All right, we are ready to call to order today's uh Tuesday, June 16th school board business meeting. We'll start off by reciting the pledge of allegiance if you choose. I pledge allegiance 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. >> I start off by entertain a motion to approve our agenda. Do I have a motion? >> So move. >> Motion by Shriner. Do I have a second?
>> Second. >> Second by Jones. All those in favor please signify by saying I. >> I. >> All those opposed. Motion passes. First up on the agenda, we have Dr. Lewis's superintendent report. Dr. Lewis, >> thank you.
Quite an echo. Can you adjust that, please? >> Okay. My apologies here. Um, I think it's better now. I am just delighted to call up our custodial negotiations team.
I'm sorry that I can't see the audience. Um, but I believe Mark McLaren might be in the audience and anyone else. Chair, can you help me with who's coming up? >> Welcome, Mark. Come on. Come on. Come. Come. Come. >> Thank you for the sound effects.
>> Yes. Appreciate that. Oh, I can hear Brandon now. >> Up for this, too. You look great. So, I am just absolutely honored to share that we have an approved 2026 to
2028 custodial agreement and uh the current custodial agreement expiring, 2026. the uh bargaining team came forward with exceptionally reasonable proposals and the proposals that our
custodial team brought forward really centered on um recruiting and retaining staff. So um you'll see the red line that is uploaded just some slight changes that they had there and also really looking at career trajectories.
So we have um areas for our custodians to advance when it comes to additional boiler licenses and pieces like that. So I'm very very proud of the team and what they had brought forward and I I truly
know their heart is in Fidley public schools and the work and I often talk about it's a little bit easier to recruit than it is to retain. So the work that our custodial negotiation team really helps us with that good retention. So Mark, take it away from
here. Just a few words that you would like. Uh, first I'd like to say thank you to yourself and Michelle um for being very professional, very cooperative with us. Uh, we really appreciate it. And I would like to say
this is my last contract negotiation. Um, moving on after this term is up. So, thank you again for the time we've had these meetings together. Appreciate it very much. >> Your work on the team, Mark. We greatly appreciate it. chair, if you are so
inclined, would love to have um the formal approval of this moved up in the agenda so that Mark can be here for the vote if the board so chooses. >> Yeah, for sure. And and Mark, please convey to your members, and I think I can speak on behalf of the board, the
the custodian team in in our schools, you guys are the backbone, right? You keep the lights on, you keep the place clean. >> If kids are not walking into a welcoming, clean environment, right, >> that's just a really bad start for the day. Okay. So, the work that you guys and galls do is usually after hours when
no one sees it and and that's uh certainly a challenge. So, appreciate it very much. So, please please express that appreciation to your members. >> Awesome. >> Um so, yeah, I would certainly entertain a motion um to move up. >> Would that just be in our consent agenda?
I don't see it. It's not there. >> Okay, we just do it. Lori says just do it. Um, I believe we need a So, I would certainly uh entertain a motion to approve the tenative agreement between the custodians and uh Flee Public Schools District 14. That would
>> so move. >> Motion made by Stark. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Second by Shriner. I think this is probably going to be a roll call vote just to be safe. We'll go one. Uh, Miss Jones. >> I. >> Mr. Carup is I miss Stark. >> I. >> Miss Yang. >> I. >> Miss Shriner. >> I. >> And all those motion passes. You guys
have a contract. >> Thank you very much. >> Oh, thank you. Thank you. >> Have a good night. >> You as well. My bed. >> Now, very excited. I do not believe she's here, but I still want to honor
her. Um, we are so excited to introduce New Lee, who is our new elementary assistant principal at Hayes Elementary, and she'll start on July 1st, right around the corner. New brings strong experience in instructional leadership, special education, and school
administration. Most recently serving as assistant principal of specialized instruction at Prodeo Academy in Minneapolis. She is a licensed Minnesota teacher and administrator with a deep commitment to student success and equity. We are so excited to welcome new to Fidley Public Schools and look
forward to her contributions at Hayes Elementary. Next, I am absolutely delighted to introduce Nate Chapman, who is our senior officer of communications, enrollment, community education, and early childhood. And I believe Nate is
in the audience. We are so pleased to welcome Nate as our new senior officer beginning July 1st. Nate brings more than 20 years of experience serving students, families, and communities across Minnesota. Most recently, he served as director of community
education for P Duth Public Schools, leading a broad range of programs and services for learners of all ages. We are excited to welcome Nate to Fidley Public Schools and look forward to the leadership and expertise he will bring to our district. I do have to share a
moment that at um our board certainly knows I am uh very good friends with Nate's current superintendent, John Maggus, and I felt awful when I contacted John and just said um did a
reference check and then talked to John about um how it would be for um him to lose his community at director uh very pretty late in hiring season for this position. And I just want to also preface to say that John actually called
me to highly recommend Nate to our school district even before Nate had applied. Um and just uh John's belief in the work that Nate has done in Duth public schools was just phenomenal. And um while it is certainly a loss for
Duth, John was super understanding and also I believe Nate is looking forward to much less of a commute because he lives in um the Twin Cities metro area and commutes daily to Duth. So we are so excited to welcome you, Nate. Um certainly up to you, but if you want to
say a few words, you can. Otherwise, you can just wave, but I know you're on the agenda very shortly, too. Thanks, Nate, and welcome. And just think like you'd be driving home >> right now, right? Just probably still. >> Yeah. Coming home tonight, Dodge and
Deer on 35W. >> Welcome to Fly. >> All right. Next up, I'm just absolutely honored to welcome to our board Leila, who is our new student school board rep. I do not believe she's here tonight, but
we will have our time to welcome her. She just finished um as a sophomore and is now a junior. So, she um will be on the school board as our student school board rep for two years. So, we are so excited and honored to have our um her
join us. And this is quite a rigorous process um and we are just so thankful. So, welcome and we can't wait um to welcome Ila when she is here in person. Next, I hinted at this a little bit um and brought this to the board and the
board preview. We are so excited to welcome up um for our certification of updated district population estimate resolution um our new senior officer of community education, Nate, as well as Michelle
Cox. And Nate actually approached Relle and said, "Hey, I want to talk to you about something. I think that the district is missing out on some revenue." So, look, it he's already making us money. So, we are so proud of you, Nate. So, take it away, Relle and
Nate. >> Am I on here? >> Yeah. >> Um, thank you. Um, I just really quick want to give kind of the explanation of kind of what we're looking to do here. um census is done every 10 years and the state demographer then does an update on
that an estimated update on that number and school districts have the option to update to what the state demographers estimate says. In our case, we're going to pick up
about 700 residents. 707 is the exact number. um which is just extra revenue based on some of the formulas that they use in community education. Um if I remember right, cuz I also did it for my outgoing district. I think for
here it's about an extra $7,000. Um it's monies that can be used for our youth service programs, our adults with disabilities. Um it helps with our school age care levy. So ultimately comes helps bring in extra money into
lots of different areas. Um and really it just it's an opportunity to fund us at the correct levels levels that we should be getting. >> Awesome. >> Any questions? Thanks, Nate. Welcome again. >> So much Nate. Next, I um welcoming Dr.
