194NOW Family eNews: That's a wrap on the 2025-26 sc...

June 12, 2026 That's a wrap on the 2025-26 school year! Last Days of School! School is OFFICIALLY out for summer! May 28 was the last day of school for Small Wonders Preschool students, June 2 was the last day of school for elementary students, June 3 was the last day for high schoolers, and June 4 was the last day for middle schoolers. Congratulations to our students and staff on another incredible year of learning, growth and friendship. We wish everyone a fantastic, fun, and safe summer break.  Enjoy some of the fun had on the last days of school on the district's Facebook page. Facebook Photo Album Links: Small Wonders Preschool | Elementary | Middle School | High School   Congratulations to the Class of 2026! You did it! Lakeville Area Schools seniors celebrated commencement on June 4 at Lakeville North and Lakeville South high schools, and Lakeville Pathways Academy seniors celebrated commencement June 3 at Brackett’s Crossing Country Club. Congratulations, Class of 2026! Photos from the commencement ceremonies and our ‘Senior Stroll’ are LIVE on the district’s Facebook page. Class of 2026 families can expect to receive communication from our photography partner, Kemmetmueller Photography, in the coming weeks with additional graduation photos.   Reflections from the Class of 2026 Hear from the Class of 2026 on what they are going to miss the most about high school, where they're off to next, and what they are looking forward to in the next chapter of their lives. School Board Updates November ​3, 202​6 School Board Election - Affidavits of Candidacy Accepted July 14-28 On November ​3, Lakeville Area Schools residents will elect ​f​our people to the school board. Up for election ​are the seat​s currently occupied by ​Vice Chair Dr. Carly Anderson, Clerk Kim Baker, Treasurer Tony Reichenberger, and Director Brian Thompson. The elected candidate​s will take office in January 202​7 and serve a four-year term. ​For those interested in running for school board, affidavits of candidacy will be accepted beginning July ​14 through ​J​uly 28, 2026. An Affidavit of Candidacy must be filed in the office of the School District Clerk and the $2 filing fee paid prior to 5:00 p.m. on July 28, 2026. Stay informed about the upcoming school board election and view affidavits of candidacy at isd194.org/board-election.   June 9 School Board Work Session Recap Key items from the June 9 work session include: The school board heard an annual report from Joe Bergquist regarding the Lakeville Arenas. The arenas are operated via a joint agreement between the City of Lakeville and Lakeville Area Schools. Revenue has doubled since 2020, and several programs have been added or expanded (12:29). The school board and administration discussed a resolution of intent to sell bonds that will be on the agenda as a recommended action at the next school board meeting. This provides the school district with authority needed to sell bonds required to support the middle school additions and remodeling projects approved by district residents via the Growing Together Referendum vote on May 12, 2026 (41:17). The school board and administration discussed the preliminary Fiscal Year 2027 budget. The unassigned fund balance is projected to be at 8.5% by June 30, 2027. While enrollment continues to rise, the rate of growth has slowed. The budget is reviewed regularly at school board meetings throughout the year (1:02:03). The school board discussed their assignments to advisory councils (2:07:14). The school board and superintendent discussed the superintendent’s goals for the next school year (2:25:41).   May 26 School Board Meeting Recap Key items from the May 26 school board meeting include: The Educators of Excellence Awards were presented by outgoing president of Education Minnesota Lakeville (EML) Carrie Popp and incoming president Randy Adams (8:24).  The school board approved the Long Term Facilities and Maintenance (LTFM) Plan for Intermediate District 917, of which Lakeville Area Schools is a member district (17:23). The school board approved the Long Term Facilities and Maintenance (LTFM) Plan for Lakeville Area Schools. This is a 10-year plan (17:23).  The school board approved the sale of and removal of surplus technology devices in accordance with Minnesota Statues 123B.52 and 471.345. Proceeds from the sale will support future technology replacement cycles and instructional technology investments (17:23).  The school board approved Policy 704 Development and Maintenance of an Inventory of Fixed Assets and a Fixed Asset Accounting System (17:23).  The school board approved a resolution establishing the following dates for filing affidavits of candidacy for the office of school board member: July 14, 2026 through July 28, 2026. An Affidavit of Candidacy must be filed in the office of the School District Clerk and the $2 filing fee paid prior to 5:00 o’clock p.m. on July 28, 2026 (17:23). The school board approved English Language Arts (ELA) grade 6-8 curriculum resources (20:12). The school board approved secondary Social Studies curriculum resources (51:40).  A Special Education Update report was shared with the school board that included information on the programs, settings and services offered; staffing updates; and other key highlights from the year including the new mentorship program (1:03:16).  Heard the first reading of policies 606.5 Library Materials, 102 Equal Educational Opportunity, and 531 The Pledge of Allegiance (1:57:11). May 19 School Board Meeting Recap At the May 19 special meeting, the school board approved a resolution canvassing the return of votes from the school district’s special election on May 12. The Growing Together bond referendum for additions and renovations at the district’s three middle schools was approved 54.04% yes to 45.96% no (3,717 yes votes, 3,161 no votes). Additional key items from the May 19 work session include: The school board received the annual facility use presentation and reviewed the fee structure. No rental fee increases were recommended. Recommendations did include adding a parking lot rental fee and updating fees for utilization of student nutrition staff in order to fully cover the cost of those staff (20:46).  The school board and administration reviewed the Long Term Facilities and Maintenance (LTFM) plan for Intermediate District 917, of which ISD194 is a member district (49:05).  The school board and administration reviewed the ISD194 Long Term Facilities and Maintenance (LTFM) plan (1:19:58). The school board and administration reviewed the bid selection for the sale of technology equipment related to staff device updates (1:38:52).  The school board and administration reviewed the preliminary Fiscal Year 2027 Budget (1:52:02).  The school board and administration reviewed two new policies that are required by the state of Minnesota: 512 School Sponsored Student Publications and Activities and 606.5 Library Materials (2:26:20).    Full recaps, meeting materials and future meeting dates can be found on the district website. To watch school board meeting recordings, visit our YouTube channel playlist. For meeting materials, please visit BoardBook. Read Full Meeting Recaps District Announcements District Building Access During June 29 - July 5 During the week of June 29 - July 5, school buildings will be closed to the public with the exception of Summer Wonder Zone and Summer Adventures, pre-approved high school activities and community education programs.  The District Office and Community Education Offices will also be closed to the public June 29 - July 3.   End-Of-Year ParentSquare Mass Communications Updates Effective June 30, 2026, all posts will be archived in ParentSquare. This means that starting July 1, you will no longer be able to see posts from the 2025-26 school year in your ParentSquare dashboard. Between now and June 30, we recommend copying/pasting and/or taking a screenshot of any posts from the 2025-26 school year you would like to save. Please note that if you are staying with the district going into the next school year, your account will still remain registered and active in the system. As we get closer to the start of the new school year, you will begin to see your student's new teachers in your ParentSquare account. As a reminder, ParentSquare resources, FAQs, and more can be found at isd194.org/parentsquare. Summer Resources Throughout the summer months, we encourage parents/guardians to take a look at the summer resources available on our website. Resources include: Meal Assistance Summer Academic Services At-Home Learning Resources Lakeville Area Community Education Programs and Camps Ready, Set, ACHIEVE! And MORE! Find Summer Resources   Free summer meals for students through The Open Door Mobile Lunchbox The Open Door will provide wholesome, healthy food and meals for kids ages 1-18 FREE of charge through a Mobile Lunch Box curbside pickup program at several locations in Lakeville and Burnsville throughout the summer.  Find pickup locations, dates and times: Lakeville Route (en español) Surrounding Areas Routes   Save the Date for Ready, Set, ACHIEVE! on August 20 Ready, Set, ACHIEVE! (RSA) is a school readiness event designed to ensure every child is ready for a successful school year. This event provides school supplies, immunizations and other community resources for Lakeville Area Schools enrolled students–all FREE of charge! This year’s event will take place August 20 from 12-4 p.m. in the Lakeville North High School Commons. How You Can Support Lakeville Students You can help local students succeed by donating funds, new school supplies, or your time. Learn more here. Learn More about RSA   School-Home Connections: Keep the Learning Going over Summer Break! Keep the learning going over summer break! On our School-Home Connections webpage, you'll find at-home learning resources for K-12 families, including literacy and mathematics resources and activities. Back-to-School Checklist It's never too early to start preparing for the next school year! Review the materials listed below and on our 'Back-to-School' webpage to start the 2026-27 school year strong. Materials include: Important forms that need to be filled out annually Reminders and changes for the upcoming year Accounts and apps to help you stay connected and organized Safety and Security Reminders And more! Additional information, including the Annual Household Check In and Educational Benefits, will be added to this webpage and shared with families over the summer, so keep an eye on your email inbox! Back-to-School Webpage   Check Your Student’s Immunizations Records for the 2026-27 School Year As we look ahead to the 2026-27 school year, now is a good time to schedule an updated physical for your student and to check if your student’s immunizations are up to date. These charts shows what vaccines are required by the State of Minnesota by age/grade: Grades K-12: Are Your Kids Ready? and When to Get Vaccines Birth - Kindergarten: Are Your Kids Ready? and When to Get Vaccines Minnesota law requires all children enrolled in school to be immunized against certain diseases from birth to 18 years of age, or to file a legal medical or conscientious exemption (Statute 121A.15, Rule 4604.0400). In Lakeville Area Schools, each student must have documentation that they have received certain immunizations or documentation of an exemption submitted before the first day of school (see policy webpage, policy 530). Read More & Find Vaccine Clinics Lakeville Area Community Education Ready to make this summer legendary? The Lakeville Area Schools Community Education Summer Fun Guide is your ultimate blueprint for a season of non-stop excitement and discovery. Whether you're looking for specialized camps or full-day adventures, we have everything you need to plan a summer your student(s) will never forget! From tech-driven thrills to creative masterpieces, our lineup is designed to keep kids learning while having the time of their lives. Check out the Summer Fun Guide, pick your programs, and secure your spot today. Let’s start planning for a summer of thriving, exploring, and pure fun! Summer Fun Guide (mobile) Summer Fun Guide (desktop) Don’t forget that Community Education offers Fee Assistance to families who qualify for Educational Benefits. Follow this link for more details. Alumni Relations Calling all Lakeville alum! Our alumni are an important part of our Lakeville Area Schools community! We invite all alumni to choose how they'd like to stay engaged with Lakeville Area Schools by filling out the form on our 'Alumni Relations' webpage. 194PRIDE Community eNewsletter Looking for more news from your school district? Check out our 194PRIDE Community eNewsletter! This month's edition features our latest Show & Tell, What Did You Learn and an Alumni Spotlight! Be sure to check it out! Upcoming Meetings & Events School Board Meetings June 23, 6 p.m., District Office - Oak Room July 14, 6 p.m., District Office - Oak Room Districtwide Events August 20: Ready, Set, ACHIEVE! - Annual School Readiness Event - Lakeville North High School See additional upcoming meetings and events at isd194.org/calendar. Find more upcoming Lakeville North and Lakeville South events here, and upcoming MSHSL state tournament dates at mshsl.org/tournaments. Let's Get Connected! 194PRIDE Community eNewsletter Looking for more news from Lakeville Area Schools? Check out our 194PRIDE Community eNewsletter! Sign up to receive 194PRIDE in your email inbox monthly at bit.ly/194PRIDE-Sign-Up! Find us on Social Media Facebook | Instagram YouTube Channel Visit the Lakeville Area School's Youtube Channel to watch school board meetings and other school and district events. District News Webpage Visit our district news page at isd194.org/news for additional district updates and stories. Careers Become part of a dynamic, collaborative environment where your contributions make a lasting difference. Search and apply for jobs at isd194.org/jobs. Our Mission Together with our families and community, Lakeville Area Schools provides educational opportunities to ensure academic, social, civic, and personal readiness for every student. Our Vision To provide a safe, respectful, engaging, rigorous, and collaborative learning environment for all students, families and staff where every person belongs, is valued, and can succeed. Student Focused, Community Connected June 12, 2026

Friday, Jun 12 2026

194PRIDE: Last Days of School, Class of 2026, School...

