ISD 622 board approves North–Tartan girls swimming and diving co-op

The North St. Paul-Maplewood Oakdale School District Board approved a cooperative girls swimming and diving program between North High School and Tartan High School at a special meeting July 28, 2025.

Assistant Superintendent Andy Beaton told the board the proposal responds to low participation and staffing changes. “We feel like just the strength of the program and being able to have a competitive program, pushes us to, propose this coop in girls' swimming,” Beaton said.

Board members and staff discussed the district’s preference for separate teams when possible, and the role of the district’s activities oversight committee in tracking participation and recommending options. Beaton said the committee will review participation each trimester and that the Minnesota State High School League’s (MSHSL) 30-day application guideline for co-op approvals affects timing: teams must generally apply at least 30 days before a season starts to avoid scheduling and planning problems. The board and staff emphasized that co-ops are not being made primarily for financial reasons but to preserve students’ opportunities to compete.

The motion to approve the coop was moved by Director Katie Swar and seconded by Director Julia Martins; the board approved the resolution by voice vote.

The board’s discussion also noted ongoing outreach to concerned parents. Beaton said district staff, and activities directors at both schools, had contacted families and the high school league before bringing the resolution to the board. Specific student counts by grade were discussed in the meeting but not recorded in the board materials presented at the meeting.