During a September 23, 2024, work session, the Wayzata School Board reviewed the 2023-24 World’s Best Workforce (WBWF) report, which focused on the district’s progress toward kindergarten readiness and literacy goals. The report, presented by Dana Miller, Executive Director of Teaching and Learning, and Stacey Lackner, Ph.D., Director of Research & Evaluation, highlighted key legislative changes, student performance, and ongoing efforts to ensure all students are ready for school and reading at grade level.
The WBWF report detailed the district’s commitment to its strategic goals, emphasizing the importance of early childhood education as part of the “Successful Learner Equation.” The district’s efforts align with the Minnesota Department of Education’s initiative to support the social-emotional and academic needs of young learners. Through the “Connect at 3” initiative, the district has increased outreach to children ages 0-5 to prepare them for a smooth transition into kindergarten.
The district also highlighted its use of the FastBridge reading assessment tool, which provides valuable data on student learning and growth. According to the report, FastBridge assessments have been implemented across grades K-8 to identify students who may need additional support. In the 2023-24 school year, 65% of kindergarten and first-grade students scored in the “low risk” range for reading, indicating they are on track to meet grade-level targets.
Notably, the district is addressing achievement gaps among students from diverse racial, economic, and educational backgrounds. For example, 52% of Black or African American kindergarten and first-grade students were performing in the “low risk” range, while the percentage for Hispanic or Latino students was 52%. Efforts to close these gaps are a central focus of the district’s strategic plan.
The report also discussed upcoming legislative changes. The 2023 Reading to Ensure Academic Development (READ) Act removed the previous requirement for all students to be reading by third grade, instead shifting the focus to ensuring students read at grade level. Wayzata Public Schools will continue to report literacy results in alignment with the READ Act.
The Wayzata Public Schools (WPS) Well-Being Advisor Program has made significant strides since its inception five years ago, as presented to the Wayzata School Board. The program, aimed at supporting the mental health and overall wellness of staff, has expanded its services and demonstrated tangible benefits to both educators and students.
Led by Christina Buscko, MS, LPCC, and Katie Schultz, LICSW, LADC, MSW, the Well-Being Program was created to address increasing levels of stress and burnout among educators. According to statistics shared by the EdCan Network, 58% of K-12 teachers report feeling stressed “all the time,” which impacts their ability to teach effectively. In response, the program has focused on offering mental health therapy, tailored training, and group support to WPS staff and their household members.
“Teachers reported five fewer absences per year in schools that invested in well-being programs,” said Buscko, highlighting the positive correlation between teacher well-being and student achievement. Additionally, the program has been shown to improve teacher-student relationships.
The Well-Being Program has grown exponentially. In its first year, only four meetings were held; however, by the end of the last school year, the program averaged 113 sessions per month, reaching every school in the district at least once a year for training. This year, the program will continue to offer mental health therapy, support groups, and custom training sessions to meet the diverse needs of the staff.
WPS staff members, as well as their families, are eligible for therapy services, with a focus on flexibility and reducing barriers to care such as insurance and waitlists. “We want to demonstrate our commitment to staff well-being and minimize the obstacles to accessing care,” said Schultz.
With continued growth and expansion, the Well-Being Program remains a cornerstone of Wayzata Public Schools’ efforts to support its educators and ensure a thriving learning environment for students.
At a workshop on Monday, September 23rd, the Wayzata School Board discussed whether to recite or forgo the Pledge of Allegiance to start meetings.
The item came up as a result of Board member Valentina Eyres asking for the Pledge of Allegiance to be recited at the beginning of each School Board Meeting.
Chair Milind Sohoni stated via email for this article, “…we felt like it was important to start by providing Board members with background information at the September 23 Work Session. We are still determining next steps at this time.”
According to Amy Parnell, Director of Communications for Wayzata Public Schools, “The Wayzata School Board has not historically included the Pledge of Allegiance in their meetings.”
