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ISD 728 opens year with rising enrollment, new leaders, policy and program updates
Summary
Superintendent and cabinet reported opening enrollment at 14,582 (up 262 from last year), introduced new district leaders, summarized HR onboarding and upcoming state labor changes, described construction and facilities projects completed over the summer, and previewed curriculum pilots and college-admission supports.
Superintendent Olmos and members of the executive cabinet told the ISD 728 school board on Sept. 8 that the district opened the 2025–26 school year with 14,582 students, an increase of 262 from the prior year, and outlined staff, facilities and instructional updates for the year.
Olmos said most of the growth is occurring in the southern part of the district — Rogers and Otsego — and noted the district had a positive launch to the school year. "We opened our doors with 14,582 students," Olmos said. He asked the board to review the annual calendar of board topics and noted the district will present levy materials and other items in September and October.
Cabinet introductions and HR: The board heard introductions of new leaders joining district leadership, including Carrie Rock (special education coordinator), Adrienne Lewis (special education coordinator), Tony Alberts (principal at Hasson Elementary) and Michelle Carroll (director of human resources). Michelle Carroll and HR staff reported onboarding 90 new or replacement teachers and dozens of nonlicensed staff over the summer, and said the district had fewer than 20 nonlicensed openings across roughly 1,400 positions and 7.66 teacher FTEs unfilled at opening.
HR legislative changes: The HR presentation flagged two state law changes effective Jan. 1, 2026: the Paid Family Medical Leave program, a state-administered partial-wage replacement program, and amendments to meal and rest break requirements that mandate 15-minute paid breaks for every four consecutive hours and a 30-minute unpaid meal break for employees working six or more consecutive hours (applies to nonexempt staff). HR staff said both will add administrative work and potential penalties for noncompliance.
Facilities and operations: Business services reported multiple summer projects completed or near completion: Phase 2 technology and sound upgrades in the Elk River High School auditorium, replacement of three of four chillers, repurposing spaces at Rogers Middle School to create classrooms, a major two-summer remodel at Rogers Elementary, stadium and field work at Zimmerman Middle High School, window and entry work at Vandenberg Middle School and Lincoln Elementary, and a new playground and site work at Meadowvale Elementary. Food service and transportation statistics were also provided: the district serves about 3,000 breakfasts and more than 10,000 lunches daily across 17 kitchens, and schedules transportation options for 15,880 eligible students while routing more than 10,000.
Instructional programs: Educational services reported the launch of center-based special education programming and continued implementation of the Read Act supports and functional phonics materials. The district is piloting new math materials at multiple grade levels and participating in the state's Direct Admissions pilot, which allows seniors to apply for free to up to 55 state postsecondary options. Assistant Superintendent Dr. Rock reported improved Advanced Placement performance: pass rates (scores of 3 or better) rose from 67% in 2022 to 76% for the most recent cohort.
Why it matters: The combination of enrollment growth concentrated in the south, completed facility projects, workforce onboarding and pending state labor changes frames near-term operational priorities for ISD 728 as it finalizes the levy and plans budget and staffing for the year.
