Good evening and welcome. At this time, I call to order the business meeting for the Fable Public Schools School Board here on September 22nd, 2025. Uh, Director Steves, do we have a quorum present? Yes, Mr. Chair, there is. Thank you. Would everyone please stand
for the pledge of allegiance? I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Thank you. And again, welcome to everyone who is here with us at district office and those of you who are watching online. At this time, agenda item number two is approval of the agenda. Is there a motion for approval of the agenda?
So moved. Thank you, Director Steves. Is there a second? Second. Thank you, Director Budro. Any discussion? Discussion. Discussion. All in favor of that motion signify by saying I. I. Opposed. Motion passes. Agenda item
number three, recognitions, awards, and presentations. Uh, Fairbull School Board. Uh, Mr. Benty, I believe. Yes. Supposed to turn that over to you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, so September is Minnesota schoolboard recognition month, a time to honor the dedicated
individuals who serve as the guiding light for our student success in our public schools. Our Farbo Public School Board members give countless hours to make sure every student has access to high quality learning and extracurricular opportunities that
prepare them for a bright future. They oversee a budget of roughly $60 million and support over 3,100 students, lead approximately 600 plus employees, and steward six buildings. But their work goes far beyond numbers and policies.
They set the vision, shape priorities, and make important decisions that directly impact our classrooms, our families, and our community. Being a schoolboard member isn't always easy. They face tough decisions, balance competing needs, and carefully consider
complex information. Through their collaboration with each other and with our staff, they help guide our district, advocate for our students, and build the foundation for a strong future. They are a steady hand during times of change and a voice for the community, helping
create the conditions where every student can thrive. This September, I encourage everyone to take a moment to thank a school board member for their service. Their commitment is essential to strong schools, vibrant communities, and the heart of our democracy, public
education. We are proud to recognize the members of the Farewell Public School Board and thank them for all they do to make Fairwell Public Schools a place where students succeed. Thank you very much. Thank you, Mr. Benty, for that recognition.
Agenda item number four, uh, items of information, uh, schoolboard representatives. I believe first we have our one of our student reps, Miss Amamira Williams. Uh, this year has been off to a great start. Students at the high school have
seemed to really enjoy our new pass system. Uh they like the easy access on infinite campus over having to go to Safari and then to e-haul Pass. Bathrooms feel way safer and private this year. Not a cool hangout spot. Homecoming court was announced last
Tuesday and homecoming week kicks off this Saturday with the glow dance. Student council has hopes of a whole lot more participation this year with new additions like the battle of the classes and more inclusive dressup days. Thank you, Meera. Next, we have Issa
Ali. And then now that we have heard some of the good that is going on at the high school, I would like to address some of the bad. We have run into some scheduling issues at the high school for PSL students that's majorly affecting the seniors and juniors that are
participating. We have found that some of like I me personally as a PSO student going at the college I have had to take about three weeks trying to figure out my schedule. Leaving in the middle of class is not very ideal for me or for the students that are participating in
PSO or the class. It becomes a disruption and that is what I would like to see maybe changed. Thank you both very much. Uh, school board members, of information, schoolboard members,
uh, director Steves, uh, Rotary Readers kicked off last week at Jefferson and the local Rotary chapter is looking for, um, maybe two or three more volunteers to bring that program to Lincoln. Um, so last year was
my first year as a Rotary reader. Um so Rotarians um pass the Rotary standard background check check along with the Fairwell public schools background check. Um and then we just go in and
read for um between 30 and an hour um at the with the various students. Um so last year um again was my first year um and it was super super rewarding. Um oftentimes it was the last hour of my
week. Um, and that says a lot because I had a first grader. Um, but it was more um for me the students that um didn't need the interventions um and were just looking for another adult to show off their reading skills too. Um so I would
encourage any of our board members um that have half hour um to an hour to give a week um to participate. Thank you, Director Stevens. I'm sure the students enjoy that time as well. Uh, Director Moore.
