In a notable highlight, the board discussed the financing for the Aquilla Elementary project, estimated at $21 million. The funding sources include $3.725 million from deferred maintenance funds, $10.4 million from unused bond interest earnings, and $6 million from the certificates of participation. The Minnesota Department of Education has approved this funding structure. The board had previously authorized an amount not to exceed $6.2 million, and the tax impact for an average home in the district, valued at $400,000, is projected to be approximately $2 per month. The board emphasized the importance of community awareness regarding the construction bid advertisements, which have been disseminated beyond the immediate area to attract a diverse pool of bidders. The project timeline aims to have competitive bids solicited and finalized by October 24, 2024.

The superintendent, Dr. Carlondrea Hines, delivered a report detailing his summer activities focused on community engagement, especially with the Somali community. Dr. Hines introduced a new framework for the school year, “be to the third power,” which emphasizes being, becoming, and reflecting on the past. He outlined the structure for the year’s board meetings, with informal study sessions on the first Tuesday of each month and regular business meetings on the fourth Tuesday. Both meetings will be open to the public and live-streamed, promoting transparency and community involvement.

The meeting also addressed the first reading of several policies, including policy 203.27, which proposed changing the terminology from “open forum” to “public comment.” This change aims to provide a more structured and consistent approach for community members to share their feedback. Additionally, policy 2.5 was discussed, updating the meeting schedule to reflect that the board meets on Tuesdays instead of Mondays.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to updates on the high school renovation project. The project is nearing completion after 15 months, with new facilities such as a track and field area already being utilized by the community. The project includes a storm shelter, updated parking lots with distinct colored striping for staff and students, and a renovated cafeteria with increased seating capacity and outdoor options. The cafeteria renovation will double the previous seating capacity to accommodate approximately 472 students. The media center has also been modernized with a new entrance and flexible space usage, while music rooms have been upgraded to improve acoustics and aesthetics.

Further updates on district facilities included the Central Park operations center, where groundbreaking has begun. The project includes improvements to the parking lot, drive lanes, and the installation of a new loading dock and generator for the operations center. The new playground for Central is expected to be completed in time for the new school year. The community center’s pool area is undergoing significant demolition and upgrades, including a new filter system and efficient boilers. A family locker room and ADA compliance upgrades are also part of the project, anticipated to be completed by early next year.

The board also unanimously approved the second reading of policy 613 regarding graduation requirements, aligning with new statutory requirements and current practices. The updates include the introduction of Ethics Studies courses in high schools by the 2026-2027 school year and for elementary and middle schools by the 2027-2028 school year. The district has been proactive in offering Race and Ethnic Studies classes for juniors and seniors and recently added Advanced Placement African American History.

Lastly, the board set the date for the Truth in Taxation public hearing for December 10, 2024, at 6 PM, and introduced the new assistant director of business services. The meeting concluded with board member updates, including a congratulatory note for a member elected to a leadership position within the Association of Metropolitan School Districts and discussions on mental health initiatives.