[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6260594,"mediaKeyId","3130463-b8c38636894b1306da300698c5a5f374","parentId",3130463,"title","Student ambassadors and National Merit/Presidential Scholar candidates recognized at board meeting","audioSeconds",593,"startMs",933000,"endMs",1526000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3130463-b8c38636894b1306da300698c5a5f374&start=933&end=1526","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3130463-b8c38636894b1306da300698c5a5f374/thumbnail_933000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6260594/Minnesota/Student-ambassadors-and-National-MeritPresidential-Scholar-candidates-recognized-at-board-meeting","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260594-41e2e28a90a7ddf6541c39b451b3d488/orig.mp4?Expires=1770920842&Signature=aaz4eU0NHm6NV5bVhCUG~lxopfOPogDwF-rWunGCW8H2QuTbf8ebLBKt9zxvPKE3tGiOxk5dKNctbG98aj6lN69y61BDTNzerOf9xUnXYanJmZhiVPDC7eperzJwWMnSHsV3ufNvBwpnlSWYAKLZUC-XIc9nJSj7hE-S1vnNYIOSAr~Azb840jXj2QWbAbeDoAhBPtDcVXm9uA5ACCppwR~rIqP4syFtf0Tl44tgLJhcjHI4~-TPG-SGyeDiYUMnbTK5KmVEltVzzqWDErha3Pftw9czNH5Z1S77uhTEk6UojwAgJMBsaqLUpwLshElOWsMdAd8FkQs8zC~BHD7mlw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","South Washington County, MN","date","2025-04-26T08:11:50.617Z","article","South Washington County Schools highlighted student leadership and academic awards during Wednesday's board meeting.

Three student district ambassadors — Juliana Palacio Sanchez (Crestview Elementary), Kira McDonough (Pullman Elementary) and Tegan Vu (Lake Middle School) — spoke to the board about ambassador activities, what they learned about district operations and school-specific programs. Juliana, a fifth grader at Crestview, said ambassadors helped custodial staff pick up trash, made videos for morning announcements and create welcome cards for new students; she also described an upcoming Culture Night on May 8. Kira said her school is running clubs such as cribbage, chess, science and comic-book club and described a kindness-bracelet project. Tegan, a seventh grader at Lake Middle School, said ambassadors surveyed peers and discussed ideas about school construction and planning.

Assistant Superintendent Kelly Jansen introduced the district's National Merit finalists and Presidential Scholar candidates. Officials said 10 students earned National Merit finalist status: from Woodbury High School, Veil Iraco Olson (note: transcript reads \"Veil Iraco Olson\"), Joey Capistrant and Regine Veil (transcript names as provided); and from East Ridge High School, Eliza Kubacek, Yajar Ivy Lin (transcript rendering), Derek Lee, Maya Winn, Simon Roehl, Noah Walkquist and Carolyn Zhang (several students were not present at the meeting). Administrators also named several candidates for the U.S. Presidential Scholars program and invited students to briefly share college plans and high-school highlights.

