194PRIDE Community News: 194PRIDE Community eNewslet...

August 1, 2025 2025 Levy Renewal Maintaining Our Schools, Powering Our Future This fall, Lakeville Area Schools will ask voters to consider renewing the district’s expiring capital projects levy, previously approved by the community in 2015. If approved, there will be no new tax increase. Renewing this levy will: Sustain approximately $4 million annually for 10 years for the following capital project purposes. Maintain staff and student devices, educational technology infrastructure, and security technology. Continue to invest in career pathways and STEM education opportunities. Levy Renewal Informational Meetings Join Superintendent Baumann at an informational meeting to learn more.  Tuesday, September 16, 5 p.m. - Lakeville Area Schools District Office Monday, October 13, 6 p.m. - Lakeville South High School Learn More School Board Updates School Board Election On November 4, 2025, Lakeville Area Schools residents will elect one person to the school board. Up for election is the seat currently occupied by Director Brett Nicholson. Director Nicholson was appointed in November 2024 to complete the remainder of a board term left vacant due to a resignation. Affidavits of Candidacy will be accepted at the Lakeville Area Schools District Office through August 12. Learn About Filing for Candidacy  School Board Meeting Recaps At the July 22 school board meeting the district provided an update on Summer Learning programs that support students for academic success going into the new school year. The school board also approved a district goal of achieving 90% proficiency on the MCAs by 2030. At the July 15 special school board meeting, the school board discussed their goals for the board, superintendent, and district. The discussion primarily focused on academic achievement goals. At the July 8 school board meeting, the school board approved:  Resolutions related to a special election to fill a school board vacancy to take place on November 4, 2025. Changes to activity and athletic programming fees beginning in the 2025-26 school year.  The 2025-26 school year addendum to Policy 902 Use of School Facilities and Equipment.   The school board approved limited attendance area adjustments to mitigate concentrated growth primarily affecting Highview Elementary and Century Middle School. The adjustments affect new developments where homes have not yet been built or nobody has yet moved in.    To watch a recording of the board meeting visit YouTube. Full recaps, meeting materials, and future meeting dates can be found on the district website. Points of Pride What Did You Learn: Summer 2025 Summer break may be in full swing, but the learning never stops at Lakeville Area Schools! Check out our special Summer 2025 edition of “What Did You Learn?” to hear how students across the district have been exploring, creating, and growing through summer programming.   Cougars earn national and state honors in Clay Target competitions Congratulations to the Lakeville South High School Clay Target team for placing 7th in the nation at the USA High School Clay Target League National Championship, held July 11–13 in Mason, Michigan. Earlier this season, the team excelled at the 2025 MSHSL State Championship on June 20, placing 3rd overall. Learn More  Looking for more great news? Visit our District News Page for more student and staff-centered stories. Alumni Spotlight How a Lakeville South grad is shaping the future of medicine Welcome back to Alumni Spotlight, highlighting Lakeville Area Schools graduates and their unique journeys. Learn about Margaret Gadek, a 2014 Lakeville South grad, who is forging an exceptional academic and biomedical research path. Read About Margaret's Story Community Connections Support Student Success at Ready, Set, ACHIEVE! Our annual school readiness event, Ready, Set, ACHIEVE!, is less than three weeks away! This is a chance for Lakeville Area enrolled families to get a jump start on the school year with FREE school supplies, immunizations, early childhood screening, and MORE! Please join us on August 21, 1-4 p.m. at Lakeville North High School. How You Can Help: We need the support of our community to make this event a success. Donate online or drop off school supplies at the Lakeville North High School main entrance August 13-20, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Thank you for your support! Learn More & Get Involved Leadership Updates Tracy Brovold has been appointed as the Executive Director of Teaching and Learning. Learn More Sandy Giorgi has been appointed as the Director of Teaching and Learning PreK-12. Learn More Michael Zweber has been hired as the District Activities Director. Learn More Aaron Soule has been hired as the next Activities Director of Lakeville North High School. 