Lakeville issues survey on magnet schools

Magnet schools may be coming to Lakeville, but whether they cater to future painters or linguists, doctors or diplomats will depend partly on the response to a school district survey being distributed today.

The questionnaire is part of a state-mandated effort to even out minority enrollment in Lakeville and the neighboring Burnsville-Eagan-Savage school district. Minority group students sit at about 9 percent of Lakeville's desks, compared with 31 percent in Burnsville-Eagan-Savage.

Both districts are considering new magnet schools -- public schools that specialize in a particular field such as fine arts or environmental studies -- as a way to attract students across district boundaries.

The Lakeville survey invites parents, students and staff members to weigh in on whether Lakeville should launch one or more magnet programs in the fall of 2009. Possible school themes include global studies and gifted education. Magnets in the district could take the form of new schools or programs within existing schools.

The district is releasing seven versions of the survey: one each for parents and staff members at the elementary, middle school and high school level, plus a survey for students in grades 7-10. The district will collect responses until April 11, then tally the results and assemble a task force of staff members, teachers and parents to study the most popular options.

The school board would probably decide whether to go ahead with any new magnet schools by September, said Barbara Knudsen, Lakeville's director of teaching and learning services.

Lakeville will also coordinate with the Burnsville-Eagan-Savage district to make sure any new programs complement each other. "We're not going to have the same program in both districts," said Todd Olson, Lakeville's integration and equity coordinator.

Leaning toward STEM

A magnet task force in the Burnsville-Eagan-Savage district is leaning toward recommending STEM magnet programs at the elementary and junior high level, and a fine and performing arts program for high school students that could operate in conjunction with the new arts center under construction in Burnsville, said Aldo Sicoli, assistant superintendent.

In March 2007, both districts approved a four-year integration plan that includes hiring more teachers of color, encouraging students to participate in activities and school programs together and studying magnet schools as an option.

The state provides money for districts to establish integration programs, with Lakeville receiving up to $210,000 this year, according to the Minnesota Department of Education.