continue to approve the agenda. Second. Any questions or discussion on the agenda? All those in favor of approving the agenda say I. I. Any opposed? Motion carries. All right. 5.0 is communication and reports. We'll
start with um you you have the numbers. um that NY's put together. Um for the most part, uh it it's flat. Um looking um I'm just going to highlight a few things, not go through every um one area that is a
little surprising and I haven't had time to investigate. If we look at first grade, which would be last year's kindergarten, we ended the year at 171, but if you take 18 of those were superk, so it's 153. So this year's first grade
is 141. that that's about a 12, you know, where' they go type deal. And I don't have an answer for the group yet. Um the group coming in is, you know, kindergarten is always a guess obviously yet, you know, it might be a little lower than what we were hoping. You know, we we estimated I think right
around 150. That being said, we're pretty much flat with where we um were at the beginning of last year. And then the question that comes up and again we've talked about this last year is the you know the slide over the year of you know it's not the same every year but
for the most part. So again other than that there's some grades that are up you know like I say I'm just throwing it out there. Fourth grade's up one, fifth grade's up five from you know where they would have been the pre previous year. Um second grade coming from first grade is up four. you know, so several of them
are up, but that loss there in in first kind of eats things up, you know. So, anyway, it's it's it's not bad. Obviously, we'll watch um as time goes on. You know, you lost a smaller group, so we were predicting to be up a little
more than where we're at, but um no red flags unless someone has, you know, some questions. Um, like I said, we were just, um, hoping for, you know, again, 10 kids is significant money, you know, when you throw it. So, um, little surprised, but, uh, let things work out,
um, and and see where we are as we go on. But, right, administration and department head reports. All righty. Um, I'm going to start with um not that it's not all joy and fun, but um on behalf of uh students, families,
staff, um it is schoolboard appreciation month. And so hopefully you've seen each Monday, the last two, we've had a little post um thanking all of you for your service. Um again, it is um a lot of times not a um people don't come when
they're always happy type deal. So, um I thank you on behalf of our families, students, staff for the time you put in and um the caring and dedication for our students. So, we have printed um their certificates again from all of you. Um and I'm just going to read it. Says on
behalf of the Minnesota School Boards Association and in honor of Minnesota School Board Recognition Month, thank you for your service to Minnesota Public Schools and being a guiding light for student success. So, um on behalf, thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Thank you. Yep. Thank you. And if I spelled anything wrong, I'd be more than happy to redo it and fix it. Um just a little update. Um, and I don't know if any of the principles will um,
hit on it. Um, just a little Nexus update. They were here and collected um, a wealth of information from staff on that opening day. They've also um, I sat in on parts of two of them today doing some kind of circle backs with admin showing some thoughts of some stuff that
um, has come out in the I'm just say preliminary phases. So things are moving um and they'll keep refining and like I say keep keep the process moving um and and we'll see where it goes. But just wanted to give you a heads up things are continuing to move. Um I left an ED
foundation sheet that um someone asked me to leave for you. Do what you would like with that. If you so um advised or or so um want to do something with it, fine. If not um do whatever. Uh Avid, just giving you a heads up. We're going to have um a couple come and report in
next next month. Um, you know, the elective is just a weekend or whatever, but just give me a heads up that'll be here. Um, some of you talked about or or um talked about teacher negotiation is four four o'clock on Wednesday. Um, Mark Mark and I will meet tomorrow afternoon to work on some numbers stuff um and see
where hopefully we'll be ready. Um, giving you a heads up on Friday, um, I'm going to do a Pulk County um, collaborative meeting in the morning, have something back here, but then I'm going to take the afternoon off. So, unless something jumps, don't expect um an update or something. If something
does, I'll I'll send it out earlier. And I think that's all I have other than I'm going to ask one more um policy committee. I'm still waiting on and Holl's replied, it's been quite a while, but I just want to get things going
again, moving if if we can set a date. And other than that, that's all I have unless someone has questions. Again, I gave you a little update. Overall, a good start. the principles will talk more. Um, but like I said, a few challenges the first couple days, but things are running running well.
