Paynesville schools present FY27–29 achievement and integration plan focused on reading, equity and teacher support

Cassie Akerson, elementary school principal, presented the Paynesville Public School District’s draft achievement and integration plan for fiscal years 2027–29 and said the district will submit it to the Minnesota Department of Education for review.

The plan sets three goals: closing achievement disparity, expanding integration opportunities across neighboring districts, and improving teacher equity and access to highly effective educators. "We want to close that gap by 1% year after year," Akerson said, describing a target of roughly a 3% reduction in the reading achievement gap by 2029.

Why it matters: the plan responds to persistent fluency and comprehension gaps the district tracks between students qualifying for free or reduced-price meals and other students. The document names family engagement and reading interventions (including personal learning plans and targeted MTSS supports) as primary strategies, and proposes literacy nights and stronger parent–teacher conference participation to connect school and home efforts.

The district also described integration work with six neighboring districts in a Lake Wobegon collaborative to broaden student experiences beyond Paynesville and to streamline duplicative programs across partners. The presentation said Rachel (surname not given in the transcript) will sign the plan before submission to MDE.

District officials framed the plan as an extension of prior goals with measurable indicators to track progress. Staff said professional-development efforts will aim for 100% participation among certified staff in cultural-awareness and trauma-informed training, to help teachers respond to varied student needs.

Next steps: staff will finalize the plan, secure the required signature, and submit it to MDE for review and approval.