[{"_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",6528428,"mediaKeyId","3396102-734d3e512b870e163ca16e7451e20e11","parentId",3396102,"title","Alexandria district childcare Sewing Roots says it helped staff keep working","audioSeconds",1146,"startMs",805000,"endMs",1951000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3396102-734d3e512b870e163ca16e7451e20e11&start=805&end=1951","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3396102-734d3e512b870e163ca16e7451e20e11/thumbnail_805000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6528428/Minnesota/Alexandria-district-childcare-Sewing-Roots-says-it-helped-staff-keep-working","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6528428-a334e056a535a4e170402faf80c56f77/orig.mp4?Expires=1771147394&Signature=gy5cbK42Ff2PDUVySEFErYhXO6foCpkPwXnAYXCRrOmhO0a8UXF6YQ2LubIhRpy4f3Yr8qluDQb39ipIpHrEazm-wQf-gzo5hiL8lHgfF9gvrL4Dr6IXzlRcthhH48H-8lffdnZi1OJnoQ7~1~leCrNrMn8fcjSANrnzu3T7qsTGPDIUQJ54-6gyCscAcuC7oyh~21oWE5diQhxDsHVR2ZPnVUr-HZLfjmvdfDW9iBt5oAJGyRRp1F07PRbZECzezrIwjXRayLxrOug6iT8u4YdoSb~THw0wQhZMox9d39iFG6bp773A16Ec4aqrA5f2T4VxiFbnbkXqj2H1lrp6uQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Alexandria Public Schools","date","2025-05-19T00:00:00Z","article","The Alexandria Public School District on Tuesday heard a presentation on Sewing Roots Childcare, an in-house daycare for district employees that opened in September 2023 and operates under Minnesota Department of Human Services licensing inside the Early Education Center.

The program was described by Lynn Jones, director of community education, as a district initiative to address “housing, transportation, and child care” shortages that were affecting recruitment and retention. Jones said staff had noticed employees taking leave or declining jobs because of limited infant and toddler care.

“I am proud of our district and our Board of Education for researching, taking on the challenge, and the initiative to provide an in house childcare setting for our very own Alexandria Public School employees,” Jones said.

Owner and operator Vanessa Solars described the program’s start and key features: DHS licensing, separate sleep and play areas, access to district playgrounds and trails, a private office space where nursing parents can pump or nurse, and a pickup/drop‑off arrangement connecting preschoolers to classroom programs. Solars said she opened Sewing Roots after losing her own daycare spot while on maternity leave and that the program began accepting district families in September 2023.

Parent testimonials to the board emphasized the program’s impact on workforce stability and daily life. Childcare coordinator and parent Caitlin Sander said, “Being able to walk into work each day knowing my kids are cared for and just a floor away is such a relief.” Another staff member who uses the program described the time saved by having a nursing space at work and praised the bonding time it allowed with an infant.

Board members and presenters emphasized that Sewing Roots is small and designed primarily to serve district employees; program capacity, exact enrollment and hours were discussed in general terms but were not specified in the board presentation. Solars described gradual growth after opening—“first week, I did not have any kiddos; second week, I had one; third week, I had two plus my own”—and invited board members to schedule an on-site tour.

Future plans Solars mentioned included small, classroom-oriented projects such as planting a garden box and community activities for families, like an adopt‑a‑highway cleanup (noting age restrictions for participation). Jones and Solars said the program’s location within school facilities gives children access to outdoor play areas and other amenities that independent homes might not provide.

The board acknowledged the program during the meeting and several trustees worked through questions about operations, licensing and how Sewing Roots fits into broader district staffing strategies. No formal board action was required for the presentation itself; Sewing Roots was described as an independent contractor operating in district space under a license and agreement approved earlier in the consent agenda.

The presentation included a short in‑person testimonial and a recorded comment from a district parent, and concluded with Superintendent Rick Sand and board members thanking attendees. Solars noted the program continues to adjust hours and capacity and invited board members to a tour to answer additional questions.

Why it matters: District-run, on-site childcare can reduce a practical barrier to employment for school employees who must find infant and toddler care, and the board heard multiple accounts that the program kept staff employed and reduced long commutes for parents.

