10/13/2025 Work Session

Monday’s meeting began with a brief Special Meeting in order to approve an updated school year calendar. A request was made for 2-hour early release on Tuesday November 25, 2025, to allow for staff safety and emergency training. This is the week of Thanksgiving break and there is no school Wednesday through Friday that week. The request and amended calendar were approved 7-0.

Immediately following the Special Meeting, our work session began. One main presentation was given by our Director of Community Education, Deb McDermott-Johnson. With the new school year and our new Superintendent, each director has created goals with outlined strategies and measurements. This was presented and the slides can be viewed from the meeting’s agenda on the district website. Basically, the three goals for Community Education outlined at the meeting include:

1. Exceed national reporting standards and meet program stakeholder satisfaction measures (English language classes, GED coursework)
2. Create, train, and practice safety plans for the “out of school time” programs including School Age Care (SAC)
3. Undertake a focused assessment for strengthening and building community relationships

Superintendent Champa gave an update regarding the Operating Levy. Many informational meetings have been held and are scheduled over the next few weeks leading up to the vote on November 4, 2025. The district website has been updated: https://www.isd761.org/our-district/levy2025 and lists several more upcoming public informational sessions. Please be informed and vote sometime between now and November 4th!

Many have seen a letter circulating across Minnesota, and which has been the topic of several news outlets, regarding the recent statement by the US Department of Health and Human Services stating the Minnesota Department of Education and the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL), are in violation of federal Title IX law. The letter and its signatories petition the state of Minnesota and the MSHSL to comply with federal Title IX for the reason of fairness and safety for our girls and women in sports, but also to protect our federal funding. You can view the letter and details here: https://www.titleixmn.com/. At this time, the letter is signed by 283 school board members from 114 districts (331 total school districts in MN). Keep in mind, the school board members are signing the letter as individuals and are not representing their whole school board or speaking for the district. I have signed this letter, as well as Ron Kubicek, in support of the federal Title IX law. The deadline for MN to comply with the federal law was October 10, 2025. There is no news yet as to how and when the federal government will follow up on this.

Take care everyone. I hope you enjoy the MEA break this week!

Soli Deo Gloria!