Uh, yes. Thank you. I've just got a couple of items here. Um, I've from the public. Uh, they've been experiencing problems with the, um, Farbo public school mission statement survey. Uh, initially, um, citizens were having
problems with the QR code. Um, I think this is I haven't heard back, but I'm assuming this is uh has been fixed. I want to thank Mr. Benty for rectifying this situation. I think it uh it pro there's another one coming out on
Saturday, I do believe. Um there was also I've heard from uh that many residents do not have access to the Farbo Daily News. Uh, and this puts an unfair burden on those who don't have access or who are unfamiliar with QR
codes. Many times older people, me included, aren't I've just learned recently how to do it. Uh, so I guess what I'm suggesting and uh urging is that there must be more avenues of access to the public um for the
residents that may, you know, that do not get the Fable Daily News because uh I've heard many of them do not. So, uh, I don't know if we can rectify that situation. I I with the QR code, it has been rectified, but I think we need to put that information out to more sources
so that, uh, the public can have more access to that. Um, the secondly, uh, one of the things especially with when we every week we have to or every
month we have have to hire people. Uh I think we have what 300 teachers now, 300 admin staff. Um and one of the things that uh I'm concerned about is our MCA scores have come out uh as a district in
every building except for the ALC. The re we have gone down in reading, math or science. Uh science is not even measured in some instances. Now, um I did notice something positive though that as a district 89% of our students feel the
school and teachers care about their students. Uh I really think we're doing great as far as social emotional aspects. Um I know that we have many grants in the last five or six years and I'm not sure. I think it's probably 11
million now. I'm not sure how many grants we have any afterchool programs, summer programs and I could keep going on and on. And I I'm not saying this against the teachers, but I'm saying this with the programs. Has any of this
significantly increased our achievement levels as far as the MCAs? So, districtwide, we have 280 students that failed reading and 153 that failed math. Uh, I think this is not only our
problem, but it's in Minnesota as well. The last I heard, I think it was between 82 and 85% of third graders cannot read. And I think this is something that we need to address as a board. Uh I think social emotion emotional uh learning is doing
great. It's good. But now we got to get back to the basics. Uh and I think that starts with holding the board accountable because the public is holding us accountable. I think we uh shouldn't make any more excuses. Um, I
do think that with our new the reading programs, uh, with the structured systematic reading, especially with emphasis on phonics, I think this is going to be very helpful. But what I would like to see as a board, and maybe I can send this formally out
to in a letter to um, Mr. Venty and and our chair. I would like to see the many of the programs that we have implemented through various ways, grants, whatever it is. I'd like to see an analysis of those programs. I'd like to see uh how
many people we've had to hire, if we if we if we have kept those people, if um what what the the amount of money put into these programs even if and after especially after the grant has has uh run out. Uh, and also what I'd like to
see is evidence that each of these programs um that the programs are working. And if they aren't, I think we have to take a really good look at that. Uh, we owe these 280 students in reading and then
153 in math. We owe them that much and we we cannot fail them. So I want to really see at some point a list of all these programs came in through the grants and analysis of the programs and so thank you
other board members mission director Budro. Thank you Mr. Chair. Um having been out in the country for a week I didn't get my emails. My phone got messed up and so I may need to maybe
a duplicate question. So, um, over the course of the recent week or so, you know, we had a tragedy that has impacted a lot of youth, many youth that were um, fans of Charlie Kirk.
And it is a tragedy and it causes a lot of fear, discomfort in the hearts of those that really cared about that man and and his faith. And I just wondered, we had a unity day last week. I noticed and I
wondered if we had any opportunity to offer support to our students or if they needed it. um you know if our staff and students were able to have any discussions or just any counseling
opportunities. And I only asked that because I know that some folks in my family were impacted and it is um it's hard it's hard when something like
that happens. It was a big tragedy and I I this is not political. I just wondered if we had an opportunity or if we always have an opportunity for our students to discuss this maybe Mr. Benty could later mention more
I could ask I think Mr. Benty might address that or do that privately or through the through emails through the board sometime like this you're welcome any other board member point of information Dr. Wolf. Mr. Chair, I'm not sure if
this is the proper spot for this or not, but I forgot to ask to put it later when we approve the agenda. So, I'll I'll throw it out here. And uh I know this isn't a time for debate or conversation, more so just u statements, if you will. Um, I know this afternoon, uh,
Superintendent Benty sent to the board a list of questions, um, that a board member or board members have asked, and it just feels like, um, that has gone up a fair amount in the last, you know, four to six to eight weeks or so. And I
don't mean to be critical of anybody's, uh, questions. Um, what I do ask though is that the board be cognizant of the amount of requests and information requests. Um if if we if that's one or two board members sending that if we
multiplied that by three, four, five or six um if every one of us board members asked that many questions, which every board member is absolutely entitled to, my only point is if we do that and we multiply it by six, I don't believe that
our superintendent will be able to do a job at all. Um and so I just ask that we're cognizant of that. I know that uh in the last six weeks or so we approved x amount of goals uh for you and I know that um I think we all want to see you
make progress and your team make progress. So I just ask that um we make sure that we're aware and cognizant of that. So thank you Mr. Wolf. What else there? So just for my chair here beginning the school year I'm out
and about and I hear nothing but positives going on in our school system. kids are uh kids and parents are anxious to get back into the swing of things. Great learning is going on. Our activities are going well. Um and uh our enrollment is up and I think our uh
reorganization all that shifting and things has really gone quite well. I'm not hearing too much uh of anything. So I want to thank uh Mr. Venty and the cabinet and all the administrators and the teachers and the students for all their work and
flexibility in making that work. So really great appreciate it and I see I I truly believe great things will happen as we continue down the road here this year. So it's great. So with that I'll turn it over to you uh Mr. Benty for superintendent. Thank you Mr. Chair. Um so all of our
buildings are off to a strong start this school year. Classrooms are settling in. Routines are established and there's a sense of focus across the district. Teachers are building strong relationships with students and creating structured structured classroom environments. Principles have shared
positive feedback and staff and students are ready for a productive year. Uh much as uh Mr. Bellingham said, our Roosevelt kindergarteners spent the first few weeks of school getting to know one another, building friendships, and learning what it means to be part of a classroom community. They've been
practicing routines, learning about sore expectations, and beginning to read, sort objects, and build counting skills, all while developing the confidence and connections that set them up for success. Um, some of the things that you see, you you know, you see those
students on the first day and then you see them on the second week and they're like totally different students by the time the second week rolls around. It's just, it's just amazing how quick how quickly they catch on. Our Jefferson Elementary fourth graders recently participated in a book tasting where
they sampled stories from a wide range of genres. The the activity gave students the chance to explore different kinds of literature, discover new favorites, and talk with classmates about the books that sparked their interest. By encouraging curiosity and choice in reading, the book tasting
helps students grow as confident, engaged readers. Our ALC students already took a trip to Riverbend Nature Center this year. The visit gave students the chance to explore the outdoors, engage in hands-on activities, and deepen their understanding of local ecosystems.
