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Superintendent: Project309 "shaping up" and occupancy expected this Friday
Summary
Superintendent Lance Bagstad told the Park Rapids Area School Board that Project309 is nearing completion and staff should be able to require occupancy this Friday; principals and administrators also reported staffing, enrollment and logistics ahead of the new school year.
Superintendent Lance Bagstad told the Park Rapids Area School Board on Aug. 18, 2025, that Project309 is “shaping up” and that "we should require occupancy this Friday," while acknowledging a few remaining items must be completed before staff and students move in.
The update came during the board's regular meeting at the Park Rapids School Board Room. Bagstad said new teachers and non-certified staff have begun onboarding and preparations are ramping up ahead of the school year.
Bagstad's update was paired with operational reports from other administrators. Business Manager Kent Fritze told the board auditors were on site and that audit work would continue over the coming weeks to close out the previous fiscal year.
Principal Jeff Johnson said class schedules are live and staff are working through schedule changes in advance of the start of school. Principal Mike LeMeir reported the district’s staffing needs were filled, noting, “We have 93 kindergartners enrolled and 64 VPK students,” and that a kindergarten camp is scheduled for Wednesday to help incoming students acclimate.
The Director of Curriculum and Instruction said staff attended ELA resources training and will begin implementing the materials over the next two weeks. The director also reported Park Rapids Area Virtual Academy (PRAVA) enrollment at 21 students and said staff are back to serving those students.
The board did not take a separate formal vote on the Project309 update during the recorded segments; the superintendent presented the status report and next steps for completing occupancy preparations.
