SOUTH METRO
Chatfield, Raven Stream are 'Schools of Excellence'Two south-metro schools are among five statewide that have been named Minnesota Schools of Excellence for 2011-12.
Chatfield Elementary in Belle Plaine and Raven Stream Elementary in New Prague share the honor, along with Bendix Elementary in Annandale, Dowling Urban Environmental School in Minneapolis and Woodland Elementary in Brooklyn Park.
The School of Excellence program was established by the Minnesota Elementary Principals' Association and is recognized by the Minnesota Department of Education. Schools that receive the honor successfully undergo a process that includes a systematic self-study, development of a school improvement plan and roll-out of that plan, according to the association.
BURNSVILLE-EAGAN-SAVAGE
VandenBoom joins school boardRobert VandenBoom of Eagan will be sworn in as a member of the Burnsville-Eagan-Savage school board next week.
The board appointed VandenBoom last week, choosing him from nine school district residents who applied for the position. He's a senior marketing manager with the Toro Company, according to the district.
VandenBoom replaces Gail Morrison, who resigned from the board because she was moving to a new home just outside the school district. He'll serve as an appointee until a board member chosen by voters during the November 2012 election takes office.
Black named principal of Gideon PondGideon Pond Elementary has a new principal.
The Burnsville-Eagan-Savage school board has hired Kristine Black to take over for Laura Pierce, who left this year to lead Akin Road Elementary in Farmington.
Black comes to the Burnsville school after six years as principal of Harambee Elementary in Maplewood.
SARAH LEMAGIE
