Principal Rob Bach’s recognition as Minnesota High School Principal of the Year was a focal point of pride for the board. Bach, who has been with Stillwater Area High School for a decade, was honored by the Minnesota Association of Secondary School Principals. His leadership has spurred numerous initiatives, including the Building Assets and Reducing Risks (BARR) program, which emphasizes academic and social-emotional growth, and the pathways program, aimed at providing students with real-world experiences.

In his words, “this is 100% a reflection of the fact that sometimes you get to take credit for a lot of really great work that a lot of really great people do around you.” Board members commended Bach’s leadership, highlighting his ability to make personal connections with a student body of around 3,000. One board member noted, “anytime you’re talking to somebody, you are talking to that person,” underscoring his personalized interaction style. Bach was also praised for his approachability and engagement with families in the district.

Following Bach’s recognition, the board introduced Dr. Fa A. Bamu as the new assistant superintendent. Dr. Bamu, originally from Nigeria, brings a wealth of experience from her roles in New York City and Minnesota schools. Her previous positions included interim assistant principal and principal roles, as well as an assistant superintendent responsible for multilingual learning. Dr. Bamu expressed enthusiasm for her new role, citing the reduced commute as a “dream come true” and emphasizing her commitment to bringing a diverse perspective to the district’s administration. Board members highlighted her qualifications and the potential benefits of her diverse background, emphasizing the importance of a multifaceted approach in education.

Beyond these recognitions, the board discussed several key educational initiatives. A focus was on a professional development plan aimed at training all K-3 teachers in literacy instruction, a state requirement. The district plans to adopt a new literacy curriculum, addressing mismatches in the current math curriculum, particularly in fifth grade. Adjustments to school start times were also considered, based on expert recommendations for adolescent sleep needs.

The meeting also touched on the district’s financial situation, addressing a $4 million shortfall and efforts to improve the unassigned fund balance, currently at 1%. The board expressed optimism about enrollment trends and a forthcoming audit. Priority-based budgeting was emphasized as a strategy to align resources with strategic goals. The preliminary budget for fiscal year 2024-2025 was presented, showing a general fund budget of $149.5 million, with a portion allocated to staff salaries. The finance team explained that the budget reflects an increase of approximately $6.6 million, largely due to property tax adjustments and state aid changes.

The hiring of specialists to improve parental connections and community engagement was cited as a proactive measure. A call for the development of identity harm protocols highlighted the need for systematic approaches to address inappropriate treatment of students based on race or identity.

Discussions on social-emotional learning included plans to expand the BAR model across additional schools, with financial constraints acknowledged. Efforts to secure state grants for these initiatives were noted, alongside the district’s comprehensive approach to mental health, which stands out by offering support to all students, not just those in special education.

The board also reviewed plans for expanding the Amigos Unidos program and standardizing transportation models for gifted programs, addressing previous budget overruns. The meeting concluded with discussions on transportation changes and an increase in professional development days from three to seven.