Dr. Edwards addressed the board, emphasizing the alignment of teaching and learning with the updated strategic plan, prioritizing academic excellence. The curriculum review and adoption process aims to ensure a viable and guaranteed curriculum for all students, adhering to national, state, and local standards. Significant instructional adjustments include the introduction of new math curricula in elementary, middle, and high schools. Dr. Edwards highlighted the importance of professional development for teachers, aligning it with the strategic plan and maximizing limited opportunities. He noted efforts to create school continuous improvement plans with academic excellence as the primary goal.

Community engagement also played a role, with increased participation in the advisory committee reflecting strong community interest. Dr. Edwards expressed enthusiasm about the renewed focus on the strategic plan and the energy within schools. Dr. Zush followed, discussing continuous improvement practices and the necessity of key metrics to monitor progress and make mid-course corrections, as well as initiatives for family engagement, including training sessions for K-5 staff on fast Bridge assessments.

The board also discussed special education services, particularly the growth of unified programming in collaboration with the Special Olympics. New electives at the high school level, such as unified fitness and cooking classes, aim to foster authentic relationships between students with and without disabilities. The goal is to transition all schools into Unified Schools, with strategies to expand these initiatives to elementary schools.

Accountability to staff and equitable staffing practices were emphasized, with a workload analysis ensuring equitable staffing across buildings. The creation of a predictable staffing model in collaboration with key directors aims to optimize financial responsibility and justify additional staffing requests when necessary. The importance of addressing workload disparities within special education was acknowledged.

Moving to operational aspects, the board introduced a new role focused on customer service and satisfaction regarding school facility conditions. The operational team committed to addressing community concerns about facility maintenance and planning for future needs, emphasizing the correlation between building conditions and educational outcomes.

Financial updates were presented, revealing matured investments and strategic decisions to invest in certificates of deposit (CDs) to lock in rates above anticipated future rates. The board anticipates a detailed report from auditors in the upcoming meetings.

Enrollment updates showed a positive trend in kindergarten enrollment, with approximately 62 more students than projected. The overall student count across grades varied, with some schools experiencing greater growth in kindergarten classes compared to first-grade figures.

Policy discussions included updates to Policy 56 on student discipline, standardizing definitions and ensuring consistency across related policies. No substantial changes were made, but there was a focus on cleaning up language and aligning policies with legislative changes. Another policy, Policy 606, involved formal challenges to textbooks and instructional materials, emphasizing the inclusion of parents or guardians in the process.

The board also deliberated on the selection and reconsideration of library materials, addressing recent legislative changes and the balance between parental access to information and user privacy. Discussions included the confidentiality of individuals challenging materials and the criteria for selecting library content.

Superintendent relations and communication protocols were discussed, with updates on family communication and ongoing high school protocols. The board considered future agenda topics, including a policy on memorials for deceased students and staff, and the need for formal recognition during meetings.

A significant portion of the meeting focused on the Prior Lake-Savage Area Educators Association’s Level 3 grievance, with the executive committee recommending the board deny the union’s request. The board discussed the uniqueness of the administrative assistance contract and the implications of unpaid leave provisions.

The meeting concluded with a discussion on Title IX and the sex non-discrimination policy, emphasizing compliance with statutory requirements and ensuring clarity and consistency in policy language. The board engaged in examinations of policies and practices, seeking to maintain transparency and address community concerns effectively.