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Sorry, Ryan. We will call this meeting to order and we will start with roll call, please. >> Michelle Brekken? >> Here. >> Didier Dondlinger? >> Here. >> Scott Adamson? >> Here. >> Mandy Heideman? >> Here. >> Sarah Speer? >> Here. >> John Board? >> Here.

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>> Please stand for the pledge of allegiance. 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

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liberty and justice for all. >> I will now look for a motion to approve the agenda as presented. >> So moved. >> Second. >> We've got a motion by Director Brekken and a second by Director Dondlinger. Any discussion?

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If not, all those in favor say aye. >> Aye. >> Opposed, say nay. Motion carried. And we are going to do something a little bit different tonight. We do have recognitions, but we are going to start with the Superintendent's report and I believe Superintendent, you have this.

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>> I do. >> Some of these recognitions in your report. >> Madam Chair, members of the board, members of our community, tonight we we're going to do something a little different. Our agenda is going to move a little bit, but I typically I'll frame tonight's meeting, but I want to start by this. I think it's really

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important that we have a message to our community and I think before we move into tonight's agenda, I want to take a few moments to speak directly with care about something that weighs on all of us. This summer, our school community has experienced the loss of two of our students. There are no words that make news like this easier to receive and my heart, and

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I know the heart of this board is with the families, the friends, and the classmates who are grieving. Our respect for each family's privacy we'll not be sharing any names or any details about the circumstances of these losses and I would ask that all of us extend the same grace. I do not want I want to be clear

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about one thing. Um because I know there are questions in the community at this time. We have no information to indicate that these two losses were connected. And beyond that, uh I think it's We do not want to speculate and we ask the community not to do either.

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Um what families need right now is uh compassion, patience, and some privacy. I also want this board and this community to know exactly what we have done and what we are doing. So, uh there are some members of the board that did participate in this morning's meeting, but this morning yesterday I met with our leadership

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team. Uh well, this started on Friday. Um we we brought a a crisis team together virtually, and we met on yesterday Friday remotely uh to plan for this morning's meeting. But this morning more than 30 professionals came together at Forest View to build one coordinated plan of support for our students,

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our families, and our staff. That group included our building principals, counselors, student support teams from across the district, our cabinet and Forest View administration, our family liaison, and partners throughout our region, the Sourcewell Regional School Crisis Response Team, the Northern Pines Mental Health Center, the Paul Bunyan

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Education Cooperative, and members of our faith community, Smiles for Jake, uh were among others. Several members of the board joined us in support as well, and I'm grateful for them. Uh letters have gone home to our families and to our staff so that everyone is hearing the same message uh

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and with the same resources. Support is available right now. Counselors will be on site at Forest View this uh this Tuesday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. till 2:00 p.m. in the afternoon our family lay with our family liaison present. For anyone who needs it, a student, a parent, a neighbor, the

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988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available by call or text. The Northern Pines operates a 24-hour crisis line here in Brainerd, and confidential support is available to every one of our employees through the Employee Assistance Program. Finally, I want to make a commitment to this community on the record. I want to

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make sure that not only as your superintendent, but I'm also a father. I have three daughters that are now Warrior students. And this is not just something that I, you know, is a is a job. I take it very personal and very seriously and I take it to heart because these kids are in my schools, too. Uh

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so, we will not simply return this fall through this summer like it didn't happen. As a district, we're going to look hard at what we're doing and how we could even do it better. If we have any gaps in staffing and programming or training to support our mental health and well-being of all of our students, then we're going to close them. Our people return better prepared and

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better, you know, supported than ever to care for our kids. That's a promise I intend to keep. I know it's a promise that our board will also keep. Uh this is a heavy way to open a meeting and I won't pretend otherwise, but this is our Warrior family and it's the hardest moment a family leans in and takes care

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of one another. And that's exactly what I have watched this team, these partners, and this community do over the past several days and I'm proud of them. And I would like to ask that we carry that same care into everything we do tonight and the days ahead. And so, uh any I know some board members were there this morning. I know

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Michelle, you've been in our at Forest View extensively since I think March. Uh John, you've been a, you know, a retired educator. Randy, we're there. Stephanie, DJ, anything you want to share from this morning's connection? >> There was a lot of love and support

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given by everybody and everybody um everybody understands the significance of what families are going through and we just, you know, ask that uh that um the the group that met there was a huge

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group and everybody had said that they were going to do what they can do to for the families um and for our community. It was um it was very touching. >> I guess one thing I'd like to add to is

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that um it was very apparent that our staff, particularly at Forest View, are committed to doing what they can to support the school community. They have been committed and they will

