I did too. >> You know what? Can you still speak up a little? And I was really serious. Everybody, good evening. Welcome to our regular school board meeting for Monday, May 11th. Uh, call this meeting to order and
start with roll. >> Here, >> here. >> Weathers >> here. Young to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it
stands one nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all to agenda. excited about it. Motion by second by All right.
All those in favor. Motion passes. Our first agenda item is a public hearing, two of them. The first is a request for the approval of the tax statement request from New Horizon Homes with executive director of finance and
operations. >> Good evening. Thursday. We're here tonight to go over a tax evol Minnesota 5912 and evaluation is $400,000. >> Is there a motion to approve the
taxation cost from Horizon Homes? discussion. >> This is the first application that I've seen where there wasn't an actual signature. It looks like it was applied online. We're good with that. You don't have time. All right. Any further discussion?
All those in favor? Anybody opposed? Motion passes. Our next uh item for our public hearing is the request for approval of tax abatement request for low and construction.
>> Yes. The second one is lending and construction. The is subdivision overage addition block 009 block 003 subdivision 34523 and the project valuation is 269,000
269. Can I get a motion to approve the tax request from construction? Motion by Carol,000. All those in favor? Anybody opposed? Motion passes. Uh we
are actually going to strike agenda item number five, our recognition of our student school board represent. I know Michael is at section tennis and I imagine he is somewhere equally as
important. So um just thankful for our senior representatives and we do we will be interviewing for our um next year's representative minutes. >> Thank you chair members of the board. Uh
before moving into the agenda tonight, I just want agenda tonight. I just want to take a few minutes to highlight some of the outstanding things that are happening across uh the Austin public schools. Uh first, I just want to recognize the several student accomplishments that reflect the talent and dedication and support across our school district. Also, high school
student Maya Oswald was selected to the Minnesota Hall state band and on an extremely competitive honor and recognizes student performances at the highest level of the state. Uh that accomplishment not only speaks to Maya's dedication uh but also to the strength of our music educators in our program.
Uh in the area of computing and technology, we had three high school students, Snow, Haley, and Alani, who are named the rising stars by the Minnesota Aspirations Computing Awards Program. There's only 34 students statewide received this recommendation and their selection highlights the
growing opportunities our students have for accessing STEM related fields and the excellent work happening in our classrooms. We also had students shine in academics and activities. Our fifth grade math master students represented by exceptionally well in the regional
competition earning both individual and team honors among 31 teams and roughly 150 students. Uh the performances reflected not only the academic preparation but also the character and professionalism of our teachers. In adaptive bowling, we have a state
champion. Uh Kristen Trampy earned a state title in the PI division while additional APS students brought home multiple top finishes including a third place team finish. Uh these accomplishments reflect perseverance, inclusion, and the importance of ensuring all students have opportunities
to compete and belong. They also want to recognize the continued excellence of our arts programs uh in particular music. Austin public schools have recently recognized one of the best communities for music education uh from the Nana Foundation. This is the third time in five years. This is a national
recognition for our school district's commitment to providing students access to high quality music education opportunities. So congratulations to our entire music program across the Austin public schools. Uh in addition, I want to say congratulations to awesome high school speech coach Dan Evans Hansen for
being named the section 1A coach uh speech coach of the year. His recognition reflects the impact our students and have on uh this program and well beyond academics alone. I also want to acknowledge Emily Hland who was named
the 2026 woman of achievement by the Zantic Club of Austin. Emily's work with students and programs like the Mor County CEO program continues to create strong connections between learning and real world opportunities for students. Additionally, everyone the county CEO
trade show is this week Wednesday uh at Pack Arena from 4 to 7. Uh this week also marked another milestone for our district that all four elementary schools hosted our kindergarten welcome events connected to packers of training and kindergarten screening. Uh this
event was well attended and created a welcoming positive experience for our families and caregivers. This work matters. Strong starts matter and helping families and caregivers feel connected early helps people build trust, engagement, and a sense of
belonging from day one. I'd also like to thank our substitute and attendance task force the work that they have been doing all year since August. Uh this group has spent months reviewing practices, identifying challenges, studying systems, and
bringing forward thoughtful recommendations for implementation for the 2627 school year. Our attendance and substitute systems may not always be highly visible to the public uh but they have a direct impact on teaching learning our school operations and student success every day. And this work
of these task force reflects a proactive approach focused on improving consistency, strengthening support systems and ensuring we are positioned well for the future. And I appreciate the time collaboration and problem solving at the invested. And last month, this is where I might
get in trouble. Uh we recognized administrative professionals day and I especially want to recognize Sharon Holmes uh for the consistency and professionalism and organization that she brings to our district and board work every day. Her works helps ensure
our governance process runs smoothly and effectively. So, thank you, SHARON. And finally, last week was teacher appreciation week. I just want to sincerely thank all the teachers, both current and former, including many educators, who shaped my own experience
in the Austin public schools. Our teachers change lives. Students may not remember every lesson uh years later, but they absolutely remember the education educators who believe in them, challenge them, and encourage them and help them see what was possible. This
impact lasts long after our students leave the classrooms. And as a district, we have a lot to be proud of. These accomplishments are the results of our students working hard, our staff investing in kids every day, and families and caregivers partnering with
our schools and a community that continues to support public education. >> I can go first to break the ice. iceberg. Yeah. Um I had the opportunity this uh last week
to speak with the future teachers club about um my day job, which doesn't usually get brought up around here. Um it was a lot of fun to be able to talk about curriculum design and development with teachers who are going with kids
who are going to become teachers someday. and they're getting ready to their signing event next week. It was very fun to be able to just interact with them and talk a little bit about school board. Um, so I want to
shout out a thank you to Colleen for inviting me to do that. And I also got to do silent disco. I thank him. Um, if you've never done silent disco, that is super fun, especially with a bunch of first graders.