Board Chair Katie Schwartz and Superintendent Julie Nielsen praised the students for leadership and academic achievement. No formal board action was required for the recognitions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","School Board Business Meeting - April 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Three student ambassadors described leadership activities and district experiences; the board and administrators also recognized 10 National Merit finalists and multiple Presidential Scholar candidates from East Ridge and Woodbury/Woodbury-area high schools.","taxTitle","South Washington County Schools, School Boards, Minnesota","taxId",13238,"location","Minnesota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6260599,"School board approves agenda, consent items and nine policy updates; passes resolution to place assistant principal on unrequested leave",144,3009000,3153000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3130463-b8c38636894b1306da300698c5a5f374&start=3009&end=3153","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3130463-b8c38636894b1306da300698c5a5f374/thumbnail_3009000.jpg","/articles/6260599/Minnesota/School-board-approves-agenda-consent-items-and-nine-policy-updates-passes-resolution-to-place-assistant-principal-on-unrequested-leave","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260599-95adfeda802600a4dba46f9bcb799683/orig.mp4?Expires=1770920842&Signature=gPUHTBK1XH~bquJhWaGnBH4fBgCTQIZFTdIMVl8Qv2H9wKjkicPWlLUCRqhC8pJPD5Y1pmJZkuYUYOib7Kj0D5DGo97ZAH1i9C0HhSsVYC6Xx8cOAdi1UV8xiC237ujm-BTve2LwhB9XwHuxYVXkpc0w9C4cF9ZHgLFyMjjCUeL08tLmyH6KCpCuiifLUl9Zpudax4ASDyMd79u75np-J~tdY8gpYEm-jnt~Xfp5LTm271NcRkc~9VZ3USsSwU2k6Km7DyyFlkVM284AKbi00bncLTGg81fFg~ehcheEZEqFH6UtNFiUvE4gNL8FlgK00NKnmQx9nBubn4K2mdU3Mw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The South Washington County Schools Board on Wednesday approved the meeting agenda and routine consent items, adopted nine updated district policies and passed a resolution to place an assistant principal on an unrequested leave of absence (ULA), board records show.

A motion to approve the agenda carried unanimously (motion by Sharon Van Leer, second by Melinda Jewell). The board then approved the consent agenda by unanimous voice vote (motion by Eric Tessmer, second by Sharon Van Leer).

On action item 8.1, the board approved nine revised policies updated to reflect Minnesota statute and other cross references. The policies approved were: Policy 407 (Employee Right to Know), 504 (Student Dress and Appearance), 507 (Corporal Punishment and Prone Restraint), 513 (Student Promotion, Retention and Program Design), 517 (Student Recruiting), 518 (DNR/DNI Orders), 521 (Student Disability Nondiscrimination), 529 (Staff Notification of Violent Behaviors by Student) and 532 (Use of Peace Officers and Crisis Teams to Remove Students with Disabilities from School Grounds). Motion to approve was made by Sharon Van Leer and seconded by Simi Petnayak; the motion passed on a voice vote with no recorded opposition.

On action item 8.2, administration presented a resolution proposing placement of an assistant principal on unrequested leave of absence, effective at the end of the current school year, and noting that the employee may request a hearing. Administration explained the ULA timeline is required to meet contractual notice obligations and to allow final action before the July 1, 2025 deadline. The board approved the resolution on a roll-call vote: Elise Hines (yes), Ryan Clark (yes), Sharon Van Leer (yes), Eric Tessmer (yes), Melinda Jewell (yes), Simi Petnayak (yes) and Katie Schwartz (yes). The board recorded the motion by Eric Tessmer and seconded by Sharon Van Leer.

Board members asked for clarification about recall rights and alternate employment options for the assistant principal. Executive Director Abby Baker said under the principals' contract a similar position that opens within three years would give recall rights; the employee would also be eligible to apply for teaching positions if a similar administrative position does not open within the recall period.

The resolutions and policy updates were adopted at the meeting; the assistant principal now has the opportunity to request a hearing under the district's ULA process before the board considers final action.","The South Washington County Schools board approved procedural motions and consent items, adopted nine updated policies, and passed a resolution to place an assistant principal on unrequested leave of absence; the assistant principal may request a hearing and has recall rights under the principals' contract.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6260605,"South Washington County Schools presents long-range facilities planning update as elementary capacity gaps persist",886,1933000,2819000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3130463-b8c38636894b1306da300698c5a5f374&start=1933&end=2819","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3130463-b8c38636894b1306da300698c5a5f374/thumbnail_1933000.jpg","/articles/6260605/Minnesota/South-Washington-County-Schools-presents-long-range-facilities-planning-update-as-elementary-capacity-gaps-persist","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260605-df7aa23956114975dfc1060f9ec7059c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770920842&Signature=FC9XI8J4nxAjLYV7mJbL9wfNPNpRkLtpvUyGS5YWnTNGJYXveN8hVJAetjlS3G5iVSAlegrWA1XFe2oJcIDviddnwHqYOdrI4R~UQnWuHo30QSReFDbmHRgHAYZewFJAgrMf4LRHyCp1lekBe2sYhrVUVGbceinhFnz46~56ray93dIIC75O0w8vWl1SLd5Vh3wFNtsddc5ZQ0JZyt8gVtswsRx7uO0t7gLUviomWN3H2WwOpscch34Mx7SOgWzwq4l4RQVy75g52cr48zCi5zstS2dedXRRFKH44oASHht-EI2mDw4HTA8rU2FIpyj7hLOe9RCz32t4BdUyyEZcPQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","South Washington County Schools officials updated the school board on long-range facilities planning Wednesday, saying that while recent secondary construction will meet middle- and high-school capacity needs through the 2027–28 school year, the district still faces uneven elementary enrollment and about 2,000 empty elementary seats districtwide.

