[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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],{"_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",6097149,"mediaKeyId","2828822-3192e122821ba4ea992b957d3b5fee55","parentId",2828822,"title","Votes at a glance: Worthington school board passes policies, contracts and property actions at March meeting","audioSeconds",3070,"startMs",1050000,"endMs",4120000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2828822-3192e122821ba4ea992b957d3b5fee55&start=1050&end=4120","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2828822-3192e122821ba4ea992b957d3b5fee55/thumbnail_1050000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6097149/Minnesota/Votes-at-a-glance-Worthington-school-board-passes-policies-contracts-and-property-actions-at-March-meeting","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6097149-cc37a63fb6a1ddbe87cf42980da2e64e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771162073&Signature=bjj1cwAy~LCjgBFiuEw~YAmBA0dPHut5OMlDPrV0TDLfDAF87QAyaTkRTEjFMvVqJFhDSZbgR-gIE6jtCJ-3JzUvPBV9hPopZSG-kuNun350x39asRb2AMy1trJIIY8TiHqSjqx74r1H8ACI5asCpXugIyiiCDISvI2zUBULhNuM5hh2adQqdE~Q2~sqFHlfoFltHrTfhAwMycubzYa9S2Ebb7f8CgQNzxJOzJFXiksbfCcNr8wVXJEm4bn3fGApXGlAKhW633cgiNjub5cV1AL7PKqLFPTjx~IbmSHL8h2YhXD6L9JcwWEKc3~xq~JfV69mx5RZVvcJItL0qxJrwg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Worthington Public School District","date","2025-04-01T04:44:53.587Z","article","At its March regular meeting the Worthington Public School District board approved several policies, contracts and property actions. Below are the formal actions recorded on the meeting record and key details from the agenda packet.

Policy and ordinance items
- Policy 5.22 (nondiscrimination policy; grievance procedure): Second reading approved. Motion by Laurie; second by Anne. Outcome: passed (voice vote).
- Policy 7.04 (fixed assets capitalization threshold): First reading approved. Motion by Anne; second by Matt. Outcome: passed (first reading only).

Resolutions, contracts and agreements
- Tax abatement resolution for Lot 1, Block 1 of Glenwood Heights Addition (Sterling Avenue), Parcel ID 311860-005: Motion to approve by Anne; seconded by Laurie. Roll-call votes were recorded on the record as follows: Miss Dudley \u0015 Aye; Miss Agard \u0015 Aye; Miss Schuette \u0015 Aye; Miss Mills \u0015 Aye; Mister Blum \u0015 Aye; Mister Parrish \u0015 Aye; Mister Whitboom \u0015 Aye. Outcome: approved.
- Trojan Field impact-testing agreement (three-year agreement with IEA), cost reported $3,510: Motion by Eric; second by Laurie. Outcome: approved (voice vote).
- City maintenance and scheduling agreement (annual cost): Approved at $12,826 (15% increase recommended by operations committee). Motion by Aaron; second by Matt. Outcome: approved.
- Turn over playground area to the City of Worthington (approx. one acre; quick-claim deed process discussed): Motion by Aaron; second by Laurie. Outcome: approved.
- Lease with the City of Worthington for development of soccer fields at Prairie Elementary (city to maintain and assume liability for play areas; first-year district outlay for seed/equipment estimated up to $25,000): Motion by Laurie; second by Anne. Outcome: approved.
- Southwest/West Central Service Cooperative contract for 2025–26: The packet showed adjustments across business, technology, special education and other cooperative services; proposed contract amount after adjustments reported as $1,156,283 (down from an initial proposed $1,226,308.95). Motion by Laurie; second by Anne. Outcome: approved.
- Health insurance bid selection: The insurance committee recommended continuing with Sanford for continuity and cost reasons and recommended transitioning plan options (including a $1,000 deductible / HSA option) contingent on pending union action; the board approved the insurance bid selection and directed administration to continue negotiations with the union and vendors. Motion by Anne; second by Matt. Outcome: approved.

Budget item
- Budget reductions as presented (agenda item 5.6): Motion by Matt; second by Laurie. Outcome: approved 4\t6 on voice/hand vote; 3 opposed (motion recorded as passing 4 to 3). See separate coverage for the full debate and implications.

