The most pressing topic of the meeting was a disturbing incident at Woodbury High School, where a substitute teacher reportedly engaged in racially harmful behavior on October 14th. The superintendent addressed this matter directly, acknowledging the swift response by students who reported the behavior and the action taken by the school principal. The administration is working with local law enforcement on an ongoing investigation and is facilitating dialogue and healing for students affected by the incident.

In addition to this incident, the board received a detailed update on construction projects from an assistant superintendent. A total of 15 projects are currently underway, with four middle schools and three high schools in the design and planning stages. Construction for these projects is set to start in mid-winter or early spring. The remaining eight projects will enter the design phase in early winter. Regular meetings are being held bi-weekly with the cities of Cottage Grove and Woodbury to ensure smooth coordination. Letters are being sent to residents within 500 feet of Woodbury Middle School and East Ridge High School to inform them about the scope and timeline of the projects. These communications are informational and do not invite public feedback or objections, as the decisions have already been finalized.

The board also discussed health insurance plans, following a recommendation from the benefits committee to enter into a two-year fully insured contract with Health Partners, effective January 1, 2025. This decision came after evaluating proposals from various insurance providers, including Blue Cross Blue Shield and United Healthcare. The board considered the financial implications of remaining fully insured versus adopting a self-funded insurance model. The administration concluded that staying fully insured would be financially advantageous for the district, though they plan to reassess this decision in future cycles to ensure ongoing fiscal responsibility.

Assistant Superintendent Christine Schaer presented the Minnesota State High School League Grants application, which the board approved unanimously. The grant includes Part A, supporting extracurricular participation in athletics and fine arts, and Part B, which focuses on leadership training for student leaders. This grant application has been a recurring process for the district, and its approval will continue to support various student activities.

The board also approved several policy updates, presented by the superintendent, including changes to the athletic and activity participation policy and the alignment of the Title IX policy with current regulations. Additionally, three policies related to facilities and site acquisition were deleted due to the lack of model policies. These changes were passed unanimously by the board.

In matters concerning district governance, the board reviewed and approved updates to the governance plan, which involved the removal of certain items without adding new ones. This decision was made following a review during the previous meeting held on October 10th.

The meeting also highlighted various school events and initiatives. The superintendent informed the board about upcoming fall productions at the high schools, including Park High School’s performance of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Additionally, November 5th was designated as a professional development day for staff, with K-12 training sessions scheduled while secondary students will engage in asynchronous learning. Veterans Day celebrations were also noted for November 11th.