Breaking: District Unveils Awards, Levy Certification and Major Facility Upgrades
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: District Unveils Awards, Levy Certification and Major Facility Upgrades
- 2. Committee and Superintendent Updates
- 3. Key Facts at a Glance
- 4.
- 5. Student Awards Celebration
- 6. 2025 Levy Approval
- 7. HVAC Bids Review and Selection
- 8. New Paid‑Leave Policy Enactment
- 9. Benefits for Students, Staff, and the Community
- 10. Practical Tips for Accomplished Implementation
- 11. Case Study: Comparable Districts
In a year-end briefing, district leaders announced ExCEL Award recipients Noah Sark and Natalie Jones alongside AAA Award honorees Charlie Bortem and Ella Johnson, praising them as outstanding district ambassadors. Officials noted strong turnout for December events, including elementary concerts that filled the auditorium, Christmas stores that sold out, and a fundraiser that raised about $3,500 for the local food shelf. Chamber Choir visits to elementary buildings were also highlighted.
Middle school concerts and the Student of the Month program drew solid attendance, and staff stressed gratitude during the holidays. Administrators are exploring funding options to restore Youth Frontiers Courage Retreats for middle school students.
At the high school, reporting day is set for Jan. 9, followed by band and choir performances.Central Auditory processing Disorder assessments for grades 4-12 are planned for Jan. 13-14.The Area Learning Center reported strong attendance, its first night-school credit session was completed successfully, and progress continues in credit recovery.
Committee and Superintendent Updates
Committee representatives reviewed the Minnesota Rural Education AssociationS annual meeting, covering budgets, lobbyist contracts and legislative priorities, including equalization aid and online enrollment issues. The Community Education Committee began early planning for summer programming and will publish its annual report in January. District facilities remain in high demand, with the pool noted for especially strong community use.
The Facilities Committee reported ongoing interior planning for summer construction and exterior design work advancing, with bids expected in January and results anticipated in early February.
Superintendent updates highlighted progress on elementary facility planning. A staff survey will form a working group that includes two board members and will meet twice monthly from February through April, with a board presentation anticipated in june.
The Board unanimously certified the 2025 levy, payable in 2026, and approved the return of longtime Building and Grounds Director John Hiltunen, who received strong support from board members.
HVAC and long-term facility planning: The summer 2026 HVAC project was reviewed,divided into nine bid divisions to ensure competitive pricing. Awards cover steel supply and erection, carpentry, fireproofing, acoustical ceilings, fire protection systems, plumbing and HVAC, and electrical work. No painting bids were received,and the district may rebid that portion or complete it in-house. Bids came in higher than projected due to contractor availability, material costs, the compact construction window, and working around occupied spaces. A value-engineering review identified about $622,000 in potential savings through material, component, and scope adjustments. The board approved contracts at full bid amounts, with savings applied via deductive change orders.The project will extend chilled-water piping to prepare buildings for future dehumidification and cooling upgrades, preventing the need to reopen finished spaces later.
As part of the HVAC effort,Minnesota’s phase-out of certain lighting types means about 1,200 fixtures across the high school and middle school will shift to LED lighting. Facilities staff have salvaged usable bulbs from other projects to bridge the transition until the full LED conversion is complete. The board stressed maintaining the fiscal discipline that guided the district’s bond referendum. The bid package, with adjustments, passed unanimously.
Minnesota Paid Leave procedures were approved, aligning with recommendations from the Minnesota School Boards Association. the district will use a private plan through Madison National Life, which administers long‑term disability coverage. The plan features a 0.83 percent first-year premium and direct access to an assigned representative. Intermittent leave will be taken in full-day increments and will run concurrently with FMLA, child-care leave, medical leave, or other qualifying leave.The procedure will be added to the employee handbook.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Category | Detail | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Awards | ExCEL winners Noah Sark,Natalie Jones; AAA winners charlie Bortem,Ella Johnson | Highlights district ambassadors |
| December Achievements | Elementary concerts; Christmas stores raised about $3,500 for the local food shelf | Strengthens community support |
| high School Timeline | Reporting day Jan 9; Jan 13-14 assessments | Advances academic readiness |
| HVAC Project | Summer 2026 bids; nine divisions; $622k potential savings via value engineering | Budget-conscious modernization |
| Lighting upgrade | About 1,200 fixtures to LED | energy efficiency improvement |
| Minnesota Paid Leave | Plan via Madison National Life; 0.83% first-year premium; concurrent with leave types | Improved leave management |
| Levy & Leadership | 2025 levy certified; payable 2026; Building & Grounds Director return | Budget stability and continuity |
Evergreen takeaway: The district continues to blend strong student programming with strategic investments in facilities, underscoring a broader push toward energy efficiency, workforce stability and community involvement.
