live. Good evening everyone. Welcome to the GFW school district board meeting July 20th. The time is 606. Stand for the pledge of allegiance, please. to the republic for which it stands. One
nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Do I have a first and a second to approve the agenda? >> I'll make a motion to approve the agenda. >> I'll second. >> All those in favor?
Approved. Uh, I'll start the night. I'll be a presentation from Mr. Berg. >> Yeah, just one minute here because I'm trying to get into the Zoom meeting and it's not going. >> Oh, what's it telling you?
>> Uh, literally this. >> Uh, go to your inbox one more time or your Gmail. >> And is there a link in there? >> Soc. >> Yes. Yep.
Click on there. Should bring you right to it. Then we shoulder. >> Yeah. You will come over to the board. Let me just put that be fantastic. Thank you.
Okay, perfect. All right. So, tonight is kind of a big night. Um, we're going to be talking about setting the stage for a possible election here in November and um talking about a couple different topics that you'll be voting on tonight and the engagement that we'll launch as we
decide to move forward. Um, I want to really reiterate that this is about long-term planning. Everything that we're doing tonight and talking about isn't going to take effect until 2028 at the earliest. So, taxes would be payable in 2027, receivable in 2028. So, for the
past couple months, we've been working really hard at a long-term plan for our district and um trying to make sure that we are planning with purpose. go um in making sure that we continue to pay down those financial pressures that
are facing public education head on. So over the past two years, we've cut over $850,000 in operational expenditures. We've conducted financial surveys from multiple community members and community groups. We've had multiple parent letters and district updates regarding
our financial status. regular newspaper articles and Facebook communications, ongoing discussions about our operational and financial challenges at early meetings, and continued community engagement throughout the planning process as we move forward. If you remember, this journey really started last October during the
strategic planning processes. We had put questions in there specifically asking the community about um how GFW public schools was doing, if we were spending our tax money effectively and efficiently. And you can see that a large majority agree with that statement. Um, as well as compared to
neighboring districts, do you think the school taxes in our district are very high, somewhat high, average, somewhat low, or very low? And you can see that a lot of the respondents responded that our taxes are average. Then we also asked a couple more questions specifically towards this
capital projects levy. Um, we asked them, how important do you think it is that students have access to technology in the classroom and at home? an over um 52% answer that it's very important. Then we specifically asked the question, we drilled down into it um is would you
support the district authorizing additional tax levy used to provide funds for school district technology including our systems, curriculum support and maintenance of software, device replacement and um other expenditures. And you can see that almost 58% of the respondents answered that yes, they would support um an
additional tax levy. So, we continue to face financial pressures from inflation, rising operating and staffing costs, declining enrollment, state and federal requirements that are only partially funded. So, overall, these financial pressures are continuing to increase
rapidly. Now, I hear a lot from people that we're a small district. We don't need to do that. We don't need to comply with that. Really, the biggest difference between a district of our size and the metropolitan districts is the number of zeros. the number of zeros on student enrollment, the number of zeros on our finances, the number of
zeros on our payroll. That's it. The rest of the state mandates, everything else apply to us. And we've taken that head-on with the team that we've got here. There's a large example of partially funded mandates from the state of Minnesota that are real and they're continuing to grow, including data
privacy, cyber security, student information reporting requirements. We've got mandatory testing, assessment administration, early childhood screening and intervention requirements, special education services continue to grow um as our students continue to need more um support in the classrooms,
safety security requirements. Our legislators just passed a law requiring at the end of this upcoming year that every school district have a emergency um reporting line for students. That's something that we're going to have to figure out how to do. um paid and medical leave program implementation
unemployment insurance eligibility for hourly and seasonal employers, preschool meals, which has resulted in a decrease in our compensatory funding and expanded state reporting and compliance publications. So, when we talked about this um over the past couple months, there's really
going to be four questions on the November ballot that could be related to GFW public schools. The first is for our schoolboard election. We'll have three seats up for election. um permanent school trust fund which is a statewide constitutional amendment and will appear on everyone's ballot. And then if the board decides to move forward, question
one would be a capital projects levy. I think question two would be a building bond demolition project. So I want to spend a little bit of time diving into the capital projects levy because that would be the first question that would appear on the ballot. So a capital projects levy is a local property tax
specifically authorized by voters for a set term. The funds generated can only be used for major capital expenses such as transportation, technology, and curriculum. This is separate from the district's operating budget, which covers day-to-day costs like teacher salaries, classroom supplies, and
