March 25, 2025 Meeting

World's Best Workforce

This presentation fulfills the requirement by MN State Statute to report on World’s Best Workforce goals for each school district for the ‘23-’24 school year.

1. All students ready for school

Goal - The percentage of kindergarten students scoring "low risk" as assessed by the Early Reading Fastbridge assessment will increase by 2% from Fall 2023 to Spring 2024.

Aquila Elementary School achieved this goal, and Susan Lindgren Elementary School reduced the gap. While progress was made, the overall goal was not achieved.

2. Close the achievement gap(s) between student groups

Goal - The reading gap between Black and White students will decrease by 2% from Spring 2023 to Spring 2024 as measured by MCA/MTAS reading proficiency (grades 3-11).

Instead of decreasing, the achievement gap increased by 1%. For some of our schools and grade levels, the increase in the achievement gap is due to an increase in both groups increasing levels of proficiency but at different rates. This showed opportunities for the district to improve tier 1 through MTSS to ensure each student receives quality instruction.

3. All students are ready for career and college

Goal - ACT composite scores will increase by 2% from 2023 to 2024 as measured by ACT for all (11th grade students) This would be +.41 points.

Although SLP students increased composite scores overall, and scored higher than the state average, but the average composite did not increase by 2%.

4. All students graduate

Goal - The percentage of SLP HS students graduating in 4 years will increase by 1% as measured by Minnesota's SLEDS data.

Graduation increase by .4%, which showed significant progress in this area. Additionally, the graduation rate was 3.8% higher than the state average.

Phase I Design Team Update: Summer Learning

Jinah Schad, Testing Coordinator; Phil Stern, 5th Grade Teacher at Aquila; and Kate Felder, Secondary Teacher shared introductions and plans for their ongoing work on the Summer Learning Design Team.

Mid-Year 2025 and Budget Assumptions FY2026

Director Patricia Magnuson shared the mid-year budget update. The purpose of the presentation was to share data with the school board about:

1. the mid-year FY2025 General Fund budget update; and
2. the FY2026 budget assumptions.

The Finance Advisory Committee shared budget recommendations. These recommendations included:

1. Increase the Fund Balance Minimum to 12-16%
2. Increase the Per Pupil Funding Formula 2.74% ($7,481)
3. Focus on Student Enrollment Projects of 4,326 K-12 and 302 Kindergarten
4. Add a Technology Fee and Increase Community Education Premium Space Rental Fees
5. Focus on Retention of Student Facing Positions and Return on Investment for Budget Changes

Consent Agenda

• Payroll
• Recap of Expenditures
• Electronic Fund Transfers
• Accounts Payable Disbursements
• Investment Holdings

Action Items

• Policy Development - Second Reading and Vote of Policy 515 Protection and Privacy of Pupil Records 
• Mid-Year Budget Approval (FY2025)
• Budget Assumptions Approval (FY2026)

Get in touch with the School Board

Board members welcome your input. Email the entire School Board at schoolboard@slpschools.org. The Board also holds Public Comment at each Business Meeting, which occur on the fourth Tuesday of every month. To participate in Public Comment, please complete this sign-up by 3 p.m. on the day of the meeting at which you would like to address the School Board.