FOCUS on Anoka-Hennepin - Jan. 2026
Strike averted, tentative agreement reached with Anoka-Hennepin teachers
The Anoka-Hennepin School District negotiators and Anoka-Hennepin Education leaders reached a tentative agreement for an updated contract with Anoka-Hennepin Education Minnesota (AHEM) for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 school years during a mediation session today.
This action averts a possible strike that was previously announced to begin on Thursday, Jan. 8. School will be in session as planned on Thursday and activities are expected to continue as scheduled.
What's next: The proposal, which was reached following a 20-hour mediation session, will need approval from union membership before advancing to the School Board for final approval at an upcoming meeting. Terms of the agreement are not immediately available.
Background: Teacher contracts in Minnesota schools are negotiated every two years and employees continue working under their current contract until a new one is approved. Negotiation teams representing the Anoka-Hennepin School District and AHEM reached an agreement on a tentative contract settlement following eleven sessions in a process that started in July 2025.
The Anoka-Hennepin School District is served by 3,200 teachers, counselors, social workers, school psychologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, audiologists, American Sign Language teachers and school nurses who operate from 50 schools and learning centers throughout the district. Over 82% of district operating expenditures are allocated for personnel costs for direct instruction and support of student learning.
Visit ahschools.us/negotiations for more details and past updates.
Explore updates to district, school websites
The school district launched updated district and school websites Thursday, Dec. 18. The change was required by the district’s current website vendor to ensure the platform is technically supported in the new calendar year. This is a renewal of the website contract within the current budget parameters.
Login: Families will be able to login the same way they have in the past, by clicking the login link in the top right corner of any district or school website, or by visiting ahschools.us/login.
Features of the updated websites include:
- Ease of use on desktop and mobile devices.
- Design updates to incorporate new brand elements for the district and its schools.
- ADA compliance so information can be translated in multiple languages and used by audiences with visual or hearing impairments.
Enrollment resources: A new enrollment website, enroll.ahschools.us, serves as a one-stop-shop for families considering an in-district transfer, open enrollment request or enrolling a student at Anoka-Hennepin school for the first time.
Explore career courses available to Anoka-Hennepin secondary students at STEP open house
It’s the time of the year for students and families to explore education pathways for next school year, and in addition to events at individual high schools, the career pathways offered through the Secondary Technical Education Program (STEP) will host an open house event Monday, Jan. 12 from 3-6 p.m.
Career courses available span a wide range of interests - from Automotive and Aviation - to medical careers - to Law Enforcement. Full and part-time schedules are available, and transportation is provided from a student’s home high school.
Anoka-Hennepin is a leader in Career and Technical Education classes, and the programming offered at STEP provides students options to explore in-demand career pathways. Learn more, visit ahschools.us/STEP.
Winter weather reminders
With snow falling and temperatures dropping, it's a great opportunity for a reminder to review winter weather safety tips. Families should plan to send students to school dressed appropriately for getting to and home from school, and for elementary students - enjoying outdoor recess.
The district has compiled safety tips for winter weather protocols, bus stops safety and FAQs. View them all at ahschools.us/weather.
School Board approved $8.1 million budget reduction for 2026-27
The Anoka-Hennepin School Board approved an $8.1 million budget reduction and reallocation plan at its December 8 meeting, a decision that completes a multi-year, three-phased process to provide budget stability ahead of the 2026-27 school year.
In total, the district has eliminated a total of $22.2 million since February 2024.
By the numbers: An initial $15 million target for 2026-27 was narrowed to $8 million in reductions and reallocations necessary for the 2026-27 school year to meet budget targets.
The big picture: The Anoka-Hennepin School Board took action beginning in Feb. 2024 to reduce and realign the budget for the current school year (2025-26), reducing over 200 administrative and central office positions in a two-phased, $14.14 million reduction process. Read details from the three phases of reductions.
Go deeper: View the livestream from the Dec. 8 School Board meeting or review the presentation slides and background materials from included in item 10.B. as the administrative recommendation presented for approval.
Learn more: Visit ahschools.us/budget to review background information, planning documents and presentations included in the budget reduction and reallocation process.
Nicki Magaard, Assistant Principal of Wilson Elementary, honored with state leadership award
The Minnesota Elementary School Principals’ Association (MESPA) named Nicki Magaard, assistant principal at Wilson Elementary School in Anoka, Minnesota’s recipient of the National Outstanding Assistant Principal Award from the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP).
This honor recognizes Magaard’s leadership, strategic systems thinking, dedication to students, staff and families in the Wilson Elementary community. Magaard is in her fourth year serving as assistant principal at Wilson Elementary School. In her work, Magaard has led the school’s Collective Efficacy Cycles, a research-based, collaborative model designed to accelerate student learning and strengthen professional practices. In addition, Magaard’s leadership has impacted other areas of the district, including the creation of a Professional Learning Community for elementary assistant principals in Anoka-Hennepin.
📖 Read the full story.
District to host K-12 STEM Fair for the 2025-26 school year Saturday, Feb. 21
Anoka-Hennepin has a rich history of science fairs dating back to the late 1960s, and traditionally hosts a K-12 Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Fair as an opportunity for students at all grade levels to present findings on research projects and experimentation they’ve completed to the general public in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
The fair also provides students an enriched experience that can’t be duplicated in the classroom, while improving their critical thinking, public speaking and research skills. Each year, approximately 250 students participate, with at least 150 more parents, teachers and community volunteers attending the event.
📅 For the 2025-26 school year, the event will be held Saturday, Feb. 21 at Blaine High School.
🔬Learn how to participate or volunteer as a judge at the event.
District hiring event scheduled for Jan. 13 postponed, will be rescheduled
The hiring event scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, has been postponed. The event will be rescheduled for a later date.
Visit jobs.ahschools.us for information on open positions or to learn about upcoming events.
Save the date: Preschool information sessions
Choosing the right preschool for your child is important. Learn about options available in the 2026-27 school year! Anoka-Hennepin Community Education is excited to partner with families as they explore the options that Anoka-Hennepin Schools has to offer with information sessions, free of charge. (Registration is required.)
When: Thursday, March 12 at 11:30 a.m. (virtual), 4:30 or 6:30 p.m. (in-person)
Where: Virtual or at the Anoka-Hennepin Schools Educational Service Center, located at 2727 N. Ferry Street, Anoka.
Register now for winter/spring youth classes and activities through Community Ed