Amy Cochran to share about the 2627 calendar adjustments. Um, go ahead, Amy. >> All right. Well, I know that um last month we had a similar um situation. So, just we'll kind of share again um
ultimately what happened um as when we were working on developing our 2728 calendar year. We noticed the error in the in the teacher daily calculations that happened for this current school year. So, thank you so much for making that adjustment on very short notice and to our families who adjusted quickly on
the end of our school year. But we know that there was an error also in the 20 in the um upcoming calendar the 2627 calendar year with the exact same error essentially was made. Just a reminder of the reason that um error was made during the 23 24 school year was when these
calendars were developed and the redact was newly passed at the time which allowed for two extra staff development days. Those were added into the calendar without subtracting out the student days and so essentially teacher calculations were off by two days. So, as a result,
the approved current 2627 calendar includes more staff work days than are required under the negotiated agreement with our FBA. Um, so to to address this issue, um, we're recommending a similar adjustment that we just did this year where we will just move the end of the school year forward by two days. Um, so
proposing that June 7th, which would be a Monday, um, would now be the last day of school for students. Tuesday and Wednesday would still be teacher work days. And so asking um the board to approve that adjustment to the 2627 calendar year.
>> Thank you. >> Okay. Should I go right into my next one? >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> We'll go through that motion after the superintendent's report. >> Okay. Sounds good. Okay. >> I bet we'll pass it. >> Sounds good. Sounds good. Okay. Um so tonight um during the work session um
the school board received several updates from our academics and innovations team. So thank you so much for um having our team there. Um it really reflects our continued commitment to student achievement, access and opportunity. Um a huge shout out to our team for their leadership um expertise and dedication to advancing this really
important work. Um so just want to say thank you to them for coming to present. Our academics and innovations team has really been um the leaders amongst all of our academic work districtwide. Um so tonight we shared updates regarding talent development which include plans to expand opportunities um to advance learners through our young scholars
model that we'll be launching in the 2627 school year. This program will really help strengthen the systems around identification of students who could be gifted that are typically underrepresentative um and gifted programming. So we're very excited about launching our young scholars model. We also provided an
update on our international baloria career related program which continues to expand rigorous college and career pathways for students by connecting academic coursework with career focused learning experiences and industry-lined um opportunities. We also went through a curriculum review update highlighting
ongoing efforts to ensure our curriculum remains aligned to Minnesota state standards, reflects best instructional practices, and meets the diverse needs of our learners. Um, this curriculum work includes current implementation that we're working on right now and then also upcoming implementation that we
will be working on. We also shared a Q comp update that outlines how how our alternative teacher professional pay system works within Fley um really supporting teacher growth, collaboration and student achievement through professional development um goal setting and then also looking at student student
learning goals. And then finally, we presented on our language access plan, which is designed to ensure all families have equitable access to information and meaningful opportunities to engage with our schools regardless of the language that we speak. All of the presentations are linked in the presentation, so you're able to access them and would
welcome you to click on them to learn more. Okay, I have one more update to share with you. There's slides for this one. So, I'm gonna let Lori pull up the slides. >> All right. So, I'm also really excited to share with you that we are going to
be relaunching our Fidley online academy. Um, so, um, just a little history here. Um, prior to the COVID pandemic, um, like dur during the COVID pandemic, us just like many other schools, we launched an online academy pretty quickly. Um, we kept that online
academy open um, after the pandemic happened for a few years. Um, and then essentially kind of faded away. Um this year we know that during um ice metro surge we brought back e-learning to our students was um and we had to stand that up fairly quickly for our students and
did the very best that we could um being able to continue to offer um you know high quality academic programming to students. So we're really excited essentially to relaunch you can click to the next slide to relaunch our Fidley online academy. Um we know that families are seeking flexible learning options.
