[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6071449,"mediaKeyId","3042912-36c7b2fd1f0e501bfcc066f285f164f2","parentId",3042912,"title","Votes at a glance: board approves energy‑savings project financing, tennis‑court funding, donations and nonrenewal of probationary teachers","audioSeconds",428,"startMs",8052000,"endMs",8480000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3042912-36c7b2fd1f0e501bfcc066f285f164f2&start=8052&end=8480","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3042912-36c7b2fd1f0e501bfcc066f285f164f2/thumbnail_8052000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6071449/Minnesota/Votes-at-a-glance-board-approves-energysavings-project-financing-tenniscourt-funding-donations-and-nonrenewal-of-probationary-teachers","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6071449-61cc700b041f0aa7db2bb975838755a5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139120&Signature=QT-Zr9YlOHjyMxFrMFlbJjAMekhTAW727G3fT584wA-YIpROmE7BXrn9PZ8ay7cJmZHA0q-~BNS22V~jGDcnNk6-D--J0vB6cYwsgHOyJzjY9slIMytHDipejey6OoqcOa6aPdiQdiUOGr0tnL9rwrjqEzxR0WHK-HjU5uP-SUZT9aHxpp20WkZSsClQhROpfmRHpayD3aMUwsrf2kII4sb1DRC2q6DbpjeaxwVF03pD-twFRFELEBZP6~u94veCENpOmjxkW3sDRrRGJOmUuczRgh04Njlmw1jpXG4FPE3p0Modkva9913FxS08S1Az9OFmn2LhmNjPviuUOUxOOA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Austin Public Schools","date","2025-04-14T00:00:00Z","article","At its regular meeting the Austin Public School District board took multiple formal votes on capital projects, funding mechanisms, donations and personnel.

Energy-savings project and contractor authorization

The board approved proceeding with an energy-savings project identified by district facilities staff and requested authorization to proceed with financing. Staff described a facilities study and a plan to replace fluorescent bulbs and complete building-envelope and gym ventilation work. The presentation cited a net cost “a little under $2,500,000” after rebates; staff said they had worked with a contractor referenced in the presentation (transcript: InByrte/InBrite — spelling inconsistent in the record) and that the work would include local electrical contractors where possible. The vote to award the project and to proceed with related sale of capital facilities funds passed by voice vote.

Parameters resolution and capital-facilities financing

The board approved a parameters resolution authorizing capital-facilities bonds to fund portions of the district’s projects, with an authorization that would allow sale through September 30 and an interest-rate cap of 5 percent. Michael Hart of PMA presented the financing plan; presenters said the bonds would be repaid from operating capital/capital elements of the general fund and would not increase overall property taxes for most taxpayers, with some agricultural taxpayers projected to see modest tax decreases under school-credit calculations. The motion passed.

Tennis-court project funding

The board approved funding for a tennis‑court remodel previously awarded to Rochester Sand and Gravel, to be financed using the district’s lease-levy mechanism for instructional spaces. Staff and the financing advisor said the tax impact would be modest — quoted as less than $5 per typical home annually (about the equivalent of less than $0.50 per month) — noting the lease-levy funding is limited by a per-pupil cap. The motion passed.

Donations

The board accepted a list of donations, including a $1,400 gift from the Bundy family (in memory of David Bundy) for elementary schools, $48 from the Albert Civic Music Association for Ellis Orchestra, and other smaller gifts to athletics and music programs. The donations were approved.

Nonrenewal of probationary teachers

Human Resources Director Sue Starr read a resolution listing eight probationary teachers whose contracts the district proposed not to renew under Minnesota statute. The teachers named in the resolution were Barry Apollo, Emily Brows, Dylan Brown, Sharon Lee, Valerie Jorgensen Lowe, Jarrett Olsen, Steven Register and Samantha Wells. The board approved the nonrenewal resolution; the superintendent was authorized to sign written notices per statute.

Procedure and votes: All motions described above passed by voice vote in the meeting record; the minutes do not show a roll-call tally for these items.

