And we'll start with roll call, please. >> Here. >> Sorry, Ryan. >> DJ Doner >> here. >> Edman, >> here. >> Randy Hidman >> here. >> Here. >> John Ward >> here. >> All present. >> Please stand for the pledge of allegiance.
>> [clears throat] >> I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
[laughter] >> This meeting of the Briner School Board is being conducted in accordance with Minnesota statutes 13D.02. This meeting is being livereamed. Access to the recording is available on the school district's YouTube channel. I'll
look for a motion to approve the agenda. >> I'll make it. >> Second. >> Uh we've got a motion by Director Edund, a second by Director Heidman. Any discussion? >> If not, all those in favor signify by saying I. >> I.
>> Oppos the same. >> Motion carries. We've got a number of recognitions here tonight. Um, if you guys are okay with it, I will just read through them. The Brainard High School Windfall Choir has been named one of three national
finalists in the high school chamber music division of the American Prize. Nearly 50 Brainer Choir students participated in the section 8AA solo and ensemble contest in Bumiji High School, earning superior and excellent ratings across all performances. The ac capella
choir traveled to Orlando over spring break per performing at the Universal Amphitheater and participating in a Foley sound production clinic. Students created sound for a short film and gained unforgettable experience. The BHS bards and concert corral choirs both
earned superior ratings at the section 8A large group contest. the BHS symphonic band con um concert band in symphonia orchestra all achieved a superior rating at the 8A regional large
group contest in Baiji on April 8th. The BHS wind symphony submitted an outstanding recorded performance as part of their virtual 2026 MMEA mid-winter convention. The link to the video will be supplied to the schoolboard members
via email. Brainer High School teacher Dave Worsh, who's with us here tonight, was named the Brainer Public Schools Teacher of the Year. Congratulations. [applause] And five amazing women were recently inducted into the legendary women of
Brainer Public Schools. The 2026 inductees were are Teresa Thasing Goel 19 class of 1968, Cheryl Wentworth Mat class of 1981, Judy Biala, class of 1986, Dr. Tory Bar 2005, and Sheila
Paradise also 2005. All right, next up we have public input. A member of the public can address the board during this time. Comments will be limited to three minutes. Complaints or allegations against students or employees may not be discussed due to data privacy. Complaints or allegations
must be submitted in writing to Superintendent Grant. The board of education and/or superintendent will not converse with guests to address the topics discussed at this time. First up, we have Doug Kern, please. >> Doug, sorry, [laughter]
>> you're up. >> Not paying attention, I guess. Thank you. Yeah. So, today I I received the data request um that I asked for quite a while back and only seen a couple concerns on it. Uh one of the main concerns was a candidate that's
running for school board was actually um going back and forth on the student walk out with a teacher um using public, you know, facilities, public whatever um computers. Um, that is a concern, but I haven't looked at all the information
that was provided yet. And, uh, I still have concerns about that student walk out and who was actually behind it because I don't believe it was a student protest. It was studentled. So, with that, um, thank you. >> Thank you.
Next up, we have Tim Edinger, please. >> [snorts] >> Dear members of the school board and superintendent Grant, my name is Tim Edinger. I live in Niswah, been a retired public school teacher with 35 years of experience. I'm here again
because I care deeply about Brainer Public Schools and the community it serves. At the March schoolboard meeting, data was requested as to why teachers are leaving the profession. I have some data for you here tonight. I did an internet search. I chose the
first four scientific studies displayed and one study from a staff development agency. I attempted to send it to you via your school emails and I failed repeatedly. My bad. So, I sent the email to somebody
to print it out for you. And Director Doninger was kind enough to make sure everybody got a copy of that. And there's a little disclaimer at the top. I didn't try to explain too much. I just provided lists as they appeared in the
studies in the summary of the studies. My next task involves Superintendent Grant. Uh, I believe you were quoted on March 25th in the paper stating, "I don't take the negotiations process personally. It's just a business decision." I can assure you that the
employees of the school district definitely take the negotiations process personally for two huge reasons. First, they know that quality contracts attract and retain the best employees for their students, which the data truly
bears out. Second, although working in public education is a vocation, no matter what your career choice is, it [snorts] is also the manner through which employees provide for the health and well-being of their families. For these two reasons, it's a highly
personal endeavor for each of them. Finally, at the last schoolboard meeting, I asked about the tardiness of the annual audit report, which is actually reflective of the previous year's fiscal year. It's traditionally been shared in
January and I'm happy to see it's finally on the agenda for the April meeting tonight. This one time of the year [clears throat] that professional eyes from outside the school district report on the finances of the school district.
I encourage the community to take note comparing this audit report to last year's audit report and to use your informed perspective to ask questions. Remember the stated purpose of the per pupil funding a school district is
provided by the legislature is that it is to be used to educate the students in that school district during that 2-year period. Doesn't say anything about stockpiling or saving money in an unreserved balance for another day.
Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Up next we have Amy Gordy. Please welcome. Good evening board members, community and colleagues. My name is Amy Gardip. I currently serve as special education
teacher at LOL Elementary. I'm an apparent to two amazing young ladies and part of many groups in the area. I grew up a CI ranger. I was very happy but always wanted to be a warrior. I saw my cousins having opportunities I could only dream about in a smaller community.
I look up to all of my family that have served and are still serving as teachers all over the state. My dream of becoming a warrior had to wait until I could be a teacher and even then was paused because at the time I was seeking employment. No one was leaving or wanted to leave Brainard. Brainard was the place to be.
I wanted my own children to grow up warriors. I wanted them to have the opportunities, the reputation of being a warrior. My husband and I had many chances and places we could have gone, but ultimately Brainer Public Schools was the clear option. As a special education teacher in the district, I'm
not so sure anymore. I go home with bruises, scratches, headaches, and heartaches. Many times, I do have an explanation where these things come from, but I can't share them. My daughters are growing up thinking it's normal for their mom to get verbally and physically assaulted at school. They see
it, they hear it, and it's become our norm. I do not get to share the details of my day-to-day with my husband because it will make him sad, angry, [clears throat] or feel helpless. This lifestyle is not for the faint of heart. Brainer adopted the motto, a place to belong. And to be truthful, I don't know
if this is where I belong anymore. Seeing how our board functions is disheartening. Hearing every month how our board members are pro- teachers, pro-learning, pro our students, but never seeing them enter the building I teach in makes these statements difficult to believe. I've had the pleasure of hosting only one board
member in my room since I have started at the Brainer District 5 years I have served here. Even though I've invited all of you more than one occasion, the word transparency comes to mind. The word that people use to try and state that they are being open and honest. Transparency also means being hard to
see and quite frankly you've been hard to see in our buildings. I see many of you at my second job as well. Yes, person who has attended seven years of college has chosen to get a second job. I see how many of you act when you're not sitting in front of a camera. This carries over in the volunteer work my
daughters do and I do as well. We've experienced you walking past us with no acknowledgement or even noticing our existence. The groups I'm part of feel worked around, forgotten, flatout rejected. I see the fatigue on my colleagues faces. I cannot speak for all, but this is the mentality of many.
Do more with less is the unspoken motto and expectation. Many of my colleagues in all positions are afraid to speak out to show up here because they can become targeted. [snorts] I may be a cog in the district machine, but I do matter. I matter just as much as every single
worker in the district and we all deserve to be seen. Each of you have been elected by this community to do a big job. Please remember why you sit at this table, how you wanted to make an impact for people who voted you in, and how you wanted the Warrior Way to mean
something great once more. >> Thank you, Amy. >> Next up, we have Alan Bossley, please. >> Welcome, Alan. >> Good evening. These are my three minutes. My father-in-law was part of
the last graduating class at Washington High School. He trained, worked, and served in this community for years. His property taxes helped support the district, and every time he was asked to increase that support, he voted yes. He is ISD 181. My mother-in-law was among
the first graduates at the current Briner High School. She also served this community for years, and like him, she always voted yes. She is ISD 181. My wife graduated from Brainard High School in 1995. She dedicated herself to academics, swimming and diving, and
gymnastics. She gave countless hours, blood, sweat, and tears. She even suffered a broken nose during one diving meet, key club member, team captain, MVP. She's also a teacher at Lowel Elementary. After 13 years in the district, she recently learned during a
school board meeting that her position would be cut. No warning, no discussion, no prior notification. She gives countless hours beyond her workday, works weekends, and is often emotionally and physically exhausted from the care that she gives to her students and the families. She is ISD
181. I graduated from BHS in 1995, NHS member, graduate with distinction. I was part of the first Brainer Warrior State baseball championship team. I gave countless hours, blood, sweat, and tears. I even suffered a broken finger against the then undefeated Morehead
football team. Today I served as licensed school counselor at Brainard High School. I support the immense needs of our students. Just last Friday, I had a request to meet with a student. I was the one to tell them that their last living parent had just passed away.
This work is emotionally taxing. I've coached at all levels. I've been a PLC leader, a curriculum leader, and I've served on countless district committees. My wife and I live in the district and every time we've been asked to increase our support, we vote yes. We are ISD 181. Our three daughters all graduated
from Brainer High School. They've dedicated countless hours to academic sports, clubs, activities in the arts. They too gave blood, sweat, and tears. One broke her femur playing for the Warrior um soccer team. Honor graduates, captains, graduate speaker MVPs. They
are ISD 181. The work of serving students and families every day is demanding. It takes a special kind of person to choose this profession. The certified staff, educational assistants, and the secretarial staff in this district are ISD 181. Yet, negotiation
efforts for these groups have been minimal, if not entirely absent. ISD 181 will be here long after your terms have expired. We should not be the ones to carry the burden of unresolved contracts. I ask you, come to the table. Remove the barriers, set aside legal
posturing, work together, and solve this. This is your responsibility to resolve so that ISD 181 can get back to doing what we do, serving students and families. These are my three minutes. >> Thank you.
>> Next up, we have Dave Borish, please. >> Welcome. >> Thank you. Good evening. This past week, the Brainer High School Knowledge Bowl team competed at the Minnesota Service Cooperative 2026 Senior High State Knowledge Bowl Competition at Craig's Resort. Current
data indicates there were a total of 800 teams representing roughly 290 school districts throughout Minnesota. This event consisted of the top 48 teams compiled from each of the 11 regions was then divided into three divisions based on school population. Brainard was
placed in the AAA division which included schools from Duth, Adina, Baiji, Minnetonka, Northfield, Morehead, Marshall, Elk River, Sartell, St. Steven, and Chaska just to name a few. This year, the Briner team advancing to the state tournament consisted of Emilyn
Bosen, Drea Deiti, Tucker Hansen, Kyle Sandberg, and Thomas Verups. All of these students are current freshmen at BHS. Yeah, freshman. This is significant because they competed against upper classmen from all these other schools.
