[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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",6263791,"mediaKeyId","3100642-ad492a3502b38ed13bc7e09507e86075","parentId",3100642,"title","District adopts StudySync for secondary ELA, expands K–5 Benchmark implementation; LETRS training underway","audioSeconds",1764,"startMs",1290000,"endMs",3054000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3100642-ad492a3502b38ed13bc7e09507e86075&start=1290&end=3054","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3100642-ad492a3502b38ed13bc7e09507e86075/thumbnail_1290000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6263791/Minnesota/District-adopts-StudySync-for-secondary-ELA-expands-K5-Benchmark-implementation-LETRS-training-underway","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6263791-1cdcdcd3cda333d672add581250d7dd9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771028875&Signature=FqBXFcn0lerTE0bHM0iI~tnS1tgn03SMll5BHQH7a2TyesFOsOqr2q4x0ccFLV7obC6ItIWtM-fdsvzR0FkS3a3OThZ6434GgS--1AlHUqXfG9Myy5RnPT~C9qpCQ9IfvHixgJI-WoKoLXo3z-S-90b1PCtuv29sfBM93SGrNPVN561mwoP1poaAJgqyvAXh0EFsgD8ekF4z1MzU1UAScTraGdh2Y1mSTN28sp7NlPbUGeoUV8UKJ8yPZUP3trIvmGXf9Zf4-gZAncOCgcAumxV-8F2vWmpKExWXaHK1sVk0Ii1-C2rD~LCGbrdpZDbXJIsfuTFjtUPknvGRaG~k7w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Richfield Public School District","date","2025-04-23T22:21:54.717Z","article","Alex Ward, director of secondary education, and Rachel Jones, director of elementary education, briefed the Richfield Public Schools board on April 21 about curriculum selections, professional development and instructional monitoring for the 2024–25 and 2025–26 school years.

Ward told the board that both Richfield Middle School (RMS) and Richfield High School (RHS) plan to adopt McGraw Hill StudySync as the district’s core ELA materials for grades 6–12. “Moving forward, both RMS and RHS would like to use McGraw Hill StudySync materials,” Ward said, citing alignment to the Minnesota English Language Arts standards, EdReports evaluations and the curriculum’s pedagogical framework that supports vertical and horizontal alignment across grades.

At the elementary level, Rachel Jones said the district implemented Benchmark Advance and Benchmark Adelante in kindergarten through fifth grade after a pilot. The elementary team supplemented the materials with culturally responsive interactive read‑aloud texts vetted by the district’s Indigenous Parent Advisory Committee and the Richfield Latino Family Association.

Jones reported progress on the district’s LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) professional development rollout. “About 78 percent of our phase 1 staff have either completed or are on track to complete volume 1,” she said; she added that 86 percent of phase 1 staff have completed or will complete the in‑person volume 2 training this school year. District staff said a smaller phase 2 cohort (grades 6–12 teachers responsible for reading instruction and multilingual teacher specialists) will await guidance from the Minnesota Department of Education and may begin training in 2026.

Ward described the 6–12 ELA selection process: secondary teachers built evaluation rubrics, reviewed EdReports analyses, field‑tested demo accounts and chose StudySync because the materials align with the science of reading, include elements for writing, listening and speaking, and allow teacher choice — the district expects to use StudySync for roughly 70 percent of core materials and retain 30 percent teacher‑created or supplementary texts to add culturally relevant content.

The team outlined implementation supports: training in June or August, summer curriculum writing sessions to align StudySync to district rubrics and grading policies, and targeted supplemental purchases for vocabulary, grammar and comprehension supports.

Staff also updated the board on social studies curriculum review (elementary work to begin in 2025–26; secondary review already underway) and shared findings from district learning walks. Key instructional priorities for next year include improved instructional clarity, systematic multi‑sensory phonics at the elementary level, expanded vocabulary and oral language instruction, and at the secondary level stronger formative assessment practices, academic discussion and increased attention to social‑emotional learning and positive behavior recognition.

Board members asked about long‑form texts in secondary courses, print vs digital access to novels, and whether StudySync provides adequate vocabulary and foundational supports; staff responded that StudySync includes those elements but the district will supplement where necessary to address diverse student needs.

