Board Bulletin

As we look forward to the start of a new school year, School Board Chair Shannon Sinning authored the following column on behalf of the School Board articulating the vision we’ve laid out for the Mankato Area Public Schools. We’re excited for the transformative work that lies ahead as we focus on our new mission of Excellence, Equity, Empowerment. Every Student, Every Day.

In January 2023, the MAPS School Board, consisting of seven dedicated members, embarked on a journey towards what we believe will improve the future for our youngest community members. The Classroom to Boardroom strategic planning process involved school board members engaging with students, teachers, parents, staff, district leadership, community members, and businesses. We set out to listen to all voices to prepare our district for the next phase of public education in our great communities.

As technology rapidly transforms the landscape for our young people, so too does our understanding of our community’s workforce needs and best practices in education. We know that public education must adapt. Change can be difficult and sometimes uncomfortable. The MAPS School Board recognizes that some will be excited and energized by changes to the educational landscape, while others may be concerned that we are changing too much or too fast. The Board has challenged district leaders, school principals and ourselves to forge new opportunities, much like any well-run organization. New endeavors sometimes come with growing pains, and that’s okay. However, maintaining the status quo poses the biggest risk of all.

• The big picture: At the general election this November, MAPS residents will have the opportunity to vote for four (4) members of the School Board.

• The candidates: Seven candidates filed to run for School Board:

• Christopher Kind (incumbent)

• Liz Ratcliff (incumbent)

• Erin Roberts (incumbent)

• Tracy Frederick Corcoran

• Tim Flynn

• Elizabeth Hanke

• Joel Hollerich

• Candidate information: Each candidate filled out a candidate profile when filing for election. Those profiles can be viewed on the district’s elections website.

• The big picture: School Board members had the chance to tour the construction progress at the schools undergoing improvements this year as part of the community-approved facility referendum.

• Exciting improvements: Construction crews and district staff have been hard at work to complete this summer’s projects for the start of this school year. As a reminder, projects in Phase I include:

• Center for Learning - classrooms, gym, and district warehouse is complete

• Washington Elementary - secure entrance and student services space

• Bridges Community School - secure entrance and remodeled special education space

• Roosevelt Elementary secure entrance, student services space (the additional classroom and storm shelter will finish later this year)

• Dakota Meadows Middle - secure entrance, remodeled student services and special education space (the storm shelter/gym and pool will finish next year).

• Keep updated: The district’s bond construction website always has the latest updates.

• The big picture: Members of the School Board, students, and district staff recently participated in a roundtable discussion with Senator Alice Mann on potential legislation on cell phones in schools.

• Ahead of the curve: Last year the MAPS School Board adopted a new policy restricting cell phone and mobile device usage in our schools. With one year of implementation of the new policy complete, this roundtable offered a great opportunity to share lessons learned.

• Looking forward: In the coming months, the School Board will hold a work session to review our cell phone policy and determine whether any improvements need to be made. As we start the year, the School Board would like to remind all families that the Board policy prohibits cell phone/mobile device usage (including earphones and smart watches) at all times during the school day grades K-8 and permits use only during lunch and passing time grades 9-12. Your help in reinforcing this with your student will help ensure that all students can focus on academics.

• The big picture: At our July school board meeting, the School Board unanimously passed a resolution creating a new school forest and prairie at the site of the Center for Learning.

• Outdoor learning: Over the past several months, MAPS Center for Learning staff have been in the beginning stages of developing a School Forest and Prairie Restoration to provide a natural habitat as an outdoor learning space for students and families. Partners involved in this planning include: Henry Panowitsch from the Many Rivers Prairie Enthusiasts, Vanessa Zachman with the MN Department of Natural Resources, Laura Duffy with MN DNR School Forest Program, Julia Battern science teacher at East High School, and MAPS facilities and maintenance staff. Expansion of the school forest began with the planting of 16 flowering shrubs donated by the DNR in partnership with East High School. The MAPS facilities team has now started the process of preparing the prairie land and will be monitoring the prairie land to determine when the ground is ready for planting. The Prairie Enthusiasts will assist in continuing to care for the prairie as it develops, and we will continue to work with the DNR to identify the trees and shrubs to establish the forest. With the school board’s approval, the application process to officially register the site as a school forest is underway.

• The big picture: If you think MAPS goes quiet in the summer - you would be sorely mistaken. At our August meeting, the School Board heard an impressive update from our staff leading our summer programing for preschool to adults.

• A new take on summer learning: Over the past few years, MAPS has worked to significantly redesign our summer academic programming for elementary, middle and high school students. More than 1,000 students (and adults through ABE programming) participated in a variety of summer academic programs focused on hand-on learning and social/emotional support. The Board commends all staff involved in making this future-focused education available to our community.

• A whole lot of meals: This summer, MAPS operated 10 sites providing free breakfast and lunch to all students. In just the months of June & July 38,000 meals were provided to kids in our community. Thanks to our great food service staff for their hard work!

• Get the details: You can see the summer programming presentation slides here.