At its June 25, 2026, business meeting held at the District Service Center in Cottage Grove, the South Washington County School Board received a comprehensive overview of the district's activities and athletics highlights for the 2025-26 school year. The presentation underscored a year of significant athletic achievements, high student participation, and a continued emphasis on education-based programming at Eastridge and Park High Schools. Superintendent Christine Schaefer introduced the annual report, which detailed championship successes and robust student engagement initiatives across the district.

Eastridge High School's Championship Season

Sarah Paladichuk, Activities Director for Eastridge High School, presented a series of accomplishments for her school. Eastridge celebrated a particularly strong year, with the boys lacrosse team clinching a championship title. The softball team also demonstrated remarkable skill, advancing to the state tournament, showcasing widespread success across various sports programs within the school.

I think our success really boiled down to three things: a talented roster, a strong team culture, and the incredible support we had surrounding us.

Head Coach Aaron Peterson reflected on the key factors contributing to the Eastridge boys lacrosse team’s championship season, highlighting the synergy between player talent, team spirit, and community backing.

Park High School's Notable Achievements

Phil Kimmel, Activities Director for Park High School, along with Administrative Intern Lander Hicks, highlighted Park's notable athletic endeavors. The girls gymnastics team brought home a championship, a testament to their dedication and precision. Additionally, a track and field relay team earned a second-place finish at the state competition, a significant achievement that resonated deeply with the student-athletes involved.

It really, I think, defined my high school running career. Not that it was taking second, but I got to do it with my best friends.

Student athlete Parker Pocheski shared a personal reflection on the track relay experience, emphasizing the value of camaraderie and shared achievement over the final placement.

Education-Based Athletics Philosophy

Beyond the wins and accolades, the district emphasized its unwavering commitment to an education-based athletics model. Phil Kimmel articulated this core philosophy during his presentation, distinguishing district programs from other athletic organizations.

We're education-based athletics. We're not club sports. We're not AAOU... we really try to be purpose-based.

This approach, as explained by Activities Director Phil Kimmel, prioritizes character development, leadership skills, and lifelong learning over purely competitive outcomes. The district aims to foster well-rounded individuals who contribute positively to their communities, aligning with the broader educational mission rather than mimicking club or amateur athletic union models.

The district reported high student participation rates across its extensive offerings in activities and athletics for the 2025-26 school year. While overall engagement remained robust, concerns were noted regarding gender parity in sports participation, an area the district aims to address in future planning. Student leadership initiatives, such as 'Just Serve' clubs, also showed significant growth in community engagement, highlighting the students' commitment to contributing positively beyond the playing field. Board members Elizabeth Bachmanberg, Luis Hines, Ryan Clark, Melinda Dos, and Simei Patnneak were present, with Vice Chair Sharon Vanlier presiding over the meeting where these highlights were shared. The review concluded with a positive outlook on the ongoing development of student-athletes and participants within South Washington County Schools.