Procedural items
- Approval of agenda, minutes and consent agenda (with amendments noted at the meeting): Motions carried by voice vote.

Notes on voting records and procedure: several items were adopted by voice vote without member-level roll-call tallies recorded on the transcript. The tax-abatement resolution included a named roll-call recorded on the transcript (all members recorded as \"Aye\" at the roll call). The budget reductions motion was decided by a voice/hand vote recorded as 4 in favor and 3 opposed; the transcript did not list member names tied to that specific yes/no tally.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","School Board Meeting March 18, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved a set of routine and substantive items including a nondiscrimination policy second reading, a tax abatement resolution, service contracts and multiple facility agreements; several motions passed by voice vote and one was recorded 4–3 for budget reductions.","taxTitle","WORTHINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT, School Boards, Minnesota","taxId",65553,"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},6097154,"Worthington presents Vibe online program and Learning Center enrollment, plans to add full-time interventionist",643,324000,967000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2828822-3192e122821ba4ea992b957d3b5fee55&start=324&end=967","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2828822-3192e122821ba4ea992b957d3b5fee55/thumbnail_324000.jpg","/articles/6097154/Minnesota/Worthington-presents-Vibe-online-program-and-Learning-Center-enrollment-plans-to-add-full-time-interventionist","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6097154-1664a3bd544e94267d75be146f188392/orig.mp4?Expires=1771162073&Signature=j9uIiyt1~ircJzmhSk-vlkv16VKG-p57yoZDPPLYv0Gx6mHlr7vxMGaZQo~L~hIlj-HyHzx7raDppzKv4iyOcCIusICzPOdDvrCIRph8SyzqemsLOgS366BltcFP6UuCSn4o4k8krCd9~tWdbg0lRY5tmcs8i1lmKUQJo9L5VJ5DJTpIjXLkkLKjA9KXALGiPWKrIGe7AhxwlngssTWcl4qCqELhtNRv8grUmonzOW9VDPJdms26N1UgdDMBAeEpuooladsXwQKmzndQrQ8~UXDtDqwKnwPQ755SWBb7JYNLiTQweUBfd2Cc~09zE76b96FkuMEIpchVPfwIFafXWg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Spencer Weneke, learning center principal, and Katie Peterson, dean of students, presented program updates at the Worthington Public School District's March regular meeting, reporting enrollment figures, intervention work and next steps for the district's Vibe online program and the Learning Center.

Weneke said Vibe currently enrolls about 647 students statewide, with approximately 27 students who live within the Worthington School District. Enrollment is heaviest in lower grade bands; second grade peaked at roughly 83 students. High school Vibe students follow Worthington High School graduation requirements (30 credits). The Vibe program employs teachers of record (TORs) and MTSS coordinators located across the state.

Weneke and Peterson described recent MTSS (Minnesota multi-tiered system of supports) work. After a 2023–24 administrative self-assessment, the district hired a part-time Minnesota MTSS coordinator to assist with data collection, progress monitoring and staff training. The presenters said five students identified during the year as potentially needing special education all qualified, which leadership used to justify expanding intervention capacity: next year the district plans to hire a full-time interventionist to serve tier 2 and tier 3 students in the Vibe program.

On the Learning Center (grades 7–12), Weneke reported 134 enrolled students, including 74 seniors and 10 seventh/eighth graders; nine students already graduated this year. The Learning Center schedule offers five daily classes plus a daily \"connect\" class intended for relationship-building, one-on-one reteaching and credit recovery. Weneke said the program serves students from surrounding districts as well and partners with the Regional Center of Excellence; Sam Schroeder was named as the regional contact.

Weneke said graduation rates for the Learning Center have trended upward and noted the district's goal is to reach a 70% graduation rate to avoid an identification. Upcoming events listed in the presentation include a combined Learning Center and Vibe advisory meeting on April 7, an end-of-year cookout and a Learning Center graduation scheduled for May 29 at 6 p.m.; credit-recovery summer school will run in June, and a track-and-field day for Learning Center students is planned for June (date TBD).