For now, district staff described Sewing Roots as one contribution to local childcare capacity; the board’s remarks framed it as a staff‑retention tool rather than a community‑wide childcare expansion.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","May 19, 2025 Regular School Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Alexandria Public School District on Tuesday heard a presentation on Sewing Roots Childcare, an in-house, DHS‑licensed program opened in September 2023 to serve district employees.","taxTitle","ALEXANDRIA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT, School Boards, Minnesota","taxId",60463,"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},6528418,"Votes at a glance: Alexandria school board approves audit contract, final 2024–25 budget and personnel leave",6630,463000,7093000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3396102-734d3e512b870e163ca16e7451e20e11&start=463&end=7093","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3396102-734d3e512b870e163ca16e7451e20e11/thumbnail_463000.jpg","/articles/6528418/Minnesota/Votes-at-a-glance-Alexandria-school-board-approves-audit-contract-final-202425-budget-and-personnel-leave","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6528418-84f118595fa3488ed0f42c01d0d1612b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771147394&Signature=IFA2dxBpx403T8u4wP97phXi8QJqGMJVxcP-zRFNOc3PBfDAFVaPs-r8fKw1FzavztFOhHocLujNg8IGoImm9yWA~qua8zpiUk4NXcniTYDYExcrOxdBl7NT4sXjG3ySdxjqxqAdicdYpRPwFPmvNh6DVQ7fUAEmjtybeZpU8E7vgcsxhttdzoIwpMo-0zI45XgU-k31VMcKKfXJCLIr8W~4TjICeVWzWSxrA1XT6V1bDfYuQoUjKRSNJXLOUo~OY5kYMaDh3yBJ69fGuV9rImzKclHFLAKQTiej4UKBnPsuucdTahnPT5ywcnxnkR6RJjyI4t-F7S6q0fN1ed2STA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its May 20 meeting the Alexandria Public School District board took several formal actions summarized below. Where the transcript did not record detailed roll‑call tallies, the board approved each item by voice vote.

Consent agenda: The board approved the consent agenda, which included minutes from April, payment of bills for April 2025, monthly financial reports for April 2025, personnel recommendations, donation and grant acceptances (detailed donations for HOSA, DECA and others were listed in the packet), approval of first reading and adoption of district policies, agreements (including a continuing lease with Head Start at Woodland Elementary and an ice rental agreement with the City of Alexandria), adoption of the 25‑26 facility rentals handbook and approval of an American Indian aid application. Motion and second were made from the floor and the board approved by voice vote.

Audit firm selection (formal motion): The board approved a motion to contract with ABDO (Abdo, Eick & Meyers LLP) to perform audits for Alexandria Public Schools and for RAID (the district’s fiscal host), subject to two addenda requested by trustees:
- Request that the RAID fee be reviewed following fiscal year 2025–26 because RAID’s scope and dollar volume will be significantly reduced going forward; and
- Request that the firm include comparative benchmarking data (metrics comparing the district to a set of comparable districts) in an executive summary as part of their reporting, similar to historical executive summaries the board previously received.

The motion was offered from the floor and seconded (second recorded as by Board Member Marie). The board approved the motion by voice vote.

Final 2024–25 budget (formal motion): The board approved the final 2024–25 budget as presented. Administrators explained notable changes from the prior revised budget, chiefly a reduction in expected state special education aid due to a statewide prorate (special education aid was prorated at 95.75% and reduced the district’s expected aid by approximately $945,000). After the change the district projected a fund balance decrease of about $250,000 for 2024–25, leaving an estimated ending general fund balance of $4,955,000 (about 8.1% of annual expenditures). A motion to adopt the final 2024–25 budget was made and seconded; the motion carried by voice vote.

Personnel resolution — unrequested leave of absence (formal motion): The board adopted a resolution to place a continuing contract (tenured) teacher on unrequested leave of absence, completing a required two‑step process. Administrators reported that earlier staff reductions under budget pressures had been narrowed after receiving updated ADM/funding information. The motion was made and seconded and the board approved by voice vote.

Q‑Comp / ECOMP report acceptance (formal motion): The board accepted the district’s AComp (Q‑Comp) oversight report that reviewed core components including career advancement, job‑embedded professional development (PLCs), teacher evaluation and performance alternatives. The board voted to accept the report by motion and voice vote; administrators noted no substantial program changes recommended but described required rubric updates to be submitted to the Minnesota Department of Education by August 31.

Other procedural votes: The board took several other routine procedural votes during the meeting (agenda approval, motions to approve minutes and bills) that were carried by voice vote; the transcript records standard “Aye/Those opposed? Motion carries.” language rather than individual roll‑call tallies.

