StoryEarly Childhood Educator Compensation (Small Wonders)July 24, 2026

School board phases out weighted grades for AP courses

The Lakeville Area Public Schools board voted 6-1 on Wednesday to approve a new policy that will eliminate extra grade point weighting for Advanced Placement courses starting next fall. The change aims to standardize how the district rewards advanced learning, though it raised concerns about student competitiveness and the need for expanded college-level course options.

Published Jul 24, 2026

The board approved Policy 620: Credit for Learning, which phases out weighted grades for students entering 9th grade in fall 2026. Currently, AP courses boost students' grade point averages, but the new policy will treat all advanced learning opportunities equally. Board Chair Amber Cameron explained the rationale: "Students are partaking in many different types of advanced learning opportunities, but only at the moment AP is giving extra credit. By eliminating that, it would standardize all the courses."

The vote was not unanimous. Director Brian Thompson dissented, citing concerns about fairness under the current system. He shared an example of a student with a 3.93 GPA ranking 109th in his senior class, calling the disparity "odd." Thompson also worried the policy could disadvantage Lakeville students when applying to colleges, potentially pushing them toward nearby Normandale College instead of staying in the district.

Board members acknowledged these concerns and pushed for concrete next steps. Matt Swanson requested a timeline for expanding concurrent enrollment—college-level courses taught in high schools—noting that neighboring districts already offer full concurrent enrollment programs. A motion to amend the policy with a 90-day deadline for developing a concurrent enrollment plan failed to gain a second.

The board also unanimously approved most of the consent agenda (7-0), which included employment recommendations, bill payments, and gift donations. Discussion focused on the 2026-2027 school calendar, with board members questioning why students would have two separate days off in November. The Assistant Superintendent clarified the district is avoiding having students on-site during general elections, a practice the community has requested. The board also began discussing a revised wellness policy, with concerns raised about language like "childhood obesity" and provisions that some viewed as shaming parents who pack lunches for their children.

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Full analysis

Votes (3)

Approval of Consent Agenda (excluding items G, I, J)

7-0 Approved

Dissent: None

Moved by Tony Rankenberger [0:27:54] · Seconded by Matt Swanson [0:28:09]

The board approved the majority of the consent agenda items, which included board minutes, employment recommendations, payment of bills, acceptance of gift donations, an extended field trip, early graduation requests, and policy reviews (502 and 526 were removed). Discussion primarily focused on clarifications for the 2026-2027 school calendars, specifically regarding scheduling non-student days around elections and maintaining consistent quarter lengths.

Approval of Policy 620: Credit for Learning (Second Reading)

6-1 Approved

Dissent: Brian Thompson [1:23:09]

Moved by Matt Swanson [1:21:46] · Seconded by Karly Anderson [1:21:55]

The board considered and approved Policy 620, which phases out weighted grades for students entering 9th grade starting in the upcoming fall. Discussion included concerns about potential negative impacts on students during the transition phase, the fairness of class rank calculations under the existing system, and the need for increased concurrent enrollment opportunities to keep students within the district if AP incentives are reduced. A motion to amend the policy to include a 90-day deadline for a concurrent enrollment timeline was not seconded.

Discussion of JPA for School Wellness (Statewide Health Improvement Program Grant)

Discussion incomplete, no action recorded.

Director Thompson questioned the 'youth leadership program' component of the grant, where 4th and 5th graders would monitor peers during recess, suggesting it might not address the core issue of insufficient adult supervision. Principal Do defended the program, explaining its role within a PBIS framework to teach positive student interactions in unstructured environments and to supplement adult supervision, given current student-to-adult ratios.

Notable Quotes (7)

I do want to just just double check in the November of 2026. We've got a couple days off and I apologize... Could you provide some clarity because I know um the minor change was that we've got Tuesday off which is uh November 3rd um and then we've got Monday off which is November 9th and just wondering if there's an opportunity to move the 9th to the 2nd so that kids just have two days off so that there's somewhat sort of consistency.

— Brian Thompson [0:29:43]
Approval of Consent Agenda (excluding items G, I, J)

we would have no students on site during the elections. Um we have historically not had students in the buildings on a general election. Um but we've heard from the community uh frequently enough that uh we are trying to move um non- studentent contact days away from any type of election day.

— Assistant Superintendent [0:31:01]
Approval of Consent Agenda (excluding items G, I, J)

One of the main reasons is that students are um uh partaking in many different types of um advanced learning opportunities... but only at the moment AP is giving um extra credit. And so by eliminating that um it would uh standardize all the all the courses.

— Amber Cameron (Chair) [1:14:15]
Approval of Policy 620: Credit for Learning (Second Reading)

I spoke with a child or a student. He has a 3.93 GPA and he's the 109th best student in his class in his senior year. And so that seems kind of odd.

— Brian Thompson [1:15:37]
Approval of Policy 620: Credit for Learning (Second Reading)

I'd love to see a timetable like where we at, how long this is going to take. Um and we have other districts around us that have a full offering of concurrent enrollment.

— Matt Swanson [1:18:29]
Approval of Policy 620: Credit for Learning (Second Reading)

Are we trying to solve a problem with a different solution, but we're not solving the root problem? Because the root problem is we don't have enough adult supervision during playground time.

— Brian Thompson [1:14:46]
Discussion of JPA for School Wellness (Statewide Health Improvement Program Grant)

One thing is, you know, depending on the size of your grade level, uh, at Lake Mary, and I'll use that as the example, we have 100 students in kindergarten, but we have 136 students in our fourth grade. Um, often supervised by two or three new and supervisors depending on the grade level. Um, that is a pretty thin, you know, amount of adults to student ratio, but it's just the way, it's just the system that we work within.

— Principal Do [1:16:35]
Discussion of JPA for School Wellness (Statewide Health Improvement Program Grant)

Ordinances & Resolutions (10)

Policy 502Policy

Policy concerning search of student lockers, desks, personal possessions, and students' person, pulled from consent agenda for separate consideration.

Policy 526Policy

Policy concerning hazing prohibition, pulled from consent agenda for separate consideration.

Policy 533Policy

District wellness policy, presented for its first reading and discussion regarding updates to meet statutory and guideline requirements.

Policy 620Policy

Policy concerning credit for learning, revised to phase out weighted grades for incoming 9th-grade students.

JPA for School WellnessGrant

Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP) grant, pulled from consent agenda for discussion on its implementation, specifically a recess framework and youth leadership program.

ReadAct requirementLegislation

State mandate requiring changes to reading curriculum and professional development for teachers.

MSBA auditAudit

Audit conducted on the district's policies, used as a guideline for policy reviews and updates.

USDA wellness policy guidelinesGuideline

Federal guidelines influencing the district's wellness policy.

Minnesota Statutes 124D.094Statute

State statute pertaining to online instructional opportunities, referenced in the context of the temporary educational plan.

Plyer versus DO 1982Legal Case

US Supreme Court case referenced regarding the legal obligation to provide access to public education, especially for students dealing with temporary absences.

Source document

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Other Topics from This Document

  • Teacher Contract Negotiations & Support

  • District Financial Health & EML Provision

  • Elementary Art Teacher Staffing

  • School Calendar Updates 2026-2027

  • Wellness Policy 533 Discussion (First Reading)

  • District Budget and Financial Performance

  • Temporary Educational Plan for Student Attendance

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