Board Bulletin

December 14, 2023

School Facilities Bond | Thank You & Update

Thank you to our community for your support of the facilities bond referendum last month. By approving Question 1, our community expressed its support for safe, modern school facilities to support future-focused learning. Our School Board is grateful for the community’s support. As we move forward with the projects funded by the referendum, each one will need to first come before the Board for approval. Our School Board is committed to running a transparent and engaging process with the community as each project moves forward for consideration.

One of the first steps the Board recently took was to authorize the School District to sell bonds - which will provide the funding for our projects. This bond sale will occur in January. You may recall that the school district projected a $120 annual property tax impact on a $250,000 home. The good news is that our financial advisory firm advising the Board through this process estimates that, based on the latest projections, that original estimate of tax impact is still true.

Strategic Planning

With the referendum vote to provide future-focused facilities behind us, the School Board has returned its attention to ensuring that our district is providing a future-focused education model. Throughout the summer, our school district engaged hundreds of parents, students, staff and community members to ask a basic question - what does their “desired daily experience” look like at our schools. The School Board and district leadership recently convened to review that input and summarize the findings. Those summarized desired daily experiences have been shared back out to students, staff and families for input. Please be sure to provide your thoughts. In the new year, our School Board and district leadership will use that finalized feedback to set a new strategic roadmap and operating plan for the district, which will guide what education will look like in our schools.

Property Taxes

At our meeting on December 5, the School Board held a public hearing on the district’s proposed property tax levy for 2024. Due to the successful referendum, the amount our district levies to support construction projects increased more than normal. The general fund levy - which supports classroom instruction - increased by 4.4%. Even with the new referendum, the average property tax impact per student paid in our community is one of the lowest of similar sized school districts in Southern Minnesota. Our School Board continues to be good stewards of our community’s taxpayer dollars.

Sustainability

The School Board recently held a work session to receive an update on the district’s recent efforts to increase the efficiency and health of our buildings. These improvements have led to hundreds of thousands of dollars in savings on our utility bills. We also learned more about the efforts of our district’s science teachers to embed further hands-on learning in sustainability through our student YES! Clubs and in their classroom instruction. In the coming months, our School Board will be engaging our school district community in a process to identify and define our district’s sustainability goals for the future.

School Reports

The School Board at our November 20 meeting heard reports from leaders within our special education department and Franklin Elementary on how things are going at their schools and key initiatives they are pursuing to advance learning and the student experience.

Futures, SUN & INSITE

Many in our community may not know that the Mankato Area Public Schools runs three distinct schools/programs to serve students in our region who need high levels of educational support. Futures, SUN, and INSITE are all doing amazing work to give their students the skills they need to be successful in life. You can view their presentation slides here.

Franklin Elementary School

Our Board was incredibly impressed by the work occurring at Franklin Elementary. From improvements in attendance, to school culture, to academic achievement, the team at Franklin, led by Principal Scot Johnson, has created an amazing place for kids. In fact, a recent analysis by the Star Tribune found that Franklin Elementary is one of the highest performing elementary schools in the entire state of Minnesota. Way to go Falcons!

The Star Tribune analysis looked at math and reading scores for each elementary school in Minnesota as well as the percentage of their students from low-income families. Franklin elementary was found to be “beating the odds” and outperforming most schools in the state.

MAPS Staff & Student Spotlight

Student Spotlight: Aljean Brown

Aljean, a PWMS eighth grader, exemplifies everything about #webelong at Prairie Winds. From the moment she arrived to us as a sixth grader, she has been a ray of sunshine for both staff and students.

Aljean is not only a model student in her classes, but she is a member of the Prairie Winds HOPE Squad, the eighth-grade choir, a WEB leader, and one of only four Prairie Winds students selected to serve on the superintendent's advisory council.

While her role in each of those groups speaks to the phenomenal work ethic and drive that Aljean has, watching her daily interactions with her friends and classmates is where the beauty of her character truly shines through. She is empathetic, caring, supportive, and has a heart as big as her smile!

Staff Spotlight: Dakota Meadows Middle School Custodians and Engineer

Let's take a moment to appreciate the incredible team that keeps DMMS school running smoothly! They take great pride in keeping the building clean and safe. You will see them helping with lunch supervision, to setting up volleyball nets. You can even catch them welding an item that may have had one too many breaks to try and repair it one last time. When winter comes, the hours get longer and the snow gets deeper, which just adds another layer to their already mounting tasks. They are willing to help with the task at hand, all with a smile and sometimes a chuckle. The Board was pleased to recognize Chris Carlson, John Probach, Nate Arndt, Sara Wallace, Evan Ryan and Greg Hawkins.

Next time you see them around, be sure to express your gratitude for the fantastic work they do. DMMS wouldn't be the same without them!

Out and About

Our School Board members have been busy “out and about” among our school community. Here are some snapshots of what we’ve been up to!

Board Clerk Erin Roberts recently facilitated a session with our Student Advisory Council.

Board member Patrick Baker recently had the pleasure of touring Futures with

Special Education Coordinator Jessica Waterstreet.

Board Treasurer Chris Kind and Board members Kari Pratt and Patrick Baker attended the ribbon cutting for the new student-run Mankato West Coffee Shop Scarlet Express. Congrats and thank you to everyone who made this project a reality!

Board member Patrick Baker joined with board members from Lake Crystal to represent our area at the Minnesota School Board Association’s Delegate Assembly where we set policy priorities for next year’s Legislative Session.

Board member Kari Pratt attended a ribbon cutting ceremony at Palmer Bus Service that highlighted how the company has converted two MAPS buses to a diesel and renewable natural gas blend. Learn more about this new energy efficiency technology at https://www.drivedemi.com/pages/cowfartbus.