A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing the district’s comprehensive achievement in civic readiness update for the 2024-25 school year. The goals presented emphasize student readiness for school, college, and careers. The board examined specific targets, such as improving early literacy rates among kindergarteners and increasing the percentage of 11th graders meeting ACT readiness benchmarks. The district aims to achieve a 3% annual increase in kindergarteners meeting literacy benchmarks, up from a 2023 baseline of 63.9%. The PreK programs utilize Teaching Strategies Gold, an assessment tool, to measure progress in literacy, mathematics, and social-emotional development.

The board also focused on initiatives to prepare students for college and careers. Strategies to improve ACT scores include having all 10th graders take the pre-ACT test in the spring to identify knowledge gaps. The district aims to raise the percentage of 11th graders meeting the ACT readiness benchmark from 46.3% in 2024 to 49.3% in 2025. The percentage of students achieving a composite score of 21 or higher is projected to rise to 59.3% for the 2024-2025 academic year.

Graduation rates were another focal point, with an aim to increase the four-year graduation rate from 88.7% in 2023 to 93% by 2026. Current efforts include enhancing attendance rates and supporting ninth-grade students through the Building Assets and Reducing Risks (BAR) program, designed to provide academic and emotional support.

Additionally, the board addressed closing the achievement gap among student groups, specifically in K-6 literacy. The district plans to decrease the achievement gap by six percentage points by spring 2027, focusing on Black and African-American, Hispanic and Latino, and American Indian students. The current efforts involve expanding the use of the FastBridge literacy screener to include grades 7 to 10 and implementing evidence-based literacy practices.

Recognition of achievements was also a notable item of discussion. The board celebrated the Rosemount High School boys cross country team’s third-place finish at the state meet. Coach Chris Harter, with 29 years of service, was acknowledged for his leadership and recent induction into the Minnesota Cross Country Coaches Hall of Fame. Carl Peterson, the varsity assistant boys soccer coach at Rosemount High School, was honored as the 2025 state class AAA assistant coach of the year. His contributions over a 39-year coaching career were praised for fostering a culture of excellence and respect.

Superintendent Michael Bosone expressed gratitude for the community’s support in the recent technology levy vote, which passed with 68% approval. The levy, aimed at enhancing technology resources, was backed by over 18,000 voters. Bosone also congratulated newly elected board members who will assume office in January.

The meeting featured a presentation on enrollment projections for the 2026-2027 school year, estimating an enrollment count of 28,993 students. This projection reflects a stable enrollment trend with a slight net gain expected at the middle and high school levels.

Discussions on the proposed school year calendars for 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 were extensive. The calendar committee, after gathering feedback from teachers and community stakeholders, presented calendars that align with the district’s core values. Key considerations included statutory requirements, family needs, and staff professional development. The proposed start date for the 2026-2027 school year is September 1, with notable features such as an eight-day winter break and a four-day Labor Day weekend. Adjustments may be made to accommodate significant holidays, such as Eid, which was discussed during the meeting.

The board also reviewed proposed revisions to middle and high school courses for the 2026-2027 school year. These revisions align with state content standards and include updates in the secondary math program and the introduction of new social studies curricula featuring an ethnic studies strand.

A presentation on the annual financial audit for the fiscal year 2024-2025 highlighted a clean audit outcome. Despite incomplete testing of federal funds, the audit showed no findings related to the financial statement, resulting in an unmodified opinion. The district reported a positive net change in fund balance.