The Wayzata High School Marching Band performs in the 11th annual Plymouth on Parade Saturday, Oct. 4. (BILL JONES - SUN NEWSPAPERS)

People who hate negative news have to be rejoicing over the top Plymouth news story in 2008. The city was named "America's Best Place to Live" by Money magazine, whose August issue featured pictures and a story citing the reasons Plymouth was named to the No. 1 spot.

Among the city's positive features, the magazine cited "plenty of green, great schools, close to the Twin Cities." The only negative feature the magazine listed was "a long, cold winter," and this year, few residents could argue with that assessment.

As news of the national recognition spread, the city received formal congratulations from both Hennepin County and the state of Minnesota. Candidates for the City Council pledged to do their best to keep Plymouth No. 1 as they ran for office in November. New banners proclaiming the city's status were hung in City Center, and the city's website welcomed visitors to the No. 1 city. All over town, civic pride put a new bounce in residents' steps.

Another positive story came from City Hall as Plymouth began web streaming its City Council and Planning Commission meetings in November. Since then, residents have been able to find out what happened at any meeting 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They can watch the entire meeting or simply follow any agenda item in which they are interested.

Web streaming can be accessed by going to the city's website at www.ci.plymouth.mn.us, looking for the City Council banner and then clicking on "On Demand Video."

The Northwest Suburban Cable Commission is funding and coordinating the project for nine member cities: Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Crystal, Golden Valley, Maple Grove, New Hope, Osseo, Plymouth and Robbinsdale.

Ten candidates filed for election to the three open seats on the Plymouth City Council this fall. Christopher Empson, Stephen Keckonen, James Prom, Mike Schindler and incumbent Jim Willis filed for the At-Large position with Willis being re-elected for another term.

In Ward 1, Daniel Hendrickson, Judy Johnson and David Millie vied for the seat left open by the retirement of Councilmember Sandy Hewitt. Johnson, a former mayor and City Council member, was elected.

In Ward 3, incumbent Bob Stein was re-elected to another term after facing challenger Brendan Tupa.

A City Council decision to replace Waste Management with Eureka Recycling in August drew the ire of hundreds of local residents. Council members logged more than 500 calls or e-mails each, and City Hall received more than 1,000 calls.

Following a heated council meeting at which dozens of residents told the council they were satisfied with the service Waste Management had been providing for the last 10 years, the council chose to stick with Waste Management for another two years.

Residents feared changes in the days their recyclable items would be picked up, preferring the have them picked up on trash-hauling days. They also said they liked not having to sort their recyclables. But, their strongest argument was that a new contract with Eureka would cost the city around $400,000 more annually.

Originally, the council opted for the new recycling service because it would not commingle recyclable items, as Waste Management does. By keeping paper and glass products separate, there is less waste and more of the items actually can be recycled.

With an eye on the state and federal economy, the Plymouth City Council worked to retain the city services residents expect while holding budget increases to a minimum of 6 percent. For each property tax dollar Plymouth residents pay, 75 cents go to Hennepin County, school districts and other taxing entities. Plymouth keeps only 25 cents of every property tax dollar.

According to the 2009 budget, the owner of an average-valued home of $365,100 will pay $901 a year in property taxes. This amounts to about a $21 increase in taxes for the average homeowner in the city.

The past year was once again a busy and successful year in the Wayzata School District. The year's top stories follow:

- The big story in District 284 in 2008 was the news that Standard and Poor's awarded a AAA enhanced credit rating to Wayzata Public Schools. AAA is the highest possible rating, and Wayzata is the only school district in Minnesota to gain the rating.

With the help of the rating, the district refinanced school building bonds at a lower interest rate, saving taxpayers $2.6 million.

The ratings recognize the district's strong economic indicators and good financial management practices. They also reflect the large and diverse property tax base in the district.

- Plymouth Creek Elementary School was named a 2008 No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon School, receiving the award in Washington, D.C., in October. Plymouth Creek is the fourth school in the Wayzata School District to achieve the honor.

- Oakwood Elementary School celebrated its 50th anniversary with a special celebration on Nov. 16, 50 years to the day the school first opened its doors. School tours, speeches and displays of memorabilia filled the day.

- With the help of a grant from the Wayzata Education Foundation, a new Ropes Challenge Course was constructed at Wayzata High School under the direction of physical education instructor Nancy Icopini. Since its completion last summer, the course has been used by many students.