The presentation by Assistant Superintendent Tyrone Brookins and Assistant Director of Engineering and Infrastructure Dan Hines laid out enrollment patterns, current capacity and next steps the district plans to take to address mismatches between school size and neighborhood growth.

Brookins said the district is serving an increasing set of needs for specialized program space — including expanded alternative learning center programming (currently serving 10th and 11th graders but with interest in adding 9th and 10th graders), early learning and preschool classrooms, transportation storage and operations space, and expanded athletic and performing-arts facilities. \"There is definitely a desire and opportunity to include ninth and tenth graders\" in the alternative learning center and to provide CTE equipment, green space and gym space, he said.

Hines described the district's current enrollment reality and how it compares with the district's 2023 demographic report by Hazel Reinhart. He said the report's first three years of projected enrollment have been close to realized counts (98.8% for elementary, about 101% for middle and high schools), and that the district therefore considers the report accurate enough to inform near-term planning. \"The report itself comprehensively was 100% accurate over the course of the first 3 years of the report,\" he said.

Hines said five elementary schools are projected to remain below 80% capacity (Armstrong, Cottage Grove Elementary, Crestview, Hillside, Middleton, Newport, Royal Oaks and Woodbury Elementary were listed) while several schools are approaching or exceeding 90% (Bailey, Grey Cloud, Liberty Ridge, Nuevas and Valley Crossing). He described a typical operational \"sweet spot\" of 80–90% utilization.

Brookins and Hines cited community development data from city planning departments, noting continued housing growth in Cottage Grove and Woodbury and saying land purchases should be considered now because available land will decrease as development continues. They also flagged external factors that could change projections, including expansion of the Math & Science Academy (projected to add roughly 350 elementary seats and about 500 secondary seats when its second campus opens) and private-school capital campaigns.

Administrators recommended several next steps: commission a new demographic report to account for recent trends, update building-capacity models to reflect current operational conditions, establish a consistent plan for allocating early-learning space, monitor enrollment to assess whether attendance-boundary adjustments are needed, study previously considered long-range items (such as an alternative learning center and land purchases), and conduct a community survey alongside the demographic study.

Board members questioned whether development phases could shift capacity pressures among attendance areas. Brookins said future construction in Cottage Grove east of Highway 61, and continued southward expansion in Woodbury, could increase enrollment pressure at Park High School and Bailey Elementary as infrastructure and utilities extend into new areas.

Administrators emphasized the near-term coverage provided by projects approved in the 2023 referendum but said the district's five-year planning horizon means pressure could return after the 2027–28 school year. They proposed the demographic update and community engagement to inform any future referendum or boundary work.

The board did not take action on facilities during the meeting; the item was presented as information and opened for questions.","District staff told the school board the district faces about 2,000 empty elementary seats overall while several elementary attendance areas remain overcapacity; administrators recommended a new demographic study, community survey and examination of land-acquisition and program-space options.","actionData","errors"]

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Student ambassadors and National Merit/Presidential Scholar candidates recognized at board meeting

School board approves agenda, consent items and nine policy updates; passes resolution to place assistant principal on unrequested leave

South Washington County Schools presents long-range facilities planning update as elementary capacity gaps persist