Um we saw that again this year. We saw that certainly with students that that joined our e-learning, but we also have seen that um most of our neighboring districts have um onlinemies. Um and so we know that students thrive some students thrive in online learning and they're looking for that flexible learning option. So we're really excited
to re to relaunch this. We also are hoping to recapture students that have left our district to seek online learning opportunities elsewhere since we haven't had this as an option. So it would be an um an opportunity for us to kind of regain that lost revenue and bring those students back to us um and
we know that we can provide a high quality online option for students really keeping them here in Fidley um and keeping our own students. So we're really excited about about the relaunch of this. So I just want to give you a little bit of kind of background of it and click to the next slide. Again just benefits to students of course would be
that increased flexibility. Um again really the personalized learning pathways. Students will have um lots of courses to choose from with the um program that we are going with. Um students will have an opportunity to stay connected to Fidley public schools
um through a staff member at Fidley but then also be able to access um many high-quality courses um but also the opportunity to still come here, participate in our athletics, our activities, our sports and really maintain those relationships while pursuing an online option. And we know
of course for the district um the exciting part is is that we can retain our students that may be looking for that online option so that they don't go elsewhere and that they're able to stay connected to Fidley public schools. Can click to the next one. So what is our Fidley online academy going to look like? We are offering this for
kindergarten through 12th grade. Um it will be self-paced learning um which essentially offers students a flexible schedule where they can kind of learn at their own pace. Um there is a lot of supports built in. So there is an opportunity for students to join um like
live teachers where they can get help kind of on demand if they need help with their coursework. And then also for our kindergarten through fifth graders, there is also like live teaching that will happen. So they could join like a live math class instruction um and be able to receive that. Um also built-in parent and guardian supports. So if
parents and guardians are trying to help students online that there will be some built-in supports for them. Um, of course, the personalized supports from all licensed staff members. Um, however, also really important that they will have a connection with a Fidley staff member who will be doing um regular
check-ins with students um with their attendance, ensuring that they're enrolled in the right courses, doing um Google meets with students to really do those make sure that that connection maintains and retains with Fley Public Schools. Um we will provide technology to students so they have access with Chromebooks and the technology that they
need to be to be successful and then also an opportunity to participate again in any of our activities and athletics. Um students will be welcome to come into school to stay connected um and participate in any extracurriculars that they would like. So like last slide. So our um
essentially the program that we are utilizing is through a program called Edenum and it's called Ed Options Academy. Um the really great thing about this is that they have all licensed teachers in the state of Minnesota. Um so we're able to have students re stay enrolled in Fidley public schools and
essentially it's kind of powered through ad options. Um and so our K5 program um really is a lot of project- based learning. All the core subjects will be available for students and then in addition to that some enrichment opportunities again for art, music, fied and then for
can you click back to that slide Lori? Thank you. Um for our high school students, there's over 500 course options for students. So there's a ton of different options for students that they can take any of the courses that they're interested in. Um it does um meet the NCAA approved courses. So students that are looking to pursue
athletics after high school. Um they would be NC NCAA approved. Also CTE classes, lots of um elective options for students. So we're really really excited about the connection that we have with um Edenum in order to be able to offer this to our students. And um enrollment is now open for students if um students
are interested in enrolling. It is it is now live and active. >> Thanks. >> Awesome. Thank you, Dr. Cochran. >> So much Dr. Cochran. Next, we will move
on to our SOD uh module number five. Again, this one was um made and recorded in February of 2026, so several months ago. Now, um we will have some things that um will have changed, but the
overall um concept is here. And just as a reminder, these modules are all linked on the schoolboard web page. And then um this live presentation is going to be put up as well so that we can see that
and the public can see that. I apologize here. Okay, there we go. Now I can see the slides. Okay. Um I now can't see the slides again. All right. So, we have board legal
obligations under um SOD. I am trying to um Okay, here we go. So, our legal obligations under SOD from uh the board's accountability and responsibility are to submit the corrective plan to MDE. That was um
completed and submitted in January 2026. If you remember that was brought to the board in the January board business meeting and submitted. Annual progress reports are ongoing. Those are annually per the MDE schedule and we obviously
communicate and work very closely with MDAE on that. The budget oversight, annual budget adoption and amendments and then board approval required. We will be adopting bringing for proposed adoption for board board vote for the
2627 budget tonight. State compliance respond to the MDE inquiries participate in monitoring implementation and required corrective actions. We have that MDE tracker that is uh displayed in the board packet that we have as well as
it is on our website. So that is updated live as well. board decisions required. Um we just talked about the SOD corrective action plan. Um that's your required board vote. The um 2526 budget
adoption required board vote. Staffing um reductions, that's board oversight, contract amendments, board oversight, policy updates, that's a required board um approved vote. And then levy certification. and that levy
certification. The preliminary is set in September annually. Um the board cannot levy beyond that initial amount or percentage that is set in September unless there's a successful passage of a referendum in November, which we had two
years ago. And then the board can set uh officially sets that after the truth and taxation hearing every December. and that can be um set at the level that was the maximum level in September or lower.
MDE reporting requirements. We report our audited financial statements, the updated SOD reduction plan, our progress towards our targets, our current year budget, our multiple multi-year projections, the enrollment data. Um
those pieces have all been submitted to MDE. They're also addressed in the tracker and those are continued updated. Um Lori Annler works directly with MDE representatives um particularly Deborah
who works with us from MDE who works with districts that are in SOD. Our key questions for the board is really about our enrollment. As we've talked about numerous times, enrollment is really what um drives our revenue and
drives our fiscal health. So, are we on track to meet enrollment targets? Prior to ICE Metro Surge, as you know, we were and we were exceeding those targets. Um what are the reasons our families are leaving? What are we doing about that? How effective are recruitment
strategies? Tonight we heard about another recruitment strategy which is really um the virtual learning academy. We know that several families chose virtual in January and we've had
significant families returning by the end of the school year physically in person. But we also know that there are plenty of other districts offering um virtualmies and in Minnesota since we're an open enrollment state unless a district has closed for open enrollment
either a grade level or a site. So it would be the virtual academy our students can enroll anywhere in any school district in the state. Um we in fact saw during ICE metro surge um at least one student that I know of that intentionally open enrolled with us
because of the virtual academy in which their uh district that they were attending was not offering that. So that's another strategy that we're seeing. Also the work that coach Kin has been doing around that recruitment and retention of students. Um continued work
with our enrollment team and also really the work around our MARS reporting. So, that's the way that we let the state know who is attending um what grade levels they're at and we really watch that 15-day drop um that we've talked
about as well as our October first count. So, those are all pieces that really impact enrollment which then um thereby impacts the budget. Are we um moving into the budget? What are the variances and why? We're going to talk a lot about that tonight actually. And do
we have adequate reserves for unexpected revenues and or expenditures, excuse me. And this is where we talked about August of 2023 where we knew that this situation was coming with our district
and um things like unexpected expenses with all of the capital um pieces that we were having to carry in the learning bucket, the capital expenditures um versus having money in bonds for that. So that's a piece that has helped. we
don't have all of those expenses moved out of general fund um because of the bond structure and those pieces so that we didn't um raise any taxes in that period uh for that portion. But it definitely has helped us along the way
and how do we continue to adjust our strategy around budget um and those unanticipated or unexpected expenses. One of the pieces that you're going to hear pretty in depth tonight from Lori and myself and Michelle's going to chime into on the finance update is the lack
of processes that don't exist in our district and haven't existed in our district for quite some time. Um, and those are pieces that you're going to hear what the ramifications of those are. Um, to not have those. And so we're
literally building the systems and those are pieces that are in our SOD plan um literally daily. And tonight you're going to hear some good examples about that around transportation and other items, special education, student impact. How are our students and
families experiencing these changes? It was pretty hard this um year when the compensatory ed reduction of nearly $1 million came through for made a message out to our families to let them know
that at the high school and the middle school an AP was um reduced and that was strictly from a budgetary standpoint. But those are pieces where families feel that um children feel those reductions. We try really hard to keep reductions.