>> Yeah. Uh, earphones, music, nice and loud in your your ears. YMCA. >> Uh, what's that? Some people were, but mostly the kids
were just they were having fun. >> I bet that's my my little two cents for the last month or so. Anybody else? >> Well, April 25th was prom and I
got to promote. So for basically two hours I had a little spot and I hardly moved them because I was just filling a pop the whole time. So it was really fun to meet
the kids after prom. They were all very well behaved and everyone said that they had a great time at prom. So, thank you to everyone that was involved in the planning, the setup, the staffing, the cleanup, the organization of prom and
the after prom party. It was a huge success. Um, April 29th was the academic excellence recognition and that's always such a nice ceremony that honors the high distinction graduates and their honored
educators. Um so congratulations to all the students um and their honored educators and thank you again to everybody involved in organizing that um event. Also
thank you to Mr. Hofflin at South and Miss Clark at um Nel for inviting the school board to the music concerts. I've had the pleasure of listening to the kindergarten concerts at both sites. So,
we really appreciate when we get invitations to these things. So, please keep those coming to us. Um, and then May 1st I had the the privilege of attending the Big Nine Music Festival at
Northfields High School and that was just I I don't even have words to explain how phenomenal that was. Um, the performances by the Big N select orchestra, choir and band
is just nothing short of amazing. So congratulations to all the students who were selected to play and our amazing music teacher directors, Mr. Scott, Mr. Dundis.
May 6th was the Austin High School awards ceremony and congratulations to all the students who received the awards. A special shout out to everybody who organized that ceremony
because that was nothing short of a miracle directing all those students to keep going back and forth because some of those students did receive multiple multiple awards. So anyway, thank you to everybody and congratulations.
Um and the last thing May 6 was the Apex meeting and there was an Apex 2030 workshop on April 22nd. Um and they the meeting was basically an outcome of the workshop. I just wanted to highlight one
thing that I spoke about at the March meeting. They were going to have this community connect on March 12th. I was at Riverland from 3 to 6. Um that emerged from the community health assessment
which identified access to care. So medical, mental health, dental as a top priority and then with resource navigation, housing, mental health and chemical dependency surfacing is also high significant needs. Um but they
projected the attendance to be between 200 and 300. They served over 300 in that first hour. And so there were 500 over 550 um for the three hours of the event. And
they over,300 people were served food which demonstrated that we have significant food scarcity in Austin. 45 organizations partic
in the event and it was funded through community and grants. So thank you everybody. >> Carol, you do do you have a fold you keep rolling stuff in? >> I do.
I just went um I'm a member of Southeast April program updates. Remember last month I talked a little bit about a couple of coaches in Austin public schools and Hy did an outstanding job of
knowledgeable teams that were 48 Cravens Resort. People want to just repeat that Craven Resort. If you're a student and you get to create credit, that's pretty nice. So, um, and the
state champions were a division Boston was rolling with another big school. So, they had two teams. Um, been a lot of talk lately about the forge welding competition queer queer connected learning
experience. Uh, reform youth attended this year. Uh they're top 10 motors in both class A. Um and it's just unbelievable to realize the industry partners that make this
possible. Um local six uh union in Rochester site have a state-of-the-art facility. The kids get to go to and use their equipment. They provide the judges as well. Uh air gas. Yes, I said that
right. Air gas. Uh they hosted a lounge for between competitions. They also had fair so kids could talk to players and things of that nature. Uh even Governor Wall showed up to show you how important
that event was and there. And then the outstanding industry partner, there are 14 different industries in Southeast Minnesota where the running for this award. The award went to Canola North Industries out of county and they're involved with
electrical, solar and mechanical engineering and they designed a some school district go there to have a referendum. They designed a state class for respective voters to go and and visit.
What an awesome idea that is. And then um I had the opportunity the other night to wander over high school back in Friday night to a boys volleyball match. They played Camden which is a high school in Northampton
43rd Street, 43rd Avenue and Len Street. And the demographics of Austin and Canada pretty much near each other. Um, you know, the thing is I coach a lot of sports and nowadays you'll see like a sixth grade kid walking down the street and two baseball bats sticking out and a
couple of shoes and two or three gloves, batting gloves. These individuals who play volleyball, they just started playing. They didn't start playing their life or sixth graders. They just started playing them. The enthusiasm, the joy,
the fun that they have is infectuous. and I believe their last home game of the week of the year. I would encourage you to go out there. I mean, they can make a terrible mistake and they all high five each other smile and have just a great time. It's a joyous experience
tomorrow night 7. Just kidding. >> We're spreading the love tonight. >> We're spreading the love tonight. >> I I want to back what Carol said about the invites. And if you could see my
calendar at home from the invites, there are five things a day. But I I appreciate those. I appreciate being invited into classrooms, being able to participate with the kids, that has been
wonderful. And um it reminds me, I went to two kindergarten concerts this week and in May. And I just want to say I love you teachers. May is not an easy thing. And
testing is just winding down. The last two weeks are as hairy as it gets. So, I am thinking about teachers and families and kids as we wind this down. We're also going to cancel our student
representative reports. So we will move right on to our consent agendos motion passes. The first um presentation of the night is our foundation insurance program.
Welcome. All right, thank you for having me. My name is Taylor and I'm scholarship program coordinator at Brookland. Today I'll be talking about the Hormal Foundation Austin Insurance Scholarship and some highlights from our annual report.
