Orono board accepts high school registration guide that responds to recent state graduation changes

The Orono Public School District Board of Education on Jan. 20 accepted Orono High School’s 2025–26 registration guide after a presentation by Orono High School Principal Dr. Amy Steiner.

Dr. Amy Steiner told the board the guide reflects recent legislative and Minnesota Department of Education changes that move a civics requirement to junior or senior year, add an earth science graduation requirement, and require students in the class of 2028 and later to complete a personal finance course. "The legislative shifts have been pretty prescriptive," Steiner said, adding the school has aimed to preserve student choice and multiple pathways while meeting the new requirements.

The changes matter to students and families because they alter when and which courses students must schedule. The board approved the guide by voice vote after discussion and a motion to accept.

Steiner outlined how the high school adjusted course offerings this year and proposed additions for next year to accommodate the requirements and expand student options. For freshmen who would have previously taken a government course, the school instead requires human geography; students may take either a one-semester on-level human geography course or a full-year AP Human Geography course. Enrollment this year was about 130 freshmen in the on-level human geography course and about 106 taking AP Human Geography.

Steiner also described new and revised electives and academic options: a one-semester physical education course called NetGames (46 student enrollments across fall and spring sections), a new drone technology course (22 students enrolled), and a newly offered AP Studio Art course (six students this year). Overall, Steiner said roughly 307 students took at least one new course this year; excluding the required human geography, about 71 students took other new offerings.

Regarding the new personal finance requirement, Steiner said the state provided only limited prescription of topics. "A lot of latitude" remains in course content, she said, noting local curriculum designers examined models from other states and covered topics such as insurance, taxes and post‑high‑school planning. She added that the district did not receive extra funding tied to the new requirement.

Board members asked how online options are chosen and whether summer offerings or partnerships (for example, with Hennepin Technical College for career‑and‑technical programs) could help students fit required courses without losing electives. Steiner said online offerings are determined by teacher capacity and student interest; the district has explored summer and cross‑district options but is still working through logistics.

The board discussed scheduling tradeoffs—board members and parents noted required courses can limit elective choices for students who already pursue rigorous academic or extracurricular schedules. Steiner said many students use study halls or summer courses to create flexibility, and the district continues to examine options to preserve choice.

Votes at a glance: The board approved the consent agenda (routine minutes, personnel recommendations, acceptance of donations totaling $21,111.87, and treasurer and voucher items) by voice vote; approved the 2024–25 board meeting dates; and approved acceptance of the Orono High School registration guide. The motion to accept the registration guide was moved and seconded and passed by voice vote; specific roll‑call tallies were not provided in the meeting transcript.

The board also announced the next regular meeting will be Feb. 10, 2025, and adjourned into a work session with Wold for a facilities workshop.

The registration guide presentation and the board’s acceptance close a local step in implementing state graduation changes; curriculum adjustments and scheduling logistics remain subject to further implementation details by school staff.