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Increased revenue meant an improved budget for ISD 197’s current fiscal year. The school board also approved a Language Access Plan and heard multiple updates.
Revised Budget
Director of Finance Brian Schultz presented revisions to the 2025-2026 budget.
- Why: Much of the district’s budget is based on forecasting, but as better numbers come in the budget can be adjusted.
- Impact: Both revenues and expenditures were up, resulting in a net gain of about $370,000. That means the district’s fund balance will increase to 3.9%, up from the budgeted 2%. It’s still shy of the board policy of 8%, but it is significant progress.
- But: Superintendent Peter Olson-Skog noted that while it’s good news, the district is still in the process of making approximately $2.5 million in cuts that come at a cost to district programs.
- Next: The board will officially approve the revised budget at the next meeting.
Language Access Plan
A new state law requires districts to formalize language access practices, ensuring the district communicates with families in their native language. This is a long-standing state and federal requirement, and the district already has multiple tools in place, including: LanguageLine for on-demand phone interpretation, TalkingPoints for two-way multilingual communication between staff and families, ParentSquare for mass communication with auto-translation, and district-wide translators and interpreters who provide written translations and in-person interpretation services.
The new plan mostly codifies what already exists, but it does add new training for multi-lingual district staff to serve as interpreters.
Recognitions
Olson-Skog recognized multiple student groups:
- Confluence contributors: Fourth graders who contributed to the Confluence literary and arts publication.
- Multilingual seals: 45 Two Rivers students showed proficiency in a different language and earned a seal on their diploma.
- Winter sports: Students in wrestling, dance, cross country skiing, and basketball were all recognized for their achievements.
- Student representatives: Olson-Skog recognized Rhys Walsh and Evangeline Fuentes for serving as student representatives on the board. The ISD 197 School Board presented them with $500 scholarships.
Other Items on the Agenda
- Student representatives’ report: Student Representatives Rhys Walsh and Evangeline Fuentes gave updates on Mendota’s artist-in-residence program and an upcoming mural, Garlough and Mendota’s Odyssey of the Mind teams, Moreland third graders completing the most acts of kindness during their Raise Craze fundraiser, Viktor the Viking visiting Mendota, Garlough’s upcoming plant sale on May 9, a district-wide field day for fourth graders on May 15, a Friendly Hills trip to Washington, D.C., a Heritage trip to the University of Minnesota Ecological Reserve, a celebration of Heritage student Maya Cerda who passed away, Decision Day for Seniors at Two Rivers, and much more.
- Superintendent’s report: Olson-Skog highlighted Teacher Appreciation Week with a Dear Teacher video and a thank you to all district staff, a Bdote Experience training for staff, and the new bioretention basin in the Two Rivers parking lot.
- Committee updates: Multiple committees gave updates, including the Early Learning Advisory Committee highlighting the value of parent-led listening sessions and the Special Education Advisory Committee highlighting their speakers on various topics.
- Equity focus update: District staff shared updates on the Equity Advisory and Strategic Framework Equity Implementation Targets, with progress including a student advisory group for the Nutrition Services Team, a sliding scale fee for student parking, a document to help teachers welcome families at the start of the school year, and more.
Engage
- More: Agendas and minutes for ISD 197 School Board meetings are available online.
- Watch: You can watch this meeting online. Board Member Jon Vaupel and Superintendent Peter Olson-Skog also gave a video recap of the meeting.
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