Here are some of the things that Austin public schools have partnered with us on promoting um the Austin scholarship. I'm not going to all of them to you. But a couple highlights is um we offer a veteran prep day um in March and April
every year. And this year uh we serve over 120 students at that event. And this is a day where students can come in and get everything that they need um to get started at Riverland. So making sure they've applied, set their transcripts,
we kind of cover all of that. we bring a whole staff into the career center. Um, so that was really exciting. Um, day-to-day conversations and accessibility. Uh, we have staff, everyone has staff in Austin High School at least two days a
week, all day. Um, so we staff an office, so students are able to come down and ask us questions. Um, so we're able to serve them um, in their own space, which we're meeting them where they're at, which is awesome. um just communication across message
boards, parent newsletters, social media. We're putting um volunteer hour flyers inside the MCA score report which is get sent to all the underassmen. So that's a reminder like hey you still need to do your volunteer hours. Um so
all of those things are being done which is really great work. Uh the volunteer hours continue to be um something that we're working towards having more students finish in a timely manner. Uh Jane Carlson the career center has a
reminder group that she sends just opportunities to students. Uh students can access all the opportunities on get connected. Um and then a couple years ago we started something called student service week which is something the United Way does and it's uh students
volunteer all five days during a week in June they can get a quarter of their hours done. Um so 12.5 hours and if they did that all four years they'd have all 50 hours. So we're trying creative ways to structure it so they can get the
volunteer hours that they need to get a scholarship as easy as possible for them. Uh this is a overview of the scholarship history roadmap. July 14, 2018, the Hormal Foundation announced that they
were going to provide this opportunity. Uh the first cohort of students entered Riverland uh in August of 2019 and that was a cohort of 126 students. We had uh the first graduate graduate
with a phbotomy um technician uh diploma that fall. So it was one semester program. Um August 2023, we launched a learning communities at Irving which just helps students persist and retain that are
most at risk. And then as of January of this year, um we have served over 934 students with the Austin insurance scholarship. Um so that is
impact. I think this is a slide that you guys are interested in the most. Um so 934 people have been served and that does not include this incoming cohort of students which will be a very large cohort. Um, there have been 50% or more
of graduates that are still living in the Austin community. Over 700 70,000 volunteer hours have been logged through this program. 62% um of the students that are currently serving through this program are
minority and we've had over 394 graduates and that's not including this year's. So the first fall enrollment following graduation, you can kind of see a trend line here dating back to 2016. Um we've
had some es and flows, but ultimately students coming um out of Austin and Pelli are averaging, you know, 100 120 students approximately every year. Students have five years to use the
scholarship after they graduate. So this is just these numbers are reflecting students who need to start that fall semester um but eventually enrolled um within that first year at least. So what does everyone do to support this
throughout the community? Um we go into the eighth grade classrooms at Alex. We're actually going in this Wednesday. Um, and our goal is to get as many students as possible set up with their get connected accounts um,
so that they can start logging volunteer hours as soon as they finish 8th grade. Um, so last year we had over 75% which is really nice. We go into the pocket profile classes and we talk to all the ninth graders about this opportunity,
make sure they have accounts and that they know how to log their hours. Um, I mentioned that we have staff um at the high school at least 16 hours a week and then in the fall we start communicating pretty heavily with the seniors on what
they need to do um to be eligible for the scholarship. So, a couple of other things that we do, um, there's career exploration activities, there's multicultural admission support that provides, and then we also offer an in-person
orientation right before classes start in the fall, um, which gives students the opportunity to come um, get questions that they have answered, get a tour of their books, all those things as well.
This is a quick look at demographics. Um the orange is first generations, but these are students whose parents do not have bachelor degrees. Uh these are um right around 70% um which is pretty high. And then
students of color, this varies um but on average right around 50 to 60%. Um PEL eligible. So these are our low income students and that's the pink bars again right around 70%. This is just showing our first semester
retention rates at Riverland. Um we're pretty high right around that 85% and this is about 20% higher than the general population. Um so students on also scholarship are being retained to
complete their degrees at a higher level. This is just showing some graduates um numbers and these change constantly. So we're constantly increasing the number of graduates. We um survey our students after they complete at Riverland to see what
they're doing. Um, and the last survey were conducted in 2014 2024. Um, some of the highlights include 61% that responded said that they're employed in Austin. Uh, 91% said they're
still living in Minnesota and 68% said they're still living in Austin. Transfer student rates um, on average about 30% transfer. That number varies greatly depending on the class. Um, students graduate, they go straight into
a career. Um, we have a lot of career technical programs or they're transferring for a bachelor's degree. Some of our top transfer schools are listed here. I'm happy to field any questions that you might have. you mentioned that the transfer rate is
30%. You can happen to know the um scholarship recipients how many or what percentage go into excuse me um tech programs um it's about a 5050 split about 50 or 50% go into the liberal arts
and about 50% career tech >> okay on any given year. Yeah. 50% they're going on and the other are studying the arts. >> Yeah, perhaps they are um there's a lot
of students who perhaps can't leave Austin to complete a bachelor's degree and so um they're staying here working those types of things. Yeah, you mentioned that uh United Way 12.5 hours 14 that's 50 total. You have
to have those 50 total done before you qualify for the schol. The final deadline for volunteer hours is August 1st after a student graduate high school. Um if like circumstances provide a student from having those
done, they can always send an appeal. >> They can do it and then they have to appeal after the deadline. Okay, >> Taylor, the requirements changed at all this program? >> Yes. Um, I skipped over back on the the
timeline there. Um, four years ago, uh, we they they changed the GPA requirement from a 2.5 to a 2.0. Um, it also eliminated a couple other
caveat items on the eligibility, which I believe was like low income. Um, so we when we looked at the data, it it was more inclusive to lower the GPA. >> Can you talk a little bit about the be your best college prep summer academy a
little bit? >> Yes. So the year um prep academy at Riverland is a option for students who don't meet the GPA requirement um to come to pass all their BS classes and they meet the eligibility
requirements. What the BRS program is is it is an opportunity for students to attend River for eight weeks over the summer and they are going to get an English, a math, and a first year career and college readiness class. Um, so it's
really you're going to come in, we're going to give you a holistic support to be successful. And many of these students, maybe they need a confidence boost um knowing that they can do college and help us help you navigate those systems um when they when they
come to >> How long ago? >> Eight weeks. And I will say that we're really excited this year. Um we had a lot of applicants, so it was a competitive process this year. and uh we have 25
selected students to participate. question on the total number of recipients versus uh number of recipients who don't end up using are we seeing scholarships being left on
the table and not used >> yes >> in significant amounts not so significant amounts >> um I would say like 20 25% are typically left from disabled and um I would say
that both are pretty consistent with your high academic flyers at Austin High School. um you know perhaps just moving on. They already have a degree or something. >> Yeah. But it sure is nice for them to
have an option should um they go away. It's not for them. That happens every two. Thank you. Anything else for anybody?