June 5, 2026 That's a wrap on the 2025-26 school year! Last Days of School! School is OFFICIALLY out for summer! May 28 was the last day of school for Small Wonders Preschool students, June 2 was the last day of school for elementary students, June 3 was the last day for high schoolers, and June 4 was the last day for middle schoolers. Congratulations to our students and staff on another incredible year of learning, growth and friendship. We wish everyone a fantastic, fun, and safe summer break.  Enjoy some of the fun had on the last days of school on the district's Facebook page. Additional photos will be added in the coming days. Facebook Photo Album Links: Small Wonders Preschool | Elementary | Middle School | High School   Congratulations to the Class of 2026! Lakeville Area Schools seniors celebrated commencement on June 4 at Lakeville North and Lakeville South high schools, and Lakeville Pathways Academy seniors celebrated commencement June 3 at Brackett’s Crossing Country Club. Congratulations, Class of 2026! Photos from our ‘Senior Stroll’ and a limited number of commencement photos will be posted to the district’s Facebook page. More photos will be added in the coming days.  Families can expect to receive communication from our photography partner, Kemmetmueller Photography, in the coming weeks with additional graduation photos.   Graduating Senior Reflections Hear from the Class of 2026 on what they are going to miss the most about high school, where they're off to next, and what they are looking forward to in the next chapter of their lives. School Board Updates May School Board Meeting Recaps May 26 School Board Meeting Key items from the May 26 school board meeting include: The Educators of Excellence Awards were presented by outgoing president of Education Minnesota Lakeville (EML) Carrie Popp and incoming president Randy Adams (8:24).  The school board approved the Long Term Facilities and Maintenance (LTFM) Plan for Intermediate District 917, of which Lakeville Area Schools is a member district (17:23). The school board approved the Long Term Facilities and Maintenance (LTFM) Plan for Lakeville Area Schools. This is a 10-year plan (17:23).  The school board approved the sale of and removal of surplus technology devices in accordance with Minnesota Statues 123B.52 and 471.345. Proceeds from the sale will support future technology replacement cycles and instructional technology investments (17:23).  The school board approved Policy 704 Development and Maintenance of an Inventory of Fixed Assets and a Fixed Asset Accounting System (17:23).  The school board approved a resolution establishing the following dates for filing affidavits of candidacy for the office of school board member: July 14, 2026 through July 28, 2026. An Affidavit of Candidacy must be filed in the office of the School District Clerk and the $2 filing fee paid prior to 5:00 o’clock p.m. on July 28, 2026 (17:23). The school board approved English Language Arts (ELA) grade 6-8 curriculum resources (20:12). The school board approved secondary Social Studies curriculum resources (51:40).  A Special Education Update report was shared with the school board that included information on the programs, settings and services offered; staffing updates; and other key highlights from the year including the new mentorship program (1:03:16).  Heard the first reading of policies 606.5 Library Materials, 102 Equal Educational Opportunity, and 531 The Pledge of Allegiance (1:57:11). May 19 School Board Meeting Recap At the May 19 special meeting, the school board approved a resolution canvassing the return of votes from the school district’s special election on May 12. The Growing Together bond referendum for additions and renovations at the district’s three middle schools was approved 54.04% yes to 45.96% no (3,717 yes votes, 3,161 no votes). Additional key items from the May 19 work session include: The school board received the annual facility use presentation and reviewed the fee structure. No rental fee increases were recommended. Recommendations did include adding a parking lot rental fee and updating fees for utilization of student nutrition staff in order to fully cover the cost of those staff (20:46).  The school board and administration reviewed the Long Term Facilities and Maintenance (LTFM) plan for Intermediate District 917, of which ISD194 is a member district (49:05).  The school board and administration reviewed the ISD194 Long Term Facilities and Maintenance (LTFM) plan (1:19:58). The school board and administration reviewed the bid selection for the sale of technology equipment related to staff device updates (1:38:52).  The school board and administration reviewed the preliminary Fiscal Year 2027 Budget (1:52:02).  The school board and administration reviewed two new policies that are required by the state of Minnesota: 512 School Sponsored Student Publications and Activities and 606.5 Library Materials (2:26:20).    Full recaps, meeting materials and future meeting dates can be found on the district website. To watch past school board meetings, visit our YouTube channel playlist. Read Full Meeting Recaps Points of Pride Spin, Solve, Win: Lakeville’s Krista Schlegel wins big on Wheel of Fortune Krista Schlegel, a Secondary Instructional & Data Support Specialist (IDSS), appeared on a recent episode of Wheel of Fortune and came away as the night's champion! Schlegel solved two toss-up puzzles and the prize puzzle, earning a Caribbean cruise and finishing the show with $20,145 in winnings. Schlegel has been part of Lakeville Area Schools for 22 years. Before serving in her current role, she spent 19 years as a middle school English teacher and reading interventionist, making a lasting impact on students across the district. Congratulations, Krista, on your exciting achievement and memorable Wheel of Fortune victory! Celebrating Our 2025-26 Retirees and Years of Service honorees Congratulations to our incredible staff members celebrating retirement and years of service milestones this year! We are deeply grateful for the dedication, talent and care these individuals have shared with students, families and colleagues throughout their careers in Lakeville Area Schools.  Honorees were recognized at the Staff Recognition Celebration on May 27 at Lakeville South High School. View retirees | View Years of Service Milestones 5th grade Math Masters teams solve their way to success 5th graders from Oak Hills and Orchard Lake elementaries recently put their teamwork and problem-solving skills to the test at regional Math Masters competitions. Oak Hills Elementary: Secured 1st, 2nd, and 5th place! Orchard Lake Elementary: Secured 1st and 10th place! Learn more and view OHE and OLE’s individual results. Lakeville South and McGuire Middle celebrate cultures of the world Global celebrations were in full force in May at Lakeville South High School and McGuire Middle School. Students, staff and community members came together to learn about and celebrate the joys of the different cultures that make up their school communities. Learn more.   Looking for more great news? Visit our District News Page for more student and staff-centered stories. Engage, Connect, Make a Difference Looking for a job that allows you to engage with your community, connect with students and staff, and make a difference every single day? Check out the employment opportunities through Lakeville Area Schools!  As of June 3, we have nearly 90 current job openings, including: Building Nurses Paraprofessionals Special Education Teachers Elementary & Secondary Teachers Student Nutrition Cooks And much more! Learn from our staff firsthand about what it is like to work for District 194 in our recruitment video. Search & Apply for Jobs Show & Tell Personal Readiness in Lakeville Area Schools It's time for our final Show and Tell video of the 2025-26 school year! This school year, we dove into our school district’s mission - to provide educational opportunities to ensure academic, social, civic and personal readiness for every student. In this episode, we explore what personal readiness looks like in our schools, featuring students and staff from Oak Hills Elementary and McGuire Middle School. Watch now. What Did You Learn? Excellence Welcome to the final edition of What Did You Learn for the 2025-26 school year! Hear from Orchard Lake Elementary 1st grader Ameilia, and Highview Elementary 3rd grader Clayton, as they share what Excellence means to them.  Watch now. Alumni Relations Alumni Spotlight: From Lakeville to the world's archives Welcome back to Alumni Spotlight, highlighting Lakeville Area Schools graduates and their unique journeys. This edition features Arthur Fournier, a Lakeville High School alum who has built a remarkable career helping universities, museums and research libraries around the world acquire rare books, photographs and other historical treasures. Learn more. Lakeville Area Community Education Ready to make this summer legendary? The Lakeville Area Schools Community Education Summer Fun Guide is your ultimate blueprint for a season of non-stop excitement and discovery. Whether you're looking for specialized camps or full-day adventures, we have everything you need to plan a summer your student(s) will never forget! From tech-driven thrills to creative masterpieces, our lineup is designed to keep kids learning while having the time of their lives. Check out the Summer Fun Guide, pick your programs, and secure your spot today. Let’s start planning for a summer of thriving, exploring, and pure fun! Summer Fun Guide (mobile) Summer Fun Guide (desktop) Don’t forget that Community Education offers Fee Assistance to families who qualify for Educational Benefits. Follow this link for more details. Upcoming Meetings & Events SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS June 9, 6 p.m., District Office - Oak Room June 23, 6 p.m., District Office - Oak Room DISTRICTWIDE EVENTS August 20: Ready, Set, ACHIEVE! - Annual School Readiness Event See additional upcoming meetings and events at isd194.org/calendar. Find more upcoming Lakeville North and Lakeville South events here, and upcoming MSHSL state tournament dates at mshsl.org/tournaments. Let's Get Connected! Find us on Social Media Facebook | Instagram YouTube Channel Visit the Lakeville Area School's Youtube Channel to watch school board meetings and other school and district events. District News Webpage Visit our district news page at isd194.org/news for additional district updates and stories. Student Focused, Community Connected Our Mission Together with our families and community, Lakeville Area Schools provides educational opportunities to ensure academic, social, civic, and personal readiness for every student. Our Vision To provide a safe, respectful, engaging, rigorous, and collaborative learning environment for all students, families and staff where every person belongs, is valued, and can succeed.

Friday, Jun 05 2026

Welcome to Lakeville Area Schools!

Welcome to Lakeville Area Schools! We're so glad you're here! At Lakeville Area Schools, we’re focused on ensuring success for every child – personally, socially, academically and civically. We do this by setting great expectations for our students, while empowering them with the support and relationships they need to make the most of their individual gifts and unique potential. In this newsletter you'll find a checklist for new families and helpful resources for you and your student as you begin your journey in Lakeville Area Schools. Learn More about LAS Checklist for New Families 1. Create your Infinite Campus Parent Portal Account To create your Parent Portal account, follow the instructions in the email you received from messenger@isd194mn.mg.infinitecampus.org or find directions on the district website. As a supporter of your student's education, it is important that you have your own Infinite Campus Parent Portal account so you can better understand, monitor and participate in the educational process with real-time access to your student’s information, including: Assignments Attendance Bus routes Payments and fees for field trips, transportation, activities, student parking, AP exams, yearbooks, etc. Report Cards Schedules School/District Announcements Learn more about all the features Parent Portal has to offer. Questions or having difficulty creating your account or logging in?  Please request assistance by emailing SISsupport@isd194.org.   2. Activate your ParentSquare Account for Teacher, School and District Communications Lakeville Area Schools uses ParentSquare to strengthen communication between families and school staff. This easy-to-use platform helps keep you informed and engaged, all in one place. With features like mass notifications, direct messaging, two-way translation, attendance alerts, and more, ParentSquare supports clear and timely communication across our district. The newsletter you're reading right now was created via ParentSquare! Watch this short video to learn more. Activate Your Account Follow the directions below to activate your account. Please Note - You must create your Infinite Campus Parent Portal account prior to activating your ParentSquare account. Check Your Email: After creating your Parent Portal account (see step 1 above), you will receive an invitation email to join ParentSquare.  Create Your Account: Click the link in the email you receive to set up your login information.  Start Exploring: Once you’re signed in you can: view updates from your student's school(s), customize your notification preferences, and more! Having trouble activating your ParentSquare account? Submit a ticket to our technology department. Learn more about getting started with ParentSquare.   3. Create your Seesaw or Schoology Account Seesaw: Grades PreK-5 Seesaw is a learning management system for PreK - Grade 5 students. Teachers and students can showcase what they’re learning and doing at school through voice recordings, photos, videos, drawings, notes and more. Create a Seesaw Family Account (English instructions | instrucciones en español)  Learn more about Seesaw Schoology: Grades 6-12 Schoology is a learning management system where teachers can post assignments, class documents, resources, and calendar events. It can also serve as a digital extension of the classroom, enabling online discussion of course content, submission of assignments, and more. Schoology is used by students in grades 6-12, and parents can also create their own account to monitor their students school work and progress. Create a Parent Schoology Account (instrucciones en español) Learn more about Schoology Student & Family Portals   4. Create and add Lunch Money to your LinQ Connect Account LinQ Connect is an online tool parents can use to load money into their student’s lunch account and to see their student’s purchases. Create a LinQ Connect account by clicking 'Register' in the top right corner Review these FAQs about logging into and using LinQ Connect Lakeville Area Schools participates in the MN Free School Meals Program. All students are eligible for one (1) free breakfast and one (1) free lunch per day. Breakfast - to qualify as a FREE meal, students must take at least 3 different items, one of which must be ½ cup fruit or juice. Most entrees will qualify as 2 items. Lunch - to qualify as a FREE meal, students must take at least 3 different components or food groups, one of which must be ½ cup fruit or vegetable. Most entrees will qualify as 2 components. What is not included with a FREE school meal? Additional entrees, side dishes, or milk Milk for meals brought from home Ala carte items Visit our Student Nutrition webpage to find menus, meal prices, special dietary needs, and more. Student Nutrition Services   5. Apply for Educational Benefits All families are encouraged to apply for Educational Benefits each school year. A NEW application must be submitted each year to qualify for educational benefits. If a household who meets the State/Federal eligibility guidelines is approved, educational benefits are included for those students and supports your student's school.  Those eligible for educational benefits may receive: Free/reduced ACT/SAT/AP fees, Free/reduced activities and athletics fees, Free/reduced-price internet access, Discounted college application fees, Free/reduced-price parking passes, planners, gym uniforms, etc. And more! Apply online (multiple languages available) or complete the paper application (English | Español | Soomaali | Française | Hmoob | Romana | русский) To submit your paper application, take a photo or scan the completed application and email it to julie.wharton@isd194.org or mail/drop off at the District Office: 17630 Juniper Path, Suite A, Lakeville, MN 55044. Apply for Educational Benefits Helpful Resources for You and Your Student District Calendars Visit our District Calendar webpage to find digital and printable versions of: The current school year's and next school year's academic calendars (available in English and Spanish) The current school year's School Board meeting calendar The current school year's Facility Use Planning calendar View District Calendars   Transportation At Lakeville Area Schools, our goal is to get students safely to and from school each day. Bus transportation in Lakeville Area Schools is contracted through Schmitty and Sons Bus Company. Free transportation is provided for special education students by IEP team decision, and regular education students who qualify, which includes: K-5 students to students who live more than 0.8 miles from their elementary school 6-12 students who live more than 2 miles from their middle or high school Students who live in a designated safety zone Please note: Transportation is not available for intra-district transfer or open enrolled students. Find Your Transportation Zone Use the Attendance Area Search Tool to find your transportation zone. Students living in a pay-to-ride zone may register to ride the bus for a fee. Find Your Student's Bus Stop Location Information about your student's bus stop location and time can be found in the Infinite Campus Parent Portal and is updated one week before each new school year begins. Track Your Student's Bus in Real Time Download the Here Comes the Bus mobile app to track your student's bus in real time and be alerted when the bus is close to your stop. Additional Transportation Resources Visit our Transportation webpage for additional resources, including safety info for e-bikes/scooters, safety zone criteria, bus safety, and more. Transportation Info & Resources   Child Care Kid Zone: Grades K-5 Kid Zone provides safe, high-quality care and enrichment for children in grades K-5 at every elementary school and includes: Before and after school care on regular school days All day care on most non-school days and breaks Learn More about Kid Zone Wonder Zone: Children 3-6 Years Old Wonder Zone is a child care program for preschool children 3 to 6 years of age (by September 1). The Wonder Zone program collaborates with Small Wonders Preschool to offer a full day of learning and fun. The program focuses on social, emotional, physical and intellectual growth through enriching activities. Learn More about Wonder Zone Summer Adventures: Students Entering Grades 1-6 Experience our Summer Adventures care and enrichment program for children entering grades 1-6 in Lakeville Area Schools and the surrounding area! Summer Adventures offers a variety of fun activities, learning experiences, and exciting adventures. Learn More on Summer Adventures   iPads for All & Technology Resources At Lakeville Area Schools, we are committed to equipping students with the tools they need to succeed in a technology-driven world. Our 1:1 iPad program enhances learning, creativity, and collaboration—helping students build essential skills for college, careers, and beyond. Having a district-issued iPad for learning is exciting, and comes with its own set of responsibilities. Here are some helpful resources for using and caring for your iPad. Device Protection Plan - $25 annually iPad Family Handbook iPad Student Resources Digital Citizenship and Online Safety Tech Support Securly Home App - Student Device Monitoring (note to Sam - UPDATE this link once Kyle adds page to website) Find Technology Resources   Student Health Our Health Services staff provide care for students and staff, help keep and administer student medications, provide families with important immunization information and develop individualized health or emergency care plans. Immunization Information Administration of medication in school Student Health Plans - for students with anaphylaxis, asthma, seizures, diabetes, etc. Student Health Services & Info   Keeping Our Schools Safe At Lakeville Area Schools, we are committed to creating a safe, inclusive and positive climate in all of our schools, where all students feel comfortable and ready to learn. Together, we can make a difference by staying alert and acting quickly when safety concerns arise. If you see something, say something, do something. Visit our 'Keeping Our Schools Safe' webpage to find helpful tools and resources, such as: Anonymous Tip Reporting - Report bullying, unsafe behaviors, or safety concerns anonymously, 24/7 Standard Response Protocol (SRP) Digital Citizenship/Online Safety - Find resources to keep your student safe and responsible online Additional Safety Resources School Safety Resources   Activities & Athletics Lakeville Area Schools offers a variety of extracurricular activities designed to meet the interests of our students through the district and Community Education.  Activities & Athletics   Ready, Set, ACHIEVE! School Readiness Event Lakeville Area Schools is committed to ensuring every child is ready for a successful school year. If you need school supply assistance, this event is for your child(ren).  (This event takes place each August prior to the start of the new school year.) Ready, Set, ACHIEVE!   Language and Cultural Supports You have a right to receive information in your preferred language. Lakeville Area Schools has interpreters available for meetings and can translate documents as needed. To request information in a language other than English please contact your school's Office Manager. School Success Liaisons School Success Liaisons are here to provide cultural support and help your child succeed. Learn more. Learn more and find additional resources on our Language and Cultural Supports webpage. Language & Cultural Supports Get Connected Connect with the District DISTRICT WEBSITE: Visit our district website at isd194.org to stay updated on everything happening in Lakeville Area Schools and find resources 194PRIDE eNEWS: Sign up to receive our monthly community eNewsletter and stay updated with happenings in Lakeville Area Schools SOCIAL MEDIA: Find us on Facebook and Instagram YOUTUBE: Watch School Board Meetings along with other school and district events   Connect with your School Find Your School's Website  Find Your School's Peachjar Digital Flyerboard with student enrichment opportunities in the Lakeville area

