The introduction of new high school courses was a focus of the meeting. High school principals Matt Cwell and Lori Hansen presented a proposal featuring courses in food science, horticulture, business management, and more, designed to align with Career and Technical Education (CTE) goals. These offerings are intended to diversify educational opportunities, equipping students with skills relevant to current job markets. Matt Cwell emphasized the importance of offering a wide range of courses, stating, “we want to provide all the opportunities we can.” The board engaged in a brief discussion before approving the 15 new courses unanimously.

Agricultural education initiatives also received considerable attention. Jacob Wiltz, the new high school agriculture teacher, outlined the development of the Future Farmers of America (FFA) program and provided insights into the evolving agriculture curriculum. He detailed innovative hands-on projects such as a fish taxidermy class and plans for a school garden and potential orchard. The introduction of an industrial greenhouse and integration of livestock and beekeeping into the curriculum were also discussed, reflecting Wiltz’s ambition to provide comprehensive agricultural education. The FFA program has already garnered interest, with 27 members joining within a short timeframe. Wiltz expressed optimism about the program’s growth.

Wiltz further highlighted the FFA’s national presence—with over one million members—and its potential to provide students with extensive opportunities. Planned activities for the year include monthly meetings, corn drives, fruit sales, and competitive events. Students will have the chance to participate in Career Development Events (CDEs) and Leadership Development Events (LDEs), with some teams already qualifying for state-level competitions.

The meeting also addressed the approval of a property tax levy for 2025, presented by Tina Burkholder, Director of Business Services. The levy, set at $14,394,000, represents a 1% reduction from the previous year. This decision aligns with fiscal strategies to balance district funding while minimizing the financial burden on taxpayers. The board unanimously approved the levy without discussion, highlighting a consensus on the budgetary approach.

In addition to these educational and fiscal developments, the board recognized outgoing Chair Zbar for her leadership over the past four years. Board members praised her attention to detail, effective communication, and modernization of school operations, acknowledging the positive impact of her tenure. Zbar reflected on her time with the board, emphasizing teamwork and expressing hope to continue her involvement with Monticello schools at the state level.

The meeting also included the acceptance of notable donations, facilitated by Superintendent Eric Olson. The district received $722.20 from the Central Minnesota Arts Board for the Monticello Community Strings Project, $1,500 in Walmart gift cards from Riverside Church to support families during the holiday season, and $500 from the Monticello Lions Club for the Monty Pythons robotics team. St. Cloud Technical College contributed an additional $1,000 to support the robotics team, which is preparing for a regional tournament in Grand Forks. These donations underline the community’s active involvement in supporting educational initiatives.

The Monticello High School robotics team, known as the Monty Pythons, was granted approval for an overnight trip to participate in the regional tournament. The team’s coaches shared their excitement about the competition and the educational benefits it offers students in programming, management, and leadership. The board expressed strong support for the program, recognizing the valuable skills students acquire through participation in robotics.