So like year five they have to be enrolled. They don't have to completed by five years or >> Yeah. So they have a fiveyear eligibility window. So when their five years is up there's no more funds that
is available to them. So, for example, this year's 2026 class in August of 2031, there's no more money available to them. So, they could go very part-time over five years. They could take a two-year
gap income. So, it just offers a variety, but they do finish in that five. question updates. Our next presentation is a factor profile update with quite a number of
people. We are going to bring forward a principal match a real principal Dr. Holton not coordinator. Nightmare
eventually show up. Superintendent. We are here tonight to give you an update on the popular profile. Before we get started, want to point out our desired daily experiences. We went through a few of these for our students.
I am heard and for who I am by school staff and students. I have a voice and choice in how and what I learn. And the school should be about me and not our teachers. And that's exactly what we're trying to do with the portfolio. Students are coming in and exploring what interests them, learning about
themselves, creating a four-year plan, exploring courses, doing mentorship, internships, and then looking at what options are available. And for our parents, my child is challenged, not overwhelmed in learning
and development, listened to and provided choice and voice and learning options. issues after high school. You heard that loud and clear and taking that by chance. We're supposed to be teaching those high schools in school. Before I
turn over the microphone, there are a lot of people that have made this initiative possible, but I want to just say thank you to Emily and Jane Carlson for all their work specifically. They've done a tremendous job over the last three years. >> Good evening. Thanks for welcoming
welcoming us here again tonight to talk about profile. Um we are excited to share some things that are going on. So first of all portfolio we are in the process of working with students and developing and creating their portfolios where they're showing demonstration of their skills and knowledge over time. Uh
they can add many pieces of work and artifacts. We'll show you a little bit of what that looks like here in just a little bit. Um and also integrating those core values into this. So our first class that will be required to graduate with the portfolio will be this year's current juniors. So our seniors um they are doing work in school lines
and have access to this but the requirement for graduation begin with our students are current juniors. You can see on this slide, this shows what will be required to be in their portfolio from um the school and um so these are worked on throughout
lessons during the school year in their profile lessons that take place also in our profile seminar course um or freshman seminar course and then uh artifacts of learning that they choose to add in as well. They can add additional items if they choose to. So
these are the minimum requirements and then we have a lot of students who are adding just more pieces in that they're proud of and I think you'll see a little bit of that tonight as well. So like I mentioned those core values are woven and incorporated into this and um really allow our students to be reflecting on
who they are as a person. We think of our core values and see what that um that shows for us like growing a whole child and um developing into the human that they are for the future. there is a lot of that integrated as well when we talk about what those artifacts demonstrate and show.
So for our uh research and work in career pathways and also with that portfolio we use a platform called school links and you can see here that um these are just some of the facts and data that we have right now. These are two assessments there on the side chart that you see find your path and would
you rather and those are both assessments that are interest based that help students to start to see different pathways that they're interested in. And then we utilize that information to help uh plan different field trips uh get connections to kids in the community and really help them to explore those
careers further. Then on the other side where you've got those yellow check marks, you see uh 7,682 views of our district added scholarships, which is huge. We have um many scholarships that are in there for the district and
oftentimes we I I work closely with Jane Carlson who works with the scholarship component and there'll be very few applicants for some scholarships. So, it's exciting that this is now open to a platform that we are using on a regular basis with our students because it can start to level some of that playing field of who's applying and when they're
seeing those scholarships and having access. Um just this weekend I had a student reach out to me um and asked for a scholarship recommendation that was due quite efficiently and um I I asked I said where did you find the scholarship because it wasn't a local one and her
answer she's like I was on school links and blah blah blah this is what I found and you know and right away I gave her a lot of praise like because they can keep searching they can keep finding more um I know my own son is a senior and he's constantly in there just searching to um
find a way to fund his education. So, there's a lot of power in that. We've had over 20,000 lobbies on the site alone this year. There's career fair options. Um they can uh they can explore um different careers and have industry partners in there. We currently have 152
industry partners that have jumped on with us and a lot of those are local as well which is which is really exciting. So, there's a lot happening in this platform and with that I'm going to try and switch to this computer. Um so I'm introduce uh one of our
students Talon Hall and Tal. >> Yeah, my name is T Hall. I'm in grade 10 school and we're going to be going over my portfolio kind of explaining that.
