StoryWest Tanka School Board Meeting OpeningJune 29, 2026

Westonka Schools launches medical career programs with $79K grant

The Westonka Public Schools board approved new emergency medical and nursing programs on June 9, unlocking nearly $80,000 in state grants and partnering with Monarch Healthcare at no cost to the district. The initiatives aim to prepare students for high-demand healthcare careers while addressing workforce shortages.

Published Jun 29, 2026

The board unanimously approved the agenda and heard updates on three new vocational programs designed to connect students with career pathways in healthcare. Mark, the Teaching and Learning presenter, announced that the district has secured an EMR EMT (Emergency Medical Responder/Emergency Medical Technician) program certification, which unlocks a $79,000 state grant. The district is also launching a Nursing Assistance program through a partnership with Monarch Healthcare that requires no financial investment from the school.

Caitlyn Peglo has been hired as the medical careers staff member and teacher, beginning work on June 15. Kevin, a colleague of Mark's, praised the extensive legal and administrative work that went into establishing these partnerships, noting that attorneys verified the programs serve the district's best interests. Additionally, the board learned that a Youth Skills Training grant worth $99,000 over two years will support vocational programs, including machining and nursing assistance training.

Construction projects across the district are progressing on schedule, according to Cross Anderson, the project manager. Stadium footings are set to begin, and work at Hilltop Primary and Shirley Hills schools is underway. The manager acknowledged "a couple surprises" but said the team has the challenges "handled."

Financially, the district presented its adopted budget for fiscal year 2026-27, projecting a fund balance of $7.165 million, or 15.54% of the general fund. Treasurer Rob confirmed that all checks and financial records are in good order. The board also introduced its first artificial intelligence policy for consideration, establishing guidelines for responsible use of AI technology in schools.

The next regular board meeting is scheduled for July 13 at 6 p.m.

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Areas of Interest (8)

  • New EMR EMT and Nursing Assistance programs are launching, aiming to fill workforce gaps with $79K in EMT grants and a no-cost partnership with Monarch Healthcare.
  • A Youth Skills Training grant of $99,000 will support vocational programs, connecting students with career paths in machining and nursing assistance.
  • Significant progress reported on school construction projects, including stadium footings, high school interior work, and elementary school renovations, despite minor surprises.
  • The district's proposed FY 26-27 budget maintains a healthy fund balance of 15.54%, aligning with board policy, amidst stable but slightly decreasing enrollment.
  • The West Tanka school board is considering its first AI policy, 'Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence,' establishing guidelines for the emerging technology.
  • Medical insurance benefits for staff will increase by 14% to keep the internal service fund healthy, while dental and life insurance remain stable.
  • The food service department plans to spend down its fund balance on new equipment and facilities, aligning with updated state guidelines on reserves.
  • Over $430,000 in scholarships were awarded to 87 high school students, with the district managing a quarter of these funds.

Votes (1)

Approval of the agenda for the West Tanka school board meeting.

CarriesAll in favor ('I'), opposed (none stated)

Moved by Chair · Seconded by Unnamed Board Member

Notable Quotes (22)

Um, chair moves for approval of the agenda. Is there a second?

— Unnamed Chair
Agenda ApprovalInitiating the vote on the meeting agenda.

Second.

— Unnamed Board Member
Agenda ApprovalSeconding the motion to approve the agenda.

Motion carries.

— Unnamed Chair
Agenda ApprovalAnnouncing the successful approval of the agenda.

July 13th is a regular board meeting at 6 o'clock right here.

— Unnamed Speaker
AnnouncementsAnnouncing an upcoming meeting.

All right, we'll start with the stadium first. Um, there's a ranger greens. That was that was a productive week.

— Cross Anderson Representative
Construction ReportBeginning the construction report with stadium updates.

One of the exciting things, we're going to start the footings for the um for the stadium building tomorrow. So it's a that's a good milestone for us.

— Cross Anderson Representative
Stadium ConstructionHighlighting a key development in stadium construction.

Yep. Yep. Soil condition been positive. Weather's been great and we haven't I don't think we've lost the D yet. Um yeah, so we're just fine tuning the the schedule things, you know, things are a little bit a little bit ahead.

— Cross Anderson Representative
Construction ProgressProviding a positive update on site conditions and schedule.

So we're just waiting to move a fiber line this week and then that'll begin. but they've been able to stay busy on the other field and you'll see them starting to draw attention to that after really starting next week.

