[{"_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",6604579,"mediaKeyId","2987576-5622e7f81798bb349de7b2ab135fb76e","parentId",2987576,"title","Parent and scientist urges Wayzata to adopt school solar program","audioSeconds",174,"startMs",7125000,"endMs",7299000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2987576-5622e7f81798bb349de7b2ab135fb76e&start=7125&end=7299","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2987576-5622e7f81798bb349de7b2ab135fb76e/thumbnail_7125000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6604579/Minnesota/Parent-and-scientist-urges-Wayzata-to-adopt-school-solar-program","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6604579-e37a76654ed4f2c75f6143701f0a239a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770889496&Signature=GXngtVpV6KtwqMb85RepHo5-AtG87dLEyIIJeIot87gx~mDujYm~kef1Dk~BCd5dpXK1yqCDq4RrYvGDIo-g0LdUioI1nAbAQC-Ek3aofYCdnsu~T~pNmDdtwmOvFnwj34QTK5HR4OuZ0UuLjuYI0TZe-2XQTL57Ftg4Xaq-mP3IEI86iMCiojjq77WucUj5lfOJ2ZPeZ7ffL~4CPV~ordDZzhURXSDhffheiYoNsiMMoSo-L9MuHyKe4T1w~qaVO~vgfW1eVuO~56dqOZb02zkLbBsRSKiCtYF7AgJfCZgm-laHQw9MMEHbR1Gx9AP-5KCbjsk7KUWyeNXIKqCvvw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Wayzata Public Schools","date","2025-04-15T03:23:05.14Z","article","Dr. Greg Leighton, identified as a parent, academic and volunteer on environmental issues, urged the board to pursue solar installations on district buildings and to use state programs that support “solar in schools.” Leighton told the board Wayzata lags nearby districts on school-based solar and said cost, weight and return‑on‑investment objections he’s heard are surmountable given state and federal programs.

Leighton said solar projects can also be educational: students can learn from on‑site systems and the installations provide community leadership on energy transition. He noted Representative Carroll — who serves on the state energy committee — was in the audience and encouraged the board to investigate state solar programs that help schools pay for installations.

Ending: The board did not act at the meeting; Leighton’s comment was entered into the record for staff follow-up.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","School Board Regular Meeting- April 14, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A parent and environmental scientist urged the board to pursue rooftop and school-site solar, citing state and federal incentives and neighboring districts’ solar projects.","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},6604584,"Teachers, counselors raise concerns about middle‑school block schedule, staffing and involuntary transfers",157,3683000,3840000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2987576-5622e7f81798bb349de7b2ab135fb76e&start=3683&end=3840","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2987576-5622e7f81798bb349de7b2ab135fb76e/thumbnail_3683000.jpg","/articles/6604584/Minnesota/Teachers-counselors-raise-concerns-about-middleschool-block-schedule-staffing-and-involuntary-transfers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6604584-adf25feb87c2b0f3557b64117d1db0fc/orig.mp4?Expires=1770889496&Signature=dsUjmaFs8F-8pZh3P9oE4OvqL898jnQ8AK-kclXvxWjqpmU0Wl27Sg4i8TX1j2I3OrlpvPL0u~-ND4Cz7FL2MuHAota6urRmZlL4GQjexlW4urnJ7Z~OxXkvwVHSzN5YdMxWgc7AEyYc37Tk7epWNY5JW5NuceKLgj1kzzXi7T16DLhxbnUPScoC5cmiRuii0Bc9XfKY9GqU1OLjIdyv1bNRi9NSV4c-kIp~eVktSRDO0cm0JKp2UybnBL6VRBNxdQ3Gp07ngNPSwy36BJmtzjjvzJg5w1opu-jAu3HZk710GjAiS352Y2oNTZhvOwFuSmCHNlWYiKJ6olEwRymOHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several educators and school counselors used the audience‑opportunity portion of the meeting to urge the board to revisit recent changes at the middle-school level and to examine staffing and transfer practices.

Central Middle School sixth‑grade language‑arts teacher Anna Lemon told the board the shift to a block schedule “has posed daily challenges in our classrooms,” saying extended class periods that meet every other day have created gaps in learning, reduced retention and fewer opportunities for sustained teacher contact. Lemon said the change undermines “true teaming” at the middle-school level and that language‑arts instruction will split into two separate courses next year, increasing complexity for students and scheduling burdens for staff. She said the change was made for scheduling and cost reasons rather than academic benefit and asked the board to prioritize decisions that reflect student and staff needs.

Liz Baumgartner, a sixth‑grade counselor at Central, asked the board to review the district’s use of policy 413r (professional staff assignments and transfers). Baumgartner said she was notified of an involuntary reassignment and that the decision followed her professional advocacy and requests for contractual clarification. She urged the board to examine how involuntary transfers are handled, to require written rationale for staffing realignments, to ensure staff have meaningful opportunities to participate in the process and to prioritize continuity for students: “Continuity and counseling relationships leads to improved academic performance, social skills and mental health for students,” she said, citing the American School Counseling Association’s guidance.

