March 30, 2023 | Stories from St. Louis Park Public Schools

The SLP Communicator, published monthly, centers the stories and voices of students, staff, and our community. District-level news and information will be shared in school newsletters.

Last night, I provided the School Board with a high level overview of the general operating expenditure reduction process. You can access the expenditure reduction presentation here. On February 28, I shared in the SLP Communicator that St. Louis Park Public Schools, along with many other school districts across the state, have experienced an enrollment decline over the past couple of years.  This enrollment decline, coupled with funding not keeping up with inflation, has put our district in a position where we will need to reduce expenditures heading into the 2023-24 school year. 

Anytime a school district has to make reductions it is difficult. This process is made exponentially more difficult as we are at a time in public education where many staff in school districts are under a tremendous amount of stress. I want to acknowledge and validate the stress that educators in St. Louis Park and across the state and country are feeling. Our staff cares deeply about the academic, social, and emotional well-being of our students and to meet the ever evolving needs of our school community it requires resources.

I am hopeful that the action being taken at the legislative level will help to mitigate the financial stress being experienced by school districts across the state for future fiscal years. That action, combined with our local efforts to tighten our belts, will strengthen the district’s financial position for the future.  

With that being the case, we are following the School Board approved assumptions to develop our general operating budget for next year.  

FY24 Budget Assumptions

• We will develop a budget with the projected enrollment of 4,352 students.
• We will maintain current classroom teacher staffing/class size targets.
• We will increase some district fees for students and families.
• Increase student activity fees and meal prices to align with comparative district averages
• Maintain high school student parking fees at current rate
• Standardize High School club fees

• We will develop an expenditure budget that includes a 2% increase in the general education funding formula.
• We will build an expenditure budget that maintains an unreserved fund balance of 8%.
• We will build an expenditure budget that includes market increase in transportation, utilities, property, and liability insurance.
• We will build an expenditure budget that includes known increases for settled employee contracts as well as historical settlement assumptions for open contracts.
• We will build an expenditure budget that holds $200,000 of general fund contingency to address class size or other staffing concerns as enrollment numbers are confirmed or to address other unforeseen needs of the General Fund throughout the year.

Following these assumptions we have identified $2,712,029 of general operating budget expenditure reductions. Of the $2,712,029 general operating budget expenditure reductions, $1,191,151 will be staffing expenditure reductions and $1,520,878 will be a redirection of expenses to budget sources outside of the general operating fund. We believe that these reductions, in addition to legislative action occurring at the capitol regarding school funding, will enable us to better align expenditures with revenue and begin to build back reserves that have been intentionally drawn down to stabilize staffing over the past couple of years.

I understand that every member of our staff is essential to achieving our goals, and throughout this process we have been committed to finding creative ways to preserve our current staffing levels. I also want to emphasize that we have continued to prioritize our students' needs throughout this process and we are committed to maintaining our current programs and services. 

I recognize the challenge that comes along with expenditure reductions, and I continue to hold the  belief that collectively we can overcome these challenges and create learning environments that allow us to continue to energize and enhance the spirit of our community.

In Community,

Dr. Astein K. Osei

Share the Mic Podcast: Two SLP Black Minnesota Teachers of the Year Share their Wisdom

Minnesota Teachers of the Year, Dr. Lee-Ann Stephens and Abdul Wright, discuss their experiences as Black educators and the wisdom of knowing self, experiencing joy, and centering students.

Listen on Youtube, Spotlify, or Apple Podcasts!

Transition Plus:

Preparing students with skills for adulthood

In a joint program with Hopkins school district, young adults with disabilities, ages 18 to 21 receive opportunities to train for jobs, be involved in the community, and learn skills to live independently. Transition Plus services help students set and achieve their goals by providing specialized instruction, training, and support. Students have access to skill-development activities designed to meet their individual needs.

Ryan Erickson, one of the students at Transition Plus is in his final year of the program. He enjoys being involved and shared great appreciation for what he has been able to learn. As he gears up to complete the program, he reflects on his time learning job skills and partnering within the community.