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continue to be committed to making sure that kids feel safe, supported and cared for. >> [clears throat] >> I was basically there to support the group and uh I don't pretend to be an expert in this area, but I'm

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going to support whatever needs to be done to accomplish what we want. >> I I've I've spoken to all families. I spoke to the mom of our our first student to unfortunately took her life and I also spoke to the parent who just

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um most recently and they were very grateful for reaching out. Uh it's a compo- complete shock for both of them. They never saw this coming. Um and you know, they're through the grieving process right now and they just appreciate all the support we're putting around them. Uh I think in the weeks and or the days and weeks ahead, there'll be

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a lot of things that are shared and a lot of just frustration because everybody wants to have the answer tonight why this happened. And I would share like, you know, um no matter what happens in in situations like this cuz I've experienced as a building principal.

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Um I think it's very difficult and I think right now we need to focus on the healing piece. We'll do our work forward, um but I will I want to make sure that everybody knows resources have been pulled in. Resources are available. Um and just not just a school solution,

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it's a community solution. I think it's really really important as we look at these issues. Um things have changed last 25 years. Um the research is out there. Um social media, forward-facing phones, there are a lot of unintended consequences and supporting our families

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is the most important right now. So, I just want to share with that, Madam Chair, members of the board and our community that this is ongoing. We'll continue the communication channels, but I want to share with you. Um, tonight, as we move on, I don't We We We do have a board meeting tonight.

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As we move forward, I just want to share a few things. First of all, just recognitions. We are very fortunate, and it's not a lot of what I just shared, but I do think there's also, life will go on, and I want to celebrate that our Warriors won the first program's ever state championship in

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golf. Um, it was amazing. They took the lead the first day and never looked back. Um, and so we want to make sure we recognize our that our Warriors delivered a dominant performance at the state tournament, and pretty amazing, our boys. Uh, you can see the individual finishes

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in the board report. And Cor is a Cor Claw, I believe. Or is it Claw? I'm sorry. Sorry. I got to recognize a Brainerd name. Uh, but Cor, I believe she got injured after sophomore couldn't compete her junior cuz at the legendary women's, I I got to learn about her. Pretty inspiring young lady who won

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wouldn't want a second state title and a high jump title. So, want to recognize her as well. Um, in the last month, I just want to say as I've come on board, obviously this is my first board meeting here as your superintendent officially, but we've been looking really hard at our student achievement, making sure we

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have expectations for um, as we move into our 26-27 year school year. Um, and we'll work through that piece, and then you can see pieces of the READ Act implementation [clears throat] and our vertical alignment for some of the curriculum pieces you looked at. Um, as an executive team, we've come together,

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working our cardiac crisis emergency plan. That's due this year as a school, and also a non-mustard reporting system is in development to meet the new state law. And then, just working on a confidentiality agreement that's just kind of standard protocol with our legal team. Fiscal stability tonight, you're going

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to hear about LTFM. It's just a requirement by the Missouri Department of Ed you acknowledge the revenues you're going to see in fiscal year 2026-27. And then just you have to have a a tentative plan on how you're going to spend that revenue that needs to be approved by the state. We also took a

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look at our milk and build processes. I think I know Director Ward attended that and and he can speak that and then obviously the November 3rd levy pieces are still going to go in there and then any there's some bond refunding that we'll take a look at this this fall.

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Then wellbeing you can see just uh uh Principal Sheila Eller has taken the reins over at Forest View and she's already looking at how we're going to better support our students. Tonight you're going to look at the Welcome the the wealth conclusive playground. There's been some bids come in that

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would be great. Uh so I want to share that. Um tonight we're going to approve the minutes from three board meetings so that's not anything that's out of the ordinary. And the consent calendar you can see there's just a lot of pieces in there and these are you know all approved pending negotiated agreements.

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Uh tonight's consent calendar there's going to be some staff changes and leaves and donations, ratification of bills. Um but most importantly you're going to see there are some handbooks. There's been some very minor revisions. Um and I think that's for you to look at and if you have questions we can get

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those specifically to our principals. Um and go from there. So you can see there's six handbooks you're going to look at approving tonight. And then you can see the uh the Washington Early Learning Center playground. Jeff provided this and these are approved uh

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um the the the flagship recreation landscape structures that's already been approved but you're going to see more of a it's it's it's going to move forward to get done before the start of the school year. Then Marci will present our LTFM plan tonight. I think for the new business uh tonight

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you just have to call the election and it's just a formality cuz you'll be doing this regardless of you there's going to be a fall election. And then new business, I just this is just for conversation tonight. I've watched uh Brainerd for last several years, and it's a very

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Brainerd-centric thing in how we do public comment. And I think that uh coming in here and doing the survey and listening to all board members, I think the board really wants to have an opportunity to have a dialogue with our community. And what I witness here is just a one-way

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3-minute um not a conversation, more a a critique. And I think if you really want to have a collaborative conversation, how can we do that better? This is a way, looking at other school districts done this. Um but being new to the team here, I'm

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just saying how could we have a better connection with our community that allows a a conversation. Cuz right now it's not a conversation. Um and then uh the next piece is the legislative finance committee. That's uh June 9th that reports out on the fixed tax access.

