South Washington County School District leaders are currently focusing on two core areas: boosting literacy and planning construction projects for more space for learning.

Recently, Superintendent Julie Nielsen and Assistant Superintendents, Dr. Tyrone Brookins, Kelly Jansen and Kristin Schaefer, along with Shawn Hogendorf, director of communications and community relations, and Abby Baker, executive director of Human Resources and operations spoke with Woodbury News Net about developments in the school district.

Assistant superintendent Kelly Jansen explained how the district asked staff members for their input to set up the program. “OL&LA helped our secondary teachers realize how they can support literacy for our students as they get to seventh grade or higher,” Jansen added, “The district added about 60 extra hours of professional development training for its teachers on how to teach literacy. Training helped them to teach the new curriculum also.”

One example was how kindergartners learn that “c” goes with “a,” “o,” and “u,” while “k” goes with “i” and “e.” Understanding these phonic patterns and reciting them back with rhymes help them remember the patterns. The teachers are excited about how well the kids can read and write in groups and are confident that the group work will help them write better individually.

“A lot of elementary teachers have experienced ‘aha! moments’ with this program,” said Nielsen.

Human resources and operations executive director Abby Baker said that even lunch time is used as an opportunity to improve literacy as well as nutritional knowledge. There is a big picture of Bessie the Cow in the lunchrooms. Pictures and words explain the many milk-based products that a cow provides. Students learn facts about the food they are eating that are reinforced with games like trivia questions. “We try to remind every staff member that you are a literacy trainer or role model,” Baker added.

Jansen added that on December 10 there is a session from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Lake Middle School Media Center inviting families to attend to “tell them a bit more of our literacy efforts and show them examples of how you can support this effort at home.”

Construction Projects

There has been tremendous excitement in the district since the $200 million bond referendum passed in November 2023. District leaders view the success of the referendum as a validation of the hundreds of hours spent in meetings and planning by district officials and staff.

For the current school year, projects have been planned in all four middle schools and three high schools. Construction will begin in Spring 2025 for East Ridge High School and Oltman Middle School. Construction will last two to three years. But, ”school will go on!” stated an excited Kristin Schaefer. There was laughter all around when asked if it would be “normal.” Construction will be ongoing during school hours causing some disruptions. Certain hallways may be blocked or the entrance to East Ridge will be closed but another door will allow entry.

Hogenndorf added that community and public information meetings about the construction projects are planned for early 2025. Design and planning for reconstruction at elementary schools will also begin in 2025.

Additionally, in October 2024, ISD 833 paid $1.7 million to purchase the Light the Way Church property in Cottage Grove, which will be used for the district’s adult learning program.

She is hopeful that these construction enhancements will create enough space for the district for the next 10-15 years. ISD 833 now serves over 18,800 students in seven cities over its 84-square-mile-wide school district.

“We are in our first year of planning and construction will continue over the next four years,” said superintendent Nielsen. “Somewhere in the next five years, the district will also be discussing their next five-year plan.”