- ACT scores in Wayzata Public Schools continue to outpace state and national averages. In 2008, a total of 649 Wayzata students took the test, and their average composite score was 25.01. During the same time period, the national average was 21.1, and the state average was 22.6.

Education continues to be of major importance in the Hopkins School District. The year's biggest stories include:

- Hopkins High School celebrated its 100th anniversary with two days of celebration in December. Hundreds of current and former students, staff and parents turned for the event, which included school tours and displays of past memorabilia.

- Depot anniversary - The Depot Coffee House in Hopkins celebrated its 10th anniversary with a banquet in September. The facility, which hosts high school bands and is a popular stop for users of the nearby regional trail, is a partnership between the city of Hopkins and the Hopkins School District.

- Minnetonka Police arrested a student at Hopkins North Junior High in November for having a gun at school. Police said there was no indication the student had intended it for school. The student was expelled from North and charged with unlawful possession of a firearm.

- The Hopkins School Board announced in May that it would begin the 2008-09 fiscal year with an estimated fund balance of $6 million. The balance is about 7.5 percent of the district's expenses. After sliding into statutory operating debt in 2005, the board set a goal of maintaining at least a 6-percent fund balance.

- The Minnesota Supreme Court visited Hopkins High School in May, where it heard oral arguments in an actual case in the school's auditorium. The visit was part of a program aimed at teaching students about the work of the state's highest court.

A successful levy referendum on Nov. 4 and an ambitious community-wide strategic planning process in the spring were highlights of the year in Robbinsdale District 281 schools.

Talk of budget constraints and money concerns dominated the year.

In January, the school board voted to approve a plan to cut $5.4 million in spending from the 2008-09 budget without closing any schools.

In April, the district announced plans to eliminate 10 school buses from its fleet in 2008-09 and took final action to terminate 94 probationary teachers and place five continuing contract teachers on unrequested leave because of budget cuts following the failed 2007 referendum.

Beginning early in April, more than 1,000 people attended visioning sessions at some 50 venues for community-wide planning sessions. The need for better communication ad marketing emerged as the top need in Robbinsdale District 281.

In May, the district announced plans to drastically reduce elementary art and gifted and talented programs in the fall and arrived at preliminary consensus on an additional $420,000 in budget cuts for 2009.

By spring, significant budget reductions motivated parents, students, staff and alumni to raise $173,421 to restore some extra-curricular offerings, augmented by a $300,000 donation by a local foundation.

A report from consultants pointed to continuing declining enrollment that would enable District 281 to close two elementary schools, a middle school and four auxiliary buildings. Information meetings were scheduled in mid-December to present the data to the public.

By fall, the district was considering a proposal to relocate the District 281 Education Service Center and bus garage to Hosterman School. At a work session Dec. 6, the School Board told the project developer, it needed more time to consider the proposal.

Superintendent Stan Mack's announcement in October that he intended to retire June 30 led the school board to select a consultant on Dec. 8 to conduct the search for a new superintendent.

Budget reductions for the 2008-2009 school year was the biggest financial challenge to face the Osseo School District in 2008. In the early months of 2008, the board and community heard how potential budget cuts and savings of approximately $16 million would be spread across the district.

The public reacted strongly to the announcement of the schools initially named for potential closure or repurposing recommended at meetings in February.

After several hours of debate and discussion on March 11, the School Board approved a proposal to cut $16 million from 2008-09 budget. The four to two vote meant school closings, combining programs and the cutting of 177 teaching positions and more.

The decision by the board closed Osseo Elementary, Edgewood Elementary and moved the magnet program from Edgewood Elementary to Weaver Lake Elementary. Cedar Island, Fair Oaks and Oak View Elementary were reconfigured based on school board priorities. Due to staffing shifts from budget reductions, on April 22 the School Board approved several Student Services programs to move to new locations. Boundary changes affected 22 percent of elementary children. Work continued through the rest of the school year on the transition process for the 2008-2009 school year.

A mid-year budget adjustment in April for the 2007-2008 school year brought good news with an increase in revenue and decrease in expenditures for the district, primarily relating to special education costs and formula improvements by the state.