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So, at this time, Madam Chair, I would turn it back over to you for public input. >> Thank you. All right, moving on to public input. A member of the public can address the board during this time. Comments will be limited to 3 minutes. Complaints or allegations against students or

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employees may not be be discussed due to data privacy. Complaints or allegations must be submitted in writing to Superintendent Rankin. The Board of Education and Superintendent will not converse with guests to address the topics discussed at that time. No visuals or props will be allowed.

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We will start tonight with Rick Feltz, please. Welcome. >> My name is Rick Feltz, Brainerd, Minnesota. In Christianity, blasphemy is the act of speaking, acting, or thinking in a way that shows contempt, disrespect, or

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defiance towards God. It involves insulting God's character, misusing his name, or attributing God's works to evil. The term broadly covers slandering the sacred or claiming divine attributes to oneself falsely. In the Old Testament under the Mosaic law, blasphemy was a

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severe offense that carried the penalty of death by stoning as it was seen as defying the very honor and authority of the creator. >> [snorts] >> The prominent Christian doctrine centers on the unpardonable or eternal sin, blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Which means that

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the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ is rejected and you will not allow the Holy Spirit to enter your life. Now, the reason that I'm bringing this up because about 3 years ago, I witnessed one of the saddest board meetings I've ever seen. And that was when the three of you voted

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to take out the Christmas and Easter off of the school calendar. Those are the two most sacred holidays in the Christian faith. And basically, you declared war against God when you did that. And you also

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committed blasphemy against the Lord. And you were a guilty of that. And last month when I had said that the that the judgment of the Lord is coming upon you, this is one of the reasons. You also committed blasphemy when you allowed those evil books, when you took two separate votes and the three of you

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voted to keep those evil books in the school. One of the directors sitting here tonight said that he did not want his grandchildren to read those books, but he didn't feel that he had the moral compass to go ahead and vote against them. Basically, in the in the New Testament,

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the Apostle Paul twice addresses blasphemy and he turns them over to Satan for judgment, but it is not for punishment. He basically stated the reason why they were guilty of blasphemy and he also gave them the gospel of Jesus Christ and he said that when the

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when the punishment of Satan comes upon you, his intent was for them to repent and accept Jesus Christ as their savior. That is one of the reasons why we we lost religious freedom when you took that vote. And that is something that we

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will never get back. Even though the Constitution of the United States supports freedom of expression, freedom of speech, and freedom of religion. And even though it's supported under the Constitution, you felt it unanimously, four to one vote. Randy was the only one

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here. DJ was gone. Otherwise, I know he would have argued against it, too. But the thing is is that when we we just celebrated 250 years of freedom in this country, and in this board is waging war against God and taking our freedoms away. Thank you.

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>> Thank you. Up next, we have Connie Licio, please. Welcome. >> Hi. Thanks for having me again. Um the meeting started out in a way that surprised me, but it reinforces my

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belief and my hope in you, Mr. Rankin, that I was so touched by what you shared. And I had many of the same thoughts, and I know the majority of people, perhaps all the people in the room do as well. Anytime you lose a life, it's a tragedy. But

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when we lose two young lives in such a short period of time, it's just incomprehensible. Um there is no one area to blame. There is no one answer. Um I and

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had my first dealing with a student who attempted suicide my first year of teaching, 1988. It's not something that you soon forget or ever forget. Um I think we need to offer grace to the families now. They're looking for someone to blame and unfortunately often

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that is the school district. Um there is no one entity to blame, but I think grace in a situation like this is so very important. And just a couple of thoughts. I'm not going to sit here and claim to have the answers. None of us have all the answers, but collaboration

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is so very important and I so admired the group that you pulled together this morning. Um just a couple of of thoughts I had. I see positions still being posted for a technology integrationist in the school district. And I think there's a lot of

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like-minded people think that who believe that technology is behind a lot of the mental health issues now. I would encourage funding for those positions to be used elsewhere and you're going to hear me over and over again speak to the value of the um pair professionals.