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! We are currently hiring for: Elementary Cook Manager Part Time Cooks Night Custodians - Part & Full Time And more! Learn more about the employment opportunities at Lakeville Area Schools and/or apply today at isd194.org/jobs. Search & Apply for Jobs Lakeville Area Community Education Summer Adventures - More than just child care! Fun, field trips and friends are just a few words that Summer Adventures students describe their time at the long-standing summer child care and enrichment program run through Lakeville Community Education. Summer Adventures serves almost 1,000 students every summer. Spanning across 4 schools, the Summer Adventures staff plans weekly camps, engaging enrichment activities, fun recreation activities in the gym and outdoors, and takes students on field trips around the twin cities. Keeping kids engaged, learning, and exploring while having a blast in a safe environment is their number one goal. As summer begins to wind down, the memories made through Summer Adventures leave a lasting impression on both students and families. From exciting field trips to hands-on learning and new friendships, the program continues to be a vital part of the Lakeville community. With its dedicated staff and enriching activities, Summer Adventures proves that summer can be more than a break from school! Find out more about Summer Adventures or our school year Kid Zone care and enrichment program at ce.isd194.org/child-care. Learn More Upcoming Meetings & Events School Board Meetings August 12, 6 p.m., District Office - Oak Room August 26, 6 p.m., District Office - Oak Room September 9, 6 p.m., District Office - Oak Room Districtwide Events August 21, 1-4 p.m.: Ready, Set, ACHIEVE! - Lakeville North High School September 2: First day of school! (Digital Learning Day for Grades 10-12) September 16, 5 p.m.: Levy Renewal Informational Meeting - District Office October 13, 6 p.m.: Levy Renewal Informational Meeting - Lakeville South High School November 4: Election Day (On the ballot: Capital Projects Levy Renewal and one school board seat) 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. 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.   Lakeville Area Schools does not discriminate on the basis of sex and prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX, including in employment. Inquiries regarding Title IX may be directed to the Title IX Coordinator at: Executive Director of Administrative Services Lakeville Area Schools 17630 Juniper Path, Suite A Lakeville, MN 55044 952-232-2000 or OCR (Office of Civil Rights). For more information on how to report or make a complaint of sex discrimination and grievance procedures, please see District Policy 413.

Friday, Aug 01 2025

194PRIDE Community News: Capital Projects Levy Renew...

July 11, 2025 194PRIDE Now Coming from ParentSquare Welcome to the first edition of our 194PRIDE community eNewsletter being sent through the district's new unified communications platform ParentSquare! As you read through today's eNewsletter, you may notice some formatting changes due to the new system. Capital Projects Levy Renewal on the Ballot November 4, 2025 At its meeting on June 10, the Lakeville Area School Board unanimously approved two actions: The renewal of an expiring operating levy and a resolution to hold a special election in November 2025 for voters to consider renewing an expiring capital projects levy. On Tuesday, November 4, 2025, Lakeville Area Schools District voters will be asked to consider the renewal of the district’s Capital Projects Levy. If approved, the 10-year Capital Projects Levy would continue to provide approximately $4 million annually, and would allow the district to: Maintain career pathway opportunities with resources and equipment, including K-12 STEM Maintain educational technology, including devices for all students and staff Maintain security technology for both digital systems and school buildings There will be no tax increase if voters approve the levy, as it renews an existing levy that would otherwise expire. Because the State of Minnesota does not dedicate funds for these areas, school districts rely on locally-approved levies to cover these capital project needs.  The November 4 special election also includes one seat on the Lakeville Area School Board. More information will be shared in 194PRIDE in the coming weeks, as well as resources on the district website. Learn More School Board Updates July 8 School Board Meeting Recap Key items from the July 8 school board meeting included: The school board approved resolutions related to a special election to fill a school board vacancy to take place on November 4, 2025. Affidavits of candidacy will be accepted beginning July 29 through August 12, 2025.  The school board approved changes to activity and athletic programming fees beginning in the 2025-26 school year.  The School Board approved the 2025-26 school year addendum to Policy 902 Use of school facilities and equipment.   The school board approved limited attendance area adjustments to combat concentrated growth primarily affecting Highview Elementary and Century Middle School. The adjustments do not require any current students to be moved to a different school in the 2025-26 school year. June 24 School Board Meeting Recap Key items from the June 24 school board meeting included: An annual update on facility use by district and community groups.  