braving the elements uh on your way up um as I know the visibility was not good with the rain. Um my board report for uh for for June um and there's different things going on in a school in June than there is um other times of the year. But board
report is more about um I thought you know people ask quite often what do you have going on? Um what do you do there in the summertime? um you know those kinds of things and and I think people are surprised sometimes at the amount of activity um that that takes place in a
school um during the non-school year part of the year. Um so I thought I'd list a few of those off and embellish on any of those you um you might like me to um elaborate on. But, you know, I want to start out by saying that our our summer or our June really started with
graduation um the the end of school and um graduation is always such a it's just a really neat event. Uh we graduated 20 seniors um in in Big Fork, which is a little different than the other high school in our district, but um
I really look forward to our graduation ceremonies. Um Siri Prao and Ky Porter are usually the masterminds behind it. Um you know our our senior adviserss um Elliot Wilson and Stu Austinorf also play take a you know hand in that as well as our custodians and stuff but our
ceremonies are are usually quite personable because we are so small. were able to do that where you wouldn't be able to in other places and um just they're a lot of fun and it's really nice to be able to recognize those 20
seniors reaching that milestone. Um uh board members Mark Schroeder and Tom Gustinson were there along with Superintendent Gross to participate uh in the graduation. Mr. Marty and his wife were in attendance as well and um you know always nice to have you know
any members that are able to make it and those are those are tough times to be able to make everything. Um so we get that but it was very appreciated to um to see you there as well. Um so that was graduation and you know wasn't wasn't the building didn't get too warm too too
quickly so that was kind of nice. Um and uh as far as summer programming goes, we've got a number of things taking place right now. Um we've got elementary summer learning academy taking place. Um
4 club complements that. So learning academy takes place in the morning, 4 club in the afternoon. So that if students want to attend both and kind of make that an all day thing, if families want to be involved in both, they can. Uh we have some early childhood special education services taking place here at
the building. Um we have high school credit recovery. They were actually in this room uh most of today. Uh that would be akin to what the ALC has going on. But when we're able to offer that um here, it makes it more accessible for our high school students just like
summer learning academy 4 club. um our North Holmes person that works in our building um also runs a little day camp and uses the the school as kind of a base for that. And so instead of again
transportation issues and kids that want to attend the Northol camp down in the Grand Rapids area, they can go to the Northolomes camp. Um that's a that's a pretty long distance for families to figure out um that. So Annne Cobalt is our North Homes person and she runs one
right out of here and they'll do different day trips different places. They'll be right here, but she'll do activities with them. Also, we've had volleyball camps and basketball camps going on. Um, a lot of maintenance and cleaning. Not only our own maintenance staff and our own custodial staff,
they've been busy, but um, as you can see in some of the hallways, but we've had contractors in and out as well. Jamar was here today working on some different things. Um, we've actually had some community meetings as well. Um, I walked into the edge last week. I think one of their committees was meeting in
the gallery. Um, we had a Taska County soil and water um, meeting with a group here uh, late last week as well. Um, been a little bit of work um, little prep work on the solar array um, that the district is working on out here.