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Take some of that funding, invest in the pair professionals, and also several years ago I believe it was Sourcewell that funded the collaborative service worker program. They were also invaluable. Um I believe the program went away possibly due to lack of

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funding from Sourcewell. I would strongly encourage you to pursue that once again. Um again, the more caring adults we have in the schools it's just going to benefit all. And again, my my sympathies go to the families and

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everyone that is affected by this and all of us in this room. So, thank you. >> Thank you. All right, we'll move on to the approval of minutes. We'll look for a motion. >> I'll make a motion. >> I'll second. >> We've got a motion by Director Edelman,

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a second by Director Brekken. Any discussion? >> We're approving all three, correct? >> Yep, all three at once. >> Just wanted to make sure, Kristen. >> Yes, good question. >> Can I even vote on >> Huh? >> Can I even vote on it?

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>> On what? >> Cuz I wasn't here for the last >> Yeah, you still can. >> You were You're aware. You reviewed it and read it from cover to cover, right? >> Yep. >> All right. If there's no further discussion, then all those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed the same.

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Motion carries. We'll move on to the consent calendar and look for the approval of the calendar. >> Motion. >> Second. >> We've got a motion by Director Donnellan and a second by Director Ward. Any discussion? >> Madam Chair.

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>> Yes. >> Um, as usual, I just like to point out the donations that we received this and they're significant this week this month again. We appreciate all in the community that donate to us. Um, there are some significant ones this

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this this month. And so, thank you to the community uh for that. I just want to point that out. >> Thank you. >> Madam Chair. >> Yes. >> Yeah, I uh made some comments to the staff about the uh technology issues in some of the handbooks and uh

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leave it up to them to make any adjustments. >> Thank you. There's no further discussion. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Opposed the same. Motion carries. We'll move on to new

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business. And first we have Marcy Lord, I believe, speaking to the LTFM 10-year revenue projections and then the 10-year expenditures. >> So, in your packet, the revenue summary,

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um if you look at the very last page, that tells you how much we are going to we are projected to have for revenue. And you can see it goes up substantially in fiscal year 28, 7. almost 7.4 million. I just want to point that out. Um and it's because of an increase in

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our market value. That's the majority of the reason. And if we were to take that 1.5 million off with the referendum, we still would be at around 5.8, 5.4, 5.7. So, just want you guys to be aware of that because I know there was some concerns

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about having money for the buildings. That I would say is kind of should no longer be a concern just with that increase in market value. >> So, that's good news. >> And then the second attachment is the expenditures, and that's just a summary. So, both these forms are required by

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MDE. We actually have a a project detailed sheet. This is a summary of all of that. It's a moving target. As projects progress or change or maybe need to be moved, that'll it'll fluctuate. >> For many members of the board, you also have to run understand that in December

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we reconcile this. And so, you know, you're going to you have to have a You have to have a proposed projects and And then, if a boiler something goes wrong, we fire up a boiler in end of October. Hopefully it's still nice. We can we we can pivot. And then you

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just reconcile at the end of the year. And then, yeah, over 10 years it has to balance. So, sometimes you can go deficit. Although, we have a huge advantage if you have done a buying project. So, Jeff's put this together. We worked with Ehlers because I met with Ehlers and you're just seeing all the

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development. The market value's continuing to go up. So, yeah, it's it's it's a it's a win-win. >> In 25 26, I just want to point out the expenses are less than the revenues, and that's because we still have some payables to book. So, this was the report as of last week.

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We closed for through September. We still have bills coming in that we pay for for the prior year. So. >> Why is it that you don't put the debt service on expenditures? This is just a side question. >> So, we only the >> It's on the income >> It's because it's a separate fund. So,

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this is only the general fund expenditures. The revenues does break out the debt service revenues. >> Got you. It's more of government accounting. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> At its finest. >> Marci, um >> Yeah. >> This this fund, too, and I I think it's

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important for the people here to know and then for the people watching and I when we when we're spending money on buildings, these are not coming out of general funds. This is coming out of this special fund, so I've I've seen some people talked to some people that said, "Well, we

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couldn't have we have found something better to spend our money on than lighting up the GZ building?" And I said, "Well, that came out of long-term maintenance and buildings. It's not coming out of general." So, it's important for people to understand that, I think. >> Yeah. GZ money came out of the referendum money.

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>> Correct. >> For the building. I'm talking about for the lighting up of it. >> It has blueprint. >> Yeah. >> That came out of blueprint? I didn't count it out out of the long-term funding? >> So, we had extra money left over? >> Yes, a little bit. >> Cool. >> I think it was planned at the very beginning. >> Cool. >> Yeah, it was planned part of that.

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>> Well, that's better yet, then. Then we got more money in long-term funding. >> There you go. >> Maintenance, yeah. Good deal. >> Marci's rolling in the dough. >> [laughter] >> Tonight I I I would recommend >> No, we're not. >> Tonight I would recommend approval of both.