Monday, May 11 2026

194NOW Family eNews: Early Voting Hours, School Boar...

May 8, 2026 May 12 Growing Together Referendum Election Day is next Tuesday, May 12! Learn all you can about the May 12 Growing Together Referendum and vote on or before Election Day. Be an Informed Voter Visit our referendum website at isd194.org/vote to find additional details, including: Questions and Answers Proposed site plans A tax impact calculator A sample ballot Voting information Browse our Growing Together YouTube playlist to hear from the experts and learn all about the referendum! Weren't able to make it to a community meeting? Watch a recording now at isd194.org/vote-details. Make a plan to vote Extended early voting hours at the district office May 8 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 9 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, May 11 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Location: Lakeville Area School District Office (17630 Juniper Path, Suite A, Lakeville)   Vote at Your Polling Place on Election Day, May 12 Election Day is Tuesday, May 12. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. Please note district polling locations have changed in 2026. Find your polling location at pollfinder.sos.mn.gov. *The District Office is not a polling location for Election Day. Learn More School Board Updates April 28 School Board Meeting Key items from the April 28 school board meeting include: During Board Communications, Chair Amber Cameron shared updates regarding Superintendent Michael Baumann’s annual evaluation and the joint meeting that occurred on April 27 between the Lakeville City Council and Lakeville Area School Board (18:03).  The school board approved a change to the last day of school this year for high school students. Instead of June 4, the last day for grade 9-12 students will be June 3. This is to accommodate set up needs for hosting commencement ceremonies on site (29:40).  Technical updates were approved for several policies to ensure legal compliance, per the recommendations from a Minnesota School Boards Association audit. The edits to these policies do not impact the purpose of the policies and are technical in nature (29:40). High school principals Kim Budde, Shaun Murphy, and principal of alternative programs Margaret Gare provided a ‘State of the High Schools’ update including progress made with the counseling model, curriculum alignment, the BARR program, graduation rates, credit recovery, concurrent enrollment opportunities, and anticipated future needs (42:08).  Director of Student Health, Safety and Wellness Karin Kuhn and the high school principals provided an update on the high school counseling model, including the adoption process, impact since adoption, and future goals (1:46:05).  The school board heard first readings of policy 512 School-Sponsored Student Publications and Activities and 704 Development and Maintenance of an Inventory of Fixed Assets and a Fixed Asset Accounting System (2:22:58).   April 14 School Board Work Session At the April 14 school board work session, the school board discussed a number of items including: Minnesota Department Education Review and Comment, Minnesota School Boards Association audit of policies and a Quarterly Data Review. Read the full recap here. March 24 School Board Meeting At the March 24 school board meeting, a number of topics were discussed including: approval of calendars for future school years, approval of the district's Health and Dental Insurance, approval of CommonLit 360, approval of the sale General Obligation Facilities Maintenance Bonds, approval of updates on policies 502 and 526 and holding a closed meeting.  Read the full recap here.   Full recaps, meeting materials and future meeting dates can be found on the district website. To watch school board meeting recordings, visit our YouTube channel playlist. For meeting materials, please visit BoardBook. Read Full Meeting Recaps End-of-Year Reminders Summer iPad Information for Families As we approach the end of the school year, we’d like to share some important information about student iPad collection, use and care over the summer.  Key Items to Note: Elementary and middle school students will leave their devices at school to remain in storage over the summer.  Grades 9-11 students will keep their iPads over the summer and bring them back at the start of the 2026-27 school year this fall.  Graduating seniors and students leaving the district must return their iPad (in its case), charging brick, and cord to their last class or the media center on their last day of school. LOA families can turn devices/chargers into the District Office. Grades 6-11 Lakeville Online Academy students will keep their iPads over the summer–there is no collection for these students.  Review the full article to find additional details for all grade levels, including device protection for the 2026-27 school year, and keeping your student safe online with Securly Home Monitoring.   Check your student’s grades through the Infinite Campus Parent Portal As we near the final days of the school year, parents/guardians can check student grades by logging into the Infinite Campus Parent Portal and navigating to the ‘grades’ tab. Having trouble accessing your Parent Portal and/or your student’s grades? Submit a ticket to the Incident IQ ticketing system. Learn how to submit a ticket here.   Dakota County Free and Low-Cost Vaccine Clinic Get a head start on the 2026–27 school year by making sure your child’s immunizations are up to date. Dakota County is hosting a free and low-cost vaccine clinic this May. May 26, 8:15 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Dakota County Western Service Center 14955 Galaxie Ave, Suite 286, Apple Valley, MN 55124 Learn more.   Save the Date for Ready, Set, ACHIEVE! on August 20 Ready, Set, ACHIEVE! is a school readiness event designed to ensure every child is ready for a successful school year. This event provides school supplies, immunizations and other community resources for Lakeville Area Schools enrolled students–all FREE of charge! This year’s event will take place August 20 from 12-4 p.m. in the Lakeville North High School Commons. District Announcements Lakeville Area Community Education upgrading from Eleyo to Arux We are excited to announce that Lakeville Area Schools is upgrading from Eleyo to Arux. Arux is a modern platform designed to make registration, payment, scheduling and account management easier for everyone. Starting May 10*, please visit https://isd194.arux.app/ for all your ECFE, preschool, child care, swimming, gymnastics, youth and adult enrichment and facility use needs. You can also continue accessing it through links on the district website. *Please note the Arux website linked above will NOT work until May 10.  Learn more about Arux and its enhanced features.   Crystal Lake Education Center closed for renovations this summer Crystal Lake Education Center (CLEC) will be closed this summer from June 4 - August 15 to complete renovations. The start date for Fall 2026 programming and classes at CLEC will be delayed to September 14, 2026. This includes Small Wonders Preschool, Wonder Zone child care, Early Childhood Family Education, and Early Childhood Special Education. Learn more. Advisory Council Recaps Teaching & Learning Advisory Council Recap During their meeting on May 4, the Teaching & Learning Advisory Council (TLAC) heard an overview from Alexia Poppy-Finley, Director of Special Education, on the core principles of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Additionally, Megan Reikowski, English Learners & Federal Programs Coordinator, provided an update on Title I and Title III programs The meeting concluded with a feedback and celebration activity, where participants reflected on successes and opportunities to guide future TLAC work. Read the full meeting recap. Lakeville Area Community Education The DEN: A summer of fun, friends & adventure just for middle schoolers! Looking for full-day summer childcare that your middle schooler will be excited about? The DEN is the perfect solution! Designed just for middle school students, this engaging summer program keeps kids active, social, and having fun all day long. From enrichment camps and weekly field trips to student-led clubs and new sports, every day is packed with exciting activities your child helps choose.  The DEN offers a safe, welcoming environment where kids can build friendships, explore new interests, and stay mentally and physically engaged throughout the summer. It's more than childcare—it’s a summer adventure tailored just for them!   Get Ready for Your Best Summer Ever! Looking for additional fun, hands-on learning experiences for your child throughout the summer? Check out our Summer Fun Guide (mobile version)!  Don’t forget that Community Education offers Fee Assistance to families who qualify for Educational Benefits. Follow this link for more details. Alumni Relations Calling all Lakeville alum! Our alumni are an important part of our Lakeville Area Schools community! We invite all alumni to choose how they'd like to stay engaged with Lakeville Area Schools by filling out the form on our 'Alumni Relations' webpage.   Alumni Spotlight Are you or someone you know a Lakeville Area Schools graduate doing something incredible? We are looking for more alumni to feature in our Alumni Spotlight series! Whether it’s an unconventional career, meaningful community impact, or a unique passion, we want to share those stories. Know a prior student or community member who would be a great fit, or want to nominate yourself? Send us a brief description of why, along with any details, at isd194@isd194.org. Engage, Connect, Make a Difference Looking for a job that allows you to engage with your community, connect with students and staff, and make a difference every single day? Check out the employment opportunities through Lakeville Area Schools!  As of May 7, we have over 115 current job openings, including: Elementary & Secondary Teachers Special Education Teachers & Paraprofessionals  Student Nutrition staff Community Education positions And much more! Learn from our staff firsthand about what it is like to work for District 194 in our recruitment video. Search & Apply for Jobs 194PRIDE Community eNewsletter Looking for more news from your school district? Check out our latest 194PRIDE Community eNewsletter! This month’s edition features our latest Show & Tell where we explore what civic readiness looks like in our schools with students and staff from Lakeville North High School and Century Middle School. This month’s PRIDE also highlights some amazing community connections that our students got to be a part of (Hint: one of them includes blankets!). Upcoming Meetings & Events School Board Meetings May 19, 5:45 p.m., District Office - Oak Room (Special meeting to canvass Election Results)  May 19, 6 p.m., District Office - Oak Room May 26, 6 p.m., District Office - Oak Room June 9, 6 p.m., District Office - Oak Room Districtwide Events Now through May 11: Growing Together Referendum Early Voting - District Office (View Hours) May 12, 7 a.m. - 8 p.m.: Election Day (Growing Together Referendum on Ballot) - Find Your Polling Location May 25: Memorial Day / No School June 2: Last Day of Elementary School June 3: Last Day of High School June 4: Last Day of Middle School June 4: High School Graduation School Activities & Events May 11, 4:30 p.m.: LNHS vs. LSHS Girls Softball @ Lakeville North High School May 12, 7 p.m.: LNHS vs. LSHS Boys Volleyball @ Lakeville South High School (Teachers Night & Fuel the Fans) May 14, 5:30 p.m.: LNHS vs. LSHS Boys Lacrosse @ Lakeville South High School May 14, 7:30 p.m.: LNHS vs. LSHS Girls Lacrosse @ Lakeville South High School May 20, 4:30 p.m.: LNHS vs LSHS Baseball @ Target Field May 26, 8:15 a.m.-3:30 p.m.: Dakota County Vaccine Clinic @ Dakota County Western Service Center See additional upcoming meetings and events at isd194.org/calendar. Find more upcoming Lakeville North and Lakeville South events here, and upcoming MSHSL state tournament dates at mshsl.org/tournaments. Let's Get Connected! 194PRIDE Community eNewsletter Looking for more news from Lakeville Area Schools? Check out our 194PRIDE Community eNewsletter! Sign up to receive 194PRIDE in your email inbox monthly at bit.ly/194PRIDE-Sign-Up! Find us on Social Media Facebook | Instagram YouTube Channel Visit the Lakeville Area School's Youtube Channel to watch school board meetings and other school and district events. District News Webpage Visit our district news page at isd194.org/news for additional district updates and stories. Our Mission Together with our families and community, Lakeville Area Schools provides educational opportunities to ensure academic, social, civic, and personal readiness for every student. Our Vision To provide a safe, respectful, engaging, rigorous, and collaborative learning environment for all students, families and staff where every person belongs, is valued, and can succeed. Student Focused, Community Connected May 8, 2026

Friday, May 08 2026

194PRIDE: Voting Information, School Board Updates, ...