Opportunities like this not only support academic growth, but also encourage teamwork, curiosity, and appreciation for the environment. Um, as our student rep said, homecoming will be celebrated uh the week of September 29th through October 3rd, next week, with activities for students
throughout the week. On Thursday, October 2nd, the homecoming court, pep band, and fall sports captains will visit the schools across the district. On Friday, all buildings and programs will dismiss two hours early so that students can participate in um or watch
the parade. And the football game begins at 7 p.m. Um, as part of my goal set by the board, we're working on to strengthen our social media presence. This year we launched a featured Falcon Friday series highlighting one staff member each week.
The first three post posts have been wellreceived and the series will continue throughout the year. So if you missed a couple of those, you might want to go back and search some of our previous posts uh to get to know some of our staff members better. And just one upcoming event, a FEEP fundraiser is at
the Crooked Pint on October 7th from 5 to 9:00 pm. FEEP uh grants micro grants to our teachers that have you know anywhere from 500 to I would say a couple thousand dollar ask in the classroom to try something. Um and FEEP
is an offshoot of FAPS FAPSA that uh runs uh those micro grants uh for our teachers. So if you can support that that would be great. Mr. Mr. Chair, that concludes my report. Thank you, Mr. Bent. He's a member of that FEEP committee which meets at 7 a.m. on Tuesday mornings and a very
hardworking committee and uh the support would be greatly is greatly appreciated for that. Mr. Chair, can I ask a question to follow up on that fee? You may uh those grants. I don't I mean I know we hear about it, but I don't know if we ever see the grants of what goes into
this classroom or that project or whatever. Is is it possible for us to get a just a summary of what those are throughout the course of the year or whenever they take place just so we can highlight them? I believe we have we do get I think don't we put it in around district 656 and so it's in our
newsletters and things what FEP gave a grant to this this but we can I'll bring it back to the committee uh the FE committee saying share publicly or share with the board exactly where where this money goes and what what for and I know someone went to science equipment for some of that and you know readers and things like that so
yes we can it's really good yes we can so yeah thank you great agenda item number five public comment I don't miss Okay, Miss Kenny, we did not receive any public comment. Number six, consent agenda. The consent agenda consists of
the minutes from the August 18th and September 8th, 2020 2025 meetings. U employment, additional assignments, and other and authorization of payments, transfers, and investment account. So, can I have a motion for
approval of the consent agenda? It's all moved. Thank you, Director Steves. Is there a second? I'll second. Go ahead. I'll give it to Mr. Wolf. Director Wolf here. Uh, no discussion on consent agenda. All in favor signify by saying I. I. Oppose.
No. Motion passes. Uh, 51. Agenda item number seven, uh, district advisory committee. There's no report. Agenda item eight, policy committee. Uh,
8A is policy committee minute minutes. Uh, directors Moore and Steves, if you'd like to go over the minutes, please. Did you want to start or Sure. Um, so I think the minutes reflect
um the meeting a few weeks back. Um, we went over quite a few policies as um with just revisions and quite a few policies um that are being presented to the school board for um the first
reading. Um and they're all listed um here. And then there was one um um that we are is going to the attorney
for review. Is that correct? Or am I getting my meetings mixed up? Are you going beyond the minutes now? Um I'm just yeah using my brain which is a little foggy. You just want Yes. and just review the minutes and we can get into Sure.
for the first reading if you so wish. Yep. Director Moore, is there anything you wish to add on the um on the minutes? With the minutes? Um I'm I actually had a problem with three policies. Do I address this now or can I or
No, we do that when we do the first reading of policies. This is the first reading. We're on the You're presenting the 8 policy committee minutes. Okay. So, when do I address? When I get to 8B, first reading of policies. Okay. Very good. Thank you.