utilities. By having a dedicated levy, the district can address transportation, technology, and curriculum headon without having to redirect funds from our um general obligations. So, for instance, this past budget and with um Dr. Dr. Smith when he was the interim superintendent here as well. The board
passed in our operating assumption budgets that we would have to spend $100,000 on leasing buses. Um we would need to do that if we had a capital projects levy in place. So the proposal at a glance would be um that the levy would raise approximately
$400,000 annually for 10 years which would bring about $4 million for essential certainties into into the building. So when we talk about this, the first area is technology services that we could support. Our goal is to maintain
safe, reliable technology in our students hands throughout all of our facilities. And we can do this through replacing aging devices and upgrading essential systems. Making sure that our students and our staff have the tools they need to learn, teach, and work effectively every day. But technology is
way more beyond a device in a student's hand or a staff member's hand. Um, technology continues to become more important in education and there's huge components of it about protecting our student information and our school operations is critical. We need to continue to invest in cyber security and
help safeguard our district from growing digital threats. In 2024, a national survey that was released, 60% of K12 schools reported fishing attacks, data breaches, or ransom war. Um, protecting school networks, it's not really no longer optional. The number of fishing
attempts that our district gets is crazy. I think I'm currently trying to sell the grand piano right now. Right. Right. >> Yeah. And it gets out there. >> Um so a lot of this is maintaining what we have. And so much of our district's infrastructure requires regular replacement and updates to remain
functional and that includes those Chromebooks in all of our students hands every day that's used for instructional purposes and our curriculum resources. Um like any device, Chromebooks have limited lifespans and have to be replaced on a regular cycle.
The other component of this is looking at our curriculum areas. Um, the moment a history book is printed, it becomes outdated. So, new events are constantly changing our world and shaping it. Many of the district's curriculum resources are now delivered through an online subscription, which allows our students
and teachers to access the most current lessons and educational tools available to them. So, we need to invest in our student achievement by making sure that strong schools begin with strong academics and maintaining our current curriculum resources and providing meaningful learning opportunities, we can continue to help our students build
knowledge, confidence, and the skills needed for future success. Um, so this plan works to address one of the biggest issues that we've got facing in the next couple years is that the district used over $500,000 in one-time COVID 19 relief funds to purchase
curriculum resources that students and our teachers use every single day. Those subscriptions are going to start expiring in the next two to three years. And finding ways to make sure that we can renew them um and making sure that we've got access to those high quality instructional materials is going to be
very important. And then talking about transportation, our goal is to make sure that our students have safe, reliable transportation for every student every single day. And we've got a very old aging fleet of buses on our hands with a quite a few of them that are 20 plus
years old. At least two of them are no longer passing inspection. And new buses are expensive. They cost $155,000. Um we have two new buses that are on their way. We scrape together those funds utilizing HVAC rebates from this new building, LED lighting rebates from
this new building, and then auction proceeds from the given elementary. That money is non-renewable. It was onetime funds, but we knew that we had buses that aren't passing inspection anymore, and we needed to make sure that our fleet was up to date. We spent a lot of time talking about what it would look
like if we were to move to a contracted service. And there are districts around us that were also doing this at the same time in the local news headlines. um switching to a private contractor service would cost us about 32% more per year than maintaining our own bus fleet. And that includes investing in our bus
fleet as well. So in summary, the capital projects levy versus an operating levy is the capital projects levy is separate from the district's operating budget which covers the day-to-day costs like teacher salaries, classroom supplies, and utilities. By having a dedicated levy
that stays stagnant and isn't based on enrollment will help address these essential operating needs that we need um without having to redirect the funds from the operating operation side of the district. Part of this too is planning with purpose as well. um instead of replacing
everything at once and finding ourselves in the same exact situation we're in right now 10 years from now with this capital projects levy is we're going to intentionally spread out the larger purchases over time which will give us a more predictable replacement schedule and help us manage costs year after
year. It also puts us in a um stronger position in the long term. So for instance, you can see kind of a nice little visual that we put together is the first year that the levy would be in intact in 2829, we're going to purchase the bus and we're also going to work on
our software system. um in 2032, 2033, 2034, you can see that things start to shrink a little bit and there's three large curriculum purchases and that's when the state cycle for reviewing our standards are going to affect the big ones like
