Westonka Public Schools — Transcript
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Student Achievements and Recognitions
School Construction and Facility Updates
District Financial Overview
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy and Integration
Academic Performance and Curriculum Development
Strategic Planning and Policy Revision
Votes (13)
Student and Coach Achievements Recognition
The meeting began with extensive recognition of student and coach accomplishments. Megan LKA was celebrated as Section Coach of the Year for speech, with five students qualifying for the state tournament and participating in national/international events. Erica Johnson received the 2026 Athena Award for her multi-sport academic and athletic excellence. Cooper Row was honored for his third consecutive state wrestling championship, joined by Jack Nelson and historical champion Gary Herdman for a photo highlighting the district's wrestling legacy.
Student Representative Report
The student representative provided updates on various school activities. Sports teams had mixed starts, with girls lacrosse performing well and boys teams facing challenges. Prom was successfully hosted by the Student Senate, and DECA achieved significant international success with 11 students placing in the top 10 at ICDC. Arts events included choir and band performances. Academically, the AP season concluded, and students are anticipating the end of the school year. The north doors of the school have also recently opened as part of the construction.
Construction Project Update
The Superintendent provided a detailed update on the construction project. Recent turnovers included administrative spaces and the opening of the north doors, enabling work in the courtyard. Progress was noted in the CTE machine shop, little theater demo, LRC demo, and exterior facade. Upcoming summer work will focus on the gym (for August sports), nursing area, art, music, and the cafeteria, which involves a major stair demolition and rebuild. The efficiency of the office staff in transitioning to new spaces was highly praised.
Treasurer's Report
Treasurer Ralph presented the financial contributions for the month of April. Donations from various boosters, organizations, and individuals totaled $256,544.28 year-to-date, supporting specific teams (hockey), scholarships (Lily Lano, Larry XL, Eric Hogan Hagen, Butch Humber, Sue Riley), student activities, and staff recognition. All checks were surveyed and found to be in good order.
Financial Report
Finance Director Kathy provided an overview of the district's financial data through April 30, 2026, and enrollment counts as of May 1st, showing a stable enrollment of 2,456 students. Revenue was at 68.8% ($30,899,000) and expenditures at 74.2% ($33,480,000), both tracking as expected for the fiscal year. The budget is in its final stages for a June presentation, and discussions are ongoing with insurance agents regarding property, liability, and worker's compensation rates, with anticipated increases.
Teaching and Learning Report (AI Integration, Testing, Curriculum Development)
Teaching & Learning Director Mark detailed the district's proactive AI strategy, including the creation of an AI procedural manual and an implementation plan for the 26-27 school year, guided by 'three pillars' (safety, ethics, learning) and the H-AIH framework. Goals include an AI policy, vetted tools, and comprehensive training. Updates on academic testing noted increased student participation in MCAs and AP exams, with July results anticipated. The new AP Seminar course was highlighted for its focus on research and critical analysis. Summer plans include ReadAc literacy training, vocational program development, EMR/EMT/nursing program approvals, social studies standards updates, and a revamped AP Statistics course.
Strategic Plan, Vision, Mission, and Priorities Review
The Superintendent presented the district's updated strategic plan, including a new student-focused vision statement ('Empowering learners to create their own real life success stories'), a revised mission statement, and five strategic priorities (Investing in the Small School Advantage Big School Opportunities, Empowered and Intentional Innovation, Safety and Well-being, Stakeholder Engagement, and Student Success). The board was commended for their hard work and collaborative discussion in shaping these challenging yet achievable goals.
Approval of Contract Award to Video Services, Inc.
Moved by Chair [0:25:38] · Seconded by Board Member [0:25:40]
This item sought approval for the low bid contract with Video Services, Inc. for AD and technology upgrades. The contract includes light, sound, and AP for the little theater, as well as gym and stadium speakers. The Superintendent confirmed favorable timelines for installation, with gym completion by summer, stadium by fall, and little theater by December.
Approval of Policy Changes: Policy 1000 and Policy 4150 (First Reading)
Moved by Chair [0:25:57] · Seconded by Board Member [0:25:01]
This was the first reading for approval of policy changes to Policy 1000, which encompasses Vision, Mission, Educational Philosophy, and Goals (reflecting the earlier strategic plan discussion), and Policy 4150 regarding Background Checks. No specific debate on the policy content occurred during this procedural approval.