So Talon being a 10th grader was in the nth grade seminar course last year and uh so he had experience in that which our students who had that seminar course obviously have a really strong start in their portfolio um which is very
beneficial to them and T will be able to share a little more with you about why but while you're waiting for that excitement I'll just kind of start talking to Talon a little bit about this and we'll hope something looks like it's happening. So okay first of all talent maybe what were
you doing that through your use of school links how have you how's that benefited you how has it helped you use this program the courses lessons all >> well starting uh going through the like assessments where you uh you can see up
here the career goals first off I had no idea like what I wanted to do I still don't with this said take an assessment and >> we don't either. It's all the same. Neither do I. >> But I took this assessment and it
cleared up like my mind and I kind of got a better understanding on what I wanted to get interested in. So by taking that it helped me like choose like a major I wanted to go into and then like later on a job that I eventually want to do.
So you can see on talent portfolio. So when he comes to this page, this is his homepage for his um profile essentially. And then you can see at the top he's referring to, he's got his postsecary and career goals. Um one thing that he talked to me about just a couple weeks ago, he was excited to talk about like I'm interested in going into real
estate. And um he also said, "I'm also interested in maybe going into a trade and utilizing what did you tell me just in the in the utilizing my insurance?" >> Yes. So he's like, I've got my hours done, right? So then you can kind of see
as you travel down, he has done some purposeful work here and he's got his strengths listed, also things that he's proud of. Um he has listed the activities that he's involved in. They can add their jobs, volunteer experience. So it really tracks that. And I continue to push to our students
that if you're filling this out, it's amazing because when you get a senior year and talent filling out all those scholarships, be like, "What do you think I've done? like I don't know there's a lot of you so you can track yourself. Uh so they're really building those things up. You can
see he's got one of his achievements day nine all conference honorable mention for hockey. Um so they can add a lot into this and it also will create an amazing resume for them when they're done. So it's it's beautiful. >> I wish I had that before I applied the country club. I made my own and it was
definitely not as good as the school. So, um, now that we're down into this part with your artifacts, talent, we're just going to clip through a couple of them. So, can you share about your four years at a glance? What was >> Yeah. So, the four years at a glance, it
puts your entire school year into just this one PDF. And it's really helpful because it lays out like your future plans. It's not set in stone, but it lays it out to where you can feel comfortable and kind of like have a path where you can on like what you're
thinking of and where you want to go with like if you want to do PSO like I put in like senior year I did a lot of PSO and it just kind of lays out like okay this is what I have to do and like it's just a good visual that way you're not like stressed and worried about like
you know having to do all these credits that you need to graduate and you're like worried like oh if I take this class like a lot of people will graduate. It's good to see that like if it's all laid out and in front of you, you can like really kind of be comfortable with what classes you're
choosing. And I actually just looked at it and I'm in the process of uh submitting my paperwork for next year for PSL. And my counselor was like, "Yeah, like if you want to like take a look at like what credits you need to graduate, that way you can kind of like
see um like if you want to take like a different cause that towards generals or something like that and it really helped me out a lot. So, >> we've seen a lot of that purposeful work with our students where then they are um
where they are able to look at and uh see what they're maybe interested in pathway wise and then start to narrow and like Talon said, he might not know exactly what he wants to do yet, but he's also talking about real estate and um some work in like as an electrician potentially. So then he can also kind of
map that out in this plan to start taking some courses that relate to those. Um this one talent tell me a little bit about your um this find your path like what you're interested in. >> So I took this test and it kind of laid out like my strengths as you can see marketing sales and services that's
pretty big one for real estate. So checks out there and then also with like the construction that's more like hands-on as like electrician. So it all kind of that like helps you like build up to what like your skills are to help
you choose the career path. >> And of course sometimes we do have students who are like absolutely not that it's not me. And we all know we probably all taken these and at times it might seem off. They take this every year because we also know sometimes those things change for them and then when they retake it someone starts to
like oh there's a pattern. Maybe this is really good for me. Um maybe this is the right fit. And then I start talking a little bit about your career fair participation. >> Yeah. So career fair was first seme.
>> Yeah. So we went to Riverland and they had a bunch of things set up for us and it was I had a really great time there. Uh, I think I talked about how the law enforcement one was my favorite because the most like hands-on activity, which I actually kind of was interested in law
enforcement, which was another option to have. So, but it was I really enjoyed it because you have to actually like experience like jobs handon as much as you can like for career fair. But I think that it was a great opportunity to
get a bunch of kids out and, you know, really enjoy all these different careers that they had to offer at home. And I had I had a great time doing it. So >> yeah, and you can see here on his artifact that he has been with that, he did some research on law enforcement and
then kind of breaks down like where they start digging in. They're not they go to the career fair and they get to see all these things and it's exciting. We have like I have kids who are like, "We need to do this every day. Why don't we be here longer?" like they loved it. >> Um it was right feel like a lot of kids came home with like different borrow
right but um they also then dive in deeper to look at what are the salaries, what about the skills that I need. So they're researching digging deeper to see what that can actually look like for them. Um okay, last one we'll show here. Um what is one of the artifacts that you chose of your learning? So this is where
we tell them choose something that you're proud of, something that can show growth. that kids were like, "I never do well on a math test and I got a C minus. Can I take a picture on a math test and put it on there?" I'm like, "I do cartwheels versus math test." Yes. So, they get to pick this one. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, I'm going to let him explain
this one to you. >> So, this one is I just got finished with composition one this semester. And this essay was about uh a major that you want to go into, which without school links,
I wouldn't really have a good way to, you know, think of a major and stuff. Yeah, it's a pretty >> it's a really good essay. That's >> a minimum of 2,000 words and there's a lot of pictures in this. So, but without schools, I mean, it would have been a
lot difficult more difficult to, you know, figure out a major that I went to because I mean, I'm not college yet. So, writing about this, it really made it like a lot easier for me to explain and go over it. And it's the essay was about
like a genre report. So, I had to compare >> I had to compare two listings uh for real estate and like a good one and a bad one. Blitz. >> So, you can see though that they are
able to go in and select things um that they really feel like they did well. Um things that can show that growth. That one's pretty awesome because it not only hits on his ability as a writer and what he has developed in that class, but also goes back to what he has done um in
researching for the future. So, there's a lot of really cool in there. Um, and that's just like the start of it. But this you can see, especially for a student in our 10th grade classes. This is what you're going to continue to see from them. And they also will have a alumni account that probably seniors
always run in the process of signing up for their alumni account. They have access so we'll be able to go back and that resume that he wants to create and update. He can put that stuff in there and continue to use that for the future. He can find scholarships that go into the second, third, fourth years of school. um he could look for jobs in
there, like all kinds of things. So, it's a longterm piece that will stay with us. So, I want to thank Talon for coming. Super awesome. It's not always easy to come and do this with a as a student, but do you have any questions for Talon? >> Can I ask you a question?
