MINNETONKA

Foundation honors science teacher

Joe Cossette, who will begin his first year of teaching science at Minnetonka High School this fall, has been chosen by the Knowles Science Teaching Foundation as a member of its 2014 cohort of Teaching Fellows.

The selected Fellows are considered some of the most exceptionally talented early-career teachers in the nation.

Cossette grew up in Rochester, graduating from Lourdes High School in 2007. He earned a teaching license from the University of Minnesota and is currently enrolled in the school's Master of Education program. Additionally, he holds a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from Iowa State University.

ST. LOUIS PARK

Class of 1964 holds 50-year reunion

The St. Louis Park High School Class of 1964 will hold its 50-year class reunion Sept. 5-6. Events will include a casual Friday evening starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Park Tavern, 3401 Louisiana Av. S., a free tour of the high school at 11 a.m. Saturday (meet at the north main door on 33rd Street) and the main event starting at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Minikahda Club, 3205 Excelsior Blvd. For more information or to make reservations, go to www.splhi64.com or call 952-583-3802.

WACONIA

Fall referendum question approved

The Waconia school board voted Aug. 11 to place a "tax-neutral" school funding question before voters Nov. 4.

"For the past few years, we have diligently reviewed our growing K-12 enrollment figures," school board chairman Brian Rothstein said in a news release. "Our enrollment has doubled since the 1998-99 school year and is projected to continue growing. The buildings are full, and we have worked hard to find the best solution."

The board unanimously approved this language: "Request to approve a tax-neutral $75 million bond referendum to build a new elementary school, renovate the middle school and high school, and create a newly designed ECFE center for early childhood education. The referendum will provide for land acquisition, the creation of additional athletic fields, deferred maintenance costs, and districtwide security upgrades, including security entrances at the middle and high school campuses, and the refinancing of existing buildings. If approved, the current 20-year bond schedule would be refinanced to 24 years."

STAFF REPORTS