Ending: Staff will complete contract notices and proceed with financing steps as authorized; district staff said they will return to the board with final ratification and implementation details as financings are completed.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Austin Public Schools April 2025 School Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Austin Public School District board approved an energy-savings lighting and building-envelope project with requested financing, a parameters resolution for capital facilities bonds, tennis-court funding via lease levy, acceptance of listed donations, and a resolution to nonrenew eight probationary teacher contracts.","taxTitle","Austin Public School District, School Boards, Minnesota","taxId",38701,"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},6071454,"Work-based learning and ATP programs expand employer partnerships to build jobs and life skills for students with disabilities",934,6369000,7303000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3042912-36c7b2fd1f0e501bfcc066f285f164f2&start=6369&end=7303","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3042912-36c7b2fd1f0e501bfcc066f285f164f2/thumbnail_6369000.jpg","/articles/6071454/Minnesota/Work-based-learning-and-ATP-programs-expand-employer-partnerships-to-build-jobs-and-life-skills-for-students-with-disabilities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6071454-d1cdef40a8956ac88e5e39dcd3813610/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139120&Signature=fbdhq3O7xYyPYnIAjrlSjSuUMV98ukqDQn4VPi4~p~ncBY18iw7KVLGqhXcC2Vyhudyq8UK9ZfLvoXFOjGQzkCW1C2YEELC3ywT0tOZ4njtK2GCeWimb1vxSa~Ivm0IXURE3qxugad~oYtL5y4ODkMurJOCYB9ZyOwHMRRRfXnaXU2-5bV-JwQ9KZ4SC5~XKVoF5hpo~xSgMkECsifGA3XQD9j7bqJi8ljrrTMQz~n~MtSQUk1WfBpRhyj9SIN3x40JPsmHkxigMIUcaZndi0mdNezvNbzxLF3llc7dppjRCjdwJD8ntx3x1Ptxrq5vGCNkikBUGj0-SHeiYzj2MYA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Special services staff and teachers presented an overview of the district’s work-based learning offerings and the Austin Transition Program (ATP), which serve students with disabilities preparing for adult life and employment.

Todd Huestalt, who described the PACE Lab downtown as a simulated work environment, said students practice workplace routines, punch a time clock, complete task criteria and learn resume and application skills. Huestalt said the lab contains hundreds of simulated jobs and prepares students for transition to community employers.

Jason Boruchak, ATP teacher, said ATP serves students ages 18–22 (or younger if they have completed required credits) who require instruction in employment, independent-living and community-participation skills. ATP staff work closely with Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS) and Workforce Development, Inc. (WDI) to secure post-school supports. Presenters said the district provides transportation to job placements and, when needed, on-site job coaching. They listed community partners that host student placements and asked the board to help identify additional business partners.

Presenters highlighted examples of success: students transitioning into part-time permanent jobs, students completing college technical programs such as electrician training, and placements with parks-and-recreation and other local employers. Staff said the program coordinates monthly with Region 10 peer districts to match student interests with employer opportunities.

Ending: District staff said ATP and work-based learning help students build employability and independent-living skills and asked the board to support continued business outreach and transportation resources; no board vote was required.","Special services staff described the district’s work-based learning and Austin Transition Program (ATP), including a downtown PACE Lab simulating 274 job tasks, partnerships with vocational rehabilitation and workforce agencies, transportation support and examples of student job placements and postsecondary training.",{"_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},6071458,"Early-childhood program update: CLC serves 300+ children; district reports waiting list and screening outcomes",1138,5152000,6290000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3042912-36c7b2fd1f0e501bfcc066f285f164f2&start=5152&end=6290","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3042912-36c7b2fd1f0e501bfcc066f285f164f2/thumbnail_5152000.jpg","/articles/6071458/Minnesota/Early-childhood-program-update-CLC-serves-300-children-district-reports-waiting-list-and-screening-outcomes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6071458-d94a5803a3f9ed80bcba1a2d7786215d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139120&Signature=Wdjchy2X4h0uS2MC80qT3Wk9IcKNGtyUEkxYD5yKALyDEu00c83JDksmIkDoKZse-Fixc9s5jNQjMHszGgLxAP4hFHG8Ttr1A249Y6CSaieUFIFFG2i6R8DKKPoVXbNMA~tWWdN-L9Rx7NbnIoHkhBZTMHre14QK5VAa~OuJ2s2S9o7YLxtcSzvzUpfXAZc1MmAp3CG7RW733XzErnQivnt6Y1QjfBviQbCDv2CDgTapBW92XgUywg1H2Omg0qaHG0vT9zvWPdvdhJrpQe-vaRrQcnSvRYoEHopnETSik~PTzEOQFOR8dGRpMLF~-UVpRjSIYa7EPHff3eHR0tYwhA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Austin Public Schools’ early-childhood staff briefed the board on programming, enrollment and screening results at the district’s Community Learning Center (CLC) and other preschool sites.

Jennifer Lawhead, community education director, said the district’s CLC currently serves more than 300 children across preschool and inclusion classrooms and conducts early-childhood screening twice monthly. Lawhead said early intervention remains a priority and that the district partners with community agencies to reach families early in a child’s development.

