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Tri‑City United details community education expansions, mentor program and free dental screenings
Summary
At a school board meeting, community education staff described new program launches and state reporting steps after recent changes to adults-with-disabilities levy eligibility, outlined a mentor program that has already screened 17 potential high‑school mentors, and announced a no‑cost dental screening schedule for low‑income students in May.
At a Tri‑City United School District board meeting, community education staff provided updates on expanded services, including new access to state adults‑with‑disabilities levy dollars, a high‑school mentor program and a free dental screening program scheduled across district sites in May.
The district’s community education representative (identified in the meeting as Lane) said the state now allows community education programs of the district’s size to receive adults‑with‑disabilities levy dollars that were previously reserved for the largest districts. One of the state requirements for receiving those funds is completion of a community needs assessment and a “statement of assurance” to include in the district’s November community education report, Lane said. The district surveyed more than 60 stakeholders and received responses from about 14–15 organizations and individuals; staff said the results will inform program planning and the later statement of assurance once the state clarifies its format.
Lane described progress on a mentor program modeled on Big Brothers Big Sisters. The district has been interviewing interested high‑school mentors: Lane said 17 students signed up at an informational meeting and were interviewed the same day. Counselors Gretchen Lilly and Rachel Underberg were named as co‑leads; the plan is to obtain parental consent, match mentors with younger students at Montgomery and begin a small number of matches before the school year ends, with program expansion next fall. Montgomery Community Foundation provided a $500 startup donation to buy games and supplies for mentor meetings, Lane said.
Community education staff also reported fundraising of about $5,100 for a TCU La Center “fax room” (district term), of which $500 is earmarked to mark and recognize sponsors; remaining funds will buy equipment and supplies for planned classes. Staff said orders will be placed in the coming weeks and the room will host new QMedia classes listed in the district catalog.
The board heard details of a visiting dental program (referred to in the meeting as “Let Smile” from Watanah/Watonah) aligned with Minnesota Child and Teen Dental Checkup Standards. Staff said the program will provide screenings and preventive services such as sealants (not restorative care) and will visit district sites in May in a three‑day schedule: a Lonsdale visit, May 13 in Montgomery and May 14 at the center. Lane said the program serves low‑income students and those on state insurance and carries no cost for families; parents must sign consent forms and staff will manage scheduling and student flow during visits.
Le Sueur County‑led “community resiliency conversations” were announced: the county will host a family well‑being event on April 8 and community resiliency conversations on April 29 at the Montgomery choir room, and the county is exploring a local office or family resource center. Tri‑City United will provide facility space and free childcare for those events, and will staff childcare for ages 1–11 with county workers on site.
Committee and advisory updates included a note from the community education advisory council: staff completed the adults‑with‑disabilities needs assessment and adopted the advisory council requirement; the district will adopt a statement of assurance once the state issues guidance. Lane also told the board that driver’s‑education permit testing is moving to an online system July 1 and the district will proctor the written permit exam locally for eligible students.
Board members asked about eligibility and outreach; Lane said eligible students will be identified via school buildings and qualification details will be included in promotional materials. Staff emphasized logistics — consent collection, dedicated space for the dental visits and the need to “shuffle” students on clinic days — and said program growth will depend on uptake after the initial visits.
The district did not take any vote on program approval during the meeting; staff described next steps as completing the state required statement of assurance, processing consent forms, scheduling visits and launching initial mentor matches.
