For the record:  HOW DID VICTORIA GET FROM HERE TO THERE?
*Throughout '98 and '99.  Seven local government groups worked together in a collaborate effort that cited the City of Victoria as the next best site for an elementary school in District #112.  Those groups included the Cities of Chaska, Chanhassen, Victoria, Carver County, the MN Landscape Arboretum, the Carver County Library Board, and School District #112.  Purpose of the collaborative was to reduce duplication of services and facilities to area taxpayers and create an "educational campus."
*November 2nd, 1999.  The school referendum passed.  It provided $500,000 to purchase land for an elementary school site in Victoria (as well as $2.5 million to purchase land for a middle school, probably in Chanhassen).
*January 13th, 2000.  Discussion.  The City of Victoria never receives free ballfields or other athletic facilities associated with schools.  Victoria spent $1.2 million to acquire 40 acres of parkland and facilities.
*January 13th, 2000.  The City of Victoria offers the School District 100% of SAC and WAC charges (approximately $155,000), 50% of site work ($50,000), 100% of utilities ($350,000 value), and 100% of road cost ($50,000 or more) to put the elementary school on the Jerry and Jane Michel site in Victoria.
*January 13th, 2000.  Discussion.  Looking further at the "free" site offered by the City of Chaska for the school site:  it is NOT free.  And it is currently situated in no-man's land, vacant, unplatted -- unlike the several parcels available in the City of Victoria that are surrounded by neighborhoods full of children.
*January 14th, 2000.  School board of District #112 votes against bringing the elementary school to Victoria.
*January 20th, 2000.  Victoria residents get wind of the school board's vote.
*January 26th, 2000.  Approximately 150 Victoria residents gather to present their case to Bev Stofferahn, superintendent of School District #112, and a couple of school board members.  It's quite a remarkable evening.  Click on Feature.
*January 27th, 2000.  Mayor Mary Meuwissen, other councilmembers and several Victoria residents attend the District #112 school board meeting.  Mayor Mary offers $200,000 to the District to assist in the purchase of land for an elementary school site and gives the District on week to respond to the offer.
*February 3rd, 2000.  The school board doesn't respond.  All offers from the City of Victoria are off the table.