In class, Ryan likes to help guide his peers, but he also likes to make time for fun.

“I’m always helping others out, and I’m a little bit silly,” said Ryan.

Career exploration is one of the key components of the program, and at each stage of the programs there are different opportunities to learn new skills. There is also flexibility to meet students where they are at, while engaging in meaningful activities within the community.

Destiny Windom is in her first year of the program. During her time in Transition Plus, she has been able to explore museums and learn at nature centers. Her favorite experience was visiting the mall. While at the mall, students were able to visit stores while learning about employment opportunities. 

One of the jobs Destiny was able to do this year was at a factory. This particular job had a structured routine that seemed too repetitive for Destiny. She realized it was not the best fit for her because she likes more variety in her work.

There are many people who make Transition Plus possible. One of the team members, Alaina Martin started as the Transition Plus Coordinator within the past few months. She moved into the position after about 8 years teaching at the high school. One of the most exciting parts about her new role is getting to work with the students that she knew and getting to grow with them at Transition Plus.

“It is a bridge from high school to adulthood. There are a lot of students who won’t be ready because while they are in high school, they are focused on completing graduation requirements, and there is less time to learn life skills,” Alaina shared.

Helping students prepare for adulthood and their next steps after school has been an important part of her career. She finds it rewarding to get to know her students deeper.

Meet Carmen Rudin (Spanish) and Tarabi Jama (Somali) SLP's Multicultural Liaisons

Carmen and Tarabi provide resources and outreach services to help families contribute to school success. We encourage families who are Spanish or Somali speaking to print off this flyer and use the contact information when you'd like support to better engage in your student's school.

Family Communications Survey Highlights

Data Highlights:

• District Communication: 78% of respondents feel the frequency of communication is just right and they have the information they need.

• School Communication: 81% of respondents feel the frequency of communication is just right and they have the information they need. 86% of respondents usually or always read their school’s weekly newsletter.

• Preferences: The top modes of communication include email (91%), text messages (63%), phone recordings (50%), and newsletters (30%).

• Preferred Language: 18% of respondents who prefer to receive information in a language other than English felt they did not receive enough information in their preferred language.

• Text Messages: 91% of respondents want the option to receive text messages for important information.

• Social Media: 60% of respondents follow St. Louis Park Public Schools on social media.

• Strategic Direction: 67% of respondents understand the mission, values, and strategic direction of the district and 67% of respondents generally support it.

We asked families what communications changes they want to see. The top 5 themes included:

1. Improved teacher-parent communication: Better communication from classroom teachers about what their child is learning and how they are doing in class.
2. Language and accessibility: Families want more info in their preferred language and want alternatives like text messaging. Families want messages in plain language.
3. Text messages: The majority of families want greater use of text messages.
4. Greater transparency: More transparency on decisions that impact students. Request for more inclusion of parents in the planning process and for their feedback to be heard.
5. Improved communications channels: Families have experienced glitches like spam emails, not getting messages, and problems updating their contact information. Some families get duplicate information which is confusing. Families want a centralized place to get classroom, school, and district messages.

We asked families what they love about their student’s school and what keeps them in St. Louis Park Public Schools. The top 5 themes included:

1. Dedicated Teachers: Teachers go above and beyond to help students thrive
2. Sense of Community: SLP is a small school district with a close-knit community
3. Academic Opportunities: Wide range of academic opportunities that focus on real-world skills and ideas (most common examples listed were Rigorous academics in core curriculum, college and career readiness and PSEO, International Baccalaureate (IB) program, advanced classes, electives, band, social justice curriculum, and language programs and Spanish immersion.
4. Diversity and Inclusion: Strong commitment to equity and anti-racism.
5. Location: SLP schools are close to home and work.

About 10% of respondents shared they were considering an alternative to St. Louis Park Public Schools, stating concerns related to low academic rigor and lack of transparency about changes in certain programs, lack of attention given to students who are not self driven or struggling, and that the emphasis on equity and diversity has shifted the focus away from academics.

