StorySpecial Communication: Eastview Community Foundation GrantsJune 24, 2026

Eastview Community Foundation Grants Bolster Local Schools

The Eastview Community Foundation announced significant staff grants at a recent school board meeting, providing resources for student support, teacher recognition, and essential classroom equipment across District 196.

Published Jul 1, 2026

At the June 22, 2026, Regular School Board Meeting, the Eastview Community Foundation unveiled the latest recipients of its staff grants, directing crucial support towards local schools within the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan Public Schools (District 196). These grants aim to address diverse educational needs, ranging from enhancing positive student behavior and recognizing dedicated teachers to supplying vital classroom resources and fostering early literacy.

Becky Hagen, Grants Chairperson for the Eastview Community Foundation, presented the awards to the School Board. She emphasized the foundation's critical role in bridging the gap between the local business community and the educational institutions it serves. The foundation’s work primarily revolves around three core areas: providing scholarships for graduating seniors, offering staff grants, and implementing a 'random acts of kindness' program.

The Eastview Community Foundation connects the business and communities to the school through three primary ways: student scholarships for graduating seniors, staff grants, and our random acts of kindness program. Today I'm here on behalf of the grants program to present the recipients of the grants for this year.
— Becky Hagen, Grants Chairperson

Support for Scott Highlands Middle School

Scott Highlands Middle School was a significant beneficiary, receiving support for four distinct proposals. Teacher Nicholas Vogel secured two grants: one to create a mobile cart for Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), which will bring rewards and incentives directly to students, and another for a monthly teacher recognition program. This second initiative is designed to help offset educators' out-of-pocket classroom supply costs and acknowledge their hard work.

Additionally, English teacher Courtney McNeal received funding to purchase physical keyboards for her department. This will facilitate easier and more efficient typing for students using Chromebooks for longer assignments. The art department also saw a vital investment, with a donation awarded to teacher Christine Tilstra towards the purchase of a new kiln, ensuring students can continue creating and firing art projects for years to come.

Other Topics from This Document

Approval of Revised Agenda (including termination and non-renewal of probationary teachers)
Pledge of Allegiance
Recognition of Student Athletes and Coaches
Introduction of New Principals and Coordinators

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Areas of Interest (8)

The school board narrowly approved a revised agenda that includes the sensitive topic of terminating and not renewing probationary teachers, raising questions about potential staff reductions or performance issues.

Significant student athletic achievements were highlighted, with multiple state championship teams and top individual finishers recognized, underscoring the district's commitment to extracurricular excellence.

The push for girls flag football to become an emerging sport by the Minnesota State High School League is gaining traction, with coaches and board members urged to voice support.

The introduction of new school principals and coordinators signals leadership changes, with a focus on collaborative approaches and student success.

The Eastview Community Foundation is actively supporting teachers and students through grants, addressing needs from behavioral interventions and classroom supplies to art and reading resources, indicating a strong community-school partnership.

The district is actively promoting its AAA (Academics, Arts, Athletics) philosophy, with student and staff accomplishments in journalism, speech, and debate further demonstrating this commitment.

The resignation of a previous principal at Dakota Hills Middle School and the subsequent appointment of a new leader suggest a transition period for the school.

The potential for college scholarships in girls flag football is growing, highlighting the increasing opportunities for female athletes in emerging sports.

Notable Quotes (16)

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
— Speaker at meeting

Meeting OpeningPledge of Allegiance at the start of the meeting.

Good evening Vice Person Vice Chairperson Williams, board members, and Superintendent Bolsoni. I am Thomas Sharp, head men's track and field and cross country coach at Eastview High School. I am honored to introduce Luke Bakken. Two years ago and in his freshman season in March, Luke was diagnosed with a broken hip. Had to have surgery and eight months recovery. Forfeiting his freshman track season and his sophomore cross country season. In the 18 months since relatively successful with hard work he was an all-state cross country runner this fall at the state cross country meet. And culminating as he got faster all spring at the state high school meet where he ran 9:14 in the 3200 to take fifth and 4:13 in the 1600 for third place overall. And the top non-senior in the 1600. Both of those are not only new school records, but also recognized by the National High School Cross Country Track and Field Coach Association as All-American status. He is accompanied tonight by his parents Tom and Kim and I ask them to stand right now.
— Tom Sharp

Student Athlete RecognitionRecognizing Luke Bakken's athletic achievements.