Removal of the Pledge of Allegiance in front of a public meeting can be controversial, as was revealed in a recent debate about the Pledge being recited at St. Louis Park City Council meetings. In that case, the City Council had been saying the pledge at the beginning of meetings, subsequently removed the pledge, sparking public backlash and a debate about being American, and then ultimately reinstated the pledge.
Origins of the Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance, first introduced by Francis Bellamy in 1892, has undergone several modifications over the years. Most notably, the phrase “under God” was added in 1954 during the Cold War under President Eisenhower, emphasizing the U.S. as a nation under divine guidance and contrasting it with the atheistic ideologies of communist countries. The practice of reciting the pledge spread nationwide after the Civil War and during significant immigration periods to promote unity, as was suggested in the St. Louis Park Star Tribune articles noted above.
Statute Mandates Pledge for Students
Minnesota state statute 121A.11 mandates that public and charter school students must recite the Pledge of Allegiance at least once a week. However, this requirement does not extend to school boards. While Wayzata School District policy allows students to opt out of the pledge, there is no similar mandate or exemption for board members.
Existing Policy for Students
Wayzata Public Schools already has Policy 531 in place based on Minnesota Statute 121A.11 addressing the Pledge of Allegiance:
I. Purpose:
The School Board recognizes the need to display an appropriate United States flag and to provide instruction to students in the proper etiquette, display, and respect of the flag. The purpose of this policy is to facilitate the recitation of the pledge and instruction in schools to help further that end.
II. General Statement of Policy
Students shall recite the pledge of allegiance one or more times a week. This recitation shall be conducted by each classroom teacher or a surrogate, or over a school intercom system by the principal or designee.
Anyone who does not wish to participate in reciting the pledge for personal reasons may elect not to do so. Students and school personnel must respect another person’s right to make that choice.
Students will also be instructed in proper etiquette toward, the correct display of, and respect for the flag.
Concerns About the Pledge
Milind Sohoni, Chair of the Wayzata School Board, discussed the pledge and shared research he found both in support of and against the board reciting it. Sohoni noted that opponents of the practice often express discomfort with the phrase “under God,” arguing that its inclusion in public settings endorses religion. “Some people feel that including a reference to God in a pledge resides in public settings is an endorsement of religion,” he said, reflecting concerns among those advocating for a strong separation of church and state.
Milind Sohoni.
Sohoni further pointed out that the refusal to recite the pledge has sometimes been used to question individuals’ patriotism, creating an environment where dissenting voices feel marginalized. “Some school boards reject the pledge of allegiance to promote inclusivity and respect for diverse beliefs and backgrounds,” he added.
Support for Reciting the Pledge
On the other hand, Sohoni indicated that those in favor of reciting the Pledge of Allegiance at board meetings argue that it is a long-standing tradition that reflects national unity. They believe that since the pledge is recited in classrooms, it should also be part of board meetings for consistency.
Supporters assert that the phrase “under God,” while having religious connotations, is more ceremonial than theological and reflects the country’s historical roots rather than endorsing any specific religion. The pledge is recited by bodies such as the Wayzata City Council, the Plymouth City Council, the Minnesota School Boards Association (MSBA), The Minnesota Legislature, and the U.S. Congress.
Discussion
During the workshop, Board Member Sheila Prior stated, “Just to clarify, we’re only talking about the board, the school board saying it, we’re not talking about anything about students, correct?” Sohoni affirmed this, stating, “That is correct, the policy is already in place for… the schools…“
Sheila Prior
Prior sought a clarification regarding past discussions about exemptions for students reciting the pledge, asking, “And this is in reference to us taking it out of the consent agenda many months ago?”
Sohoni answered this was not in reference to a January 9th 2024 statutory pledge requirement for students, “Our board was not doing that [the Pledge of Allegiance] anyway… it is not part of the consent agenda.”
