The meeting opened with a presentation of the community survey results conducted by Peter Leatherman from the Morris Leatherman Company. This survey, which aimed to gauge community support for a potential bond referendum, involved interviews with 400 randomly selected district residents in late September. The survey found that 81% of respondents believed the district spent taxpayers’ money effectively, higher than the state average of 62%. Trust in the district’s decisions for children was also notably high at 91%, well above the state norm.

An essential finding from the survey was the community’s willingness to consider property tax increases to protect educational investments, with 74% in favor of such measures. The survey also highlighted that 87% of respondents felt the district did a good job of involving the community in decision-making processes, 15 points higher than the state norm.

Discussions during the meeting addressed community perceptions of school facilities and the need for modern learning environments. While 60% of respondents believed there was enough space to accommodate future enrollment growth, 75% felt that current school facilities were comparable. However, survey participants, notably 66% of whom were empty nesters, may not have visited school buildings in recent years. This highlights the importance of engaging the community and educating them on the realities of modern educational needs.

Other priorities included renovations for special education spaces (72%), expansions of kitchen and cafeteria facilities (68%), and ensuring comparable facilities (65%). However, proposed projects like a fourth middle school and a tenth elementary school received lower support, attributed to a lack of community awareness regarding these needs. The board suggested that a property tax increase could gain support if it were focused on pressing needs rather than additional amenities.

The board emphasized the necessity of transparency about the financial implications of proposed tax increases, as voters often prioritize immediate financial concerns. Demographic representation in the survey results was also clarified, with 32% of district households having children, while 66% of respondents were empty nesters. The board stressed the importance of clear communication regarding the survey’s nuances.

The meeting also delved into student performance data, with discussions on reading proficiency and growth metrics across various grades. Concerns were raised about second graders’ reading proficiency, which stood at the 49th percentile in 2021. The board highlighted the challenges of analyzing cohort data due to changing student populations and emphasized the importance of early intervention and collaboration with early learning programs to establish foundational skills.

Attention was given to the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs) and the district’s goal to increase student proficiency in reading and math. The board aimed to improve reading proficiency from 72% to 74% and math proficiency from 75% to 77% for grades 3 through 8. Declining participation rates among high school students in these assessments were also noted, with goals set to increase participation rates for grades 10 and 11.

The board discussed the introduction of new math standards and the need for curriculum review to enhance instructional practices. Five math specialists’ contributions across nine elementary schools were noted as instrumental in strategizing improvements in student performance. The meeting also highlighted the district’s investment in the Orton-Gillingham approach for literacy support, with ongoing training for teachers to ensure targeted interventions.

The meeting concluded with discussions on the potential impact of Aubrey, a new data visualization system intended to enhance data management and accessibility across educational metrics. This tool is expected to streamline data interpretation and make it more actionable for educators.