One of the most notable discussions of the meeting was the approval of a new science curriculum, Amplify, which aligns with the Next Generation Science Standards. The curriculum emphasizes inquiry-based learning, allowing students to engage in scientific and engineering roles to explore real-world phenomena. Board members expressed enthusiasm about the curriculum’s potential to foster deeper conceptual understanding while also raising concerns about the need for explicit instruction in literacy and numeracy skills. The curriculum’s “kit heavy” design was noted, requiring ongoing investment in consumable materials. This financial aspect is covered by $846,000 from COVID-19 relief funds. Implementation is planned for the 2024–2025 school year.

The meeting also featured a dialouge on mental health initiatives. A $2.5 million grant was highlighted as a central component of the district’s strategy to provide master’s level social work experiences for staff and community members. This initiative aims to enhance the capacity of schools to offer robust mental health support, with a focus on diversity, as eight of the twelve current participants identify as Black, Indigenous, and/or people of color. The grant program is designed to support at least 125 students, with potential for expansion as participants engage more deeply with the community.

Further, the board discussed four key mental health initiatives: universal mental health screening, tiered interventions, mental health literacy, and universal mental health documentation. The universal screening pilot proved successful, with 300 students screened twice a year, allowing for early identification of students at risk. The initiative aims to expand to all 177,000 students, though challenges such as staffing shortages and space limitations were noted as barriers to full implementation. The discussion also touched on the importance of community partnerships and reducing the stigma around mental health to improve family engagement and student support.

The board acknowledged the critical role of school-based mental health services and the need for more data to tailor these services effectively. There were calls for more detailed demographic data on students receiving mental health services, which would inform future policy development. Challenges in staffing, particularly in recruiting qualified professionals, were discussed.

In addition to these discussions, the board approved a budget for the 2024-2025 school year totaling approximately $429 million. This budget includes allocations across various funds and reflects a strategic effort to balance expenditures with revenues. Notably, a $10 million donation from the Mayo Clinic played a role in preventing class size increases and school closures.

The meeting also covered the long-term facilities maintenance plan, which involves ongoing and future projects across several schools, aimed at maintaining and improving infrastructure without causing significant fluctuations in property taxes. The plan emphasizes the importance of proactive maintenance to ensure a conducive learning environment for students.