Superintendent Josh Swanson received a positive annual review from the Eden Prairie School Board on Jan. 6, with board members commending his leadership in academics, financial stability, and innovation while encouraging additional progress in key student achievement areas.
Aaron Casper, board chair, read a statement prepared by the previous board. “This is basically the assessment and review for our CEO, Dr. Swanson,” he said.
In the review, the board said, “His dedication to the district’s highest academic priorities has yielded notable results, including the system-wide implementation of expanded educational opportunities, equipping students with the 21st-century skills and essential citizenship knowledge, and the attainment of target graduation rates.”
The board extended appreciation for Swanson’s support and involvement in the district’s strategic planning process and the 100-year celebration. It also credited him for fulfilling his commitment to the promises made during the most recent referendum to prevent reductions to programs and services.
The board praised Swanson for following policies that set clear operational boundaries but said it would like to see more data-backed evidence of compliance when those policies are reviewed in the future.
While noting substantial progress across ends policies, the board requested increased attention and improvement in two areas:
- Each student reads at grade level by the end of third grade.
- Each student achieves individual growth expectations and proficiency annually in areas not limited to language arts, math and science.
“Dr. Swanson will provide the board with updates in the first quarter of 2025 on actions being taken to address the ends policies where reasonable progress has not been met,” the review stated. “The board looks forward to more information on the challenges relative to current student achievement and expects to see improvements in the near future.”
The statement said Swanson’s “steadfast leadership” has been integral in positioning Eden Prairie Schools as a leader in academic achievement while maintaining financial and organizational stability. It also noted that the district has earned regional and national recognition for innovations championed by Swanson.
Finally, the board said it “publicly recognizes and values Dr. Swanson’s personal commitment to students, families and the Eden Prairie community, as well as his record of delivering successful results as the district’s chief executive.”
The full statement is available on the meeting video, which can be accessed on the Eden Prairie School Board’s agendas and materials web page.
Comments
We offer several ways for our readers to provide feedback. Your comments are welcome on our social media posts (Facebook, X, Instagram, Threads, and LinkedIn). We also encourage Letters to the Editor; submission guidelines can be found on our Contact Us page. If you believe this story has an error or you would like to get in touch with the author, please connect with us.