Discussion regarding hiring policies and guidelines. The School Board approved the Preliminary Fiscal Year 2026 budget and the Long-Term Facilities Plan renewal with updates provided by Bill Holmgren, Executive Director of Business Services, and Jack Baker, Controller. Of the district's planned general fund expenditures, 82% is direct support through students. The general fund balance percentage continues to improve with a projected percentage of 7.3%.  To watch a recording of the board meeting visit YouTube. Full recaps, meeting materials, and future meeting dates can be found on the district website. By The Numbers Take a look at key figures that highlight the success, growth, and impact of Lakeville Area Schools during the 2024-25 school year. From enrollment and academic performance to student opportunities and staff excellence, these figures reflect the strength and momentum of Lakeville Area Schools this year. Leadership Updates Lucas Yoho hired as Executive Director of Operations Lakeville Area Schools Superintendent Michael Baumann announced the hiring of Lucas Yoho as the Executive Director of Operations. Lucas was approved by the Lakeville Area School board at the July 8 school board meeting.  “I am truly privileged to join a great team of education professionals here at Lakeville Area Schools and serve the community where I reside,” said Yoho. “I look forward to contributing to the success of our students and maintaining Lakeville Area Schools as the district of choice for our community.”  LEARN MORE Alexia Poppy-Finley hired as Director of Special Services Lakeville Area Schools Superintendent Michael Baumann announced the hiring of Alexia Poppy-Finley as the Director of Special Services. Poppy-Finley was approved by the Lakeville Area School Board at the June 26 school board meeting. “I am thrilled to step into the role of Director of Special Services at Lakeville Area Schools, where I will be dedicated to fostering an inclusive, supportive, and enriching environment for all students. After spending a decade as a building leader with a focus on instructional leadership, I am excited to bring my experience and passion for students and families to Lakeville,” said Poppy-Finley.  LEARN MORE Points of Pride Congratulations to the Class of 2025! 973 Lakeville Area Schools seniors celebrated commencement on June 5 at Mariucci Area at the University of Minnesota, including 478 students from Lakeville North and 495 students from Lakeville South. 28 Lakeville Pathways Academy seniors celebrated commencement June 4 at Brackett’s Crossing Country Club.  93 students were awarded academic scholarships. These scholarships are a testament to the recipients’ dedication to their studies and academic excellence.  Learn more   Track and Field athletes make great strides at state Student athletes from the Lakeville North and Lakeville South High School Track and Field teams participated in the 2025 Class AAA Boys and Girls Track and Field State Meet June 10-12. Lakeville South junior Eva Welsch placed 1st in the Girls 100 Meter Hurdles - South’s first girl’s track and field champion since 2015!  Learn more   Lakeville North creates harmony through inclusion Lakeville North High School’s newly formed Unified Choir offers students with and without disabilities a unique opportunity to make music together while fostering a deeper culture of inclusion, empathy and belonging.  The choir met every Thursday morning since February 2025, and their work culminated in two powerful performances: at the LNHS Special Education Graduation on May 23 and again during the school’s annual Pops Concert on May 28.  Learn more   Looking for more great news? Visit our District News Page for more student and staff-centered stories. Community Connections Support Student Success at Ready, Set, ACHIEVE! Lakeville Area Schools is hosting its annual Ready, Set, ACHIEVE! event on August 21 from 12-4 p.m. at Lakeville North High School. This event provides FREE school supplies, immunizations, early childhood screening, and other community resources for students enrolled in the district.  How You Can Help: You can help local students succeed by donating funds, new school supplies, or your time.  View the RSA flyer and/or visit isd194.org/ready-set-achieve to learn more about how to get involved. Thank you for supporting our students! Volunteer Sign-Up   Lakeville Citywide Blood Drive: July 30 & 31 Learn More & Sign Up Lakeville Area Community Education Community Education Summer Programs & Camps Did you know? Lakeville Area Community Education offers a wide variety of exciting summer classes, camps, and programs designed to keep kids learning, exploring, and having fun all summer long! From arts and crafts to robotics, drones, coding and recreation activities, dozens of Lakeville area students have already been making the most of their summer, and having a blast doing it! But there’s even more to discover! Our Summer Wonder Zone, Summer Adventures, and DEN Middle