They were doing some soil samples last week. So, there's been a little bit of prep work on that as well. And then internally there's a lot of there's a lot of planning um because things get so busy during the school year. The more upfront planning we can do during the
summer, the better off we are. The more we have on the calendar. Um I was sending emails today um to some of you know my well my leadership team members, some other members as well. Um, and you know, thankfully they're pretty diligent about checking emails and and getting
back to me with with different things, but it's um trying to get all of those meetings scheduled, not only August meetings and trainings, but um lead leadership team meetings, um agendas agenda set up, crisis team meetings, agenda set up, um curricular planning
meetings, all those kinds of things. So again, the more we have in place, the more we're we're able to respond and be able to keep it keep things on on the right track. um as things get busier and busier throughout the school year. So um some of the things that are taking place
um kind of during the summer behind closed doors and behind the scenes, but it's it's a lot of planning and preparation and it's nice to see the kids still coming in and out of the building. Can questions. Can you say a little bit uh Thank you. Can can you say a bit more
about the uh solar um uh panels uh where we're at in that process and when's uh going to be operational? You know, I I don't have a timeline on it, David. It's a great question. You know, we started out um I started getting information on it probably late last summer, early fall, and um you know, as as you were as
well. And uh there was some legislation a while back where it was um uh solar for schools and it's it's basically a way to create a partnership um work with companies that will specialize in these
kinds of things and it's done one of two ways. Either you have enough green area like we do in Big Fork out here um kind of right adjacent to the edge center um or it's going on you can put those panels on roofs but the roofs have to have a certain rating. you have to have a certain more square footage. Well, if
you look at a lot of our buildings um in the district, uh they're multi-tiered, right? So, you're not going to have um a lot. Plus, there's different you have to you have to meet different code styles and there's different ratings, especially for northern Minnesota when
you have to have that that snowload um bearing as well. So, um, when when the powers at B or the experts were looking at our district, um, one of the few areas that we really could make work is is this area with Big Fork. Um, it would
be it would go in, it would um certainly um provide power for the school. Any power not being used and is sold back onto the grid. Uh so it becomes a revenue offset and and eventually once it's paid off, you know, a revenue
creator. Um and it comes with uh what the experts were telling me when from the companies uh last fall when they were here. Um they were they were telling us that it comes with some really nice curricular pieces too. So um our teachers will be able to, you know,
do some instructional things. There be some instructional value to having it here. There's a website they can get on it. They can see the power being generated. they can see how much is being used. They can see how much is being sold back onto the grid, those kinds of things. So, I I think there's some really neat pieces to it. Um,
timeline wise, I think we got way late a little bit because it sounded last fall like things were going to move pretty quickly and then things slowed down and things got a little bit murky. We weren't sure if that funding was going to be there for some reason. And I Matt probably has more details on that. Superintendent Gross probably does. Um
but there were some things there and and now this spring we've had um you know somebody from a company coming and checking the area out to see what it was you know is it what it looks like on paper those kinds of things um making sure it's going to work for their needs and then uh soil sampling um last week.
So uh it's exciting to see what's going to come next there. My understanding is that we are required to have a curricular uh element tied in with that. That is yes I that's part of the agreement and uh will that uh when will that begin? Um I would I don't know when
the website would be operational or we going to be able to track things not probably until they're operational. Okay. I would think that as it's my own thoughts and I'm not going by anything more than that. My own thoughts would be there's going to be learning opportunity while this thing is being constructed.
Not only from the solar point of it but even the construction point of view. Uh and I think capitalizing on those opportunities and making the most of them um is really beneficial. And just an example that would be um you're all familiar with the edge storage center that u Mr. Austin Dor's classes um
built. You know, they were also the ones doing the materials lists, getting estimates on those materials, going over to city hall and getting the building permit. You know, it's not just the construction, but it's those it's those preparatory things that u maybe things people don't think about as much. And so
I would see it the same as this. The more we can do educationally as it's being built, um, the more understanding they're going to have as we put it into action. Yeah. Thank you. Yeah. Any other questions? I I guess I'd just like comment because I had some real concerns
about solar, right? I'm I'm one of those who feels we should be focusing on school and not, you know, not we're not a power company, the language, right? you know, and I was I I was real hesitant about it, but but one
of the things that did help me with this and make me feel differently about it is a curriculum. Um, when we look at power nowadays, um, the issue with with solar power is the fact that, you know, you only get power when the sun's shining,
right? Which is not when we need power. That's, you know, L&M can't close their doors when because the sun's not shining, right? And and this place can't close it doors because the sun's not shining. And when I look at it, you
know, there's things out there that are very costly right now and that's that's kind of the overall problem with it, right? But you know what? Who's going to solve it? are these kids and they need to understand that and they and so one of my things that I want to make sure is
that we're being really good about the curriculum and and there's shortfalls for it and we want to be honest with them and let them work towards that solution because they're going to be the ones to make the solutions for us in the future. Tom, that's a great point and and just I'll I'll just add that, you
know, we do a science fair every year um and some of you were up for that um this this past spring. In fact, Tom, I think you were here judging, weren't you? Yeah. Um and and I wasn't able to be here that day. I was I was ill. Um but um this year we called it a STEM symposium and branched out more of more
than just science. And we were looking for science and and math connections. And our instructors did a great job of connecting those and building a rubric that was going to build all of that in. And uh a main theme, a main focus of that was um types of energy. uh and and
each student had to present uh on that while we had we had some students that that weren't um able to be here for um the actual that actual evening and so you know I I filled in and you know um one of our students and he did an
excellent job presented to the principal and he was presenting on three different types of energy or and was comparing title energy to two other kinds of energy and he had done some really neat research on um basically efficiencies of
it. And one of the things he was talking about was tidal energy was actually more efficient than solar energy. And I can't remember the other one that he was using right off the top of my head, but the upfront investment cost was far too much to ever make tidal energy cost effective
and make it worth it. But to your point, um these kids, they they know how to dig in and they know how to compare and they get good guidance um from from their instructors and um this component could definitely help some of that. Anything else?
