Borg Report December 12, 2024

As we approach the end of 2024, I want to take a moment to update you on two key priorities for our district: school safety and the continued improvement of our facilities. Westonka Public Schools remains dedicated to fostering safe, healthy, and welcoming learning environments for all students. We are equally committed to maintaining open communication, collaboration, and transparency with our families as we work together to support our students' success. If you have any questions about this update or other topics, please feel free to reach out directly to me.

Update on School Safety

Last month, as we do regularly, the Westonka Public Schools administrative team sat down with representatives from the Mound Fire Department and Orono and Minnetrista police departments to review and strengthen our school safety procedures. This ongoing collaboration helps us stay prepared in the event of an emergency. At Westonka, we rely on a multifaceted approach to school safety, which includes having strong operational systems, two-way communication, expert training, ongoing collaboration with local emergency responders, and safe and responsive facilities.

Strong Operational Systems - Safe and effective schools rely on strong operational systems that ensure safety from the moment a student boards the bus until they return home. This includes everything from our student management systems to countless policies and procedures that help ensure we operate school and activities in a safe and organized way. Our success in this area is a direct result of our dedicated and caring leadership team and staff, who consistently review and refine our processes to meet the needs of our students and community.

Two-Way Communication - One of Westonka’s key Small School Advantages is that we make it a priority to know our school families, and we rely on these close relationships every day to keep students and staff safe. We encourage everyone—students, staff, parents and community members—to report any concerns, whether they're heard at school, on social media, or in the community. Open, proactive communication helps us address issues before they escalate.

Training - At Westonka, we conduct safety training for both staff and students, which includes regular drills and preparing for various safety scenarios. Over 90% of our middle and high school students report that they feel safe at school, which is a reflection of the comprehensive training and safety measures we have in place. We also work closely with our School Resource Officers (SROs) from the Orono and Minnetrista police departments, who actively participate in safety training and preparedness efforts.

Collaboration with Law Enforcement and the Fire Department - We are fortunate to be served by two dedicated police departments and a community-focused fire department. They work tirelessly to ensure our schools remain safe. Not only are we thankful to have two SROs, but the Mound Fire Department is staffed by parents of Westonka students. I truly believe they protect Westonka like it is their own home.

Safe and Responsive Facilities - Thanks to the community’s support of the 2023 bond referendum, we are making significant upgrades to improve the safety and security of our school facilities. New security systems have already been installed at Hilltop and Shirley Hills primary schools and the Westonka Early Learning Center. These systems include centralized lockdown capacity, alarms and strobes, allowing staff to quickly secure doors and hallways and limit access during a crisis. Schools will also be able to isolate specific areas within the building, providing public access only where it’s needed. New security systems at the middle school will be installed this summer, when the main office will also be relocated to create a secured entrance. The high school security upgrades will be completed as part of the building redesign in 2025-2026. For more information on the bond projects, please visit www.westonka.k12.mn.us/bondprojects.

As your superintendent and a parent, I understand how school safety weighs on the minds of our families. If you would like to talk about any aspect of student safety, please feel free to reach out to me with any questions, thoughts or concerns.

Bond Construction Update

The Westonka School Board has now approved bids for both the high school and middle school construction projects, and I am pleased to report that we remain in a favorable position to deliver on all of the communicated bond projects. I am grateful for the community’s support of the 2023 bond referendum that made these transformative improvements possible. I am also pleased to report that, even with the passage of the bond, Westonka continues to have the lowest total school property taxes in Hennepin County.

High school construction is expected to begin in April 2025 and includes deferred maintenance, security improvements, renovations to the entire building and added square footage, all aimed at enhancing the learning environment and improving functionality, safety and pride. The middle school project (security improvements and related renovation) is scheduled to start in June. 

We are entering an exciting time for the school district, but there is much work and coordination ahead. We know that the upcoming construction will require a tremendous amount of teamwork, flexibility and patience. Throughout this project, we are committed to delivering a high-quality educational experience for all students. 

What’s ahead?

• January 2025 - Design for the high school stadium and primary school maintenance projects will begin in January.
• Spring 2025 - The final coating will be applied to the new high school tennis courts in the spring when temperatures allow. Six of the nine current tennis courts will remain operational until the new courts are finished.
• April 3, 2025 - Save the date for a ceremonial groundbreaking for the high school redesign project on Thursday, April 3 at 4 p.m. on the high school campus (weather permitting). The high school redesign project is expected to begin in April. The majority of work will be completed by fall 2026.
• June 2025 - The middle school construction project is scheduled to begin at the end of the 2024-25 school year and will continue throughout the summer.

We are excited about the future and look forward to partnering with our families to create an even stronger and safer district. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership.

Sincerely,