Staff noted a waiting list for the 2025–26 school year: presenters reported 38 families already on the list and said the program typically had as many as 50 waiting last year. Lawhead and colleagues described transportation and start-up funding as key barriers to rapid expansion; a board member estimated startup costs on the order of $200,000 to open an additional classroom.

Presenters summarized screening and assessment data, saying children who attended preschool (including district and community partner preschools) entered kindergarten this year with substantially lower rates of ‘high risk’ FAST screening results than children who had no preschool experience. In the district’s figures cited at the meeting, 47.3 percent of children with no preschool experience scored in a high-risk category while 26 percent of children who attended preschool scored high risk; conversely, about 51 percent of children who attended preschool scored in a low-risk category.

Lawhead described classroom practice and supports including McPhail music instruction, a speech-language pathologist who supports augmentative communication and a pyramid-model coaching approach to social-emotional instruction. The presenters said they already implement strategies learned through Minnesota’s early-literacy initiatives and that MTSS teams actively use attendance and behavior data to tailor interventions.

Ending: Staff asked the board to note demand for preschool services and to consider constraints such as space, start-up funding and transportation when evaluating expansion options. No board funding decision was made at the meeting.","District staff reported that the Early Childhood Learning Center serves more than 300 preschool children, the program has a waiting list for next year, and local screening data show children with prior preschool experience have lower kindergarten risk scores than children without preschool experience.",{"_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},6071464,"District updates board on 'Grow Your Own' teacher pipeline; scholarships and college pathways planned",515,2533000,3048000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3042912-36c7b2fd1f0e501bfcc066f285f164f2&start=2533&end=3048","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3042912-36c7b2fd1f0e501bfcc066f285f164f2/thumbnail_2533000.jpg","/articles/6071464/Minnesota/District-updates-board-on-Grow-Your-Own-teacher-pipeline-scholarships-and-college-pathways-planned","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6071464-fce9ae320bb0c1a2fcbdbc25dadef3b3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139120&Signature=OeknHIZYhUeuYIUwycmNhD4yaNa3Pjr88zbv1OHWOCJkkXeif8M2r41HS3uWCEAqevyBpc2YqaAxr1aq4DtFY9TnJ~StbL1tAlRXTsei9C1QNE0KwxWTj6sbdxtkloMHblCTz4wZLDqUKO9cfnu72YwirS6bArx-4JdWJBRTc9~FZDGrU7dtOvB~A0mpBYo-vGkL7VfFP20i12uBmv8C4DzXxDfzp52YLuWFoOC7lVdDUvILlk-Pv97~u3S57Zha4ycnzjN2JCKWQyhLQ8S9ALa8gmZYv-QQS3dBea15u0IjN68AUqssr1E5asfvIuwYWXIkVakG~pUkpqhDl9FFhA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Austin Public Schools staff updated the board on the district’s Grow Your Own teacher program, a multi-year effort to recruit and support prospective teachers from the community and diversify the teacher pipeline.

Colleen Owens, the district’s future-teacher coordinator, told the board the program now claims roughly 58 students engaged in some way and 27 officially signed members of the high-school club; attendance at meetings has ranged from about 12 to the mid-20s. Owens said the program supplements classroom observation with college visits, volunteer placements, summer experiences and an education elective being offered for the first time this year at Austin High School.

Program leaders said the Grow Your Own student pathway is part of a larger grant package that includes an adult pathway. Sherry (last name given in meeting as Sherry) described the adult pathway, designed to fund and mentor paraprofessionals and other local candidates to earn special-education licensure. That adult pathway includes full funding for tuition, books and fees for selected candidates and partnership arrangements with several universities and regional partners. The presenters said the district currently has four adult-pathway participants enrolled through the regional consortium.

Presenters noted the grant — identified in the meeting as nearly $750,000 — funds scholarships (the largest planned use), career exposure, college application support, family engagement, and elective coursework. Staff said a second annual signing ceremony recognizing students who commit to a pathway will be held May 5.

No board action was required. Staff asked the board to continue supporting access to college visits, pathway coordination with Riverland and other postsecondary partners, and scholarship disbursement as the grant funds are expended.

