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Intermediate School District 917

Purposeful. Personalized. Partners.

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About 917

ISD 917 provides special education, career and technical education, and alternative education for students in the southeast metro area of Minnesota. We serve nine member school districts with ISD 917 programs located in multiple sites.

Our district office and a number of our special education, career and technical education, and alternative education programs are located in Dakota County Technical College (DCTC) with whom we partner.

ISD 917 serves students needing low incidence special education services from our member school districts in the southeastern Twin Cities metropolitan area. Students are referred to us by member school districts.  Our programs and services expand on what member districts may be able to offer students in their own schools. Programs provide special education and related service support to students from early childhood through age 21 in a variety of different, specialized settings for students with emotional/behavioral disorders, autism spectrum disorders, developmental and cognitive disabilities, mental health needs, learning disabilities, and for those who are deaf and hard of hearing. Students receive a high-level of support in classrooms with low student-teacher ratios and specialized support teams in facilities with spaces designed for a variety of student needs and student and staff safety features.

ISD 917 also provides students from member districts secondary education programs, including Dakota County Area Learning Schools, which provide alternative learning programming both in-person and online to students in need of a positive, safe, and structured learning environment outside their resident high school, and Dakota County Secondary Technical Center, which provides career and technical education for high school students in 10th, 11th, and 12th grade.

  • Mission  (= Our Core Purpose)

    In partnership with member districts, Intermediate School District 917 provides high quality, equitable, and personalized services to build on the unique strengths and needs of students in support of families and caregivers. 

  • Vision (= What We Intend to Create)

    Intermediate School District 917 exhibits and innovative culture centered in belonging with diverse pathways serving students and supporting families and caregivers through equitable practices and highly trained staff.

  • Core Values (= Drivers of Our Words and Actions)

    • Integrity: Acting with honesty and accountability to align actions with our values.
    • Empathy: Actively listening to honor the perspectives and needs of others.
    • Personalization: Building on everyone’s strengths and addressing their unique needs.
    • Diversity: Valuing intersectionality, lived experiences, and perspectives to foster belonging for all.
    • Collaboration: Fostering relationships and working in partnership to achieve shared goals.
    • Equity: Ensuring access and outcomes by removing barriers and providing appropriate support.
    • Innovation: Continuously Improving programs and services through practical, responsive solutions.
    • Stewardship: Responsibly managing financial and human resources to build trust and effectiveness.

  • Strategic Directions (= Focus of Our Improvement Efforts)

    • Student learning, engagement, achievement, and pathways   
    • Safe, supportive, and inclusive environments
    • Staff development, support, and stability
    • Family, caregiver, district, and community partnerships
    • Organizational effectiveness and continuous improvement
       

    • 1969 - Intermediate School District 917 established by the Minnesota Legislature
    • 1970 - ISD 917 School Board established
    • 1972 - Amendments added to U.S. Constitution strengthening educational rights for all students
    • 1973 - Rosemount campus opened for shared use by DCTC and ISD 917
    • 1970 - Harold Grudem hired as founding Superintendent of ISD 917 (1970-1982)
    • 1972 - Special Education Director Curt Thorstenson began his tenure with ISD 917 (1972-1984)
    • 1970 - Superintendent Donald McGuire began his tenure with ISD 917 (1982-1989)
    • 1972 - Special Education Director Dan Sullivan began his tenure with ISD 917 (1984-2008)
    • 1982 - DASH program established
    • 1983 - IDEA & TESA programs established
    • 1986 - PACES program established
    • 1986 - DCALS program established as a night school before transitioning to day school
    • 1989 - Superintendent Roger Norsted began his tenure with ISD 917 (1989-2000)
    • 1995 - Establishment of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities separated ISD 917 & DCTC 
    • 1995 - ISD 196 ended ISD 917 member district status
    • 2000 - Superintendent Bill Larson began his tenure with ISD 917 (2000-2005)
    • 2003 - IDEA program established
    • 2007 - SUN program established
    • 2008 - Superintendent Dr. John Christensen began his tenure with ISD 917 (2005-2018)
    • 2008 - Special Education Director Melissa Schaller began her tenure with ISD 917 
    • 2008 - Alliance Education Center established
    • 2009 - TEA program established
    • 2011 - ISD 271 joined ISD 917 as a member district
    • 2013 - Cedar School established
    • 2016 - Superintendent Mark Zuzek began his tenure with ISD 917 (2018-2021)
    • 2017 - CASE program established
    • 2018 - ECSE TEA program established
    • 2019 - DCALS South opened
    • 2021 - Superintendent Dr. Michael Favor began his tenure with ISD 917
    • 2021 - President Biden visited DCTC
    • 2022 - Governor Walz visited ISD 917
    • 2022 - DCALS South site closed
    • 2024 - DCTC & ISD 917 Joint Powers Agreement extended through December 2024
    • 2024 - PACES program closed
    • 2025 - New Chance program closed 2026 - Adoption of New Strategic Plan 2026
    • 2026 – New Career and Technical Education courses offered: Cosmetology and Power Sports