um away from the classrooms. Most recently in yesterday's edition of the AMSD connection, Duth Public Schools is actually featured in there talking about the hard choices that they are making,
which are very similar to Fidley Public Schools, which are very similar to all of the school systems in Minnesota and frankly across the nation. as we continue to see the um underfunding of public education. So, we're at a place
where there isn't any fluff. No budget cut is a good one. We just make the least bad one. Um and I know that's not proper grammar, but that's the best way that I can describe um what that
looks like. And Fidley Public Schools is not alone in that. Also, when you saw those districts runs on compensatory um funding, you see the districts that had heavily heavily heavily been reduced just like Fidley Public Schools was. And
um districts that look like us that had those reductions are really having to make even harder decisions around um budget reductions. Um, so those are just some examples of really centering students and families and how we do that and openly
communicating about that and talking about the why behind it. The board's role in community communication. You all do this and continue to do this very well. Board speaks as one voice after decisions are made. Transparency, I think if you look at the board web page,
that's very transparent. Listening to our community. Um, public comment is one example as well as I um see you engaging with the public on a very frequent basis all the time and most of those conversations are many of them are in an informal setting which I think makes it
even more personalized um as board members for you and then you um also refer to the administration. So operational questions you bring to me and then I report back once I connect in with the stakeholder or a team member connects. Then key talking points for
our board. We have our clear approved plan to address the SOD. Um again, the student instruction and inception services are protected. This one, um we put this together before we made the
cuts of the assistant principles. Um so this one I wouldn't say necessarily holds firm at this time. Um, but those were pieces that once we also had the deduction of compensatory ed, like I said, we have to really look at
what is least painful of the worst of the cuts. Um, reductions focusing on district office and operational efficiency. We continue to talk about that. We're running out of places for that. Um, we're investing in programs
that attract and retain students. just talked about the virtual academy um board is actively monitoring our progress monthly. I think this is five months now on an SOD update. Five months on very thorough um financial updates as
well as the um board communications that you receive in between these meetings as well as the audit tracker and the MDE tracker. um and welcoming uh the community support through enrollment and engagement. So really our community is
our best messenger talking about what Fidley public schools how that has impacted their children what their experiences are and our alumni as well. Governance summary as we talked about the legal duty is the board must approve
the SOD plan budgets and annual reporting to NDE active oversight with um monthly updates our quarterly deep dives annual assessments key role asking questions ensuring accountability and um that communication with the community
which you do very actively through your board page as well as our success measure. So having SOD eliminated, our financial stability getting to a place of um fiscal health and um centering the
quality education board. I will pause there before we move into the financial update to entertain any questions you have. >> We're good. Dr. Lis, no questions. Um, chair, I'm going to move right into the finance update.
As you know, we continue to work on um getting the audit completed. Lori updated the tracker with the most recent communication from our auditor that we received today regarding um additional items that are needed and the timeline.
She also communicates that directly to MDE. Um, and Deborah is a part of calls with the auditors as well. And um, Lori keeps our auditors informed of the MDE pieces and MDE informed of the auditor's
progress and where we are. We are bringing to you tonight an executive summary very similar to what Jason Munenberger brought last year and I think it was Ron from CISO that brought it the year before. Um and uh it talks
about our FPS budget summary for 2627. Please understand um as we've been communicating that this like all district budgets fluctuates and changes. Enrollment is a big one for us as we continue our recovery from ICE Metro
Surge. just know that we'll come back to you with um changes to this especially once the audit is completed um and presented to the board. So with that Lori um you can give your highle overview here. I just want to shout out
Lori that she has just jumped right in here and has been really um working through the systems that need to be put in place and working through um rebuilding our finance team. So, take it
away, Lori. >> Hi. Um so, like Dr. Lewis said, uh, we are continually tracking our audit team, our audit work, um, and updating that tracker daily. Um, and then we, uh,
partner with MDE, um, making sure that they're well aware of where we're at. Um, and we just hope every day it gets a little bit closer to being done because I'm kind of tired of it. But, um, we're working hard every day on the audit.
Are you still there, Dr. Lewis? >> David, should I be Is Lori finished? Okay, it looks like um I'm going to be talking here. I can't see anyone, so my apologies. I hope that people can hear me. Um I'm just going to wait for a
confirmation text. David, can everyone hear me here before I start? Okay, perfect. Thank you. I really want to do a deep dive tonight into transportation. Um, so LinkedIn here um is information
regarding transportation. I first want to bring you to the very first tab um which talks about our transportation costs yearover-year. We are not complete with all invoices and bills from the 2526 school year with
the anticipation that we've built in um of our pattern of bills and invoices over the school year. We have come up with a total of 11 million. I know that that will be higher. Um so you can see
the transportation costs continue to rise just like they do for other school districts. what I want to really talk about specifically here and I think these are pieces that we can really work on um as we think about our legislative agenda.
So I am going to talk with you specifically about our magnet transportation. As you know through Northwest Suburban Integrated School District, the seven districts that are a part of that when
students are choosing for example to come to our district from Brooklyn Center then they get free transportation and they just come through the magnet portal. What happens is the district, our
district needs to carry all of those expenditures for over a year. So monthly we are paying these bills, but we don't have the revenue on that. Um so right
now we're at over 2.7 million um just in this year in magnet transportation and we will get our reimbursement on that um through payments um that I believe began
in December. As you recall, I forwarded to you an email where there was a coding error on um behalf of ISD14 um that we found from last year that resulted in um $960,000 that we've asked
MDE to give to us um for reimbursement of this magnet transportation. We have not heard back on that. They have said that they are reviewing the matter. What I will also point out is even though this is supposed to be reimbursed
at 100%, it's actually an underfunded formula. So what that means is the law requires it to be reimbured at 100% but the formula is underfunded. So districts do not receive 100% um payback on that. So the monthly bills that we have on
this are really impacting our cash flow. The second piece I want to talk about is special education transportation. If you recall, um, Governor Walls in his proposal, which was approved, not this past legislative session, but the
session before, reduced special education transportation reimbursement from 100% to 95%. So, this again is another um area where we are not receiving that 100% reimbursement. And while it is the right
thing to do from a core value standpoint for students on their individualized education plan that calls for um and requires us to transport um them. It's al it's the law and um right now we're at nearly $2 million in special
education transportation. Again, we pay that monthly and um that then goes into our cross subsidy calculation, which it's pretty complicated, but then we start to get repaid on that once it's called chewed up through all the other
special education um pieces. And so we will start seeing those payments next year. Again, that's after the drew up all those pieces. So that I think those payments come out um starting in the winter. again, $2 million and this will
be rising before um June 30th um is completed. Then we have homeless children and youth in transition. This is the right thing to do to transport students that are homeless and youth in transition. It's also state and federal law under Mckin
Vento Act. We're at over 1.4 million in this. I think by the end of this um end of the school year invoices are all completed. We'll be at over $2 million. We are looking at expenditures some
months of 200,000 to 300,000 a month just in homeless transportation. Um these are the pieces that I just wanted to bring to you as far as transportation um pieces.
