Iliana Collins, a Mountain View High School senior, outlined plans for a second annual women's wellness retreat for the Thompson School District in April, describing workshops, partners and small grants and sponsorships supporting the event.
On Feb. 18 the Thompson School District board approved a revised student absences and excuses policy and related exhibit, voted to delete the separate truancy policy, and approved changes to agenda procedures; all votes passed unanimously.
Thompson School District reported a 90.9% 4‑year on‑time graduation rate for 2025 (above the state) and a 1% dropout rate; learning-services staff presented midyear I‑Ready diagnostic and high‑school benchmark data and described multi‑tiered supports and ALN/UDL professional development.
Walt Clark Middle School students presented a digital media STEM showcase and the board recognized district winners in chess, spelling and MathCounts plus unified sports honors for Mountain View High School.
The district reported budget‑to‑actual refinements and a successful bond sale that produced a blended interest rate near 4.45% and $17 million in premium, increasing available project funds to about $115 million.
At a lengthy public‑comment period, students and dozen teachers from Thompson Valley High School urged the board to preserve extended learning opportunity (ELO) time and warned a required freshman seminar could displace electives; the superintendent said no final decision has been made and will gather more input.
At the study session, Winona Elementary's new principal, Mikaela Bradshaw, described efforts to build belonging, cited strong parent turnout at a math and literacy night, described staffing additions and therapy dogs used to support student regulation.
District transportation staff told the board that around 30% of large buses are more than 20 years old, causing frequent breakdowns; staff recommended a lease-to-purchase of nine buses to avoid disruptions and to meet specialized needs including wheelchair lifts.
At a Feb. study session, Thompson School District R-2J presented a first reading of a substantially revised attendance policy that shifts the emphasis from punitive measures to restorative supports, clarifies medical-absence categories and sets out staged interventions and implementation steps if the board approves the changes.