A one-time approval by the state for more education funding gave the district an additional $1.3 million for one year. At its June 3 meeting, the board decided to use the funds to rehire the equivalent of 23 classroom teachers for the 2008-09 school year.

On the heels of large budget cuts earlier in the year, the School Board approved on June 30 to put two levy questions will be on the Nov. 4 ballot. The resolutions approved decided to ask voters for $13 million in the fall - $8 million for a 10-year general operating levy and a $5 million capital project levy for technology equipment and training. Voters in Osseo School District rejected two levy requests in the general election Nov. 4.

When $16 million was cut from the budget earlier in the year, parents were warned of larger class sizes for the 2008-2009 school year. While class sizes did go up district wide, it wasn't as high as initially projected. The one time $51 per pupil allocation by the state was used to buy back 23 teachers, sites receiving compensatory funding from the state used the money for more teachers and lower student enrollment than projected accounted for lower than anticipated classroom sizes.

As a result of the Nov. 4 general election, incumbents Dean Henke and Kim Green of Maple Grove were voted back onto the board. After a recount concluded with fellow candidate Teresa Lunt, Laura Cottington of Maple Grove maintained her place as the third school board member.

The School Board closed out 2008 by certifying a $69.2 million total levy at the maximum allowed amount for taxes payable in 2009. The total increased by $2.5 million - or 3.8 percent - over 2008.

Comment on this story at our website, www.mnsun.com.

Originally, the council opted for the new recycling service because it would not commingle recyclable items, as Waste Management does. By keeping paper and glass products separate, there is less waste and more of the items actually can be recycled.

With an eye on the state and federal economy, the Plymouth City Council worked to retain the city services residents expect while holding budget increases to a minimum of 6 percent. For each property tax dollar Plymouth residents pay, 75 cents go to Hennepin County, school districts and other taxing entities. Plymouth keeps only 25 cents of every property tax dollar.

According to the 2009 budget, the owner of an average-valued home of $365,100 will pay $901 a year in property taxes. This amounts to about a $21 increase in taxes for the average homeowner in the city.

The past year was once again a busy and successful year in the Wayzata School District. The year's top stories follow:

- The big story in District 284 in 2008 was the news that Standard and Poor's awarded a AAA enhanced credit rating to Wayzata Public Schools. AAA is the highest possible rating, and Wayzata is the only school district in Minnesota to gain the rating.

With the help of the rating, the district refinanced school building bonds at a lower interest rate, saving taxpayers $2.6 million.

The ratings recognize the district's strong economic indicators and good financial management practices. They also reflect the large and diverse property tax base in the district.

- Plymouth Creek Elementary School was named a 2008 No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon School, receiving the award in Washington, D.C., in October. Plymouth Creek is the fourth school in the Wayzata School District to achieve the honor.

- Oakwood Elementary School celebrated its 50th anniversary with a special celebration on Nov. 16, 50 years to the day the school first opened its doors. School tours, speeches and displays of memorabilia filled the day.

- With the help of a grant from the Wayzata Education Foundation, a new Ropes Challenge Course was constructed at Wayzata High School under the direction of physical education instructor Nancy Icopini. Since its completion last summer, the course has been used by many students.

- ACT scores in Wayzata Public Schools continue to outpace state and national averages. In 2008, a total of 649 Wayzata students took the test, and their average composite score was 25.01. During the same time period, the national average was 21.1, and the state average was 22.6.

Education continues to be of major importance in the Hopkins School District. The year's biggest stories include:

- Hopkins High School celebrated its 100th anniversary with two days of celebration in December. Hundreds of current and former students, staff and parents turned for the event, which included school tours and displays of past memorabilia.

- Depot anniversary - The Depot Coffee House in Hopkins celebrated its 10th anniversary with a banquet in September. The facility, which hosts high school bands and is a popular stop for users of the nearby regional trail, is a partnership between the city of Hopkins and the Hopkins School District.

- Minnetonka Police arrested a student at Hopkins North Junior High in November for having a gun at school. Police said there was no indication the student had intended it for school. The student was expelled from North and charged with unlawful possession of a firearm.

- The Hopkins School Board announced in May that it would begin the 2008-09 fiscal year with an estimated fund balance of $6 million. The balance is about 7.5 percent of the district's expenses. After sliding into statutory operating debt in 2005, the board set a goal of maintaining at least a 6-percent fund balance.