We are working with CISO, who's our transportation vendor, on continued efficiencies. I'll be very honest with you, there's not a lot of efficiency to be had in the categories that I just talked about um with respect to these um
transportation pieces, but we will continue to work on that board as we think about our legislative agenda. And this might be a pretty one of those Brenda Lewis and uh ISD14 only where we champion that. I'm not sure. I would
love us to really talk and um to work on legislating so districts can get this money in real time instead of waiting to make these payments in a rares because transportation continues to just climb
climb climb and then that impacts um our things like cash flow and all those pieces. So, I just wanted to elevate again um these are the right thing to do and they're required by law, but those are the um pretty significant areas
within our transportation budget. Michelle and Lori, I want to ask both of you to talk about kind of the process here that we're working on for transportation and anything that you want to add to or clarify that I've
stated. Yeah, I can start. Um, I think one of the difficulties we've been finding as we've kind of forensically looked at the billing and tried to figure out what exactly is happening student by student is that every bill comes in in a
different way, a different way we process things. Um, we're not really sure. Um, we have people from CISO that are um that are coding. um sometimes people from ISD14 are coding. So we are
actually um looking at and building out for the rest remaining of this year because we still have um as she said we still have April, May and June to go. We're actually building out a spreadsheet of every student in Fidley public schools and there will be markers
for each one. If you're a student who receives special ed transportation, if you're a student who is um part of the Northwest Suburban um process, if you're a youth in transition, then we will be going through every bill and we're going to have to have a little bit of manpower
for this, but um we are going through every bill to see who is billing for that student. So, I think our issues right now are are we being double bill for students? Are we being built for students who are no longer using transportation?
Are we correctly coding that student for the type of student, the type of reimbursement they um they can receive. So all those things will build out a system to look at the last um three
months. when we look at those trends um you know what I found in digging this and I see many of my colleagues in the room who have also dug into this data is you start to see patterns right so um as we do that we can then look and see what are things that we should actually be
looking back to in the entire year to look at and then come August we'll be building out the new tracker and we'll be starting that I'll be meeting with um CISO um this week to really talk about how we can get the bills uniform formed. I could be kind of pie in the sky there,
but there has to be a way that we can input their data without having to go kid by kid like we're doing, but that's going to take some work. Um, also looking at how can we look at efficiency in routes. Um, I think that's something we haven't explored enough with them um
as we're as we're looking at the routing systems that we're working on. And then we've also third thing that I'm looking at for next year is how do we build hubs especially for our students who are open enrolled or might be coming from areas like North Minneapolis or on a border
where we can offer parents through an enrollment strategy of hey we're going to have a bus stop right here if you want to come to Fidley School and be part of our amazing programs and our IB programs and all the work that Amy talked about tonight. Um you can be a
part of that. So, I see it as um one, we've got to clean things up. Two, we've got to use transportation as an enrollment strategy, and three, we have to work much closer with our partner and CESO to make sure that um we have an efficient way to track and to audit
what's happening in our transportation. Lori, I'll turn it over to you for any other thoughts. >> I think you covered all of it. I mean it's it's eyeopening to actually be exposed to transportation because that's something I haven't touched in my
career. So um it's it's been um a great deal of data. It's been a great deal of learning and I think um well when Michelle starts heading up transportation it's going to be um a lot of work for CISO to keep up with you. So
um I'm proud of all the work that everybody's done. I mean, I think all of us have touched transportation and voices in the room. >> Yep. >> So, it's it's a big um job, but it's um it's definitely worth it. And it and like she said, we can use it as an
enrollment strategy as well to market our programs and get people here. >> Um to both of you, the next piece that I want to talk to you about is Cedra. Cedra is our special ed report reporting mechanism where we communicate with MDE
to let them know about our enrollment within special education and the staffing and then that's how our revenue is calculated and generated and reimbursements regarding all things special education. I have been saying for quite some time I
feel like we have coding errors in special education. I will be very honest. It took us printing out this year's CEDRA reports which usually aren't at the superintendent level and
we went through and there are countless errors regarding disability category regarding setting regarding lensure among staffing and all of these impact funding levels for the district. So, for example, if we have a student enrolled
that's disability category is emotionally um behaviorally disturbed and they're in excuse me, disordered and they're in a setting for program, our VISTA program, that's a very different setting or level of funding that the
district receives versus if they were in with a disability category of other health impairment. Um, and what has been happening that we've uncovered for several years is that we have had coding
error after coding error after coding error after coding error after coding error etc. And so now we are correcting all of that. Um I have asked for consideration around coding errors that
have been taking place for years back. We have been told by MDE that that's a no. I will continue to re-elevate that. I am just um thankful that we are within the window. Now what also happens is what our CedRA is inputed on is
partially a significant portion is funding this year. So that's part of our revenue payments that are coming in this year. Well, when we have that many errors and coding errors within the Cedra system, that's going to compromise
the funding levels that we're getting. now for this year going into next year we will have that as part of the true up but those payments are not coming in right away. So those are pieces um frankly this is
literally with myself and other team members as you just heard going through line item by line item by line item by line item by line item for several hours. Um, and that's what it's taking to literally start over and rebuild. Um,
really like I've talked about all the way back from 2017 and forward. We've gotten some help that eventually um I will be at the strategy level again, which is where a superintendent
should be. We aren't there. We're nowhere near there. So the bulk of my time um is working with our team on getting ourselves um writed and undoing systems that have been in place for years and frankly training our our
finance team. We have brought um an individual contracted with an individual named Brady Hoffman. Some of you might know him. that's um he was part of Fidley public schools even before Matthew Hammer, but he has come and helped out the district in times of
transition in the past. We have again contracted with him. Um so he will work with us um really think of it in a comproller sense and he'll be right hand there with um Lori to train her and help her with all of the technical aspects
and to train up our team. The other piece is we have brought in Ray Queener who I think you remember had um used to be a business manager um in school districts prior to being a superintendent and Rey is coming working
side by side with Lori, side by side with me, side by side with Michelle to really help us with those pieces on the rebuild. Another piece I wanted to elevate is cash flow. So Lori and I are constantly in our
accounts man monitoring the cash flow and our cash flow has been extremely unpredictable and we pay a company to do that. Um so we're really working on how to get predictability around our cash flow. Um and to understand that I'll
take this a step further. Right now, Lori and I are doing work around cash flow that we shouldn't be doing um to get to the level of really a technician level and then we'll start to back back out. But it's taking that level to really get predictability and
understanding and to peel back the layers of these cash flow issues. I want to finally end by talking about a $2.2 $2 million um situation last year.
