Superintendent outlines state legislative changes requiring telehealth mental-health services, mental-health instruction and a district cell-phone policy

During the superintendent's administrative report, she summarized several state legislative changes and implementation requirements that the district will need to address.

Key points: The superintendent said the legislature revised the READ Act with funding and policy adjustments and expanded voluntary preschool slots. She emphasized a new requirement that districts adopt a policy on student possession and use of cell phones during instructional time; the district's handbook had already been revised mid-year to prohibit phones for middle-school students and the secondary principal association will provide best-practice guidance this summer.

Telehealth and mental-health instruction: The superintendent said the legislature requires schools with adequate space to allow telehealth mental-health services by October 2024; the district will seek guidance on supervision and structure. She also noted a requirement to provide mental-health education instruction for grades 4–12 by the 2026–27 school year and said the district's strategic plan already includes social-emotional learning elements the district expects to build on.

Four-day school week: The superintendent reported state guidance will require the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) to establish clear criteria for evaluating applications for a four-day school week; she noted discussion occurred around local control concerns but said MDE will implement an evaluation process.

Why it matters: These changes impose new policy and instructional requirements that will require administrative planning and potential training; they also affect program design (telehealth logistics) and handbook language. The superintendent said the district will provide more detail and planning guidance during summer work and at upcoming board meetings.

Ending: The superintendent said the district will continue to monitor MDE guidance and report back to the board with implementation plans.