The Anoka-Hennepin Public School District held a regular school board meeting on October 28, 2024, where key discussions centered around community feedback from a recent survey and the implications of potential budget cuts.

The survey, which included responses from 500 randomly selected residents, revealed a mixed sentiment regarding the quality of education in the district. While 84% of respondents rated the district favorably, only 21% considered the education to be excellent, a slight increase from previous years. The survey indicated that high taxes and large class sizes were the most pressing concerns for residents, with 15-20% of respondents highlighting these issues. Additionally, 16% expressed worries about bullying and discipline within schools.

A significant portion of the meeting focused on school start times, a topic of interest for many parents. The survey found that 60% of parents felt elementary school start times were "about right," with only 39% supporting an earlier start time. Middle school start times received similar feedback, with 78% of parents indicating satisfaction. High school start times also garnered a majority of support, suggesting that there is no strong push for changes in this area.

The board also discussed the potential for a property tax increase to address funding challenges. The survey indicated that 72% of residents would support such an increase to protect their investment in the schools, although there remains a significant portion of the community that is opposed to any tax hikes.

Overall, the meeting highlighted the district's ongoing efforts to engage with the community and address concerns while navigating the complexities of budget management and educational quality. The board emphasized the importance of maintaining open lines of communication with residents as they consider future decisions impacting the district.