Schools

Perpich Center for Arts Education Could Take Over Woodbury's Crosswinds School

However, District 833 could claim the school if the Perpich Center fails to obtain approval for state funding.

If it can secure funding from the Legislature by April 1, the Perpich Center for Arts Education would take over Crosswinds Arts and Science School in Woodbury, according to multiple reports.

If not, South Washington County Schools would claim the building, under an agreement reached Wednesday by the East Metro Integration District, which oversees Crosswinds, according to a Star Tribune story.

District 833 has previously expressed interest in Crosswinds as a way to house a growing student population.

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It could cost as much as $3 million for Perpich to operate the school, according to a Pioneer Press story.

“It is not unheard-of for important issues to get through,” Perpich Executive Director Sue Mackert told the Pioneer Press. “It is a packed legislative agenda, but I have faith in the Legislature.”

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If Perpich is unable to secure funding from the state, District 833 would likely have time to start a program there this fall, Jim Gelbmann, who sits on the South Washington County and EMID boards, told the Star Tribune.

The Golden-Valley based Perpich Center for Arts Education is a tuition-free, public high school open to 11th and 12th grade Minnesota residents. It boasts a 99 percent graduation rate.

During the 2006-07 school year, the enrollment at Crosswinds was about 545, but that number has dwindled to about 350 students now, according to the Star Tribune.

Crosswinds, 600 Weir Drive, opened in Woodbury in September 2001 and draws students from 10 school districts.


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