Great. Principal's updates. We'll start with I was going to start with preschool, but you can Okay. What if you're ready? We have full preschool classes and every day is getting a little bit easier as the little ones learn the routines and
we get everything um running a little more smoothly. So, that's good. Um, with regards to community ed, I've been doing a lots of lots of learning this past month. I've had chances to visit with um different people that support that program and um, for example, driver's
education. I've been learning about that and how that is working. Um, I've been visiting with um an individual from the UND nursing department and talking about how we can collaborate with the nursing students um to provide some hearing and
vision for our preschool kids and maybe the other elementary um kids as well. Um and then our Afterwave program is huge. We've got 60 plus kids that um go to Afterwave every day. A few of them are part-time, but a lot of them are um are
there every day. So, and we are fully staffed with that. So, that's great. Um, so lots of good things happening and and lots of learning that I'm continuing to do every day. So, do you have any questions about preschool or community ed? No.
Thank you. Okay. Well, we made it week one, so that's a win. Um, I shared with you the goals. So, I'm just going to kind of start off going over um New Heights schools. So, we had stated that we said all students
at New Heights will show measurable growth on the FastBridge reading assessment, aiming for a 3% overall increase in schoolwide results by the end of the school year. Instruction and support will be adapted to meet diverse learning needs so that every student has an equitable opportunity to succeed. So
there will actually be two things that we look at at the end of the year that did we make that growth for all students because we think that's important whether that's a slight growth or a large growth but we want all students moving in that positive direction and then that 3% comes in to help support on
the backside you'll see the overall school district goal that we really want to have that increase of 9% over the three years. So 3% each year and know that we don't do the MCAs, but we will utilize our FastBridge from fall to
spring to get that data. So, and then our action plan has really catered to some of the holes they felt they saw within those fastbridge assessments. And so we really honed in to see if making these adjustments within focusing on site words, um, segmenting and the
vocabulary. It's not that we aren't working on that, but FastBridge definitely has their terminology that they use compared to our curriculum. And so we wanted to make sure that we're equipping our students to have what they need, what they're being assessed on. So that's where that action plan is built
around. Do you have any questions in regards to that? No. No. Okay. Um, next, uh, we got notified today that we got an award for the statewide health improvement partnership, which is the SHIP, school
partner awards. And so this was done prior to me coming, but I'm thankful um that we received that. So by doing the Minnesota survey, we were able to get $1,600 that we can use towards um the initiative is that to foster lifelong healthy habits, improve community
well-being, and ensure that every child has the opportunity to travel safely and actively to school. So that white walking and biking. So we're busy looking at what we can order to support that. So that was exciting. Um a special thanks to Miss Stoki and
Miss Holst for teaching our students bus safety, crosswalk safety, and they will be reading the little spot of safety books with the classes the next two days. So getting that taken taken out of the way. Um and then we'll have our first spot assembly on Thursday at 8:20.
And then lastly, we had a good turnout at the East Grand Fork showcase. So, it was fun to see the kids come. Thanks to Melody for helping to set up. We were able to share with families what the spots mean. Um, and kids could enter drawing for a free t-shirt. So, those just came in. So, I'll get to call those two students down this week and give
them their t-shirt. So, that was fun. Little spots do everything. They do. Every emotion matters and safety. Yeah. Any questions? No. Thank you. Thank you.
Good evening. All right. Yes, as Sierra said, we are in full swing as well. I was commenting to a few teachers and it almost felt like we're in October already instead of day two or day three of last week. Everyone was just comfortable and ready
to be back at school. It seemed like um we are excited. Our science kits have arrived K through five and so those have been distributed um through those grade levels at South Point. We'll be expecting about 300 redorms this week. So made sure I let uh Deian and Robera
know they are we we do want those here. Um we like as Sierra said, we did uh participate in that EGF showcase which was just really an awesome time to showcase those spots and really have that um family engagement and community engagement for our elementarymentaries.