East Middle School teacher Sally Dietzenbach told the board teachers are reluctant to provide candid feedback because they fear retaliation, and that staff input is underused in district decision-making. “I should love my job, but I don't,” Dietzenbach said, describing rising anxiety and staff departures. Speakers cited building-level turnover: Baumgartner said Central lost six mental-health professionals since 2022 and Lemon said more than 100 educators had left the district over the last several years; both urged the board to examine causes and consider remedial action.

Board members and the superintendent acknowledged the concerns and said the district would review the issues raised. The board heard requests for: (1) a review of policy 413r procedures for involuntary transfers, (2) more authentic two-way communication with teachers when proposals are developed, and (3) consideration of scheduling changes that better support teaming and continuity for middle‑school students.

Ending: The board did not take immediate formal action during the meeting but members asked staff to follow up and to bring data, written rationales and recommended processes back for board review.","Multiple staff members and counselors spoke during public comment about the district’s new middle‑school block schedule, teacher turnover at Central Middle School, and the district’s use of policy 413r for professional staff assignments and transfers.",{"_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},6604589,"Wayzata school board approves policies and two budget items; middle-school phone policy alignment discussed",1575,7998000,9573000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2987576-5622e7f81798bb349de7b2ab135fb76e&start=7998&end=9573","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2987576-5622e7f81798bb349de7b2ab135fb76e/thumbnail_7998000.jpg","/articles/6604589/Minnesota/Wayzata-school-board-approves-policies-and-two-budget-items-middle-school-phone-policy-alignment-discussed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6604589-b575743a78ed84769cf05951cb2e9b96/orig.mp4?Expires=1770889496&Signature=Mfi-tN95F9lYhBMHQS387fa-Clpku2wBHHeBYlpyca3S8qmf5Pa~flqZbtxOUW9SaOgmq3CAYP2p1iwzgw-xLDKmFctSA2mTcdkialInw5lS6fnzVZXIf4wUsCeruVgBfRIuWvo5or32bn1NZVRdJRvDi-WsjFUrwvAtX55f5zQ8ZkNz2ZuK8r0ry~ox9GcMJtvjSIQuG-PgOsQuaAm03qfzP2jtfv6EAlbeHz90ZFpZrJ9X3uAEpj3CRtgcUWl9EEDGJ8J92ZlBRfensCzsu9eW22sz8aCwq9jFhOTdHTJUbQ0pt3L-DT-bNA2ZA~Oi0UfQWO4CRgOgpPeBOgolXA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Wayzata Public School District Board of Education approved several administrative items at its April 14 regular meeting, including two board policies, a revised Community Education (Fund 4) budget and the district’s FY2025–26 operating-capital budget.

The board voted to approve the recommended policies presented by staff: Policy 506 (Student Clothing and Appearance) and a new policy on personal electronic communications devices. The board waived a second reading and approved Policy 506 for adoption; district staff said building-level regulations will be aligned over the summer so all three middle schools use consistent protocols for electronic devices in the fall.

The board approved a revised Community Education fund budget for fiscal year 2024–25 (Fund 4). The motion passed on a roll-call vote with all members recorded as voting yes (Sheila Pryor; Heidi Kader; Valentina Ayers; Dan Genestra; Sarah Johansen; Paras Bende; Milan Sahony). The revised Fund 4 budget reflected modest net changes (staff cited roughly an $81,000 net variance from the initial estimate) driven by timing of hires, some increases in purchase services and capital or technology updates for sites shared with schools. The director of community education noted the fund’s post‑pandemic recovery and that the district maintains a separate Fund 4 balance to protect the general fund from swings in fee-based revenue.

The board also approved the district administration’s recommended FY2025–26 operating-capital revenue and expenditure budget (projected operating capital roughly $3.2 million). That motion passed on roll-call with all members recorded as voting yes (Sarah Johansen; Paras Bende; Sheila Pryor; Heidi Kader; Valentina Ayers; Dan Genestra; Milan Sahony).

Policy and middle-school alignment discussion: Board members emphasized that building‑level regulations implementing the new electronic‑device policy will be finalized this summer. Members and staff said the intent is for consistent middle-school approaches in the fall; administrators and the policy committee will draft the specific regulations and building handbooks. Several board members urged parents and families to partner with schools as the change is implemented.

Administrative notes: Staff outlined that Community Education is largely fee‑supported (childcare, preschool, youth classes) and that the revised Fund 4 budget reflects recovered enrollments since COVID, an increase in contracted vendors, and a plan to rebuild the fund balance to buffer the general fund against revenue variability.

