April 30 Meeting

Leer en Español

Af-Soomaali ku akhri

April 30 Meeting Agenda

View all documents, slides, and attachments here

Superintendent Report

We held the American Indian Parent Advisory Committee Community Celebration this past Saturday. There were fry bread tacos, dancing, drumming, and traditional games. Several students wore clothing that was constructed during the Native Craft Circles series, and there were at least 100 people in attendance.

Last week, students from Aquila and Peter Hobart participated in the annual tradition of the Elder Wisdom Children Song. Students learned more about a local hero and crafted a unique way to share their story. Park TV recorded the presentations and they will be available to view at a later date.

Watch the full report

Design Team Update on International Baccalaureate

Every instructional area in St. Louis Park Public Schools undergoes a three-year (three phrase) curriculum review and design process. In this process, team members measure previous success and determine next steps within each curricular areas to achieve racial equity transformation in alignment with the strategic plan.

The International Baccalaureate® (IB) programmes develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who are motivated to succeed.

The IB gives students distinct advantages by building their critical thinking skills, nurturing their curiosity and their ability to solve complex problems. These programmes help IB students: ask challenging questions, think critically, learn across disciplines and develop research skills proven to help them in higher education.

The Design Team is in its second year of their work, Looking Around.

The Design Team will focus their efforts on:

Research about IB Programs.
Connections between the IB Programs and our district’s priority work.
Examine recommendations from external evaluation.

Watch the presentation

Mid-Year 2024 and Budget Assumption FY2025

The school board approved the FY2024 mid-year budget update and the FY2025 budget assumptions.

Watch the presentation

Update on SLP Construction Projects

The report included construction updates for St. Louis Park High School, Central Community Center, and the building yet to be named that will be connected to the Grounds Shop.

Watch the presentation

Board Approves Aquila Elementary Addition to Improve Building Capacity

Aquila’s enrollment coupled with increased space needs for programs (enrichment/talent development, multilingual learners, special education, adaptive PE, etc.) has created challenges for the community to equitably access curricular programming.

Administration recommended moving forward with a construction option to add additional classrooms and spaces at Aquila. The estimate for the full project is about $20 million. Potential funding sources include the 2022 bond funds or a lease purchase. The goal would be to completed fall of 2025.

Watch the presentation

Policies

The school board reviewed the following policies:

Policy 516.5 Overdose Medication: Permits the district to administer Naloxone, an opiate antagonist, to individuals experiencing opioid overdose on school premises or during school activities. This policy was required by 2023 legislation. (First Reading)

Policy 534 School Meals: The revisions were required by 2023 legislation on universal meals. (First Reading)

Policy 506 Student Behavior Intervention: The revisions to add the following were required by 2023 legislation: complaint process, reporting requirement for reasonable force, prohibition on recess detention, prohibition on dismissals for early learners, K-3, requirement to define dismissal of one day or less for special education students as a suspension, eliminates referral to police or other law enforcement agenda as a suggested behavior intervention (local district decision). Most of the revisions were required by 2023 legislation. (Second Reading). The school board approved this policy.

Policy 514 Bullying Prohibition: The revision to add language that malicious and sadistic conduct is prohibited was required by 2023 legislation. (Second Reading) The school board approved this policy.

Watch the presentation

Updates to 24-25 Calendar

The school board approved an updated calendar for the 2024-2025 calendar that includes October 3, 2024 as a non-student day in observance of Rosh Hashanah (Jewish holiday). To ensure the district meets the required student days, we will add an additional school day to the following school year (25-26). We will also add a staff day on June 9. The last day for K-11 students will still be June 6, 2024.

Administration developed this updated calendar after the 2024-2025 calendar was initially shared and community members had questions related to a school board recommendation to accommodate holidays when our students would likely be missing school. We appreciate the community voices who shared this feedback.

With the intent to honor and respect the diverse cultural and religious backgrounds of students and families, the school board will continue to be thoughtful in the planning of future school calendars. We appreciate your understanding and support of the calendar changes as we strive to create an inclusive and supportive environment within St. Louis Park Public Schools.

Watch the Presentation

Action Agenda

The school board approved all action agenda items including:

Mid-Year Budget Approval (FY2024)
Budget Assumptions Approval (FY2025)
Aquila - Allow Open Enrollment
2024-25 Calendar
Approval of Policies 506 Student Behavior Intervention and 514 Bullying Prohibition

Get in touch with the School Board

Board members welcome your input. Email the entire School Board at schoolboard@slpschools.org. You can also call the School Board message line with your questions or comments: 952-928-6040. The Board also holds Open Forum at each Business Meeting, which occur on the fourth Tuesday of every month. To participate in Open Forum, 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.