Uh intervention rotations, we started it on day three last week and with that on day three and four, we utilized responsive classroom as students were going to new classrooms and learning those new teachers, not just their home room teacher. So, we utilized that
responsive classroom on those two days so they could learn their new routine, understand that they're probably going to be in that class for about nine weeks. Um, so they build that community and that trust in that room as well. And so today is when they actually started
the actual testing. Um, so it just beautiful like I was down there as they started rotating and they just did a really nice job with it. So hats off to both our students and staff for that. um utilizing our early out Wednesdays. Just really again want to say thank you
for those Wednesdays because we appreciate that time. Um last Wednesday and we'll continue that um through the Wednesdays in September. My staff is just receiving training on items to implement our interventions effectively and really having that opportunity to
dive into FastBridge and and understand how to utilize that. we have a lot of new staff and even veteran staff just having that opportunity um as we go forward and then implement PLC's throughout the rest of the year. And so we're trying to go slow to go fast. And
so again, thank you for that. Our South Point reading goal, and I will share that with you as well, um is by spring 2026, South Point will raise the percentage of students reading from the fall fast bridge a reading data at grade level by 3% and reduce those in high
risk category by 3% through highfidelity use of OG and FastBridge for grades three and morphology and fastbridge in grades four and five. Uh, as I said, school is in full swing, but we are very short on paras. So, if
you know of anyone who is interested, uh, we certainly could use some paras at South Point. We are in desperate need right now. Mr. Adolfson and myself even today was switching on and off to cover students um, to meet those needs. And
so, uh, if you know of anyone who's interested, please um, share our information through the district as well. um buses. I spoke to Cody yesterday and he shared with us that hopefully by I said yesterday, Sunday,
so maybe it was today. I I'm coming or going. That's See, I told you it feels like we're just already in it. Um just shared that we should have those assigned seats hopefully by the end of the week. Um there's just, you know, want to say thank you to all of our bus
um busing staff and to Cody. I know there was a few hiccups at the beginning of the start of the school, but um just really appreciate all their efforts and getting our students um to and from home safe. And so having those assigned seats is a way that we can support those bus
drivers and just making sure that both students and their families understand that the behavior on the bus does mean something and that it's a it's not a privilege to ride that bus. It's not a right. It is a privilege, I should say. Excuse me. but that we just want to keep
everyone safe to and from home. And so, um, we've already had a couple of incidents, I should say. And so, we are we are going to be addressing those right away. Um, because we do want to support those bus drivers with that. Um, again, our library is in full swing. So, if you haven't had a chance, I encourage
you to stop over at South Point. Um, we've given it a little refresh with paint and um, new uh, furniture. And so it was just awesome to walk through the library and see the students engaged with books and like just lounging on the
new furniture and um they just they just look like they just love it. And so it's it's been it's been very cool. And so just wanted to say again thank you to that custodial staff from the summer Darra Omang and then even my husband Aaron Croach because he did a lot of work out there. And so just thank you to
those individuals. Um, some reminders as we have started school again is the Hawk on Bigland. That's always a tenuous area. Um, should I go or should I not go? Please, please, both students and um
families, just abide by what the signs say is, abide by what the the the signs are telling you to do. I know it seems like it takes a long time. And so that's I think where that frustration comes in when it doesn't reset right away when students want to cross and um vehicles
want to keep um moving on. But it's just important and very critical for the safety of our students that they just abide by those um by those signs. Uh also I want to just let families know that they must use the the lane that's
created. I think we've got an excellent drop off and pickup area at South Point with our lane, but that they cannot pick up students in our parking lot. We do not want students walking to a car to get into it. They must use the pickup and drop off lane. Again, that's just
for the safety of our students. as Sierra had shared, um we were also awarded that ships award and so we will be looking at ways that we can utilize that 1,600 um for it. Um probably looking at maybe some more additional bike racks out at South Point. We've got
a lot of students who like to bike to school, so that's exciting that we have that opportunity. We will be having our first spot assembly tomorrow morning. So excited to get the whole school together for that. Um and then also just a shout out for our PTO. We will be having our
first PTO meeting for the two elementaryaries. All meetings will be at South Point this year and our first meeting will be on Thursday, September 18th at 5:30. Any questions? Melissa, before you go, I just want to
um because I I kind of forgot uh um the East uh the East Grand Showcase. Um I would thank the staff and I'm going to miss someone. That's why I don't want you to leave. It was Jasmine. Is that correct? Yes. Jasmine, Melissa, Melody, Carl, Sierra, Laura, um, all taking time and
it's amazing to see the kids, you know, see people outside, kids and parents outside. They think we all live at school, so to see us outside the walls, you know. So, did I miss anyone? I think that was everyone that was there. Thank you. Because it does make a difference. The other thing I was going to just hit on, um, thank you. We have
some of the bus drivers here, but something that again, you know, it comes up with I just kind of assumed, you know, the drivers would would assign seats, you know, and so Cody and I were talking today about, you know, you need to have some input on how you want, you know, because there's different ways to
do it. You know, obviously you can change them as they get going, but um it just something I hadn't thought about because again, we you know, agreed and that's going to happen, but I went teachers take care of their own se, you know, so he is going to work. I said, "I'd go help put signs up or whatever,
but what's the rhyme or reason?" And again, you know, um, you know, we thought about by stop, but then you have complete seats open and kids are going to or or do you put, you know, one, you know, say four get off in four different I'm just throwing it out there that he's working on some stuff and we're going to print and put, you know, names. But
share your ideas cuz like I say and the true reason and I know there's a lot of bus drivers back behind me here is that um we just feel like those students, those kiddos get on the bus and they feel like they own it and they go wherever they want and they don't abide by those rules. And you know, as a
parent, I would definitely pull that vehicle over if my child was jumping over the seat or vandalizing the seats. And so I I just feel like this is one way that we can try to help keep tabs and support our bus drivers by by doing those by having those um assigned seats.