Ending: Staff said the Grow Your Own program aims to expand the teacher pipeline and increase workforce diversity; the district will report further as scholarships are awarded and as adult-pathway candidates progress in licensure programs.","Austin Public Schools presented progress on a federal/state-funded Grow Your Own teacher pathway. The program — funded through a 5-year grant running 2023–2028 and worth roughly $750,000 — supports high-school students and adults pursuing teaching careers with college visits, scholarships, electives and mentorships.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6071468,"Teachers, counselors and parents urge board to address involuntary transfers and declining staff morale",9223,1837000,11060000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3042912-36c7b2fd1f0e501bfcc066f285f164f2&start=1837&end=11060","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3042912-36c7b2fd1f0e501bfcc066f285f164f2/thumbnail_1837000.jpg","/articles/6071468/Minnesota/Teachers-counselors-and-parents-urge-board-to-address-involuntary-transfers-and-declining-staff-morale","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6071468-13ff63df0cda1a76cc580c147bb848c0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139120&Signature=RD8tiV5B1-1oVyIgRzOJz9wTElGEIoh-sSl3GXsdCkhtl9ZhU6YNRSjUTmSXQvQ2pHIeG9S2Et7DnlqGPwI8t5YlUqEpZkn63cxiaev1prv1pHpKAHtdjdL8MewhJlO77J~iVK~075iIXFJxz-s55epInirKvF9ZHs-qKcxDakOttICyGW1r38GZMXAhHWU4OfvF0H8ikfgTFb1LaiOb5ZNxtIesci4sxClb2eNbVLQ06ooadndufmVcnSoYhYDulO~wZJVToyUuHIT~NsV1fvydNSBvbeMsLK5RrVdVhEpE4sP1n4uUJd~MbbMJSapM0WejnK4ZQDpQLWe8O0btHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At Monday’s meeting of the Austin Public School District board, multiple teachers, counselors and parents described a wave of involuntary transfers, declining staff morale and recent resignations that they say are harming students and the district’s ability to retain experienced educators.

Rachel Stange, a science teacher at Banfield Elementary, said she resigned this spring after repeated classroom behavior problems and what she described as a lack of administrative support. “With the loving support of my husband, we decided for the mental health of my family that I must resign,” Stange told the board during public comment. She described rising disciplinary referrals and limited follow-up from building leadership.

Several other speakers gave similar accounts. A letter from counselor Kendra Oshkis — read into the record by her husband — said she was leaving because “my contributions to my school or the district are not respected or valued” and called the district environment “toxic and demeaning.” Lynn Heaton, a high-school counselor who said she was involuntarily transferred last year, told the board the transfers have created “a culture of fear, chaos [and] lack of consistency” and that many student-support professionals have left the district.

Parents and other community members recounted related concerns. Kyle Nelson, a parent, said Banfield has had multiple different classroom teachers for the same child over recent years and urged the board to improve leadership and mentorship so veteran teachers stay. Ellen Bay, a parent and certified public accountant, presented district data she said shows declining proficiency at Banfield and said open-enrollment rates from Austin to neighboring districts are high relative to state averages.

Speakers asked the board to respond on several fronts: 1) review involuntary-transfer practices and contract language authorizing unilateral assignment changes; 2) pursue measures to retain experienced staff; and 3) open formal board-level review of leadership decisions and staff morale. Parent and community member Isaac Blake requested that the board add three specific items to future working sessions: leadership issues at the building level, involuntary transfers, and teacher morale and retention.

Board member Dan Zilke, speaking earlier in the meeting during his board report, had raised the involuntary transfer issue and urged both sides in upcoming contract negotiations to “seek a compromise on the rights of assignment” while stressing that he would not personally involve himself in bargaining. Zilke said existing transfer language in the teachers’ contract — negotiated years earlier — is perceived by many as arbitrary.

No formal action, vote or policy change on transfers or personnel rules occurred at the meeting. Several speakers asked the board to schedule and participate in deeper, agendaed discussions to examine transfer language and district leadership decisions.

The board moved on to other agenda items after public comment, then entered a closed session for negotiations updates.

Ending: The comments join a string of recent resignations and complaints from staff and parents and mark a sustained public call for the board to review personnel assignment practices and building-level leadership. Several speakers asked the board to visit schools and to add the requested topics to a future work session for a fuller review.","Teachers, counselors and parents told the Austin Public School District board that involuntary reassignments, low staff morale and unresolved classroom behavior problems have driven veteran staff to resign or seek work elsewhere and urged the board to add specific personnel and morale items to future work sessions.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: board approves energy‑savings project financing, tennis‑court funding, donations and nonrenewal of probationary teachers

Work-based learning and ATP programs expand employer partnerships to build jobs and life skills for students with disabilities

Early-childhood program update: CLC serves 300+ children; district reports waiting list and screening outcomes

District updates board on 'Grow Your Own' teacher pipeline; scholarships and college pathways planned

Teachers, counselors and parents urge board to address involuntary transfers and declining staff morale