science and reading and English and history, social studies. So, we're predicting that there's going to be a large purchases those years with our curriculum subscriptions. However, we can mitigate that going forward and instead of purchasing like a seven-year subscription or um nine-year subscription, we can look at three and
five so that this cycle starts to fall off and we can not spend as much money back to back going forward. So, the tax impact if this levy was to be approved, it would result in a property tax increase and the specific impact will depend on your property's
classification. Um, but the average market value home in our district of $175,000, the annual tax increase is estimated to be approximately $22 per year or $2 per month. Um, in agricultural, depending on
the value um of your property, so like a $13,000 acre would see a $1 tax increase per year. Non-h homestead would see a $2 tax increase per year. And egg to school credit does not apply to a capital projects levy. So, I want to make sure
that that's out there as well. Question two would be a building bond to demolish the unused buildings in our district. Um, so we're looking at seeking another $3.2 million in bond funding to address the demolition of aging facilities that are no longer
needed for our educational purposes. This estimate and we will go into a little more details as well um is it's based on professional planning and it includes a lot more than just the cost to tear down the building. It also accounts for required expenses like asbestous abatement, environmental and
safety compliance, site surveys, soil investigations, utility disconnection, site restoration, and other project related costs to safely complete the work. Um, one of the things I do want to highlight here is during a committee of the whole session we had in January or February, we talked a lot about the
asbestous abatement portion of that and we decided to rather than creating a levy against our long-term facilities maintenance, which the board has the authority to do without border approval um to abate the buildings of aspesus, we would roll it into the bond question. Um, so this is really about engagement
with our community as to $3.2 $.2 million will take down both of the vacant buildings. And the reason to do this is we want to invest in our students and not into empty buildings. Even though the buildings are vacant, ongoing maintenance costs remain. Even when the building's used less frequently
or sits vacant, we're still responsible for utilities, insurance, inspections, groundskeeping, and basic upkeep. Um, aging buildings continue to require repairs. This is exactly why we're in this new facility right now, right? the roofs, the HVAC systems, plumbing, electrical systems, and other
infrastructure continue to age whether a building's occupied or not. The other piece of this is that our resources are spread across more facilities, and maintaining the additional square footage requires staff time. It also requires financial resources. With this question, a cultural property would see
a relief. The aid to school credit will cover 55% of the costs related to a property or 1.76 million of the $3.2 million bond. Something that you'll also be approving tonight is our long-term facilities maintenance plan. And so long-term
facilities maintenance plan has allowable expenses for like health and safety projects, a playground, swing, brave, electrical service and lighting, um, science lab inventory of chemicals, including our employee right to know training. With this new building now
coming online and the old two buildings coming offline, meaning they're no longer occupied by students or used for instruction, the state is two years behind on long-term facilities maintenance. So in 2028, you can see that our revenue for long-term
facilities maintenance is going to go from $29,000 to $31,000 because of this new building. maintaining two aging buildings that are sitting vacant on $31,000 a year for if something happens to them is going to be
really tight. We spend about $100,000 a year right now just on basic needs like paying for our fire alarm system or um if a glass window breaks or something was to happen. So, this is something too that's in front of you for tonight is to prove the long-term facilities
maintenance funding. Um and so this is an area of concern as well that we can see that we're talking long-term 2020 age again um when taxes would be received above. So by the numbers the given building you can see on a three-year average basic utilities were
about $73,634 and then for the Winthrop building um on average was $171,142. So the district overall averaging the last three years spent about $244,000 average on the basic utilities for the
two buildings. And so I want to talk a little bit about selling the buildings. So we have shown both the buildings numerous times. Um and we've been looking for the right buyer, right? And so finding the right buyer takes time and not all buildings have an immediate market demand, right? there's not a lot
of people breaking down the door trying to buy um an aging school building. With the other piece of that, too, is we're competing against rents ourselves. We have two aging school buildings that are about 8 miles apart from each other. Um and finding two unique buyers that are interested in them um makes it
difficult. So, if this question was to be approved, the timeline for demolition of the two buildings is um in November, we would start planning surveys, utilities, code review, existing conditions. January of 27, um, we would start designing the
demolition plans, the abatement coordination, and the salvage planning. March of 27th, we would start bidding, um, finding contractors that are willing to take them down. And then spring and summer of 27, construction management, inspections, payments, and close out.
