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ISD622 says ANI funding supports equity work; district reports hiring 21 Filipino teachers but flags visa uncertainty
Summary
The district reported progress under its Achievement and Integration (ANI) funding — about $2.9 million on a three‑year cycle — including programs aimed at reducing proficiency gaps, building restorative practices and hiring international teachers; board members raised retention concerns amid proposed federal H‑1B fee changes.
The ISD622 equity director presented the district’s annual Achievement and Integration (ANI) report on Nov. 18, describing three principal goals supported by roughly $2.9 million in ANI funding: reduce proficiency gaps, increase racially diverse staff and improve student belonging.
"We receive about $2,900,000 every year or on a 3 year cycle," the equity presenter said, summarizing how funds are used for middle‑ and high‑school pathways, AVID expansion and Freedom Schools to reduce summer learning loss.
The presentation reported mixed academic progress. The director said the district increased access to AVID and other supports, served hundreds of students in targeted programs and expanded partnerships (for example, multiple collaborations with Mahtomedi and American Indian education programming). The reported goal to increase the percentage of racially diverse staff (from 18% in 2023 to a target of 23% by 2026) showed progress to 21% in 2024–25.
Board members asked about the district’s international‑teacher cohorts and retention. The presenter said the district has hired cohorts of teachers from the Philippines (reported total: 21 Filipino teachers) to address shortages, particularly in special education, and noted a partnership with the Filipino Center of Minnesota to support pathways to longer‑term residency. Board members and staff expressed concern about a proposed federal rule discussed in other forums that would require a high H‑1B fee (reported in the meeting as $100,000) and could make continued hiring under that visa route cost‑prohibitive.
District leaders said they are meeting with partners and legal advisors to explore pathways to permanent residency for current hires and to monitor federal rule changes that might affect future cohorts.
The board received the ANI report and discussed next steps for application renewal (district staff said they will reapply in March 2026 for the next funding cycle).
