[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6642991,"mediaKeyId","2532629-4ff8cc436f922a9a48b585c97ed7a53c","parentId",2532629,"title","Board approves FY 2024–25 revised budget and authorizes intent to issue up to $5.5 million in capital facilities bonds","audioSeconds",556,"startMs",3854000,"endMs",4410000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532629-4ff8cc436f922a9a48b585c97ed7a53c&start=3854&end=4410","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532629-4ff8cc436f922a9a48b585c97ed7a53c/thumbnail_3854000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6642991/Minnesota/Board-approves-FY-202425-revised-budget-and-authorizes-intent-to-issue-up-to-55-million-in-capital-facilities-bonds","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6642991-ea638c605909298ce1919a863c7db0e4/orig.mp4?Expires=1776583263&Signature=LqUIvqsQf2mslgpPk55~EFf0nSCNv6cqMmhcuXBBeTcRoe~fwY6sQG73ahklWWMCZQWWBM9-IZ8MFWSw87-V25ePzfWlbH6YLSymK9QXbXNGGxSWI78oPrbN9Am~Xig~aM1B-Q9NZwM8H~A-Dc~df08NjTmIjx793HqctdOHWnzTev9Qxw5Q0DlrbWQXUPJdaCqyLQ2uwpjJ1ODXDXCfCmmJwUV6tbtkO1yRJadxWwDS5c470JrHY-7bSeZuIJSqVOmg4d8pETRxtRgUUIudsM9IavoWhgc6mI8aPdGwMryzuz8vW-LM9ZnsbQaxFKM8zixUOtGoSMfnBXsndTmyzg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Wayzata Public Schools","date","2025-03-11T02:23:36.097Z","article","The Wayzata Public School District Board of Education on March 10 approved a revised FY 2024–25 general fund budget and authorized the district’s intent to issue general obligation capital facilities bonds, Series 2025A, of up to $5.5 million to support planned capital work related to West Middle School.

Scott Lasage, executive director of finance and operations, said the district’s revised budget reflects recovery from pandemic‐era enrollment declines and more than $11 million in cost containment over the prior three years. “The district is trending in a positive direction,” Lasage said, and he presented two budget views: one including a Local Tax Fund Management (LTFM) adjustment and one showing the underlying general fund trend. With the LTFM adjustment the revised budget showed $2.3 million in expenditures over revenues; excluding that adjustment the district projects roughly $3.2 million in revenues over expenditures.

The board approved the revised FY 2024–25 budget by roll call. The vote was: Dan Genestra — yes; Sarah Johansson — yes; Sheila Pryor — yes; Heidi Kader — yes; Valentina Ayers — yes; Milan Sahoney — yes; Paris Bande — absent.

Lasage also presented a resolution expressing the board’s intent to issue up to $5.5 million in general obligation capital facilities bonds, series 2025A. He said the funds would support converting about 13,000 square feet of underused locker-room space at West Middle School into classrooms to accommodate enrollment growth following an attendance-area adjustment. “You’ll notice $5,500,000 on there, but it’s flexible,” Lasage said, adding that proceeds would not be issued before bids are received and that payment would be timed to minimize carrying costs.

Director Valentina Ayers moved to amend the bond resolution to remove the words “district‑wide”; the motion to amend failed for lack of a second. The board then voted on the resolution by roll call; Valentina Ayers abstained, Paris Bande was absent, and all other members voted yes. The vote resulted in approval of the resolution.

Board members said the project’s objective is to create classroom space to maintain the district’s feeder model and to meet enrollment demands. Superintendent Chase Anderson and board members noted the district will proceed to bidding and that final issuance will reflect actual bid results and a potentially smaller issuance.

The actions are procedural steps: the revised budget approval provides the district fiscal plan through June 30, 2025, and the bond resolution authorizes staff to proceed with the statutory steps necessary to issue bonds after bids and further board review.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","School Board Regular Meeting- March 10, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At its March 10 meeting the Wayzata board approved a revised FY 2024–25 general fund budget showing improved revenues tied to enrollment gains and authorized the intent to issue up to $5.5 million of general obligation capital facilities bonds to fund West Middle School space conversions; the bond resolution passed with one abstention.","taxTitle","Wayzata Public School District, School Boards, Minnesota","taxId",13559,"location","Minnesota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6642995,"Board approves multiple policy updates; first reading held for district electronic-device policy",247,2987000,3234000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532629-4ff8cc436f922a9a48b585c97ed7a53c&start=2987&end=3234","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532629-4ff8cc436f922a9a48b585c97ed7a53c/thumbnail_2987000.jpg","/articles/6642995/Minnesota/Board-approves-multiple-policy-updates-first-reading-held-for-district-electronic-device-policy","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6642995-911416b5974e425119c6409a465130be/orig.mp4?Expires=1776583263&Signature=N2ZDNKESE6ybyyEhDGZjQJxod7c8SUyb-LBXxeU1pFrBs1I5yGyjtG1f~kNe7p6w3MV7GoABaiRQdGi137KJLplW10BxfO41VgK6MdQREw1iImCpIXGoiOA41czl6QByOnfWgJToamUkbjOPnxIAx3j5IA5wF-bE63z1apgou2ffOu98K3PMHxROnQb4vNb9Xg8Wm5thXzItK69JANmBauvWJbkrl4yJtaH0y~mNZmqoXdXG3m3Qs8VRsWHLNr8DBIYdeNNbziDZXhL6SfofqMUHln4-TXJTAsCMhUWg007qjF6YPav2RocrfPXMs5bdcRkV9Rfu0Oyg~9vDujDJCg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Wayzata Public School District Board of Education approved a set of revised policies and heard a first reading of a new student electronic-device policy at its March 10 meeting.