As their coach, as we headed out there, I told the teams before the competition, I wanted them to do three things for me. One, have fun. Have fun. It's a unique experience. They should enjoy every minute of it. Two, learn from this. They are given an opportunity to compete
against the top minds in the state, and they're going to gain a new perspective that very few people get. And number three, don't come in last. Please don't come in last. [laughter] Again, in the AAA division, there are a total of 18 teams, and that's where we were. I just begged them not to come in
last. Happy to report that they had fun bonding as a team. They learned from the experience. We'll take this knowledge with them into the competitions next year. And hey, guess what? They came in 17 out of 18 teams. [laughter] They weren't in last place this year.
Source well region 5 that's our region sent four teams to the state competition two from Aken one from Brainard and one from Pine River Backas the Pine River Backas team took fifth in the single A division while the two teams from Aken took second and third in single A division these are the teams that we
competed against during the KB season as a whole I'm very proud to report and say that we represented section five well thank you >> thank you >> all right that's it for public comment And tonight we'll move on to the approval of minutes. And I'll look for a
motion to approve our March 16th minute. >> I'll make a motion. >> Second. >> We've got a motion by Director Edman, a second by Director Ward. Any discussion? If not, all those in favor signify by saying I.
>> I. >> Oppose. The same. >> Motion carries. Next up, we have the consent calendar. There's a number of things on there. We'll look for a motion. >> I'd like um to remove and discuss a
little bit further the uh EA early retirement incentive. Uh I'm just looking for a clarification and information. U not opposed to anything, but I guess I don't understand it because it's never been discussed. And I'd also like to take out the food service early retirement incentive uhou
and do the same thing. Just ask questions and discuss. Again, I'm not opposed to any of it. I'm just uh there's some questions that I have. >> Would you like to discuss these individually or as a pair? >> [cough and clears throat] >> Well, they're two separate discussions,
but I mean, uh, my questions are the same for both, but I don't know if there's any other directors that have any concerns or not. I mean, or they have questions, that's all. So, I don't see why we can't do it with just one.
>> Okay. We will put that um as number seven under new business. >> All right. And we'll look for a motion to approve the consent calendar sands the the twous.
>> Make a motion. >> Okay. Got a motion by director heman. Second. Second by director Breen. Any discussion? If not, all those in favor signify by saying I.
>> Oppose the same. Motion carries. We'll move on to old business. Up for action tonight, we have the nomination and election of 20 26 officers. We'll look for nominations for chairperson. >> Madam chair. >> Yes. >> Uh for chairperson, I nominate Sarah
Spear. >> I'll second. We have a nomination for chairperson for Sarah Spear. Are there any further nominations? Any further nominations? If not, we've got one nominee. So, we
will um vote. We I guess we don't need a roll call vote if that's okay. All those in favor of electing Sarah Spear as chairperson signify by saying I >> I oppose the same. >> Motion carries. Look for a nomination of
vice chair. >> I would like to nominate DJ Don for vice chair. >> All right, we've got a nomination for vice chair. Any further nominations? Any further nominations? If not, we'll take a vote. All those in
favor signify by saying I. >> Oppose the same. >> We've got a new vice chair. Congratulations, Director Doninger. >> And we will look for nominations for a clerk. >> And you, Randy,
>> the clerk, >> I'll nominate Randy. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> We've got a nomination for Director Heidman. Any further nominations? Any further nominations?
If not, all those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. oppose the same. Congratulations, Mr. Heidman. And we'll look for nominations for treasurer >> Michelle Breen. >> We've got a nomination for director
Breen. Any further nominations? Any further nominations? All right. If not, all those in favor signify by saying I. >> I oppose. The same. >> Motion carries. We've got a new slate of
officers. Congratulations and thanks you guys. >> You're on a roll. >> We will move on to new business for actions. We have the approval of the 202425 annual audit report presented by Marcy Lord and Becca Nielsen.
[clears throat] Welcome Mercy. Thank you. Sorry I was slacking over there. Um, so I'm going to introduce Becca. Uh, actually I'll let her introduce herself, but she's with Clifton Larson Allen. You typically in the past we have had Mary Rei. She was
not able to make it tonight. So we have Becca in her place. She's the manager at CLA. So I'll let you take it away, Becca. >> Okay. Well, as Marcy said, I'm Becca Nielsen. I'm manager on CLA's audit team today
here to go over the 2025 audit results. So, as auditors, our primary responsibility is to provide an opinion on the presentation of the financial statements and um whether or not we believe them to be fairly presented and free from
errors. So we perform our audit on a riskbased approach which is saying that we apply more more testing to areas we deem to be a higher risk such as revenues. So this year we performed our testing
over internal controls to ensure that they were operating effectively. We selected a sample of dispersement and receipts to test and confirmed cash amounts with the bank and debt amounts with lenders. And then we also confirmed amounts that are passed through from the state. Um this year we did not identify
any unusual transactions. However, there was a new accounting standard that was implemented this year. So Gatsby 101 compensated absences. This is a new standard over your leave balances that we had to retroactively apply. So as the
change was u material this year or for the beginning balances we had to restate those in order to implement the change. So this new standard was one that took quite a bit of time. So thank you to Marcy and your team for the additional work. We know that took a little bit
this year to get that implemented. Um, and I just wanted to add that I sent it in the board memo, but um, I shared the data. Typically, we had to calculate the vacation balances and it was about 127 balances. For this, we had to
calculate 1,151 balances because it included PTO and sick. Um, I know that this is late. The audit is late. We all know that there's we've had staffing turnover and then this new implementation was quite time consuming because we have to take the
balances times the pay rate add an accounting code. Uh and as Rebecca said we had to do it um retroactive. So 1,151 was for this year and 1,33 was for last year. So >> why is it retro?
>> The EST is the ESST. >> No, it's because our financial statements are comparative. If we didn't compare to the prior year then it wouldn't have been retroactive but since we do that and Becca you can tell correct me if I'm wrong but >> but what is it >> Gasby
>> government accounting standards board >> the standards we have to we have to live by basically >> I understand but how did you go from 125 to 1500 >> because they implemented this new standard so >> well if I leave for an hour you used to be able to handle that different than
Now it is >> we didn't have to include those balances, right? >> We only had to include vacation. Now we have to include PTO sick al. >> Yep. >> Thanks state of Minnesota. >> And and that's the main reason Marcy why
there was a delay. Is that kind of one of the big >> that was a part of it but also staff turnover. We've struggled with that in our office. So >> it was a combination. Sorry, didn't mean to steal your thunder. >> Nope,
you are just fine. But moving on to the next slide. So, as auditors, we review management judgments and accounting estimates made to determine that they were reasonable. And then we determined that all amounts and disclosures were adequate, clear, and dep complete for this year. Then we also
review information in the required supplementary information section and the supplementary information of the financial statements. So that's in the back of your big bound documents um just to ensure that those amounts tie back to the basic financial statements. However, we do not issue an opinion on the
required supplementary information. We had no disagreements with management this year. And then we did add some additional risks this year based on items we identified during our testing. So we added a risk over the bank reconciliations and inventory balances
which I will discuss here in more detail in a bit. So we did not consult with other accountants this year. No major issues were discussed with management. Um personnel and records were available during fieldwork this year. However, there was some delay in receiving the
final information like Marcy had mentioned. um we didn't receive our final trial balance until December this year and then the final revised version of the Gazsby 101 spreadsheet um was not received until the beginning of March. So with that, we weren't able to issue
the final financial statements until all that was received. Um and then again, as Marcy mentioned, we do know that there was some turnover and then again Gatsby 101 was a bigger standard to implement for this year.
And then also this year we identified a few uncorrected adjustments that were immaterial to the financial statements overall but they were items that we did identify. Um there were a couple inventory adjustments. Um food service unearned revenue and accounts receivable
balances and then um we subscription based information technology arrangements were not recorded and then an understatement of claims payable occurred. And then um they passed on recording deferred inflows related to
receivables. And then the final accounts receivable listings did not tie to the final general ledger. Again, all these were immaterial and were not adjusted since they were immaterial, but they were items that we did identify. >> So, is that what you're calling
inventory? >> One of them. Yes. >> Yes. >> One of them's inventory. Yeah. >> Are you still going to tell us what inventory is later or I just like to know? >> Yeah. >> What is it? >> Yep. I believe it's the next slide. >> Okay. >> And there's a new system for that too, isn't there?
>> We're trying to find one. Yep. >> Yep. So, this year we did issue an unmodified or clean opinion on the financial statements. So, that is the highest level assurance that we can give. We identified one item as a material weakness this year and that was
for the preparation of the financial statements. So CLA prepares your audited bound document. Um so this item is reoccurring and it's very common for school districts in Minnesota. And then we also identified two significant deficiencies this year or no
three significant deficiencies this year which are items that we deemed to be less severe than material weaknesses but items that we did want to bring to your attention. So this year um bank reconciliations were not performed timely. So I believe the June bank reconciliation was not completed until
December and then the inventory listing at year end was not accurate. So, there were items that were identified at our um year-end count that did not make it onto the district's inventory listing. And then there were items that were found on the listing
during our count that or there were items that were found on the listing that should not have been at year end. So, both sides. And then also this year was um some TRA and PAR reporting issues. So every year we select a sample
of reports that are submitted to PARA and TRA and we tie them back to payroll journals and this year we found that there were several errors and adjustments that needed to be made and were made they were made by the district after the fact. Um however we find that it was very concerning that it was
almost every single payroll period that we tested that errors were identified. So, and I believe Marcy has already brought this up to the new payroll manager and they believe they found some ideas on how to resolve those issues going forward. >> And that one isn't in the financial
statements. It was a verbal uh comment. The TRA and PRA, we won't see anything in the financial statements for that one. >> Um, we didn't identify any compliance related findings this year. And then as part of our audit, we tested um two
major federal programs for our single audit testing and that was over the title one and child nutrition programs and then no issues were identified over the testing of these programs this year. And then finally, we also go through the state of Minnesota's um legal compliance
questionnaires that are released by the state of um state auditor's office and no items were identified going through these questionnaires. I think to go back to your inventory question just to explain that. >> I still don't know what the inventory is.