I repeatedly said to our finance manager, "Have we debited the construction costs from the pool, the roofing projects, and the other items at FCC out of the 224A
bond series, which was the tax abatement bond series that we had of $7 million to finance the repairs uh for the community center, the windows, the parking lots, um pieces of the pool, and other repairs. ers and Michelle I want you
back that response was constantly all during the 2425 school year around those construction costs were they carried in the general fund or did we debit them and please I would like you to just respond to what we were told repeatedly on that
>> told repeatedly that um those were being debited um unfortunately they did come out of our general fund so um I don't know how many hours in the day. But again, countless hours of going back through I don't know how many times I've went through every account activity
detail to look and see what was coded um what was construction, how did it match, and um thanks to um Superintendent Lewis, we were actually able to pull that money and work with Ellers and and
Lorie's work of um getting that money recouped. Um, I will say right now, I will um assure you that there is no bill that's happening in the district that isn't going through the superintendent
or my hands. Um, and I usually get them first. And I I go, this is how I think it's going to be code. Please put your eyes on it. She approves it. So, um the micromanaging that's happening right now just as we're building the systems is
incredibly taxing um but necessary um and important for you all to know to know that no stone is being left unturned right now. Superintendent, was there anything else on that one? >> Um Lori, anything you want to add?
We're we look at everything all day every day. So, it's been it's been really a good learning process for all of us. >> Um about the MDE tracker, right? Talked about Cedra and then we talked about the
audit tracker in depth tonight. um board, I just want to address all of you also and say that the team in front of you, including myself, we are committed to getting these systems and processes in place. We're committed to move away from what
you said of we're going to fix it on the back end for years and years and years. Um that's what was said by prior employees and it was on the back end and we are done with that model. Um, I will also tell you this level is not sustainable. So, we are bringing in the
supports. Um, and we have a phenomenal team in front of you, but the superintendent needs to get out of the business of literally looking in all construction expenditures from last year for nails and paint. That is not a
sustainable model for our school district. And we are committed to getting us right. But we have to get us to a sustainable place where the superintendent is again at that level of strategy around our finance. I
appreciate that I can be transparent um about this situation that has been brewing in Fidley public schools for quite some time and um we are on the path to fixing it. Board, I'm going to pause for any questions or comments there. I know this has been a lot of
information. I think we're good. Dr. Liss, no questions. Thank you though. >> Um, this is a last entry from the US Department of Education. Please understand that what I'm sharing with you is the facts that I know at
this time. Today it was announced that um special education um is being moved out of the US Department of Education and being placed in um health and human services. Also
the office of civil rights is being removed and placed in um the US department of team. I think justice, yes, the US Department of Justice, um you'll see
several statements coming out, uh that are not in favor of these moves. Um I am extraordinarily concerned around this. Not only is this about the rights of children with disabilities, it's also about funding.
Um, and we have had moments with the Department of Health and Human Services when it comes to coding and billing and third party bill and not having a billing ID number from
them. So, I am exceptionally nervous about this move. Um I will say that as a reminder, we have talked about this in the past where um
the current presidential administration has clearly stated that the department US department of education will be actively dismantled and we are seeing that happening and um the current leader
of the US department of education Um, Suzanne McMahon. Susan McMahon. Um, her background is professional wrestling. What is her name? Susan McMahon. Anyway, she Linda McMahon. I got there. Um, she is clearly uh not an
advocate for the children in our district. Um, so I continue to be very nervous about this and have a platform um about this. So, more to come on that. Please understand, I'm telling you what I know at this time.
There has been no direct communication to superintendents. You know, they do that monthly newsletter from the Department of Education that I send you. Um they haven't sent anything out. So, I'm guessing that we'll have to wait for the month to be over to get their newsletter on that. I would personally
have preferred a direct communication from the US Department of Education to superintendent But that wasn't the case today. Um Relle, anything on that? We just don't have a lot of information.
