The ISD622 School Board approved a cooperative agreement Monday allowing North and Tartan high schools to combine their girls swimming and diving teams for the upcoming season.

Assistant Superintendent Andy Beaton told board members the decision was driven by low participation numbers at both schools and a coaching change at Tartan High School. The district previously operated successful co-ops for boys swimming and hockey programs.

"We feel like just the strength of the program and being able to have a competitive program pushes us to propose this co-op in girl swimming," Beaton said. Both schools' activities directors support the arrangement, which must be implemented by Aug. 1.

Board members questioned whether the district needs formal guidelines for when co-op decisions should be made, noting similar concerns have been raised about girls basketball and softball programs. Superintendent Christine Tuchio Serio said the district's activities oversight committee, which meets each trimester, will continue monitoring participation numbers across all programs.

The board also designated Tuchio Serio as the district's identified official with authority for state reporting systems and approved the fiscal year 2027 long-term facilities maintenance plan, which must be submitted to the Minnesota Department of Education by July 31.