Pony Voices- Episode 401: School's Back (And It's Different)

Sunday, August 3, 2025

District-wide school start time adjustments

Transition to earlier academic calendar start date

New 'bell-to-bell' personal device and cell phone restriction policy

Addressing student mental health through policy changes

Logistical support for families (Adventure Club expansion)

Communication strategies during emergency events

Areas of Interest (5)

Stillwater schools force major upheaval with three simultaneous policy changes: start times, calendar shifts, and a district-wide phone ban.
Controversial calendar change cuts summer break short by a week to improve instructional time for high-stakes testing.
Superintendent claims 'back to the future' phone ban will improve school safety, despite parent concerns regarding emergency communication.
District pivots to 'student-centered' research-based scheduling despite community backlash over logistics and sports conflicts.
Will Stillwater's data-driven approach to student mental health pay off? Superintendent commits to annual surveys to evaluate impact.

Notable Quotes (3)

If you were to scan the Twin Cities metropolitan area, Stillwater area schools... has had some of the earliest start times really in the metro.
— Mike Funk

Start TimesExplaining the rationale for flipping start times.

We will be done before Memorial Day... the board is committed to doing it I think for three years to see how the community thinks about it.
— Mike Funk

Academic CalendarDiscussing the new calendar structure.

What we find is if something is happening, kids will then text their parents... we think our kids will actually be safer because it will provide us time and focus.
— Mike Funk

SafetyAddressing safety concerns regarding the phone ban.

People (2)

Cararissa KesterHost

Representative of Stillwater Area Public Schools; host of the Pony Voices podcast.

Mike FunkSuperintendent

Superintendent of Stillwater Area Public Schools; expert on district policy changes.

2 quotes

“We are realigning ourselves with what the research says.”

Regarding the decision to flip-flop school start times.

“We are student centered and we're trying to do what's best for kids.”

Justifying the recent set of district policy shifts.

Places Mentioned

Stillwater Area Public SchoolsTwin Cities metropolitan areaMinnesota

Events & Meetings (1)

Upcoming school year start (August date)

Ordinances & Resolutions (1)

Cell Phone Policy

Mandatory ban on cell phones, smartwatches, and tablets from bell-to-bell during the school day.

View Source