Also in the board packet in front of you tonight, um, is looking to utilize W architects and engineers who the district has a current relationship with. They understand the old buildings. they have done some work with the old buildings as well. Um, and so and they're um, a firm that we already have
on hand as well. So, I want to take a minute because I know out there in the community there's a lot of conversation about the Fairfax building and so I just kind of want to address a couple of the facts with the Fairfax building here. Um the building
was sold on May 7th, 2021 for $53,000 and the district subsequently entered into a lease agreement with them to continue utilizing the space. However, we later terminated that lease agreement um in 2023 due to the ongoing maintenance issues. The owner the current owners of the building are
delinquent on their property taxes from 2025 to present and they filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on July 6, 2026. And they're now in the process of looking at the legal debt relief. they do have until September 4th of 2026 to make payment to the bank for their debt
owed. Um they have not made any property tax statement payments since 2025. And so the process with that is if they were to make a payment um to the bank and continue to maintain their mortgage, um they would need to backay their
property taxes. However, if they don't back pay their property taxes, it'll go into forfeite. Um, which would then go to the state in the fourth year and then would be managed by the county. And so, I know there's a lot of information out there and a lot of public discussion about the bankruptcy proceedings and speculation that the property could
return um in early September. You the reality is though that we have not received official documentation. We have not received any official reports that the bank is going to turn that building back over. Um, so until there's formal action by the bankruptcy court or the local government, I think it's um a
little premature to make district decisions based on speculation that's out there. So if question two was to move forward, that average home value of 175,000, there would be a $24 increase annually for 10 years and the egg to
school credit would cover 55% of a land cost. So for a $13,000 acre that's homesteaded, it would be 33 cents per year. Um, and for non-homemstead, it would be 66 cents. So, I want to talk a little bit more about this is that we're responsibly
planning for the future. You know, the election's not intended to eliminate the need for future adjustments as enrollment changes. This levy is not attached to enrollment in any way. What it's doing is it's bailing out um the operating fund from needing to divert
for $100,000 in leasing our buses or um purchasing large swings of Chromebooks or other curriculum. We are going to have to continue to align our staffing needs based on our student enrollment. Um, this dedicated funding for transportation, technology, curriculum,
and facility needs is going to help better support our classrooms and students, and it allows us to plan years ahead instead of the financial challenges year after year. Um, we will know going forward that we have $400,000 for technology, we have money for transportation, and we have money for
curriculum. So the rough timeline here is tonight um the board considers resolutions calling for the election. If the board decides to move forward, we will make sure that informationational comm community communication goes live tonight. By August 11th, the resolution would need
to be adopted and the county auditor and commissioner of education would be notified. Late August to midsepptember, we would be required to um publish the commissioner's review and comment in the local papers. September 18th, absentee ballot begins. October any required
election notice notices get published and posted. Sample ballots are posted. November 3rd would be the state general election and district election. And at sometime between November 6th and 17th, we would have to call a special meeting to canvas the election results.