No formal board action was taken on the curriculum presentation; policy and adoption motions appear elsewhere on the agenda for subsequent consideration.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Richfield School Board Meeting: April 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","District directors told the Richfield Public Schools board the district will adopt McGraw Hill StudySync for core 6–12 English language arts, has implemented Benchmark Advance/Adelante in K–5, and is progressing through LETRS professional development and a social studies review.","taxTitle","RICHFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT, School Boards, Minnesota","taxId",58078,"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},6263796,"Board approves easements for Seventieth Street, 70 Third Street Safe Routes projects",4030,373000,4403000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3100642-ad492a3502b38ed13bc7e09507e86075&start=373&end=4403","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3100642-ad492a3502b38ed13bc7e09507e86075/thumbnail_373000.jpg","/articles/6263796/Minnesota/Board-approves-easements-for-Seventieth-Street-70-Third-Street-Safe-Routes-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6263796-d375c55bf91c3a4280653eb60aebc70e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771028875&Signature=NC9~K2I8duY3BBq0mXzqo~-6mYUZ4dWYUGBAeeCvc-NFlp1a7Bsd64PZqPkHkSPNuzkE5eUupE~4SrL-mQWZmIBaI4h9BRPds8JeKNNJHAR7KuICCVIJyop8jcrt0By00Bq55XBG~pqtCun-kPQ0CgSN3q8IREspFvUPXa6anem8P9bigNJEqznqnf4TJxpOvsFLDzwLZnshr0gPOiFVaNxYXDL~ROypcL3CSjPcZgaAyi2c~mrJTqWCpvyy-HjCyvx4lZVZAdTUi7oeQ0M74W0Zcvm1Wgz-ZhsUcXdHELYSPJ0IV4CasLN-C0MZ-XL0zjcqoWMyPV02pySLVQAIqw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Richfield Public Schools board on April 21 authorized permanent sidewalk/trail, drainage and utility easements and a temporary construction easement to the city of Richfield to allow Safe Routes to Schools infrastructure work near the STEM and RDLS campuses on Seventieth Street and along 70 Third Street adjacent to Centennial School.

Board Chair Eric Carter said the items would return for execution after the board’s authorization; then the board voted to approve the easement instrument.

Craig Holge, chief human resources administrative officer for Richfield Public Schools, told the board the easement instrument was drafted by the city’s counsel and reviewed by the district attorney. He said the project is funded by a federal grant that requires the city to offer $20,000 in compensation for the easement rights; the district’s administration recommended accepting the easement while declining long‑term maintenance responsibility. “We don’t think that that’s necessary. And we would prefer not to have responsibility for maintaining that, those, that equipment or those easement, requirements there,” Holge said.

Joe Powers, the city engineer with the city of Richfield, and Jake Whipple, the city civil engineer and project manager, described the work: Seventieth Street will include a separated cycle track and sidewalk, north-side bike lane and corridor bump‑outs to shorten crossing distances in front of STEM and RDLS. The 70 Third Street plan for Centennial includes a multimodal trail (with sidewalk), raised crosswalks and new crossings at Cedar Avenue, Sixteenth Avenue and Bloomington Avenue to connect to the regional trail on Cedar.

Powers said the raised crosswalks planned on the 70 Third Street corridor will be the first in Richfield and have been shown elsewhere to reduce speeds by about 10 miles per hour. He said both projects have been on planning lists for more than a decade and were developed with public engagement: the city held four open houses over the past 12–18 months and staff observed demonstration projects and conducted surveys to shape the permanent designs.

District and city staff said construction is planned for the summer months after school ends and to be completed before the next school year begins to avoid disrupting normal school operations. The city warned of temporary closures and impacts to some resident driveways and said it will coordinate directly with affected households and school staff.

During board Q&A, members asked about traffic calming evidence, how the designs will affect pickup and drop‑off logistics, and maintenance/plow access. City staff said the geometrics (bump‑outs and narrower lane sections) are among the most effective infrastructure measures to reduce vehicle speeds and that raised crosswalks are flat enough for snow plows to pass over.

The board motion to approve the permanent sidewalk/trail easement, permanent drainage/utility easement and temporary construction easement was moved by Director Paulson and seconded by Director Liss; the board voted in favor and the chair cast the affirmative vote.

