School briefs: District awarded $30K in grants from 3M Foundation

The 3M Foundation recently awarded more than $30,000 in grants to the Mahtomedi Engineering Leadership Program.

One grant for $10,000 will be used to fund the Mahtomedi High School robotics team. A second grant for $21,374 will help the leadership program buy technical supplies needed for engineering classes at Mahtomedi Middle and High schools.

"The education of many students across Mahtomedi Public Schools will be enriched by the opportunities these grants will make possible," said Mary George, the district's engineering coordinator.

Referendum will be on Nov. 2 ballotResidents in Independent School District 2144 will be asked to vote on two questions that will appear on the ballot in November's general election.

The first would extend a 10-year levy that expires and is due to go off the tax roles in 2011. That amount is $400.96 per student.

The second questions asks voters to approve an additional $290 per student to reduce the need for budget cuts in future years.

The district, which serves some students in Scandia, is the only district in Washington County seeking a tax increase this fall.

Spanish Immersion program addedThe Forest Lake Area School District has added a Spanish Immersion program for first graders for the 2010-11 school year.

More than 60 students have enrolled in the program, which is being offered at both Forest View and Lion Lakes elementary schools.

The program is designed for students whose first language is English and whose families place a high value on their child learning a world language.