Anything further you two on the minutes? Thank you. We'll go to 8B, first reading of policies. The first reading of policies are uh review of policy 203.5, school board meeting agenda. Review of policy 205, open meetings and closed
meetings. Review of policy 209, code of ethics. Uh review of policy 210, conflict of interest, and re uh revisions to policy 425, staff development,
revisions to policy 512, school sponsored student publications and activities. And we also first reading of a new policy 599, social media policy. With that, uh discussion of first
reading of policies. Director Moore. Yes. Uh at the policy meeting, I did have um problems with the three policies actually. Act actually. Uh Director Moore, could you pull your microphone? I'm just I'm having a little trouble with your
Okay, hear me now. That's better. Yes. Thank you. Yeah, it was the code of ethics and uh I think it was page three. It's not number 2 F1. Uh, and I quote here, "In fulfilling my legal obligations as a school board member, I will, and this is
a quote, comply with all federal, state, and local laws relating to my work as a school board member." Uh, I did ask for um that this be added. Federal law supersedes all state and local laws. Uh,
we this was not considered because there was no second, but I think we need to think about this just for clarification. I think this needs to be solidified in policy and that was my um what I uh spoke about then uh that was policy 209
uh staff development and mentoring that's policy 425. Mhm. I believe that's on 425 page one. Um, and it was actually a couple places in
2A2 22 2B1. That was two places. Um, and here's what it is. I'll just read one of them because they're basically the same. Members of the advisory staff development committee shall be appointed by originally it was a school board and that's being removed now and added and
and what's being put in its place is by the school administration. Uh I would like to mention too that under Minnesota statute 123B.09 09 subdivision 8 duties. Uh the board it
does say the board must superintend. Um so in essence for me this uh we will be abdicating one of our duties as prescribed. And I I talked to Jody I think it's Withers from the um um I can't think of his name. It's Jod W
something and he said the board does have broad range in in these in the board. And in fact, I quote again, the board must superintendent and manage. So in essence, I believe we are abdicating whenever duties as prescribed and mandated by Minnesota statute. And you
got to remember too that we as elected officials represent the voters and the constituents. However, what what I feel we are essentially doing is putting power in the hands of unelected officials. And so I'm thinking how are the voters going to react to that? So I I had mentioned that
maybe I would be okay with it if they put if uh shall be appointed the advisory staff development committee should be appointed by a school school board and admin school administration. I didn't I don't see anything uh wrong with that but uh that was voted down. So
I just want to keep that in mind uh as we go through. Uh the last one then Oops. Wait a minute. Wait a minute. I was on the wrong one. Excuse me. I was on policy No. Yeah. Okay. Policy 512.
And they want to delete and I'll read what they want to delete. The school district may exercise editorial control over the style and content of student expression in school sponsored publications and activities. Again, I think we are abdicating our responsibilities as educators.
Uh the fact is that uh what I said the adolescent brains are not fully developed until age 22 or later and this is a trend that is happening in Minnesota and many of the blue states. Uh you know parents are abdicating their
responsibilities too to a governmental state. Um and I I like this quote. It said children who weren't held accountable for their actions grow into adults who believe nothing they do is ever wrong. I think this trend needs to stop. Um, as I and I'm going to
reiterate this, we are incorrectly abdicating our responsibility as educators to placing the responsibility on vulnerable children. And I often hear that children are so stressed, our students anyway, they have mental health issues. I don't think we should burden
them with more responsibility. I think we should take some of that responsibility. And one of the things it did say on this that's we're deleting it said the school district may it doesn't say we must. So uh I had a problem with that. And one of the things if you look
at this from a 40,000 view viewpoint do you there's a pattern here and I'm going to repeat it a third time. We are willfully abdicating our responsibilities to unelected people and how are the voters going to respond to that? So this these are things we need
to think about and um I will be bringing some amendments to the those three uh at a later time. So thank you. Uh Director Steves, did you have something prior in your when you went over the minutes? Did you have something you wanted to mention in any of these uh
policies for first reading? Um I misinterpret that. I don't. Um the majority of the policy committee voted in favor of these recommendations. Um so mean send sending them to the board for
for first reading. For first reading. Thank you. Okay. Any other questions? Uh director Robisho a question if I can for clarification. Um director were these suggestions brought before the committee? I I yes I spoke before the committee.
Correct. Yes. And I I was outvoted basically. So So they're aware of the Yeah. request that you made. Yeah. Yes, they are aware of that of the request. Yes. Mr. Chairman, if I may. Oh, go ahead. Director Budro, go ahead. Okay.
Okay. So, I'm at a little disadvantage because I can't get the language up only on my phone. And I'm just the question I have with the most recent discussed policy.