The city will finalize the instrument and coordinate execution with the district; staff also noted a separate title correction is needed because Centennial School property records remain under the older ISD 12 title and must be updated to the district’s current title.","The Richfield Public Schools board on April 21 authorized permanent and temporary easements to the city of Richfield allowing Safe Routes to Schools improvements on Seventieth Street (near STEM and RDLS) and 70 Third Street (adjacent to Centennial School).",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6263786,"Votes at a glance: Richfield School Board approves easement, several collective bargaining agreements and personnel resolution; tabling on curriculum policy",0,294000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3100642-ad492a3502b38ed13bc7e09507e86075&start=294&end=294","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3100642-ad492a3502b38ed13bc7e09507e86075/thumbnail_294000.jpg","/articles/6263786/Minnesota/Votes-at-a-glance-Richfield-School-Board-approves-easement-several-collective-bargaining-agreements-and-personnel-resolution-tabling-on-curriculum-policy","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6263786-4460f967a9549e3dda194c5316415bff/orig.mp4?Expires=1771028875&Signature=jACpiG-lfe~3jb-v8SUyQIaTR2mgv~dRhg94PUQ4TsMzp2rfQoYjP1TOFyWLbjmEzZKfzEhDxu6d3WKEyh7efZRVrnyf3w8Vfycox9J3cSV21bLJZAi4E2R7MaozmUPITXn6h7JnwOhsfivspSRZ8USvUatvFjZcxI7r-vZdL6I~8M4qADfj1gHapCoRFT9gNTjphHNCAUbqunRTSEU6BwAJZGGvYQ6rXsMI3OS6voOL9yNxxtIEChOa7RK3U7sZKAcP67uWHsi3XrX9S35DUTn3fB-tsput20MRQ1YMZsARrOO0sYquWFn3ql1j8nQuGVb1TEFHfTMpkVfpgaDsMw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Richfield Public Schools board recorded the following formal actions at its April 21, 2025 regular meeting. Where available the mover/second and vote outcome are recorded as stated on the record.

Votes at a glance

- Agenda approval: Motion moved by Director Spencer and seconded by Director Liss; verbal unanimous approval.

- Consent agenda: Motion by Director Paulson, second by Director Spencer; verbal unanimous approval.

- Board Policy 6.10 (selection and reevaluation of instructional resources) and administrative guideline 6.10.1: Motion to approve by Director Spencer; second by Director Liss; board approved the policy and guideline.

- Board Policy 6.12 (curriculum development and administrative guideline 6.12.1): Board discussion raised a late question about explicit language on evidence‑based/research‑supported curricula. Director Spencer moved to pass; after discussion the mover and the second withdrew and the board tabled the policy for further review at the next meeting. No final vote.

- Permanent sidewalk/trail easement, permanent drainage/utility easement and temporary construction easement (Safe Routes to Schools projects): Motion to approve moved by Director Paulson, seconded by Director Liss; board voted in favor and the chair cast the affirmative vote (approved).

- Resolution proposing to discontinue the teaching contract and place teacher on unrequested leave of absence (ULA): Motion moved by Director Paulus and seconded; board conducted a roll‑call style affirmation (Directors Banks Kapto, Dulles, Spencer, Paulus and Chair voted “aye” on the resolution); resolution approved.

- Collective bargaining agreements (tentative agreements ratified by membership and presented to the board for approval):
• Paraprofessionals collective bargaining agreement, 07/01/2024–06/30/2026: Motion to approve moved by Director Paulson, second by Director Spencer; board approved.
• Food & Nutrition Services collective bargaining agreement, 07/01/2024–06/30/2026: Motion to approve moved by Director Lisonbee, second by Director Paulus; board approved.
• Administrative & Management Support Professionals collective bargaining agreement, 07/01/2024–06/30/2026: Motion to approve moved by Director Paulson, second by Director Spencer; board approved.

The agreements include multi‑year wage increases, market adjustments, increased family health insurance contributions, a longevity step at year 5, Juneteenth as a paid holiday for some 12‑month staff, and summer incentive stipends for certain positions; the agreements also align service credit/step increases to a July 1 schedule and add or clarify grievance/discipline language as noted in the packet.

- Donations: The board accepted multiple donations to schools and programs, including donations to the RHS scholarship fund, RHS art department (3D printer), athletics teams, Sheridan Hills field trip support and a $4,000 Community Foundation gift to early childhood family education. Motion to accept donations “with gratitude” moved by Director Liss and seconded; board approved.

- Motion to enter closed session under Minnesota Statute 13D.03 for labor negotiation strategy: Motion moved by Director Spencer and seconded by Director Liss; board approved and entered closed session.

Several other items were discussed (curriculum presentations, enrollment policy updates, policy first reads and administrative items) that did not require immediate board votes or that will return for future board action.

A number of motions were approved by voice vote with unanimous verbal “ayes” recorded; the district recorded roll‑call confirmation for the teacher ULA resolution.","At its April 21 meeting the Richfield Public Schools board approved the Safe Routes easement authorization, ratified collective bargaining agreements with three employee groups, approved a resolution placing a teacher on unrequested leave of absence and accepted donations. The board tabled a curriculum policy (6.12) for further review.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

District adopts StudySync for secondary ELA, expands K–5 Benchmark implementation; LETRS training underway

Board approves easements for Seventieth Street, 70 Third Street Safe Routes projects

Votes at a glance: Richfield School Board approves easement, several collective bargaining agreements and personnel resolution; tabling on curriculum policy