No. You're a chef, right? >> Y >> Okay. So, last year you intensively spent a whole year in the freshman seminar. >> Oh, you were his reviewer. >> Okay. My question is
I don't know Julie Paige. You no longer have that class. My question's always been where do you find time? Who's your resource person? That's how we can't be a resource person all the time because there's all kinds of kids who are doing this to get this graduate. Are you going to be the first
person to graduate with profile class? >> No, that will be this year junior. So Talon is a sophomore this year. So he'll be the second class. be the second class. >> So, where do you find the time? Who do you resource with? Who's your mentor?
>> Well, I think that I I don't know what it's like for other kids, but I personally think that this is a great use of my time. So, whenever like I feel like I need to like dive into like a college that I'm interested in or a job
I'm interested in, I find the time to just do it myself. like and it lays it out for you in front of you. So like I think that's like doing the work inside schoolings is kind
of makes it easier and it's all like laid out in front of you, you know. So for resources, I would say you can talk to your teachers about it. Um talk to your counselors about it. Like my counselor said, she said look at
where you're going to see what And it's it's laid out in front of you. So it wants to be successful. It's it really does. So I find the time myself to just like go over it. And that's a couple
days ago I was down in the MC and I was working on putting artifacts in updating my I I didn't have my volunteer hours in there from uh volunteering at Middle School football. So I put that in there.
So, but for other kids, I I can't say the same if who they would go to or if they would be confident with it themselves. But for me personally, I find this very useful for my future. So, I find that
>> he's also a really strong success story and a kid who has um he knows I won't really leave him alone because he also gives good feedback and um you know anytime you're in a growing program and doing things you're also looking for those insights and feedback and um he did a great job that so it's also helped
us to continue to look at and see how this works best for students we can continue to grow it possibly >> we actually have two more slides >> yeah sorry is pretty awesome >> he is awesome get a student in here talking about their experiences with us. It's really
hard to follow that. So, I'm sorry about that. >> Good luck. >> I know, right? No pressure. Uh, one other thing too that um we mentioned too is we have a couple different schools within our school. And so, one of the things that um to speak to Don's question too is how are kids getting this done outside of 9th grade? So the
high school students 10th, 11th and 12th, we have portfolio days and those occur about once a month and prior to that uh staff is getting professional development on how to support the students during those portfolio days. And then um like just recently parents got a score the day like that afternoon
saying hey this is what we talked about here's how to support your child at home to continue the messaging and make that very wide reaching so parents can also have a say in this. So 10th 11th and 12th graders have portfolio days and then Austin online and ALC students
actually have the experience course 10, 11, and 12. So, they continue on with it. Uh, one of the things we found with that student population is they're just in need of something different and so they are getting credit for some of that work. Uh, on the AOE side, we actually found a number of our students are already working in the workforce. I've
got a kid up in the Twin Cities who's a monetized YouTuber. Didn't know that was a thing, but maybe he could help me out. Um, so we're working with them to find those pathways and helping them with their businesses. Uh, it's been really neat. Elijah there in our ALC actually did a whole presentation on his own
around NARCAM and work law enforcement to help support students in understanding the need for that. Uh, we also had workforce come in. Amanda from workforce um has really helped our students use the tools to see exactly what uh jobs are available in Austin, what type of credentiing they need. A
lot of them are finding out that I could make money with my my trade certificate. they don't need to go on for the four year in this area. So, it's been helpful to bring her in and partner with us and give us more information. Uh, and then again too, just the teachers are doing just a great job of learning alongside them because the workforce has changed
significantly since I was in high school. And so, we really appreciate these community partners coming alongside us and helping us as educators really help our students because they do come to talk to us and they look to us for that mentorship and guidance. So the more information we're armed with and how to support those students um figure
out who they want to be and what they want to do outside of high school has been really helpful. >> So some more exciting things that are coming with the profile are that um there'll be some more work done will be down into Ellis. We have also been
traveling to the elementary schools and working on some visuals and things that will be used at those levels. But next year part of my time will be spent at Ellis Middle School. The pieces Mr. Jars apologize he couldn't be here tonight but some of the pieces that we are working on for that level are a career project for eighth grade students which
will allow them to explore and more the pathways and then also work with crosscurricular connections as they do that project. This will also help us as we're looking at um pieces with registration and things for them where they're starting to look at what they want to do at the high school again to really turn it um be really in those
selections of courses um and realizing fully that some of them it's just they just need to explore a lot of courses. They're not ready to be in a specific path yet. Um and then also adding in hopefully the Eagle Bluff experience for all students and staff. This would be like I said for seventh and eighth grade
students and there would be a lot of connections to the core values and how they can strengthen those and continue to use those as they travel their kind of Ellis and high school in future. So if everybody wants back up here, are there any questions that you have for
anybody? >> Um doing robots last year, one of there was a consistent struggle amongst the students that I met with um to say what am I good and the profile tells them. gives them all these great ideas, but they get stuck with the
evidence. Like, how do I prove I'm good at that? And I remember one girl in particular about one of fashion design, how do I prove that I'm good at that? But she had sketches of a whole bunch of stuff that she had done. How do you encourage them to understand that those aren't doodles, those are essentially your future? How do you how did they get
the message sent to them? How did they tell you put this stuff in the profile? I would say they the way they laid it out to me was like this will help you with your future so much more than like I had as a profile
teacher and she was great. She like explained it very well that the stuff you put in to have a profile matters. it will show up in college and like the artifacts you put in there like be proud of them because people see them like
