October 24th, 2024 Board Meeting Summary
Amazing things can happen when teachers, parents and the community work together to create educational opportunities for youth.
The MTCS Board of Directors convened on Thursday, October 24th, 2024, for its monthly meeting. This session featured two engaging presentations and welcomed new members Mars Robmann and Matt Edgar to the Board. The board enjoyed insightful presentations showcasing the remarkable initiatives taking place at MTCS, and a big thank you goes to the students and staff who shared their work.
We are excited to have Mars Robmann and Matt Edgar join the MTCS Board of Directors, and we greatly appreciate their commitment to the school community. Additionally, the board approved an $800 compensation for teachers who complete the Read Act 2.0 certification, specifically those who achieve an 80% or higher in The Science of Reading Training. Staff are encouraged to continue working on their Modules, with further information to be provided as the training phases progress. Thank you to everyone participating in this important state-mandated reading certification!
Parent Board Seat Vacancy
Team MTCS, do you know of an amazing parent of one of your students who would be a great board member? Currently there is an open board seat for a parent member. Please let Peter Rand (peter.rand@emailmtcs.org) know if there is someone you think would be a great fit for joining the board and helping create bright futures for our students.
Around the District
Things to know.
P.E.A.S.E. PANCAKE BREAKFAST – Saturday, November 2nd is P.E.A.S.E. Academy’s “famous” annual Pancake Breakfast. It runs from 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. All you can eat Pancakes for $7 plus there will be sausage, orange juice and coffee. All the proceeds go directly to the students of P.E.A.S.E. and their wonderful Prom.
Presentations
Hearing from our students, families and staff gives us powerful insights into our work and its impact.
MNVS Clubs & Organizations:
Several Minnesota Virtual Schools students joined the October board meeting to share recent experiences they have had with some of the clubs and activities at MNVS. There are more than 18 clubs and activities at MNVS that students are eligible to participate in and they meet online, around the community and even go to special events. From writing club, dungeons and dragons, food, fitness the clubs give students a chance to go deeper on an interest and connect with fellow students. Zach shared, “It’s a good opportunity to meet other kids and share interests and being able to show off our interests.” And Bella said, “The best thing about the clubs–it gives me a good social life!” She has made friends and even plans to get together with some of them outside of school activities.
Partnering and connecting are such an important part of school. MNVS offers students so many ways to discover one another and explore interests.
MNVS K-5 Presentation:
The new K-5 school in Minnesota Virtual’s program is off and running with more than 35 students, grades kindergarten through fifth grade. The teachers are expert at keeping students engaged and excited about their work.
MNVS K-5 believes that a strong part of an elementary student’s learning is the connection and social elements of learning together and the program was created to offer students synchronized learning with classmates and teachers in the morning, and the opportunity for flexibility with electives in the afternoon. It’s a great
Actions and Policies
Meeting student needs in a changing world means that MTCS updates policies and procedures.
There were a number of policy reads this month, but no new adoptions.
Spotlight
The MTCS District is made up of talented, passionate people! Read about one of them here.
This month’s spotlight features one of the two newly appointed MTCS Board of Directors, Matt Edgar!
Matt Edgar, veteran teacher at Banaadir Academy, has worked in education for more than twenty years, ten as a full-time teacher. He has spent the last nine years as a Social Studies teacher, but this year has transitioned to Digital/Visual Arts along with College/Careers class for 9th graders. Matt has worked with students to bring and make relevant what they are learning in the classroom to their lives. He raised money and supported bringing students to see the broadway play Hamilton, help them see history come alive and involved many of our students with college campus visits, guest speakers and continue making their education relevant and modern to their daily lives.
(Matt Edgar)
MTCS Enrollment
Growth in our schools keeps us strong and enrollment gives us a strong indicator of meeting student and family needs. These are the enrollment numbers as of the most recent board meeting.
- Minnesota Virtual Schools K-5: 37
- Minnesota Virtual Schools 6-12: 592
- MTS Elementary K-6: 84
- MTS Secondary 7-12: 156
- Banaadir Elementary K-5:147
- Banaadir Academy 6-12: 128
- P.E.A.S.E. Academy 8-12: 25
- Connections Academy: 4,895
All MTCS board information, agendas, minutes, etc. are available on the MTCS.org website at: https://mtcs.org/board-of-
Thank you,
Your MTCS Board Chair