So moving forward, if the board was to take action tonight and decide to move forward, I want to bring us into our new strategic plan that started July 1st here. is that we believe in making planning decisions with purpose and being strategic in those decisions,
communicating openly, and helping ensure our community understands not only what we're doing, but why we're doing it. So, we're really going to launch on an engagement um tour with the district. And so, our goals with this is making sure that we provide clear, accurate, and timely information about the
election, concise, and consistent message delivery through a number of communication channels. We're going to ensure that all our employees, parents, and other key stakeholders understand what the proposal is, are able to answer the most commonly asked questions, and they're encouraged to make an informed vote. We are also going to comply with
all legal requirements on holding and communication about the election. And then in the process, hopefully regenerating feelings of overall support for the school district and its students. So, this is going to be based not on promises. It's going to be based on the
facts of the situation at hand. is number one is we've reduced district expenditures by more than $850,000 over the last two years. District technology costs average approximately $980,000 annually. District curriculum expenditures average $188,000 annually
with more than $532,000 of curriculum purchases funded through onetime COVID relief funds. Our transportation costs average approximately $722,000 annually. Contracting for transportation service would cost us approximately 32% more than our district operating
services. We have several district buses that are more than 20 years old. And given it went through buildings have averaged $224,000 in annually in basic utilities. This is information that the board has requested that we data mind and bring forward and we've been talking about for a few months. And this is all the information
that this um referendum and this capital projects levy would be based on. So, a couple of things with pre-work days is making sure that we're ensuring clear consistent communication. Um, before back to school open house, the board would approve the resolutions to
move forward. We would distribute the staff dos and don'ts telling them what they can legally and do during election season. We'd create a video script andformational video, create the website, develop a logo, fact sheet, postcard that would be mailed out to families and voters in the community. um
we would develop slides for athletic school events and then August 26th or 26 our community engagement begins. So today if the board moves forward um I do have a letter drafted as well as a video that would go out and there is a website that's ready to be launched as well. Um
we would launch all that information tonight and start getting some information into folks's hands and then we'll sit back and we'll kind of monitor. Part of this is frequently asked questions are going to come up, right? We're going to see stuff on Facebook. We're going to get emails. We're going to get phone calls related to this. We're going to document all of
those so that we can answer those questions um as we work to engage with the community over the next couple of weeks. And then August 26 is really when the big community engagement begins about 8 weeks out from election day. So the website and video is really meant
to help provide a one-stop shop for our community to find factual information. Um, the web page will contain information about the levy and the bond, the process, tax information, and frequently asked questions. And then, um, a lot of people don't like to scroll through a website. They don't want to
look at the information on there. They'd rather listen to it or see a video. So, we've got a video ready to go that covers both the questions. And then, like I mentioned earlier, we'll send out the um, introduction letter to all of our families and communities. We've got press releases to
local papers ready to go for each week. Um, we'll have an all staff meeting to discuss the upcoming election once they all come back for back to school workshopping. We'll meet with key elected officials and community leaders. Um, we'll provide a press release on ways to learn about the election.
Monitor feedback for frequently asked questions, back to school openhouse and nightformational table. Twice a week there's already Facebook posts that are ready to go talking about transportation technology curriculum in the older buildings. We'll have a postcard hand out for activities um the mailed flyer
to addresses within the district. And then I did this when I was in Big Lake schools the night before election night. We tested our emergency alert system. Um and at the end the superintendent came on and said, "Oh, and just a reminder, check out our website. There's an election tomorrow." So we'll do that as
well. So that is my presentation. Very good. Information. Moving on to visitor recognition public comments. And before we start with that, there's
open forum guidelines that remind the board. Uh any person may raise a question to the school board. the board who will not act on any item presented to them that is not on the agenda. Every attempt should be made by
individuals to remedy a complaint or issue a concern with the staff involved building level principal and or the superintendent before addressing school board education. Also, the board would like persons to
limit themselves to two minutes. Uh these limitations are needed for us to run timely and orderly board meetings. Persons are requested to identify themselves before speaking.
Uh Julie, do we have one? >> No. >> Okay. Uh moving on to consent agenda. Um,
do I have a personal second to approve the action items as presented in the board packet? >> I'll make a motion to approve with consent. >> I'll second approval for regular board meeting.
Approval for finance report, approval of activity actively account review and approval of personnel. Any discussion on any of those items? All those in favor? Moving on to information items.
