The meeting began with a report on the Burnsville Alternative High School and the Secondary Virtual Academy, presented by Dr. Chris Belmont, assistant superintendent, and Principal Kelly Ron. This presentation highlighted the ongoing efforts to improve student achievement through various strategic initiatives. The schools are focusing on enhancing student proficiency in reading, refining assessment systems, and increasing family engagement. The implementation of AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) strategies is central to this effort, aiming to bolster reading through focused note-taking, critical reading strategies, and questioning techniques.

The discussion also emphasized personalized learning, equity in education, and social emotional learning within the high school virtual academy. Students are now required to take the FAST A reading assessments three times annually to monitor progress, particularly for those at high risk. Addressing the challenge of mandatory in-person attendance for virtual students during state assessments, the leadership teams have strengthened data review processes to better support students.

The Burnsville Alternative High School shares similar goals, with a particular emphasis on credit recovery and personalized academic support through the Strive program. This program provides a clear visual roadmap for students, helping them track their progress toward graduation. A student survey was conducted to gather feedback on student connections and resource needs, aiding in the identification of students requiring additional support.

The board also reviewed trends in student enrollment and staffing, presented by Stacy, Executive Director of Administrative Services, and Aaron Tinklinberg, Director of Communications. As of October 1st, the K-12 enrollment count was 7,766 students, exceeding the budgeted figure of 7,021. Despite this, there was a noted decrease in students compared to the previous year. The report included demographic data, highlighting a steady percentage of students receiving special education services and a slight decrease in students qualifying for free and reduced meals, which impacts district funding.

Director Mickelson and Director Alt raised concerns about the decline in applications for free and reduced lunch, potentially due to the universal free lunch policy. They suggested more outreach efforts to ensure families complete necessary applications, as compensatory funding is important for the district’s financial health.

The board acknowledged progress in staff diversity, with an increase in staff identifying as people of color from 8.4% to 10.6%, though it still falls short of reflecting the student population’s diversity. The meeting also addressed student engagement, with a board member comparing collaboration in education to healthcare, emphasizing the necessity of a team-oriented approach.

In terms of student activities, the student representative provided updates on the end of the academic quarter, fall sports performances, and the theater guild’s production of “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.” Various student affinity groups were highlighted for their role in promoting inclusivity and cultural celebration.

Superintendent Dr. Latana Daniels presented an overview of the first quarter, emphasizing the importance of community engagement and data collection. She announced upcoming community listening sessions and revealed the graduation date for the class of 2026. Additionally, a 2% salary increase was proposed for the Burnsville Education Association in the negotiations committee meeting.

The board unanimously approved several motions, including a preliminary approval for a DECA field trip to Atlanta, a financial audit report, a concurrent enrollment agreement with Minneapolis College, and the acceptance of community donations. Policy changes involving personal electronic devices and non-resident enrollment were also reviewed and approved.