Any other questions or comments? Questions? Thank you. All right. Thank you. All right, middle school. Um, what you're getting past right now is our goals um for the year. They they read a
little bit differently um than what the elementarymentaries were, but I can give a little explanation on that, too. So, there's a school culture goal and the our culture committee um came up with this last spring. Um by year's end, an
average of 60% or more of students will earn students of excellence or good standing each quarter. Staff will review data and adjust supports to help all students meet expectations. Um if you're not familiar with the students of excellence or good standing, um it's believe I believe it started a couple
years ago with Mrs. Walter just to try to give that extra little push for students if they're kind of on that that fence of a well maybe a B is okay but if I worked a little harder I get an A. It just gives some of that positive recognition for things. And so it is our goal to have those supports there to um
I guess give that little push to make sure that we're still trying hard to the end of the quarter. Um our math goal and our reading goals read pretty similarly. Um, by winter, 70% of students will score an SGP of 35 or more on STAR math,
showing growth from fall. Students making progress will continue and those who aren't will be monitored and supported. Um, the I'm going to break it down a little bit by we're right now we're actually in the midst of STAR testing. Some of the classes have already started our STAR testing um which is similar to the fast bridge in
the elementaryaries. the secondaries do star. And so we are looking at the fall to the winter so that we can try to catch students earlier. Um rather than waiting till the end to see if we we met the goal, it's to try to catch them in
winter so that we can help the students that maybe need a little extra help or um appreciate the students who are doing what they're supposed to be doing. And so that we do want 70% of those students will score. And that SGP is the student
growth percentile. That is something STAR actually tells us is like adequate growth if they hit that 35 um or more, meaning that they're in that top twothirds of students in their growth. And that's what we do want to see for the majority of our students. And then
again, that reading shows very similar wording for that. It sounds like I was getting a little context that the math and English departments actually when they started developing these goals last spring got together to try to do that purposefully so that they did kind of
match each other so that we are still um with that culture goal growing our character and then that math and reading growing our academics. Um are there any questions on the goals for the year? Okay. Um, one other thing that I had
too, just um, that $1,600 is going to be helpful. I already talked with Mrs. Beck, our school counselor, and Mrs. Hatcher, briefly, our social worker, about how we might utilize this at the middle school. Um, or it can include new bike racks, new helmets, stickers, like
reflective stickers for helmets, anything like that. Um, and so that was some exciting news to receive as well to have that. Um, the last thing that just to touch on is our our enrollment. Uh, I know Mr. Grover gave a little bit. More
specifically, looking at the middle school, we have 462 students enrolled in the middle school this year. Um, some of our classes, especially our eighth grade that has 167 students. Um, I they're a
little tight and so we are looking at high 20s. We tried to cap at 30. I think there are a couple of classes that we went over that cap to 31 just due to some scheduling things, but that eighth grade class is big. So, Mr. Lure can work with that for next year. Um, but it
sounds like we might be getting a is it the fifth grade class this year that's bigger as well. Yeah. So, we'll get that sixth grade. So, we'll we'll just have to shift a little bit as um we'll keep those big numbers going. Um, but it's been it's been great. I've been I've
been learning a lot. I have been in some classrooms. Um when I walk the halls during class, students are in class. When I walk in the classroom, they are working. It is really fun to see. It's really cool to see. Um we really haven't had too many issues. And even though
I've only been with students for this was day five now, it does kind of feel like it's been months already. Um so I've felt very welcome by the staff and the students who have introduced me by their nicknames. A lot of times I got to meet Baconator. Um mine.
