Family February 2026 Knight Line

At STMA, we believe our impact does not end at graduation. The accomplishments, service, leadership, and contributions of our alumni are a reflection of our shared commitment to excellence, relationships, and opportunity.

We are excited to introduce a new initiative: Where Are They Now Wednesdays.

This weekly alumni spotlight will feature STMA graduates using a “throwback & transformation” format—pairing their graduation photo with a current photo and reflection about their journey since leaving our halls. As we highlight the many pathways our alumni pursue, our goal is not just celebration — it is connection — helping current students see that success takes many forms and that each Knight’s path is unique, valuable, and full of possibility.

This program allows us to:

• Highlight and celebrate the accomplishments of alumni

• Strengthen connections between alumni and our schools

• Provide opportunities for students to learn from alumni experiences

• Engage our broader community in recognizing the positive impact of STMA graduates

Where Are They Now Wednesdays will:

• Live on a dedicated section of our alumni webpage

• Be featured weekly on Wednesdays across our social media platforms

• Build an ongoing archive of alumni stories on our website

• Create future opportunities for alumni panels, classroom connections, and student engagement

We encourage staff and families to share this opportunity with STMA Alumni. The strength of this initiative will come from the voices and experiences of our graduates.

Ready to share your journey? Click here to complete the Knight Update form.

Once a Knight, Always a Knight.

To honor individuals who have made a lasting impact on students and the STMA community, the district established the Hall of Fame in 2018. This prestigious recognition celebrates individuals with a longstanding history of service who have contributed to STMA’s tradition of excellence.

A selection committee, composed of school stakeholders—including a student, staff representatives, a city leader, and a school board member—recently reviewed multiple nominations. After thoughtful consideration, the committee selected two individuals whose exceptional service and dedication have profoundly shaped STMA.

We are proud to announce the 2026 STMA Hall of Fame inductees: Dr. Wayne Hoistad and Ms. Rita Stahlmann. They will be officially inducted on May 18, 2026, and we invite and encourage you to attend this special recognition event.

From February 2–6, we proudly celebrated National School Counselor Week and honored the tremendous difference our school counselors make in the lives of students every day.

Our counselors support students academically, socially, and emotionally—helping them navigate challenges, set goals, explore college and career pathways, and build the skills they need to thrive. Their work often happens quietly and behind the scenes, but its impact is lasting and meaningful.

We are grateful for their compassion, expertise, and unwavering commitment to our children and families.

Thank you to our outstanding school counselors for all you do to care for learners!

On February 15, we celebrated National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day and honored our dedicated School Resource Officers.

Our SROs play a vital role in keeping our schools safe while also building positive relationships with students and staff. They are mentors, educators, role models, and trusted adults who support our learning environments in so many ways beyond safety and security.

We are deeply thankful for their partnership, professionalism, and commitment to our school community.

On February 18, we celebrated Bus Driver & Transportation Staff Appreciation Day and recognized the incredible members of our entire transportation team — including our bus drivers, transportation paraprofessionals, bus garage staff, and district transportation supervisor.

Our transportation team is often the first and last connection point for our students each day. From safely navigating winter roads, to assisting students with unique needs, to maintaining and inspecting buses behind the scenes, each role is essential. Their collective work ensures every ride is safe, supportive, and dependable.

We are deeply grateful for their professionalism, care, and unwavering commitment to student safety. Thank you to our entire transportation team for the vital role you play in serving our children and families — our days truly begin and end with you.

At the February 2 work session, Executive Director of Business Services Kris Crocker presented a revised general fund FY2026 budget and five-year projections to the school board.

The updated FY2026 budget reflects a projected deficit of $2,437,489 with a fund balance of 20.62%. This budget includes the operating levy dollars recently approved by voters. While this represents positive movement, it is important to note that the district will continue to deficit spend in the years ahead. Current projections show fund balance levels declining to 16.34% in FY2027, 14.88% in FY2028, 11.34% in FY2029, and 7.96% in FY2030.

We remain committed to thoughtful financial stewardship and long-term planning as we carefully manage our financial outlook. Our goal is to maintain stability while continuing to support high-quality programming and services for our students.

So far this school year, we have experienced two full-day weather-related school cancellations. Our district calendar allows for two “snow/cold” days each year before transitioning to a Flex Learning Day (e-learning). With both traditional weather days now used, any additional weather-related closures will be designated as Flex Learning Days. This approach allows learning to continue while prioritizing the safety of our students and staff.

We encourage families to review the district’s Flex Learning Day Plan, which outlines expectations for students at each grade level as well as staff responsibilities for the day. This document will be sent directly to families if a Flex Learning Day is implemented.

Additional information is always available on the district website.

We appreciate your flexibility, preparation, and support as we navigate Minnesota’s ever-changing winter weather. If you have questions, please contact your supervisor or building administrator for additional guidance.

Thank you for your partnership in keeping students safe and learning moving forward — no matter the forecast.