What was the impetus behind um modifying that policy? I noticed there was a court decision referenced. What impacted does anyone know why we're modifying this policy to um remove some
oversight from one group to another? Which policy are you referring to? It's 512. Oh, 512. The school sponsored student publications. That was that was the one that um that came through this the state
legislature and they were adamant that school newspapers be run by students. So, this was a policy I I will be very honest was not very wellliked by a lot of superintendent, was not very well-liked by most school boards um because it does take the control and the
power out of the hands of the administrators in the district and and puts it on the teachers and the students to run a school publication. Um, but one of the pieces is that what they made is if you look down at section five where it talks about posting, it says the
school district must adopt a school a student journalist policy consistent with Minnesota statutes section 121A.80 and post it on their district website. Um, so this basically in effect becomes almost a mandatory policy that you have
to have one and this is the one that they suggest that you do have because it conforms to that statute. So, Mr. Chairman and Superintendent Venty, do does the administration have any oversight of what is published?
They have oversight based off of what is at the beginning of this where they go into some of the pieces around libalis. um material and substantially disruptive. So they they can step in um
you know they can step in under certain circumstances. Yes. It sounds like it's limited circ circumstances. It it is limited. Yes. Thank you for answering my question. May I ask clarification, Mr. Chair? You may. Director Moore.
Thank you. Uh would this be worst case scenario? Okay. Would this be opening up our school district to lawsuits litigation if something would come out in a paper and it's missed and we don't
uh what what is your opinion on that? So can you well the fact is with this last policy we are advocating really the school district it you know may this whole paragraph is being taken out. So, uh,
I'm just concerned too. Are we at some point could would this make us, uh, put us in a position that is more vulnerable than it was, you know, if we take this out than it was previously? Would that be It still says with litigation,
it still says students obscene to minors. Um, hate speech. Um, oh, you mean on uh which p? Sorry, I'm just looking. I think it was on You're referring to 512, page 5124, which is correct.
4B10 lialist defamatory, profane, harassing, threatening, intimidating, um, invasion of privacy, violates uh, federal or state law, causes material or substantial disruption of school
activities. Um, yeah, and the list goes on. And we did too on P I'm sorry it was on page 512 uh-4 we did talk about uh 4B10
that they're taking out expresses or advocates sexual racial or religious harassment or violence or prejudice. Um, we did talk about that and originally I wanted to keep that in there, but I think there's a fine line between student the students must have first
amendment rights, but then there's also a fine line if you're advocating for violence or you know, anything too. So, this is a little touchy situation. So I did after we after uh some discussion I
felt we that it's okay to take that out expresses because that was one of the issues that I had too. So so the the policy still does have the statement on page five notwithstanding the rights or freedoms of this article
or first amendment of the United States Constitution. Nothing in this article inhibits a student media advisor from teaching professional standards of English and journalism to student journalists. So
in my opinion um that still states that the student advisor is teaching professional standards. Um I guess I should say from I like to see things from 40,000 ft or whatever. Uh what I don't like about this. It
seems to be as I said there's a trend incrementally taking away uh responsibilities of school you know of of the school to and give it to the students. That's what my problem is because I see this just in a trend, you
know, parental right parental responsibilities, uh, schoolboard responsibilities. And I think that's a trend that I I don't I'm very uncomfortable with that. And so I think that's why my big this is
my big uh problem with this. So, okay. So, uh, Director Wolf, you had something? I I did. Thank you. Um, can I switch back to uh policy 425? And director Moore,
just a question for you on this. Um, what just to better understand your your positioning here, uh, I'm looking at item 2. A.2, if you
will. A Yes, that's Yeah. Mhm. So members of the advisory staff development committee shall be appointed um by the school instead of board it be administration. Correct. Um what is it that your understanding is
that that advisory staff development committee does that you want the board to oversee? Well, that that is a good question. But my problem again is there is a pattern
of taking away responsibility. It's my big problem is not so much what's the advisory staff development committee does. But you see the overall pattern in our country and in especially in Minnesota. Parental rights
responsibilities are being taken away. school board and we have we have uh actually this is I did mention this is in this uh state statute the board must superintend and manage period uh well
there's more there's more to that but my big problem is that we are advoc ad ab ad ab ad ab ad ab ad ab ad ab ad ab ad ab ad ab ad ab ad ab ad ab ad ab ad ab ad ab ad ab ad ab ad ab ad ab ad abdicating responsibilities and moving it into a direction that I do not like and that's my big I think if you know me by now and Mr. Bellingham
knows me, Chair Bellingham, that I see things from a broad perspective and I see things what's happening socially. So, because I do teach sociology and I this is a disturbing trend to me because I think uh we are moving in a direction
more to the left than the right and so that's that's where that's why I have this. So, it doesn't matter what committee it is. No, thank you. I just because of this one that's in front of us. I it doesn't matter what committee. Yeah. I certainly have no desire, I'm not speaking for anybody else other than
myself, to be on more committees that manage committees at every one of our school buildings. And so I just wanted to ask what bless somebody. Bless you, Rob. Um I just wanted to ask what does that mean to you? Um just so I understand where you're coming from. So thank you. I appreciate it.