It is yours. Um but it's it's been a lot of fun. Um right now, well, I mean, it's past that. The seventh grade football team was winning 12-0 when I just left the game. So, it's it's been a good start to the school year at the middle school. Any
other questions? How are you? Thank you. I'll be quick so we can uh I'll get to the Vikings game and see when or if they're going to disappoint us this year. So figure out what that go how that goes, right? It's every year. Um so
um lots of things going on at the high school obviously. Um as Mr. Grover showed and pointed out to you guys, uh 646 students right now at the high school. So, we'll gladly take your one, however many you got, 175, whatever. Um,
we'll be fine. Um, there 20 28 new students this year. 14 have left. Um, of the 28, we got nine new freshman, six 10th graders, seven 11th graders, and 12 or six 12th graders. Um, so that's good. U, but we are tight. That's a good thing and a bad thing, I guess you should say.
Um, we do have a few classes in the 30s, 31, 32. try to avoid that, but it's it's inevitable when you have that many. Um, on a positive note, um, if you listen or watched the Potato Bowl, um, the band was out there and had three days
basically to prepare and were was I mean, I'm biased, but they were the best band out there. Mine maybe minus the UND band, you never know. But um there are uh 72 band members in grades 10 through 12 and 82 choir members in grades 10 through 12 plus 33 9th graders and 28
nth graders for the band and choir. So that program is growing um immensely and that's a good thing. So um as far as our our building goals uh we have two building goals. One of the building goals is regarding family engagement. Um, all of our teachers are going to
create the uh and display ELOs's and course schedules and common assessments on the website and on their class sites by the by the by the end of the year, but hopefully we said by the end of the quarter. So, we'll have those. Um, our other goal is regarding the STAR test, which we're going to be giving up giving
this this Thursday during advisers and flex. um changeable, but basically it's saying uh we're going to increase the the number of students in uh the high school that that meet or exceed the state benchmark on the star test by 8%. So we don't know what those numbers are,
but based on last year's scores, we think we can increase them by 8%. Um so but again, that's happening Thursday and then uh the 25th as well as the math. So we also got the 1600 that Sierra was talking about. I think uh um other
schools got that for doing the Minnesota student survey. Haven't figured out what we're going to do with that. Um but we'll figure out something. Um had every um activity have a home match except for cross country yet, but volleyball has had numerous. Football's had one, tennis
has had one, soccer's had a few. So, lots of things going on. Um, we do have graduation set a venue at least set for the 22nd uh on of May and that is at the Chester Fritz. So, we got a nice facility there. That place will seat
2,300 people. Should be more than plenty for our facility and needs. Um, the only thing we have to bring over is our actual band instruments. Otherwise, they'll set up everything else for the risers and the and the sta on the stage and all the things and so they'll be set. So, um, it's going to cost 3,200
bucks. So, I'll take donations here after the after. So, but when you think about it, the manpower and the and the uh the the stuff that we do for the week of graduation, it isn't it's probably comes out as a wash or maybe here there few dollars. So, um other than that,
we're ready. So, so they all reference the the ship ship grant. Okay. And and so there are when they say figure out they gave a list of stuff that can buy. So like bike rack is an option, helmets are an option. So I mean it's we don't have a whole lot of choice. I mean each building might be
different but there's certain things that it's uh the um safe routes to school um group or whatever um is highlighting obviously biking and that is where where that stuff has to go towards. So um we'll get it ordered. Has to be ordered
by Friday. I hope everyone caught that. Um get that going. The other thing which was a good problem is we had to purchase was it 20 chairs for the band and choir room because we were short. They need about 10 but to have a few extra. So um we did spend a little money we didn't
plan on but that's a good thing. Yeah. All right. Are we Sera? Do you have anything tonight? You don't have to. She said she was going to be gone. Well, I agree with everybody. It's been
a great start. Um, we are right now um at 112 paras that we're working with right now. Um, we are down a little bit from last year. Um, and I know there are some big needs still that we're figuring out. We're in the middle of our time
study right now with um all our students who have um personal care attendance. It's a 10-day study that we're doing across the district with all the pair professionals for the MA building. Um
we are at 3,200 30 3,000 no 300,000 300,000 right around there. 20,000. Yep. So we're right around there with what we've brought in. So far with the billing, um we also have met with the special ed team and visited with them
also about um what these dollars maybe mean for us and we have a survey out um with them gathering input on what are some things they need that we could use these dollars towards and for. So we'll keep you updated on where we go with that.
