THE LIONS ROAR REINCARNATED

Edited by Mark Ripplinger

Photos by Don Wood & Mark Ripplinger

July 28, 2008

Lions President Mark Miller

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE (July 28th)

Fellow Lions, we have received a little coverage in the local media on the work we have been doing for Tornado and Flood relief. If anyone has a good contact with a reporter, please let me know. We have accomplished a lot and have a good story to tell. Watch your Iowa Lion as we should have a story in the next issue. Mark your calendar and tell your family that our Summer Picnic is August 25th at Pheasant Ridge Golf Course. If you have a door prize or a raffle gift that you can give, please bring to the picnic or to our meeting

We Serve ……… Mark Miller

TODAY’S MEETING (July 28th)

Jeff Olson, Cedar Falls Police Chief, will speak to the club.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

August 4th … TBD

August 11th … TBD

August 18th … Pat Mitchell, Cedar Falls High School Football Coach will speak to the club about the upcoming season.

August 25th … Summer Picnic, Golf Outing

BIRTHDAYS ANNIVERSARIES

Bob Leahy – July 29th Tim & Stephanie Weaver – Aug. 2nd

Bob Lembke – July 29th

Ralph Scott – July 31st

ANNOUNCEMENTS

None

LAST MEETING (July 21st)

David Stoakes, Cedar Falls Schools Superintendent, spoke to the club about the Elementary School boundary changes. A committee was formed to study attendance and geographical locations of elementary age students within the Cedar Falls School district. Early results of the study indicated that North Cedar School was operating at less than full capacity and Southdale School exceeded optimum capacity levels. Redistricting and/or closing schools is always a difficult and controversial topic. The Cedar Falls school system has worked through similar situations in the past including: 1997 – Valley Park School Closed; 1993 – Boundary Lines Changed; 1984 – Humbert School Closed; 1977 – Boundary Lines Changed; 1975 – Minor & Main Street Schools Closed; 1969 – Phase Out Main Street School. The committee formed in 2006 included 23 members made up of school personnel, parents from the districts and other community individuals. The committee’s task was to 1) Identify multiple solutions and; 2) Provide a recommendation to the School Board. The Committee held 17 meetings, which included three public forums and three meetings to provide the School Board with input. The Committee analyzed an enormous amount of pertinent data to help them make a recommendation. The Committee explored the following options: Restructuring; Developing a Charter School; Developing a Magnet School; Developing Year Round Schools; Closing a School and building a new structure in an area where it would be needed in the future and finally; Changing the boundary lines to take advantage of the schools already constructed and utilizing those facilities for the community. After reviewing all alternatives, the committee created two proposals. Change the school district boundary lines immediately or wait and change the lines in the future. Also, open enrollment requirements could be reviewed. The School Board voted to change the boundary lines now and also review the open enrollment requirements. Once the decision was made to create new district lines, letters were sent to the affected families and they were provided with open enrollment options. Also, transition activities were scheduled to welcome the students and their families to their new school.