A significant highlight of the meeting was the introduction of student representatives for the 2024-2025 school year. The board welcomed Cohen Schlangen and Alicia Thompson, who presented their reports. Cohen, a senior at Monticello High School, shared insights into his academic load, which includes AP calculus and AP physics, as well as his leadership roles, including being a captain of the football team. He expressed his interest in becoming a school board representative to gain experience in public speaking and to understand the workings of the school board. He also mentioned his plans to study civil engineering at North Dakota State University after graduation. Alicia introduced herself, detailing her course load comprised mainly of college courses and her involvement in various extracurricular activities, including being a magic leader and joining the yearbook club. She shared her aspirations to attend the University of St. Thomas to pursue a nursing degree.

Both students discussed the start of the school year, noting that the new start times had been well-received, allowing for a more relaxed morning routine. They shared observations about freshmen adjusting well to high school life, participating during homecoming week, and showing school spirit. They highlighted the unique timing of homecoming this year, occurring during the second week of school, which was beneficial as students were settling into their classes. Cohen specifically mentioned the excitement around various homecoming events, including the Iron Man volleyball competition and the football game, where the team achieved a significant victory.

The meeting also focused on safety and security protocols within the Monticello School District. The administration emphasized the importance of safety training, noting that building principals take the lead on safety protocols and procedures during staff meetings. They highlighted that safety drills have already commenced, including bus evacuations, fire drills, and lockdown drills at all grade levels. Safety and Security posters, recently updated, have been distributed to classrooms across the district. The administration mentioned limiting school access to one secure entrance, enforcing staff and visitor badges through the Raptor system, which screens visitor identification to ensure safety.

Crisis plans have been updated and are available in every building. School resource officers from the Wright County Sheriff’s Department are involved in enhancing security, promoting safety, and investigating any incidents of delinquency. The administration expressed gratitude for the presence of specific officers dedicated to the middle and high schools and noted strong collaboration with the Sheriff’s Department and other agencies through the Wright County Safe Schools Committee.

The establishment of threat assessment teams at every campus was also discussed, with these teams regularly convening to evaluate potential threats and address them, sharing updates with the superintendent. Information regarding emergency procedures is accessible to families on the district’s website, which outlines protocols for various crisis situations. The administration stressed the importance of maintaining up-to-date emergency contact information for parents and highlighted the necessity of staff training, including an annual safety video produced by the SRO.

Another topic was the “Rally to Read” initiative, a community-driven effort aimed at enhancing early literacy. Superintendent Olson explained this initiative, which included two community meetings focused on presenting various resources beneficial to early childhood literacy. Olson recognized Jen Johnson and Jeremiah Mack as influential members of the committee spearheading this initiative. The primary objective of the “Rally to Read” is to unite community actions to enhance literacy among children, with Olson asserting, “we believe that all children can learn.”

Three committees were outlined to support this initiative. The first, the community connections team, seeks to build on existing programs like “Books for Babies,” which provides resources and literature to families. The team aims to partner with the Imagination Library, a program that offers children a free book each month from birth to age four. This initiative intends to ensure access to age-appropriate books and resources for families, with plans to track and deliver materials using local sheriff departments.

The second committee, focused on education and awareness, aims to improve engagement in early childhood programs, which currently enroll only about 50% of eligible children. This group intends to develop strategies to reach families through various community organizations and events, creating a network of support for early literacy.

Lastly, an “Every Kid, Every Day” team is being established to enhance partnerships with existing organizations and develop scholarship opportunities for families in need. Olson noted, “there are many great in-home daycares…lots of different options out there,” and emphasized the importance of connecting families with resources that support early literacy development.

The meeting also included a presentation on the Northwest Talent Academy (NWTA), a collaborative initiative involving ten local school districts that offers summer programming for gifted and talented students. The program has grown since its inception approximately seven to eight years ago, expanding from a single district to involve ten. The presentation highlighted the diverse range of classes offered, with a total of 25 different classes and 55 sections available during the most recent summer session, which lasted four weeks.

The presenters explained the criteria for student participation, noting that any student aged 2 to 8 from the collaborative districts could attend. Selection for participation included various methods such as colat testing and teacher recommendations, particularly focusing on students excelling in areas like art or music. The presentation also provided insights into the logistics of the program, including staffing, which consisted of 23 teachers, 18 of whom were returning staff, alongside six assistants. The class sizes increased this year despite a slight decrease in the number of classes offered.

The program’s funding sources were also discussed, highlighting contributions from local community organizations such as the Rotary, VFW, and American Legion, which facilitated scholarships for participants. A total of 13 scholarships were provided by the district, and the goal was to ensure that the program remains self-sustaining, allowing continued scholarship opportunities for students in the future.

Additionally, the meeting addressed various aspects of fiscal stability, including the approval of personnel matters, bill summaries, credit card expenditures, and wire transfers for the month, all of which were approved as part of a consent agenda.

The board also reviewed updates on the preliminary tax levy for approval. The preliminary levy is projected to decrease compared to the previous year, primarily due to adjustments in the voter-approved referendum linked to inflation. The board discussed the implications of unemployment levies and adjustments in community education funding. Following a brief discussion, a motion was made and seconded to approve the property tax levy as presented, receiving unanimous support.