— Cross Anderson Representative
Field ConstructionExplaining the delay and next steps for Fields 7, 8, 9.

Couple surprises, but we're battling through, you know, just couple things, but um like with everything, you know, something always pops up, but I I think we we've got it we've got it handled.

— Cross Anderson Representative
High School ConstructionAcknowledging challenges but assuring the board that issues are being managed.

Yeah. Hilltop and Shirley Hills. We're we're off and running this week and everything is looking good.

— Cross Anderson Representative
Elementary School ConstructionProviding an update on elementary school projects.

and Mr. Chair business I looked at the check register and checks and all seems to be in good order.

— Rob
Treasurer's ReportConfirming the financial integrity after reviewing the check register.

Yes. Well, how exciting to see all this building going on. And I'm here tonight to give you three updates. Um as the buildings are being built, we are building the programs.

— Mark
Teaching & Learning UpdatesIntroducing the Teaching and Learning report, linking it to ongoing construction.

And what that's going to do is unlock that EMT grant of $79,000 and we can start spending money.

— Mark
EMR EMT ProgramExplaining the financial benefit of the EMR EMT program certification.

And I think the most exciting piece, Caitlyn Peglo, she's going to be our medical careers um staff member teacher. She begins work here in West June 15th.

— Mark
Nursing Assistance ProgramAnnouncing a significant new hire for the medical careers program.

I just want to compliment Mark. There was a lot of back and forth uh verifying with our attorneys to make sure that what we're setting up is truly in the best interest of our district.

— Kevin
Nursing Assistance ProgramAcknowledging Mark's extensive work on program partnerships and legal compliance.

That's at no cost to the district. No cost. Of course, what they're hoping for is to develop new employees.

— Mark
Monarch Healthcare PartnershipClarifying the financial terms of the Monarch Healthcare partnership, highlighting mutual benefits.

And the amazing thing about this, once we now sign off on the paperwork, this is going to be about $99,000 in grant money over two years for us.

— Mark
Youth Skills Training GrantAnnouncing a significant grant for vocational programs.

I just want to add just um there's a last minute um agenda item uh the first reading of our AI policy and that's policy 6250 responsible use of artificial intelligence.

— Mark
AI PolicyIntroducing a new policy for consideration.

good evening board. Um tonight we will be reviewing the fiscal year 2627 adopted budget.

— Kathy
Budget ReviewOpening the budget presentation.

Our district has benefited from stable enrollment. Um, after considering our projected kindergarten enrollment, our typical migration patterns, and the size of our most recent graduating class, we're projecting just a slight conservative decrease in our enrollment this fall.

— Kathy
EnrollmentSummarizing the district's enrollment trends and future projections.

In the adopted budget, we are projecting um an unassigned assigned fund balance of 7,165,000 or 15.54% of the general fund.

— Kathy
Fund BalanceStating the projected fund balance percentage.

Yes, I'm glad you mentioned that. Um there there's um there there used to be a rule of thumb that they wanted you to have um no more than three months um operating.

— Kathy
Food Service FundExplaining state guidelines on food service fund balances.

People (13)

Unnamed ChairChair

Called the West Tanka school board meeting to order and moved for approval of the agenda.

3 quotes

“Um, chair moves for approval of the agenda. Is there a second?”

Moving to approve the meeting agenda.

“Motion carries.”

Announcing the result of the agenda approval vote.

“Thank you Rob. Um any committee reports from anybody?”

After the Treasurer's report, asking for committee updates.

Unnamed Board MemberBoard Member

Seconded the motion for agenda approval and asked clarifying questions during reports.

3 quotes

“Second.”

Seconding the motion to approve the agenda.

“No, no surprises there so far.”

Asking about unexpected issues in construction.

“Caitlyn is a parent too, right?”

Asking about Caitlyn Peglo's personal life.

Cross Anderson RepresentativeProject Manager (implied)

Provided detailed updates on stadium, high school, Hilltop, Shirley Hills, and courtyard construction projects.

3 quotes

“All right, we'll start with the stadium first.”

Beginning the construction report.

“Couple surprises, but we're battling through, you know, just couple things, but um like with everything, you know, something always pops up, but I I think we we've got it we've got it handled.”

Addressing a question about surprises in construction.

“Yeah. Hilltop and Shirley Hills. We're we're off and running this week and everything is looking good.”

Reporting on progress at elementary schools.

RobTreasurer

Presented the Treasurer's report, detailing contributions and confirming check register status.

