Parents, staff press MAPS board over focus‑school plan as district reports 127 lottery applicants

MANKATO — Mankato Area Public Schools officials told the school board on Thursday that 127 students have applied in a district lottery for three new elementary “focus schools,” while parents and staff at Bridges Elementary urged leaders not to expand class sizes or override site council bylaws.

At a presentation on the district’s focus‑school rollout, Travis Olson, director of teaching and learning, and Tabitha Miller, the district’s principal on special assignment for the project, outlined enrollment, transportation and curriculum planning that officials said is intended to keep core instruction intact while adding themed experiences at Bridges, Jefferson and Rosa Parks elementary schools.

"We have 127 students who have now chosen to enroll or participate in our lottery application," Olson said. "We are excited for the opportunity and options that we're gonna be able to provide." Miller said more than half of those applicants — 66 — are incoming kindergarten families.

Parents who spoke during the meeting’s public‑comment period said the rollout has been too fast and not sufficiently collaborative. Angie Dorn, co‑president of the Bridges Parent Advisory Council, said the district’s plan…