Brandon Valley superintendent highlights strong proficiency, high graduation rates and planned facilities work

Superintendent Larson told the Brandon Valley School District 49-2 board that the district’s 2025 assessment results and completion measures show sustained strength while noting areas for continued improvement.

Larson presented school-level School Performance Index scores and districtwide proficiency trends. He reported 2025 SPI scores including Brandon Elementary (85), Fred Assam Elementary (95), Inspiration Elementary (85), Robert Bennett Elementary (76), Brandon Valley Intermediate (75), BV Middle School (70) and Brandon Valley High School (86). He said district proficiency rates run roughly 20–24 percentage points higher than state averages, citing districtwide ELA proficiency near 71–73%, math 64–67% and science 60–63% (grades 3–11)."Proficiency is determined on the Smarter Balanced Assessment," Larson said, explaining the state sets cut scores for levels 3 and 4.

Larson also highlighted graduation outcomes, reporting an on‑time graduation rate of 97% and high‑school completion of 99%, compared with state averages he cited of 86% and 91%, respectively. He framed the SPI and other metrics as one piece of the district’s focus on student learning and continuous improvement.

On facilities, Larson reviewed enrollment and capacity figures, said the district holds property for a West Side elementary to relieve Fred Assam and Inspiration elementaries, and previewed a future bond to address Brandon Valley Intermediate School needs. He confirmed two current construction projects are under way (an elementary project identified in the presentation and a middle‑school classroom addition) and said both are expected to open in 2026. Larson said the middle‑school addition will increase capacity from about 900 to roughly 1,200 and that the addition was designed to allow future extension if needed.

Larson credited the district’s debt-management strategy and use of capital outlay certificates for allowing those projects to proceed without increasing the tax rate. He summarized the state-of-schools address in four points: “excellent student achievement,” competitive teacher pay (stated as the highest average teacher salary in the state), a favorable tax rate in the metro area, and robust extracurricular opportunities.

Board members asked clarifying questions on assessment definitions, capacity and enrollment projections for 2026–27. Larson said the district’s enrollment projection for 2025–26 met expectations and estimated growth for 2026–27 in the range of roughly 50–80 students while staff continue to refine projections. On tracking graduates, district staff said they receive surface‑level data on destinations and some first‑year outcomes for students who attend state institutions and that the district can compile and provide summary information, though detailed longitudinal outcomes are limited.

Next steps noted by Larson include presenting an initial draft of the 2026–27 academic calendar in January with approval expected at the board’s second January meeting and continuing five‑year facility and budget planning.