it's not just in there like so I think the teachers at least M Garcia she did a great job they need to like it matters like something matters >> and I think developmentally for the nth graders at that age level I mean I know
sometimes as adults we struggle like oh this is something that I'm good at so getting them to kind understand and come come around to that like idea of hey this is where I shine I can say that and it's not being brave like I'm like oh the best you know fashion designer out there but look at the scale I'm
developing and how it's continuing to grow so we do also focus a lot when we talk to kids about that growth piece like I'll give examples of maybe you are in choir and you want to put in an example that has um you know a clip from your concert or something like that you want to do it each year or you record
yourself playing your song and you record it each year and can show that growth over time too which some of them that kind of helps them a little bit to see like okay not perfect at this but it is something I'm strong and can grow and >> I'll also say with uh like my writing I
had a writing from nth grade and then the composition paper I just showed like you can like flip through and see like the growth I had on my writing too so you can see multiple ways that you throughout the years so it's nice nth
grade 10 back. So >> on that on that essay that you ear who is professor >> she is new I
don't it was an online composition class so >> yeah it's at camp so I think she's she's pretty young so but she's a great teacher I like her a lot so wish every student was as motivated as
you can because you're you're you're crowd my concern is if you remember when we were talking about the shrimp scholarship and the United Way had that initiative to get students to get 12.5
is there still um I have a book review that is due Friday I've known about for since last September. Does anybody relate to that? We are all procrastinators. And so I'm not concerned about you. I'm
concerned about me. I would be the person who would wait till the last minute to get those hours to do that before you I'm just I'm really worried about people falling through the safety net is concern. >> So our ninth grade course does a lot of
work to really set the foundation and prepare them. because really they can't get through the course if they haven't developed the portfolio. So there's a lot of work that's done there. Uh we do know if there are students who are struggling and need some scaffolding there and then those students are worked
with more individually through counselors, administrators, teachers, myself, Jane. Um so there's a lot of people on board to help with those pieces. Uh additionally when our students have those lessons for profile other days um or other years is through
the different class periods. So the expectation is that there's going to be no lessons during those times with those teachers. So again, that's another check. We are also adding in some additional steps that will be coming um really being implemented in the next year that we'll be tracking and we will
know when students are off off track so that there can be interventions right away. I'll just jump one more thing. So in regards to the assurance hours too, um Jay does a great job and I've anecdotally been a part of some of the activities and athletic the coaches will also say, "Hey, I need volunteers for this. I need volunteers for this." So,
our coaches are doing a great job of getting students to get those hours in. And I know the the new teacher club, we have five to 10 students that do all their hours during summer school. So, they mentor our young students um and they can get all their hours in in a month of summer school. And then our
wonderful Katie Baskin has allowed those students to have transportation. So, we really negotiate those freshman and sophomores. Palmer doesn't mind it at all to have high schoolers on a bus monitoring little kids. Uh and then they get lunch and breakfast, too. So those are just some of the creative partners that teachers and coaches and activities
are trying to find to make sure that those hours are done. So that's not a barrier towards that scholarship. >> You probably realize I'm an alarmist and I and the graduation rates are very important. >> And so I mean I want everybody to graduate. Everybody had to have their
portfolio done to graduate, right? >> Y >> and I think part of that work that they're doing with their portfolio like healing theory talent as a 10th grader I've taught in forever and it's amazing to hear kids as age talk the way they do about all their future goals because
some of that work that you would hear in town talking about doing is like you mentioned he's done with his hours he's he's on track to do this this this and you're finding some different purpose in the classes they're choosing and selecting which hopefully gives them more buying like hey I want to do this
this is what I want to be so I'm going to finish this um but there's a lot of us watching >> I mean I want you reviews on the portfolios. >> Everybody in that class was not a talent. >> There's not everybody can't be a talent,
but they're all they're all very they're all working at it. They're all you know what they might some are kicking and screaming, but I don't know. I work it and there's all your >> Thank you all for coming. >> Great. Our next agenda item is a request for
approval of our clerical staff layoff resolution with human resources directors to start your guidance on procedurally how we move forward. >> Okay. So no, not individually or not.
>> Yep, we're ready. >> Cheer Dubet, superintendent, and members of the board. Today I'm here to present a resolution for layout for clerical positions. Be it resolved by the school board of independent school district 492 that following employees be laid off at the
end of the 2526 school year effective June 30th 2026. Jolene Brand Sarah Nelson Kelly be it further resolved that written notice shall be sent to set employees
regarding their layoff. >> All right. Is there a motion to approve the clerical step by session? >> I'm just saying I laid off. Does that mean
any other questions? All those in favor? I opposed. Motion passes. On the next agenda item is a request for the approval of the resolution regarding
our custodial position elimination, staff reassignment and staff. Okay. So now I will present the resolution eliminating the district utility maintenance position and be resolved by the school board of
independent school district 482 that the following position of utility maintenance be eliminated at the end of the 2526 school year effective June 30th 2026. Be it resolved that written notice will be sent to Josh Marshall regarding the elimination of his position and
reassignment. Be it resolved that Chris Moore in the position of custodian will be laid off. Be it further resolved that written notice be sent to that set employee regarding the layoff. Is there a motion to approve the
resolution regarding position elimination, staff reassignment, and staff pay off I'll also reservations and I'll be specific. My reservations have to do with um I guess the layoff is
layoff staff and I suspect later on and I believe in my opinion I use this word cautiously. I I think we could have made
some kind of creative decisions to uh in my opinion um reinstate one of the lessons for the music people at Austin High School. So I I'll go along this but
I just think we found a way to do that and still lay people off but at the same time save one of those lessons discussion.