Superintendent report. >> Oh man, I'm up again. >> Um, couple of things. So, uh, with two new buses being delivered to our fleet, we are going to post um, our two oldest buses that are having the most issues
um, mechanically as well as most miles and not having a good time um, for sealed bid um, on our website here pretty soon. Um, so we'll have that information ready to go here in the next couple days here. Uh I do want to point out and a special thank you to the given
all school all class reunion that took place over the weekend. That committee was excellent to work with. They were um very positive and upbeat and I understand there were about 225 people in the building over the weekend um participating in that. And the last
thing I got is the countdown is on. There's 43 days until the first day of school. So, we are busy getting staffed and um I know the district's planning on sending out the welcome back with school packets here pretty quickly, too. They're going to start serving those envelopes on Wednesday. So, that is my
update. >> Elementary school, middle school. >> Good evening. Um well, as Mr. B said, we are busy getting ready already. um getting class lists ready to go and back to school letters um that will go out next week. Um we're also planning for
our new teacher orientation days and the first days with all of our staff. Uh today we had our first day of Edge summer school and that will go through July 31st. Uh Caroli Hagen and Ramona Castner are teaching along with Sharon Fawsome who's working with our special
education students that qualified for extended school year. Uh we also have a few of our paras who are helping out and I always really appreciate the staff who are taking the time in the summer to work with our students. Um it's also been interesting to just be around and see some of the other things going on um
with our kids. Um Tanya Shiro has several community ed activities happening for students and summer wreck finishes up this week. Um Amy Tennic has started a junior librarian program for students who are interested in helping to keep all of our books organized and easily accessible to students. Um, she
actually has several students signed up and they've already made our book areas look very organized and ready for use. Um, our Tri Community Arts group has 55 plus community members who are working on TCA summer musical Frozen from directing, acting, sets, costumes,
marketing, ticket sales, sound, and props. It takes a lot of people to make the musical events happen. Um TCA also has participated in both the Fairfax and Winter Parades as well as New Elms Bavarian Blast Parade to promote the summer musical and TCA. Um they also
served the pork chop dinner during winter farm city funfest. So they're a busy group of people. Um, the cast is doing an amazing job on music and acting and we are excited to perform for the GFW community on July 30th through August 1st at 7 PM and August 2nd at 2
p.m. Um, tickets are already on sale and going fast, so that's fun to see and uh, it's going to be a great show. So that's my report. So for the middle school high school, I don't have a large number of items but
just a few. So staffing updates, we've completed interviews and extended offers to the candidates for our open positions that we have here at the middle school high school. The recommendations for approval will hopefully be approved this evening. Um we have our 6 through 12 ELA position, our choir director, and our
612 physical education position. It's always um a daunting task in the summer to hopefully find candidates that are a good fit for GFW, but we are excited about the individuals selected and the strength they will bring to our students and school community.
Our student handbook review and updates. We have completed a comprehensive review and update of the student handbook. Updates were made to ensure alignment with curriculum district practices, policies, and the needs of our students and staff. The revised handbook is included this evening for approval. Our
teacher evaluations and endofear processes. We are finalizing teacher evaluations in frontline as we do each year in the summertime to ensure all required documentation is complete and that we are prepared for the annual rollover process to start next year.
This work supports continued professional growth and provides a foundation for goal setting moving into the next school year. math standards professional development and implementation planning. We've been doing this over the past year. However,
Miss Mrs. Thompson and two of [clears throat] the middle school high school math teachers and I recently attended a professional development that was focused on updating the Minnesota math standards and instructional practices. We will partner with SCSC again and their math compass lead from
both middle school, high school, and elementary to develop an action plan for implementation. This work will focus on supporting our teachers, aligning our instructional practices, and ensuring students have the meaningful opportunities that they need in order to
engage with these new standards that are a little bit um interesting and complex, I shall say. And the last item is planning for fall professional development. Over the next month, um I and Mrs. Thompson will continue
developing our back to school professional development plan, including the one for our new teachers. Our goal is to provide a structured and purposeful learning experience for the staff that again address our student needs based on our data, supports instructional growth, and aligns with
the priorities identified through our strategic plan that Mr. Berg had up on the board previously during his presentation. Um, and we will work to complete that this year. This planning will help us ensure we begin the school year with a clear focus
and a shared vision. So that concludes my reports. >> Thank you. Council board reports riverbed. >> Riverbed. Yes. their June meeting mostly concerned over budget which seems to be
in fine condition with rather mundane meeting in terms of information. With regard to the actual ongoing programs, the area learning centers projected to be 39 in person and 18 online for the start of the school year with a current waiting list of 12
students. Their target number for the next year is a cap of 50 students with no more than 20 students online and the rest in person. There also has been large credit recovery numbers for the Riverbend this summer with taking on programs for both
St. James Mcilia currently have 60 students enrolled split between online and 14 students attending in person and uh let's see the uh one thing that I found real interesting with one of the programs
imprints there's going to be a participation in a study by an MSU graduate student looking at the correlation between the aoreal disabilities and language usage understanding starting now and going through the 26 27 school year.
So that can be a interesting bit all the way around as to what they actually discovered or determined. Beyond that we have u the river bin board is so on top of things we don't have a meeting this month. So
that concludes my report. Thank you, Ken. Policy committee, we didn't have a meeting, but there's three policies tonight that were basically updating. Nothing real big for changes in them.
