The strategic plan, highlighted during the meeting, outlines three primary commitments: fostering unity within St. Louis Park by breaking down barriers and promoting collaboration, investing in staff to enhance student outcomes and creating a “destination district” for both students and staff, and building trust and community through effective communication. The plan integrates a focus on centering individual identities.

Board members expressed pride in the strategic plan, which was informed by listening sessions and data analysis. One board member acknowledged the importance of not merely continuing past practices without reassessment, expressing appreciation for Pink Consulting’s role in effectively gathering community input.

The board also discussed the importance of professional development, noting that the current calendar restricts opportunities for staff training. Efforts will be made to engage the calendar committee to address these concerns and align school schedules with professional development needs.

In addition to the strategic plan, the meeting addressed the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), a framework aimed at supporting students’ academic, behavioral, emotional, and mental health needs. Dr. Robinson’s presentation on MTSS outlined a tiered approach, with Tier 1 providing universal support for about 80% of students, Tier 2 offering small group instruction for approximately 15%, and Tier 3 providing individualized assistance for the remaining students. The focus is on increasing Tier 1 supports while reducing referrals to Tier 3, with a target to decrease special education referrals by 20%.

The board highlighted collaborative efforts to improve the MTSS framework, emphasizing the need for clarity in roles among team members and ongoing professional development. The discussion acknowledged the necessity of aligning teaching practices across grades and schools.

Family engagement emerged as another critical area of focus, with the board seeking to enhance communication and collaboration with families of students receiving support. Plans include providing information in multiple languages and formats.

The meeting also covered various initiatives and programs aimed at improving student support and engagement. A notable intervention involved a ten-week program at the middle school to support girls at high risk of suspension, emphasizing collaborative decision-making and well-documented interventions tailored to individual students.

Addressing the influx of families classified under the McKinney-Vento Act, the board discussed partnerships with outside organizations to provide telehealth services, enabling high school students to access counseling on campus. This initiative ensures confidentiality and convenience, allowing students to receive necessary support promptly.

Another topic was the approval of employee agreements and staffing resolutions. The board discussed a probationary teacher’s status, opting for an additional year of probation instead of non-renewal to provide support and coaching aimed at enhancing performance.

The meeting concluded with updates and acknowledgments of various community engagements and celebrations. Board members expressed gratitude to local legislators for enabling school districts to start before Labor Day. The board also recognized the efforts of staff and students as they navigated the final weeks of the school year, commending their resilience and dedication.