The centerpiece of the meeting was the celebration of Mayo High School’s Unified Program, which received the prestigious Special Olympics National Banner Award. This recognition places Mayo among only five high schools in Minnesota honored in 2025. The program, initiated by a student with a personal connection to special needs, has transformed the school culture by integrating students with special needs into diverse school activities. Students and teachers shared stories about the program’s impact, emphasizing mutual benefits for both general education and special education students. Colin Thomas, a program leader, highlighted students with special needs participating in activities like homecoming and clubs, fundamentally altering their high school experience. The program is designed to foster relationships, create a safe environment, and ensure students feel valued.

Andrea Bacon, an adapted physical education teacher, shared her emotional connection to the program, recalling a former student’s significant transformation through unified activities. The meeting saw student leaders like Violet Hallum and Penny Hower convey personal growth due to their involvement in the Unified Club. They expressed how the program helped them step out of their comfort zones, form meaningful relationships, and develop a deeper appreciation for diversity.

The board also discussed efforts to expand the Unified Program to other schools in the district, including John Marshall and Century high schools, and elementary and middle schools. The students expressed a strong desire for the board’s support in this expansion, recognizing the program’s positive impact not just on participants, but on their families and the wider community.

Chronic absenteeism was another major topic addressed during the meeting. The board discussed the challenges posed by absenteeism and the strategies in place to address it. Superintendent Kent Pekel presented on attendance metrics, emphasizing the significance of consistent attendance, defined as attending more than 90% of the time. He highlighted the barriers to attendance, such as mental health issues, family responsibilities, and misconceptions about attendance impact.

The board engaged with the issue of chronic absenteeism, noting that over 35% of students were not meeting the consistent attendance threshold. They addressed the role of mental health challenges, family responsibilities, and student mobility in contributing to absenteeism. The board acknowledged the need for improved communication with families about the importance of attendance, introducing initiatives like newsletters and monthly text messages.

The board also explored innovative programs like the “Freshman on Track” initiative, focusing on early intervention for ninth-grade students by monitoring attendance, behavior, and grades. The program seeks to connect students with trusted adults to address challenges and prevent disengagement.

Kate Marorrow, the attendance and truancy coordinator, spoke about efforts to standardize attendance coding across the state, recognizing variations in reporting. The board discussed refining coding systems to ensure data accuracy and provide a reliable baseline for future comparisons. They also emphasized the importance of partnerships with local organizations to support attendance initiatives.

The meeting included updates on grant-funded initiatives supporting education and community development. Notably, grants for community schools allowed the reallocation of general fund dollars. The board discussed recent successes in securing grants for projects like the Grow Your Own Early Childhood initiative and a school-based health center grant.

A new school-based health center grant was highlighted, aimed at increasing access for students experiencing unstable housing situations. The board also discussed the district’s strategic philanthropy approach, focusing on aligning grant pursuits with long-term goals rather than short-term needs.

The meeting concluded with discussions on upcoming curriculum changes and policy updates. The board approved a resolution to introduce American Sign Language as a new course offering and phase out Latin and advanced German courses. They also addressed policies related to attendance, expense reimbursement, and student records.