Good evening, uh Vice Chairperson Williams, board members, and Superintendent Bolsoni. I'm Sarah Hatley, and I am the girls track and field coach at Rosemount High School. Uh my husband is the boys coach, but uh the boys couldn't be here tonight, so he is actually not here tonight. Um and so I have the opportunity to talk about Abby Esler this evening. And so, um before we get going on all of her accomplishments from this track season, I I wanted to make sure that we acknowledge Abby's parents, and so her parents are right up front. So, Paul and Stacia. And I just wanted to make sure that um I say this, you know, if I haven't said enough. We are incredibly um thankful for parents like the Esler's because they're so supportive of our program, and um so that that makes things easier as a as a coach. So, now on to Abby. Uh things I love about Abby as an athlete is her fierce competitiveness, her desire for winning, and perfecting the events that she competes in. And finally, how she shows up in the big moments. Uh we like to say she's a gamer. And so uh just talking about giving a rundown on the things that she's accomplished this season. Um and you know, the list is long. So, she is a school record hold- holder currently in the 4x2 and the 4x1. She's not far off in that long jump. So, hopefully we'll be talking about that next year. Um and so, the 4x2 broke their school record a couple times this season and the 4x1 was actually quite close, but um she had she had gotten that record last year. And then, she personally had a uh best personal best in the 100, the 200, the triple jump, and the long jump this season as a junior. In the conference meets and and I would argue anyone on this that our conference is one of the best most competitive conferences in the state. And she was third in the 100 meter, second in the 4x1, third in the triple jump, and she was the long jump champion. Um in sections then, she was first in the long jump, second in the 4x2, and first in the 4x1. And you know, that long jump, you know, we were she didn't have necessarily her her best jumps in the prelims, but again, there is that that gamer. She comes up in the big moments and she just crushed it in finals. And so, that earned her a spot in the state meet. And so, she's a athlete that got to compete in the 4x1, the 4x2, and the long jump at state. Um they were fifth sixth place in the 4x2 running again really fast and awesome times. Uh they had a season best in the 4x1. And then, finally, let's talk about the long jump. So, I guess I saved the best for last. And we were here last year talking about her placing third in the state. And you know, she wasn't supposed to place last year. She was in the first heat or first flight, excuse me, and came up big again in those big moments. There's a lot of kids that don't do that. Uh the year before as a ninth grader, she ended up being sixth. Again, not supposed to be placing in the state meet or anything like that and and she came up really big. So, she went from sixth to third to second place this year. And with a personal best jumping 18 ft 9 in. Yep. And and like I said, she's not far off of that school record at our school and um that was something that I I mean I remember I was there when that school record happened. And I was thinking, "Oof, that's going to be a tough one to beat." And here we are. Here's an athlete that we're talking about that's not far off. So, I think the best is yet to come with Abby. And so, if we could congratulate Abby and all of her accomplishments.

People (35)

Mr. CowdenBoard Member

Moved to approve the revised agenda.

JackieBoard Member

Seconded the motion to approve the revised agenda.

Tom SharpHead Men's Track and Field and Cross Country Coach

Recognized Eastview High School's third place state finisher, Luke Bakken.

Luke BakkenStudent Athlete

State finisher in 3200m (5th place) and 1600m (3rd place) for Eastview High School.

Sarah HatleyGirls Track and Field Coach

Introduced Rosemount High School Track and Field top finisher, Abby Esler.

Places Mentioned

District 186Eastview High SchoolRosemount High SchoolEagan High SchoolScott Highlands Middle SchoolOak Ridge ElementaryDakota Hills Middle SchoolRosemount ElementaryFarmington, New MexicoArizonaMaineWayzata public schoolsStillwater area schoolsOakland Middle School, StillwaterEden Prairie School DistrictOsseo Area SchoolsParkview Middle SchoolFalcon Ridge Middle School

THE APPLE VALLEY RECORDER

Eastview Community Foundation Grants Bolster Local Schools

Support for Scott Highlands Middle School

Other Topics from This Document

Approval of Revised Agenda (including termination and non-renewal of probationary teachers)

Pledge of Allegiance

Recognition of Student Athletes and Coaches

Introduction of New Principals and Coordinators

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Broader District Reach

Go deeper on this topic

Areas of Interest (8)

Votes (1)

Notable Quotes (16)

People (35)

Places Mentioned

Events & Meetings (1)

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