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>> I'll make a turn a motion. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Got a motion by Director Ward, second by Director Donlinger. Any further discussion? If not, all those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed the same. Motion carries.

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Thank you, Marci. >> Thanks, Marci. >> Thanks, Marci. >> Thank you. Up next, we have approval to adopt the resolution relating to the election of school board members and calling the school district general election. This is something that we do every election year. We >> [clears throat] >> have board members up for election.

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>> This basically allows us to set the wheels in motion because there's compliance measures that we have to follow as a school district to allow us to work with our county representatives, multiple counties cuz we our school district goes across Cass, Crow Wing, and Morrison. So, this is a formality to allow us to

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be in compliance. So, I'd recommend approval tonight. >> I'll make a motion. >> Second. >> Got a motion by Director Adam and a second by Director Don Duling. Any further discussion? >> Madam Chair. >> Yes. >> Just a point of information for the public and all of us

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uh that the uh filings open up tomorrow and go till the 28th. I just wanted that on the record. >> 8:00 to 5:00. >> 8:00 to 5:00? Thanks, Kelly. Thank you for the reminder. All right. If there's no further

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discussion, we'll do a roll call vote, please, because this is a resolution. >> Michelle Brekken. >> Yes. >> Judy Duling. >> Yes. >> Stephanie Adam. >> Yes. >> Randy Hedman. >> Yes. >> Sarah Spear. >> Yes. >> John Ward. >> Yes. >> Thank you, Kelly.

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Up next, we have um looking for approval for the first reading of MSBA policy 206. And this is the policy that Superintendent Rankin referred to in his report about um

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open forum and how we might create some spaces for more conversation and more relevant conversation during meetings, as well. >> So, tonight, Madam Chair, really members of the board and the community, all I'm saying is, "Hey, I've watched you for the last three or

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four years. And uh I think that uh tonight's evidence that sometimes um I can appreciate some of the public comments, but I think if you just say school finance, for example, there's so many rules. Like even for you as board members, LTFM.

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Basically, what can you spell Tampa? That HVAC unit above that, that air handling unit you can, but you can't do this. Can't replace that, can't replace this, can't replace this. So, the thing is if for some people when money's tight like, "Well, why do we have this?" Well, that's a whole

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different bucket of money. And when you have 15 different colors of money, it's really important that you'd rather have that dialogue because everybody wants to know, "Where's my tax money being sent?" And the only thing tonight is it's the first reading. It's not going anywhere even if we did something different, you're talking about October. But really, I just want

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what's the flavor of the board before we get a MSBA lawyer involved in this and look through this and spend, you know, let's just say we spend up spending 1,800 bucks on an attorney to go through this. If you don't want to do it, we'll just leave it alone what we're doing.

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But what I'm proposing is let's let's meet 4:30 to 5:30. Let's get two board members in there and bring experts in. So, then if you have questions, ask the questions and it's a dialogue. Um because, you know what? Uh Hey, if there's concerns, we want to

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always be getting better. Here's just a 3-minute, you should do this. Well, what do you do with that? You can't comment on it. And then, you know what? Uh we've posted on the tonight if there was an agenda, let's just say we're going to we're going to close the the Washington Early Learning Center.

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That's to say that's the discussion we're having tonight. Well then, you know what? If you want to public comment, you can come up and provide public comment to inform you as you make a decision. But to just talk about abstract things that aren't kid-focused, that's not really the purpose of public comment in my mind.

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We could talk about a lot of things as a school board, a school community, but I do think that my goal as your new superintendent is it needs to be all about students. Student achievement, student safety, and of course, you have plenty of adults that you employ. But I I I think I want the conversation

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centered on the conduct of the school district. And I feel like over the years, it's kind of strayed. And so, if you don't want to do it, that's fine. We are months away from achieving this. But, what I want is if you're adamantly opposed to this, I'm not going to waste money on an attorney revising this. And

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then, my proposal, Madam Chair, members of the board, is on on August 3rd, let's let's have a robust conversation. As you know with policies, tonight is more, "Hey, there's a policy we're looking at. Your duty is to I got a copy for you.

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Take a look at it, read it, send your questions. Uh the attorney will also address this in the next 2 weeks, and then we'll have a revised draft of this you can all look at. Any questions, concerns? Otherwise, tonight it's just, "Hey, it's a be aware." And if we're dead

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against it, I'll just stop it now. But, then inform Madam Chair on that, and I can just stop it tonight or tomorrow. I won't send it to the attorney. Right now, it's costing nothing other than a few hours of my work. >> I'd kind of like to have more discussion

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at the August workshop as well. >> You're going to have months of discussion before we do anything. >> And this is a we're going to be making substantial changes, so that's why it's three readings, correct? Okay. >> So, we can just wait. You can just wait, yeah.

