Thanks to Blue Sky Bookkeeping, Bisanz Brothers, and Block Portrait Studios for their support.
ISD 197 has strong community support, as shown in community and district surveys, including support for a potential voter levy. The ISD 197 School Board reviewed survey results and approved achievement of superintendent goals.
Community Survey
Every other year the district conducts a survey of the community. Peter Leatherman from the Morris Leatherman Company presented the results from this year’s survey. The survey was conducted in early May.
- Overall: 80% ranked the quality of education as good or excellent. That’s above average and on the high end compared to other districts, but historically it’s lower (last year it was 87%).
- Taxes: 78% said the district is spending tax payer money efficiently. 91% said the district offers a good value, which is the highest Leatherman has seen in the past 18 months.
- Teachers: When asked what they liked most about the district, teachers were the top answer (followed by variety of programs and broad curriculum). Teachers also topped the job performance rankings with 87% approval, with the administration at 73% and school board at 75%.
- Top issues: Lack of funding was the largest issue at 21%, followed by high taxes (12%) and large class sizes (11%). 19% said ‘nothing’ was the most serious issue, which is about double the state average.
The biggest takeaway from this year’s survey was gauging support for a potential voter levy:
- When asked about a general property tax increase, 25% would not support it. This is up about 6% for ISD 197, but it’s below the norm of about 32%.
- When asked about a potential $5 million levy that would not add new programs but shift costs and maintain the status quo, 62% supported it and 35% opposed it.
- Potential challenges for a levy include effective communication during a noisy even-year election cycle, hostility to rising property taxes, and the macro economic picture with war in Iran, high gas prices, etc.
District Survey
Superintendent Peter Olson-Skog shared results of four surveys focused on students, family, staff, and a second student survey on social and emotional learning.
- 89% of families feel welcome.
- 96% of families feel positive about their child’s safety in schools.
- 88% of children feel supported.
- 98% of staff feel positive about student/staff relationships.
The board packet summarized the results:
A central theme across the data is that relationships are a clear district strength. Families highlight
caring staff and student support. Students name belonging, friendship, adult support, and learning as
important parts of their school experience. Staff identify collaboration, student-centered purpose, and
professional growth as strengths.
Superintendent Goals
The school board evaluates Superintendent Peter Olson-Skog based on goals set in October using a rubric from the Minnesota School Boards Association (MSBA). Olson Skog had three broad goals:
- Implementing the district’s plan for social and emotional learning, equitable systems and support, and career exploration and preparation. The administration gives two updates per year on each of these areas, showing significant progress. The three areas include 62 objectives and 58 were met, with the remaining four either delayed or reconsidered.
- Budget procedures and polices that create long-term sustainability. The budget continues to be a focus as the administration works on “cost containment” with $2.5 million in cuts. While the fund balance is below board policy, it’s moving in the right direciton.
- Increase staff engagement and feedback with one-on-one interviews with all staff within four to six years. Olson-Skog completed 139 interviews with staff, just shy of his annual goal of 150 to 200. Operation Metro Surge interrupted that process, and Olson-Skog spent more time meeting with teams during that period to support the increased burden on staff.
The board unanimously approved the report and heaped praise on Olson-Skog. Specifically, they lauded the district’s response to Operation Metro Surge and shifting to support impacted families, they appreciated the simpler rubric, and noted the steady leadership as the average superintendent tenure is under three years while Olson-Skog has been in the role since 2017.
“I’d just like to take an opportunity to thank you for the way you led all of us and listened to people as Metro Surge was happening,” said Board Member Morgan Steele. “You guided a lot of work that was happening, and it was a hard time, and I’m grateful for your leadership.”
Olson-Skog expressed appreciation for the kudos, but was quick to give credit to the district’s cultural liaisons who led the way in that work.
“Yes, our liaisons are incredible,” said Steele. “And leading is also listening. You stopped and listened a lot to frustrations and criticism and what can we do better.”
Other Items on the Agenda
- Contract: The board unanimously approved a new contract for non-affiliated employees, which amounts to about 45 employees. The contract includes a 2% salary increase in the first year and 1% increase the second year, plus similar health care increases that other contracts saw.
- Revised budget: The board unanimously approved the current year revised budget, which was presented at the last meeting and had no changes since then.
Engage
- Watch: Board Members Morgan Steele and Marcus Hill gave a video recap of the meeting.
- More: Agendas and minutes for ISD 197 School Board meetings are available online.
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