May 1, 2026 May 12 Growing Together Referendum Election Day is less than two weeks away! Learn all you can about the May 12 Growing Together Referendum and vote on or before Election Day. Be an Informed Voter Visit our referendum website at isd194.org/vote to find additional details, including: Questions and Answers Proposed site plans A tax impact calculator A sample ballot Voting information Browse our Growing Together YouTube playlist to hear from the experts and learn all about the referendum! Weren't able to make it to a community meeting? Watch a recording now at isd194.org/vote-details. Make a plan to vote Vote Early in Person at the District Office Friday, May 1 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 4 - May 8 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 9 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, May 11 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Location: Lakeville Area School District Office (17630 Juniper Path, Suite A, Lakeville) Vote at Your Polling Place on Election Day, May 12 Election Day is Tuesday, May 12. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. Please note district polling locations have changed in 2026. Find your polling location at pollfinder.sos.mn.gov. *The District Office is not a polling location for Election Day. Learn More School Board Updates April School Board Meeting Recaps April 28 School Board Meeting Key items from the April 28 school board meeting include: During Board Communications, Chair Amber Cameron shared updates regarding Superintendent Michael Baumann’s annual evaluation and the joint meeting that occurred on April 27 between the Lakeville City Council and Lakeville Area School Board (18:03).  The school board approved a change to the last day of school this year for high school students. Instead of June 4, the last day for grade 9-12 students will be June 3. This is to accommodate set up needs for hosting commencement ceremonies on site (29:40).  Technical updates were approved for several policies to ensure legal compliance, per the recommendations from a Minnesota School Boards Association audit. The edits to these policies do not impact the purpose of the policies and are technical in nature (29:40). High school principals Kim Budde, Shaun Murphy, and principal of alternative programs Margaret Gare provided a ‘State of the High Schools’ update including progress made with the counseling model, curriculum alignment, the BARR program, graduation rates, credit recovery, concurrent enrollment opportunities, and anticipated future needs (42:08).  Director of Student Health, Safety and Wellness Karin Kuhn and the high school principals provided an update on the high school counseling model, including the adoption process, impact since adoption, and future goals (1:46:05).  The school board heard first readings of policy 512 School-Sponsored Student Publications and Activities and 704 Development and Maintenance of an Inventory of Fixed Assets and a Fixed Asset Accounting System (2:22:58). April 14 School Board Work Session Key items from the April 14 school board work session include: The school board discussed the Minnesota Department of Education Review and Comment regarding the construction plan for the proposed bond referendum on the ballot May 12, for additions and renovations to the district’s three middle schools (7:38).  The school board discussed the Minnesota School Boards Association audit of policies and a process for making updates to policies to ensure legal compliance and meet the needs of the Lakeville Area Schools community. They also conducted first readings of policies 701.1 Modification of School District Budget and 904 Distribution of Materials on School District Property by Nonschool Persons (10:34).  Discussed the Quarterly Data Review for data from November 24, 2025-January 30, 2026 including FastBridge results, Grade Point Average, Graduation Rates, Attendance (1:52:54).   Full recaps, meeting materials and future meeting dates can be found on the district website. To watch past school board meetings, visit our YouTube channel playlist. Read Full Meeting Recaps District Announcements Lakeville Area Schools graduation rates increase; rigorous, standards-based Tier 1 instruction remains priority According to the Minnesota Department of Education's (MDE) data released two weeks ago, 93.1% of Lakeville Area Schools students graduated in four years in 2025. This is an increase of 1.5% from last year, and is 8.2% points higher than the Minnesota state average. We are proud of our students for their hard work and of the staff who support them.  Lakeville Area Schools is committed to preparing students to graduate on time, and ensuring their academic, social, civic and personal readiness for life post-graduation. Learn more.   Crystal Lake Education Center closed for renovations this summer Crystal Lake Education Center (CLEC) will be closed this summer from June 4 - August 15 to complete renovations. The start date for Fall 2026 programming and classes at CLEC will be delayed to September 14, 2026. This includes Small Wonders Preschool, Wonder Zone child care, Early Childhood Family Education, and Early Childhood Special Education. Learn more. Points of Pride Lakeville North student selected for Electric Cooperative Youth Tour Alexandra Raines, a 10th grader at Lakeville North High School, was selected as one of five local high school students to participate in the 2026 Electric Cooperative Youth Tour. Chosen by Dakota Electric Association, this opportunity will take her to Washington, D.C. this June, to explore how government and electric cooperatives work together, meet with members of Congress and connect with students from across the country.  Learn more. Lakeville North Speech delivers standout performance at state The Lakeville North Speech team earned an impressive second-place overall finish at the 2026 Class AA State Tournament, competing against 37 teams from across Minnesota. The Panthers also celebrated strong individual performances, with seven students advancing to finals and four earning state championship titles in their events. Learn more. Lakeville’s 2026 Athena Award recipients announced Congratulations to seniors Hayden Jansky, from Lakeville North, and Eva Welsch, from Lakeville South, on being named St. Paul Area Athena Award recipients! The Athena Awards program recognizes a school’s most outstanding female senior student-athlete for their athletic achievements. Learn more.   Looking for more great news? Visit our District News Page for more student and staff-centered stories. Show & Tell Civic Readiness in Lakeville Area Schools Welcome back to Show & Tell! This school year, we’re diving into our school district’s mission - to provide educational opportunities to ensure academic, social, civic and personal readiness for every student.  In this episode, we explore what civic readiness looks like in our schools, featuring students and staff from Lakeville North High School and Century Middle School. Watch now. Community Connections Oak Hills Kindness Club inspires compassion The Kindness Club at Oak Hills Elementary recently welcomed guest speaker Dr. Kathryn Zika, a pediatric oncologist from Children’s Hospital, to speak with students about compassion in action. Students then rolled up their sleeves to create fleece blankets for children admitted to the hospital, helping bring a little extra comfort and care to young patients. Award-winning Minnesota author visits Lakeville North High School Lakeville North High School hosted award-winning, Minnesota-based author Loretta Ellsworth on Friday, April 24. Ellsworth’s visit was part of this year’s OneBook OneLakeville library event, in partnership with the Friends of the Lakeville Heritage Library. Ellsworth is known for her young adult novels, adult historical fiction and children’s illustrated books. During her visit to Lakeville North, she spoke about the progression of her writing career, her writing process, what inspires her work, and several of her best-selling books. Learn more. Engage, Connect, Make a Difference Looking for a job that allows you to engage with your community, connect with students and staff, and make a difference every single day? Check out the employment opportunities through Lakeville Area Schools!  As of May 1, we have over 120 current job openings, including: Elementary & Secondary Teachers Special Education Teachers & Paraprofessionals  Student Nutrition staff Community Education positions And much more! Learn from our staff firsthand about what it is like to work for District 194 in our recruitment video. Search & Apply for Jobs Lakeville Area Community Education Ready to make this summer legendary? The Lakeville Area Schools Community Education Summer Fun Guide is your ultimate blueprint for a season of non-stop excitement and discovery. Whether you're looking for specialized camps or full-day adventures, we have everything you need to plan a summer your student(s) will never forget! From tech-driven thrills to creative masterpieces, our lineup is designed to keep kids learning while having the time of their lives. Check out the Summer Fun Guide, pick your programs, and secure your spot today. Let’s start planning for a summer of thriving, exploring, and pure fun! Summer Fun Guide (mobile) Summer Fun Guide (desktop) Don’t forget that Community Education offers Fee Assistance to families who qualify for Educational Benefits. Follow this link for more details. Upcoming Meetings & Events SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS May 19, 5:45 p.m., District Office - Oak Room (Special meeting to canvass Election Results)  May 19, 6 p.m., District Office - Oak Room May 26, 6 p.m., District Office - Oak Room June 9, 6 p.m., District Office - Oak Room DISTRICTWIDE EVENTS Now through May 11: Growing Together Referendum Early Voting - District Office (View Hours) May 12, 7 a.m. - 8 p.m.: Election Day (Growing Together Referendum on Ballot) - Find Your Polling Location May 25: Memorial Day / No School June 2: Last Day of Elementary School June 3: Last Day of High School June 4: Last Day of Middle School June 4: High School Graduation SCHOOL ACTIVITIES & EVENTS May 2, 1 p.m.: South of the River Powwow @ Burnsville High School May 6, 3:30 p.m.,: LNHS vs. LSHS Boys Tennis @ Lakeville North High School (Senior Night) May 7, 7 p.m.: LNHS vs. LSHS Baseball @ Fredrickson Field May 11, 4:30 p.m.: LNHS vs. LSHS Girls Softball @ Lakeville North High School May 12, 7 p.m.: LNHS vs. LSHS Boys Volleyball @ Lakeville South High School (Teachers Night & Fuel the Fans) May 14, 5:30 p.m.: LNHS vs. LSHS Boys Lacrosse @ Lakeville South High School May 14, 7:30 p.m.: LNHS vs. LSHS Girls Lacrosse @ Lakeville South High School May 20, 4:30 p.m.: LNHS vs LSHS Baseball @ Target Field May 26, 8:15 a.m.-3:30 p.m.: Dakota County Vaccine Clinic @ Dakota County Western Service Center See additional upcoming meetings and events at isd194.org/calendar. Find more upcoming Lakeville North and Lakeville South events here, and upcoming MSHSL state tournament dates at mshsl.org/tournaments. Let's Get Connected! Find us on Social Media Facebook | Instagram YouTube Channel Visit the Lakeville Area School's Youtube Channel to watch school board meetings and other school and district events. District News Webpage Visit our district news page at isd194.org/news for additional district updates and stories. Student Focused, Community Connected Our Mission Together with our families and community, Lakeville Area Schools provides educational opportunities to ensure academic, social, civic, and personal readiness for every student. Our Vision To provide a safe, respectful, engaging, rigorous, and collaborative learning environment for all students, families and staff where every person belongs, is valued, and can succeed.

Friday, May 01 2026

194NOW Family eNews: School Board Updates, Graduatio...