>> So the um Alyssa staff does an inventory count and it's throughout it's multiple days, right? There's a lot in the warehouse and we also have programs running. So they may count an item and then it gets used maybe at summer school or one of their programs and then if
she's ordering as well after they've done their count, that's part of the problem. So, she's looking at trying to get um some sort of software that would track this rather than a manual count. So, [clears throat] if they come and if the auditors come and do their physical
count June 30th, and we did it June 15th, we've probably used some items and we've probably ordered some items that weren't a part of that original. >> What's an item book? >> Uh, no. A lot of it's food service. Yep. I shouldn't say a lot of it. The whole
thing is food service. So, >> it's got to be tough to inventory food. Yeah, [clears throat] >> I was trying to figure out what the inventory we were talking about. So, >> well, I should relieve the inventory, but >> yeah, >> I get you. I'm an inventory guy.
>> Okay, then moving on to our financial results. So, this slide is showing the general fund. So in the current or for fiscal year 25 um expenditures rece exceeded revenues by about [clears throat] $596,000. Um revenues decreased from the prior
year by about $1.4 million. Um federal dollars decrease by about $3 million due to the district spending down the last of the COVID related um funding. And then in addition, state aid did increase this year by approximately $2 million.
And most of that was due to an increase in special education aid. Um, your general ed a aid did decrease from the prior year due to decrease in your student counts. And then there were a few new additional funding resources received this year. Your literacy aid
and your read teachers comp aid. Um, your expenses increased by about $2.1 million from the prior year. So your special ed expenses increased by about $892,000. um primarily due to your staffing and cost of living adjustments made during
fiscal year 2025. Then your sites and buildings expenses also increased primarily due to an increase in repairs and maintenance expenses. And then there was also an additional $300,000 in capital outlay expenses for 2025.
>> And then you'll see a Oh, yep. Go ahead. I was just going to add um director Ward had asked a question about you know the fund balances and I just want to point out uh the amount of or the chunk that says fund balance I primarily pre present or focus on unassigned because
that's the least restricted right so the restricted fund balance went up 721,000 but those are categories that we have restrictions on so even though it looks like we ended the year better we did but um it's not all in unassigned. I just
want to point that out. And then on the actual to budget uh the differences between budget revenues, I try to stay within 2% of the budget and expenses 3% and it was 1.3% on revenues and 2.4% on expenses. So it
it seems like a a large difference because it's millions, right? But in the grand scheme of the whole budget, it's a very small percentage. And Marcy, thank you for getting back to me on those questions. But the other thing is that as you go through the
budget throughout the year, you um budget conservatively um to make right. I mean, >> yes, for sure. Because I'd rather be sitting up here in front of you guys saying we ended the year better than we ended the year worse. Like that is not news I would want to deliver.
>> So the unassigned fund balance is a fluid um figure continually. Correct. >> Correct. And it has I mean since I've been here it has ended the year better than projected. >> And we and we are at um don't we have a
10% >> fund balance policy? Yep. >> On fund balance policy. >> Correct. >> And right now we're at >> uh she's she's going to get to that. It's 14. >> Oh 14. Okay. >> And what do you attribute we ended I mean what how how do we end up better
with the unassigned fun balance? So, some of the one of the examples Becca gave was special ed aid. That came in uh larger than projected interest earnings. >> Okay, >> we put our best guess at that. Um if the markets do better, that's great. So,
it's a number. Um this last year 2425, we moved our summer program or summer school from June to July. So, we have a budget there, but we didn't run those programs. So, we were under budget, >> but we're going to have that then this year.
Marcy, this unassigned fund balance, is there a state law regarding that? >> No, it is our policy. >> So, a Brainer public schools policy. >> State recommends 30%. >> 25 25% >> 25. >> Okay. >> Our policy is 10
>> and we're at 14. >> We're at 14. >> Yep. >> And that gives us how many? >> The state gave us no money? >> A month and a half >> and said, >> Yep. >> Yeah. Sorry, >> we got no dough. How long could we stay open for?
>> Month and a half >> with our fund balance. So, we'd go through 14 14.1 mill in a month and a half. >> Interesting. >> A little more to it. Depends what month it is. >> Yeah. >> Well, >> well, if it's summer, we it's a little
easier. Um, here's what's concerning. Here's what's here's here's what jumps off the page at me >> is that our expenses in 21 were 855. Our expenses now are almost 96 million. Um, but yet our ADMs have gone down.
So [clears throat] that's pretty concerning. We need to start taking the ADMs into the deal. We're down at least 100, maybe 250 in that amount of time. 300. So got to write the ship. You know what I mean? It's like,
>> well, Marcy, is it to to DJ's point, isn't some of that increase due to prices raising on everything that we have. >> Yes. >> And Paula was 14,000 last year. Now this year it's 17,000. >> Correct. >> Correct. I mean part of it is Y.
>> Okay. >> Well, it's expenses, John. >> Y >> I understand that. >> It's gas, heat, plates, >> everything. >> But you know, 81% of our expense here is people. >> Yep. >> That's our biggest expense. >> Health insurance. I mean, there's lots of things that go in there. But with our
with our tenants down, we gota You got to be pretty prudent. >> Yeah. >> That's why we're having all the troubles that we're having is still right here. >> It's one of the reasons. Yeah. >> Marcy, also um I think there's a proposal to cut back special education aid at the state level. Do you do you
when you guys do the uh audit, do is that figured anywhere into the future? >> No. So, >> okay. So, that doesn't include any kind of mix that we might get or like the 95 1975 um special ed pro a federal promise that
has never been made that does never come in. Yeah. Okay. I just wanted that statement. >> We're good to go for this year. >> Yeah. >> Is it 250, John? I sent you the article. Or is it >> 5,000? I think it 450. >> What? >> It's either 250 million or 450 million.
>> How much was it? I sent you that article on it. >> They're protecting the projecting a cut. >> Projecting the cut. >> 250. >> 250. Yeah. So, there's what 330 school districts more. We're one of the bigger ones. So it could be a million and a half to us. Be
a lot. >> Yeah, that'd be huge. >> Yep. >> Doesn't end. [clears throat] I'll turn it back over to you, Becca. >> Okay. Well, I think Marcy went over most of
the rest of the general fund, so I'll move on to the next slide. Um, so you can see here this slide is showing your breakout of your unassigned fund balance [laughter] per ADM. [cough] So at [clears throat] the end of 2025, it did
decrease slightly from about um 2,495 at the end of 202425 from about 2,558 at the end of 2324. So a bit of a decrease there in your unassigned fund balance. And as Marcy
said, that is your main bucket that you guys can choose however you want to spend your dollars on. And then this next slide is showing the general fund unassigned fund balance as a percentage of expenditures. So at the
end of 20 fiscal year 25, the district's sitting at 14.7%. So that's a decrease from the prior year which was sitting at about 15.95%. Then if you look back um it is still a increase over the five years ago which
was sitting at 12.6% in 2021. >> And if we take into account the preliminary budget projection of the $2.2 million deficit, we'd be at 11.9%. Just an FYI. And the reason that last year was so
good is we got that big [clears throat] shot in the arm at the end of the co money. >> If you look, it's like we got we got we took it more last year than we did this year [clears throat] >> or two years ago than we did last year. >> Just the last I mean 21 22 22 23 I would
attribute all of that is because of car's money. >> All that income we got. >> We were able to recode expenses and get creative. If we didn't have that, I don't think we'd be looking at the same chart. Okay,
moving on to the food service fund. So, current year expenditures did exceed revenues by about $35,000 um causing your fund balance to decrease in your food service fund. So revenues decreased in um the current year by
about $18,000. So there was a decrease in your state money coming in with your decrease in your student meal counts. And then expenditures did decrease by about $66,000 from the prior year due to a decrease in enrollment again in your
student meals. And overall revenues were under budget and expenditures were under budget or Yes. Yes. Revenues were over budget and expenditures were under budget. Do you want to add anything else Marcy
in addition or >> Can you see my flag? Um I did just want to note that we were under budget in uh expenditures because we did see a big increase where we were actually over budget in 23 24 because of food expenses. So, we increased our budget
and we didn't see that big of an increase with food, which was good, but we were anticipating a larger expense. >> Is the Is the reason that it went from three I mean, I know where to Mr.
Thompson does a good job at this because Peter made me sit down and talk to her. [laughter] Did we go from 3.2 2 million to 4.9 million because of the free lunch for everybody. >> That's a good question.
>> I mean, if you look at 21, we're at 3.2. The next year, we're at 4.2, call it. I mean, of a couple thousand. >> Yeah. >> Right. Well, that's pretty substantial. >> It's 35% increase. So, is that because of free lunch for everybody? Is that what did that? >> Honestly, I think it was because of pricing with co food. Remember we had
the farm to table, we had grants for that stuff. Y >> is that like something we kind of got ourselves into and now we can't get out of it cuz we're still up there. >> I I don't think it was necessarily farm to table because a lot of that we get reimbursement on, but I think just overall food costs jumped when it COVID
happened >> 50%. >> Yeah. I don't remember when free free breakfast lunch came into play but I don't think it was in 21 22 or 24 right >> 24 was that the first that's
>> that passed in 23 24 was the first when they first implemented it >> because 24 is the 23 24 school year right >> correct >> well that jumped it again not quite as Yeah. [clears throat]
>> All right. I think we're good. Becca. >> Okay. Then your community service fund. Um so current year revenues exceeded expenditures by about $80,000. So revenues decreased from the prior year by about I think $17,000. So your
program enrollment decreased, but there was some additional state funding received this year. And then your expenses increased by about $188,000 from the prior year. Um, so most of this was just due to cost living adjustment and benefit increases primarily.
And then both your revenues and expenses were overbudget at the end of the year. However, there was you're still seeing a net profit versus your budgeted was a deficit. Anything you wanted to add, Marcy? >> No, I'm good. Thank you. Boy, the
fluctuation in that community service for the last five years is up and down, up and down, up and down. And it's significantly either up or or down. >> Is there a reason for that? >> You mean the bottom line or just this revenues and expenditures because the revenues just keep going up? Well, they
went down last year. I guess >> it all depends on programming, right? What programs are we having and what programs are we not? >> Can we get um you know people to do those programs or not? >> Okay. You're right. They're both up over a
million bucks four years. >> Yeah, it's weird to me. Just keeps on trucking. >> I think we're good. Okay. So, this slide is showing both your debt
service fund and your capital projects. So, your revenues in your debt service fund increased by about $1.1 million [clears throat] um from the prior year. So, this was all all going to be your increase in property taxes going into this fund. And then your expenses did um
increase slightly. And then this just follows your scheduled um debt payments and your interest payments on those bonds. Um overall, your fund balance increase by about $825,000 at the end of the year. And then your capital projects fund. So
your um revenues decreased by about $83,000. Less cash and investments were held in this fund. So less interest was earned on those investments causing that decrease in revenues. >> And then your expenses decreased by about $759,000 from the prior year as
those um projects have been winding down. Marcy, [clears throat] if the debt service that we have or the the debt that we have, if the service providers called us up tomorrow and said, >> "Yeah,
>> it's all over. We're not going to we're not going to uh uh deal with your debt anymore." What would we owe? Just out of curiosity, what how how much debt >> are we into? I don't have my Do you do >> just out of curiosity?
