Tracy Area Elementary School saw an increase in both third- through sixth-grade math and reading scores this year, as Principal Michael Munson reported to the board Monday night.
The percent meeting standard math score was 59.7%, up from 55.6% in 2025. The TAES passing reading was 57.5%, up from 54.6%. The fifth-grade science test was passed at 33.3%, slightly down from 36.2% in 2025, however, well over the state passing rate of 25.9%.
On the high school side, the 10thgrade reading and science increased from 2025 with reading increasing from 50% to 57.1% and science increasing from 35.7% to 57.1%. In 11th grade, the math scores improved from 35.3% to 39.6%.
While increases were seen at the upper level, the junior high scores did show some areas ready for improvement.
In 2025, seventh-grade math was at 35.5%, while only 25% met standards in 2026. Seventh-grade reading decreased slightly from 36% to 35.5%, with the state average 43.5% In eighth grade, reading also saw an increase form 35.7% to 43.2% with a state average of 50%. However, math saw a decrease from 32.1% to 31.8% with the state being 42.3%. In science, the percent meeting standards went down from 12.5% to 9.5%; however, the state present meeting standards was only 16.7%. This was a new test as of 2025.
TAHS Principal Mandy Dibble understands that junior high is where the struggle is and they are looking at ways to improve.
“Looking at all of those results, it’s really easy to see that our junior high struggles,” Dibble said. “Our high school is getting it figured out. But our junior high is struggling. This year the goal is standards. We’re going to use PLC time. We’re looking at standards, we’re looking at curriculum mapping. What are we doing? Making things consistent with seventh grade, eighth grade, ninth grade, across the board in our subjects. That is the goal for this year, to focus on the junior high levels especially.”
In other board news …
• Enrollment was recognized at 621 for K-12; enrollment for 2025 was 608.
• Dibble reported nine phone violations in the first 10 days of school. However, there were no repeat offenders.
• Angela Kennecke will be presenting to all students in grades 6-12 on Oct. 5 at 10 a.m. Westbrook-Walnut Grove students have been invited as well. Parents are welcome for the presentation.
• The board approved the hiring of Tori Hesse as a TAES/ TAHS para, Kiana Gilbertson as a TAES para, Shelby Vosberg as a TAES Para, Karl Campbell as the strength and conditioning coach for the fall sports season, Grace Dolan as the seventh-grade volleyball coach, Gauge Liebl as a volunteer football coach and Patrick Brown as a volunteer volleyball coach.
• The board approved overload for Elizabeth Rupp for two hours/week at an additional $2,926.25.
• The board approved the cell phone policy 524 to match Option A as voted on at the August meeting and changed the cell phone language in the student handbook to match Policy 524 and Option A that was approved on Aug. 19, 2026.
• The board approved certifying the Minnesota Department of Education Levy Limitation and Certification Report for 2026, payable in 2027 at the maximum level of funding allowed by State law.
• The board approved changing the time of the Oct. 19 meeting to 6:30 p.m. due to a Joint Community Task Force/School Board Meeting to be held at 6 p.m.
• The board recognized the following donations: Tracy Eagles, $2,000 (frisbee golf); ROYO, $2,500 (frisbee golf); Premium Plant Services, $500 (frisbee golf); The Gambler, $750 (frisbee golf); Tracy Eagles, $3,718.25 (flag pole on football field); Balaton American Legion, $1,000 (elementary music); Justin & Ann Struchen, $3,688 (track storage shed); American Legion, $500 (trapshooting team); Panther Booster Club, $4,497 (metal signs at field locations).