School enrichment and child care programs provide full-day fun and activities for children ages 3 through grade 9. With hands-on projects, exciting field trips, and new friendships forming every day, our summer programs are off to an amazing start. Check Out the Summer Fun Guide Upcoming Meetings & Events School Board Meetings July 15, 6 p.m., District Office - Oak Room (Special Meeting) July 22, 6 p.m., District Office - Oak Room August 12, 6 p.m., District Office - Oak Room Districtwide Events August 21, 1-4 p.m.: Ready, Set, ACHIEVE! - Lakeville North High School September 2: First day of school! (Digital Learning Day for Grades 10-12) November 4: Election Day (Capital Projects Levy Renewal and One School Board Seat on Ballot) 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. 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.   Lakeville Area Schools does not discriminate on the basis of sex and prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX, including in employment. Inquiries regarding Title IX may be directed to the Title IX Coordinator at: Executive Director of Administrative Services Lakeville Area Schools 17630 Juniper Path, Suite A Lakeville, MN 55044 952-232-2000 or OCR (Office of Civil Rights). For more information on how to report or make a complaint of sex discrimination and grievance procedures, please see District Policy 413.

Friday, Jul 11 2025

194NOW: Welcome to ParentSquare, School Board Update...

July 11, 2025 194NOW Now Coming from ParentSquare Welcome to the first edition of our 194NOW community eNewsletter being sent through the district's new unified communications platform ParentSquare! As you read through today's eNewsletter, you may notice some formatting changes due to the new system. ParentSquare will offer a single, streamlined platform for all school-home communications, encouraging stronger family engagement and user-friendly messaging. Learn more about ParentSquare and how you can set up your account in the ‘Back-to-School’ section of this newsletter. School Board Updates July 8 School Board Meeting Recap The school board approved resolutions related to a special election to fill a school board vacancy to take place on November 4, 2025. Affidavits of candidacy will be accepted beginning July 29 through August 12, 2025.  The school board approved changes to activity and athletic programming fees beginning in the 2025-26 school year.  The School Board approved the 2025-26 school year addendum to Policy 902 Use of school facilities and equipment.   The school board approved limited attendance area adjustments to combat concentrated growth primarily affecting Highview Elementary and Century Middle School. The adjustments do not require any current students to be moved to a different school in the 2025-26 school year. To watch a recording of the board meeting visit YouTube. Full recaps, meeting materials, and future meeting dates can be found on the district website. June 24 School Board Meeting Recap Key items from the June 24 school board meeting included: An annual update on facility use by district and community groups.  Discussion regarding hiring policies and guidelines. The School Board approved the Preliminary Fiscal Year 2026 budget and the Long-Term Facilities Plan renewal with updates provided by Bill Holmgren, Executive Director of Business Services, and Jack Baker, Controller. Of the district's planned general fund expenditures, 82% is direct support through students. The general fund balance percentage continues to improve with a projected percentage of 7.3%.  To watch a recording of the board meeting visit YouTube. Full recaps, meeting materials, and future meeting dates can be found on the district website. Read Full Meeting Recaps Capital Projects Levy Renewal on the Ballot November 4, 2025 On Tuesday, November 4, 2025, Lakeville Area Schools District voters will be asked to consider the renewal of the district’s Capital Projects Levy. If approved, the 10-year Capital Projects Levy would continue to provide approximately $4 million annually, and would allow the district to: Maintain career pathway opportunities with resources and equipment Maintain educational technology, including devices for all students and staff Maintain security technology for both digital systems and school buildings There will be no tax increase if voters approve the levy, as it is a renewal of an existing levy. Because the State of Minnesota does not dedicate funds for these areas, school districts rely on locally-approved levies to cover these capital project needs.  The November 4 special election also includes one seat on the Lakeville Area School Board. More information will be shared in 194NOW in the coming weeks, as well as resources on the district website. Stay tuned!  