>> Yeah. >> I mean, maybe I don't want to know, but I mean, it's just you don't have to don't That's fine. You can just get that to me. >> Right in our financials, >> the high 200s. >> Okay. [clears throat] >> Your bonds, 235.
>> Yeah. >> So, go bonds would be 198 million. >> Okay. And then we have leases and certificates of participation. So call it 200 just
>> for that is 181 blue 18. Well >> we want that call. >> Good luck. [laughter] >> Thank you. >> Go ahead Becca.
Okay, >> so this slide is just showing a chart of your revenues in received for fiscal year 25 broken out by different types of sources. So you'll see your federal, your taxes, your other miscellaneous items, and then your state. So um
overall from the prior year, this chart has stayed very similar, sitting at about 68% of your revenues coming in from the state. No, >> quick question. Is the other local the referendum?
>> No, it would be like lunch charges, um, athletic fees. Uh, >> really? >> Yep. >> That's nice to know. >> So, the referendum's in the 21% of >> the state. >> Oh, it's in the state or is it in the
>> Sorry. No, you're in Texas. You're right. Texas. >> 21% of our stuff comes out of the local area. I mean, the state is a local area as well, but >> Yep. >> It's not quite so handinand as the state.
>> Yeah, I'd combine the two. I'd say 27% because it's all our people. >> Does the federal um resources uh include the special ed reimbursement costs? >> Uh so all our federal money goes through the co co-op. So we don't this does not
have sped special ed federal money. >> Oh okay. >> This is um food service title >> cares. Well what was left of >> so this slide is just more detail over
the past five years of similar data to that um previous slide. So, as you can see here, your federal dollars did spike with that COVID funding and now you'll see those revenue sources are um dropping off and you will see that again decrease next year with the last of the
CARES dollars being spent. Um your taxes increase slightly just following your levy changes. And then your state did increase slightly just with again like I mentioned those new funding sources received this year and then um an
increase in your special ed aid. >> I'm assuming Marcy between June uh of 23 and 24 with the state going uh [clears throat] getting about an extra $9 million. I am assuming that was when they had the big increase in
state >> correct >> revenues >> correct >> and then also record spending as well. >> Okay. >> Okay. And then this is a breakdown of your expenditures by program for the end of
June 30th, 2025. Um, you can see almost every category here broken out. Your instructional services are by far the largest, which is typically what we should see at the district at about 53%.
Again, very consistent year-over-year. I didn't see any big changes when I looked back at um, fiscal year 24's data to 2025 with the breakout of expenses. >> Can you give me an example of what's under instructional
>> uh, you know, teachers, paras. >> Okay. >> Anything in the classroom. >> Okay. Classrooms. Okay. >> Thank you. >> Okay. >> Um and then again, this is that same
type of data broken out in more detail over the past five years. So your regular instruction, your special education, um and your pupil support services are typically driven by changes in your salaries and benefits. Um so you'll can you can see that those all increase
slightly this year. Um sites and buildings expenses are where your capital projects are going. So that's why you'll see a huge decrease over the past five years. >> I I create a weird question. Why does our debt service keep going up? Oh, I suppose because we hadn't spent all the
money yet. >> That's what it is, isn't it? >> Yep. So, um >> three years ago, we still we hadn't spent it all. So, >> this is about as high as it's going to get then. I would guess >> it fluctuates. So, rate does >> the principal and interest payments do. So, it might go up next year. Might be.
>> Oh, I remember seeing that. Yep. >> Yeah, we had that conversation. It's not like a regular mortgage. >> Yes. >> I don't know why it does it. Is it fixed for a year though or >> right like we have a debt schedule and
it it it's set for those years >> for that year. Okay. >> And the rate is set the rate fixed. >> Okay. >> But so weird that they change the payment changes but >> Oh, the payment can change. >> Payment does change. >> There's years that go really high and then there's ones it starts going back down.
>> Yes. Okay. Then this slide is another look at um your expenditures. So just showing um a breakout of by your object codes. So your salaries, you can see your benefits um where those different expenses are going within the district. So again, um
between your salaries and benefits, that makes up about 67% of your expenditures. So very consistent year-over-year. I believe it was 67% again in fiscal year 24%. So [clears throat] looking over the past uh five years,
you'll see that your salaries and benefits have been increasing. Um just you know your cost of living adjustments, your capital expenditures decreased as the building projects have been um winding down and being completed. And then your principal and interest payments, um, like Marcy just
mentioned, they follow your set, um, bond payment schedules. So, we tie those out every year. Um, so those are consistent with your schedules. >> Okay. >> So, teachers must instructional doesn't go in salaries then.
>> Say that again. Well, if you look at this chart and then you look at this chart, they don't match. >> Uh, it's yeah, it's part of our account code structure. So, like you can group salaries and they can be a part of instructional, they can be a part of
admin, but when you're talking salaries, it's all everything. >> Well, the salaries is way less than instructional. >> Yep. >> Then you got district support to add to that. Then you got admin, >> ed, >> the instructional is going to have
salaries, benefits, all the things. >> Oh, I see. Benefits are in there. >> Yep, >> that explains it. >> Don't mercy. >> Okay, go ahead. >> This slide is showing the ADMs over the
past five years. Um, so we broke out your kindergarten, your elementary, and your secondary um ADMs. You can see your en enrollment numbers have been steadily declining over the past five years. Um total decrease from fiscal year 24 to 25
was 172 students. And over the past 5 years, it was the drop in 494 ADMs. Okay. And then this slide is just showing a breakout of the resident students versus non-resident students enrolled within
the district. So you know your non-resident students are people with outside of the district opting in and then your local resident students. [cough and clears throat] And then this slide here we like to look at and calculate what we call an open
enrollment um gain or loss within the district. So we take a look at the resident students opting out of the district versus the non-resident students opting in. So you can see over the past five years [clears throat] it's been a [cough]
open enrollment loss. So year 25 there were 345 non-resident students opting in versus [clears throat] 1,040 opting out causing an overall loss of 695 students.
>> [clears throat] >> Okay, so this slide is looking at your administration and district support costs per ADM [clears throat] and then we compare it to your state average and other similar districts of your size. Um, they didn't have the 2024 or 25 data
available when we put together this presentation. um similar last year. It's typically not available when we do our presentation, but you can see past four years um your administration and your support costs have been below the average.
I expect that to be very similar again for 2024 25. And then this slide is looking at your in total instruction per ADM. So again, this is going to include your vocational instruction, your special education, and
then your instructional support services within those um costs per ADM. So again, comparing to your state averages and similar districts, this one is actually higher than average
and has been for most of the past five years. >> Does that include online, too? >> [cough] [clears throat] >> Okay. And then this slide is just summary your self- insurance fund over the past five years. So your darker
color is going to be your expenses. The lighter blue is your revenues. And then the greenish yellow is going to be your net position sitting in that fund at the end of the year. Um, so overall your net position did decrease by about $1 million.
Total claims went up by about 3.2 million and your charges for service charges for services increased by about $696,000. >> I'm just going to add on that one. That was we didn't um increase our premiums as high. We said we could use some
[clears throat] fund balance for that. This was a planned spend down and we still even with that planned spend down are at over a 50% fund balance. >> But that's a that fund balance you're talking about just with the self-insured. >> You got it. >> You're not talking about the unassigned.
>> I wish I was. >> Yeah. [cough] [clears throat] >> Okay. Um and then this slide here again your self insurance fund. This is just showing um your net position as a trend line um over the past 5 years. So at the
end of the year, your net position is sitting at $9.5 million. And then your revenues can fluctuate year to year depending upon the claim. Same with your expenses. That was all I had. Does anybody have any questions for me?
And the actual financial statements are also linked in the agenda if you want something to read when you're going to bed tonight. >> Sleep. >> Yeah. [cough] [clears throat] >> Thank you, Becca. >> Thank you all very much.
>> Thank you. >> Marcy, [clears throat] I do have a >> thought. Yeah. >> Question. Um, since um Peter had the uh lady do that enrollment report for us, uh, how long did that
look out for? >> 10 years. >> 10 years, I think. Um, have we ever done a a five-year budget projection with uh enrollments >> where we actually sat down and looked at here is what our best numbers are and
looked and really looked at it in depth. So, so our projection model for enrollment does go out to five years, but we haven't actually sat down and calculated the budgets for that. >> Okay. >> But we do have the enrollment model for um ADMs does go out multiple years.
>> I really think that's something this board should consider doing uh to maybe make it easier for future boards to look at things. I mean, in some respects, we don't, you know, we we go from kind of year to year, it seems like. >> Yes. And it would be kind of nice to sit
down and do a a budget projection with projected enrollments just to see where we're at. What can we do? What can't we do? What do we need to change? What do we need to correct? U I really think that's something we should really
strongly look at doing as a board. It's a good idea >> and um that might be something that u superintendent elect uh school >> Frank and probably might want to get involved with as well and and really sit
down and look at some numbers and so we can kind of >> not surprised I guess no one likes to be surprised >> so >> sounds good. One thing we got to remember about that um that Hazel did,
he's the same person that did one 10 years ago for the referendum and she said everything was going to go up seven or eight%. So it's a little by gosh by golly, you know, it's kind of crystal ball a little bit. >> I know, but that's why we have interim, you know, we, you know, we, you know, we can look at interim goals and things
like that. Right now, when we're looking at an interim goal, we might only be looking at six months because we only really look at stuff yeartoear. Um so >> budgets always change I mean >> but that >> new forecasts I mean
>> as 20 pre208 >> was had no idea that co was going to occur >> it's true >> but we also before 2018 didn't weren't down 140 students so that could get corrected too
>> in three or four years you never know we're only down 300 be a huge that. So, it's like there's opportunities out there. Have to be a total panic. >> Yep. I just think it's something we need to put on our radar and really take a a
look at it. >> So, we're not surprised. >> We'll still be surprised because, you know, the legislature will come in and >> Yeah. >> You don't know if they're going to >> Yeah. But at least at least we can maybe prepare. [laughter] >> No,
>> prepare a little bit. I mean, yeah, those people down there. Well, I'm not going to go there. >> All right. If there aren't any other questions, we'll look for a motion to approve the 2425 annual >> audit. Second. >> We've got a motion by Director
Donninger, a second by Director Heidman. [clears throat] Any further discussion? If not, all those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Oppose. The same. Motion carries. Thank you. [clears throat]
>> We'll move on to the 2728 and 2829 school year calendars as presented. [snorts] >> Director Lungren, welcome. >> All right, so the proposed calendars um they were shared last week at the work session and uh linked in your packet
into the agenda. Um just a couple of of items to note um that are shifts from our current uh two-year calendar schedule. Uh one is the removal of the two half days at the end of each semester. So semester 1 and semester 2
would move back to a full uh student contact day. The second item to note is um the spring break being reduced to a full week to two two days. So, a shorter spring break. And then the third item to note
is that on both calendars, the last student day would be the Friday before Memorial Day weekend. So, those are the three big shifts, I guess, in this in this calendar proposal. >> Let's make a motion.
