The South Washington County Schools School Board spent much of its regular workshop meeting May 7 at the District Service Center in Cottage Grove reviewing district science programming and the proposed 2026-27 community education budget, with administrators outlining both academic initiatives and financial challenges facing the district.
Starting with the Pledge of Allegiance followed by roll call, the school board first heard a teaching and learning report related to science, Assistant Superintendent Kelly Jansen presenting a powerpoint along with district employees Jolaine Mast, Mark McIlmoyle, Laura Larsen, Ian Bronson, and Ali Flaata.
The presentation as presented Thursday gave a detailed overview of science instruction and student performance data tied to Minnesota’s new MCA-IV science assessments, with emphasis made that the new exams are substantially different from previous science MCA tests because they are aligned with the state’s 2019 science standards and place greater emphasis on problem-solving, analysis and application of scientific concepts.
Specifically, the new assessments measure student learning differently than previous tests, with caution raised about drawing causation.
It was reported that 29 percent of students across the tested grades met or exceeded standards on the new science assessment, ranking South Washington County behind Elk River but ahead of Anoka. Statewide testing showed a figure of 26 percent. Levels for testing on the new assessment scale includes “does not meet” partially meets,” “meets,” and exceeds.”
Earth and space science has shifted from sixth to eighth grade, meanwhile.
The board meanwhile also heard about expanded science course offerings at the secondary level, including Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate options in Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science and Physics. It was noted that students are increasingly engaging in hands-on and collaborative science instruction designed around real-world applications rather than memorization-based learning. Among items shared was Star Lab, a program encouraging scientific literacy through learning about the stars, a small planetarium dome making its way between schools.
At the elementary level, highlight was given to STEM programming delivered through media specialists, including coding and robotics activities for younger students. Board members participated in a demonstration involving small programmable robots used in elementary classrooms to teach coding concepts and problem-solving skills.
Several board members praised the district’s emphasis on experiential learning. Board Member Louise Hinz specifically highlighted the Bailey School Forest as a valuable interdisciplinary learning opportunity for students, free to schools. Time was also taken to engage in a robot learning activity, with those present getting hands on experience in how an elementary student might program robots to follow a set path based on color detection. Robots used by students at South Washington County Schools for STEM include Indie, Dash, and Bolt Plus, each for a different grade level.
Following Jansen’s presentation meanwhile Community Education Director Jake Winchell opened the budget presentation by describing the scope of programs offered through community education, ranging from early learning and preschool to adult education, senior programming, youth enrichment and school-age child care. He noted that the department oversees roughly $16 million in annual revenues and expenditures.
The proposed community education budget projects total revenues of $15.94 million against expenses of $15.91 million, resulting in a modest overall surplus of $30,935. Kids Club represents the largest portion of the budget, generating projected revenues of $6.78 million with expenses of $6.69 million for a positive balance of $87,653. Operations is projected to post a surplus of $350,775, while community education administration is expected to finish with a $179,755 surplus.
Not all program areas are projected to break even. Early learning programming shows the largest anticipated deficit, with $3.69 million in revenues and $4.25 million in expenses for a projected shortfall of $561,657. Adult programs are also projected to operate at a loss, with expenses exceeding revenues by $25,591. District officials said stronger performance in Kids Club, operations and administrative areas is expected to offset those deficits and leave the overall community education budget slightly positive.
Winchell said Kids Club, the district’s before- and after-school child care program, accounts for the largest portion of community education revenue and expenditures, representing about 44 percent of the department’s budget. Fees paid by families and participants make up the largest overall source of revenue for community education programming.
The district is projecting a small surplus in the proposed 2026-27 community education budget, though Winchell cautioned that final numbers are still being adjusted before formal approval later this spring.
One of the major concerns highlighted during the discussion was a persistent deficit in early learning programming. Winchell said early learning funding has become “a trouble spot” not only for South Washington County Schools but also for districts across Minnesota.
Board members questioned whether increasing staffing requirements imposed by the state have contributed to the deficit. The question of unfunded mandate loomed large, with state mandates requiring licensed teachers in preschool programming increasing costs significantly without corresponding increases in state aid. While preschool teachers deserve competitive salaries, district funding has not kept pace with rising personnel costs.
Board member Simi Patnaik asked whether the district is required to maintain a positive community education fund balance or whether it can continue operating near break-even levels while addressing the deficit, receiving the answer that unlike the district’s food service fund, community education does not face the same fund balance restrictions, though the district would ultimately need sufficient cash flow to sustain operations.
In addition to budget discussions, Winchell highlighted several accomplishments from community education programs during the current school year. Early Childhood Family Education has served more than 2,000 families through classes, field trips and events, while the district completed more than 1,000 early childhood screenings.
The district’s Great Rivers Adult Education consortium, operated jointly with Hastings Public Schools, served more than 1,000 adults who collectively spent more than 33,000 hours working toward educational goals, including 26 adults who earned high school equivalency diplomas.
Winchell also reported that the district’s Kids Club program currently serves about 1,600 children during the school year and expects approximately 850 students to participate in summer programming.
Also from May 7, board members heard from student board representative Téa Alvarenga, who shared that she recently received the Wellesley Book Award recognizing academic achievement, leadership and character among juniors at Park High School.
District Superintendent Julie Nielsen closed the meeting by updating the board on ongoing road construction impacts throughout the district as well as previewing upcoming end-of-year activities, including employee recognition events, senior award ceremonies and graduation celebrations.
The school board will hold its regular business meeting May 21.