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>> Is there a way for the community to weigh in on this proposal, or is it >> Well, yeah, cuz it's going to be on the agenda every month, so that's why public comment will be >> Okay. >> So, when when we post the board agenda on on Wednesday, and if you're passionate about let's say tonight you're passionate

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about LTFM, well, then when you fill your note card, and if it's about LTFM, it's on the agenda, then we'll select you to speak. If it's not on the agenda, there are there are so many ways to communicate today. But, if you are passionate about LTFM, and it was not on the agenda, why would I give it to

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Director Donlinger? Do you know LTFM inside and out? I think I would get Jeff Fladen. I think I'd get Marcy Lord. I think I would get a lot of people around the table that know LTFM. I'd want to get how our appraisals are done. >> I'm not to say you wouldn't know a lot. >> chances, Jeff. >> I'm not saying you wouldn't know a lot.

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>> Really, Jeff, can I keep up with them? >> [laughter] >> But, you know what? Then I guess what? That night I'd want I'd want DJ at the table with our and this isn't I'll have board members around the table, but you know, unless you know things, it's pretty hard for you to answer them. And right now it's not a dialogue. And all

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with the referendum just celebrating those I you don't know this as board members, but you are getting signed up for 60 events in the public that you're going to go that people have questions. You get to drink a lot of coffee and have a lot of conversations with people know exactly what you it's voluntary.

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I'm not assigning you to do anything, but if people want to have a question, they want to know where's this money coming from and what's it being spent on. That's a whole another venue. Those are all kinds of When you did Blueprint 181, there were 64 different meetings. So, those are being arranged as we speak. Right, Kelly?

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>> Mhm. >> Mhm. So, that's above and beyond what we're talking about here. >> But, my question was between now and potentially October when this resolution is is voted into practice, is is there a way that the community can weigh in on

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their thoughts about changing public comment? >> Oh, yeah. I mean, we could easily put all kinds of We have all kinds of modes of getting it surveys. We could go to people. Um really tonight is you can see what your email box looks like tomorrow.

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>> Yeah. >> But, I have a question >> I have. Here's the question I have and I think it's uh I like your I like some of those things in here, but um who gets to decide that How do we go and say Maybe we should just wait till August.

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Here's my question. It says that if a whole bunch of people are going to come and say the same thing just in a different way, that we can limit that down to one one two people that can be speak for the group. >> Right. We're trying to also limit it to 20 minutes. >> I would like that. I like that deal, but I don't know who who decides Sarah decide? >> Well, that's that's what we're talking

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about. When John gets to decide when you guys set the agenda, you two are going to look at the request and say who's speaking? Um and then you know what? I I also stole this from our neighbors in Alexandria. So, they're neighbor they're they're a fellow Central Lakes community you know, Central Lakes conference

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school. They went through this exact same thing. And when you have presenters that are actually trying to share information for you to make decisions on, they probably don't need to sit for 3 hours so you can get an hour and a half on topics that have nothing to do with what you're talking about. And there's just so many ways that we

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communicate today that I just think that's a better use of your time to make informed decisions. And I and I and I just I'd also weigh in on you. This is a very Brainerd-centric thing. And and in my vibe watching this for the last

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few years, it's like today's weather. It's a little uncomfortable. It's a little muggy. And I feel like we started with good intentions. I just feel like it's drifted into something that was never intended to do. We need to get our work, your work, my

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work, your leadership team work centered back on students. >> So, what the teachers are upset about their contract, but they're not going to be able to come here because we don't have them on our agenda tonight. Like one of them can't get up and Is that what's it Is that kind of the gist of it?

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>> But that's true, but then you also have a personnel committee. Then we have multiple ways you can You already have committees set up. Invite them to that. That's the appropriate place. That's where we're talking about it. If I got up here and start talking about negotiation stuff in public, I would get critiqued heavily. But what

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I watched 2 months ago is the exact same thing from a different angle. >> It's true. >> That's not the intent of public comment. That's negotiation in public. And I'm just saying what did that have to do with your strategic plan? Did it have anything to do with student achievement? We have how many

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committees? Let's go back to using our committees for that. Because what did we solve that night? >> Nothing. >> Nothing. We we solved an hour and 32 minutes of public comment. And I'm not I'm not here to actually shut the conversation down. I'm just

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saying let's get to a solution. You know, I heard somebody very passionate about school calendar. Let's let's talk about it. Right now we can't talk about it cuz that's not in our that's not in your policy. But if we went upstairs, got in the conference room, and sat down and said, "How can we make this better?" I think