The results of this survey will drive communications improvements and St. Louis Park Public School’s marketing and storytelling efforts. View the presentation slides or watch the presentation from the March 14, 2023 board meeting.

Middle School Debate Team Achieves High Marks

The St. Louis Park Middle School started a debate team through the Minnesota Urban Debate League this year. In the first year, the 26 member team has achieved high success at tournaments and plans to continue and expand debate at the middle school for future years.

At one of their recent tournaments the team and members received the following placements:



• Best speaker: Terressa Garcia
• Best speaker: Kafiya Ali, 1st Place 
• Best Team: Ayan Ali and Salma Abdullahi, 6th place; Kafiya Ali and Terressa Garcia, 3rd place

The Minnesota Urban Debate League (MNUDL) is a program of Augsburg University which provides resources and programming to support competitive academic debate in Twin Cities high schools and middle schools. Students are engaged in deep topics that teach them presentation and leadership skills. There are also opportunities for students to receive scholarships to attend Augsburg University. 

One 6th grade student, Terressa Garcia, joined the debate team after one of her friends suggested she get involved. After talking it over with her mom, she was excited to be a part of the team, but she never thought she would become a Best Speaker recipient

“I like being able to talk and argue in general because I like expressing my feelings. Sometimes I get nervous and I shut down, but it has helped me to express my emotions in a way that helps others,” shared Terressa.

As part of the debate team, Terressa gets to learn about a variety of topics. This year the theme for the Urban Debate League is education reform. Some of the topics she has learned more about have been whether the government should fund Individual Development Accounts (IDA) and about the school to prison pipeline.

Coach and 8th grade Dean Mariama Kpaka was also not expecting to be involved with the debate team this year. She was prompted to coach because of her background in communication and the Model UN. She has found the experience to be humbling and rewarding. 

“Coaching debate has been surprisingly fulfilling. We started with six students, and I made a couple of announcements. Then we had 13, and before I knew it, we had 26,” she explained. 

It is exciting for students to have an opportunity to travel to different schools and compete with their peers. Several students have expressed great interest in the scholarship program with Augsburg. 

“It has been fun, and I’m planning to do it again next year,” said Mariama. 

This year Community Education was able to fully fund the program. While programs are usually fee-based, there are hopes and possible plans to expand to the high school for next year. The middle school has already started a Spanish debate team through the Urban Debate League.

SLP Staff Spotlight: Kerstin Merrill

Autism Resource Teacher | High School

Kerstin is an Autism resource teacher in the Special Education Department at St. Louis Park High School. She teachers SEL (social-emotional learning) classes to students in grades 9-12 and co-teaches in a 10th grade History class where she support students in their academic learning.

Reminder: SLP Text Messaging

Opt in to receive text messages for important information from St. Louis Park Public Schools. 

• Verify your cell number: If you already receive voice recordings from St. Louis Park Public Schools on a cell phone, your number is updated! If not, contact the main office of your student’s school to update your cell phone in PowerSchool. 
• Send us an opt-in text message: Text Y to 67587 to opt in to receive text messages.

Watch for the opt in text message today (March 30). If we have a cell phone number for you on file and you have not already opted-in by March 30, you will receive a text from 67587 requesting you to opt-in to receive text messages. The message will say: St. Louis Park Public Schools messages. Reply Y to confirm, HELP 4 info. Msg&data rates may apply. Msg freq varies. schoolmessenger.com/tm 

Does your family speak Spanish or Somali? If you wish to update your language preferences, please contact our front office staff and ask that the preferred guardian language be updated in the student information system (PowerSchool). This will ensure you receive district-level communications such as closures and emergencies in your preferred messages. Whenever possible, we will do our best to ensure SLP phone recordings go out in your preferred language.

No School March 31 (Work/Grading day) and April 3-7 (Spring Break)

6425 W 33rd St | St. Louis Park, MN 55416

Phone: 952-928-6000 | Fax: 952-928-6020