June 24, 2021 at 6:30 PM - Regular School Board Meeting

Description:  The Board Chair will call the meeting to order.

Description:  The Board Chair will lead the Pledge of Allegiance.

Description:  The Board Chair will take roll call. A quorum must be established in order for the meeting to proceed.

Board Members:

Description:  Once quorum has been established the Board Chair will request approval of the meeting agenda.

Description:  Bluejacket Broadcast Team
As Cambridge-Isanti High School entered into the season of Distance Learning in the spring of 2020, there was a clear need for growth in the area of providing high quality video and live streaming services. Staff members Jim Godfrey and Jason Oestreich were instrumental in researching equipment and infrastructure needed to provide high-quality video and live streaming services to students, staff, and our overall community. Although there were many minor projects throughout the 2019-2020 school year, the first major production that the Bluejacket Broadcast team took on was the video production of the Class of 2020 Commencement Ceremony. With the success of this production, there was additional infrastructure and equipment that the Bluejacket Broadcast team invested in and received training on in the summer of 2020. The investment was made specifically with the understanding that there may be limited spectators allowed at events that once had no limitations and were well attended (athletic events, concerts, drama productions, Grand March, etc.). Under the leadership of Jim Godfrey and Jason Oestreich, they were able to lead a number of student leaders in running multiple events throughout the 2020-2021 school year. Jim and Jason credit Morgan T. Anderson, Aedin Hawkins, Ethan Stauffer, and Kyle Phillips as being incredible student leaders for the Bluejacket Broadcast team. Due to the efforts of the Bluejacket Broadcast team, thousands of students, parents, grandparents, extended families, and others have enjoyed following the Bluejackets in whatever activity they choose. We are grateful for the opportunities that this team provides, and they are critical to the success of Cambridge-Isanti Schools. 

Description:  The Athletics and Activities Department is very proud to showcase our outstanding Adapted Bowling Team which is coached by Steve Tischer, and his great assistant coaches.

Description:  An opportunity for members of the community to address the Board.

Description:  A. Board Standing Committee Reports (minutes attached)
B. Board Representative Committee Reports
C. Student Representative Board Report
D. School Board Member Good News Report

Description:  Administration will provide an update to the School Board.

Description:  Superintendent Rudolph and Cambridge-Isanti Schools Policy Review Committee met and discussed a comparison between our current policy and MSBA's model policy for reference. Cabinet and the Administrative Team also had the opportunity to review the proposed policy changes and provide comments. Upon consideration, the Policy Review Committee is recommending the changes and modifications in the attached policy for first reading.

Description:  Superintendent Rudolph and Cambridge-Isanti Schools Policy Review Committee met and discussed a comparison between our current policy and MSBA's model policy for reference. Cabinet and the Administrative Team also had the opportunity to review the proposed policy changes and provide comments. Upon consideration, the Policy Review Committee is recommending the changes and modifications in the attached policy for first reading.

Description:  Superintendent Rudolph and Cambridge-Isanti Schools Policy Review Committee met and discussed a comparison between our current policy and MSBA's model policy for reference. Cabinet and the Administrative Team also had the opportunity to review the proposed policy changes and provide comments. Upon consideration, the Policy Review Committee is recommending the changes and modifications in the attached policy for first reading.

Description:  Superintendent Rudolph and Cambridge-Isanti Schools Policy Review Committee met and discussed a comparison between our current policy and MSBA's model policy for reference. Cabinet and the Administrative Team also had the opportunity to review the proposed policy changes and provide comments. Upon consideration, the Policy Review Committee is recommending the changes and modifications in the attached policy for first reading.

Description:  Superintendent Rudolph and Cambridge-Isanti Schools Policy Review Committee met and discussed a comparison between our current policy and MSBA's model policy for reference. Cabinet and the Administrative Team also had the opportunity to review the proposed policy changes and provide comments. Upon consideration, the Policy Review Committee is recommending the changes and modifications in the attached policy for first reading.

Description:  Superintendent Rudolph and Cambridge-Isanti Schools Policy Review Committee met and discussed a comparison between our current policy and MSBA's model policy for reference. Cabinet and the Administrative Team also had the opportunity to review the proposed policy changes and provide comments. Upon consideration, the Policy Review Committee is recommending the changes and modifications in the attached policy for first reading.

Description: 

In January 2021, the Cambridge-Isanti School District assembled a Community Task Force of 38 individuals, representing parents, students, staff, teachers, and administrators. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Task Force met virtually every month to identify, understand and problem-solve significant challenges facing the school district.