Learn More Back-to-School Checklist Complete the Annual Household Check-In Each year, Lakeville Area Schools families are required to review, confirm and update their household and student information for back-to-school in the Infinite Campus Parent Portal. Families will be asked to verify contact information, communication preferences, and student health information. You will not be able to review your student's teacher or class schedule until the check-in is completed. We appreciate your support in updating this critical information so that we can best serve you and your students. For instructions on completing the check-in visit: isd194.org/check-in Complete the Check-In   Introducing ParentSquare Communications! Lakeville Area Schools is excited to launch ParentSquare, our new district-wide communications platform designed to keep parents/guardians informed and encourage greater engagement and connection with the district. It provides a safe way for district administrators, school principals, teachers, staff, and parents/guardians to: Receive all district, school and classroom communications via email, text, or mobile app Sign up to volunteer Schedule parent-teacher conferences And much more . . . all in one centralized place! Activate Your Account You will soon receive an invitation email or text to join ParentSquare. Please click the link in your email/text to activate your account. It takes less than a minute.  Click here to read our full article with sign-in instructions, tutorials, and additional helpful resources.  ParentSquare Resources   Check Your Child’s Immunizations Records As we near the halfway point of summer, now is a good time to schedule an updated physical for your child and to check if your child’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. 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). Learn More about Immunizations   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 child's school.   Qualifying families may receive reduced prices on the following items:  ACT/SAT/AP fees Activities and athletics fees Home Internet College application fees, School parking passes, planners, gym uniforms, etc. And more! Learn More & Apply   Join us at Ready, Set, ACHIEVE! on August 21 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, early childhood screening, and other community resources for Lakeville Area Schools enrolled students–all FREE of charge! This year’s event will take place August 21 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 Leadership Updates Lucas Yoho hired as Executive Director of Operations Lakeville Area Schools Superintendent Michael Baumann announced the hiring of Lucas Yoho as the Executive Director of Operations. Lucas was approved by the Lakeville Area School board at the July 8 school board meeting.  “I am truly privileged to join a great team of education professionals here at Lakeville Area Schools and serve the community where I reside,” said Yoho. “I look forward to contributing to the success of our students and maintaining Lakeville Area Schools as the district of choice for our community.”  LEARN MORE Alexia Poppy-Finley hired as Director of Special Services Lakeville Area Schools Superintendent Michael Baumann announced the hiring of Alexia Poppy-Finley as the Director of Special Services. Poppy-Finley was approved by the Lakeville Area School Board at the June 26 school board meeting. “I am thrilled to step into the role of Director of Special Services at Lakeville Area Schools, where I will be dedicated to fostering an inclusive, supportive, and enriching environment for all students. After spending a decade as a building leader with a focus on instructional leadership, I am excited to bring my experience and passion for students and families to Lakeville,” said Poppy-Finley.  LEARN MORE Lakeville Area Community Education School Year Child Care for PreK - Grade 5 Find more information about our school year programs: Wonder Zone & Kid Zone Community Connections 400 Donors Needed for Lakeville Citywide Blood Drive Learn More & Sign Up 194PRIDE Community eNewsletter Looking for more news from your school district? Check out our 194PRIDE Community eNewsletter! This month’s edition will be live Friday afternoon (July 11) and features several student accomplishments. Upcoming Meetings & Events School Board Meetings July 15, 6 p.m., District Office - Oak Room (Special Meeting) July 22, 6 p.m., District Office - Oak Room August 12, 6 p.m., District Office - Oak Room Districtwide Events August 21, 1-4 p.m.: Ready, Set, ACHIEVE! - Lakeville North High School September 2: First day of school! (Digital Learning Day for Grades 10-12) November 4: Election Day (Capital Projects Levy Renewal and One School Board Seat on Ballot) 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. 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.   Lakeville Area Schools does not discriminate on the basis of sex and prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX, including in employment. Inquiries regarding Title IX may be directed to the Title IX Coordinator at: Executive Director of Administrative Services Lakeville Area Schools 17630 Juniper Path, Suite A Lakeville, MN 55044 952-232-2000 or OCR (Office of Civil Rights). For more information on how to report or make a complaint of sex discrimination and grievance procedures, please see District Policy 413.

Friday, Jul 11 2025