- The Minnesota Supreme Court visited Hopkins High School in May, where it heard oral arguments in an actual case in the school's auditorium. The visit was part of a program aimed at teaching students about the work of the state's highest court.

A successful levy referendum on Nov. 4 and an ambitious community-wide strategic planning process in the spring were highlights of the year in Robbinsdale District 281 schools.

Talk of budget constraints and money concerns dominated the year.

In January, the school board voted to approve a plan to cut $5.4 million in spending from the 2008-09 budget without closing any schools.

In April, the district announced plans to eliminate 10 school buses from its fleet in 2008-09 and took final action to terminate 94 probationary teachers and place five continuing contract teachers on unrequested leave because of budget cuts following the failed 2007 referendum.

Beginning early in April, more than 1,000 people attended visioning sessions at some 50 venues for community-wide planning sessions. The need for better communication ad marketing emerged as the top need in Robbinsdale District 281.

In May, the district announced plans to drastically reduce elementary art and gifted and talented programs in the fall and arrived at preliminary consensus on an additional $420,000 in budget cuts for 2009.

By spring, significant budget reductions motivated parents, students, staff and alumni to raise $173,421 to restore some extra-curricular offerings, augmented by a $300,000 donation by a local foundation.

A report from consultants pointed to continuing declining enrollment that would enable District 281 to close two elementary schools, a middle school and four auxiliary buildings. Information meetings were scheduled in mid-December to present the data to the public.

By fall, the district was considering a proposal to relocate the District 281 Education Service Center and bus garage to Hosterman School. At a work session Dec. 6, the School Board told the project developer, it needed more time to consider the proposal.

Superintendent Stan Mack's announcement in October that he intended to retire June 30 led the school board to select a consultant on Dec. 8 to conduct the search for a new superintendent.

Budget reductions for the 2008-2009 school year was the biggest financial challenge to face the Osseo School District in 2008. In the early months of 2008, the board and community heard how potential budget cuts and savings of approximately $16 million would be spread across the district.

The public reacted strongly to the announcement of the schools initially named for potential closure or repurposing recommended at meetings in February.

After several hours of debate and discussion on March 11, the School Board approved a proposal to cut $16 million from 2008-09 budget. The four to two vote meant school closings, combining programs and the cutting of 177 teaching positions and more.

The decision by the board closed Osseo Elementary, Edgewood Elementary and moved the magnet program from Edgewood Elementary to Weaver Lake Elementary. Cedar Island, Fair Oaks and Oak View Elementary were reconfigured based on school board priorities. Due to staffing shifts from budget reductions, on April 22 the School Board approved several Student Services programs to move to new locations. Boundary changes affected 22 percent of elementary children. Work continued through the rest of the school year on the transition process for the 2008-2009 school year.

A mid-year budget adjustment in April for the 2007-2008 school year brought good news with an increase in revenue and decrease in expenditures for the district, primarily relating to special education costs and formula improvements by the state.

A one-time approval by the state for more education funding gave the district an additional $1.3 million for one year. At its June 3 meeting, the board decided to use the funds to rehire the equivalent of 23 classroom teachers for the 2008-09 school year.

On the heels of large budget cuts earlier in the year, the School Board approved on June 30 to put two levy questions will be on the Nov. 4 ballot. The resolutions approved decided to ask voters for $13 million in the fall - $8 million for a 10-year general operating levy and a $5 million capital project levy for technology equipment and training. Voters in Osseo School District rejected two levy requests in the general election Nov. 4.

When $16 million was cut from the budget earlier in the year, parents were warned of larger class sizes for the 2008-2009 school year. While class sizes did go up district wide, it wasn't as high as initially projected. The one time $51 per pupil allocation by the state was used to buy back 23 teachers, sites receiving compensatory funding from the state used the money for more teachers and lower student enrollment than projected accounted for lower than anticipated classroom sizes.

As a result of the Nov. 4 general election, incumbents Dean Henke and Kim Green of Maple Grove were voted back onto the board. After a recount concluded with fellow candidate Teresa Lunt, Laura Cottington of Maple Grove maintained her place as the third school board member.

The School Board closed out 2008 by certifying a $69.2 million total levy at the maximum allowed amount for taxes payable in 2009. The total increased by $2.5 million - or 3.8 percent - over 2008.

Comment on this story at our website, www.mnsun.com.