The Minnesota Department of Eduction (MDE) has named Montrose Elementary School of Innovation (MESI) and Northwinds (NES) Elementary School 2015-16 Reward Schools for having demonstrated exceptional student outcomes and success in closing achievement gaps. While NES is celebrating for the first time, MESI is celebrating for the second year in a row.
Just 10 years ago, the world didn't have app designers or social media managers. Who created and filled those jobs-students. Montrose Elementary Principal Tony Steffes and his staff have started to challenge the "traditional" educational experience. They have found new ways to engage students in learning that is relevant for today's world and the unknown future to come. Little by little they are infusing more and more technology into the classes, which has allowed kids to be more creative.
The votes are finally in and the bond election has officially passed with 6,270--YES and 5,172--NO votes. Thank you to everyone who got out to vote! This bond will truly make a difference for all of our students.
The 2013 Legislature has now authorized school boards the ability to convert up to $300 per adjusted pupil unit (APU) of voter approved referendum authority to board approved authority for fiscal 2015 and beyond. This authority can be applicable for up to five years and would begin with taxes payable in calendar 2014.
On Thursday, February 23, 2012, Ehlers, the district's financial advisor, took bids for the sale of general obligation refunding bonds for BHM Schools. The bonds will refund 2014-24 maturities of the $42.4 million General Obligation School Building Bonds, Series 2003B, dated November 1, 2003; and the 2014-18 maturities of the $9.1 million General Obligation Alternative Facilities Bonds, Series 2005A, dated December 1, 2005. The first bond issue was for the construction of Northwinds Elementary School (2003). The second bond issue was for alternative facilities projects completed at Tatanka, Hanover, Discovery, and Montrose elementary schools (2005).
The release of property tax statements (Truth in Taxation Statement) and the approval of the Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose School District (BHM) levy renewal on Election Day November 8, 2011, are causing some confusion among school district residents. And for good reason, it's confusing! School finances and taxes are never an easy topic to explain.
Over the past year, the district has been working to develop a logo with a classic design that could represent its three main communities-Buffalo, Hanover and Montrose-and its mission. The logo, seen here, is the result of that work.
