Superintendent reports dip in graduation rate, outlines AI policy task force and demographic-study outreach

Superintendent Tim Roe told the Proctor Public School District board on April 13 that the districts on-time graduation rate for the cohort under the new state calculation was 91.8 percent, down from 95 percent the prior year, and he outlined next steps on data coding, an AI policy task force and a demographic study and engagement schedule.

Why it matters: Graduation rates are a key accountability metric; the superintendent said adjustments in how the state calculates the rate affected the districts reported figure and staff are taking steps to ensure accurate reporting. The AI and demographic efforts are part of the districts strategic planning and facilities work.

Roe said the state has changed how it calculates graduation rates and that the district is working with staff to correct reporting codes so students who finish after the traditional year are captured correctly. He told the board, "This last year, 91.8 percent of our students who entered the ninth grade cohort in 2022 graduated on time." He noted the district remains above the state average reported in the packet (84.9 percent) but that small class sizes can meaningfully change percentages.

On operational planning, Roe said the district is assembling a task force to design an e-learning option to limit the need for makeup days in severe-weather years, with teachers involved in planning and a separate task force to review an AI model policy recommended by the Minnesota School Boards Association (MSBA). He said teacher groups will meet next week to begin work on the AI policy and that recommendations would first go to the policy committee before any board action.

Roe also described the demographic study process. Consultants from Ingenza will present a rough draft of findings and the district will hold student and staff meetings in early May and a community engagement night on May 7 to collect feedback on facilities planning.

The board asked clarifying questions about timelines and next steps; Roe said finalist interviews for the director of buildings and grounds will be held ahead of a potential approval on April 27 and that formal policy recommendations on AI may take several months.

The superintendents updates will be incorporated into upcoming committee agendas and the board scheduled follow-up reviews as work progresses.