>> All right. Got a motion by Director Doninger. Is there a second? >> I'll second. >> Second by Director Edman. Any further discussion? >> Madam Chair, go ahead. got lots of questions. >> Um [clears throat] I asked this annually. Um has all the units weighed
in on the calendar? >> So the um the calendar committee is made up of principles, an EA rep, a teacher rep, um athletic rep, and then a couple district reps. And so there's representation on the on the committee
as far as >> Say those again, please. >> Yep. So, principles, EA, teacher, athletics, and district reps. >> They're all on the calendar committee. >> Mhm. There's representation. >> Okay. And then they've all weighed in on
it as well. And you did a you did a survey, too, >> correct? That went to [clears throat] staff and families. >> Yep. I see that. And um the survey came out with this is the calendar that everybody kind of prefers. Okay.
That's all I was going to say is the survey, this calendar is reflective of the results of the survey. So, it's kind of a major change to go from full week spring break >> Yeah. >> to only two days to that was we listen to the stakeholders basically
[clears throat] >> is the advantage of that to get out earlier. one uh two is um just increasing student contact days um earlier in the year as we're looking towards the end of the year. >> Yeah. >> Um and then just a recognition of the
feedback from families regarding breaks over the course of the year. All right. We've got a motion on the table from Director Donninger, a second from Director Edman. Any further discussion? If not, all those in favor signify by saying I. >> I.
>> Opposed the same. Motion carries. Thank you. We will move on to Thank you. policy 602, organization of school calendar and school day. There was a couple things on here.
Welcome, Carrie. Thank you, Madame Chair, members of the board, Superintendent Grant. Uh we are bringing back policy 2 or 602, excuse me, to you this evening. Um we've had some previous discussions about specific language and
clarity that is needed. I'll draw your attention to the top of page two. We've added some clarity about e-learning days specifically um and differentiating between elementary and secondary
students. Um you'll also notice that the inclement weather designation has been um stricken. Um but that is also up to your purview to decide if you would like that to stay in or stay out. The timing
of this is so that we can offer teachers some time during back to school workshop uh for planning if we are going to have e-learning days next year. help me understand why we would or would
not have inclement weather part of the description. >> Just a board preference. Um it doesn't have to be because of inclement weather. It's nice to have that option. Um for the last couple of years, we've had to add um days at the end of the school
year for staff um because of snow days. Um and so if there were uh an opportunity to not make those days up at the end of the year um and go to an e-learning or an alternative learning day for elementary students, it would be
more consistent with our published school calendar. Um, and it gives us then some some expectations about when learning would happen. Christina just spoke to having um more learning days earlier in the year than at the end of the year.
>> Um, and now we are kind of um this year as an example. Um, I hope spring is here, but if spring isn't here, um, Peter's laughing at me. Um, uh, if spring has not yet arrived and there was some situation where it
wasn't safe to hold school, um, we would have to have a very specific conversation about what that means in terms of meeting the requirements of the contractual agreements for our groups of educators, but also making sure that students get access to learning um, as
they need to. [clears throat] >> Yep. Um, I don't remember when it was, but this board, I believe, voted almost, I think it was 60 vote to get rid of e-learning days. Um, are changing our calendar, we're going
down to two days for spring break. Correct. >> Yeah. Not next year, the following year. Yep. >> Correct. the way this is written and I'm gonna my feeling is it I'd like to see it go back to committee again one more time
I'd like to have language clarified right now I understand the thought is okay it allows for flexibility well then let's put that in there let's have language in here that says that there is flexibility that you know it it just seems to me
like this is just a gut feeling that I We're gonna we're going to use Eli days. That's what we're going to do. >> So, Director Hibben, can you provide me some more um context for that? Are you asking for specific examples?
>> You know, I just my gut my gut's telling me that if we have a snow day, we're going to have an e-learning day. We're not going to have a snow day. That's that that's my gut because >> yeah, >> we're giving we're giving flexibility and >> we kind of took away that flexibility
with a a 60 vote regarding e-learning. Now we want to bring it back in. Let me ask a couple of other questions. Do we have a plan currently? >> We do not have a district-wide plan currently. We >> So what did we do this year when we had two e-learning days? We we made that up
with the support of the high school staff uh to be able to create that environment in that unexpected um consequence. >> High school, >> right? The high school. >> Yeah. Um it was >> so we don't have a plan now.
>> We do not have a we do not have a systemic plan right now. Did the high school teachers rise to the occasion and make it the best possible outcome for kids? Yes. But it would be nice to have some offer them some time for planning and thoughtful um intention around um
what learning might happen. >> Okay. >> Um I'll go back to your previous statement and you could add back in except for inclement weather if you chose to. Right now it's stricken, but that is something that you could direct us to do. >> It's
potentially stricken. >> Potentially stricken. Thank you. How did it come up? How did we vote on it the last time? Whose idea was it? Was it ours as the board or did you guys want to get rid of it? Because it hasn't worked anywhere. It's like you can't pick up anything to read that says there
was anything good about it except for kids that want to go online that have that mentality and that's what they're going to do. Um I haven't found anything positive that's got anything great to say about what happened during COVID with all the online learning. All the parents, the grandparents were trying to
make the kids do their homework. I mean, we've been through this before. So, we already voted this down. I think it's been for sure within the last 12 months, if not last summer. So, why are we what's the deal? Why does this keep coming back up? because it's it because
I don't have I have zero interest in this and I don't think that there's many parents that have interest in it and we have tough enough time around here keeping kids interested in going to school here and I think we should try to you know let's just try to keep towing the line like we've been doing
>> the flexibility is not about um we get hung up on e-learning day if we cancel school because of snow question is going to be are you going to make it up or not >> well you made them up for the last 100 years. So what difference is >> but when you run out of calendar days
so our last option was April 16th. >> We lucked out that the other schools had to go either a late start or cancel because of that snow and we didn't because we didn't have students that day. Knowing Minnesota you could have two feet of snow at the
beginning of May drop out of nowhere. Nobody wants to go to school at the end of the school year. You don't want to end it in June. So the point I mean you don't want to add it in June originally the re if you if you're watching weather reports in the morning I'm dumb enough to do that [laughter]
and this is weather event they all identify as an E day. Therefore [clears throat] school is not cancelled. Therefore you're not adding days to the end of the year. >> But we've already know Peter that they don't there's no value to it. So you might as well just not go. Well, but there's a there's a value to it as far
as meeting the needs of the contract. >> At least so you're honest. >> How about true honest? >> You get in we get into arguments. Well, is this I'll tell you how crazy it gets >> if I can't remember what one of the first days I canceled school and it was not really good. It was not good for
people to drive to work plain and simple. So I said, "Eat it. We're going to eat the day." People went nuts because some of them said, "Well, how does that count toward I I was going to take a PTO day that day. Now, do I lose my PTO day? Do I make it up?" And I'm going, "We're trying to look at what's
the best for everybody if we're going to panter to." >> So then you say, "Okay, the next time I won't do that, then I got chewed out because I didn't cart [laughter] blanch." >> So you can't win or lose. But if you do an E day, everybody has to do something
>> because they have to check in on their kids. >> Suffer on the E day are the kids because we already know they don't learn anything. >> Well, but on we're talking one day, not six months. I mean, it's it's an escape clause. I mean, to be honest with you, it's an escape clause.
>> But the alternative would be they come back at the end of the school year. >> If you don't have it if you don't >> if we have enough. >> Yeah. I would say let's if there's snow days to be had, use the snow days until we're out. >> The real danger is you kind of do have
built-in days when we have a work inservice day or vacation day. But when you get into Minnesota in late April, Katie bar the door because you're going to get hammered someplace. Then you go now what are we going to do? And nobody, the students, the teachers, the EAS, the
custodians, the food service, everybody. We're gonna do one more day at the end of the year when everybody's pounding on the door to get out. >> No one's learned anything that day. >> It's a waste of time. So the E day at least you can cook something, recoup. I mean, >> and I have great confidence in [clears throat] our educators that they
can plan something of value for a day or two days. We're not planning for six months. >> Well, basically what you're saying is that we don't That's what you just said. You said that you have great confidence in your educators. [clears throat] So you don't think we have confidence in those educators? >> No, that's not what I'm saying, DJ. Well, then what are you saying? >> What I'm saying is I heard
>> That's the way you're wording it. >> I heard you say something about that it's not of value for the students to have an e-learning day. >> It's not >> I am confident that we could make it worthy of an eay experience. It is it
the same as being in school? No. Um can we continue to do the ad hoc uh from time to time in an emergency? we can, but I'm not convinced that that is best for students either. Um, it would be nice to be able to give um a
district-wide plan so that students um families and teachers can prepare in the event of an e-learning day. >> Madam Chair, >> um so I want to go back to I think uh Superintendent Grant raised the point
that this is um meets the contract need and I get that. I we should all understand that and I get that but I also understand DJ's point about and Randy all of our points about you know um a lot of it has proven to be in co during co uh um not a productive
situation. So my question is this and I think DJ said where does this where did this come from? So who brought this change to us and more importantly what did it involve? It's a contract thing. Have the contract people been involved
in the restructuring of the rewarding of this of this policy? >> We have not brought it to the bargaining units. >> So, no meet and confer. Noou. [clears throat] >> We have talked about it. We have talked about it in meet and confer but we have not asked them for an endorsement. We
have talked about it with the groups. >> Well, that's a problem for me. >> Okay. That's a problem for me because if it's if it's a contractual thing, which it is is absolutely is a contractual thing then then people that are under the contract should have some kind of um
input. >> I agree. >> Okay, I'll vote no. And my understanding when we went from e-learning to no e-learning was a result of some surveying of staff and families and we
took the am I right in that when we took the results of that input and decided overwhelmingly as I remember staffs and families did not want an eing did not want the e-learning [snorts] dates.