Board Member Valentina Eyres emphasized the unifying power of the Pledge of Allegiance, reflecting on her experience as an immigrant. “I was amazed how kids are bringing, ‘I’m an American.’ When they are saying it, they are proud to be an American,” she stated.
Valentina Eyres
She underscored that the pledge serves as a commitment to the country, adding, “It unifies rather than divides. … We pledge to support all Americans.” Eyres urged the board to set an example, asking, “When we are as a board asking our students to recite the Pledge of Allegiance, why don’t we show an example?”
Board Member Paras Bhende emphasized the importance of focusing on student results. “Is there any kind of trend, observation that we have seen which is impacting that outcome?” he asked. He further questioned, “Do we see any issues or concerns within Wayzata School District?“
Paras Bhende
In response, Sohoni remarked, “That’s a good question, but I have not focused on that. I am focusing only on the school board. As far as the schools are concerned, I believe we do not have a choice. It’s by statute that we are requiring them to have the Pledge of Allegiance.“
Next Steps
The discussion at the workshop revealed a range of opinions on both sides but concluded without a formal vote. The board may revisit the issue of beginning to recite the Pledge of Allegiance to begin meetings at a future meeting, and public input will continue to be a vital component of the ongoing discussion. Board Director Valentina Eyres requested that the Pledge of Allegiance be recited at Board meetings and
As of now, the Wayzata School Board remains undecided on whether the Pledge of Allegiance will be recited at its meetings, with broader questions of patriotism, religion, and inclusivity at the heart of the debate.
This story has been updated to include Board Member Eyres’ request for the Pledge of Allegiance at the start of School Board meetings, which led to the agenda item. A quote from Milind Sohoni with background information has also been added.
Larger class sizes contemplated as one potential solution
Wayzata Public Schools are confronting financial challenges and contemplating cost-cutting measures, including potential increases in class sizes, following a declined proposal to alter a longstanding block schedule at Wayzata High School.
The initial plan, intended to save $1.2 million through staff cuts, faced opposition from the community in the form of a petition bearing over 2,600 signatures as well as feedback from stakeholders delivered directly to board members through emails, phone calls, and text messages.
Experiencing financial strain due to enrollment fluctuations and COVID-related expenses, the district is aiming to rebuild reserves to 7% of operating expenses, currently hovering at 6.8%. In pursuit of $1.5 million in cuts, district leaders initially considered modifying or eliminating the block schedule.
Superintendent Chace Anderson acknowledges the delicate balance between financial stability and preserving the high school schedule, proposing increased class sizes as an alternative, albeit with a cautionary note that schedule changes may still be inevitable.
Despite the financial pressures, the school board unanimously rejected altering the block schedule, highlighting its crucial role in enabling students to take 16 courses annually. The potential alterations seemed to pose a threat to the district’s reputation for academic excellence and its unique offerings, such as increased elective choices and advanced math classes.
Petition organizer Luyao Yang indicated there would be potential negative impacts on students as 2,600+ people added their signatures to the petition on Change.org opposing the proposed changes to the block schedule. Luyao’s stated concerns focus on the reduction of classes, increased workload, and potential for diminished education quality, especially in subjects like math and AP Calculus, with implications for college preparedness.
Stay tuned to Wayzata.com for more on this developing story, and feel free to subscribe to our news coverage to get Wayzata news delivered to your inbox whenever we post.
Vishala Kamojjala is running for Wayzata School Board and takes a moment to discuss her campaign with Wayzata.com’s Dan Gustafson. For more info on Kamojjala, visit: VoteForVishala.com
Incumbent Cheryl Polzin sits down to talk with Wayzata.com‘s Dan Gustafson to discuss her campaign for the Wayzata Public Schools School Board race. Polzin details her experience and some of the District’s accomplishments under her leadership. For more info visit VotePolzin.com. Sponsor: LakeMinnetonkaRealEstate.com
You must be logged in to post a comment.