The Cannon Falls Area Schools board finalized Superintendent Jeff's year-end evaluation and on a subsequent vote approved three goals for the 2025-26 school year: increase district communication and presence; develop an early learning and child-care expansion plan; and continue responsible fiscal stewardship.
The board's evaluation emphasized staff retention and experience as indicators of stability. The presenter said the district's teacher seniority distribution at the end of fiscal year 2025 included five teachers with 30-plus years, eight with 25–29 years, nine with 20–24 years, eight with 15–19 years, 14 with 10–14 years, 17 with 5–9 years and 19 with 1–4 years, producing an average teacher seniority of just above 13 years. "The board feels these numbers speak for themselves," the board member summarized.
Why it matters: The board framed the evaluation around recruitment and retention during ongoing fiscal pressures. The district has made staffing adjustments to balance budget constraints while seeking to maintain staff experience, the presenter said.
Board comments highlighted facility access as a priority: the presenter credited the superintendent with increasing community access through expanded FOB access and a facility scheduler app. The presenter also noted the superintendent's external advocacy on school funding, attendance at legislative seminars and ongoing communication with state representatives.
Action and next steps: The board moved to adopt three formal goals for the superintendent for 2025-26: (1) promote the district through communication and presence among staff, students and community and include building access and event-scheduler items; (2) develop a plan to monitor community needs and expand early learning and child care; and (3) continue responsible stewardship of the budget. The motion to approve the goals passed.
The board also requested the superintendent increase his regular presence in the elementary school; the presenter said the superintendent has been working at the elementary at least one day a week. The board signed the evaluation form before closing the agenda item.
Less critical details: The board said it had reviewed the superintendent's midyear evaluation and that "nothing's really changed" in its broad assessment; the vote to approve the goals was procedural and carried without further amendment.