The board delved into the issue of replacing the deteriorating tennis courts at Austin High School. A feasibility study confirmed the courts were nearing the end of their lifespan, necessitating complete reconstruction due to safety concerns. Cracks and surface issues have rendered some areas unplayable, prompting the board to consider a proposal for moving forward with a sealed bid process. The reconstruction project is estimated to exceed $100,000, requiring review and approval from the board. There was also discussion about potentially incorporating pickleball courts into the redesign, with plans to engage the local pickleball association in future conversations. The current focus remains on ensuring safe and functional tennis facilities for students and the community.

A comprehensive review of the EL program led to six recommendations aimed at improving the educational experience for multilingual students. These include developing an Austin-specific language instructional education program and ensuring consistent instructional practices. The board emphasized the importance of not overscheduling students in EL programming, which could limit their access to general education courses. Instead, the focus is on aligning interventions with small group instruction commonly seen in elementary settings. Additionally, ongoing professional development for staff was highlighted to implement high-impact teaching strategies that benefit multilingual learners.

Efforts to improve communication with families of English Learners were discussed, with a commitment to hold annual parent meetings. Despite low attendance at recent meetings, there is optimism that better outreach, particularly through success coaches, will improve participation. The district is also aligning adult English classes with K-12 education to reinforce learning at home. This approach aims to support family engagement and enhance student learning outcomes.

Student achievements and initiatives were celebrated throughout the meeting. The board also commended students involved in planning the CEO concert, a hands-on learning event that provides experience in event planning and business operations.

The board acknowledged the importance of student engagement in leadership programs. An update on the Minnesota State High School League’s “Together 3.0” initiative was presented, with students sharing positive experiences from regional conferences focused on leadership development. The Student Advisory and Leadership Team (SALT) fosters leadership skills by incorporating student perspectives into league programming. Participants, including Austin High School students, highlighted the collaborative nature of the conferences and the opportunities to connect with peers from different schools.

The superintendent’s report introduced new board member Bob Harman and emphasized a fellowship program in collaboration with the Mayo Clinic, focusing on artificial intelligence in healthcare. This program aims to enhance educators’ professional development and ultimately benefit students. Additionally, the superintendent recognized students of the month for their positive contributions and celebrated upcoming events, such as the Minnesota School Board Association leadership conference.

The board discussed the progress of the Minnesota Department of Education’s culturally responsive leadership framework and recognized the contributions of retiring staff member Sherry Girard. The meeting concluded with acknowledgments of recent student successes and initiatives, including a fast information session to prepare students for postsecondary education and a student-led blood drive scheduled for January 29th.