The Community Task Force reviewed district organizational background data, including financial reports, enrollment data, curricular offerings and reductions, transportation, facilities and staffing data. Four critical focus areas were identified; Finance, Building and Grounds, Operations, and Teaching and Learning. Subgroups were then formed to take deeper dives into each of these areas. 

The Task Force recognizes that the School District is facing significant challenges around lack of operating revenue, building infrastructure needs (older buildings and end of life infrastructures), transportation challenges and curricular/staffing deficits due to $8.5M of budget reductions in three years. As we look to the future of Cambridge-Isanti Schools, the Community Task Force recommendations to consider will be focused on solving these immediate challenges and looking forward to a sustainable future. These recommendations will likely be shared with the School Board in July and/or August. Their work has been delayed because the Legislature has yet to pass a state budget or pass an education funding bill for the next biennium.

Description: 
Any items board members wish to have considered as a separate action?

Board approval of consent agenda is needed.

Description:  Heidi Sprandel, Board Treasurer, will give recommendation for treasurer’s report subject to audit. The Board Treasurer and Director of Finance and Operations meet once a month to review the previous month’s financial activity. Reports that are reviewed are the treasurer’s report, payment registers, and employee reimbursement report.

Description:  Therefore the Director of Finance and Operations recommends the following resolution:

Description:  School districts are required to have a budget approved by the School Board by July 1 of each year per Minn. State Statute 123B.77. Projections and planning for the FY 2022 budget started in January and since then have included school board meetings, finance committee meetings, administration team meetings, staff meetings, communication through newsletters and the budget website, and other forums. Upon approval of the Fiscal Year 2022 Final Budget Recommendations on April 22 we have worked diligently to build the preliminary budget. Completing the preliminary budget will complete the second part of our fiscal year financial process (Property Tax Levy - Preliminary Budget - Revised Budget - Annual Financial Audit).

Public school districts are required to maintain financials in different funds, which each serve specific and restricted purposes. The main funds are the General, Food Service, Community Service, and Debt Service funds. We will also now have the Building Construction fund for the accounting of the new facility.

Description:  Approving the letter of intent will not obligate the school district, financially or otherwise, to the proposed project. The purpose of the letter is to allow Nexus Solutions to prepare the necessary reports and documentation for MDE and draft contracts for legal counsel to review. The District and Nexus will finalize contract documents at the July board meeting. 

Description:  The school district will be providing meals free-of-charge for the FY2022 school year under a waiver granted by the USDA. In the event we need to return to a model where meals are paid for, we are recommending a $0.25 increase for all meals. This is the amount required to pass a balanced budget.

Recommended FY 2021-22 Meal Prices:

	Current Prices	FY 2022 Prices
Student Lunch Elementary	$2.65	$2.90
Student Lunch Secondary	$2.90	$3.15
Student Breakfast Grades 1-8	$1.50	$1.75
Student Breakfast Grades 9-12	$1.60	$1.85
Adult Lunch	$4.15	$4.40
Adult Breakfast	$2.15	$2.40

Changes will be updated in the Student Handbooks pending board approval.

Description: 

During the winter and spring of 2021, the District Tech Advisory Committee reviewed, discussed, and updated a detailed plan for Chromebook replacements. The new Chromebooks will be allocated in the following ways:

• K2 - adopt the 2in1 Chromebook at a phased pace as the iPads age
• Grades 6-12 - students receive a new Chromebook at the 6th grade level.

The current model of Chromebook has an end of life date as determined by Google that will allow them to be utilized for 7 years.  As a result, students will be provided a new Chromebook in 6th grade and this same Chromebook will remain with the student until they graduate.  At the grade 6-12 level, this equates to a cost of about $0.27 per school day per student for the life of the device.  At the K2 level, it equates to an average cost of about $0.29 per school day per student for the life of the device.

Sealed bid proposals were received up until noon on Thursday, May 27, 2021 at the Education Services Center, 625A Main Street North, Cambridge, MN 55008.  There were three different vendors who submitted sealed bids:

• SHI
• Tierney
• Vivacity Tech

Description: 

The district issued a request for competitive bids to finance the purchase of the chromebooks referenced in the previous agenda item. The district received three responses from American Capital, TEQlease, and Providence Financial. American Capital provided the lowest responsible quote to serve as the district's leasing agent.

