Tom Schrepel said more to the superintendent:  "You talk about keep-ing lines of communication open -- after you've made the decision.  Why didn't we know in advance about this decision being made?"
Replied the superintendent, "School board meetings are open.  There's a fine line about being able to share all information and negotiate the best possible price.  Minutes are published.  Meetings are open. 
(In fact, in the Chanhassen Villager, where such minutes are published, there is one fine line on this issue in the January 20^th, 2000, edition:  "Supt. Stofferahn rtd. Dist. Continues to actively search for land for 2 new schools resulting form [sic] successful Nov. ref. Final details not available.")
Asked resident Jeff Brott, "When will Victoria receive community based education?  Chaska and Chanhassen kids can ride their bikes to school.  Our kids can't do that."
Replied the superintendent, "Rapidity of growth is not in the School District's control.  We can only respond.  We need another elementary school in 2004."  (In fact, the growth in Victoria has already occurred, continues to occur, and the School District has not responded.
Said resident Lori Passe, "Is the decision set in stone?  Do we have a chance to change your decision?  If set in stone, will it reflect on your next decision to locate a school?  Will our voices tonight make a difference?"
After a long silence, the superintendent replied, "I can't answer that.  We're expecting purchase of property in Victoria to be our next move for the next elementary school  I haven't heard otherwise."  (In fact, the silence spoke quite loudly.  The voices of parents and taxpayers should make a difference.)
The superintendent added, "We need to hold forums like this more often to connect to our community."  (In fact, the forum in Victoria gave evidence of disconnect.  There was not a meeting of minds.)
Said resident Susan Bove, "I would have appreciated a letter in my child's backpack about the possibilities -- just like the other stuff you put in backpacks, like the announce-ment that a decision was already made."
At this time the superintendent read a memo from Dave Pokorney, city ad-ministrator of Chaska, about the "free" Chaska parcel of land.  Responded Victoria resident Diane Koban about all the strings attached, "That's not free.  That's conditional." 
Commented resident Noel Wellman, "Sounds like that free land is coming with a whole lot of baggage.  Community based education?  It's not here.  We don't have what Chaska kids do.  We resent it."
Resident Tom Keen said, "It looks like both sites could happen about the same time.  Have you done a thorough cost analysis of building in Victoria or Chaska?  What are the total charges for a school in Victoria or in Chaska?  What are the total numbers?  How can you not know the numbers?" he asked incredulously.
Stated resident Mary Sumners to the panel, "You're not answering the questions!"

It was finally the turn of Mayor Mary, who replied to her constituents about the panel in front of her, "I think of it a little bit differently than they do," she said.
Mayor Mary continued …. "We've got an incredible site here in Victoria!.  I thought as you thought -- that the public elementary school was coming here because of the 400 new homes coming to Victoria's East Side and the 1,200 homes that are already in Victoria.  An elementary school site was suggested for the East Side by past housing growth studies.  It would save money on the busing and hauling of kids."
To the panel Mayor Mary said ...  "I think people thought we should have a school, that Victoria deserves a school.  Only two and a half weeks after the referendum passed, I found out about the Chaska parcel.  I see it through a different lens.  Victoria has spent $250,000 for trunk facilities.  We've got a road.  We've got a new water tower for you.  We'll pay the $100,000 and get that fire line to you.  As for your intention to locate a school in Victoria next time around, Gino Businaro, your school board member, said about the Michel piece in Victoria, 'We'll buy it now.  It will always go up in value and we can always sell it.'"
Mayor Mary continued …  "We thought we were doing good.  It scares the bejesus out of us that the school is not going where the people are living. 
Would you find out for us how much the 'free' Chaska land is going to cost and come to us with that informa-tion?  And let's see what the cost of Michel's property is.  If Victoria will pay the difference between the $500,000 voted for in the referendum and Michel's price, will you build the school in Victoria?"
Replied the superintendent, "That question is bigger than what we can answer tonight.  We have to be able to get that school built on time."  (In fact, one might ask:  On time for what?  For all those families and kids who are not living on the vacant Chaska parcel?)
Mayor Mary offered to schedule as many special city council meetings as legally possible in order to get the elementary school built on time in Victoria -- by the fall of 2001.  "Victoria has a platted site," said Mary.  "Everything is ready to go.  We'd have a special council meeting every three days to get that school built."
Replied the superintendent, "The fact of which site is more ready now is not the question."  (In fact, what are the real facts?)

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