>> No, I believe that is on purpose. So, >> yes. Thank you. Okay. Um now I'm going to defer for our construction update. I am also going to state that
we have been out on our sites monitoring the work and we have been learning so much about all of these pieces and it's just quite humbling to see how the voters of Fidley public
schools believe in our district and we are showing them their reason to believe and successful passage of that bond. and what it's doing. So, I am absolutely so honored to have Michelle update you on where we are as of now. Take it away,
please, Michelle. >> Thank you so much. Um, so here we go with our construction updates. So, we're going to take a little tour. Our first one is um a picture of our stadium remodel. I was trying to fix my spelling
error there as I was uh going. So, I will go back and fix that. Um, as you can see, we are um uh well, can we see? I don't think we can see the picture, but um there is a lot of crane action out there. There's a lot of dirt moving around. As you've
been updated on, um we did find some hidden treasures in our um as we were ex excavate excavating um the uh we have had um three tests done. One test has come back negative um
for asbestous. Um we have two more tests that we're waiting on. Um the areas were pretty contained and they were right kind of by the track so it was just an interesting placement. We haven't found any other places of that. Um we're
waiting for those tests to come back for that piece, but we're anticipating not a lot of problems there. Um we do know we have reached out to the missile department of pollution control. um they are very happy with um our partnership with the um IEA or environmental
assessment group that we work with and feel like no matter what um what happens they're they're fine with whatever we decide with IEA. So they have not been um involved very much. On our next picture um is really the pool update and wow this has changed even since last
week. Um you can see in this picture on the one on the left there was if you have been in our pool there was an open stairwell down. It was not a very pretty site and here you see that will all be bricked in. So what you're looking at is where the bleachers used to be and where
the new bleachers will be. All the concrete has been poured. It's needs to cure for 28 days. So, they're working on other parts of this. Um, but it's really coming along. I think the next part of this will be the lighting and then we're
also doing some ceiling work as we go too. The next picture that you see in the middle is um the new showers that are going in. So, you can kind of like imagine what that's going to look like as you see the piping in there. And then the final picture is um again another
shot of the pool as we do. So, very excited about that. Our next slide is our softball scoreboard as we're kind of finishing up the baseball fields. Really excited. We went out and got a picture and got it all lit up. So, it's really fun and very excited for our softball
team and this um new scoreboard that they have in place um with the Frilly F up on top. And then finally, I just wanted to show you our middle school project. Um the windows have been the first to work on. Here you can see what our windows used to look like and what
they're replaced to look like. So, a huge improvement for our kids um and for our staff that work there. Um we're now um in the stage for the middle school where we're starting to abate. Um so, you'll see sections of it. We've moved all the staff out um and so we'll be
working on that um as the middle school has been closed down um for that project. And then, um finally, I wanted to give you a safe roots to school project update. Um, I'm pleased to share that that project is actively underway.
Um, construction also began at that time on the new trail that's connecting Common Park to Jackson Street. Um, as you might have noticed, construction is also progressing along 6th Avenue and 7th Street. And now that the school year's concluded, they kind of took a
break and now you can see it's in full action again. So, um, this has all been resumed and this work and we're hoping to have it done, um, quickly. We just want to say thank you to our Sydney, our city project staff. They've been great partners and really remain committed to
partnering on the construction activity around our facilities and operations. We'll continue to get updates and I'll update you at the July board meeting about anything moving forward and um, especially if anything impacts the district for sure. So, thank you.
Any questions? >> Thanks, Michelle. >> So exciting. So, all of our year-end celebrations, um, on the second to the last day of school, I believe in the morning is when, um, Fidley Middle School held
their academic allstars. Um such a fun event and so many children that were celebrated there. Lots of families came out. I know we had board members who were also able to be there. As we continue to evolve and um look at things
our Fidley Middle School administration is looking at does that time work best for families. Also we continue to run into congestion around um high school and middle school arrival times, things like that. So, um, so much to celebrate there and just a little bit of retooling
as we continue to evolve our practices there. This is just the cutest, these preschool graduations. Um, I was also able when I was doing classroom visits to see them practice.
It is amazing. and the outfits that these children have and they are so proud and it is just like a serious moment to be at these preschool graduations. So, I encourage board members next year. We'll invite you to
those and they're just um magical magical and they remind you of our why and they also remind us of the beautiful diversity that is Fidley public schools. our fourth graders. These celebrations
also are just phenomenal as we honor our children as they move from elementary to middle school. And you'll see um different uh traditions that are done at both Stevenson and Hayes. And it's just such an exciting time. Our eighth
graders as they walk through the hall and have um staff cheering for them, honoring them, students. It's also um just such a special time to have that sendoff. And then our FHS class of 2026
graduation. It was just beautiful again this year. So proud of our graduates, so proud of our staff, our choir, our band, um our whole community. And one of the pieces that we really evolved from last
year is our venue um did not want us to have late arrivals. And we took a hard stance on that after last year and said no. Our issue isn't late arrivals. Our issue is how do we have folks that are
warmly welcomed that are coming after the arrival time of the graduation um treated with love and dignity welcomed in and so that it doesn't cause distraction during our graduation and most importantly centers a safe environment for all. And I looked over
at Relle on stage and said to her look at the late arrivals. It was beautiful. like it was a steady stream of late arrivals, but it wasn't a distraction at all. And it was just beautiful to see all of our families there and that we
were able to warmly welcome them. I also love that for our venue, our graduates get to have a really large number of tickets. I think it's um that fluctuates I think each year, but I think it's around 12 tickets. And I just think
that's beautiful that we have so many tickets for our graduates to have their family and friends cheering them on. And I also want to acknowledge and honor that graduation ceremonies in the metro um
have had several safety concerns of a very serious level. And ours was plain and simply perfection. It was beautiful. It honored and centered our graduates. Our staff was there in an amazing way
and the event staff at Roy Wilkins. So, I love the venue. I love the graduation and um it could not have gone better this year. And with that, I'm going to move with
updates here. Uh Vice Chair Jones, do you want to give the Northeast Metro update? I'm sorry, Chair. I did not yield to any comments about end of year celebrations there. Sorry about that. >> I I think you adequately covered it. >> All right, vice chair.
>> At our 916 meeting at the start of this month in June, we um recognized multiple staff. We had three staff members that were retiring and we were able to celebrate their years of service. Um 28 years for one, 32, and 18. So, it was
very exciting to be able to celebrate them and send them into their next stage. We had a number of policies that we adopted um multiple of them based off of uh changes to state legislation and different um components like that. We
approved the budget for the fiscal year 27 and um that included things like the tuition, membership and access fees um were also approved as a part of that. And then we had a number of contracts
that were approved. food service with different districts that provide um food service to 916 schools and sites um for different care facilities or providing education at different care facilities and um substitute teachers through Kelly
services and then a number of different technology um quotes were approved for the refresh for this following school year. Um, and uh, yep, I think that was
our big ones that we approved there. So, thank you. >> How do you want to do an AMSD update? It's linked there. I'm happy to go through it. Whatever is your preference >> here, chair, chair, I'm going to just go ahead and give the update.