Superintendent Chase Anderson told the board a policy committee had reviewed a group of 12 previously updated policies covering items including volunteers, emergency closings, communications and facility use; the board approved those policies by voice vote with no recorded dissent.

“This group has been reviewed with the appropriate personnel,” Anderson said, noting the updates reflected statutory changes and administrative practice.

The board also received a first reading of a new policy titled “Personal Electronic Communication Devices,” which Anderson said reflects language developed by the Minnesota School Boards Association (MSBA) and responds to a statutory requirement for districts to adopt a cell‑phone policy. “This particular policy is titled personal electronic communication devices,” Anderson told the board, adding the policy will serve as an umbrella for building‑level protocols and that principals currently maintain handbooks and building rules.

Board members asked how the district will reconcile differences among buildings. Director Valentina Ayers, who chairs the policy committee, said principals’ input would be sought; Superintendent Anderson said principals could provide rationale at a policy meeting or work session. Director Dan Genestra said he appreciated the distinction in the draft between elementary, middle and high school approaches.

There was no board action on the electronic‑device policy at this meeting; Anderson said the policy is expected back for a second reading in April after committee review. The prior group of updated policies was enacted at this meeting as part of the consent and policy approval process.

No changes to building handbooks were enacted during the meeting; board members said they expect principals and the policy committee to work toward consistency where appropriate and return with more detail for final adoption.","The Wayzata board approved a package of policy revisions at its March 10 meeting and held a first reading of a new personal electronic communication devices policy based on MSBA model language and a recent statutory requirement. Board members asked for additional principal input on building-level variations before the second reading.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6643001,"Teacher urges Wayzata district to restore true middle‑school teams, warns sixth-graders feel 'lost'",189,2785000,2974000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532629-4ff8cc436f922a9a48b585c97ed7a53c&start=2785&end=2974","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532629-4ff8cc436f922a9a48b585c97ed7a53c/thumbnail_2785000.jpg","/articles/6643001/Minnesota/Teacher-urges-Wayzata-district-to-restore-true-middleschool-teams-warns-sixth-graders-feel-lost","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6643001-9b504300d1c2d338fbf7eff3ecde3a00/orig.mp4?Expires=1776583263&Signature=hIxvdwSPnphLSRSP~0MGrd~Ak2ss5vf9L2G1p2wSF9qVQX7OZIks1hv6EN5ia52MN6DFq~5PKcU95PnO4Bp93QGmCcYV2i~~3p~77D3gNzA9FAcfsK-84b4Rf-YJMWaU7c2uKvb88aOEqYIPT3NpMIJSC8V4em9D-qWgfB07Sop6bo2W~X4HtBzRdMCpAnu-yv5Z09--2lk7bhrry-mdv9w4BEvfjubOwcuR7uSqeg2xSWkX-sDuvFNydq0GoOde88DQyMrLs3Zo3NMt4Cwvfzcem0f3vDMn1dGEnw7h0Gtp9uy57Fnk4WAzuWeBXl~II-Tlp6f4flAjiyRSe3HNEQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Wayzata Public Schools teacher told the board on March 10 that recent schedule changes have effectively eliminated meaningful middle‑school teams and urged the district to restore them.

Sally Dietzenbach, a teacher at East Middle School, told the board that while teams remain “in name only,” students and teachers are seeing fewer coordinated team meetings and less consistent communication among a student’s teachers. “For example, I am currently part of the gold team at EMS. Our team only meets two to three times per month for about 15 minutes,” she said, adding that of 115 students on her team only 29 are currently her students and many see her only during a single daily advisory period.

Dietzenbach said true teams previously helped set Wayzata middle schools apart by supporting consistent expectations, stronger student–teacher relationships, better social‑emotional development and earlier intervention. “Without teams, it is much more difficult for teachers to build relationships with their students and for students to feel connected to both their teachers and each other,” she said, and added that the district’s sixth‑grade students are “feeling lost.”

