00:56A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to recognizing student achievements from North High School and Tartan High School. Jed Helig, the activities director at North High School, introduced students who excelled in their respective fields. Sydney Johnson, a junior gymnast, was praised for her performance at the Minnesota State High School League gymnastics meet. Gabby Martinez, a senior softball player, was acknowledged for her multi-sport accomplishments and received the 2025 Athena Award. FA Odami, a three-sport athlete, was lauded for his academic and athletic prowess, maintaining a 3.88 GPA while preparing for his future at the University of Minnesota.

05:06Tartan High School’s assistant athletic director recognized Business Professionals of America (BPA) students who competed at a state leadership conference, with several qualifying for the national competition. Notable mentions included Ramla Sharif, who served as the Minnesota BPA state president, and Banyan Oang, who achieved first place in their category. The BPA’s success was attributed to the efforts of their adviser and the students’ dedication.

08:54In a celebratory atmosphere, the meeting also spotlighted individual student achievements. CJ Banks was honored for surpassing 10,000 career basketball points and being named Metro East Player of the Year. Delm Maria Joseph, Tartan’s first female wrestler to qualify for state, and Greta Kolsha Klein, the 2025 Athena Award recipient, were also recognized.

13:45The meeting proceeded to honor community members with the Excellence in Community Education Leadership Excel Awards. John Schlice and Antonet “Tony” Hudi were awarded for their contributions to the community, with emphasis on Schlice’s “Gifts for Seniors” program and Hudi’s 34 years of service to the district.

01:17:14Another focal point was the presentation of policy updates to align with amended Minnesota laws. Policy 413, concerning harassment and violence, was revised to include an updated definition of disability. Changes were also made to Policy 519 on student interviews by outside agencies, and Policy 614 on school district testing procedures. These updates aim to clarify language and ensure consistency with legislative changes.

01:00:14The board also discussed financial contributions totaling $83,562.71 for the fiscal year 2024-2025. Notable donations included $1,000 from the North St. Paul Maplewood Oakdale Rotary Club for the earhood screening department and $2,495 from the Midway USA Foundation for the Tartan Trap Team. The board unanimously approved these contributions, expressing gratitude for the community’s support.

01:04:48Director Anderson presented the capital budgets for fiscal year 2026, highlighting stable capital revenue of just under $2.5 million, derived from state aid and property tax levies. The budget will focus on equipment, technology, and building leases, with unused funds directed to a restricted fund balance for future expenses. The board also approved resolutions on the long-term facilities maintenance allocation and human resources matters concerning probationary teachers.

43:59The curriculum adoption process, a two-year effort, was another significant topic. The selected curriculum, Scholastics PreK On My Way, will be implemented in the fall to support literacy, language, math, and social-emotional learning. This curriculum was chosen based on its ability to engage students, adaptability, and research-based methods focusing on the science of reading.

32:46Early education initiatives emphasized the importance of social-emotional learning, with a grant-funded professional development event titled “Playful Hearts, Happy Minds” aimed at enhancing staff well-being. Investments were made in classroom resources to support social-emotional learning, such as solution toolkits and calming spaces. Family outreach events provided materials to support children’s learning at home.