April 17, 2026 May 12 Growing Together Referendum Early voting is now open, easy and convenient! Vote Early in Person through May 11: Stop by the Lakeville Area Schools District Office anytime between 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Extended In-Person Early Voting Hours: May 4 - May 8 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 9 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, May 11 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Location: Lakeville Area School District Office, 17630 Juniper Path, Suite A, Lakeville Vote Early by Mail: Learn about absentee voting at mnvotes.org or apply for an absentee ballot at bit.ly/194-vote-early (ballots must be received by Election Day, May 12, 2026).   Vote at Your Polling Place on Election Day - May 12 Election Day is Tuesday, May 12. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. Please note district polling locations have changed in 2026. Find your polling location at pollfinder.sos.mn.gov. *The District Office is not a polling location for Election Day.   Hear from the experts! Need more details before you vote? Learn everything you need to know about the May 12 Growing Together Referendum directly from the experts of Lakeville Area Schools–our middle school principals, staff, Superintendent Baumann and our school board members.  24-Minute Podcast Video: Our middle school principals, school board chair and school board director share everything you need to know about the referendum. Don’t have 24 minutes? Go to the podcast video description on YouTube and click the timestamps to jump to specific referendum topic areas.  1-Minute Middle School Overview Videos: Take 3 minutes (1 minute/video) to hear from principals Jason Bakke, Kelly McDermott and Dr. Joshua Alexander on how the referendum would impact the district's middle schools. <1-Minute Middle School Staff Voices Videos: Watch these bite-sized clips, featuring our middle school staff, to learn more about the current realities at our middle schools, and how the referendum would impact the middle school learning experience.   Looking for more information? Visit our referendum website at isd194.org/vote to find additional details, proposed site plans, FAQs, a tax impact calculator, a sample ballot, voting information and more. Visit Referendum Website School Board Updates April 14 School Board Work Session Recap Key items from the April 14 school board work session include: The school board discussed the Minnesota Department of Education Review and Comment regarding the construction plan for the proposed bond referendum on the ballot May 12, for additions and renovations to the district’s three middle schools (7:38).  The school board discussed the Minnesota School Boards Association audit of policies and a process for making updates to policies to ensure legal compliance and meet the needs of the Lakeville Area Schools community. They also conducted first readings of policies 701.1 Modification of School District Budget and 904 Distribution of Materials on School District Property by Nonschool Persons (10:34).  Discussed the Quarterly Data Review for data from November 24, 2025-January 30, 2026 including FastBridge results, Grade Point Average, Graduation Rates, Attendance (1:52:54). March 24 School Board Meeting Recap Key items from the March 24 school board meeting include: The school board approved the calendars for the 2027-28 and 2028-29 school years (36:48). The school board approved the district’s Health and Dental insurance renewal. The Health portion of the renewal will be 15% and the Dental portion will be 3% (38:22). The school board approved CommonLit 360 as the core English Language Arts resource for grades 9-12 (47:05).  The school board approved the sale of $20,600,000 General Obligation Facilities Maintenance Bonds, Series 2026A for the purpose of funding health and safety projects included in the District's ten year facilities plan approved by the Commissioner of Education (50:47). The school board approved updates to the following policies: Policy 502 Search of Student Lockers, Desks, Personal Possessions, and Student's Person (59:45); and Policy 526 Hazing Prohibition (1:21:03).  The school board held a Closed Meeting pursuant to Minn. Stat. 13D.05, Subd. 3(a) to evaluate the performance of an individual who is subject to the Board's authority.   Full recaps, meeting materials and future meeting dates can be found on the district website. To watch school board meeting recordings, visit our YouTube channel playlist. For meeting materials, please visit BoardBook. Read Full Meeting Recaps District Announcements No School Reminder - April 20 There is no school on Monday, April 20, for planned staff professional development. We hope our students and families enjoy a safe and relaxing long weekend! View the 2025-26 calendar at isd194.org/calendar.   Lakeville Area Schools graduation rates increase; rigorous, standards-based Tier 1 instruction remains priority According to the Minnesota Department of Education's (MDE) data released this week, 93.1% of Lakeville Area Schools students graduated in four years in 2025. This is an increase of 1.5% from last year, and is 8.2% points higher than the Minnesota state average. We are proud of our students for their hard work and of the staff who support them.  Lakeville Area Schools is committed to preparing students to graduate on time, and ensuring their academic, social, civic and personal readiness for life post-graduation. Learn more.   ​Attendance Matters: Finish the 2025-26 school year strong! Being in school, on time, every day, is critical for your student's success in school. With just​ over 30 school days left in the 2025-26 school year, student attendance remains as crucial as ever.  With just two missed days each month, students can easily fall behind, leading to an impact on their academic success. Absences can also impact entire classrooms if teachers have to slow down learning to help students catch up. It is recommended that students miss no more than nine days of school each year to stay engaged, successful and on track for graduation. ​Thank you for your support in ensuring your student(s) are in school, on time, every day, and have a great rest of the school year!   Community review of K-12 Social Studies & Middle School English Language Arts resources In accordance with Minnesota Statutes, Minnesota’s academic standards are reviewed and revised on a 10-year cycle with one content area of academic standards updated each year based on a schedule approved by the Minnesota legislature. The Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards are the statewide expectations for student learning in K-12 public schools. School districts are required to implement the standards, so all students have access to high-quality content and instruction that support proficiency towards specific knowledge or skills.  As a result of the updated standards, English Language Arts and Social Studies will see notable shifts. These changes will be implemented in English Language Arts during the 2025–2026 school year and in Social Studies during the 2026–2027 school year. As part of the standards review process, the district has been evaluating a number of potential district-wide core resources that will support the implementation of the new MN Academic Standards in both English Language Arts and Social Studies. If you would like to review the resources and provide feedback in the selection process, please complete these forms by May 1, 2026. Learn more, review resources, and submit your feedback.   Important Update: Upgrading from Eleyo to Arux We are excited to announce that the Lakeville Area School District is upgrading from Eleyo to Arux on May 9. Arux is a modern platform designed to make registration, payment, scheduling and account management easier for everyone. Starting May 10, please visit isd194.arux.app for all your ECFE, preschool, child care, swimming, gymnastics, youth and adult enrichment and facility use needs. Learn more. Keeping Our Schools Safe Beyond the Screen: Staying Informed & Curious in Your Child’s Digital Life Lakeville Area Schools has partnered with Safer Schools Together to bring you the following learning opportunity.  This 14-minute session is geared toward helping parents/caregivers become informed, stay curious, and remain present in their child's digital life. Drawing on the best practices from Safer Schools Together, we’ll explore the complexity of digital apps/games and what actually goes on inside them, including: social chat features, disappearing content, the role of algorithms, vault/hidden apps, early warning signs of digital risks, and more. We'll also explore how you can become a digital mentor for your child. View additional digital citizenship and online safety resources here. Watch Now Advisory Council Updates 2026-27 Advisory Council Application Process Open April 6-24 The application process for Lakeville Area Schools advisory council positions for the 2026-27 school year will be open April 6-24. Lakeville Area Schools families, students, staff and community members are invited to apply. Advisory councils provide parents/guardians, students, staff and community members with the opportunity to provide input and feedback for the Lakeville Area Schools district, schools, and programs.  Visit isd194.org/advisory-councils to learn more about each advisory council. Details on the application process will be added to this webpage in the coming weeks.   Gifted Advisory Council Meeting Recap The Gifted Advisory Council (GAC) met on April 14. The group reviewed how other districts design advanced learning opportunities, including similarities, differences and possible next steps. The council also examined factors that impact identification for advanced learning. Effective identification must accurately identify students who need services. This remains a complex challenge. Members discussed key considerations for identification: Multiple entry points and pathways are needed over time. Giftedness is dynamic, not fixed. Students need ongoing opportunities to demonstrate their strengths. Giftedness exists across all racial, ethnic, income, and exceptionality groups, yet underrepresentation persists. The council also explored how advanced learning opportunities align with the key shifts and concepts of the Minnesota Academic Standards, with a focus on increasing rigor and relevance. This includes not only skill development, but also deeper thinking and problem-solving processes. Staff Appreciation Paraprofessional Appreciation Week: April 6 - 10 April 6-10 was Paraprofessional Appreciation Week in Lakeville Area Schools! We’re proud to recognize the dedicated paraprofessionals who support our students and staff each day. Through their patience, care and commitment, they provide essential support in classrooms and beyond–helping create inclusive, supportive learning environments and playing a vital role in preparing every student for academic, social, civic and personal success.   Student Nutrition Appreciation Week: April 27 - May 1 Apr. 27–May 1 is Student Nutrition Appreciation Week in Lakeville Area Schools! We’re proud to celebrate the incredible staff who keep our students fueled and ready to learn each day. From preparing nutritious meals to creating positive, welcoming cafeteria environments, their work supports both student well-being and a sense of community. Through their dedication and care, they play a vital role in helping every student succeed academically, socially, civically and personally.   Educator Appreciation Week: May 4 - 8 May 4–8 is Educator Appreciation Week in Lakeville Area Schools! We’re proud to celebrate our extraordinary educators who make a lasting difference in the lives of our students every single day. Through their passion, dedication and care, they inspire curiosity, build confidence and open doors to possibility. They create meaningful connections and engaging experiences that shape not only what students learn, but who they become. Their impact reaches far beyond the classroom, helping prepare every student for academic, social, civic and personal success. Alumni Relations Calling all Lakeville alum! Our alumni are an important part of our Lakeville Area Schools community! We invite all alumni to choose how they'd like to stay engaged with Lakeville Area Schools by filling out the form on our 'Alumni Relations' webpage.   Alumni Spotlight Do you know a Lakeville Area Schools graduate doing something incredible? We are looking for more alumni to feature in our Alumni Spotlight series! Whether they’ve pursued an unconventional career, made an impact in the community, or followed a unique passion, we want to share their story.  Send us your suggestions, including why you think they would be a great fit for this news feature, by emailing us at isd194@isd194.org. Lakeville Area Community Education Get Ready for Your Best Summer Ever! Planning the ultimate summer starts right here. Our Summer Fun Guide is your roadmap to a season filled with exploration, growth, and unforgettable memories! Why settle for ordinary when you can plan for extraordinary? Community Education enrichment camps are designed to be the highlight of your child’s year, blending high-energy fun with hands-on learning. Whether they are building independence, mastering problem-solving, or sparking new creative passions, every day is an adventure. Join the fun and find that perfect camp for your child! Browse our Summer Fun Guide today! Summer Fun Guide (mobile) Summer Fun Guide (desktop) Don’t forget that Community Education offers Fee Assistance to families who qualify for Educational Benefits. Follow this link for more details. 194PRIDE Community eNewsletter Looking for more news from your school district? Check out our latest 194PRIDE Community eNewsletter! This month’s edition features our latest Points of Pride where we saw a middle-schooler show off his research on cancer, highlights from the HOSA Conference, award-winning student artwork, and state bound sports!  It also includes an In the Classroom feature on Discover Humanities 3rd graders applying creative problem solving to protect endangered animals. Upcoming Meetings & Events School Board Meetings April 27, 6 p.m., Lake Marion Conference Room, Lakeville City Hall (joint meeting with the Lakeville City Council) April 28, 6 p.m., District Office - Oak Room May 19, 5:45 p.m., District Office - Oak Room Districtwide Events March 27 - May 11: Growing Together Referendum early voting; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday-Friday, District Office School Activities & Events April 16-25: Mamma Mia @ Lakeville North High School April 17-26: Hadestown: Teen Edition @ Lakeville South High School April 18, 9-11 a.m.: ECFE Baby Palooza @ Crystal Lake Education Center April 23, 3:30-6:00 p.m.: Dakota County Vaccine Clinic @ Dakota County Extension Center April 23, 3:30 p.m.: LNHS vs. LSHS Boys Tennis @ Lakeville North High School April 26, 4 p.m.: LNHS vs. LSHS Girls Flag Football Match @ Farmington High School May 2, 1 p.m.: South of the River Powwow @ Burnsville High School View upcoming Lakeville North and Lakeville South events and MSHSL state tournaments. See additional upcoming meetings and events at isd194.org/calendar. Let's Get Connected! 194PRIDE Community eNewsletter Looking for more news from Lakeville Area Schools? Check out our 194PRIDE Community eNewsletter! Sign up to receive 194PRIDE in your email inbox monthly at bit.ly/194PRIDE-Sign-Up! Find us on Social Media Facebook | Instagram YouTube Channel Visit the Lakeville Area School's Youtube Channel to watch school board meetings and other school and district events. District News Webpage Visit our district news page at isd194.org/news for additional district updates and stories. Our Mission Together with our families and community, Lakeville Area Schools provides educational opportunities to ensure academic, social, civic, and personal readiness for every student. Our Vision To provide a safe, respectful, engaging, rigorous, and collaborative learning environment for all students, families and staff where every person belongs, is valued, and can succeed. Student Focused, Community Connected April 17, 2026

Friday, Apr 17 2026

194PRIDE: Early Voting, School Board Updates, Apply ...

April 10, 2026 May 12 Growing Together Referendum Early voting is now open, easy and convenient! Vote Early in Person through May 11: Stop by the Lakeville Area Schools District Office anytime between 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Extended In-Person Early Voting Hours: May 4 - May 8 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 9 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, May 11 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Location: Lakeville Area School District Office, 17630 Juniper Path, Suite A, Lakeville Vote Early by Mail: Learn about absentee voting at mnvotes.org or apply for an absentee ballot at bit.ly/194-vote-early (ballots must be received by Election Day, May 12, 2026). Vote at Your Polling Place on Election Day - May 12 Election Day is Tuesday, May 12. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. Please note district polling locations have changed in 2026. Find your polling location at pollfinder.sos.mn.gov. *The District Office is not a polling location for Election Day.   Join us for our final Community Meeting! Join Superintendent Michael Baumann to learn more about the May 12 Growing Together Referendum and how it would impact our middle schools. If you can't make it in person, watch a recording of an earlier meeting at isd194.org/vote-details.  Tuesday, April 14 at 5 p.m., Lakeville Area Schools District Office, 17630 Juniper Path, Suite A, Lakeville   Hear from the experts! Need more details before you vote? Learn everything you need to know about the May 12 Growing Together Referendum directly from the experts of Lakeville Area Schools–our middle school principals, staff, Superintendent Baumann and our school board members.  24-Minute Podcast Video: Our middle school principals, school board chair and school board director share everything you need to know about the referendum. Don’t have 24 minutes? Go to the podcast video description on YouTube and click the timestamps to jump to specific referendum topic areas.  1-Minute Middle School Overview Videos: Take 3 minutes (1 minute/video) to hear from principals Jason Bakke, Kelly McDermott and Dr. Joshua Alexander on how the referendum would impact the district's middle schools. <1-Minute Middle School Staff Voices Videos: Watch these bite-sized clips, featuring our middle school staff, to learn more about the current realities at our middle schools, and how the referendum would impact the middle school learning experience.   Looking for more information? Visit our referendum website at isd194.org/vote to find additional details, proposed site plans, FAQs, a tax impact calculator, a sample ballot, voting information and more. Visit Referendum Website School Board Updates March School Board Meeting Recaps March 24 School Board Meeting Key items from the March 24 school board meeting include: The school board approved the calendars for the 2027-28 and 2028-29 school years (36:48). The school board approved the district’s Health and Dental insurance renewal. The Health portion of the renewal will be 15% and the Dental portion will be 3% (38:22). The school board approved CommonLit 360 as the core English Language Arts resource for grades 9-12 (47:05).  The school board approved the sale of $20,600,000 General Obligation Facilities Maintenance Bonds, Series 2026A for the purpose of funding health and safety projects included in the District's ten year facilities plan approved by the Commissioner of Education (50:47). The school board approved updates to the following policies: Policy 502 Search of Student Lockers, Desks, Personal Possessions, and Student's Person (59:45); and Policy 526 Hazing Prohibition (1:21:03).  The school board held a Closed Meeting pursuant to Minn. Stat. 13D.05, Subd. 3(a) to evaluate the performance of an individual who is subject to the Board's authority. March 10 School Board Work Session Key items from the March 10 school board work session include: The school board discussed district administration’s recommendations for medical and dental insurance, which are anticipated to be voted on at the March 24 school board meeting (16:40). The school board discussed the district’s English Language Arts (ELA) Core Resource Recommendation, which is anticipated to be voted on at the March 24 school board meeting. The recommended resource, Common Lit 360, was reviewed in a process that included teachers, community members, board members and district leaders. It meets Minnesota State standards for ELA and is aligned to evidence-based literacy instruction (56:42).  The school board and administration began discussions on a quarterly data review, specifically around Fastbridge scores. The conversation is planned to continue at the next work session (1:47:45).   Full recaps, meeting materials and future meeting dates can be found on the district website. To watch past school board meetings, visit our YouTube channel playlist. Read Full Meeting Recaps District Announcements 2026-27 Advisory Council Application Process Open through April 24 The application process for Lakeville Area Schools advisory council positions for the 2026-27 school is officially open! Applications are due by April 24. Lakeville Area Schools families, students, staff and community members are invited to apply. Advisory councils provide parents/guardians, students, staff and community members with the opportunity to provide input and feedback for the Lakeville Area Schools district, schools, and programs.  Visit isd194.org/advisory-councils to learn more about each advisory council, how many/what types of members are being sought for the 2026-27 school year, and to submit your application.   Community review of K-12 Social Studies & Middle School English Language Arts resources In accordance with Minnesota Statutes, Minnesota’s academic standards are reviewed and revised on a 10-year cycle with one content area of academic standards updated each year based on a schedule approved by the Minnesota legislature. The Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards are the statewide expectations for student learning in K-12 public schools. School districts are required to implement the standards, so all students have access to high-quality content and instruction that support proficiency towards specific knowledge or skills.  As a result of the updated standards, English Language Arts and Social Studies will see notable shifts. These changes will be implemented in English Language Arts during the 2025–2026 school year and in Social Studies during the 2026–2027 school year. As part of the standards review process, the district has been evaluating a number of potential district-wide core resources that will support the implementation of the new MN Academic Standards in both English Language Arts and Social Studies. If you would like to review the resources and provide feedback in the selection process, please complete these forms by May 1, 2026. Learn more, review resources, and submit your feedback. Points of Pride Century Middle student earns top honors for cancer research project Nam Do, a 7th grade student from Century Middle School, has earned regional and state recognition for an innovative science research project focused on Focal Adhesion Kinase cancer treatment. He earned first place at the Twin Cities Regional Science Fair and advanced to State, where he received the DiaSorin Merit Award for outstanding experimental design and strong application of the scientific method. Learn more. Lakeville Students shine at State HOSA Leadership Conference 20 students from the Lakeville North and 14 students from the Lakeville South HOSA-Future Health Professionals chapters recently demonstrated their knowledge, leadership and passion for healthcare careers at the Minnesota State Leadership Conference.  Learn more. Lakeville students make their mark at the 2026 Minnesota Scholastic Art and Writing Awards Three students from Lakeville South and six students from Lakeville North have earned gold and silver awards at the 2026 Minnesota Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. Entries were awarded based on originality, skill and the expression of a voice or vision that stands out from classroom assignments and social media trends. Gold Key awards will go on to compete at the national level.  Learn more. State Bound for Winter Athletics! Congratulations to all our winter athletic teams on their outstanding seasons–way to go, Panthers and Cougars! State qualifiers included: Lakeville South Boys Basketball team advanced to the quarterfinals. Lakeville North Esports team took home 2nd place. Lakeville Weightlifting team earned 14 individual state championships and 23 medals (top three finishes). View more athletic highlights.   Looking for more great news? Visit our District News Page for more student and staff-centered stories. In The Classroom 3rd graders apply creative problem solving to protect endangered animals Third graders in Discover Humanities at Lakeview and John F. Kennedy elementary schools took on a creative mission: choose an endangered animal, research the problems it faces and use creative problem solving to dream up solutions. They then built their own websites to share their ideas with the world. Explore their projects! Lakeville Area Community Education Ready to make this summer legendary? The Lakeville Area Schools Community Education Summer Fun Guide is your ultimate blueprint for a season of non-stop excitement and discovery. Whether you're looking for specialized camps or full-day adventures, we have everything you need to plan a summer your students will never forget! From tech-driven thrills to creative masterpieces, our lineup is designed to keep kids learning while having the time of their lives. Check out the Summer Fun Guide, pick your programs, and secure your spot today. Let’s start planning for a summer of thriving, exploring, and pure fun! Summer Fun Guide (mobile) Summer Fun Guide (desktop) Don’t forget that Community Education offers Fee Assistance to families who qualify for Educational Benefits. Follow this link for more details. Upcoming Meetings & Events SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS April 14, 6 p.m., District Office - Oak Room April 28, 6 p.m., District Office - Oak Room DISTRICTWIDE EVENTS March 27 - May 11: Growing Together Referendum early voting; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday-Friday, District Office April 14, 5 p.m.: Growing Together Referendum Community Meeting, District Office - Oak Room SCHOOL ACTIVITIES & EVENTS April 16-25: Mamma Mia @ Lakeville North High School April 17-26: Hadestown: Teen Edition @ Lakeville South High School April 18, 9-11 a.m.: ECE Baby Palooza @ Crystal Lake Education Center (registration required by April 10) April 23, 3:30-6:00 p.m.: Dakota County Vaccine Clinic @ Dakota County Extension Center April 23, 3:30 p.m.: LNHS vs. LSHS Boys Tennis @ Lakeville North High School April 26, 4 p.m.: LNHS vs. LSHS Girls Flag Football Match @ Farmington High School May 2, 1 p.m.: South of the River Powwow @ Burnsville High School See additional upcoming meetings and events at isd194.org/calendar. Find more upcoming Lakeville North and Lakeville South events here, and upcoming MSHSL state tournament dates at mshsl.org/tournaments. Let's Get Connected! Find us on Social Media Facebook | Instagram YouTube Channel Visit the Lakeville Area School's Youtube Channel to watch school board meetings and other school and district events. District News Webpage Visit our district news page at isd194.org/news for additional district updates and stories. Student Focused, Community Connected Our Mission Together with our families and community, Lakeville Area Schools provides educational opportunities to ensure academic, social, civic, and personal readiness for every student. Our Vision To provide a safe, respectful, engaging, rigorous, and collaborative learning environment for all students, families and staff where every person belongs, is valued, and can succeed.