When we have our contract, I have two questions. When we have our contract or the calendar, there are snow days designated, right? Like this is your fir, if there's a snow day, this is your first makeup day or you get maybe a day or two or three or whatever that you
don't have to make up. And then >> it's not worded as being a snow day. It can if there's a inservice day or a vacation day, those are the first opportunities you can use. You don't designate on the calendar what your first >> Well, yeah, it' be a first inservice day
or something like that. >> Okay. >> Depending on how mother nature treats us. >> How many do we have built in? Four, two, >> two. >> Two. >> Okay. >> Two. >> Um, my other question is what what does support staff and food service and those
folks do on those days? That's a great question that I can't answer because I'm not familiar with the contract for food service employees. Um I can tell you what we've tenatively planned um is to
have um [clears throat] educational assistants um do some support for students those days. >> Okay. We have not done a whole lot of planning on this because this has kind of been an ongoing conversation and we
didn't want to get too far ahead um of the conversation that needs to be had here. It it is I I don't have a personal um in recommendation or an endorsement. This is just something that our exec
team has uh talked about and wanted to bring forward to the board so that we can be thoughtful and intentional about how we plan support for students and teachers next year. >> I'm with John. I think it's really important that we have staff input.
>> Don't get me wrong, I think this is a important it is >> it is an important discussion. There's no pro no question about it. But let's involve everybody that's involved. >> I'm not trying to be a smart alec, but I can tell you one thing. Food service is going to be they ain't going to be preparing food on an e-learning day. I can tell you that.
>> That's true. >> You know, so >> good point, Randy. >> So, if we were to strike the except during inclement weather, this would essentially be emergency use like when it's when the we had the issue with the water at the high school.
>> Correct. >> We could do that anyways. And it doesn't say that if you read it, >> right? It reads it's emergency use only. >> No either. >> But I mean that's essentially what this means. If we were to take out except during inclement weather and if if if we
had the snow days in the calendar, it could say and if we use up all of the snow days in the calendar or something like that. >> Sure. Yeah. >> It can be whatever you want. >> Yeah. >> This is just the revisions we made after the last conversation. I mean I
the quality of learning happening June 2nd versus on an E day I think is debatable and I would take an E day probably over June 2nd. >> Yeah. >> Um if if those were the two options personally but I so I think there is some merit to that
[clears throat and cough] discussion. >> I know Madam Chair you're on are you you're on the policy committee right? >> Mhm. >> Um I don't know where we stand with the motion but uh >> there is one. >> There is one >> there is not one. Well, then I'm going to make a motion that we send it back to committee for further discussion and uh
language and uh bring it to another board meeting. Uh >> I second that. >> Okay, >> we have that on May 14th policy meeting. >> So, we've got a motion by Director Hedman, a second by Director Breen to bring this back to uh policy committee,
and we let's make sure we've got all of all of the things that we would like to see happen um in that time. We had a roll call vote on this one. >> Yeah. >> Is there is there a possibility too based upon what John's comment was? Is there any way that you guys can do a
mini survey of the staff? >> We can and we can also bring it back to meet and confer and our other groups that would be impacted. >> Absolutely. >> Okay. It would be good to have that information. >> Thank you. >> So, >> all right. We've got a motion on the
table and we have asked for a roll call vote. So, let's do a roll call vote. >> Madam Chair, the motion The motion is to bring it back to policy committee. Correct. >> Correct. >> To review everything. >> Yep. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> And get input. >> And get input. [clears throat] >> We sent it back last.
>> Yep. >> Not forget. >> Yep. >> We sent it back last month for weather. >> Now we got new reasons this month. >> Sometimes you just got to make a decision, you know. did do it last month. >> All right. Is there any further discussion?
>> If not, we'll do a roll call vote, please. >> Dinger, >> no. >> Stephanie Edman, >> no. >> Randy Hidman, >> yes. >> Spear, >> yes. >> John Ward, >> yes. >> Michelle Breen, yes. >> Thank you, Kelly. All right, we'll move
on to the approval of resolution for non-renewal of non-tenured teachers. We've got director also I believe [clears throat] evening board members. Uh before you tonight is a recommendation for approval
of uh non-renewals for teachers on tier one lure and also probationary non-renewals uh for either performance or budgetary concerns. Madam Chair. >> Yes.
>> So, uh, Director Wilson, I can there's looks like there's, uh, seven people that we're talking about, >> sir. >> Um, couple on tier one and couple on tier three and four. Is that correct? >> Yes, sir. >> Um,
and these are all based on budgetary kind of situations >> either. Well, the the the tier one licensers, I mean, we're basically required to do by law. It's a one-year license, so you know, we have to go through that process of reposting. Yep.
>> Uh the other ones noted are for either uh performance reasons or budgetary concerns. >> Okay. So, uh these people may or may not may or may not be eligible for future positions. >> Correct. >> May
They may be out there. Any employee is is always welcome to apply. >> Okay. >> Be considered. >> All right. >> Thank you. >> Let's look for a motion if there aren't any further questions. >> Is there a second? Can I ask a question before I
>> No, can't. >> Um, I'll I'll second it so we can have discussion. >> Thank you. >> All right, we've got a motion and a second. Further discussion. last deal. >> So, haven't we already on the consent calendar, haven't we already approved
these folks for being nonrenewal? >> They were approved on the consent calendar, but this resolution I I suppose it could trump that. I hate to use that word but um you know
>> okay >> we prefer not to put it under consent >> but it I mean >> I mean as far as >> got it >> identification >> just makes it official. >> Okay. Okay. I understand that that would >> Yeah. >> Any other discussion?
>> What's the probationary period Jason? How long does that last? >> For uh teachers who are new to the teaching profession in Minnesota, it's three years. And then for individuals who have prior previous previously attain tenure or non probate past
probation in another district, then it's one year in [clears throat] our district. >> Okay. And and to go back to John's question, this has to do this has to do with budgetary cuts. Some of the are due to
budget, some are due to performance issues. >> Okay. >> Any further discussion? >> If not, we'll do a roll call vote, please. >> Stephanie Edman, >> yes. >> Andy Hidman, >> yes. >> Sarah, >> yes.
>> Ward, >> yes. >> Breen, >> yes. >> DJ Der, >> yes. >> Thank you, Kelly. Next, we'll look at the approval of the code upgrades to the BR. Thank you.
>> We'll look at the approval of the code upgrades for the Brainard High School's warehouse elevator. [clears throat] Good evening. Um, first item up for approval, we have code upgrades to the warehouse elevator at the Brainard High School. The elevator was installed,
believe it or not, prior to 1972. It's a traction elevator, which means it's got a gear and a counterwe. And unfortunately, that system is obsolete and we're no longer [laughter] >> It's almost 12 50
years old. >> Sounds like a lift bridge. >> Yeah. So, it is working fine and we when we do get an operating permit for it, but we are required um they gave us five years to get the upgrades done. So, we're able to use long-term facility maintenance funds to make this
improvement and the state contract for that is just under $200,000 and it's going to be upgraded to a hydraulic double cylinder elevator. >> Is that LCFM money? >> Yes, sir.
I'll make a motion we approve the BHS warehouse elevator. >> Second. >> We've got a motion by Director Breen, a second by Director Dondelinger. Any further discussion? >> All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I.
>> Oppose. The same. >> Motion carries. >> All right. Uh the next item up for approval is the flooring project that we talked about at a facility committee meeting. I think it was back in September, October of this year. We finally were able to get everything laid
out and get pricing back. Um, the flooring in the building has never been replaced since 2007, so we're coming on 20 years old and it's showing its age and it's lenolum and we're going to move into a carpet style material that is
going to help with uh sound attenuation. Um, lower maintenance costs. We won't have to strip and wax every year. So, we're going to go that route with it. Um, we work with uh Dr. Stelmach with choosing some colors to make it uh a little bit more fun for everybody in
each different pod. And that's all I have. Is there any questions regarding that? >> That's coming out of LTM. >> That is under out of LTFM as well. >> It won't last as long, will it? >> This stuff it should last 15 to 20 if it's taken care of. It's in its squares
as well as well. I have those >> kind of I mean in some in in the entryways where it's going to get the high traffic we use walk-off carpet and it's a little bit more durable but it [cough] [clears throat] maintained properly we we hope to get 15
years out of [laughter] realistically probably 15 [clears throat] >> like in my business we just don't put it in because it looks so terrible so fast that you have to replace it >> uh here is it okay if I ask a couple questions >> this is just me for my craziness.
What is the 1.3182 factor? >> That is so if we when we use the Gordian uh system, we uh the the the company who is the Gordian contract holder in the area that that is their fee for their service.
>> Oh, I thought they were taking it off. >> They're adding it. So, they're making 32%. >> They're saying this is cost. Mhm. >> You know, it just blows my mind that nylon carpet
is 48 bucks a yard now. Is that right? >> I mean, here's the deal. It's 5961 yards. >> Mhm. >> I thought I was doing the math right when I started on through your quote. I did do it right. And it's 591,000 bucks. >> I mean, that's with labor to install,
remove the >> Not not saying anybody's screwing us. just like, "Wow." >> Yeah. >> A lot of money. >> A lot of money for carpet. >> Yeah. >> Like if it was ceramic tile or something that was going to hold up for 30 years. I'm not saying we shouldn't do it, >> right?