She said staff were told before last year’s schedule change that keeping teams would be a priority, but that the final schedule made “no way to make true teams work.” She urged the board: “If this new schedule truly is incompatible with teaming, maybe the answer is to abandon the schedule instead of abandoning the teams.”

Board members did not take immediate action but acknowledged the concern. Superintendent Chase Anderson said principals should be consulted and that building leaders can best explain local decisions; Director Valentina Ayers asked that principals provide input to the policy committee or a work session to clarify differences among buildings.

No formal motion or vote followed the public comment. The speaker’s request sets an issue the board said it will explore through committee discussions and potential follow-ups with building principals.","At the March 10 meeting a Wayzata Middle School teacher told the board that the district's new middle‑school schedule has replaced teaming with a junior high model and left sixth-graders and staff feeling disconnected, urging the board to reconsider the schedule.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6643005,"Northwoods Elementary highlights kindergarten 'sense of belonging' as enrollment rises",1222,1252000,2474000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532629-4ff8cc436f922a9a48b585c97ed7a53c&start=1252&end=2474","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532629-4ff8cc436f922a9a48b585c97ed7a53c/thumbnail_1252000.jpg","/articles/6643005/Minnesota/Northwoods-Elementary-highlights-kindergarten-sense-of-belonging-as-enrollment-rises","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6643005-7906cf34649426a65cb77c668675ffe1/orig.mp4?Expires=1776583263&Signature=D282S~YWaSJBmNRz79e7rXreBtOIQ9Hnn3zNRqis6nYDrH-fvfKKigP2zcuyZ~BA5BYMF00Lt3BdLpdjobuhInqWk54HWK~C-Ff1Gb5vyhnzHHy6qrHawE3TwH8~vY6dw9YdiU1osa4w-x0Gi-yx00Y~vBt8jhxbJEsED2nz8Vu4taZ-lmdBJL06DQSN7bt~nnaDjNRHQzNozSFTCZD-jIG4TDE-BX2ZF6UV0bKsVCvKhwve1nvjo~2EAaO1HngxJdjppAoTl1HRgNJqLuUacd5AlkkjJbR3pi9eMTB52sSY9LZSapdUuscdI1VONXtl-ABF5ayybKMIjTtQ7MfGeQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Northwoods Elementary staff presented a multi-event approach to kindergarten onboarding at the Wayzata Public Schools Board of Education meeting on March 10, emphasizing building a “sense of belonging” for students and families.

The presentation, led by Northwoods principal Jenny Berg and supported by Superintendent Chase Anderson and kindergarten teachers, outlined a year-long sequence of events meant to familiarize children and families with school routines and staff. Jenkins and the Northwoods team said the district uses the Minnesota Department of Education’s guidance and the district strategic roadmap to shape the work.

“We often talk about building a strong community,” Jenny Berg said during the spotlight. She described specific events — a January “Get Ready for K” enrollment event, a May “Hike Through Northwoods” for incoming kindergarteners, a bus ridership night, a two-day Jumpstart program, and one-on-one “Hopes and Dreams” conferences held before school starts — designed to reduce anxiety and help families connect with teachers and support staff.

Superintendent Chase Anderson told the board Northwoods selected a student-experience goal tied to a district engagement survey item about whether school adults help students “feel good about who I am.” He said that, based on the January survey, 95% of Northwoods students responded “always” or “almost always” to that question.

Kindergarten teachers described how specific activities support the goal. Madison Cox outlined the Hike Through Northwoods map that introduces families to cafeteria staff and the nurse’s office and gives children a chance to explore a classroom. Peyton Humiller described Jumpstart as a condensed, child-focused two- or three-hour day that helps children learn morning routines, read-aloud time, and playground expectations. Jenna Quick said the Hopes and Dreams conferences create time for families to meet the teacher and discuss individual priorities before school begins.

Northwoods staff also credited district teams — communications, the welcome center and Community Education — for helping the events run smoothly. They invited board members to attend future events and said the programs rely on partnerships across the district.

The board responded with appreciation. Director Dan Genestra praised the connection between the school’s events and district goals, while Director Sheila Pryor and others thanked staff for the emphasis on family engagement.

The presentation closed with video clips of kindergarten students naming what makes them feel good at school — friends, teachers and feeling safe — which the Northwoods team said reflected the impact of their community-building work.

Board members were invited to attend upcoming events; no formal action or vote was taken on the presentation itself.","At the March 10 Wayzata Public Schools board meeting, Northwoods Elementary staff outlined programs launched to increase kindergarten family engagement and student belonging, citing a 95% positive response on a student engagement measure and a series of orientation events from January through August.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves FY 2024–25 revised budget and authorizes intent to issue up to $5.5 million in capital facilities bonds

Board approves multiple policy updates; first reading held for district electronic-device policy

Teacher urges Wayzata district to restore true middle‑school teams, warns sixth-graders feel 'lost'

Northwoods Elementary highlights kindergarten 'sense of belonging' as enrollment rises