Friday, Apr 10 2026

194NOW Family eNews: May 12 Growing Together Referen...

March 13, 2026 May 12 Growing Together Referendum Find out more about the referendum through these videos Take 24 minutes to learn everything you need to know about the May 12 bond referendum through a video podcast with Lakeville Area School Board Chair Amber Cameron, Director Matt Swanson, and Middle School Principals Dr. Joshua Alexander, Jason Bakke and Kelly McDermott.  Don't have 24 minutes? Go to the podcast video description on YouTube and click the timestamps to jump to specific referendum topic areas. Do you have just 3 minutes to spare? Check out our middle school videos that outline what work will be done at each middle school if voters approve the referendum.  Click the video images to watch.   You're invited! Join us for a Community Meeting Join Superintendent Michael Baumann to learn more about the May 12 Growing Together Referendum and how it would impact our middle schools. If you can't make it in person, watch a recording of an earlier meeting online at isd194.org/vote-meeting-video.  Thursday, March 19, 7:15 p.m., Elko New Market Library, 110 J. Roberts Way, Elko New Market Tuesday, April 14, 5 p.m., Lakeville Area Schools District Office, 17630 Juniper Path, Suite A, Lakeville Community Meeting Recording   The referendum and the impact to middle schools On May 12, Lakeville Area Schools district residents will vote on whether to approve a $139.6 million proposal to fund middle school additions and renovations to build more classrooms, gymnasiums, lunch service areas and common spaces at the district’s three middle schools (Century, Kenwood, McGuire). If approved, improvements would be tailored to the specific needs of each school to help relieve enrollment growth and space limitations. The referendum is in response to the steady population growth in the Lakeville area, and the need to prepare our schools for the projected increased enrollment. Enrollment in the Lakeville Area Schools district has increased by approximately 1,200 students over the past decade. In response, the district opened a new elementary school in 2024 and now those students are moving into middle school. Middle school enrollment is projected to increase by 8 percent over the next five years, which amounts to 250 more students.  If voters do not approve the referendum, increased enrollment will lead to larger student class sizes; limited course offerings and enrichment opportunities; over-crowding in shared spaces (hallways, restrooms, locker rooms); and longer lunch wait times.   The tax impact over the next 20 years is: $10 per month on a home valued at $350,000  $14 per month on a home valued at $500,000 $23 per month on a home valued at $750,000  Residents can use the tax calculator on the district’s website to determine the impact for their home value.   Early voting opens March 27 Early Voting is Easy and Convenient! Vote at the District Office or mail in your ballot from the comfort of your home. Beginning on March 27 through May 11, you can: Vote Early in Person: Stop by the Lakeville Area Schools District Office anytime between 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday at 17630 Juniper Path, Suite A, Lakeville, 55044 Vote Early by Mail: Learn about absentee voting at mnvotes.org or apply for an absentee ballot here (ballots must be received by Election Day, May 12, 2026) Vote at Your Polling Place on Election Day, May 12 Election Day is Tuesday, May 12. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. Please note district polling locations have changed in 2026. More information is provided below.  *The District Office is not open for voting on Election Day.   Find Your Polling Location Polling locations have changed. Voters can find their polling place by looking up their address at pollfinder.sos.mn.gov. Combined polling location information is available below; a map of the new polling locations is also available. Combined Polling Place 1: St. John’s Lutheran Church, 20165 Heath Ave., Lakeville This combined polling place serves all territory in Independent School District No. 194 located in the City of Lakeville Precinct 1, Precinct 2, Precinct 14; and Eureka Township, Dakota County, Minnesota. Combined Polling Place 2: Trinity Church, 10658 210th St. W., Lakeville This combined polling place serves all territory in Independent School District No. 194 located in the City of Lakeville Precinct 3, and Precinct 4, Dakota County, Minnesota; and the Cities of Elko New Market and Credit River; and the Townships of New Market and Spring Lake, Scott County, Minnesota. Combined Polling Place 3: Water Treatment Facility, 18400 Ipava Ave., Lakeville This combined polling place serves all territory in Independent School District No. 194 located in the City of Lakeville, Precinct 5, Precinct 6, Precinct 9, Precinct 10 and Precinct 13; Dakota County, Minnesota. Combined Polling Place 4: Hosanna! Lutheran Church, 9600 163rd St. W., Lakeville This combined polling place serves all territory in Independent School District No. 194 located in the City of Lakeville, Precinct 7, Precinct 8, Precinct 11 and Precinct 12, and the City of Burnsville, Precinct B12 and Precinct B16; Dakota County, Minnesota Learn More School Board Updates March 10 School Board Work Session Recap Key items from the March 10 school board work session include: The school board discussed district administration’s recommendations for medical and dental insurance, which are anticipated to be voted on at the next school board meeting (16:40):  Renew with Blue Cross Blue Shield as our health insurance plan administrator and stop-loss provider while selecting Crumdale Specialty & Express Scripts as our carved-out pharmacy benefit manager effective 7/1/2026 projecting an approximate $2M annual savings. Implement an aggregate plan increase of 15% to account for increased claims activity and medical inflation representing $4.6M, assuming current plan enrollment. Renew with Delta Dental and implement a 3% increase effective 7/1/2026. The school board discussed the district’s English Language Arts (ELA) Core Resource Recommendation, which is anticipated to be voted on at the next school board meeting. The recommended resource, Common Lit 360, was reviewed in a process that included teachers, community members, board members and district leaders. It meets Minnesota State standards for ELA and is aligned to evidence-based literacy instruction (56:42).  The school board and administration began discussions on a quarterly data review, specifically around Fastbridge scores. The conversation is planned to continue at the next work session (1:47:45).    February 24 School Board Meeting Recap Key items from the February 24 school board meeting include: Minor updates were approved on the following policies based on an audit done by the Minnesota School Board Association: Policy 533 Wellness, Policy 705 Investments, Policy 706 Acceptance of Gifts, Policy 708 Transportation of Nonpublic School Students, and Policy 902 Use of School District Facilities and Equipment. American Indian Education Coordinator Aimée Gish-Meier and a parent representative of the American Indian Parent Advisory Council (AIPAC) presented the annual vote of concurrence, which indicates whether the district is supporting the needs of American Indian students as detailed in the American Indian Education Aid plan. A State of the Schools presentation focusing on the middle school level was provided by middle school principals Dr. Joshua Alexander (McGuire), Jason Bakke (Century) and Kelly McDermott (Kenwood Trail). The principals shared about key elements of middle school, including core academics, exploratory and elective courses, interdisciplinary teaming, and developmental support. They also shared about how the May 12 Growing Together Bond Referendum Vote would impact the middle schools.  An update was provided on the March 24 Long Term Facilities and Maintenance (LTFM) bond sale, and the pre-sale report was reviewed. The school board approved the 26-29 Achievement and Integration Plan, which was discussed at the previous School Board Work Session. Through the implementation of this plan, Lakeville Area Schools will continue to focus on Fastbridge reading scores, emphasizing student growth from fall to spring, addressing the disproportionate use of exclusionary discipline against students of color, and the development and implementation of a districtwide equity framework and infrastructure.  The school board approved the district’s tentative agreement with Education Minnesota Lakeville (EML), the teachers' union, for the 2025-2027 contract years. Highlights of the settlement include a 2% salary increase in year 1 of the contract and a 2.05% salary increase in year 2 of the contract; a one-time increase to health insurance contributions year 2 of the contract; a 2.05% increase to Schedule C and D year 2 of the contract; and integration of the Small Wonders contract, which also includes wage increases year 1 and year 2 of the contract. The tentative agreement has been ratified and approved by EML. The settlement is within the School Board-established parameters and is recommended for approval. The school board tabled the discussion and vote on several items from the consent agenda: ELA Core Resource Recommendation for Grades 9-12, Policy 502 Search of Student Lockers, Desks, Personal Possessions, and Student’s Person, Policy 526 Hazing Prohibition, Policy 701.1 Modification of School District Budget, and Policy 904 Distribution of Materials on School District Property by Non-School Persons.   Full recaps, meeting materials and future meeting dates can be found on the district website. To watch school board meeting recordings, visit our YouTube channel playlist. For meeting materials, please visit BoardBook. Read Full Meeting Recaps   Revised Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Approved At the February 24 school board meeting, the revised fiscal year 2026 budget was approved. Revising the budget is a normal part of the district’s budgeting process and allows the district to be more precise by updating estimates made in June 2025 for budget planning with actual numbers. Key items to note include: The budget is performing as expected, with an overall 44.5% of the $212,790,350 million of the General Fund budget spent from July 1, 2025 - January 30, 2026.  The district’s General Fund Unassigned Fund Balance, which is often referred to as the district’s “rainy day fund,” is projected to increase to 8.3% of General Fund expenditures (from 0.7% in Fiscal Year 2023). This indicates a significant increase in the overall financial health of the district. Continue reading. Family Announcements Upcoming Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs) & the Importance of Testing At Lakeville Area Schools, our mission is to ensure the academic, social, civic and personal readiness of every student. Each spring, students participate in the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs), and this year the testing window is March 2 - May 1. These statewide assessments help us see how well students are learning grade-level standards and where we need to strengthen instruction. Most students in grades 3-11 take these tests. You can find your student’s specific assessment date(s) here.  Watch the short video above to learn why participating in the MCAs matters and how standardized tests benefit students and schools. Find additional details on our assessments webpage. Incentive for high school students to take the MCAs To acknowledge the time and effort students give during statewide testing, high school students who participate in their required MCA assessment(s) will be eligible to drop their lowest scoring formative assessment (such as a quiz, reflection, exit ticket) from Quarter 4 in the class that corresponds to the test.  The assignment must be completed to be dropped; missing work doesn't count. If you have 100% on everything, you can choose to keep your scores as-is.   Family feedback requested on 2027-28 and 2028-29 school calendars The calendar committee would like your feedback on upcoming Calendars for the 2027-28 and the 2028-29 school years. Survey results will be shared with the school board for their consideration before the 2027-28 and 2028-29 school year calendar proposals are brought forward for approval.  This year Minnesota state law changed to allow schools to start before labor day, which allows additional flexibility in the school calendar.  Please view this web article to learn more and complete this survey by March 19.   R​eminder: Complete Parent/Caregiver Daily Desired Experiences Survey by March 27 ​On Monday, March 2, all families should have received an email from their building(s) with a unique link to take the annual Parent/Caregiver Daily Desired Experiences Survey. The subject line to look for includes "Parent/Caregiver Desired Daily Experience Survey." As part of the Lakeville Area Schools strategic plan, we strive to provide ‘desired daily experiences,’ which were created based on student, staff and parent/caregiver input. Your feedback will help us prioritize and plan for the future. All responses are confidential and anonymous.  The survey ​is open until March 27, 2026. Please check your email and/or ParentSquare post(s) from March 2 for more details and to find your building's(s) unique link(s). If you have children at multiple sites, you should have received an email with a link for each school. Please fill out the survey for each school.   District Systems will be down on March 29 On Sunday, March 29 from approximately 1-6 p.m., all district internet systems will be down, including phones. Staff and students will not be able to log into district systems, including ClassLink LaunchPad, at home or on district property during this time. Spring Break Building Access During Spring Break During Spring Break, March 27 - April 3, school buildings will be closed to the public with the exception of Kid Zone/Wonder Zone Child Care, pre-approved high school activities and community education programs.  The District Office will be open to the public for early voting March 27 - April 3, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.  Community Education Offices will be open to the public March 27 - April 1, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Advisory Council Updates 2026-27 Advisory Council Application Process Open April 6-24 The application process for Lakeville Area Schools advisory council positions for the 2026-27 school year will be open April 6-24. Lakeville Area Schools families, students, staff and community members are invited to apply. Advisory councils provide parents/guardians, students, staff and community members with the opportunity to provide input and feedback for the Lakeville Area Schools district, schools, and programs.  Visit isd194.org/advisory-councils to learn more about each advisory council. Details on the application process will be added to this webpage in the coming weeks.   March 5 Community Education Advisory Council Meeting The Community Education Advisory Council met on March 5 for a “Marketing Speed Audit,” comparing the Lakeville Area Community Education catalog with those from seven other districts. Council members shared valuable feedback on what works well and ideas to consider for the future. Updates were also shared from partner organizations and district departments. The next meeting is May 7, and openings for council members are available. Safety and Security What you need to know about electronic bikes: Ride Smart, Ride Safe As the weather warms up, Lakeville Area Schools is partnering with the City of Lakeville to remind families about key laws and safety reminders for riding electronic or motorized bikes and scooters.  Did you know?  Electric Scooters: must be 12 to operate, must wear a helmet, cannot ride on sidewalks  Electric Assisted Bike: must be 15 to operate, recommended to wear a helmet, cannot ride on sidewalks  Motorized bike: must be 16 AND have a drivers license to operate, must wear a helmet, cannot ride on sidewalks  Learn more! We also want to remind drivers to slow down and keep an eye out for kids near our schools as more students will begin biking or walking to school with the nicer weather. What Did You Learn? Integrity Hear from Lakeview Elementary 4th grader Nyla, and Lakeville North High School senior Ryan, as they share what integrity means to them, and how they live it each day in their schools. Watch now! Lakeville Area Community Education Registration Open for Spring & Summer Community Education Classes & Programs Get ready to jump, create, and explore! Registration for Lakeville Area Community Education’s spring and summer classes and programs is open! We’ve curated our most exciting lineup yet to help you make this your Best Summer Ever. Whether you want to build a robot, master a sport, or dive into a new craft, we have a spot saved just for you.  Learn More 194PRIDE Community eNewsletter Looking for more news from your school district? Check out our 194PRIDE Community eNewsletter! This month’s edition features our latest Points of Pride for the district, which include: Science Olympiad at the State Tournament Hilary Moorlach named as Semifinalist for Teacher of the Year State Bound for Winter Athletics And much more! Upcoming Meetings & Events School Board Meetings March 24, 6 p.m., District Office - Oak Room April 14, 6 p.m., District Office - Oak Room Districtwide Events March 19, 7:15 p.m.: Growing Together Referendum Community Meeting, Elko New Market Library (110 J. Roberts Way, Elko New Market) March 27 - April 3: Spring Break  March 27 - May 11: Growing Together Referendum early voting; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday-Friday, District Office April 14, 5 p.m.: Growing Together Referendum Community Meeting, District Office - Oak Room School Activities & Events March 16: CMS Spring Choir Concert @ Lakeville North High School  March 17: LNHS Spring Choir Concert @ Lakeville North High School  March 20-22: KTMS Musical @ Kenwood Trail Middle School  March 21: Boys Volleyball Scrimmage (LNHS vs. LSHS) @ Lakeville South High School View upcoming Lakeville North and Lakeville South events and MSHSL state tournaments. See additional upcoming meetings and events at isd194.org/calendar. Let's Get Connected! 194PRIDE Community eNewsletter Looking for more news from Lakeville Area Schools? Check out our 194PRIDE Community eNewsletter! Sign up to receive 194PRIDE in your email inbox monthly at bit.ly/194PRIDE-Sign-Up! Find us on Social Media Facebook | Instagram YouTube Channel Visit the Lakeville Area School's Youtube Channel to watch school board meetings and other school and district events. District News Webpage Visit our district news page at isd194.org/news for additional district updates and stories. Our Mission Together with our families and community, Lakeville Area Schools provides educational opportunities to ensure academic, social, civic, and personal readiness for every student. Our Vision To provide a safe, respectful, engaging, rigorous, and collaborative learning environment for all students, families and staff where every person belongs, is valued, and can succeed. Student Focused, Community Connected February 13, 2026

