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In the first meeting of the year, the ISD 197 School Board heard site reports from Pilot Knob, Garlough, and Two Rivers, plus an update on ISD 917 and an update on equity implementation.
Site Reports
Three schools gave annual site reports, including Pilot Knob STEM Magnet School, Garlough Environmental Magnet School, and Two Rivers High School.
Pilot Knob: Principal Tom Benson and a trio of students shared.
- A welcome video captured some of the 22 languages spoken by families in the school.
- Reading continues to be a priority with a district-wide book club.
- The school recently added a Girls Who Code recess club and won a STEM Innovation award for involving indigenous students.
Garlough: Principal Sue Powell spoke with a group of fourth grade students.
- The school continues to grow, with 415 students currently and a new classroom added over the summer.
- Reading and math scores are up.
- Garlough has highlighted themes recently with frogs and toads last year and a trip to a performance of A Year With Frog and Toad at the Children’s Theatre Company. This year’s theme is birds with a trip to the Minnesota Zoo this past fall.
- Recent changes include a new trail that students christened the Gnomes Grove Trail and a shift in how back-to-school supplies are purchased.
Two Rivers: Principal Dr. Al Johnson and Associate Principal Jessica Cabak shared about the high school, with the help of three students.
- Johnson started by highlighting the staff, including bus drivers and food service workers.
- The high school continues to grow with more than 1,700 students this year.
- Students spoke highlighting the Two Rivers Tribune, Digital Wellness, and the Together We Make a Difference leadership conference.
- Two Rivers continues to add new clubs and activities, including 15 since the fall of 2023. The Vikings have made headlines for recent efforts to support girls’ flag football, and will be sponsoring a team at Two Rivers.
ISD 917 Update
Dr. Michael Favor, the superintendent of Intermediate School District 917 (ISD 917), gave an update on the district. ISD 917 is a consortium of nine south metro districts, including ISD 197, to offer special education, alternative programs, and career and technical education (CTE).
- ISD 917 currently has 539 students enrolled, with ISD 197 accounting for 10 CTE students, 28 alternative education students, and 97 special education students (with 19 more on the waiting list).
- With the waiting list, ISD 917 is working to recruit staff, including an apprenticeship program where paraprofessionals can work toward their licensure.
Other Items on the Agenda
- Student recognition: The ISD 197 School Board recognized three student groups—the Digital Wellness club at Two Rivers, two students who received a National Merit commendation, and two students who made the state semi-finals in debate.
- Equity: District staff gave an update on implementation targets for the equity portion of the strategic framework. Progress includes offering an Ojibway language course at Two Rivers and adding two cultural liaisons and doubling the team of translators and liaisons over the past five years.
- Organization: The board re-elected Board Members Sarah Larsen as chair, Jon Vaupel as vice chair, and Byron Schwab as treasurer.
Engage
- More: Agendas and minutes for ISD 197 School Board meetings are available online.
- Watch: You can watch this meeting online and see the video recap from Board Members Sarah Larsen and Jon Vaupel.
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