Which schools are better: District 196 or 194? (Lakeville: high schools, taxes, costs)

[sm2010]

I'm considering moving to the south metro and wondering if district 196 or 194 is better for elementary, middle and high schools. Thanks!

[QuietBlue]

Better in what sense? Just overall, or are there specific things you are looking for?

[sm2010]

Originally Posted by QuietBlue

Better in what sense? Just overall, or are there specific things you are looking for?

Well, I'm considering moving to northern Lakeville, so I'm just wondering if I should have a preference for district 196 or 194 schools. My kids aren't even in school yet, but I guess I'm most interested in schools with good test scores, and where the students and parents are happy with the schools.

[uptown_urbanist]

Especially when looking at big districts it's most important (and relevant) to look at individual schools. Also, in some cases overall test scores themselves also don't mean much. I'd suggest investigating the specific schools in your target areas, check out their websites (useful to give you a general feeling for the place from afar), look at the detailed breakdown of scores (as really, the numbers of a whole are almost completely irrelevant from a prospective student perspective), read the online reviews, etc. Might also want to take some time to think about what "best" means to you and your kids -- even within those districts the schools vary, and the educational philosophy and overall "vibe" of schools can vary tremendously. And, for that matter, what one family might love in a school another may hate, even if the school is equally "good" in the sense of turning out well-educated children. That said, I'm sure you can find great schools that meet your needs in both districts, so wouldn't waste time getting hung up on worrying about some mythical "best". Given the current economicl climate I might pay attention to future funding issues and how supportive the overall community is when it comes to supporting its schools, though, as the reality is that almost all schools are going to have to continue to cut programs and increase class sizes in coming years.

[golfgal]

Taking out my mythical scale again, you are comparing 2 districts that rank about 98, 99 on that scale. There really isn't any difference, except, right now, the Lakeville schools are having major budget issues and participation in sports and activities is very expensive, over $300/sport/activity and over $1000 for football or hockey. Just something to consider, however, that could very well change in the next 5 years. It really comes down to fit and since your kids aren't in school now that makes it a little harder. Since you are looking at Northern Lakeville, pick one district, if you don't like it, open enroll your kids in the other since you are within easy driving distance of either there.

[MN-Born-n-Raised]

Originally Posted by golfgal

except, right now, the Lakeville schools are having major budget issues and participation in sports and activities is very expensive, over $300/sport/activity and over $1000 for football or hockey.

Over a grand for FOOTBALL?? I understand the price of Hockey hitting a $1000. Icetime is $170 an hour (1.5 hour practices + games, buses, 4 coaches, weight room, etc) and that is divided by 20 kids on the Varsity. But don't they have about 50 bench warmers in football PLUS the starters? For hockey, you have a total of 40 kids in boys in the program. In high school football, you could have 200 kids playing football at the school. They need $200K to play outdoors? Doesn't the team brings $15K a game? Has the district ever heard of a concept called "economy of scale"? It should cost less to play football because there are so many kids in the program. I'd be upset if my kid played football in that district. It HAS to be a profit center for them.

[cdubs3201]

Originally Posted by MN-Born-n-Raised

Over a grand for FOOTBALL?? I understand the price of Hockey hitting a $1000. Icetime is $170 an hour (1.5 hour practices + games, buses, 4 coaches, weight room, etc) and that is divided by 20 kids on the Varsity. But don't they have about 50 bench warmers in football PLUS the starters? For hockey, you have a total of 40 kids in boys in the program. In high school football, you could have 200 kids playing football at the school. They need $200K to play outdoors? Doesn't the team brings $15K a game? Has the district ever heard of a concept called "economy of scale"? It should cost less to play football because there are so many kids in the program. I'd be upset if my kid played football in that district. It HAS to be a profit center for them.

It's typical government inefficiency. Taxes go up, and so do fees. The product or service never gets better.

[MN-Born-n-Raised]

Originally Posted by cdubs3201

It's typical government inefficiency. Taxes go up, and so do fees. The product or service never gets better.

Businesses are not exactly efficient either. I worked for Honeywell as well as other spots and there is positively NO shortage of waste. Anytime you spend someone else's money, there are inefficiencies. At this point, I think the districts are doing a pretty good job because they are forced to be (semi)-frugal.

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by MN-Born-n-Raised

Over a grand for FOOTBALL?? I understand the price of Hockey hitting a $1000. Icetime is $170 an hour (1.5 hour practices + games, buses, 4 coaches, weight room, etc) and that is divided by 20 kids on the Varsity. But don't they have about 50 bench warmers in football PLUS the starters? For hockey, you have a total of 40 kids in boys in the program. In high school football, you could have 200 kids playing football at the school. They need $200K to play outdoors? Doesn't the team brings $15K a game? Has the district ever heard of a concept called "economy of scale"? It should cost less to play football because there are so many kids in the program. I'd be upset if my kid played football in that district. It HAS to be a profit center for them.

More kids mean costs go up though-more uniforms, pads, coaches, buses to take kids to games, etc., etc. I don't know what the gate brings in for the games but generally that money goes into the general athletic fund, not just for football. Then keep in mind that there are teams other than varsity playing so you have coaches and costs for that too. Like I said, Lakeville is having pretty serious financial troubles and this is one way they are helping with operating costs. Busing alone probably eats up any of the gate revenue they might bring in.

[MN-Born-n-Raised]

Originally Posted by golfgal

More kids mean costs go up though-more uniforms, pads, coaches, buses to take kids to games, etc., etc.

I was speaking of "economy of scale". To use hockey for example, 1 skater on the ice costs $170 an hour. For 17 kids it is $170 divided by 17 or $10 per person per hour. It doesn't take long to have a 1000 hours of ice time so I get why hockey is $1K or more. The hockey bus ride has 30 kids on it (JV and Varsity) while a football team can fit a lot more. Both have trailers attached to bring their gear. The football field doesn't cost $170 an hour like hockey. Many schools cover breezers, helmets, etc and they last years like football gear. Coaches are not that big of an overall expense ($3K per coach). If couches were a big part of the expensive, track would cost a fortune.

Hence, I predict the per player cost of football is much less than hockey mostly to do with economy of scale. IMHO, it therefore boils down to attaching too high of a fee to the football players.