Approval of Obsolete Equipment for Auction or Recycling
Moved by Chair [0:26:15] · Seconded by Board Member [0:26:17]
The board considered and approved a motion to dispose of obsolete district equipment through either auction or recycling channels. No specific equipment or quantities were discussed.
Addition of District AI Coordinator Position
Moved by Chair [0:26:27] · Seconded by Board Member [0:26:30]
Following the extensive report on the district's AI integration strategy, this action item sought approval to create a new District AI Coordinator position. This role is intended to work closely with the Teaching & Learning Director to manage all aspects of AI implementation, including training, policy, procedures, and monitoring emerging trends.
Approval of 2026-2028 Individual Agreement with Eric Heistat
Moved by Chair [0:26:41] · Seconded by Board Member [0:26:43]
The board approved a two-year individual agreement for Eric Heistat with Independent School District 277 for the 2026-2028 period. The Superintendent clarified that Eric was a mid-winter hire, and the district took extra time to assess his contributions before proposing the contract renewal, expressing satisfaction with his performance.
Rescind and Approve Resignation for Katherine Deutscher Deutsch Landers
Moved by Chair [0:27:10] · Seconded by Board Member [0:27:17]
A late action item was brought forward to correct a previous approval regarding Katherine Deutscher Deutsch Landers' resignation. The motion sought to rescind the April 13th approval of her resignation effective June 2nd, 2026, and instead approve her resignation effective April 22nd, 2026. This was a procedural correction.
Notable Quotes (12)
I do need to tell you that we're in the one of the toughest um sections in the state of Minnesota. So getting kids to to state is a huge accomplishment. The most we've ever ever had is three kiddos and and now we have five. So we're growing and building.
Connor said, "Thank you. I am the fourth most creative person in the state." And I said, "Well, as a ninth grader, you've got uh you got three more years to be the most creative. So, no pressure, Connor, but you can do it.
I mean being a three-time state champ that's incredibly impressive. And then for our past three time state champs to make the effort on his night to be here. Uh that's a history that we're really proud of and to get a picture of the three of you together uh means a lot to us.
DECA had 11 students place in the top 10 at ICDC which is amazing along with many students actually finalizing in their events. So that's an international career development conference.
We set the date and we stuck to that date when we set of our admin turnover. Uh huge compliment to our office staff for being an active office on Friday at 3 pm and then being an active office at 7:45 a.m. the next morning.
Our career uh college room where we can bring in people to talk to our students is absolutely beautiful. It's it's uh, I think it's the best room in the district. and it'll be used for a lot of different meetings, but also it's a great place where our kids can connect with those next steps.
You'll find that both the receipts and the expenditures um appear to be on target as we march into the last couple months of the fiscal year.
If there are concerns, if there's stress about the use of AI in our school system, it should settle because we have a plan in place. We have a direction of how we're going to do this work.
There's so many opportunities for our students and for learning and for instruction that if we do this well, this can be a very powerful tool for us. And of course, if it's not done well, it's ripe for a lot of issues, but we have really positioned ourselves now to go into the next school year ready to go with this.
What I love about this this course, it is focused on research, analysis, defending a position, communicating a position. It is really designed to develop those skills that kids that are four-year college focused will go in through their college experience understanding what it means to write a paper.
I really like the thought that this is who we are, but it's also going to challenge us and it's really going to push us in an area to achieve new heights. And so, I don't think it's just setting out some lofty statement, but I think it also isn't I mean, when you're talking about empowering learners to create their own success stories, uh, we're talking that that means different things for different kids.
I would like to compliment the board as a whole for the hard work you guys put in. There was a lot of great conversations. Um we didn't all agree on everything, but we're able to work towards this end product and uh congratulations you guys. This was a job well done.
Ordinances & Resolutions (4)
A playbook for AI use across the district, with version one created for the 26-27 school year.
A policy aimed to be in place for the start of the coming school year, governing AI use.
Changes related to Vision, Mission, Educational Philosophy, and Goals.
Changes related to Background Checks.