Can you just give me a thumbs up if that's what you wanted? Um, and now I can't see you. Okay. So, um, we started with a presentation on the educator group insurance program. That presentation was done by MSBA. This
is really work that Education Minnesota, the um umbrella for all of the teachers unions in the state of Minnesota are really working to have an affordable health insurance rates for um educators
and for school districts. That's one of the biggest um struggles with respect to um teacher negotiations and really staff negotiations and various bargaining units. Um this presentation and um Vice
Chair Jones, I'm also going to ask you to chime in here to to keep me keep me honest. This presentation is done by Gary Lee, MSBA. Um, it's part of Amnesty. I would like
us as Fidley Public Schools to ensure that we hear multiple perspectives on this item here um, regarding educator group insurance
program um, the AMSD presentation. And I would just encourage you to go back and listen to the recording. And then I think there's a lot of work for us to really come to an unbiased place of where we can think about this and
where we can really um lobby and also to make sure that we understand and can put our names behind the stances that AMSD, MASA, MSBA take because usually we align ourselves with the lobbying work that
they do. Um let's just watch this one really closely to make sure that um we are we are fully informed on this topic and and able to make a stance on this topic. I would also like to say
here that we have to work collaboratively to come up with a solution. And I will further say I'm very thankful to our education Minnesota because they've at least gotten this off the ground. And I think that as organizations that we pay
money to to be members, I think they need to also be working with Education Minnesota in a collaborative manner. Vice Chair Jones, any comments there? I know that you were part of that hearing that presentation. >> I would completely agree with that. I do think that this is definitely something
that many groups have interest in. Um wanting to make sure that we are being able to be fiscally responsible while providing our employees with good healthc care coverage. I know that that is really important to lots of employees, lots of families. And I think
that that is very accurate that we need to really be working in collaboration um with this decision-m process. And yes, I do agree that there is probably a lot of information that was not presented at the in this particular
um or lots of perspectives that were not presented in this particular presentation. MDE legislative uh session updates. We've already gone through those, but they're also linked here. Um AMSD membership survey is here um talking
about the 2026 federal education tax credit legislative session review. Um then the permanent school fund that's um the author on that is Senator Kunish trying to get some additional funding to
schools. Um, this is that new constitutional amendment that would increase funding for schools. I will keep talking about this. We got our kit as superintendants that arrived yesterday about the work that we are expected to lead around this to get the
message out to communities about this. Um, so more to come on that. I would like to have a good conversation with our board about um the expectations we have around this um and the work to be done there. I also want to
remind us that sometimes when things like this, a new constitutional amendment comes out. Um, I think that Senator Konish always centers children, always centers school districts, and she is literally such a champion of our
district and all public schools. Um, what I will also say is sometimes there are elected officials that then say things specifically to me presenting and
testifying such as well if compensatory is reduced but that new constitutional amendment might pass. And I just want to get perspective here. I'm still waiting for the runs on this from MDE. Again, very
grateful in my um superintendent that we would see a revenue stream here of maybe an increase around $150,000 and our compensatory ed was um reduced
by 960,000. So, I will continue to give you the facts around um these pieces. What's really needed here is funding to support the mandates. Um, which we are in support of, but we need a way to fund those mandates. Um,
any questions update board? There's kind of a lot there. No questions, Dr. Lewis. Um, a reminder on upcoming events, the Hall of Fame is Thursday, July 23rd,
2026 at Forgotten Star. I'm going to leave off the rest of their name there. Um, and that's a social at 5 and a dinner at 6. And then the golf tournament Friday, July 24th at Green Haven Golf Course at 100 p.m. So excited
about that event. It's always a great event. And with that, again, I know that these updates, especially with budget and SOD, and tonight was a really deep dive in finance. I just appreciate your patience, your understanding, and your engagement, board. So, with that, chair,
I yield back to you. >> Great. Thanks, Dr. >> Um, next up, we have our business action items. Uh, first on the list is our approval for the change in the 2026 2027 calendar year. I would, uh, entertain a motion to approve. So moved.
>> Motion by Jones. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Second by Shriner. All those in favor, please signify by saying I. >> I. >> All those opposed. Motion passes. Next up on the action names, we have the approval for fiscal year 2026 2027 adopted budget. And do I have a
motion of approval? >> So moved. >> Motion by Yang. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Second by Stark. You get that one. >> All those in favor, please signify by saying I. >> I. All those opposed? Motion passes. Uh,
next up we uh I would entertain a motion for the certification of the updated district population estimate as presented by Nate from formerly from Duth, I guess, but originally from the Twin Cities. Um, do I have a motion? >> So moved.
>> Motion by Jones. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Second by Shriner. Uh, this is a roll call vote. Miss Jones. >> I. >> Mr. Carnop is I. Miss Shriner. >> Hi. >> Miss Stark. >> Hi. Miss Yang. >> I. >> Motion passes. >> Next up, I have a resolution for accepting gifts. There are several people that donated to the eighth grade
sendoff, which um I heard was a great event. I know my son was there on the the boat for a couple hours in St. Paul. The following people donated to that sendoff. Uh, Josephina Ars, uh, Rasheed Atu Barway, Lisa Boowberg,
Muhammad Ka, Tiffany Demo, Lauren Gilbert, Stephanie Hegy, Tosin Ahmad, Stacy Neely, Angie Peterson, Susanna Salvin, Laura Sisterman, Melissa Spreeman, May Vang, and Tony Vang. Um, I would entertain a motion to extend our
gratitude to those people that donated to the trip. Motion made by Yang. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Second by Jones. Roll call vote. Miss Jones. >> I. >> Mr. Carup is I. Miss Shriner. >> Hi. >> Miss Stark. >> Hi. >> Miss Yang. >> Motion passes.
>> Next up, uh, entertain a motion to approve the consent agenda. Do I have a motion? >> So moved. >> Motion by Shiner. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Second by Jones. All those in favor, please signify by saying I. >> I. I. >> All those opposed? Motion passes. Um, do
we need to go over the written information for the >> the Oh, the >> for the early admissions or the early right. >> Do we need to do a >> do we I don't think we need to do a reading right there. They're in the
>> Gotcha. in the packet. So, no no actionable item there. Um, addition to the dates that Dr. was covered. Coming up, we have uh the district holiday on June 19th for Junth. Um which is a district holiday just listed here twice. I guess uh the next school board meeting
will be on July 21st. It's weird that there's only two dates on here, but I guess that's what happens when school is out. There'll be 30 on here tomorrow, next month, I'm sure. Uh with that, I would entertain a motion to adjurnn. >> So moved. >> Are there any other dates? Am I missing? Sometimes you are.
>> Okay. Motion made by Stark. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Second by Shiner. All those in favor, please signify by saying I. I. >> All those opposed. Motion passes and we are journed at 852. Thank you everybody.