During the meeting, multiple speakers raised alarms about safety conditions at Tartan High School, with reports indicating that over 200 students were absent due to safety fears. A speaker, identified as Yennefer Gomez Bugney, a Spanish cultural liaison at Tartan, expressed her distress, stating, “Students and staff do not feel safe.” The sentiment was echoed by Veronica Green, an ML teacher at Tartan, who highlighted that approximately 12% of the student body was staying home due to fear for their safety. Green urged the board to consider a two-day planning period for staff to develop a sustainable plan to address these concerns.

Further compounding the issue, Kristen Kbeck, a math teacher at Tartan, shared her experiences with implementing measures such as bus patrols and food deliveries to families sheltering at home. Kbeck underscored the need for clear communication and support systems, indicating that teachers were stepping up to ensure students’ safety and well-being, despite the challenges posed by the current environment.

The board acknowledged these concerns, with discussions focusing on the need for immediate action to ensure a secure learning environment. The administration recognized the impact of external factors on student attendance, noting that ongoing safety and emotional well-being efforts were a priority. A new initiative, “tardy-free week,” was implemented to encourage punctuality, resulting in a 27% increase in students attending classes on time.

In addition to safety, the meeting addressed the complexities of remote learning, particularly for students with special needs. The administration emphasized the importance of maintaining in-person attendance while accommodating remote learning requests. The superintendent reported that 3.5% of the student population had opted for remote learning, with Tartan High School experiencing the highest number of requests. Efforts are underway to ensure that remote learners receive adequate support, with school-specific outreach teams providing tailored assistance.

The district’s response to these challenges includes enhancing communication and support systems for students and families. The superintendent acknowledged the emotional toll on the community, noting that communication efforts have been intensified to manage concerns related to safety and immigration enforcement. The district is working to increase supervision at bus stops and recruit vetted volunteers to ensure student safety during commutes.

Additionally, the board discussed the importance of addressing absenteeism and improving student engagement. The administration noted a positive trend in daily attendance, with average attendance increasing over the previous year. However, the ongoing safety concerns and fluctuating attendance patterns remain a challenge, particularly in light of recent ICE-related fears affecting student participation.

The meeting also highlighted the successes of alternative education programs within the district. The growth of the online high school program and the alternative high school (AHS) was noted, with over 80 students served this year. The district introduced a “modern classrooms” model, promoting blended instruction and self-paced learning to better cater to students’ diverse needs. Personal accounts from students illustrated the positive impact of these alternative education options, emphasizing the importance of supportive and flexible learning environments.

A development during the meeting was the introduction of the Open Gate pilot program, aimed at enhancing school safety. The program, which requires collaboration among staff, students, and families, was reported to be functioning smoothly and has drawn interest from other districts looking to adopt similar measures.

Other agenda items included the acknowledgment of contributions received by the district, with a $750 donation from the East Metro Stars Youth Hockey Association for the North Tartan adapted floor hockey program. The board also ratified a tentative agreement with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) representing the Behavior Intervention Specialist group, including salary increases and updates to reflect best practices.