>> Right. Uh FFLRP didn't have a meeting. The uh community engagement, I don't think they had it either. I mean he kind of talking over exactly what
superintendent had about our >> referendums coming up for the election and they pretty well seen it. >> Yeah. So a lot of time spent on that. >> Okay. Executive committee we didn't have
meeting. Uh moving on item eight action items. uh recommendation to approve the dairy bid which um basically milk went up about a nickel
and orange juice bids went down about 6 cents. Not much of a change, >> not at all. U recommendation to rebid fuel. Nobody submitted a bid.
>> Can we go back and make a motion to approve? >> We can milk and juice. >> Do I have a motion, a second to approve the dairy bid? >> I'll make a motion. >> All those in favor? Okay.
uh recommendation to approve transfer transfinder software agreement for transportation. >> So we got to do the um reapproval to rebid the fuel which hopefully will come back like milk
and dairy and link nickel. Right. [laughter] >> Right. So, if we can get a motion and a second and a vote to rev. >> I'll make the motion to reb. >> I'll second it. All those in favor of the revid.
Okay. Then we'll recommendation to approve transfinder software agreement for transportation. >> I'll make a motion to approve transfinder software agreements. I'll >> second it. you want to comment on that at all?
>> Yeah, absolutely. We are going to um switch from berset trans to transfinder for our routing software information. Um transfinder is a little more user friendly as well as a lot more costefficient for us to use as well. This is what we use to um ensure that
we've got the most efficient routes for all of our bus stops, our van stops, um any of our transportation services as well. Um so it it is my recommendation I would move forward with this new software. Um Tanya Sher has done a lot of homework and a lot of meetings with other
transportation directors as well as with both companies on this too and we we feel we need to switch. >> Oh we've been using the >> since at least 2021. So we'll start the implementation. Um I have rerouted fosters at this point. So
we'll start the implementation this year. It takes a couple months to get it up and going with the new software program. >> And it's less expensive. >> And it's less expensive. Yes. >> And with this new system, errands can log in and watch to see if the buses are
on time or running behind. >> Yeah. There is a GPS feature too. Yeah. Which >> that's part of the package. Yeah. Not even. Yeah. It's part of the package. Yeah. Yeah. Um
what's the uh so it takes a little bit to get up and running, right? So what kind of headaches could that cause? >> None for us really. Um they got to input like um addresses and route information and stuff and then they got to look for uh efficiencies in the routes as well. So
>> I guess I meant more for is Johnny or Susie going to be left at a bus stop? Uh because >> our goal is no. Yep. Any other comments, questions? All those in favor of the approval of
transfiner software. Recommendation to approve GFW staff rates. I have a first and a second. I'll make a motion to approve the GFW staff rates. >> I'll second.
>> So, I'd like to point out that this does raise our substitute um daily rate of pay by $10 um from compared to last year as well as changes our classified staff, the hourly rate for cook, head cook, pair professional, and secretary um based on where the contract settled
from this year. Yeah. And so it aligns with the contracts. Yeah. Great. >> All those in favor of approving the GFW staff phase. >> Uh recommendation to approve fees and rates schedule.
I'll make a motion to approve ease and rates schedule. >> I'll second. So the only change with this is a change to activities admissions tickets and it's following the rest of the conference with um a lot of conversation happening still with superintendents and
activities directors about credit card fees for admission. So like this would go from $7 for adults to $8 for adults, $5 for students to $6 for students, but our GFW students would remain free for admissions to our home athletic events.
Any other questions? All those in favor of approval of the grade schedule. >> Can we redo please? >> Pure get that [laughter] kind of white off.
All those in favor of approval of fees and rate schedule. Uh recommendation to approve staff handbook for 2026 2027 school year. I'll make a motion to approve that.
>> I'll second it. And let's create that this early. Yeah, no really substantive changes to the staff handbook besides changing your names around and updating dates. Um, they get vetted by HR as well, so we're good to go.
All those in favor of including staff handbook. Recommendation recommendation to approve student handbook for 202627 school year. I'll make a motion to approve the student handbook. >> I'll second.