1 quote

“and Mr. Chair business I looked at the check register and checks and all seems to be in good order.”

Concluding the Treasurer's report.

MarkTeaching and Learning Presenter

Gave updates on the EMR EMT program, Nursing Assistance program, Youth Skills Training grant, and AI policy.

4 quotes

“Yes. Well, how exciting to see all this building going on. And I'm here tonight to give you three updates. Um as the buildings are being built, we are building the programs.”

Beginning the Teaching & Learning report.

“No, this this is it. We can launch the program.”

Clarifying the certification process for the EMR EMT program.

“And I think the most exciting piece, Caitlyn Peglo, she's going to be our medical careers um staff member teacher. She begins work here in West June 15th.”

Announcing a new hire for medical careers.

“That's at no cost to the district. No cost. Of course, what they're hoping for is to develop new employees.”

Explaining the financial benefits of the Monarch Healthcare partnership.

Caitlyn PegloMedical Careers Staff Member Teacher

Hired to lead the medical careers programs, starting full-time on June 15th.

KevinColleague of Mark

Provided additional context on the new medical programs and the hiring of Caitlyn Peglo, complimenting Mark's coordination.

1 quote

“I just want to compliment Mark. There was a lot of back and forth uh verifying with our attorneys to make sure that what we're setting up is truly in the best interest of our district.”

Praising Mark's efforts in establishing the nursing program partnership.

KathyFinancial Presenter

Reviewed the fiscal year 26-27 adopted budget and monthly financial reports, explained fund balances.

2 quotes

“good evening board. Um tonight we will be reviewing the fiscal year 2627 adopted budget.”

Beginning the budget presentation.

“Yes, I'm glad you mentioned that. Um there there's um there there used to be a rule of thumb that they wanted you to have um no more than three months um operating.”

Explaining fund balance guidelines for food service.

Brian CarlsonBoard Member

Served on the School Board Finance Committee.

Pastor Lauren DavisBoard Member

Served on the School Board Finance Committee.

Ralph HarrisonBoard Member

Served on the School Board Finance Committee.

Superintendent BorgSuperintendent

Served on the School Board Finance Committee.

EmilyStaff

Responsible for posting the district budget on the website.

Places Mentioned

West TankaUnited States of AmericaStadiumHigh SchoolHilltop Primary SchoolShirley HillsNorth Entrance (high school)Gym (high school)Machine Shop (high school)Special Education Classrooms (high school)Nursing Area (high school)Cafeteria (high school)CourtyardSunny FieldParking lot on the northDeloExcelureLake Minnetonka ShoresHarrison Bay

Events & Meetings (4)

  • West Tanka school board meeting (current)
  • Regular board meeting: July 13th, 6 o'clock, 'right here'
  • EMT program inspection: June 18th
  • School board finance committee meeting: Last Thursday, June 4th

Ordinances & Resolutions (1)

Policy 6250

First reading of the 'Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence' policy, modeled from MSBA with district tweaks.

Source document

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Other Topics from This Document

  • Pledge of Allegiance

  • Agenda Approval

  • Announcements

  • Public Address to the Board

  • Cross Anderson Construction Report: Stadium Progress

  • Cross Anderson Construction Report: Site Logistics & Parking

  • Cross Anderson Construction Report: Field Development & Landscaping

  • Cross Anderson Construction Report: High School Building Updates

  • Cross Anderson Construction Report: Hilltop & Shirley Hills Projects

  • Cross Anderson Construction Report: Courtyard Structural Work

  • Treasurer's Report & Financial Contributions

  • Committee Reports

  • Teaching & Learning Program Updates

  • EMR EMT Program Certification & Grant Application

  • Nursing Assistance Program Development & Partnership

  • Youth Skills Training Grant for Vocational Programs

  • First Reading: AI Policy 6250 (Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence)

  • Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Adopted Budget Review

  • Monthly Financial Reports (May 31, 2026)

  • Enrollment Trends & Projections

  • Budget Assumptions & Revenue Sources (State Aid, Property Tax)

  • General Fund Expenditures & Classroom Allocation

  • Fund Balance Analysis (Unassigned & Assigned)

  • Food Service Fund Management & Equipment Spending

  • Community Education Program Growth & Fund Balance Rebuilding

  • Building Construction Fund & Bond Sales

  • Debt Service Fund & Refinance Bonds

  • Trust Fund & Scholarship Administration

  • Internal Service Fund (Medical & Dental Benefits)

  • Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPED) Fund

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