Friday, Mar 13 2026

194PRIDE: Growing Together Referendum, School Board ...

March 6, 2026 May 12 Growing Together Referendum You’re invited! Join us for a Community Meeting Join Superintendent Michael Baumann to learn more about the May 12 Growing Together Referendum and how it would impact our middle schools. If you can't make it in person, watch a recording of an earlier meeting online at isd194.org/vote-meeting-video.  Thursday, March 19, 7:15 p.m., Elko New Market Library, 110 J. Roberts Way, Elko New Market Tuesday, April 14, 5 p.m., Lakeville Area Schools District Office, 17630 Juniper Path, Suite A, Lakeville Community Meeting Recording   The referendum and the impact to middle schools On May 12, Lakeville Area Schools district residents will vote on whether to approve a $139.6 million proposal to fund middle school additions and renovations to build more classrooms, gymnasiums, lunch service areas and common spaces at the district’s three middle schools (Century, Kenwood, McGuire). If approved, improvements would be tailored to the specific needs of each school to help relieve enrollment growth and space limitations. The referendum is in response to the steady population growth in the Lakeville area, and the need to prepare our schools for the projected increased enrollment. Enrollment in the Lakeville Area Schools district has increased by approximately 1,200 students over the past decade. In response, the district opened a new elementary school in 2024 and now those students are moving into middle school. Middle school enrollment is projected to increase by 8 percent over the next five years, which amounts to 250 more students.  If voters do not approve the referendum, increased enrollment will lead to larger student class sizes; limited course offerings and enrichment opportunities; over-crowding in shared spaces (hallways, restrooms, locker rooms); and longer lunch wait times.   The tax impact over the next 20 years is: $10 per month on a home valued at $350,000  $14 per month on a home valued at $500,000 $23 per month on a home valued at $750,000  Residents can use the tax calculator on the district’s website to determine the impact for their home value.   Find out more about the referendum through these videos Take 24 minutes to learn everything you need to know about the May 12 bond referendum through a video podcast with Lakeville Area School Board Chair Amber Cameron, Director Matt Swanson, and Middle School Principals Dr. Joshua Alexander, Jason Bakke and Kelly McDermott.  Don't have 20 minutes? How about 3? Check out our middle school videos that outline what work will be done at each middle school if voters approve the referendum.  Click the images below to watch.   Early voting opens March 27 Early Voting is Easy and Convenient! Vote at the District Office or mail in your ballot from the comfort of your home. Beginning on March 27 through May 11, you can: Vote Early in Person: Stop by the Lakeville Area Schools District Office anytime between 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday at 17630 Juniper Path, Suite A, Lakeville, 55044 Vote Early by Mail: Learn about absentee voting at mnvotes.org or apply for an absentee ballot here (ballots must be received by Election Day, May 12, 2026) Vote at Your Polling Place on Election Day, May 12 Election Day is Tuesday, May 12. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. Please note district polling locations have changed in 2026. More information is provided below.  *The District Office is not open for voting on Election Day.   Find Your Polling Location Polling locations have changed. Voters can find their polling place by looking up their address at pollfinder.sos.mn.gov. Combined polling location information is available below; a map of the new polling locations is also available. Combined Polling Place 1: St. John’s Lutheran Church, 20165 Heath Ave., Lakeville This combined polling place serves all territory in Independent School District No. 194 located in the City of Lakeville Precinct 1, Precinct 2, Precinct 14; and Eureka Township, Dakota County, Minnesota. Combined Polling Place 2: Trinity Church, 10658 210th St. W., Lakeville This combined polling place serves all territory in Independent School District No. 194 located in the City of Lakeville Precinct 3, and Precinct 4, Dakota County, Minnesota; and the Cities of Elko New Market and Credit River; and the Townships of New Market and Spring Lake, Scott County, Minnesota. Combined Polling Place 3: Water Treatment Facility, 18400 Ipava Ave., Lakeville This combined polling place serves all territory in Independent School District No. 194 located in the City of Lakeville, Precinct 5, Precinct 6, Precinct 9, Precinct 10 and Precinct 13; Dakota County, Minnesota. Combined Polling Place 4: Hosanna! Lutheran Church, 9600 163rd St. W., Lakeville This combined polling place serves all territory in Independent School District No. 194 located in the City of Lakeville, Precinct 7, Precinct 8, Precinct 11 and Precinct 12, and the City of Burnsville, Precinct B12 and Precinct B16; Dakota County, Minnesota Learn More School Board Updates February 24 School Board Meeting Recap Key items from the February 24 school board meeting include: Minor updates were approved on the following policies based on an audit done by the Minnesota School Board Association: Policy 533 Wellness, Policy 705 Investments, Policy 706 Acceptance of Gifts, Policy 708 Transportation of Nonpublic School Students, and Policy 902 Use of School District Facilities and Equipment. American Indian Education Coordinator Aimée Gish-Meier and a parent representative of the American Indian Parent Advisory Council (AIPAC) presented the annual vote of concurrence, which indicates whether the district is supporting the needs of American Indian students as detailed in the American Indian Education Aid plan. A State of the Schools presentation focusing on the middle school level was provided by middle school principals Dr. Joshua Alexander (McGuire), Jason Bakke (Century) and Kelly McDermott (Kenwood Trail). The principals shared about key elements of middle school, including core academics, exploratory and elective courses, interdisciplinary teaming, and developmental support. They also shared about how the May 12 Growing Together Bond Referendum Vote would impact the middle schools.  An update was provided on the March 24 Long Term Facilities and Maintenance (LTFM) bond sale, and the pre-sale report was reviewed. The school board approved the 26-29 Achievement and Integration Plan, which was discussed at the previous School Board Work Session. Through the implementation of this plan, Lakeville Area Schools will continue to focus on Fastbridge reading scores, emphasizing student growth from fall to spring, addressing the disproportionate use of exclusionary discipline against students of color, and the development and implementation of a districtwide equity framework and infrastructure.  The school board approved the district’s tentative agreement with Education Minnesota Lakeville (EML), the teachers' union, for the 2025-2027 contract years. Highlights of the settlement include a 2% salary increase in year 1 of the contract and a 2.05% salary increase in year 2 of the contract; a one-time increase to health insurance contributions year 2 of the contract; a 2.05% increase to Schedule C and D year 2 of the contract; and integration of the Small Wonders contract, which also includes wage increases year 1 and year 2 of the contract. The tentative agreement has been ratified and approved by EML. The settlement is within the School Board-established parameters and is recommended for approval. The school board tabled the discussion and vote on several items from the consent agenda: ELA Core Resource Recommendation for Grades 9-12, Policy 502 Search of Student Lockers, Desks, Personal Possessions, and Student’s Person, Policy 526 Hazing Prohibition, Policy 701.1 Modification of School District Budget, and Policy 904 Distribution of Materials on School District Property by Non-School Persons.    February 10 School Board Work Session During the February 10 work session, the school board and district administration: Discussed goals for updating policies to ensure compliance, as well as the following specific policies: 533 - Wellness, 526 - Hazing Prohibition, 502 Search of Student Lockers, Desks, Personal Possessions, and Student’s Person (0:01:55) Discussed the Achievement and Integration plan (0:41:09) Reviewed the revised budget for Fiscal Year 2026 (1:21:21) Discussed school board procedures and protocols (1:50:31)   Full recaps, meeting materials and future meeting dates can be found on the district website. To watch past school board meetings, visit our YouTube channel playlist. Read Full Meeting Recaps District Finance Update Revised Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Approved At the February 24 school board meeting, the revised fiscal year 2026 budget was approved. Revising the budget is a normal part of the district’s budgeting process and allows the district to be more precise by updating estimates made in June 2025 for budget planning with actual numbers. Key items to note include: The budget is performing as expected, with an overall 44.5% of the $212,790,350 million of the General Fund budget spent from July 1, 2025 - January 30, 2026.  The district’s General Fund Unassigned Fund Balance, which is often referred to as the district’s “rainy day fund,” is projected to increase to 8.3% of General Fund expenditures (from 0.7% in Fiscal Year 2023). This indicates a significant increase in the overall financial health of the district. Continue reading. Spring Break Building Access During Spring Break During Spring Break, March 27 - April 3, school buildings will be closed to the public with the exception of Kid Zone/Wonder Zone Child Care, pre-approved high school activities and community education programs.  The District Office will be open to the public for early voting March 27 - April 3, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.  Community Education Offices will be open to the public March 27 - April 1, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Points of Pride Lakeville Science Olympiad teams exhibit excellence at State Tournament Congratulations to the Kenwood Trail Middle School, Lakeville North High School and Lakeville South High School Science Olympiad teams for competing at the state tournament on February 28. Kenwood Trail placed 5th in the middle school division, while Lakeville North placed 11th and Lakeville South placed 18th in the high school division.  Learn more. Digital Media Specialist Hilary Moorlach announced as Semifinalist for 2026 Minnesota Teacher of the Year Lakeville Area Schools is proud to announce that Hilary Moorlach has been named a semifinalist for the 2026 Minnesota Teacher of the Year award! Moorlach is among 30 semifinalists from across the state. From this group of 30, approximately 10 finalists will be named in mid-late March. Learn more. State Bound for Winter Athletics! Congratulations to all our winter athletic teams on their outstanding seasons–way to go, Panthers and Cougars! State qualifiers included: Lakeville North and Lakeville South Dance teams  Lakeville North and Lakeville South Girls and Boys Alpine and Nordic Ski teams Lakeville North Girls Hockey team Lakeville North and Lakeville South Gymnastics teams Lakeville North Wrestling team Lakeville North and Lakeville South Boys Swim & Dive teams Lakeville Boys Curling team The Blazing Cats (a cooperative team of Lakeville, Farmington and Burnsville students)   Looking for more great news? Visit our District News Page for more student and staff-centered stories. In The Classroom IMPACT Grant fuels hands-on STEM learning across elementary schools Thanks to an IMPACT Grant from the Lakeville Chamber Foundation, all nine Lakeville Area Schools elementary schools are enhancing fifth-grade STEM learning with new electronic track timers. Designed and built by Cherry View Elementary STEM teacher Matt Armstrong with support from the district STEM team, the timers provide precise data for the Engineered for Speed unit, where students design, build and test custom race cars while exploring engineering concepts. Learn more. What Did You Learn? Integrity Hear from Lakeview Elementary 4th grader Nyla, and Lakeville North High School senior Ryan, as they share what integrity means to them, and how they live it each day in their schools. Watch now! Lakeville Area Community Education Spring-Summer 2026 Community Ed Catalog Available NOW! Attention families! Community Education is thrilled to announce the launch of our Spring-Summer 2026 Community Education Catalog. Jump in and get ready to explore our wide variety of classes, programs and camps designed just for you! Inside, you'll find hundreds of opportunities for everyone in your family! From fun, enriching classes for your K-12 students, to engaging programs and events for adults, and activities, programs and classes for your youngest learners. Ready to Explore? View the Catalog Online NOW! Registration opened for most classes and programs on March 5. Please see program pages for specific information.  Keep an eye on your mailbox! The printed catalog will be arriving in homes in the coming days, but you can view everything online now!   Financial Assistance Available: We believe every child deserves the opportunity to participate in our enrichment programs. If your family qualifies for Educational Benefits, please remember that Fee Assistance is available. Click here for more details and to apply. View the Spring-Summer Catalog Upcoming Meetings & Events SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS March 10, 4 p.m., District Office - Oak Room March 24, 6 p.m., District Office - Oak Room April 14, 6 p.m., District Office - Oak Room DISTRICTWIDE EVENTS March 19, 7:15 p.m.: Growing Together Referendum Community Meeting, Elko New Market Library (110 J. Roberts Way, Elko New Market) March 27 - April 3: Spring Break  March 27 - May 11: Growing Together Referendum early voting; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday-Friday, District Office April 14, 5 p.m.: Growing Together Referendum Community Meeting, District Office - Oak Room SCHOOL ACTIVITIES & EVENTS March 12: LNHS Almost Spring Band Concert @ Lakeville North High School  March 12: LSHS Masterworks Choir Concert @ Lakeville South High School  March 16: CMS Spring Choir Concert @ Lakeville North High School  March 17: LNHS Spring Choir Concert @ Lakeville North High School  March 20-22: KTMS Musical @ Kenwood Trail Middle School  March 21: Boys Volleyball Scrimmage (LNHS vs. LSHS) @ Lakeville South High School See additional upcoming meetings and events at isd194.org/calendar. Find more upcoming Lakeville North and Lakeville South events here, and upcoming MSHSL state tournament dates at mshsl.org/tournaments. Let's Get Connected! Find us on Social Media Facebook | Instagram YouTube Channel Visit the Lakeville Area School's Youtube Channel to watch school board meetings and other school and district events. District News Webpage Visit our district news page at isd194.org/news for additional district updates and stories. Student Focused, Community Connected Our Mission Together with our families and community, Lakeville Area Schools provides educational opportunities to ensure academic, social, civic, and personal readiness for every student. Our Vision To provide a safe, respectful, engaging, rigorous, and collaborative learning environment for all students, families and staff where every person belongs, is valued, and can succeed.