>> But man, oh man, just can't believe I'm that out till lunch on what things cost. >> It's a lot easier to replace a square of carpet than a >> Oh, I have them. I have them in my businesses and it's not quite what it's cracked up to be. They start corners
start peeling. Once you replace them, when they first put them down, they're great. When you start replacing them, it's not quite as shiny as they tell you. But whatever. I >> kind of like buying tires. [laughter] [laughter] >> You don't even buy tires. You just bring
your car in. So, I don't know what you're talking about. [laughter] >> Good one, Jeff. I just have I have a question. Uh a handful of people uh I talked to uh when it gets when in like in the winter
time and that's the floor gets wet in forest steel it gets it's really slippery. >> Yep. >> You know those stairs that when you walk in the entry and you they're kind of circular. >> Uh I believe a lady slipped and uh are is that being replaced as well or what
are we doing? What are we going to do for that? >> So for those areas we are planning on putting down some like um traction strips. Gotcha. >> So to help prevent that, but yes, I was aware of that too when Peter brought that to our attention and when we're taking >> Gotcha. Yeah, because it does get slippery. >> Yep. And to help prevent that as well,
we're going to put uh some walk-off carpet in that main entry area. >> Okay. >> Forest view to get rid of the 42 different mats that are currently there that look awful. >> Will I make a motion we approve the forest viewing? >> I'll second it. >> Got a motion by Director Breen, a second
by Director Dondinger. Any further discussion? U and I would like to abstain because this it looks like this is a sourceful contract. So just want to note that. >> All right. All those in favor signify by saying I
>> oppose the same. Motion carries. >> Thank you, Jeff. >> Thank you. >> We'll move on to committee meeting updates and we'll start with finance and legislative committee director Ward. [snorts] >> Okay. [clears throat] So, um, we had a meeting on April, excuse me, on March
26. Uh, Marcy indicated a new accountant starts on April 6, 2026. Right, Mars? And, uh, she indicated today that so far everything's going well. Uh, we did talk about um the the million-doll transfer construction uh, fund to the general
fund. Uh, House File 4306 doesn't have a Senate uh, author yet. Um so we don't know that it's going to move at all but uh a number of people including some community members and
administration and board members have um contacted our legislative de delegation and asked them to do what they can. That is also true with um um house the seasonal se seasonal tax
replacement aid bill and the uh educational employees insurance program. So um it's been you know people have been advocating and lobbying for the for the those bills will help significant have the possibility to help
significantly in the financial aspect of school districts. So, we'll see what happens. What I one of the things that I indicated to the committee is that no bill is dead. They talk about deadlines. The finance deadlines is this Friday. I'm pretty sure this Friday. And the
policy deadline has already come and gone, but um deadlines don't mean squat. Um honestly, um you can get a bill uh added onto an omnimous bill uh at the end of the session. The only the only thing that kills a bill is two words.
Siny die. And when you hear that, then they're done. Um so if anybody has the u uh still wants to uh contact legislators to support those bills, do it, please. Um Marcy talked about transportation uh
RFPs for transportation. Um looking at two two responses. We still get still looking at two responses. Mars. Okay. Very good. Um, and then also talked about also RFPs for um, school
portraits, the audit and building and ground snow removal. And we're doing that as well. >> That's my report, Madam Chair, unless anybody has questions. >> Thank you, >> John. I got a question. >> Yeah. >> What is this stuff about the land around force view?
>> Oh, >> what do we what is that all about? I mean, I am. [laughter] So there's Do you want me want me to >> go ahead because it's over my head to be >> okay. So there's some assessments that were o over in that area. >> Okay. [clears throat] >> And I can't remember if it was because
of the Baxter Elementary School building, I think it was. >> And so um our local representative wanted some relief for some tax assessments in that area. Um so he was he he he was um asking for us
to work with uh some relief and assessments uh for those um um along with this bill that we were asking for kind of a work it together kind of deal >> kind of a quit proquo.
>> Yeah. >> I love exactly you exactly >> well we don't pay No they pay us. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> I'm still confused. I don't I don't understand. >> It's complicated. >> I mean, it's our land >> and
the neighbors pay us and we give them a discount. >> That's what they're trying to do. >> Okay. >> Right. >> Yep. And Representative Heidesman would like to know if we would forgive the I thought maybe we could do 50/50 and you
give us a deal, we'll give you a deal. >> That's right. Superintendent Grant laid did a nice job. >> Okay. With that. >> Yeah. I was just kind of confused because >> So they're they're going to give >> but a casino. >> It's not gonna h It's not going to happen because the bill,
>> right? But we are going to offer a reduction in property tax relief or something. It's an assessment. >> But it's an assessment, right? >> Okay. >> With the construction of the Baxter Elementary School. >> So >> Oh, a little >> Let's talk about it later.
>> Okay. [laughter] I was just confused because it was scores for you. >> No. Yeah, that's a good question. It's a good question. >> Okay. Thank you, John. >> All right. >> Thank you, director Ward. >> Yep. >> I apologize. Um, we do have number seven on our agenda that I skipped over the
two items that we moved off of the consus. >> Theusouous. So, I'm going to rewind [snorts] [cough and clears throat] um and go back to the EA and the serviceou. >> Okay. >> Okay. [clears throat]
Hello again. >> And it was just Jason u we've had a short conversation. I was just curious as to how many people had involved and uh >> Sure. >> Uh you know [clears throat and cough] >> you bet. Yeah. We're we're uh proposing for you tonight two uh for early
retirement incentive. Any funds um you know if any individuals would take the uh incentive that would come out of our OPED or other post-employment benefit funds. So it wouldn't come out of the general fund. Um, and we're using the same criteria that we did for the teachers at uh 25 years and age 58.
Gotcha. >> Uh, but it's a it's a $10,000 incentive versus 25,000 for the the teacher group. >> Um, with our cooks, we would have seven employees eligible out of 42. Okay. >> And for our educational assistance, uh,
and this is on like November's data, so could have changed a little bit, but um, 17 eligible out of 200. I have a question. It says that uh but what what are we doing this for? For starters, >> sure. >> I mean, I got the teacher thing, but
more I think about that, I'm still trying to get my arms quite around that. So, are we replacing these positions? >> Some are being replaced. I mean, there's some >> some or all or >> Well, to the extent we can um eliminate or reduce positions, we would always want to look at that. uh food service is
different because that's a separate fund. So it's not affecting you know the general fund. >> So then what's the purpose of this? >> Yeah I mean some of it's an opportunity for uh leadership to look at some possible new iterations new organizational setups and systems things
like that. Um but then if we do end up posting and filling positions and they they come in at a lower rate so some of that turnover differential. >> So we pay um retirement on these positions. It says theou is in
addition to the retirement provisions of the CBA. [cough and clears throat] >> Yep. So, whatever provisions are are currently in their >> So, if I was 58, but if I stayed till I was 62, then the district wouldn't pay retirement on me for four years. Correct. >> Correct.
>> So, when would when did they normally get to what's what's normal? 62, 65, 67. What's normal? >> I I would have to pull up that information. I don't have it memorized. Um I can get that to you though
what those provisions are. >> I kind of uh this deal confuses me just a little bit because if all we're going to do let's just say that it's 65 because we don't know. We're going to pay seven years more vacation. Let's throw an extra 10 grand on top of it.
Save the money today. Let's just say it's $5 an hour. I'll bet you in seven years we're spending more. The same seven years the person would have stayed and worked. I don't I'm not as excited about this as I was doing when the the first
time he pitched it to me. [laughter] I thought about it a little bit and I'm kind of like, you know, how does that work? It doesn't add to me. >> Well, you know, to some degree bringing in fresh minds helps performance. >> I would say that's probably right. And
um if there's an incentive to say, you know, if I left now, my life I don't need to work here anymore. I don't want to work here anymore. I'm just taking up a space. It's kind of a open the door. Thank you. >> Well, then why would we have to give them $10,000 if they don't want to be here anymore?
>> But comes out of OPEC anyway. It doesn't it doesn't do anything to our general. It's an incentive >> just like when we're going to do our op. So our old's going down though, right? >> Well, it's just like we we have an incentive for hiring for SOP positions.
It's an incentive. We would like to have two people come in who had that special lensure. >> Yep. I saw that. I'm on board with that. >> It's the same thing. You're in or you're out. We're looking for creativity. >> Well, I'm looking to save some money.
>> I don't see how this is saving us money. I'm having a tough time getting my arms around it. and you're not giving me any good information to make me feel good about it. So, don't blame me. Sorry, I asked a hard question. I mean, I realize the OPED deal. Um, Marcy told me that the OPED we we haven't been keeping up
on it. You know, today we saw it at what 9.75 or something like that. I think when we first put on the board it was like 13. So, our claims are kind of nipping away. Is that what that old is? >> Yeah. I mean another factor to consider right is um
>> just our overall age demographic of our workforce. These are individuals who are probably in the back nine of their career certainly >> like myself. >> Right. Right. So when you think about um how that hits our our books for um our
health insurance, I mean that is some potential opportunities to exit maybe higher cost claimants and replace with individuals who maybe not be higher as higher cost. I mean everyone's situation is different. >> Well, I don't mean to be a
I almost swore in my first meeting I I [laughter] Aren't they going to stay on our insurance? Oh, >> it depends on the group whether they stay on our insurance. >> Gotcha. >> And a lot of them are, you know, some number of them are Medicare eligible,
but they're still on our plan. >> Is there a deadline when they have to use the assets from the health reimbursement arrangement? >> There's not. >> Okay. because I know a school district I mean it's a plan that we have and and uh we determine whether or not the medical
expense they turn in is eligible to be turned in and covered but uh >> I mean my understanding that money is there for that employees life and then uh to their spouse >> until they use the 10 grand up >> y >> or they just save it they can take it out you can earn that taxree
>> do we there's no benefit there's no death benefit to a P3ment arrangement Correct. >> And the other point is because I I've been through it too many times the HSA there's only you have certain qualifications you can use it for.
>> It's just not cart blanch. >> Right. >> This is different. >> When you send when you send a claim, they're going to say yes or no >> when it goes. >> Well, it's no different than your health insurance. The deal is is if you take that money out, right? Let's just say you want to spend it on a new motorcycle. You'd have to pay tax on it.
>> You can't take that. You can't for for H sir the money >> H or HSA >> HSA you can take out >> you can take it out HSA for whatever you want you got to pay tax and penalty possibly but >> I did that for too many years that's why
I retired [laughter] >> what's it called retirement account >> health reimbursement arrangement >> health reimbursement >> yeah we determine whether or not that medical expense is a covered expense >> well it's determined under statute docs, but
>> under the plan, >> yep, the plan determines it. Y >> I make a motion we approve the for the uh food service and for the EA or support staff. >> Was there a third one?
>> Uh no, I think it's just the gentlemen the early incentive for educational assistance and food. >> Second. All right, we've got a motion from Director Breen and a second from Director Ward. Any further discussion?
Not. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Oppose the same. >> I. >> Okay. Motion carries. Thank you. >> All right. We'll get back to committee meeting updates. >> Did you want to talk about the SLPOU or is that somewhere else?
>> That was on the consent agenda. >> Oh, that didn't get forward. >> Good work. Thank you so much. [laughter] >> That's what I was going to use. Run, Jason. >> Jason, wait a minute. [laughter] >> All right, we'll move back to committee meeting updates and director Ward with Apac.
