A significant portion of the meeting was devoted to discussing the district’s curriculum updates. The board outlined the adoption of a new science curriculum across all grade levels, set for full implementation next year. The elementary school will continue with the Mystery Science program, which is being supplemented with aligned reading curriculum efforts. The district selected Savvas Learning Company for both social studies and reading. Additionally, new reading and math intervention curricula will be deployed, with specific programs like Newfly for math at the elementary level and Bridges for middle school interventions. The board emphasized the importance of aligning curricular content with Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs) to ensure that students are well-prepared for state standards.

The transition from STAR testing to Fastbridge was another critical discussion point. The change aims to improve the alignment with MCA performance, providing more detailed insights into students’ skills. Concerns were raised about the differences in scoring between STAR and Fastbridge, with educators expressing uncertainty about how the new system affects the ability to track student progress effectively. Fastbridge is noted for offering more depth in skill assessment, although its reporting is less user-friendly, causing some dissatisfaction among teachers. The transition poses challenges for educators as they adapt to the new metrics while ensuring comprehensive student assessment.

The board also celebrated the success of the local food sourcing initiative for school lunches. A public comment during the meeting highlighted the community’s satisfaction with the farm-to-school concept, which focuses on sourcing food within a 50-mile radius to support local agriculture. The food service director reported a $30,000 grant awarded for farm-to-school initiatives, with local spending on food amounting to over $200,000. New partnerships with local farmers are underway. The director also discussed challenges related to federal regulations on meal nutrition, particularly concerning sugar content, and the preference of students for quick, less nutritious options.

Staffing and budgetary considerations were addressed in the personnel committee’s report. The board discussed the need for strategic planning in response to budget constraints, including the posting of an elementary principal position and adjustments to interventionist staffing models. These changes aim to improve service efficiency and cost-effectiveness, providing students with more time for intervention services. Negotiations concerning certified staff were also underway, with a proposal reflecting nearly a 6% increase over two years.

The meeting included updates on the district’s foundation progress, particularly the Dollars for Scholars initiative. The foundation is nearing operational readiness. A positive community response was noted, with over 40 people attending a recent sign-up opportunity. The superintendent expressed appreciation for the careful approach being taken in transitioning funds and engaging initial donors.

Additionally, the board discussed the success of Family Healthcare mobile dental services, which provided over 169 dental visits to students, with a portion covered by Minnesota Medicaid. This initiative was recognized as beneficial.

Legislative updates from the Minnesota School Boards Association (MSBA) were shared, including proposals affecting education and pensions. A contentious topic was the proposed paid leave legislation for caregivers, set to be implemented in January. The superintendent explained that this legislation would function similarly to FMLA, allowing paid time off through employee contributions.