Well, this was now this is being changed. The school board did originally have this because they're taking out the school board position here. Correct. Yeah. So, we had we were doing that anyway. So, thank you. Want to say something? Oh, go ahead. Director Budro.
Oh, Mr. Chair, I'm not familiar with our advisory staff development committee. Could someone explain um do we have one and um what are the duties of that committee? So the advis the staff
development uh committee advisory staff development committee is really the committee that is in charge of setting up what the staff development looks like uh yearbyear not only from the district level but also from the building level as well. Um so there there are some
funds that are broken up by district or excuse me by building that staff can tap into to uh have personalized staff development as well. So, this was sent to the MSBA attorney, Terry Marorrow,
and asked why this change was made. Um, his response was based on that most places it was already the administrators that were doing it. And in MSBA's viewpoint, the administrators knew the staff members better and whose skills
would be better on these committees than the board members did. Thank you. Because I really don't think we've had much influence on that committee since I've been here. All right. Thanks. So, board members and members of the
public, I wish to address this uh statute 123b.09. [Music] Uh M director Moore has referred to that quite a few times. So, I emailed um legal counsel uh at MSBA, Terry Mororrow, to get the interpretation. I
asked him to interpret for me the um particularly the word manage and superintend. The presence of the word manage or superintend may not refer to day-to-day implementation level involvement by
schoolboard members in 2025. The sentence with the word management that appears in 123b.09 dates back before 1905. Minnesota revised laws 1905 colon part
12 part 14 section 1312 similar lang similar language can be found in the 19 I'm sorry 1894 statues which is section 3681 and even in 1862 part 20 section 10 this long history is
needed because school boards likely were much more involved in the day-to-day operations in those days. As K12 education developed over time in Minnesota, school administration and staff roles developed and concepts of board governance became common. In
related fashion, employment laws, contracts, and procedures created mechanisms that board member interventions could disrupt. These developments mirror those in corporations and other organizations that have governing boards and administrative staffs. and also in
discussion with him and a few others. The word superintend would mean that um the board the entire board would feel that current leadership is not doing their job and need to take over and that
not just one member but the entire board and from our results of our uh grading system or Mr. Bent scores and mentor Mr. Benty's goals that is definitely not the case. So I I have uh
so the the concept of a school board member or school board managing the school district is uh it's in law in 180 1862 uh 1894
and here we are in 1905 and here we are in 2025. So it's all how it's how you're going to interpret that. So I too believe as I spoke many times when we ever we do new um schoolboard member uh
indoctrination or when we say if you want one for school board come and visit the school board basically have five has five functions and everybody knows what they are. We hire the superintendent we evaluate the superintendent we approve the budget and there's a couple of we we set policy not enforce it. We set policy
and we're the lison between the district and the community. That's what we do. So I have no desire to name any sort of committees or something anyway. This will all come out when we get to the second reading of this uh next month and
then um probably go through a series of amendments. But I think it was important that uh and I've tried to do this research for quite some time to interpret uh statute 123 uh B.09. 09. So are there any other policies here to
review or discuss for first reading? Mr. Chair, I just want to be clear then. So uh section 1223b uh09 subdivision 8 under duties. It's really a matter of subject it's
subjective uh interpretation from what I'm hearing. Correct. It's a matter of interpretation. You said it yourself from what director from what Mr. Morrow has said and from what my discussions with other legal uh people have said is
that if the entire board feels that leadership isn't doing their job or that intervention is needed then that is so but otherwise until that the entire board until that point no other policies
for review. Okay, with that we'll move on to agenda item number nine, which is other committees, finance committee. So, I'm going to give you uh everyone a double dose of finance
committee minutes here today. We'll all go all the way back to August 12th, our August 12th meeting. And I might have reported on this before, but at our August 12th meeting, um because we've already acted on many of the things, we approved the fiscal year uh 26 school
resource officer agreement. Um with that, it's all in board book, etc. There financial performance in in July student count. There was nothing to report in July investment financial
report. We're continuing to earn nice interest on our investments. our investments are laded as to the timing of when they mature so we can sure we're able to lock in the best rates. Uh we the July comparative financial report in July of 2024 we saw rebates for HVAC.
That was a year ago. In July of 2025 we had expenses of 33,000. There weren't expenses yet for water for July. It's a timing issue for billing. Um July of 2024 we showed expenses where in July of 25 we're seeing some rebates
for electricity and in July of 2025 both HVAC and electric net together for a total of $25,569. uh self- insurance fund contributions are up due to the 15% increase in um
uh administrative not administrative fees but in uh help me out premiums. Thank you brain freeze there. So with that um our June analytics we had nothing to report at this time uh
because the two accounting purposes the two years are meshed together and from our August meeting as of August 11th we had about 75 uh students that were going to increase in enrollment. So, now I'm going to give you latest the
right printed right off. The ink probably still isn't dry yet from this morning's meeting at 7:30 a.m. the finance committee approved the fiscal year 26 Riverbend Nature Center contract. We'll be dealing with that in a few minutes. Also, our uh student
August student count were 161 students over what we had uh figured uh estimated for this year. And we have as of right now 3,218 students in total for fiscal year 26.