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that's what everybody in this board wants to do. So, all I'm saying is let's over the next 3 months discuss it. And if you don't want to do it, then I won't waste any more time talking about it. We'll leave it alone. >> Madam Chair. >> Yes. >> Anytime that I In my opinion, anytime that we can

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enhance communication and dialogue, a two-way dialogue, and a two-way discussion, and learn from our community members, our constituents, and us have a dialogue with them, not to us, I think is advantageous to all of

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us. I think it's advantageous to our students. I think it's advantageous to our staff. I think it's advantageous to our community. And um you know, we've all talked about uh part of the proposals or things like that. I I I I I One of the things that I

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responded to was you you asked about two board members, you know, volunteering each time that we do this, uh in our dialogue prior to the meeting. I think it's imperative that And I And Madam Chair, this is um not going to be pleasant to you, but I think it's

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imperative that the that the chair be at every one of those, and then one of us. Um and I think I said that to you, Superintendent. Um so, I In my In my From my perspective, I think it's a great idea. And I think that um

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I think we should try it. I think that the the the uh uh the policy needs to be obviously crafted and looked at and evaluated and re-examined. Um So, let's do that. But, let's try it and see what happens. And I just think it

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provides more um input and communication and dialogue. Two-way dialogue for all of us. So, Madam Chair, that's my input. >> So, we're going to bring this to August 3rd to have a robust conversation. What all I want to do is your permission to probably spend some money on an attorney

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to make sure the words are right before you talk about something that we need to get a lawyer looking at this before we even go forward. That's all I'm asking tonight. >> We have to have an attorney look at our current policy? >> Well, the proposed policy. Your current policy is fine. You've already It's

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already adopted. But, if we're going to We're going to change it slightly. >> Okay. >> You want to make sure legally you're allowed to do this. Um that's my job. Just keep us out of trouble. >> Right. Right. Would we do that after the August workshop? >> Well, I just want to make sure whatever you're if this this right here

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>> Mhm. >> There are two or three words in here that need to change. I need an attorney to say, "Before you even discuss this, let's make sure this is This is wordsmithing. No attorney's looked at this." >> Mhm. >> That some attorney should look at that to make sure that that passes. >> Mhm.

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>> But, I did I did steal this the the core of this from the Alexandria Public School District who went through the exact same process 3 years ago. >> So, the the proposal is generally when we do look at policy >> It goes back to your committee. >> It goes back to the committee.

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And the the first reading is pretty close. And if and we get there. But, I would say the first reading we haven't even discussed yet. And so, if tonight, if we approve the first reading, we would bring it to the August meeting to do more work on. Yeah.

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>> for a second reading. And between that we're going to just do a deep dive. Yeah. Okay. Yeah, I have no no qualms with that. >> All right, we will look for a motion. >> So moved.

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I'll second. >> What's the motion for? >> For first reading approval for first reading of policy 2 We've got a motion by Director Ward, a second by Director Heideman. Any further discussion? If not, all those in favor say aye.

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>> Aye. >> Opposed the same. Motion carries. And we will bring that to the August 3rd work session. All right. We've got a few updates here, long-range planning committee meeting from June 16th, and I

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believe most of that is probably the LTFM from tonight. >> Yeah, um a lot of information. Um a lot of planned projects that um Jeff's got going on, turf replacement down at the uh football field.

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Got a lot of some roofing issues, building maintenance, uh uh general repairs, windows, doors, mechanical systems, elevators, and uh then we got some required uh inspections for elevator, uh fire alarm, sprinkler systems.

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Uh the Forest View flooring project is underway. And they're working on the second floor already. Uh there's a lot of capital requests that have been submitted by principals and directors that are in the review and uh necessary

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uh any necessary items are proceeding regardless uh of uh the fact that there could be some uh pending decisions on on other projects uh within our buildings. Uh the lower athletic site, uh uh,

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uh, looking at how that whole lower site can be can be utilized, uh, improvements to the softball field have been made. Um, we want to do kind of a master plan instead of just doing project by

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project, just have one big master plan that's being uh, kicked around as well. Um, converting one of the fields down there into an another multi-purpose uh, turf field, um, which will allow a lot of different uh, activities for a lot of the

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different grades, uh, etc. So, there's a lot of stuff being discussed and Jeff's got uh, got a pretty doggone good plan going forward and we'll just uh, continue following that and uh, obviously we'll keep everyone posted in the report.

