Thanks to Jameson’s Irish Bar, Southview Animal Hospital, and West St. Paul Chiropractic for their support.
The ISD 197 School Board approved the 2024 property tax levy, heard about a change in the middle school schedule plan, and heard multiple reports and recognitions.
2024 Property Tax Levy
The school board approved the 2024 property tax levy for a total increase of over $7 million or 24.5%. Most of this increase comes from the voter-approved levies, though a portion is also due to increased enrollment.
- School district taxes are a lot more complicated than city or county taxes, for several reasons, though one is that the budget year follows the school year, so they weren’t approving a budget but only the property tax levy. The budget will be approved in June.
- Due to many of those complications in education funding, there’s often not a direct correlation between a property tax increase and budget spending.
- In general, taxes are up over the last two years, but still lower than they were in 2021. This is primarily due to the increased tax base in the district.
- Taxes are among the lowest in the metro—before this fall’s vote we were third lowest out of 47 districts, now we’ll likely be the sixth lowest.
- Despite historic investments by the state legislature, education funding is still significantly behind inflation over the past 20 years.
- No one spoke during the public hearing. The board unanimously approved the levy increase.
Change to Middle School Schedule
Back in June the school board approved a framework for changing the middle school schedule, which administration would plan over the next year. Part of that planning involved making sure any changes fit within the union contract. Some of the proposed changes did not fit within the contract language, so the administration proposed a change to the framework.
- The main change is that they’re dropping homeroom and extending first hour by 10 minutes to handle some of the tasks typically covered in homeroom. Other classes will be extended by two minutes
- How recess (or an “unstructured movement break”) can be accommodated in flex time is still being considered. There will be a further update on implementation in January or February.
- The school board unanimously approved the change.
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Other Items on the Agenda
- Moreland site report: New Moreland Principal Rob Sahli gave an update on Moreland, featuring five students answering multiple questions. When asked what makes Moreland special, one student said “The kindness and generosity of the students.” In Sahli’s 13 years as an educator, he described Moreland as “hands down the best place I’ve ever had the opportunity to work.” Other highlights included a new mural coming to the back wall of Moreland next spring.
- Garlough site report: Garlough Principal Sue Powell shared the podium with a student for her update, highlighting the new student council (“I’m proud to be a member of Garlough’s first student council.”), a Team Smile initiative to give 20 students free dental care, a native literacy program, and ongoing education for half a dozen staff members as they work to become teachers and mental health professionals.
- College and career readiness: District staff presented on efforts to improve college and career readiness, including AP and continuing education classes that can get students college credit or industry certification, adding immersive experiences to give students hands-on experience with careers, intern opportunities, and much more.
- Student recognitions: Girls swim and dive team sent six athletes to state, girls cross country won the Metro East Conference Championship and went to state, boys cross country also won the Metro East Conference Championships and missed state by one point, and the Dakota Hawks adaptive soccer team took second place at state.
- Outgoing board members: Superintendent Peter Olson-Skog honored the outgoing school board members, Brenda Corbett, Joanne Mansur, and Terry Stamman. All three made remarks at the end of the meeting.
Engage
- More: Agendas and minutes for ISD 197 School Board meetings are available online.
- Watch: You can watch this meeting online.
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