September 30, 2025 at 5:30 PM - Business Meeting
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I. Recognition
Speaker(s):
Ms. Alison Sherman, School Board Chair
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II. Public Comment
Speaker(s):
Ms. Alison Sherman, School Board Chair
Description:
Up to fifteen speakers will be allotted three minutes each to speak.
The school board encourages community input. While comments and questions are welcome, law prohibits the board from discussing concerns about individual employees or students in a public meeting. The board will not deliberate, discuss, or engage in conversation with speakers. However, the board may ask administration to review the concern(s) presented. Speakers must present their testimony in a respectful manner. Vulgarity, character attacks, malice or specific complaints identifying staff or students by name or implication will not be permitted. We will stop the proceedings immediately if employee or student privacy issues are raised and direct the speaker to forward comments regarding individual employees or students to the superintendent. |
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III. Call to Order
Speaker(s):
Ms. Alison Sherman, School Board Chair
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IV. Roll Call
Speaker(s):
Ms. Alison Sherman, School Board Chair
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V. Pledge of Allegiance
Speaker(s):
Ms. Alison Sherman, School Board Chair
Description:
The Pledge of Allegiance will be recited prior to the approval of the meeting agenda.
I pledge Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all. |
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VI. Approval of Agenda
Speaker(s):
Ms. Alison Sherman, School Board Chair
Description:
Once quorum has been established the School Board Chair will request approval of the meeting agenda.
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VII. Student Report
Speaker(s):
Mr. Zach Cody and Ms. Aurora Swenson, Student Representatives
Description:
The Student Board Members will provide updates on items of interest in the announcement category. Many times these topics develop between the time the agenda is prepared and distributed and the meeting date. Topics generally include announcement of academics, activities, arts and athletics. What is included in this item will vary each meeting depending on the nature of the topics, the school year schedule and time of activities.
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VIII. Superintendent Report
Speaker(s):
Dr. Mike Funk, Superintendent
Description:
Each meeting the Superintendent will provide an update on items of interest in the announcement category. Many times these topics develop between the time the agenda is prepared and distributed, and the meeting date. Topics generally include announcement of attendance at district events, communications items, informational items and correspondence items worth noting. What is included in this item will vary each meeting depending on the nature of the topics, the school year schedule and time of activities.
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IX. Board Chair Report
Speaker(s):
Ms. Alison Sherman, School Board Chair
Description:
Each meeting the Board Chair board will provide updates on items of interest in the announcement category. Many times these topics develop between the time the agenda is prepared and distributed, and the meeting date. What is included in this item will vary each meeting depending on the nature of the topics, the school year schedule and time of activities.
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X. Consent Agenda
Description:
The consent agenda is a meeting practice which packages routine reports, Board meeting minutes, and other non-controversial items not requiring discussion or independent action as one agenda item. The Board will approve this ‘package’ of items together in one motion.
A. School Board Meeting Minutes, August 19, 2025
B. School Board Meeting Minutes, September 9, 2025 C. Payment of Invoices, September 6 - 26, 2025 D. Field Trip Request for Stillwater High School Wind Symphony and Concert Orchestra to San Diego, California E. Field Trip Request Form for CIS Advanced Communication and Pop culture class to New York F. Policy 904.1 - Distribution of Materials by Non-School Persons G. St. Croix Paraprofessional Association Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Regarding Deduction of Dues H. Human Resources Personnel Report |
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X.A. School Board Meeting Minutes, August 19, 2025
Speaker(s):
Ms. Katie Hockert, School Board Clerk
Description:
A copy of the minutes is included for your review.
Attachments:
()
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X.B. School Board Meeting Minutes, September 9, 2025
Speaker(s):
Ms. Katie Hockert, School Board Clerk
Description:
A copy of the minutes is included for your review.
Attachments:
()
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X.C. Payment of Invoices, September 6 - 26, 2025
Speaker(s):
Ms. Marie Schrul, Chief Financial Officer
Description:
A copy of the register has been distributed to Board members.
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X.D. Field Trip Request for Stillwater Area High School Wind Symphony and Concert Orchestra to San Diego, California
Speaker(s):
Mr. Ryan Jensen, Orchestra Teacher and Mr. Tark Katzenmeyer, Band Teacher
Description:
The Stillwater Area High School Concert Wind Symphony and Concert Orchestra are performing at the World Strides Heritage Music Festival on March 25–29, 2026 in Sani Diego, California.
Attachments:
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X.E. Field Trip Request for CIS Advanced Communication and Pop culture class to New York
Speaker(s):
Ms. Rachel Steil, Language Arts and Journalism Teacher
Description:
Journalism and exploration awareness, New York, April 29-May 3, 2026.
