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ISD 361 board approves grants, summer building closures and new community-education software
Summary
The International Falls Public Schools board on May 18 accepted multiple grants (including a Minnesota DNR No Child Left Inside award), approved closing Falls Elementary and Falls High School to the public June 2'Aug. 2 for construction, and voted to subscribe to the Aarix community-education software at about $9,580 per year.
The International Falls Public Schools (ISD 361) school board voted May 18 to accept several grants and donations, close two district buildings to the general public for the summer to finish construction work, and purchase a new community-education and childcare software system.
The board adopted a resolution accepting gifts and donations that included tournament proceeds and memorial gifts. Chair (S1) moved the resolution for acceptance; the motion carried. The board then approved acceptance of a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources No Child Left Inside grant of $19,292.50 to support the Icebox Explorers program, which the presenter said will fund equipment for outdoor student activities and rentals for community education. "So it's equipment for outdoor activities for students," the presenter said when asked to describe the grant.
The board also approved two awards from the Marshall and Knudson Family Community Fund: $5,000 to purchase 250 individual calming kits intended for use during lockdowns or other confined situations, and $3,700 to support the 2026 PALS community-education program. A staff member described the calming kits as including sensory items and possibly snacks; specific kit contents were not specified in the meeting record.
On district operations, the board approved a motion to close Falls Elementary School and Falls High School to the general public from June 2 through Aug. 2, 2026, to allow internal construction work to proceed safely and on schedule. "We would close the buildings to the general public," the administrator said, while noting scheduled events and supervised community-education activities would still be allowed under specific entry procedures.
The board approved purchase of a community-education and childcare software system identified in the agenda as Aarix at an approximately $9,580 annual cost, based on the vendor's estimate tied to roughly $200,000 in processed payments. The presenter said the district would fund the subscription from reserves. "It was $7.99 per month which equaled $9,580," the presenter said, describing the quoted hybrid pricing model and the effect of card-processing fees under other pricing options.
All motions brought to a vote in the meeting record were approved. The board also authorized submission of the district's written response to an American Indian Parent Advisory Council and Minnesota Department of Education noncompliance action letter and signed hard copies for submission.
Votes at a glance - Approve agenda (with updates): approved (moved Tina; second Roxanne). - Accept gifts and donations (resolution): approved. - Accept Minnesota DNR No Child Left Inside grant, $19,292.50 (Icebox Explorers): approved. - Accept Marshall & Knudson Family Community Fund grant, $5,000 (calming kits): approved. - Accept Marshall & Knudson Family Community Fund grant, $3,700 (2026 PALS): approved. - Approve closure of Falls Elementary School and Falls High School to the general public: approved (06/02/2026'/08/02/2026). - Approve community-education/childcare software subscription (Aarix), ~$9,580/year: approved. - Approve ISD 361 response to American Indian Parent Advisory Council/MDE noncompliance letter: approved.
What happens next: The administrator said signatures on the noncompliance response will be collected and the letter will be submitted to the state and the advisory council. Construction work and software procurement will proceed per the approvals.
