The most notable topic of the meeting was the discussion on chronic absenteeism and efforts to improve student attendance through pilot programs. The board heard from various participants about the district’s attendance pilot program, which involves collaboration with eleven other districts in Minnesota. The goal is to devise strategies to enhance attendance and reduce truancy over three years. A report revealed that consistent attendance had improved from 50% in 2022 to 62% in 2025, but the district still fell short of the state average of 74.5%. Chronic absenteeism affected 38% of students, with disparities noted among racial and ethnic groups. The data showed Asian students had the highest attendance rates, while Hispanic and American Indian students had the lowest.

A significant part of the strategy involves understanding why students are absent. The board discussed the importance of distinguishing between different types of absences, whether due to illness, missing a bus, or other reasons such as extracurricular activities. This nuanced approach aims to provide a clearer picture of attendance patterns and to develop more effective interventions.

The board also considered attendance strategies tailored to different grade levels. For instance, attendance teams will be established in every school building next year, tasked with monitoring attendance data and implementing early interventions to prevent chronic absenteeism. The conversation underscored the need for consistent practices across all educational levels, with particular emphasis on addressing the surprisingly high rates of absenteeism in kindergarten.

The meeting also highlighted a pilot program at Edward Neil Elementary School, where initiatives to reduce absenteeism have shown promising results. This program includes recognizing student attendance improvements and communicating with families in multiple languages to encourage attendance.

Another important discussion point was the approval of the fiscal year 2026 budget. The board approved a budget exceeding $215 million in revenues and approximately $227 million in expenditures. This financial plan aims to align with the district’s mission of advancing student outcomes and received unanimous support from the board.

Furthermore, the board addressed the reallocation of propay funds in response to changes in state statutes, resulting in a unanimous decision to move a specified balance to a restricted fund. The board also certified a population estimate increase for the 2025 payable 2026 levy, which is expected to bring additional revenue to the district.

Before concluding the meeting, the board acknowledged Superintendent Theresa Battle’s retirement, expressing gratitude for her nearly 40 years of service in education. In her honor, a contribution was made to the Dr. Terresa Battle Education Pathway Scholarship, which supports future educators.