BURNSVILLE-EAGAN-SAVAGE

Burnsville eliminates late-start school daysThe Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District has decided to do away with having students start school late on a few days a year.

There are five days each year when school start times are pushed back two hours. The district, in a statement announcing the cancellation of the late-start policy, said such delays "are disruptive for families and schools while no longer being effective for professional development for teachers."

The decision to do away with the late-start days was made by the school board at its last meeting of 2012.

The late-start days will be replaced with two all-day professional development days -- one in November and the other in February. Students will not have school on those days, and teachers will use the time to analyze data and collaborate on plans for individual students.

The changes are expected to be implemented in the 2013-14 school year.

LAKEVILLE

Teachers Hilliard, Brown are honoredSheri Brown and Andrew Hilliard of the Lakeville School District have been recognized as TIES Exceptional Teachers.

The pair were honored at the TIES 2012 Education Technology Conference in Minneapolis last month. They were among 83 teachers from 43 districts in the state.

The teachers were chosen by their superintendents for the TIES award.

School districts participating in the award program are members of TIES, an education technology consortium of 47 Minnesota school districts.

HERÓN MÁRQUEZ

Fresh interest shown in historic depot Several prospects are interested in the Depot space downtown, the former train depot that has been converted into a coffee shop and wine bar. Two tenants have tried in recent years to make something work within the historic space, but have been troubled by various issues, most recently road construction that diminished access from Hwy. 13. A property broker working with the city may attend an informal work session with council members Jan. 22, after the regular meeting, to recommend a tenant for the space, according to a city memo.