	Amount Financed	Yearly Payment	Total Over 4 Years - Devices are Owned by C-I Schools	Total Over 4 Years Including Year 1 Down Payment of $130,000
American Capital	$154,300	$40,153.02	$160,612.08	$290,612.08
TEQlease	$267,050	Year 1  $112,750   Year 2-4 $55,591.23	$279,523.69	$296,773.69   (Needed to add $17,250 for SHI and GoGuradian)
Providence Financial	Chose not to participate due to no penalty for early payment requirement

C-I Schools has worked with American Capital for all the other Blended Learning Leases and we have been very satisfied with the relationship that has developed.  The lease agreement for these devices would be an addendum to our original lease agreement signed in 2015.

Description:  Schools for Equity in Education advocates for equal access to quality education for all Minnesota students and provides professional development options, networking opportunities, resources, and a community outreach liaison to member districts.

2021-22 Membership Dues: $6,707 ($0 change from 2020-21)

Renewal Period: July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2022

Description:  Cambridge-Isanti Schools has been a member of Minnesota School Board Association (MSBA) since 2008. MSBA provides crucial policy update information, training for our school board members and superintendent, and various levels of support for our district through our membership.

2021-22 Membership Dues: $10,834*
2021-22 Policy Services Renewal: $730
Renewal Period: July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2022

Description:  Currently, the school board agenda and supporting documentation is created and compiled using the BoardBook Premier application which is a subscription-based service.

2021-22 Subscription Tier I: $2,100
Renewal Period: July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2022
 

Description:  The Local Educational Agency (LEA) Representative will ensure that the school district will maintain compliance with the appropriate federal statutes, regulations, and procedures and will act as the responsible authority in all matters relating to the administration of this improvement plan. The local Board of Education ensures that its designee(s) will periodically update the Board regarding goals, strategies/practices, participate as a member of the school leadership implementation team, and work in collaboration with the Regional Centers of Excellence and/or MDE in support of technical assistance through the Minnesota Statewide System of Support (SSOS) or the Department.

Description:  Cambridge-Isanti Schools has been a long-time member of the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL). The MSHSL provides opportunities for our students to develop character, strength and perseverance that allows them to flourish in school and beyond.

Description:  The Art & Science Academy and Cambridge-Isanti Schools would like to continue to accept the 7th and 8th grade Art & Science Academy students into the athletic and/or activity programs listed in the agreement at the rates listed (per participant). Arts & Science Academy agrees that transportation to the athletic or activity program is not part of this agreement.

This agreement would be in effect for the 2021-2022 school year.

Description:  Cambridge Christian School and Cambridge-Isanti Schools would like to continue to accept the 7th and 8th grade Art & Science Academy students into the athletic and/or activity programs listed in the agreement at the rates listed (per participant). Cambridge Christian School agrees that transportation to the athletic or activity program is not part of this agreement.

This agreement would be in effect for the 2021-2022 school year.

Description:  Early Childhood through fifth grade and grades 6-12 share common student handbook templates. These templates allow for streamline information for families and students as well as create efficiency for policy updates each spring. The attached document outlines the student handbook changes for 2021-22. 

Description:  Superintendent Rudolph and Cambridge-Isanti Schools Policy Review Committee met and discussed a comparison between our current policy and MSBA's model policy for reference. Cabinet and the Administrative Team also had the opportunity to review the proposed policy changes and provide comments.  Upon consideration, the Policy Review Committee is recommending the Board approve the policy with modifications made in the attached policy.

Description:  Superintendent Rudolph and Cambridge-Isanti Schools Policy Review Committee met and discussed a comparison between our current policy and MSBA's model policy for reference. Cabinet and the Administrative Team also had the opportunity to review the proposed policy changes and provide comments.  Upon consideration, the Policy Review Committee is recommending the Board approve the policy with modifications made in the attached policy.

Description:  Superintendent Rudolph and Cambridge-Isanti Schools Policy Review Committee met and discussed a comparison between our current policy and MSBA's model policy for reference. Cabinet and the Administrative Team also had the opportunity to review the proposed policy changes and provide comments.  Upon consideration, the Policy Review Committee is recommending the Board approve the policy with modifications made in the attached policy.

Description:  Superintendent Rudolph and Cambridge-Isanti Schools Policy Review Committee met and discussed a comparison between our current policy and MSBA's model policy for reference. Cabinet and the Administrative Team also had the opportunity to review the proposed policy changes and provide comments.  Upon consideration, the Policy Review Committee is recommending the Board approve the policy with modifications made in the attached policy.

Description:  Superintendent Rudolph and Cambridge-Isanti Schools Policy Review Committee met and discussed a comparison between our current policy and MSBA's model policy for reference. Cabinet and the Administrative Team also had the opportunity to review the proposed policy changes and provide comments.  Upon consideration, the Policy Review Committee is recommending the Board approve the policy with modifications made in the attached policy.

Description:  Adjourn meeting