The meeting began with an in-depth presentation on the district’s summer programs, featuring a report by Jason Sers, Director of Community Services, alongside Allison Jordan, Community Education Supervisor, and Courtney Jackson Flowback, Youth Services ALC and Credit Recovery Coordinator. Jordan highlighted that the summer program attracted 3,686 participants, a slight decline attributed to the cessation of ESER funds and the loss of the UP Plus grant, which had previously enabled free STEM enrichment classes. Despite this, the Edge summer program for grades 6-9 saw increased participation in fee-based offerings.

Jordan emphasized the introduction of a new model for the Kindergarten Jump Start program, which was funded differently this year, allowing reimbursement for VPK students. This enabled coverage for costs related to staff wages and materials. Enrichment activities, including local partnerships, were successfully implemented. Notable improvements were observed in math and literacy, with double-digit growth in many grade levels due to the targeted hiring of math teachers who utilized pre-assessment data to tailor their instruction. A summer librarian and access to eBooks also contributed to the positive literacy trends.

Jackson Flowback discussed the success of the credit recovery programs, noting that 43% of Burnsville High School’s 2024 graduates benefited from these initiatives. These programs aimed to assist credit-deficient students and provide essential skills for eighth graders transitioning to high school.

Board members expressed appreciation for the summer programs’ comprehensive approach and raised concerns about the decline in enrollment due to funding issues. They discussed potential scholarships or assistance for families facing financial barriers.

The meeting then shifted to an update on summer construction projects. Dave Lake, the director of operations, detailed significant work at Burnsville High School, including the milling and reclamation of the south parking lot, refinishing of wood flooring in the main and activity center gyms, and updates to HVAC systems. Eagle Ridge Middle School also underwent major improvements, with the replacement of the original cooling system and full air-conditioning of the building. The board discussed the district’s long-term facility maintenance plans and the financial implications of ongoing maintenance projects.

Mariam Bradley, the new student board representative, reported on the start of the school year, highlighting successful events like the fire muster parade and welcoming activities for incoming students. She noted the implementation of a new phone policy at Burnsville High School, which requires students to keep phones away during class time. While many students accepted this policy, there was some dissent regarding its extension into study hall, as students felt this time should allow for more flexibility in phone usage.

Superintendent Dr. Theresa Battle provided insights into the beginning of the school year, emphasizing community engagement and a successful orientation for sixth and ninth graders. She mentioned the district’s efforts to recruit over 200 new staff members, including approximately 90 new teachers, while acknowledging ongoing challenges in filling certain positions. Dr. Battle also recognized September as Minnesota School Board Recognition Month, acknowledging the contributions of school board members.

The board also discussed a proposed project aimed at enhancing the culinary program by addressing space needs for Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS). The plan involves modifying an existing restroom to create laundry facilities to support the laundering of towels and garments used in classes. This modification is intended to centralize storage and improve the operational flow of the culinary labs. The project aims to accommodate approximately 150 additional students, increasing enrollment capacity.

Questions were raised about the fulfillment of students’ first-choice preferences for the culinary program, emphasizing the need for more lab classes. Despite the potential increase in capacity, it was noted that this expansion does not guarantee complete fulfillment of all students’ requests. The culinary program also plans to incorporate customer service and hospitality training in the future, adding complexity to the program’s structure.

The board expressed a need for a detailed presentation to clarify funding sources, including potential revenues from the sale of an outlot that could cover two-thirds of the costs. The importance of public transparency was stressed, with concerns about community members potentially questioning the project’s financial justification if details were not adequately communicated.

The final agenda item involved a closed session to discuss a purchase proposal related to the sale of Su Trail Elementary School. The board received a purchase proposal and decided to direct staff to proceed with a counterproposal.