Principals highlight student mental‑health needs and request elementary counselor; district cites student‑survey findings

During the principals’ and superintendent’s reports, district leaders highlighted student social‑emotional needs identified in the 2022 Minnesota Student Survey and said those findings will help shape the district’s new strategic plan and supports.

Superintendent Clint summarized the survey results as part of a broader report on district priorities and community partnerships. A principal asked the board to seriously consider creating an elementary school‑counselor position to address rising social‑emotional and mental‑health needs among younger students. "The implementation of a school counselor is not just an addition to our staff, it's an investment in the future of our students," the principal said, urging the board to consider adding a dedicated counselor at the elementary level.

Principals also reported operational items: rollout of new assessments (NWEA MAP and DIBELS), ALICE and bus‑safety training, strong homecoming participation, and positive early feedback on a stricter cell‑phone policy that has reduced in‑class infractions. Administrators said they will provide a data dive on MCA results in October and that ongoing training (including LETRS-related work and MOUs for funding) will support instruction and new‑staff onboarding.

Next steps: administrators will circulate the student‑survey report and present MCA data and recommendations in October; the board will review staffing needs, including the counselor request, as part of the budget and negotiations process.