The meeting will be closed as permitted by Minnesota Statutes Section 13D.05 Subdivision 2(b) for preliminary consideration of allegations regarding a high school administrator.

As part of recent negotiations with our custodial staff, a unique situation arose with three long-serving custodians nearing retirement. These valued employees had accumulated significant vacation leave and expressed interest in accessing a benefit in lieu of utilizing extended time off prior to their retirement.

Recognizing both the potential for operational disruption through lengthy absences and the availability of Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) funds designated for retiree insurance, our proactive Human Resources team collaborated with SEIU Local 284 to co-create a mutually beneficial solution. This collaborative effort, with significant involvement from our HR team and district accountant, resulted in the proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

This innovative approach offers several key advantages: it incentivizes these employees to continue serving our schools effectively in the lead-up to their retirement, potentially reducing the need for extended leave and minimizing disruption to our custodial services. Furthermore, by leveraging OPEB funds for this purpose, the agreement avoids any impact on the district's general fund or placing additional strain on our limited taxpayer resources. This represents a creative and fiscally responsible solution, jointly developed with our union partners, that addresses the needs of our long-term employees while ensuring the continued smooth operation of our facilities.

Twice a year, each program manager and building leader are required to present to the school board regarding their work, program, and department goals.  In this end of the year wellness report, Lori Watzl-King will update the School Board on the wellness committee goals; the wellness cohort; and school year health office visits. Reports by leaders during School Board meetings are informational with no action required by the Board.   

In this facilities report, Dr Urdahl will update the School Board on the district's long term facilities maintenance plan (LTFM). This update provides information to the board to help determine future approval of LTFM budget. Reports by leaders during School Board meetings are informational with no immediate action required by the Board. 

The School Board, as outlined in Policy 201 shall have the general charge of the business of the district, its facilities and property, and of the interest of the schools. The School Board accepts ultimate responsibility for the care, management, fiscal oversight, and control of the school district while understanding that the day-to-day operations will be conducted by the staff.

Throughout each school year the School Board receives updates and discusses the current budget to ensure it's alignment with district mission, vision, and goals.

This agenda item is a first look at a draft 2025-26 budget for the School Board to review and discuss.  Budget Model Assumptions were discussed at the March 4th Regular Meeting.  During the March 18th Work Session and April 1st Regular Meeting, budget assumptions were discussed. The School Board will be required to take action on the 2025-2026 budget before July 1, 2025.

This is the second reading for each of the policies:
205 - Open Meetings and Closed Meetings
512 - School Sponsored Student Publications and Activities
806 - Crisis Management

Policy 205 had no updates.  Policy 512 changed from local control/recommended to mandatory. Policy 806 the language that aligned to Standards Response Protocol (SRP) was updated for Board feedback. The policies will come to the board at the May Regular Meeting for approval.  

The School Board will review potential meeting dates for the 2025-2026 school year.  

Due to the vacancy in the Board and Superintendent Administrative Assistant position, there is a need to reassign responsibilities for board packet development, meeting preparation, and minutes, as these tasks have not yet been assumed.  

Each school board meeting, time is taken to reflect on the school district's achievements, events and stories of students and staff. The idea of these notes is to keep the board both informed and inspired about all the amazing work our school community has done over the past two weeks. 

Each school board meeting, the School Board members will take time to share information from the meetings, professional learning and events they have attended. 

Upcoming Meetings:

Joint School Board/City Council Meeting

Tuesday, April 29th

6:00 -7:00 pm with the City, 7:00-9:00 pm Board Professional Development

Community Services

Regular School Board Meeting

Tuesday, May 6th

6:00 pm Listening Session, 6:30 pm Regular Meeting

Community Services