But that's pretty exciting to think that we have some additional dollars to help serve our kids. And um with the way funding is and how things look, we want to stay on top of that right now. So So that's our big news right now. It's been a really good start and um I think we're
going to have a great year. So awesome. Thank you. Thank you. All right. 5.3 committee reports. Did we have anything further? I don't. Okay. Uh 6.0 is the consent agenda. I'll move to approve. I'll second. Any questions or discussion on the
consent agenda? Okay. All those in favor of approving the consent agenda say I. I. Any opposed? Motion carries. 7.0 is opportunity for citizens to speak on items not. Did you have anybody?
Okay. I didn't either. Moving on to 8.0. District business. 8.1 is to certify the preliminary 2025 payable 2026 levy at the maximum amount. I'll move to approve. Second.
Any questions or discussion on this item? And just so everyone's aware, we we do this typically come December. If you wanted to lower the board could, but it's just a typical practice. So, um it's in now and Yep.
out in the universe. Okay. Um, all those in favor of approving the 2020 2026 levy at the maximum amount say I. I. Any opposed? Motion carries. 9.0 is payment of claims and accounts. I'll
make I'll make the motion to approve the payment of the K12 bills 129954 through13 064 in the electronic fund transfers in the amount of $917,272.12 second
any questions or discussion on those items and I'm just going to point out if you look through you'll see some transfers towards the end that which hasn't been done in the pass, but that's something the auditors wanted publicly out there. And so again, I approve when Carla transfers and stuff and I get notified
every time there is a transfer, but they wanted it. So you will start to see that stuff. And of course, it goes back a little more. Carla's gone. She'll do her update here at the next meeting. Um, but that's something that you haven't seen, but you will see it from now on. So,
okay, we got We didn't vote on that, did we? Okay. Um, all those in favor of paying the claims and accounts say I. I. Any opposed? Motion carries. 10.0. Board member comments. Josh, I'll start with you. Um, just thank you to everybody. Got through kind of a ups and downs of the
first week and it'll get just get easier now. Lindsay. Um, no. Nothing else. Um, I just I don't know. Busing has always been an issue and the behaviors have always been an issue. So parents, talk to your kids. Make sure that they
can stay on the bus so that they can get to school so you don't have to bring them. That's what I have to say. Okay. I had a few on busing too as well. And thank you for the drivers who are here supporting tonight. We support you.
Um, were there hiccups? Yes. Was there a particular big hiccup? Yes. Is it only going to get better like Josh said? Yes. Um, have a little grace. It was the first week of school. Um, not taking away from any anything how anybody felt because it's valid, too. But, um,
I want to support the drivers because that that can be a big job with all the behaviors that we're talking about. And, uh, another thing I want to address, well, one, the hawk system. So, thank you for bringing that up. Um, stop when
it's red. And two, like when the stop arm goes out on the bus, stop. We had an unusually high amount of incidences last year. I don't want to see that again this year. That was just abhorrent. So, do not go around a bus. Um, the
consequences could be deadly and that is not a joke. So, um, thank you to all of our group here and everyone else who is listening in. It's the start of the school year and it does feel like it's been years and I just
sent my kid for four days. So there you go. Um, next board of education meeting is September 22nd, 2025 at 5:30. I'm assuming we'll need to have one. Maybe. We'll see. Um, I'll take a motion to adjurnn.
I'll make a motion to adjurnn. Second. Any questions or discussion on adjourning? Right. All those in favor of adjourning say I. I. A boat.