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>> Thank you. Can I just ask a question and if this was addressed before and I missed it, I apologize, but I noticed especially even today again that the pavement going into Forest View it seems to really be breaking down. Has that ever been

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brought up or talked about or Sorry, Jeff. >> I Yeah, um, the pavement in the pickup circle >> Yeah. Yeah. >> We're We're We're working on some sidewalks up there and I'll just I'll make a note to check that out and >> Okay. >> give them the necessary >> Okay. I was just curious about that.

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>> Okay. >> Okay. Thank you. >> All right, finance and legislative committee report Director Ward. >> Yes, uh, we met on Thursday, July 9th. Um, and uh, one of the first things we did the committee reviewed uh, the proposed

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updates to policy 704 to reflect the new MSBA redline language. It's It's exactly what we've done with other policies. Um, no big issues there. Um, the 704 allows uh individual items under $5,000 to be excluded from capital class

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classification uh unless the combined total exceeds $25,000. Um, committee supported the adopting the MSB language as written, and this will appear on uh on the July school board meeting consent agenda, which it already has. So, um the also we talked about the

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10-year uh uh LTFM, long-term uh long-term uh facilities maintenance is what LTFM means. Revenue and expenditure, um Jeff and Marcy presented uh future projects as uh Dr. um Heideman also just

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indicated. Um Uh what else? Uh we Oh, we did have a discussion about the 25-26 audit services. Um the uh Marcy had talked about um um we had considered doing an RFE for uh

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um you know, looking at audit services. However, um the the uh current company put in a bid that was significantly nice um or acceptable. Let me say that, acceptable. Um and and we haven't had we haven't had

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>> under an inflationary index. I mean, like to go on RFP, I don't think you you're not going to get it cheaper, and we've had really good service. >> And plus we haven't had Marcy, you correct me if I'm wrong, but but uh we haven't had consistency uh uh within that uh audit uh for years. Marcy, is

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that correct? in that department. So, this will give us some consistency within that department and and and um so we just we said that that was a uh we're fine with that, going with the the uh um bid by the current company. Uh the

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additional items we um looked at the milk uh milk bid approval um and decided on um a company to do that. Um Uh we also have bids out for bread, produce, paper, chemical, and rental. Uh

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Pan Gold won the bid for the bread. Uh the produce is currently out for informational bid. Paper and chemical will go out at the end of the month. Um a new bid for towel and linen rental services will go out this summer to look at the cost savings for that. Uh then we we also talked about uh adult milk and

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meal pricing uh for the '26-'27 school year, which will go up a little bit. Um >> I would share like one major thing out of it is got some bad news. Milk is going to go up 5 cents. Yeah, I'm not increased in 10 years, but

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milk is going to go up 5% 5 cents. >> Chocolate, too? >> Chocolate's going up Chocolate's going up 50 cents, so that's >> Really? [laughter] >> No, it's not. No, it's not. Um >> [laughter] >> And then we ended our meeting talking

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about the school cafe uh '26-'28 um replacing uh um Skyward with other uh software, which will be better and and improved and um cost-effective. Um we won't have a meeting um in August,

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but we will have a meeting on September 10th and also on December 3rd. Madam Chair, that's the end of my report unless anybody has questions. >> Okay, thank you. All right. Our last report, financial report, with Director Lord.

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Welcome back. >> We don't really have anything new to note. Um there will be no financial report in August. June will not be presented until the audit is final. Um and I am looking at Kelly cuz I was going to ask the audit proposal should have been under consent, so I don't know

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if there's a way to get that approval or not. >> I think it through here. >> Okay. If that's possible, that would be great. Cuz then we can sign that up. >> proposal is just going up 3% which is cheaper than inflationary rate and you've had great service and to be honest with you they're the one of the

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most respected auditing firms for schools in the state of Minnesota. >> So I'll move that. >> It is CLA. >> Yep. >> That would be awesome. I'll move it. >> That would be awesome. >> Okay. >> So we're approving that we will >> Continue. >> Continue the audit. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> The proposal was shared at the finance committee and it should have been linked

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in there though I didn't catch that. My bad. Um so yes, if that you guys could approve that that'd be awesome. >> Okay, so we'll add an item number four under new business. >> Yep, approving the auditing services from CLA. >> Is there a motion? >> I'll make a motion.

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>> I'll second. >> We have a motion by Director Heideman, a second by Director Edelman. Any discussion? If not, all those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed the same. Motion carries. Thank you. >> Thanks, Marcy.

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>> All right, we've got some future meetings on the calendar. You can take a look through those. Probably going to add the August 3rd one. I think that's not on here. If we can get a time that works. And otherwise, we'll look for a motion to adjourn. >> I'll make it.

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>> I'll second it. >> We've got a motion by Director Edelman, a second by Director Heideman. I'm assuming there's no discussion.