Friday, Mar 06 2026

194NOW Family eNews: May 12 Growing Together Referen...

February 13, 2026 May 12 Growing Together Referendum Request for Middle School Space on the May 12, 2026 Ballot The Lakeville area continues to grow, with more families choosing to call our community home. Over the past decade, nearly 9,000 new homes, townhomes and apartments have been built or approved across the Lakeville area. Enrollment in the Lakeville Area Schools district has increased by approximately 1,200 students.   Most of that growth occurred at the elementary level, with primarily younger families moving into the community. To keep pace, the district added additional classroom space and a new elementary school, which opened in 2024 thanks to a successful referendum in 2021.  Now those students are moving into middle school. Middle school enrollment is projected to increase by 8 percent over the next five years, which amounts to 250 more students. To manage this growth, on May 12, Lakeville Area Schools district residents will vote on whether to approve bond funding to address enrollment growth straining the district’s three middle schools: Century, Kenwood Trail and McGuire. What’s on the Ballot? On May 12, Lakeville Area Schools district residents will vote on whether to approve a $139.6 million proposal to fund middle school additions and renovations to build more classrooms, gymnasiums, lunch service areas and common spaces at the district’s three middle schools. If approved, improvements would be tailored to the specific needs of each school to help relieve enrollment growth and space limitations. Financial Impact The ballot asks voters to consider approving $139.6 million in bond funds. The tax impact over the next 20 years is: $10 per month on a home valued at $350,000  $14 per month on a home valued at $500,000 $23 per month on a home valued at $750,000 Residents can use the tax calculator on the district’s website to determine the impact for their home value. If voters approve the referendum: Funding would be used to remodel middle schools to build classroom additions and gymnasiums; expand specialist learning areas (STEM, band, choir, family and consumer science, visual arts, media arts); add small-group and flexible learning spaces; improve kitchens and cafeterias; update classroom furniture. If voters do NOT approve the referendum: Increased enrollment will lead to larger student class sizes; more limited course offerings and enrichment opportunities; over-crowding in shared spaces (hallways, restrooms, locker rooms); and longer lunch wait times.  Voting Information Early Voting is Easy and Convenient! Vote at the district office or mail in your ballot from the comfort of your home. Beginning on March 27 through May 11, you can: Vote Early in Person: Stop by the Lakeville Area Schools District Office anytime between 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday (17630 Juniper Path, Suite A, Lakeville, 55044) Vote Early by Mail: Learn about absentee voting at mnvotes.org or apply for an absentee ballot here. (ballots must be received by Election Day, May 12, 2026) Vote at Your Polling Place on Election Day, May 12 Election Day is Tuesday, May 12. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. Please note district polling locations have changed in 2026. More information is coming on this. *The District Office is not open for voting on Election Day.  Learn more School Board Updates February 10 School Board Work Session Recap During the February 10 work session, the school board and district administration: Discussed goals for updating policies to ensure compliance, as well as the following specific policies: 533 - Wellness, 526 - Hazing Prohibition, 502 Search of Student Lockers, Desks, Personal Possessions, and Student’s Person (0:01:55) Discussed the Achievement and Integration plan (0:41:09) Reviewed the revised budget for Fiscal Year 2026 (1:21:21) Discussed school board procedures and protocols (1:50:31)   February 5 School Board Meeting Recap On Feb. 5, the school board held a closed session pursuant to Minnesota State Statutes Section 13D.05, subdivision 3(b), to engage in negotiations discussion.   January 27 School Board Meeting On January 27, the school board held a closed meeting pursuant to Minnesota State Statutes Section 13D.05, subdivision 3(b), to engage in negotiations discussion. The school board also held a regular meeting. Key items included:  The school board approved adjustments to the 2026-27 school year calendar (28:45).  The school board heard a first reading of Policy 533 - Wellness (35:33).  Executive Director of Business Services Bill Holmgren provided a budget update for the current fiscal year budget. Spending has occurred as expected. A revised budget will be brought to the school board this month. (1:03:27).  The school board approved updates to policy 620 - Credit for Learning, which eliminates weighted grades for any student entering 9th grade on or after fall 2026 (1:45:42). The school board approved a Joint Powers Agreement allowing Lakeville Area Schools to accept and implement the Dakota County SHIP 2026 School Wellness Community Partner Award (2:02:28). The school board discussed possible changes to policies 502 Search of Student Lockers, Desks, Personal Possessions, and Student's Person and 526 Hazing Prohibition (2:16:34).   Full recaps, meeting materials and future meeting dates can be found on the district website. To watch school board meeting recordings, visit our YouTube channel playlist. For meeting materials, please visit BoardBook. Read Full Meeting Recaps   Calendar Updates for next school year There will be a few updates to the school calendar for next year (2026-2027). The Professional Development (PD) Day / No School for Students originally scheduled for November 10 will move to November 3 (Election Day). Out of an abundance of caution, students will not attend school on Election Day. January 25 will be added as a PD / No School for Students day. March 8 will be added as a PD / No School for Students day. These adjustments keep the total number of student contact days the same as this year while providing additional professional learning time for staff to support high-quality instruction. District Announcements No School Reminder - February 13 & 16 There is no school on Friday, Feb. 13, for planned staff professional development, or on Monday, Feb. 16, in observance of Presidents’ Day. We hope our students, families and staff enjoy a safe and relaxing long weekend! View the 2025-26 calendar at isd194.org/calendar. Engage, Connect, Make a Difference Looking for a job that allows you to engage with your community, connect with students and staff, and make a difference every single day? Check out the employment opportunities through Lakeville Area Schools! Current job openings include: Elementary Teachers - Long Term Subs Building Nurses Tutors  Noon Supervisors  Special Education Paraprofessionals And much more! Watch our NEW recruitment video above to learn from our staff firsthand about what it is like to work for District 194. Search & Apply for Jobs Lakeville Area Community Education Lakeville Area Schools Activities & Sports Festival is back! Calling all families! Join us for the return of the annual Lakeville Area Schools Activities and Sports Festival–a FREE, one-stop event to explore all the fun Lakeville has to offer.  Discover and try activities from more than 30 district and community organizations, featuring everything from educational opportunities and fine arts to sports and interactive experiences. Enjoy live performances and stage shows, a photo booth, bounce houses and inflatable obstacle courses, and food and snacks available for purchase from Student Nutrition Services. Plus, don’t miss the FREE Open Swim from 1-3 p.m. (tickets available first come, first served). Mark your calendars! Saturday, February 21, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Kenwood Trail Middle School NEW! Sensory-Friendly Hour: 2 - 3 p.m. Visit our website to learn more, explore event details and/or sign up to volunteer. Activities & Sports Festival Staff Appreciation Schmitty & Sons School Bus Driver Appreciation Week: Feb. 17-20 Next week, Feb. 17-20 is School Bus Driver Appreciation Week in Lakeville Area Schools! We celebrate and thank our school bus drivers for the vital role they play in supporting our students and families each day. By providing safe, reliable transportation and a welcoming start and end to the school day, they help ensure students arrive ready to learn. We are grateful for their care, patience and dedication, and for the meaningful impact they have across our district. MDE 2026 Division of Special Education Community Listening Sessions - February registration now open! Each year, the Minnesota Department of Education’s Division of Special Education hosts listening sessions to get feedback from community members about the education of special education students in our state. The second round of 2025-26 community listening sessions will be held on February 19 and 24. The sessions will be virtual, held in the late afternoon and evening. Learn more and register for a virtual session. 194PRIDE Community eNewsletter Looking for more news from your school district? Check out our 194PRIDE Community eNewsletter! February's edition highlights our latest 194REPORT community print newsletter, as well as several Points of Pride, including:  The 4th Annual 'Stepping Into Your Future' career exploration event Lakeville North and Lakeville South named to AP School Honor Roll An Orchard Lake student's success in the 2026 South of the River Powwow Art Contest And more! Upcoming Meetings & Events School Board Meetings February 24, 6 p.m., District Office - Oak Room March 10, 4 p.m., District Office - Oak Room March 24, 6 p.m., District Office - Oak Room Districtwide Events February 13: No School - Planned Staff Professional Development February 16: No School - Presidents Day February 17-20: Schmitty & Sons School Bus Driver Appreciation Week February 21, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.: Activities and Sports Festival @ Kenwood Trail Middle School March 9-13: District Office Staff Appreciation Week March 10: High School Digital Learning Day (grades 9, 10, 12) / ACT Day (grade 11) March 11: K-12, 2-Hour Late Start School Activities & Events February 13: Dance Team State Tournament - Jazz @ Target Center February 14: Dance Team State Tournament - High Kick @ Target Center February 13 & 14: Century Middle School Theater Presents: Annie @ Lakeville North High School   February 18, 7 p.m.: Lakeville North Choir Concert - Valentines Tunes & Treats @ Lakeville North Choir Room February 18-21: Girls Hockey State Tournament @ Grand Casino Arena February 24: Boys Basketball North vs. South @ Lakeville South  March 1-3: DECA State Career Development Conference @ Hyatt Regency Minneapolis March 2, 7 p.m.: Concert Band Festival @ Lakeville South Auditorium  March 12, 7 p.m.: Almost Spring Band Concert @ Lakeville North Auditorium  View upcoming Lakeville North and Lakeville South events and MSHSL state tournaments. See additional upcoming meetings and events at isd194.org/calendar. Let's Get Connected! 194PRIDE Community eNewsletter Looking for more news from Lakeville Area Schools? Check out our 194PRIDE Community eNewsletter! Sign up to receive 194PRIDE in your email inbox monthly at bit.ly/194PRIDE-Sign-Up! Find us on Social Media Facebook | Instagram YouTube Channel Visit the Lakeville Area School's Youtube Channel to watch school board meetings and other school and district events. District News Webpage Visit our district news page at isd194.org/news for additional district updates and stories. Our Mission Together with our families and community, Lakeville Area Schools provides educational opportunities to ensure academic, social, civic, and personal readiness for every student. Our Vision To provide a safe, respectful, engaging, rigorous, and collaborative learning environment for all students, families and staff where every person belongs, is valued, and can succeed. Student Focused, Community Connected February 13, 2026

Friday, Feb 13 2026