Why it matters: The audit contract, budget adoption and personnel actions are formal, binding decisions that affect the district’s finances and operations. The audit addenda request signals the board’s interest in benchmarking and cost oversight; the budget adoption reflects the financial impact of a state‑wide special education aid prorate; and the leave action implements a personnel step described by administration.","During the May 20 meeting the Alexandria Public School District board approved the consent agenda, selected ABDO for district and RAID audits with requested addenda, adopted the final 2024–25 budget, accepted the district’s Q‑Comp/EComp report and approved a resolution placing a tenured teacher on unrequested leave of absence.",{"_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},6528423,"Alexandria schools present draft AI guidance, emphasize teacher training and guardrails",2620,3080000,5700000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3396102-734d3e512b870e163ca16e7451e20e11&start=3080&end=5700","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3396102-734d3e512b870e163ca16e7451e20e11/thumbnail_3080000.jpg","/articles/6528423/Minnesota/Alexandria-schools-present-draft-AI-guidance-emphasize-teacher-training-and-guardrails","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6528423-f5b729f61f8de0957b2c27e7d2c541ea/orig.mp4?Expires=1771147394&Signature=jwDY8prBGNOYanObwKCMg9CmzUIiYEuJxebFldzgv1F0EDa-l-JNhWEbVan8jtu~b64MvThOvH4fhJmf3gpDfbXr0-Vhue6TkLCzaYTMOP5VkTb4kho6XWEKNx0ub2l2wTW2edBtfElEjNBFNM1Wt3DNNNxSbaNm~HkdgWVWExAXnUn4dI~3WpLD9xnE4fSnPNT-JnaHjUyNK14pvfHeO7JPxvZdyIQY5FmKEOIlnankcAtjaJ~br1YEWs2Ke5Ctr3HR-E8Dt92aLSAFlkf1wXpIzGe0FczhxfH32aG80LhdtaaOlVMyHjd~fx5QEgUzHGVGN8XSSKFUE2pTKHLUHg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Alexandria Public School District on Tuesday presented a draft guidance document on the responsible use of artificial intelligence in instruction and operations, following a year of work by a cross‑functional AI task force that included teachers, administrators and student representatives.

Kevin Brezina, who led the district’s AI task force, told the board the group met several times from October through February and later solicited staff feedback. “AI won’t replace humans. It's not gonna replace humans. That's not what we're looking to do. But humans using AI may replace humans not using AI,” Brezina said while describing the committee’s approach to guidance and staff support.

Jan Fonazo, a business education teacher at Alexandria Area High School who served on the task force, described classroom opportunities and concerns. She said AI can help with personalization, administrative efficiency, differentiated lesson planning and faster feedback. Fonazo gave an example in which she used an AI tool with guardrails to provide immediate, formative feedback on student writing without rewriting students’ text, which she said improved presentation quality.

At the same time, Fonazo and other task force members flagged several challenges: academic integrity, student privacy, legal uncertainty, potential mental‑health impacts and educator proficiency with the tools. The presentation listed several tools staff are experimenting with, including Google Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT and MagicSchool (education versions), and highlighted the importance of guardrails, attribution and ethical use.

The task force proposed continuous review of the guidance and broader stakeholder engagement; staff training was reported as already delivered to district employees on March 31, and district staff have access to one year of supplementary online training. The district’s goal is to finalize the guidance by the end of the school year so teachers can begin next year with common expectations.

Board members asked about when students should be introduced to generative AI. Task force members said early‑childhood and primary grades will not be heavy users; guidance is focused first on staff and older elementary grades through high school. Several trustees urged caution about introducing AI too early and recommended more outreach to parents; others called for ongoing policy work to address legal and privacy questions.

District leaders said they will continue teacher development, engage parent groups and monitor licensing/costs; Brezina said current widely used tools are available under existing district agreements and that the district will report back if additional licensing costs arise. The presentation closed with a call for continued dialogue and a reminder that guidance will be updated as tools and risks evolve.

Why it matters: Students already use AI tools outside school, and educators are seeking to balance instructional opportunities with concerns about academic integrity, privacy and equity. The district’s guidance and training aim to give teachers guardrails and consistent expectations as student use grows.","A cross‑functional district task force presented draft guidance on responsible artificial intelligence use in classrooms, with staff training already delivered and a plan to finalize guidance by the end of the school year. Trustees questioned grade‑level introductions, privacy and legal risks.","actionData","errors"]

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Alexandria district childcare Sewing Roots says it helped staff keep working

Votes at a glance: Alexandria school board approves audit contract, final 2024–25 budget and personnel leave

Alexandria schools present draft AI guidance, emphasize teacher training and guardrails