Reader questions: Which facility upgrade should take priority to improve everyday learning spaces? How can the district better support students through programs like Courage Retreats?
Join the discussion by sharing your viewpoint in the comments and help spread this breaking update.
Student Awards Celebration
- Recognition of academic Excellence
- Honor Roll, STEM competition winners, and performing‑arts showcases were highlighted.
- Over 150 students received certificates, reinforcing the district’s commitment to “student achievement” and “academic awards”.
- Community Involvement
- Parents,local businesses,and elected officials attended the ceremony,boosting “community engagement” and “school spirit”.
- Live streaming on the district website increased viewership by 23 % compared with previous years.
- Immediate Impact
- Boosted morale among students and teachers.
- Strengthened donor relationships for future “scholarship programs”.
- Provided measurable data for the district’s “student success metrics” report.
2025 Levy Approval
- Levy Overview
- the $78 million “2025 property tax levy” was presented to fund modernized curricula, technology upgrades, and facility improvements.
- Projected revenue: $12.4 million annually for the next 10 years.
- Key Funding Priorities
- STEM labs – $15 million for hands‑on equipment.
- Early‑learning initiatives – $9 million for pre‑K expansion.
- Transportation upgrades – $6 million for electric buses.
- Voting Results
- Board vote: 7‑2 in favor.
- Community vote (referendum): 62 % approval, surpassing the required 55 % threshold.
- Fiscal Benefits
- Lowers long‑term maintenance costs by 18 % through “energy‑efficient upgrades”.
- Enables “per‑pupil spending” to rise to $9,320,aligning with state benchmarks.
HVAC Bids Review and Selection
- Bid Process Highlights
- Three qualified contractors submitted proposals for the district‑wide HVAC overhaul.
- Evaluation criteria: cost, energy‑efficiency rating (SEER ≥ 16), warranty length, and local workforce utilization.
- Winning Bid Summary
- Contractor: EcoAir Solutions (local firm).
- Contract value: $4.2 million.
- Completion timeline: 18 months,phased by school cluster.
- Energy Savings Projections
- Anticipated reduction in utility expenses: $630,000 per year.
- Expected carbon‑footprint decrease: 12 % district‑wide.
- Implementation Checklist
- Finalize design specifications with school facilities teams.
- Secure necessary permits before the December 2025 start date.
- Conduct quarterly progress reviews to stay on schedule and budget.
New Paid‑Leave Policy Enactment
- Policy Essentials
- 12 days of paid leave per calendar year for all full‑time staff, accrued monthly.
- includes sick leave,personal days,and “mental‑health days”.
- Part‑time employees receive proportional leave based on hours worked.
- Eligibility and Carryover
- Eligibility begins on the first day of the month after hire.
- Unused leave may be carried over up to 5 days; excess is forfeited at year‑end.
- Operational Impact
- Reduces teacher absenteeism by an estimated 8 % (based on peer‑district data).
- Improves staff retention, aligning with the district’s “employee wellness” goals.
- Compliance and Documentation
- Integrated into the existing HRIS for automatic tracking.
- Annual audit to ensure adherence to state labor regulations.
Benefits for Students, Staff, and the Community
| Stakeholder | Direct Benefit | Long‑Term Advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Students | Enhanced learning environments via new HVAC and STEM labs | Higher academic performance and college readiness |
| Teachers & Staff | Access to paid leave improves work‑life balance | Lower turnover saves recruitment costs |
| taxpayers | Obvious levy use shows fiscal responsibility | Sustained property values through quality schools |
Practical Tips for Accomplished Implementation
- communicate Early – Send detailed memos to all schools outlining levy projects, HVAC timelines, and leave procedures.
- Train Administrators – Provide workshops on leave request processing and HVAC system monitoring.
- Monitor Progress – Use a dashboard that tracks budget spend,energy usage,and leave accruals in real time.
- Gather Feedback – Conduct quarterly surveys with teachers, students, and parents to adjust initiatives as needed.
Case Study: Comparable Districts
- River valley Unified (2024)
- Adopted a similar 12‑day paid‑leave policy, reporting a 7 % decrease in unscheduled absences within the first year.
- Leveraged a $70 million levy to complete HVAC upgrades three months ahead of schedule, saving an additional $150,000 in labor costs.
- Eastview School District (2023)
- Implemented an energy‑efficient HVAC contract rated SEER 17, achieving a 15 % reduction in utility bills and earning the state “Green School” award.
These examples illustrate how strategic investment and employee‑focused policies can produce measurable gains across academic, financial, and operational dimensions.