Attachments:
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X.F. Policy 904.1 - Distribution of Materials by Non-School Persons
Speaker(s):
Mr. Paul Lee, Executive Director of Student Support Services
Description:
To avoid confusion with the Minnesota School Boards Association (MSBA) Policy 904, our district is renaming our current Policy 904 to Policy 904.1 - Distribution of Materials by Non-School Persons. A copy of the policy is included for your review.
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X.G. St. Croix Paraprofessional Association Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Regarding Deduction of Dues
Speaker(s):
Ms. Kristine Carlston, Executive Director of Human Resources
Description:
A copy of the MOA is included for your review.
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X.H. Human Resources Personnel Report
Speaker(s):
Ms. Kristine Carlston, Executive Director of Human Resources
Description:
A summary of personnel transactions for the month is included for your review.
Attachments:
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XI. Strategic Direction A: Ensure the learning process is adaptable to meet individual student needs
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XI.A. Gifted Program Review: Next Steps
Speaker(s):
Ms. Heather Murray, Principal on Special Assignment; Dr. Efe Agbamu, Assistant Superintendent; and Ms. Caitlyn Willis, Executive Director of Elementary Education
Description:
Last spring, a committee of staff and families reviewed the district's gifted programming. Building off of that work, staff are using the current year to design an updated model for gifted education that addresses identified gaps and better meets the needs of our students. Changes may be phased in over the next several years. Staff will provide quarterly updates to the board throughout the planning process.
Attachments:
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XII. Strategic Direction B: Foster a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment for all staff and students
Description:
Nothing to report.
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XIII. Strategic Direction C: Utilize systems and align resources in an efficient manner to support learning
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XIII.A. Report: First Reading Policy 620 - Credit for Learning
Speaker(s):
Mr. Paul Lee, Executive Director of Student Support Services
Description:
A copy of the policy is included for your review.
Attachments:
()
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XIII.B. Report: Pony Plan Update
Speaker(s):
Ms. Carissa Keister, Chief of Staff
Description:
As we begin the school year, staff will provide an update on the district’s strategic plan (Pony Plan), with an emphasis on the priority focus areas for 2025-26. Board members will also receive an overview of the action cards being used to align the work of schools and departments with the district’s strategic goals. These tools help clarify expectations, guide improvement efforts, and ensure consistency in how progress is measured and reported. This item is presented for information only. No board action is requested at this time.
Attachments:
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XIII.C. Action: Adopt Preliminary Proposed Property Tax Levy 2025 Payable 2026
Speaker(s):
Ms. Marie schrul, Chief Financial Officer
Description:
State law requires that the School Board adopt a proposed property tax levy for taxes payable in 2026 by September 30, 2025. This is the first step in setting property tax levies for next year. Additional steps in the process will be outlined in the presentation. The amount adopted by the district for the preliminary proposed 2025 payable 2026 property tax levy provides revenue for the 2026-2027 school year as outlined in state statutes. This differs from the city and county calendars in that their 2026 levy provides the revenue for their 2026 calendar year budget. The school board may adopt a preliminary levy based on September estimates or may adopt a preliminary levy that states "Maximum Levy". If the Board adopts a "Maximum Levy", then Minnesota Department of Education adjustments may be made subsequent to the action by the Board. If a dollar amount is adopted in September, adjustments that would increase the levy are not allowed. Historically, the "Maximum" has been adopted in September as an assurance that final corrections or adjustments would be included for Board of Education consideration prior to certifying the final levy in December. |
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XIII.D. Action: Resolution to Engage Professional Services for Negotiations Support
Speaker(s):
Ms. Alison Sherman, School Board Chair
Description:
A copy of the resolution is included for your review.
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XIII.E. Report: Negotiations Update
Speaker(s):
Ms. Kristine Carlston, Executive Director of Human Resources
Description:
The board will receive an update on negotiations.
Attachments:
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XIV. Strategic Direction D: Develop strong partnerships with the communities we serve
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XIV.A. Action: Boundary Guiding Change
Speaker(s):
Mr. Mark Drommerhausen, Executive Director of Operations
Description:
At the Sept. 9 board meeting, staff presented a draft Guiding Change Document to support the upcoming boundary adjustment process. The document outlines the parameters for the work of the boundary change committee, which will focus on the southern part of the district as new elementary schools open in Lake Elmo and Bayport.
Attachments:
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XV. Closed Session
Speaker(s):
Ms. Alison Sherman, School Board Chair
Description:
Pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 13D.05, subd. 3(c)(3), which allows the Board to go into closed session to develop or consider an offer to purchase or sell real property. |
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XVI. Adjournment
Speaker(s):
Ms. Alison Sherman, School Board Chair
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XVII. Attachments
Description:
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