>> Okay, so I I also talked about this at our work session, but uh the report from the Apac meeting um just a couple things I'm going to highlight. um the members of the APAC committee uh felt disconnected, disappointed with with the response u by the board and the
administration to their non-concurrence um response to us. Uh they they wanted us to know that the response need to be come from the school board uh not the administration by state statute. And we talked a little bit about that that we've got to do a better job um kind of
uh collaborating with that to get to have that happen or whatever. Um, and the reason the response is uh so important uh to to the APAC is that they the data that they're asking for um is
uh data that helps them get um grants for different for different um attendance or uh discipline or whatever. So that data is important to that to uh to that group for um future funding of
of for different um issues or whatever. So that's that's about it. I mean it was a it's it's a there's good discussion. It was my first meeting so I'm on a huge learning curve. Uh Steph has been there in the past but uh I haven't. So um I'll
just leave it at that. If there's any questions I'd be glad to try and answer them. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. All right. Next up, we've got Brainer Public Schools Foundation, Director Edman. >> Okay, so they had 190 submitted
scholarship applicants. 15 were abandoned in the draft, though. Um, Crowing Power committed to 46 scholarships at $1,500 each. So, that is huge. The scholarship recognition night
is Wednesday, May 20th. It's doors open at 6:00. Program starts at 6:30. It's at the GZ Center. And if you they would like volunteers. So if anybody wants to help out volunteering that night, it's a
great night. And that was pretty much it today. >> Great. Thank you. All right. Safe and welcoming schools committee. Director. I unfortunately was not able to attend the last meeting, so I don't have an update on that. And the wellness task force
meets tomorrow. >> All right. Thank you. The business services report, Director Lord, sorry we caught you off guard. [clears throat] Slacking tonight. Uh so the financial
report in your packet the first one is for the month of February on track. Um there is a new little section director Dondelinger you asked for that last month that shows the building construction fund balance is about 2.1
million and then the post employment or oped trust funds at about 15.6 million. >> Why do we offer [laughter] I know I was looking at the wrong one. >> And then the second uh page on that one is the June. So we did just close out the year. So I'm doing the final June
financial report for last year. Um 2.02% under budget overall at the very bottom. And then I didn't say this during the financial statements, but I do have bound ones. If you prefer the paper over electronic, you just let me know.
>> You mean that 124? >> Yes, they do provide a couple copies. I did not print them. >> Ryan, >> they have three or five. >> And then also in your packet is the enrollment report. >> I'll have it.
>> We're down 133 from the beginning of the school year. Five-year average is 83. So we are still tracking high. It was only three though from last month. So that was a positive. Any questions?
Thank you. Thank you. >> All right. Superintendent report. >> Um so today our executive committee met and um Chip >> joined us and we had some pretty frank discussions about the district and
where we're going, what's going to happen and so forth. So there's a couple things I I don't want to end like this, but I'm just going to be blunt blunt with you guys. When you think back to Hazel's report, which is almost two months ago today, she predicts a $1,000 or $1,000 thousand
student reduction in about 3034. If you looked at carefully at the audit report from 21 to 25, we lost 500 kids. And I know it's a concern about some of the
board or all the board. So, we lost 500 in in five years. We lost 500 five years before and it seems like things aren't changing on the expenditure side and the revenue side. Well, the revenue side is going to be what it is, but it really
comes down to is that you guys have to have a reality check about what's going to happen. It was a very somber, very serious conversation we had today about what the next five years are going to look like. And um
I think there's a lot of denial about what's changing. I think there's a belief that um we're going to have a quick rebound or something's going to happen that's not going to cause us to lose another 500
students or maybe more. And I think um the implications of it are much more deeper than what's been discussed. Um, programming is going to change. You're going to have to change the amount of school buildings in this
district. You may not close them. You may shutter them, but you might need the square footage and maybe there'll be some creative way of using an empty building. The reality is is that as our population
shrinks, we can't do everything we're doing today. In fact, Chip said something today we all agreed upon. Today is probably the highest enrollment you're going to see for the next 10 years. That's a reality. And what that can mean is that
what are we still going to deliver to kids that is quality and education and who's going to do the delivering? Um, there are state mandates you're going to have to still follow. And your question is going to be who's going to who's going to serve the plate?
Who's the director? Who's the teacher? Who's the person? Whatever it is, the expert that's going to deliver the programming that the state still says we have to do as we make reductions. And my concern is that we're going to start eliminating some U directors or
administrators, whatever. That has to happen. is part of the deal. But the question is whose plate's going to take that on? Who's going to take on literacy? Who's going to take on testing? Who's going to take on STEM?
Who's going to take on whatever. Um, as as the watering hole shrinks, everybody starts to look at each other a little bit differently. And it's I'm just going to tell you that it is not going to be comfortable for the next five years. as you struggle to
try and figure out how are we going to keep our head above water. Number one. Number two, how are our students going to be delivered an excellent education while we diminish what we can deliver? Because the constraints are going to
force some things to happen. And a big big picture and for some of you out there you'll know this. Where did Montgomery WS go? >> Closed. >> Where did Sears go? closed. >> Where's J C Penney? >> Closed.
>> What happened to them? They couldn't stay with the competition. They didn't have a plan on how to fight the competition. And they ended up shrinking to a point where I don't know, maybe there's five J C Penney stores left in the state of Minnesota. There could be. >> There's 40 Sears left in the United
States. >> And my point is that they didn't they didn't anticipate. They didn't react. They didn't plan. I'm going to tell you right now, I think we are in disbelief
about what's coming. We're not thinking about what should we do. Fiveyear plan for budgeting is probably a great idea, Andy. >> Yep. >> More importantly, though, is what are you going to do differently with 500 less kids 5 years from today?
What do you want those remaining students? 4,300, I don't know. What do you want them to experience that has been a great opportunity prior to those thousand kids leaving or whatever it is?
And I want to give you a heads up. The most difficult decisions have not been today, have not been about this budget. It's not going to be about next year's budget. Your job is going to become increasingly desperate of figuring out an answer. And
if you fingerpoint, you're going to lose. If you let politics run it, you're going to lose. If you don't think about how do we stretch the dollar farther than we have, you're going to lose. And I want I am so passionate about
public education, but I'm worried to death where it's going. And the entire state is going through this. It isn't a brainer deal. I told the uh committee this morning going into the end of this year, Minneapolis thought they were going to
be 35 million deficit. They came out and said, "We're 50 million. What are they going to do with a $50 million deficit?" And they've lost 30,000 students.
So, I implore you to become more creative. find out what's really the base of what you have to do. Chip is going to need an awful lot of support because he might end up being the bad guy sometimes down
the road. The administrators sitting back there and the principles, they're going to need a lot of support because they're going to have to make some really tough decisions about what stays and what goes. the classroom teacher is going to have to make some really tough decisions about who's supporting me.
What can I deliver that I can't deliver anymore and what's it going to mean? And in the end, some things are have to go away that is good for kids because you can't afford it or you can't support it or you don't
have the expertise to carry it through. And I just want you to be aware of the fact that as we got the audit, the numbers don't look that bad. That is last year. That's not now. That's last
year. The audit next year and the next five are going to be a wakeup call. And um I've said it more than once. St. Paul's not the answer. They are not the answer. If they were
the answer, Minneapolis would not be $50 million in the hole. So, you're going to have to really start being creative and have open discussions and also be able to say we just can't do this anymore. Whatever program might be
or the offer is, you know, athletics and music are going to be impacted tremendously and kids love that part. Can you offer everything you're doing today with 500 to a,000 less kids, $17
million, possibly less in your revenues? If everything stayed the same, they didn't change the formula. You're going to lose 17 million. >> Just remember, Peter, what you said? >> Just remember what you said. And if anybody wants to talk about it, I'll
tell you why Sears isn't around anymore. Because they didn't change. >> Yeah. >> And they're too topheavy. And you got to sit there and wait and have somebody grump at you. And then when you got the bag, you had to go take it back. Remember, they were back in the wards and you go stand at the counter for somebody to bark at you and try to
return it. Like that business model went away. Yep. >> Kmart came in, put it right on the shelf. You could have instant gratification. Walmart came in, took out Kmart. Like it's this is what you I think you're right on the money on this deal. >> The competition is for our students. But look what's happened in the last three
years. Three new elementary schools. That should tell you everything. They're all private. >> Where are they? I mean, we got the one. >> We got three. When Hazel gave a report, we lost 300 elementary kids to these private schools.
>> But St. Franny and Lake Reese has been here forever. >> Yeah. But there's three new ones. >> You got three. These are three brand new ones. >> Three brand new ones. >> Yeah. The star they renamed themselves Oak. >> Yeah. >> Something. >> You may think that they're not doing much damage. All you have to take away is 15 kids. >> I've been talking about it
>> because that's a 13-year ripple. So, I'm I I want you to know the challenge is going to be tremendous, but it's also a great opportunity to do something that you've never done before, and that is >> start changing the future. Don't wait for it. >> Start changing it. So,
>> and Grant, you're like DJ said, you're right on. Um the not besides the three new elementarymentaries, um St. Francis is talking about putting a high school, high school there. Um, Pillager on online, if you look at if if you're if
you're a um friend on Facebook with Pillager, they have a marketing thing right now going on with their kindergarten and first and second grade saying, "Are you are you looking for a school? Come on and try try us." So, it's not just private. It's there's a lot of competition amongst the public
system as well. >> They have the same rules as we do from St. Paul getting, you know, and they're getting the same they're getting clipped the same as we are. >> Yep. Yeah, we just got to be creative. We got to figure it out. We can do it. >> Sorry to end it that way, but after a meeting this after a meeting this
morning, I thought it was really important to share that. >> We had some really frank discussions and it's not >> it's not comfortable and and it's >> prickly in the back of your hair, you know. >> Yeah. >> Thing is, we're all a team and we have to act like a team and
>> um we'll uh we'll figure stuff out. >> You're going to have to Yeah. and uh >> and the other football. >> But we got to remember what we're all about though, and that's educating kids.
>> That's our number one goal. >> Thank you, Peter. >> All right. Um there's a list of future meetings there. I'd add to that list. The um Anastasia the Musical is going on this weekend. If you're in town, want to
hit it up. The kids have been working hard on it. All right. And we'll look for a motion to adjurnn. >> I'll make it. >> Second. >> Any discussion? If not, all those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Same. >> Did that personel.
Thank you.