No formal board action was required for the presentation; the board heard the update and accepted the report.","District staff reported enrollment and program details for Vibe (district public online school) and the Learning Center, highlighted MTSS work, rising graduation trend, and plans to hire a full-time interventionist next year to support tier 2/3 students.",{"_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},6097158,"Worthington Public School Board approves roughly $1.57 million in budget reductions after divided vote",1411,1312000,2723000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2828822-3192e122821ba4ea992b957d3b5fee55&start=1312&end=2723","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2828822-3192e122821ba4ea992b957d3b5fee55/thumbnail_1312000.jpg","/articles/6097158/Minnesota/Worthington-Public-School-Board-approves-roughly-157-million-in-budget-reductions-after-divided-vote","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6097158-d4dddaef5f6a61f04a90e528cb2687af/orig.mp4?Expires=1771162073&Signature=dnDvfg5C77QvJQ~v4gOi411IvkYd6fBqUyDrBvCNoRcrGbR9J65tpYdvUifwSuva1Hl6oIEg6j6UxB4y0I6A7C5lNzWfHJ9lgcPpgwAk8eY11VFk7fTF97CG0hlvx3Lmnav4bhNxnFTCigSiyMswRSWvl8YDPIcz41zRcpd6Zq~OfeGQoOz8PBtjERXFsq~Rn9kFBnkCmFW91O8dkPdJ2K2aLdrLMnnzDBPMJI6PSfcpGUfnTppIZ7Go2Q3UlF6EfQDUbYO7fsuUrbWxOZaLdMDf4WqPPMtaMvU8Dyz8dw8gK8neKjSYJiEM94~orJbgu5dr9CDnoP0-b5Qcu4jeIw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Worthington Public School District board members voted 4–3 at their March regular meeting to approve administrative budget reductions totaling approximately $1.57 million, a package district leaders said is intended to improve long-range fiscal health.

Board Chair and administration said the cuts follow a districtwide exercise asking building leaders to identify roughly 2% reductions; some items in the packet had already been implemented, the administration said. Supporters argued acting now reduces the risk of deeper cuts later; opponents said the reductions would remove student-facing staff that address low early-grade reading scores.

Board members and administrators described the process: principals were asked to identify potential reductions equitably by building; some proposed reductions were already enacted (restructuring the district office and not rehiring certain paraprofessional positions). Administration also presented updated revenue projections that increased anticipated revenue compared with earlier estimates, and modeled the timing of a balanced budget with and without the reductions.

Opponents pressed for a narrower approach that would spare paraprofessionals and lower-grade interventionists serving students who are far below reading targets. One board member noted district third-grade reading proficiency at 24.27% versus a statewide average of 46.6% and said removing two paraprofessionals and two interventionists from lower grade levels would directly affect the district's most at-risk students. Supporters said principals vetted the proposed cuts carefully and that positioning the district to avoid a larger future operating referendum was fiscally responsible.

Board action and vote: a motion to approve the budget reductions as presented was made by Matt (motion text: \"move to approve the budget reductions as presented\") and seconded by Laurie. The motion passed on a voice/hand vote, 4 in favor, 3 opposed. The meeting transcript records a roll-call-style voice vote but no member-level yes/no listing for this motion.

Clarifying details provided during the discussion included an administrative estimate that making the proposed reductions would move the point at which the district reaches a balanced budget from the 2026–27 projection out to 2028–29; some itemized reductions the packet identified totaled about $1,567,920 in site-level reductions. Administrators and board members repeatedly noted uncertainty in state funding and upcoming bargaining as reasons to act conservatively.

What happens next: district staff said they will implement the approved reductions and continue to monitor revenue, legislative actions affecting compensatory revenue, and labor negotiations. Board members noted the district could later rehire positions if revenues or labor outcomes allow.","The Worthington Public School District board approved a package of budget reductions intended to cover a 2% districtwide target, drawing a 4–3 split as members debated impacts on paras and early-grade interventionists and the district's large fund balance.","actionData","errors"]

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Votes at a glance: Worthington school board passes policies, contracts and property actions at March meeting

Worthington presents Vibe online program and Learning Center enrollment, plans to add full-time interventionist

Worthington Public School Board approves roughly $1.57 million in budget reductions after divided vote