Public schools are the cornerstone of a healthy democracy, preparing students to be future citizens and productive adults. Beyond equipping students with knowledge and skills to participate in the future workforce and economy, the role of public schools is to help students become adept at thinking critically so that they may thrive in an ever-changing world.
I am committed to providing a healthy, safe, and secure learning environment where all students find connections and passion for learning and in which all staff can do their best work. This means living up to our commitment that each student has:
Inextricably tied in this broad category are physical and psychological safety; the security of people, property, and information; and the overall well-being of students and staff. As a District, we must continue to evolve and innovate to meet these essential human needs in order for the higher-level tasks of learning to occur.
In 2023, the Minnesota legislature passed the Reading to Ensure Academic Development Act, known as the READ Act which comes with state funding to support meaningful implementation. In Minnetonka Schools, prior to the passage of this act, preparations had begun to develop an updated District Literacy Plan built on the five pillars of early literacy: phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, and comprehension.
For its part, the school board must authorize adequate resources for this transformation and strictly limit other changes to the system so that administrators and teachers may maintain focus on literacy objectives. To ensure accountability for meeting both the letter and spirit of this law, District leaders should identify and measure the leading indicators (that is, progress toward objectives) and regularly inspect and adapt its Literacy Plan to better achieve desired outcomes. Finally, it's incumbent on the board to address impediments to the successful implementation of the new plan and to act as a buffer when challenges inevitably arise, whether these are widespread or localized.
For 18 years, Minnetonka Schools has avoided making major budget reductions largely by leveraging open enrollment. From the years 2000 to 2023, resident enrollment declined by 7%, from 7,675 students to 7,114. During this same period, open enrollment increased from 100 to 4,138, or nearly 40% of the current student population. The revenue from this increase in enrollment has fueled remarkable innovation and programming that serves resident and non-resident students alike, and open-enrolled families contribute to the vitality and spirit of our school community in ways that cannot be measured.
In October 2019, the School Board voted to cap K-12 enrollment at 11,100 students with the intention of working on a 10-year strategic plan for the district with a specific lens toward the implications of flattening enrollment and the state-imposed levy cap. But then the pandemic hit followed by social upheaval. It is now time for the School Board to re-focus on averting projected budget deficits while maintaining the District's vitality and reputation for innovation and excellence.
The needs of students (current and future) should be at the center of every decision. Teachers, staff, and administrators should be trusted to do what is best for children, guided by policies and procedures. Parents play an important role as educational partners who respect professional boundaries.
We must equip our students with the knowledge and awareness to become responsible stewards of the environment. Already, educating for sustainability is required as part of the Next Generation Science Standards, and by further integrating sustainable practices into our curriculum and operations, we not only prepare our children for a changing world but also contribute to the long-term health of our planet. Students expect this from us as District leaders because much is at stake for them. Our District's investment in renewal energy and sustainability-minded facilities maintenance are points of pride for the District on which we can build.
Our schools play a pivotal role in shaping and defining the identity of our community. We do this through hospitality, welcome, and full inclusion of students and families who reside both inside and outside of District boundaries, and by being thoughtful neighbors to everyone in the surrounding community. We also foster a healthy community through transparency, frequent communication, many and varied opportunities for involvement, and by being intentional about accessibility.
Minnetonka's reputation for excellence and innovation in education extends to our school board and administrators. As leaders in public education, ISD 276 has the opportunity to lead change that will serve students and communities across the state for mutual benefit and goodwill. Examples include discovering ways to increase the attraction and retention of individuals to the teaching profession and fully funding public education. A reinvigorated Minnetonka Schools Community Action for Student Education (CASE) Committee will provide an effective way for district leaders, teachers, students, and community members to participate in this endeavor.
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