21:21One of the most noteworthy discussions involved a student’s request for early graduation. Ashley Boss, a student aiming to pursue aerospace engineering and eventually work in space exploration, submitted a request for early graduation. The superintendent highlighted the rarity of such requests and praised Ashley’s maturity and readiness for this next step in her education. Ashley expressed her excitement about the opportunity.

0:28Another topic was the approval of a turn lane project related to the new school site. The board learned that the lowest bid for the project came in at $459,000, exceeding the original estimate of $350,000. Concerns were raised about the rising construction costs, though the project is set to proceed in the summer with competitive bids received. The superintendent reported that while weather conditions had hindered outdoor construction, substantial progress was being made indoors, including drywall installation, electrical work, and plumbing.

41:33Attention also turned to the district’s cell phone policy, which was reaffirmed to prohibit cell phone use during the instructional day. The board emphasized the importance of maintaining a distraction-free learning environment, noting that enforcement of the policy had been inconsistent. This policy allows students to keep their phones in their backpacks before the start of the school day and prohibits use until dismissal. Parents have sometimes argued against the policy due to personal investments in the devices, but the administration stressed the safety and educational benefits of limiting phone use during school hours.

In budgetary matters, the board approved the Achievement and Integration Fiscal Year 26 budget, which totals $71,200. This grant from the Department of Education focuses on addressing achievement gaps and potentially hiring support staff, such as cultural liaisons. The budget maintains the same allocation as the previous year, with the majority earmarked for the dual immersion program and a portion for summer school programs.

The board also discussed a resolution to review programs for potential budget reductions, which is a standard procedure to ensure fiscal responsibility. This process could include evaluating staff positions or subscriptions, with recommendations to be brought to the Board for approval.

1:01:25The superintendent’s report included updates on the district’s efforts to offer college courses on-site through a partnership with Southwest Minnesota State University. These courses aim to retain students who might otherwise participate in Post-Secondary Option programs elsewhere. The offerings include American Literature, World Literature, College Economics, and College Writing. The initiative is intended to provide rigorous academic content with the support of familiar high school teachers, thus aiding in the students’ transition to college-level coursework.

21:21Furthermore, community engagement efforts were discussed, particularly a survey sent to families who had chosen open enrollment. The response rate was low, with only a fraction of families providing feedback on their decision to leave the district. Additionally, marketing efforts are underway to attract more students, with a kindergarten registration day planned for March.

Another notable point involved the hiring of a part-time employee who began work in early February, as well as the replacement of faulty fire extinguishers following a fire marshal inspection. The board was informed that all identified items had been addressed satisfactorily.

41:33In other matters, the board approved a contract for services through the Southwest West Central Service Cooperative, which covers essential services like Smart Finance and Smart HR systems. The total cost for the contract is $22,839, and it includes support for the Mars coordinator and environmental health and safety evaluations.