The 2023-24 academic calendar approved by the District 196 School Board Nov. 14 is very similar to this year's calendar, with students at all levels starting before Labor Day.

Enrollment in District 196 schools remains stable again this year, but has not grown the past three years as it was projected to do prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Director of Finance and Operations Mark Stotts told the School Board at its Oct. 10 meeting. 

All District 196 school buses will be equipped with stop-arm cameras thanks in part to a $290,000 grant from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety (DPS-OTS) announced Sept. 26. 

Independent School District 196 spent less per pupil on general fund operating expenditures in fiscal year 2021 than the averages for school districts statewide, in the metro area, and Minnesota’s 10-largest districts.

The District 196 School Board, at its Sept. 26 regular meeting, approved a proposed 2022 (payable 2023) property tax levy at the maximum amount allowed by the state. The proposed levy is $132,640,542, an increase of $7,874,520 or 6.3% compared to the levy for payable 2022 property taxes.

The yearlong campaign provides opportunities for students and families to get information and have discussions about digital citizenship and well-being.

As District 196 continues to grow, upgrades to facilities are needed. The telephone survey will be conducted late September.