The Read Act, revised in 2024, underscores literacy as a cornerstone of educational success, including for multilingual learners and students in special education. The Board highlighted three primary training programs for teachers: Carrie A, Letters, and Core’s Adolescent Literacy Solutions (ALS). This training, ranging from 45 to 54 hours and accessible to all staff, aims to instill a comprehensive understanding of structured literacy across subjects.

The Board delved into literacy assessments, focusing on tools such as the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) and the Independent Reading Level Assessment (EARA). The MAP assessment offers a computerized measure of reading skills that adapts to individual responses. Meanwhile, the EARA involves one-on-one evaluations by teachers. Recent results showed a rise in students meeting reading expectations, with 71.1% of K-5 students reaching the expected reading level, up from 63.8% the previous year. The introduction of FastBridge as the district’s preferred literacy screener was also discussed. This tool will be used thrice yearly to guide instructional decisions.

The Board explored instructional strategies, emphasizing the importance of phonemic awareness and introducing new assessments such as the “nonsense words” test to evaluate phonetic skills. The discussion extended to the secondary level, highlighting a structured curriculum for grades six through twelve. The curriculum includes diverse texts and independent reading time to bolster reading stamina and engagement.

Community engagement emerged as a topic, with the Board exploring ways to enhance public participation. The current public comment format, allowing three-minute speeches without feedback, was criticized for its limited interaction. The Board considered more structured engagement sessions, potentially monthly, to better address community concerns. One proposal suggested offering community members the option of receiving follow-up responses to their comments, either by phone or email.

The Board also reviewed the budget forecast, noting the challenges posed by inflation and staffing expenditures. Approximately 75% to 80% of the budget is allocated to wages and benefits, negotiated across ten unions. Despite these challenges, retirements have resulted in net savings, as new hires are often less costly. The Board anticipated a slight decline in fund balance for the upcoming year, following a previously approved $5 million budget deficit.

Policy changes were discussed, with five policies under review. Policy 510.1 concerning athletic participation was clarified, while Policy 522 on “Non-Discrimination” was streamlined to align with Minnesota laws. Three other policies were recommended for removal due to redundancy.

The Superintendent shared updates, including the approval of the 2025-2026 school calendar and the transition of graduation ceremonies to a new venue. A recent reading event at Liberty Ridge was highlighted, fostering positive interactions between students and high school athletes.