School board reviews construction plans, academic performance gaps
The Woodbury School Board met on December 12 to hear updates on major high school construction projects, review student leadership initiatives, and discuss significant achievement gaps in math and reading proficiency across the district.
The board received detailed presentations on construction projects at East Ridge and Park High Schools, funded by a referendum approved last year. The projects include expansions to increase school capacity, new career and technical education wings, upgraded cafeterias, and improved traffic flow around school entrances. At East Ridge, the entry and drive sequence along Hargus Road will be reconfigured, while Park High School will see a new cafeteria and storm shelter with parent drop-off and pickup access from Crest View Road.
Student ambassadors from Northland Elementary, Woodbury Middle School, and East Ridge High School shared their experiences as student leaders, discussing school initiatives like the "10 days of giving" program and spirit week activities. Their presentations highlighted how student leadership roles foster communication and connection across the district.
The district presented its annual Comprehensive Achievement and Civic Readiness report, which tracks progress toward academic and civic goals. While some early childhood and kindergarten readiness goals were met, the report revealed significant achievement gaps in math and reading proficiency on state standardized tests. The district also updated its Achievement and Integration plan, a three-year initiative aimed at reducing academic disparities and increasing racial and economic integration. The plan showed progress in academic success and culturally affirming spaces based on internal metrics, though these differ from standardized test results.
During a Truth and Taxation hearing on the 2025 property tax levy, the board explained how school funding works in Minnesota and presented a proposed 1.2% levy increase. The increase is largely driven by voter-approved referendums and property value growth, while the district also highlighted challenges including lagging state funding and underfunded special education programs. The board discussed how these funding mechanisms impact the district's ability to address achievement gaps and support student needs.
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Ordinances & Resolutions (10)
Agenda for the current meeting, with additions for student expulsion discussion and action.
Passed a year prior, funding Safety and Security (Question 1) and elementary school projects (Question 2).
Mandated annual report on district progress towards academic and civic readiness goals, formerly known as World's Best Workforce.
Three-year plan aimed at racial and economic integration, increasing student achievement, and reducing academic disparities.
Standardized tests used to measure math and reading proficiency for CACR goals.
College readiness test used to measure reading benchmarks for CACR goals.
Assessments tied to the ARC elementary literacy curriculum, used for kindergarten reading readiness.
Report with which the CACR report is submitted to the state.
Legislation that eliminated the specific third-grade literacy goal from CACR reporting.
Proposed and final levy for taxes payable in 2025, presented during the Truth and Taxation hearing.
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Other Topics from This Document
High School Construction Updates
Academic Achievement and Equity Reporting
Truth and Taxation Hearing
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