All those in favor? Anybody opposed? Motion passes. And then we have our request for the approval of unrequested leave of absence for assistant principal.
So next I am going to present the resolution proposing placement of principal on unrequested leave of absent. Be it resolved by the school board of independent school district 482 as follows. That it is proposed that Dr.
Raymond Diaz, an assistant principal of set district, be placed on unrequested leave of absence without pay or fringe benefits at the end of the 2526 school year effective June 30th, 2026. Said action is taken in accordance with
Minnesota statute 122A. 40 subdiv subdivision 10 upon grounds described in said statute and which are specifically of discontinuence of position lack of pupils and financial limitation.
Be it furthermore resolved that the notice of proposed placement on unrequested leave of absence together with a copy of the resolution be forwarded is that assistant principal and that the affidavit of the state be
placed in his personnel file with a copy of the notice. >> Is there a motion to approve the custody of absence? Sorry, second by discussion.
>> Dr. You mentioned in the board review last week uh that there's a complicated legal process involving. Can you speak to that a little bit? >> Y so this is the first part of the
process that I was adopted resolution. um will be returning in 14 days. Uh the has the right to request a hearing per statute and we'll have a second of this resolution in a future work. Since we just approved the principal's
contract previously, we approved the educate education education association contract. Uh is that same kind of protocol um
would you adhere to that with the teacher? >> Correct. Certified staff. Yes. Okay. Thank you. Request necessary. Is that able to also correct? All those in favor?
Anybody opposed? Motion passes. Our next agenda item is our request for the approval of donations with executive director of finance and operations. >> Good evening. It is my honor to be in
front of you to read off the donations tonight. We have reviewed all the donations and they are in accordance with school board policy 706 gifts. So I will read these out one by one. Cornerstone Church $250 more than eight
program. Austin Rotary Club $375 AHS speech program. Austin Area Retired Educators $100 AHS band.
Lions Club $200 AHS band. Cheryl and Nolan Hitchka, $200 AHS band. Corey Robinson, $200 AHS ban. Bob Carla
Pepper $150 AHS spam. Gave and Connie Simpson $200. AHS span. Greg and Jodie Berms $300. AHS family
on time sports $260 AHS athletics Naplin PTC $260 YA YA program Southgate PTC $260 YA YA program
best memorial $500 AHS baseball nec C $2,850 N elementary American Legion span post570
$50 AHS robotics Zim family $400 AHS girls track inventory trading company $85 boys and girls track and we like to thank all these individuals for their donations. Is there a motion to approve this
month's >> motion by any discussion? >> I'm just wondering is that conjunction with that? I was just going to say I can
probably guess that these were very generous people who helped when the band was on van trip. When we were stuck in Ames, Iowa in a hotel, lots of families jumped right on board to help make sure
that hotel costs could be covered. So, thank you very much these families. We appreciate that. We keep tuck all our kids safe. >> Thanks for >> Yeah. >> And I'd also like to say that down there toward the bottom
family died not too long ago. Kurt is a pitcher public schools. He was drafted the Chicago White Socks organization and he had a terrible accident when he was
pitching and eventually he sto Yeah. Right. Any other discussion? All those in favor? >> Anybody opposed? Motion passes. Next is our request for the approval of an LEA, local educational agency title
grants representative for the 267 school year. Thank you, Chair. Uh just to back up on this, each year the school board is required to designate the local educational agent or PLA uh for the school district. This designation is for the oversight of federal title funds as
well as work with any required district site improvement plans that may result from adequate yearly progress status. The LEA's responsibilities fall under Dr. Katie Bass's role as executive director of academics and administrative services. This will be your fourth year
as serving as our LEA is my recommendation uh to join Dr. Katie Baskin as a local educational agent for the Austin public schools the 26 27 school year. >> Is there a motion to approve Dr. Katie Baskin as the LEA local educational
agent for the 2627 school year by Carol? All in favor? Anybody opposed? Motion passes. Next agenda item is our approval to appoint Dr. Joey Gav our Iowa.
It never fails to our identified official with authority for the 26 27 school year to add as to what the Iowa is. >> Yes. uh the Iowa or the identified official authority is the authorized
user to access annually as well as anytime they're in change of assignment for um the reports or the state reporting that we have through the department of education. Uh this certification designation is in accordance with Minnesota state access
control security standard 1.0 And tonight the scoreboard minutes must clearly specify this role in assignment to the state. I get a motion to appoint Dr. J as identified official with authority Iowa
for the 2026 2027 school year. Any further discussion? All in favor? Anybody opposed? Motion passes. Sharon, just double checking that we didn't have any delegations.
Um, reminder of our school board special meeting scheduled for Tuesday, May 26, 2026 in the district conference room. I get a motion to adjourn. >> Uh, 4:00 our normal.
>> So that that's a Our study session is simply moved to Tuesday because Monday. >> Oh, that's right. >> I don't know. I don't know that we I don't know that that was the correct that we all decided.
>> I think know that we all agree on that. But we've have a conversation about that. Um a motion to second further discussion on that. All in favor?
Let's start. Oh, no. It's like I mean you can just record. >> Yeah. >> Thanks for coming to the meeting. You won't be able to sleep tonight. You're so riled up from all this good
conversation. All right. >> Yeah. I can just Sure. >> Oh.