>> Yeah. So, substantive changes to this were um more details regarding unexcused absences, expanding the cell phone policy for clear direction aligned with the policy that the board already has in place as well. Just spells it out a little bit more. um again updating dates
and other things and um HR took a look at it as well. >> And as a reminder, the cell phone policy is state driven. >> Correct. And it sounds like that is going to be a hot topic next year. So we will see what happens. It would be very
nice if the state would take some heat off of individual districts to make local decisions on their cell phone policy instead of creating one sweeping one. So, I used to hear it all the time last year. Oh, this district lets this kids do it this way, so why don't you
let it down this way? >> Well, this would be what, third year we've had a cell phone policy now. >> It probably I think I remember seeing 2023 in the policy. >> I think it's been working pretty well for us so far.
>> I mean, when we ask students, hey, you got to hand over your cell phone. It's a a rare no. They usually like pull it out of their pocket and give it to you like reluctantly, but they do um the rare occasion that you know we have to
struggle. Good. Any other questions? All those in favor of approval of the student handbook for 2627 school year. Uh recommendation to annual policy
review policy number 506, policy 722 and 806. I'll make a recommendation to approve the annual policy review. >> One second.
>> Yeah. So these are the big three that you're required to approve each year as a as a board. Um really the only subsidant changes with policy 722 on data requests. There was a weird hybrid of Dr. Smith and Dr. Horton is the people to reach out to for a data
request. And so this is updating it to me now. Otherwise, the other two stayed the same. Oh, any other questions? All those in favor of updating the annual policy review. Recommendation to approve long-term
facilities maintenance plan. I'll make a motion to approve the recommendation for long-term facility maintenance plan. I'll second that. >> Yeah. So, this is an another annual review that needs to be done by the end
of July. Um, it's really hard to predict 10 years out what kind of long-term facilities maintenance we're going to have, but the state makes us do it. Um, so it's a lot of assumption based, but mainly what it is is to go to your communities. The amount of revenue that you're receiving for um facilities
maintenance, which you saw earlier tonight on that slide, is going to change here in 2028. So, um, we're two years ahead of it. Where did those numbers on that? So we have the two heavy hitters yet this year and next year. >> Yep. >> And then it goes down to the 31,000 and
[clears throat] then it's up to 86, you know, in 10 years. But we generate those numbers. >> Yeah. It's based off the combination of student enrollment and then the age of your facility that your students occupy. >> So there's like a formula that they provide you. >> Yeah. Yeah.
>> And that money is kept in a separate fund or something for it doesn't get touched. >> Yeah. comes through a separate levy. Yeah. So, you can't move LTFM money without um permission from the legislature. Like, it literally takes a vote um from the House and the Senate to be able to move those funded funds
around. Any other questions, concerns? Julie, would you do roll call, please? >> Yes. >> Gross. >> Yes. >> Breeze. >> Yes. >> A yes. Miller. >> Yes.
>> Thank you. >> Recommendation approve agreements PTMA financial solutions and old Arctic texts contingent upon passage of questions. >> I'd like to hear exactly what S.
>> Yeah, absolutely. So, PTMA is our municipal adviser. That's Michael Hart and Steve Pumper come and help us um with election information. So upon successful passage, again, all this is contingent upon passage. So we don't owe
anything um upfront here. And so PTMA would help us with the bond issuance. So they would do go out and help with the sale, make sure we're legally um compliant with that information. And then W would be helping us with the demolition project. Um and so in the
timeline in the letter too, you can see nothing would start until November as well. So we weren't gain any fees or services for um the inspection of the buildings, the design of the demolition process working through a speestous abatement contractors um or managing the actual demolition
process. Will we be doing that? >> That they'll see they're on top of the 3.2 million. Oh, >> that's all included. That's all included. Yep. And that that turns at the end of it all said and done with those amounts. It's a green field site.
Correct. Yeah. Lawmaker welcome to further that recommendation. I'll second. Other questions or concerns? All those in favor of approval of PTA
financial solutions and arctic texts. Um, next, uh, resolution relating to approving a capital project levy authorization authorizing the insurance of school building bonds and calling a special election.
I think we've pretty well gone over that one to begin with. I'll make a motion that we do that. I'll second. Need any more discussion on it? We roll call, please. >> Miller,
>> yes. >> A yes. Breeze, >> yes. >> Rosome, >> yes. >> Turtle, >> yes. >> Thank you. >> I have a motion and a second for sure. Bejured or made a motion to
>> second. All those in favor to ajourn.