The meeting’s highlight was the recognition of student Lance for his achievement in trap shooting. Lance, who hit 100 out of 100 shots in a state tournament, was honored as a co-champion among 12,000 participants statewide. Board member Gary Revan invited Lance and his parents, Joe and Tracy, to the podium to acknowledge their dedication to the sport and the trap shooting program. Lance received a certificate from the board, and the atmosphere was celebratory as discussions touched on his rigorous training schedule and plans to defend his title in the upcoming year.

Following this, the board discussed a resolution urging the Minnesota legislature to fund milk for students who bring home-prepared meals to school. Currently, such students must stand in line for a hot lunch to receive milk, a policy the board found counterintuitive. A member remarked, “It just seems odd that that would not have been thought about at the legislative level when it was first passed.” The board highlighted that the annual cost for families to provide milk for their children could amount to approximately $117 per student per school year. The resolution was approved unanimously after a brief discussion.

The board then addressed donations received by the district, with Superintendent Eric Olson detailing contributions amounting to nearly $300,000 in the previous year. Specific donations included $2,500 from Wright County United Way for a resiliency conference and $500 from Carlen and James Janssen for students in need. The board expressed gratitude for these contributions, which were approved without opposition.

A significant portion of the meeting focused on special education cooperation with the Big Lake School District. Big Lake Superintendent Tim Trach and John Weekly, the director of the Sherburne Northern Wright Special Education Cooperative, elaborated on plans to consolidate special education programs into a single facility to enhance efficiency and meet the needs of students requiring specialized support. Historically, these programs had been dispersed across multiple buildings, presenting challenges in providing adequate services.

Weekly described the cooperative’s mission to ensure all students receive necessary care, particularly for level four programming, which addresses behavioral issues. He emphasized that the goal is to help these students develop skills to transition back into less restrictive environments. The proposed state-of-the-art facility aims to reduce the number of students on waiting lists and accommodate growing community needs. Weekly acknowledged inquiries from neighboring communities about program availability.

Board member Ashley Shilan stressed the importance of future-proofing the new facility to adapt to community needs. Weekly clarified that the changes would primarily affect cooperative programming rather than the high school’s operational plans. The upcoming ballot question regarding funding for the new facility, which involves only Big Lake voters, has repercussions for the Monticello community, highlighting the interconnectedness of district services.

Jeremiah Mack and his team from Community Education presented updates on past and upcoming programs. Mack outlined goals for community education initiatives, including efficient use of school facilities, collaboration with local agencies, and addressing service gaps. The “Backyard Buddies” initiative aims to incorporate nature components at the main site while continuing Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) events. A youth service class at the high school has aided staffing, allowing for additional student enrollment, though staffing constraints remain a challenge.

The board also discussed enrichment and community programming, highlighting collaborations with surrounding communities to enhance offerings, especially for senior citizens. A dynamic pricing structure for classes was introduced, allowing families to choose from different price points, which reportedly alleviated the stigma associated with requesting discounted rates. Summer recreational offerings engaged 1,859 users, with activities including sports samplers, swimming lessons, and various camps.

The aquatics program was commended, with reports indicating participation from 860 students in swimming lessons and 273 individuals in summer and school-year activities. Acknowledgment was given to Kristen for her ten years of service in the program, as she prepared plans for the upcoming school year prior to her departure.

Discussion then turned to the employee handbook, which was presented for approval following an extensive rewrite and feedback from various district leaders. Policy updates addressing homeschooling guidelines and graduation requirements were also prepared for a second reading after revisions.