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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2026
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BEST of the Press White Bear Lake Vadnais Heights
VOL. 50 NO. 29 www.vadnaisheightspress.com $1.50
BEST OF CONTEST: Nominations now open PAGE 14
Cities ask for cost share after Operation Metro Surge The Senate Taxes Committee heard testimony on SF 5038 last week, a bill that would reimburse Minnesota cities for documented municipal costs incurred during Operation Metro Surge. Mayor Julie Deshler of Crystal and Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley testified on behalf of the Cities for Safe and Stable Communities Coalition, a nonpartisan group of 33 Minnesota cities, and urged lawmakers to pass the legislation. “Even when the impacts aren’t always captured in a single line item, many cities like ours still commit meaningful staff time and resources during events like Operation Metro Surge,” Vadnais Heights Mayor Mike Krachmer said. “When a community’s elected leaders feel compelled to offer support to during large-scale events, there should be a clear and accountable way to ensure local taxpayers aren’t left carrying costs (that are) beyond local control.” Coalition cities say they have already incurred more than $400,000 in direct costs with police overtime, emergency communications and staff response. Cities deployed an additional $1.4 million in emergency grant support and have $180,000 still pending. The economic toll extended well beyond city hall. Hundreds of local businesses across coalition cities reported monthly revenue losses of 50 to 100% during the surge. Coalition cities also reported that more than 1,000 students switched to remote learning, resulting in fewer school lunches served and increased food insecurity. Meanwhile,
PHOTOS BY PAUL DOLS | PRESS PUBLICATIONS
Spring clean up and tree planting Area Rotary club volunteers Heidi Nelson and Ken Galloway were among the dozens of scout and adult volunteers recently spotted planting trees and cleaning up at nearby Rotary Park.
SEE COALITION, PAGE 11
White Bear school board receives graduation, attendance update BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR
Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning Dr. Alison Gillespie says she is excited about the graduation and attendance data for the district, but the district is still striving for “continuous improvement.” Gillespie recently visited the School Board along with Matoska International Elementary Principal John Leininger, Otter Lake Elementary Principal Ang Nelson, Central Middle School Principal Cathryn Peterson and White Bear Lake Area High School Principal Russ Reetz. The purpose of the visit was
to dive further into the recently released graduation data and take a closer look at student attendance. Both graduation data and attendance data are lagging measures. Gillespie pointed out that the graduation rates released this year are for the previous school year (2024-2025) and attendance data is two school years behind. The new attendance data for last year will come out in August.
97.3% 95.8% 84.9%
94.9% 88.7% 96%
92.1% 96.1% 91.3% 87.9%
Graduation rates
For the 2024-2025 school year, the four-year graduation rate districtwide was 93.9%. For the high school, it SEE DATA, PAGE 15
WHITE BEAR LAKE AREA SCHOOLS | CONTRIBUTED
In 2024-2025, the four-year graduation rate district wide was 93.9%. For the high school, it was 97.3%; for the ALC, it was 82.2%.
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