agreed to address issues that included raises and the cost of health insurance.
As some St. Paul schools get fresh face, rising costs delay others
Rising costs led to outside review, too.
St. Paul's Central High to have interim leader in 2019-20
Two searches to replace Mary Mackbee have failed to produce the "right candidate," the superintendent wrote in a message to families.
For second time in two months, student brings loaded gun to St. Paul elementary school
An 8-year-old girl at John A. Johnson Achievement Plus Elementary found the gun when she looked into her backpack, police said.
Red Rock Central superintendent hospitalized after crash
Bruce Olson, 64 and nearing retirement, suffered a spinal cord injury, family says.
Fast-talking auctioneer and businessman Abner Jacobson dies at 93
He cut many deals, and yet his business partner, Jerry Peterson, could not recall anyone not liking him.
Amid rising facilities costs, St. Paul school district calls for outside review
With costs blowing past the district's early estimates, many residents elsewhere now must wait longer for improvements to buildings near them.
St. Paul schools teeter with budget deficit: 'We passed a referendum. We still have a deficit. What's up?'
District faces enrollment losses, a new strategic plan even with Legislature's boost in per-pupil funding.
Minnetonka's courting of nonresident students continues to fuel tension
The district says nonresident students, and the revenue they generate, are vital to its operations.
An inspirational first pitch? St. Paul teen delivered for the Twins
A graduate of St. Paul's Humboldt High School, Ana Younker-Zimmerman, 19, excelled in adapted sports. So when the word went out that theTwins wanted an inspirational athlete to throw out the first pitch on April 26, she got the call.
St. Paul School District avoids tough talk about charter school competition
School board avoids moratorium talk, floats idea of working along with other campuses.
St. Paul School District weighing hard choices on budget
Superintendent slices number of new teacher coaches to be hired.
Anoka-Hennepin parents rally for Ramsey teachers dealing with rising unruliness
More must be done to stop disruptive behavior at Ramsey Elementary, supporters say.
St. Paul officials debate ways to rein in growing charter schools
The St. Paul Federation of Educators has quizzed school board and City Council candidates about whether they would back a moratorium on charter school growth.
St. Paul school board hears pitch to raise tobacco age
Thirty-one cities, counties have taken action to date.
St. Paul Central's Mary Mackbee hears the praises
School auditorium to be named for educator of more than 50 years.
St. Paul schools still show gaps in student discipline
Report says black students last fall were suspended eight times more often than whites.
Rose Johnsen, pillar of St. Paul's Obb's Sports Bar & Grill, dies at 97
Johnsen, who for 60 years was a charming, no-nonsense presence at the East Side institution, Obb's Sports Bar & Grill, and whose name now adorns the boulevard sign near the crosswalk outside, died Feb. 18. She was 97, and retired for only two years.
St. Paul school district projects budget deficit for fifth year
The $2.9 million shortfall would be the district's fifth in a row.
St. Paul educators mark century of activism
Union local is recognized leader in "common good" bargaining.
St. Paul students aim to put teeth into ethnic studies
Nationally, the curriculum has been shown to improve grades and attendance.
St. Paul schools prepare to change start times in the fall
District officials work to ease parental concerns.
Push on at Capitol to help English language newcomers
The education of students learning to grasp the English language is getting fresh attention at the State Capitol — in no small part because of the fiscal pressures being placed on school districts facing budget shortfalls to cover ELL services.
Ex-teacher to fight St. Paul district's move to toss retaliation lawsuit
Aaron Benner sued St. Paul schools alleging retaliation.
Minn. youth program uses 'elite' sport of squash to open doors
Beyond Walls, operating out of the University of Minnesota's Recreation and Wellness Center, looks to sharpen skills and academics.
Ramsey County's big data plans come under fire as profiling
St. Paul mayor, superintendent join in ordering "pause" on new joint powers board.
Perpich Arts High School offers new dorm fees deal to boost enrollment
The enrollment incentive would ease costs for teens outside the metro.
Daniel Connell, craft beer expert who ran marathons, dies at 35
Daniel Connell ran nine marathons, and after each one he vowed to never do it again."It's just too much," the Rev. Jerry Fehn quoted him…
St. Paul schools move again to have former teacher's lawsuit tossed
Ex-teacher critical of board claims retaliation after series of investigations.
St. Paul Superintendent Joe Gothard details strategic plan for school district
Middle schools to be an area of focus, he has said.
Trump panel advocates rescinding Obama-era school discipline rules
The proposal to return suspension policy stirs debate in Minnesota.
Property taxes climbing, but needs are many, activists say
Many residents applaud investments, but new hikes raise concerns, too.
St. Paul's student numbers on the decline
Drop in students for 2018-19 comes despite well-publicized campaign.
Osseo transgender student alleges harassment over bathroom use
Video posted online shows door to stall being opened by adults outside.
'Laser Week' light shows planned at St. Paul's Como Planetarium
St. Paul Public Schools is combining classic rock music and laser lights in a weeklong series of planetarium shows that will run Monday night through Saturday.
Police investigating alleged assault of St. Paul assistant principal by student
In St. Paul, court cases have gone from 15 in 2015 to 2 so far this year.
Storytelling skills being built at early age in St. Paul
Rondo-area preschoolers draw inspiration from guest artists.
St. Paul schools move to strengthen English language services
St. Paul schools plan is part of a settlement with parents of Karen students.
St. Paul Public Schools has plan to better engage with parents
District has a plan it says will help parents' feedback be handled better.
Twin Cities metro districts win in high-stakes school levy votes
The message was direct, “Vote Yes for Kids,” and on Tuesday, the people of Minneapolis and St. Paul delivered for their school districts. Voters backed…
Costs eyed as St. Paul superintendent builds his leadership team
Creation of two new jobs, rewriting of a third, comes as levy vote approaches.
Metro school districts go to voters to right fiscal ships
Levies in Mpls., St. Paul and suburbs would boost taxes, steady district finances.