Um with that our uh August invest in investment report nothing drastic to change. We're about 2 million higher than we were at the end of July. Our investments are continuing to do well. August comparative financial report. This report is looking at two areas in
spending utilities and self- insurance. HVAC showed expenses of $10,000 for fiscal year 26 where in August 25 we hadn't received a bill yet. And once again, self-insured contributions are higher than they were last year due due
to the 15% increase in premiums. Medical claims, however, continue to be higher this year, but there is hope that they will come down as the year continues. We do see a negative expense in administrative fees. In August of 26, there was an found a we found a coding
error from July and so this has been corrected in August. With this correction, our fees are more on par at this time than last year. Uh August analytics, uh we're working on uh Miss Wrestler is working on fiscal year 25 at
this time. It's really clean and we're we're in uh of where we are this year in fiscal year 26. There's really nothing out of the ordinary. And also we discussed this morning consider and it was approved by the finance committee to consider the
approval of the preliminary 25 pay 26 property tax levy and that will also be um discussed in a few minutes. And then a budget update. Miss wrestler told the finance committee that an updated budget
presentation will take place in November because of the increased student enrollment and therefore money there. So, Mr. Wolf, for anything I missed there? Well done. Now, everyone's right up to date, but we know as far as today is right there.
Okay, we'll move on to agenda item number 10, other matters, gifts and donations. resolution uh 26-03. Hope you're not sick of listening to me talk, but here goes again. So, in uh resolution 26-03 are gifts and donations
for this month are donations to the nest from JJ Jewels Fashion, 26 tops, eight dresses, and 12 pairs of pants and skirts. Also to the nest from 4th Avenue United Methodist Church, 300 notebooks
and folders, 72 backpacks, and $150 worth of hygiene products and socks. From Allison Sweeney to the nest, 12 pairs of shoes, winter coats, and other clothing items. Donations to Little Falcons. The Petra
Foundation gave $35,000. George Wixom Jr. gave $500. Farbull Rotary Youth Services gave $10,000. The Fairbell Chamber of Commerce donated 708 treat packs for staff.
River Valley Churchill campus provided a catered breakfast for new teachers valued at $252. The Farbell Rotary Club donated 40 cinnamon and caramel rolls from Crack of Dawn Bake House and Market along with
coffee from Mighty Fine Coffee valued at about $300. Mallerie Fuches from EXP Realy donated 40 goodie bags and coffee for the new teacher workshops. Miss Ella Bettner through the Farbo
Foundation's No Tummy Left Behind donated $824.76 to eliminate negative lunch account balances. Donations to the Farbell High School Golf Center. Jake Pillar donated $2,000.
Corman Realy donated $250. Barbar donated $10,000. Southern Heights Dental Clinic donated $200. The boys fast break club gave $2,300
toward a new Dr. Dish basketball shooting machine. The the girls basketball booster club gave $2,300 toward the same machine. The farbo booster club gave $2,883.50
toward the same machine. Jefferson staff members and MSU staff donated an 8-foot champion supreme medal memorial bench valued at $795 in memory of Vana Denzy and a for and a
former Jefferson student. The Gene Hos Foundation donated $3,000 to Feral Robotics. Is there a motion for approval of resolution 23-03 accepting gifts donations? So move.
Thank you, Director Wolf. Is there a second? Second. Thank you, Director Budro. Any discussion? Uh, Mr. Chair, just u wonderful list uh a multitude of different people and organizations
supporting a multitude of different uh things within the Fairbell public school district. So, just a huge thank you to everybody listed on here. Agreed. Mr. Chair, I would also agree with Chad that we have great support for our community
and it is demonstrated by these contributions and there are some reoccurring donors that gives great amounts and I just want them to know and we all want them to know we appreciate them. Thank you.
I think everyone at this table would say that but I truly believe and I've talked with Mr. Benty multiple times and some other board chairs around and not every district gets these kind of donations, right? We're very blessed to for the people we have in this district and the donations
we receive. So, thank you all. Any further discussion? Discussion discussion. Uh, Director Steves, this is a roll call vote. Linda Budro, hi. Linda Moore, hi. Jerry Roasha, hi. Cassie Steves, I Chad Wolf,
hi. John Bellingham. Hi. Passes 6. Thank you. 10B. Consider approval for of applications for dissolution of cooperative sponsorships and approval of applications for cooperative
sponsorships dance teams. Is there a motion for approval of the applications for dissolution and approval for applications for cooperative sponsorship? Thank you, Director Budro. And I will second that. And I don't see director Gunn or Mr.