Ending: The board adopted the policies and budgets and directed staff to proceed with building‑level regulations and summer planning to align middle-school implementation.","At its April 14 meeting the Wayzata Public School District Board approved two board policies, a revised Community Education (Fund 4) budget and the FY25–26 operating-capital budget. Board members also discussed aligning middle-school electronic-device protocols after public comment.",{"_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},6604593,"Wayzata students, staff outline expansion of experiential learning and CTE offerings",1928,3625000,5553000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2987576-5622e7f81798bb349de7b2ab135fb76e&start=3625&end=5553","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2987576-5622e7f81798bb349de7b2ab135fb76e/thumbnail_3625000.jpg","/articles/6604593/Minnesota/Wayzata-students-staff-outline-expansion-of-experiential-learning-and-CTE-offerings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6604593-12ad75a8270cdf9cf5f74ddbf238d72e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770889496&Signature=Xj5Xi-XB6WwDocqi2It0Im32~mdDUhFE5g72s6EV1bCIr8roTV-I2J26DRl1L3-jHMv-Z7j5IDgiMbuUVR9~hPVQh2uGsi~BB1AHeJnF84kOZGlMYvHBEqIvClM9sjCc93FDVEcd6eDOXXEHjyBfQcHA7N~XuHw0K2dCAVO6668N8mZ6H5lUCfr64MUjiCVvhaj2Isw9iibK-IdI~qkeSsCsMTy2N891qaugcNljHrwIMMBcuiAvHA32GJR-FiYLTcMidc1qLePazSKGOm2V5LN3O3CzuNtpFJgknXZPn-tG22UdYHXotHHlvVB9lxwVw9sMt-i8AaqBuoi7SiAzAw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Wayzata High School students and administrators presented the district school board with a detailed overview of experiential learning and Career and Technical Education (CTE) offerings, emphasizing hands-on programs, industry partnerships and plans to expand access.

The presentation, led by Assistant Principal Tyler Shepherd and coordinated by the high school’s student presenters, described classroom-tied internships, the new certified nursing assistant (CNA) program, the Compass business/communications capstone, and school-run tutoring and exploration centers. “The portrait of a graduate ... states that all students will graduate ready for post secondary success regardless of race, class, gender, or ability,” senior Matthew Adams told the board.

Why it matters: Students and staff said experiential courses give learners workplace skills and college credits, reduce barriers to certification, and can improve readiness for a range of post‑secondary pathways. Panelists asked the board to support expanded capacity and transport options so more students can participate.

Program highlights and outcomes described to the board included: the academic mentoring program (about 600 students registered this year, serving K–12 classrooms and on-site tutoring centers); the inaugural Wayzata High School CNA course (117 students enrolled this year, with 44 students passing the Minnesota CNA exam in the first semester and more than 140 projected to enroll next year); and Compass, which students said has produced 2,307 college credits since 2017 for participating students. The district also plans a CTE showcase with roughly 90 community vendors and expects more than 3,000 students to attend.

Students described how specific programs changed their post‑high school plans. A student who completed Compass said the program provided “exposure” to industries, “ownership of my development,” and confidence to pursue competitive internships. Speakers credited mentorships and on‑site visits for creating college and job connections and for producing portfolio work used in applications and interviews.

Shepherd outlined building goals that frame the work: one goal is raising the share of juniors meeting an ACT benchmark (a district “minimum ACT score of 21” benchmark, with a local target of raising the share from 71.5% to 78.6% for the cohort cited). Shepherd said that while the ACT target is a benchmark, many Wayzata students score above it and that the district tracks subgroup gaps as part of that work.

Students and staff asked the board to support several near‑term changes, including: greater alignment between middle- and high‑school CTE offerings to create seamless pathways; expanded community advisory boards to deepen employer ties; targeted transportation solutions (students suggested a constrained commuter route to serve placements); and modest increases in staffing and materials to scale high‑demand courses such as CNA, Compass and internships.

Board members asked about equity of access. Presenters said the district is working to publicize options (pamphlets, hallway displays and outreach to eighth graders) and cited charter projects and a Compass-led enrollment campaign that placed large posters in high-traffic school areas. Teachers and students said word-of-mouth, site visits and counselor planning also guide students into courses.

District staff noted constraints: some programs (for example, Compass) are limited by staffing and co‑teaching models and cannot expand without additional funding or staffing. Students recommended better bus routes to reach off-site placements; staff said they have begun exploring adjustments to placement logistics.

Looking forward, presenters asked the board for continued support to expand experiential learning across grade levels and to ensure students who are not college-bound also have credentialing and paid work opportunities. “We hope to expand that to everyone at the high school and beyond, both at the elementary and middle school level,” Shepherd said.

Ending: Board members thanked the students and staff, acknowledged follow-up work on alignment and access, and said the presentation will inform future curriculum and budget decisions.","Student presenters and district staff described Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs at Wayzata High School — including a new CNA course, Compass capstone work, academic-mentoring centers and a CTE showcase — and asked the board for resources to expand access across middle and elementary schools.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Parent and scientist urges Wayzata to adopt school solar program

Teachers, counselors raise concerns about middle‑school block schedule, staffing and involuntary transfers

Wayzata school board approves policies and two budget items; middle-school phone policy alignment discussed

Wayzata students, staff outline expansion of experiential learning and CTE offerings