World's Best Workforce Report

Interim Director of Teaching and Learning Sarah Klitzke delivered a World's Best Workforce (WBWF) presentation that focused on the District's progress toward WBWF's five goals (Kindergarten Readiness, Reading at Grade Level by 3rd Grade, Closing Economic and Racial Achievement Gaps, Career and College Readiness, and High School Graduation Rates). 

Klitzke also outlined the following next steps that the District will take related to its WBWF plan:

• Create alignment between WBWF, strategic initiatives, and District Vision Card data.
• Continue to refine our curriculum review process to align assessment and curriculum resources to best practices and standards outlined by the Minnesota Department of Education.
• Continue to implement our District's multi-tiered system of support framework with a focus on analyzing data to identify student needs and providing intervention supports.

Board Considers Academic Calendars for 2023-24 and 2024-25

Director Klitzke and Director of Human Resources Enid Schonewise presented stakeholder survey feedback and draft recommendations regarding future academic year calendars. 

Highlights from the drafts of the 2023-24 and 2024-25 academic calendars including the following:

• An added day off on the Friday before Labor Day
• Five scheduled early release days (increased from three)
• Two full-day staff development days in November and January
• Consistent conference time allotted in the evening, which will create two conference comp days for teachers in November and February
• In the academic calendar for 2024-25, Winter Break is a full two weeks for students.
• In the academic calendar for 2024-25, Spring Break is pushed back a week to better balance instructional days in each trimester. 

DRAFT 2023-24 Academic Calendar 
DRAFT 2024-25 Academic Calendar

The Board will hold further discussion on these calendars and plans to take action on them at the November 28 Regular Meeting. 

Thank you to those of you who offered feedback during the past month to help district leaders develop the drafts of these academic calendars. 

Looking Ahead 

The Board will hold a Special Meeting at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, November 18 to canvass and certify the results of the November 8 school board election. 

At the Board's Monday, November 28 Regular Meeting, Activities Director Jill Johnson will report to the Board information about the new activities website and highlights from the fall athletic season.