Gunn. Um, Mr. Chair, this is uh we have to dissolve a co-op before you create a new one or if if a member leaves your co-op, you have to dissolve that co-op before then creating another one. Um, so what we have is our dance co-op. We currently
have uh Farbo, Bethlehem Academy, and Shadic. Shadic no longer wishes to be part of it. So we need to dissolve that one and then reinstate the one that we've had for many years between Farbo and Bethlehem Academy. Thank you. Any further discussion?
Mr. Chair, I'm just confirming this dissolution and the approval. That's all in one action item. Yes, that's how it's listed in the agenda. That is correct. So we with this action item, we are dissolving the existing one and approving the new one
as right in the same motion. Period. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Further discussion hearing none. All in favor of that motion signify by saying I. I. I. Opposed. Motion passes. 6.
Uh 10 C. Consider approval. Consider approval of the preliminary 25 pay 26 property tax levy. Is there a motion for approval of the preliminary 25 pay 26 property tax levy?
So moved. Thank you, director Robisho. Is there a second? Second. Thank you, Director Budro. And so, as as we begin here, uh before I have Miss Racer give an explanation, I will say it once again, this was approved by the
finance committee this morning. So, Miss Raceler, go ahead. Thanks. So, at this time, um you are not approving an actual dollar figure. Um you're approving, um what we call maximum and that's always done
preliminary. That's just how the process works. If we were to approve a dollar figure, um the final uh data has not yet been uh fully vetted through uh MDE. So we could miss out on revenue. So at this
time it is recommended that uh school districts do approve the maximum. Uh what we are looking at this year for um our uh pay 26 for revenue for 27 is a decrease in property taxes. We're looking at a 2.22% decrease. Um most
likely that won't change uh significantly. Um but just wanting to note God bless you. Bless you. Just wanting to note that it will be a decrease this year. Good discussion questions.
Mr. Chair, I believe we ran into the same thing last year um when we approved the maximum and then later on approved what a final number was once we got the updated. That's normal. Yeah, that's normal practice in all school districts is just to approve the maximum and then um when
the truth and taxation presentation is held December 1st, we'll go through line items to talk about where the decreases came from. um you know what happened in each fund, general fund, community service fund, debt service fund, etc. So
questions or discussion last call hearing none. So all in favor of the motion signify by saying I opposed. Motion passes 6. Agenda item 10D, consider approval of
the fiscal year 25-26 Riverbend Nature Center contract. Is there a motion for approval of the fiscal year 2526 Riverbend Nature Center contract? Thank you, Director Robisho. Is there a second? Second. Thank you, Director Steves. Uh before we
begin the discussion, once again, this was approved by finance committee uh this morning. So, Miss Raceler, if you would please. Yep. So this is uh the same letter of agreement that we uh normally have with Riverbed Nature Center. Um you know
partnering with them for different curriculums and lessons and such. Um it was asked this morning um if we are seeing an increase in cost. Uh yes we are but it's very minimal 1.8%. So it $600 higher than it was last year for
both the prek to sixth grade services. And then the high school programming is at $6,000. And that's the same that it was last year. Thank you, Director Rob. Just a comment, it's a wonderful partnership. Community organizations
benefits our students immensely. 46th year of this partnership. I was wondering 46. Yep. 19 1970. Not quite not quite older than me. Um but close. When did when did we start? n uh 1979
was the first agreement between Riverbend Nature Center and Fairville public schools. I know what you're thinking. I should have remembered that. Okay. Right. Any further discussion? Hearing none. All in favor of the motion signify by saying I.
I. Opposed? Motion passes. Thank you, Miss Raceler. Uh before we move on to agenda item number 11, I'm going to ask for and grant a moment of uh personal privilege for myself here. Uh in the consent agenda today, we approved the
resignation of Lisa Mcdana who's a longtime parah at kindergarten parah at Lincoln. I mean a longtime parent quality uh sub excellent with kids. Uh, I think we have kids who had
kids who had kids maybe even the third generation who she cared for as a kindergarten pair under as kindergarten pair at Lincoln. I just want to thank her for her steadfast support and years of service at with Fairbell Public Schools. And uh, Lisa, you're the best
of the best. That's all I got to say. And thank you for allowing me to teach your kids and work with your family and all you've done for students and staff here in Fairville public schools. With that, we'll move on to agenda item number 11, the dates to remember.
September 24th at 3:30 p.m., District Wellness Committee, October 6th, 2025, board work session. October 7th, uh 3:45 p.m. policy committee. October 9th, uh
7:45 a.m. facilities committee meeting. October 20th, uh 7:30 a.m. finance committee meeting. and October 27th 5:30 p.m. our regular business meeting. Agenda item number 12. Is there a motion to adjourn?
So move. Thank you, Director Budro. Is there a second? Second. Thank you, Director Steves. Discussion. Discussion. Discussion. All in favor of the motion signify by saying I. Opposed. We are journ. Thank you.