The meeting began with an update on the Bear Care Clinic, a school-based health center that has become a critical resource for the district’s students. Dr. Jessica Mihi, the executive clinical director of Bear Care, outlined the clinic’s operations and its strategic location within the new high school, which enhances accessibility. The clinic offers a wide range of services, including sports physicals, wellness exams, treatments for acute illnesses, immunizations, mental health services, nutrition counseling, and occupational therapy. The clinic’s hours extend before and after school to accommodate families, reducing the need for parents to take time off work.

The clinic has seen a substantial increase in the number of students served, with about 1,200 children accessing services annually. A student-produced video highlighted the clinic’s role in providing immediate care for conditions like strep throat and ear infections. The clinic employs a nurse-led model, differentiating it from traditional medical models, and collaborates with clinical students from various programs. Dr. Mihi proudly noted the clinic’s achievements, such as being named the pediatric organization of the year by the Minnesota chapter of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, and its recognition in the Twin Cities Business Magazine as a model for school-based health centers.

A key topic of discussion was the recent shift in the clinic’s billing practices. Initially offering services for free, the clinic now adopts a more traditional billing approach, billing insurance where applicable and sending bills to families. Importantly, patients unable to pay are still welcomed. This change aims to maintain the clinic’s sustainability while continuing to serve the community. The clinic has also expanded its services to include mobile health services, such as flu vaccinations and school immunizations, accommodating families who may not have transportation.

Financial stability was another focal point, with inquiries about the clinic’s deficit and funding sources. The timing of grant funding can cause fluctuations in financial reports, but the clinic remains confident in its current financial health. Questions about the clinic’s rental agreement with the school district were addressed, confirming that it operates as a separate nonprofit entity to ensure compliance with legal standards.

The curriculum discussion was another major topic at the meeting. Significant changes in the language arts curriculum were proposed, with a new structure for English courses in grades 9 through 12. This includes a new AP Seminar course for 10th graders, offering additional opportunities to earn credits. New courses across different departments were presented, such as sports photography, printmaking, and a multicultural approaches to education course, replacing the previous intro to ethnic studies course. The science department introduced a CIS intro to physics course to replace honors physics, aimed at students not as advanced in math.

The board discussed the balance between Advanced Placement (AP) courses and College in the Schools (CIS) courses. The low enrollment in AP chemistry sparked a conversation about the necessity of offering courses that do not attract sufficient student interest. While AP courses require a specific test score for college credit, CIS courses guarantee that the grade earned follows the student, regardless of the final score. This has led to a preference for CIS courses, which provide college credit and have clearer acceptance policies across postsecondary institutions.

In addition to these curriculum changes, the board considered proposals for the school calendar, emphasizing the goal of reducing disrupted weeks for families and finishing the school year earlier in June. A significant change was proposed to start the school year before Labor Day, historically begun after the holiday, to increase instructional days before state testing and better align breaks with educational requirements.

The board also addressed a tentative agreement with the White Bear Lake Area Educators for the 2025-2027 contract period.