Thanks, Ken. Again, appreciate you being here. Thanks. Um at this point, we're going to adjourn the workshop and we'll come back into session at 6:30 for the main me. Thank you.
He's spinning his spinning. Hey, Matt. They can see. You got one. We all got him. Julie's gonna ruin the day. spinning it really hard and fast because it's still His is still the brand new one is making that noise and mine is not
like I don't it's I don't Yeah, this one's not on the back. The only thing better than one of these pens is two of these pens. So, there you go. It's the little things. It really is.
Absolutely. It is. Keeps you going in your day. Yeah, I get it. Did you see the question? I don't know who post and it wasn't this. It was just like it looked like the Star Trek logo on Facebook and we had people What is
this? I kept trying to explain something like to the right compass. It's funny because when I first I think that post was it? She was when they asked you about it. Hey, what is this?
my principles Oh, I guess we Oh, Another minute finance put out their tax bill on the big bill. We'll see. because that was my I was kind of
wondering I'll ask later if we have any funding tied to the feds on clean energy taxes cuz if that's the case it's not far and I did school. Ready, Julie?
We'll call the school board meeting to order. Please stand for the pledge. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all. First item on the agenda is approval of the agenda. Do I have a motion? So by Dave, second by Melissa. Discussion hearing none. All in favor say I. I. I. Oppos. Agenda is approved.
Uh, next item on the agenda, we actually moved up into the workshop. So, thanks Ken for that. uh update. Um, next item on the agenda, approve the minutes of the uh June 2nd, 2025 regular meeting. Do I have a motion?
So, move David. Moved by David. Second. Second by Dave. Discussion. Hearing none. All in favor say I. I. I. Minutes of the June 2nd meeting are approved. Next item on the agenda is to approve
the May 2025 claims. Do I have a motion? So moved. Moved by Dave. Second. Second. Second by Melissa. Discussion. Hearing none. All in favor say I. I. Opposed. The May 2025 claims are
approved. Next item on the agenda is to approve the consent agenda. reminder, uh, these are routine staff related issues that, uh, do not require discussion. Do I have a motion to
approve the consent agenda? Moved by Melissa. Do I have a second? Second, David. Second by David. All in favor say I. I. Opposed. Consent agenda passes.
Next agenda uh item approve the 202526 and the 202728 superintendent contract. Um we have negotiated a tenative agreement with superintendent gross. Um
kind of some of the highlights of the negotiations. No salary increase for the years 2526 and 2627 contract years. Uh the uh salary for the 20 2728 salary
will be negotiated in the spring of 2027. Twous the um earned safe and sick time and the HSA amounts uh which were previously have been moved into the contract now in in
alignment with the other contracts within the district. And of course, the fourth one, uh, Junth holiday has been added to almost all of our contracts now. So, um, do I have a motion to approve
superintendent's tenative agreement? So, moved. Moved by Melissa. Do I have a second? Second. Discussion. Mr. Chair, I uh do want to uh record
disappointment. We uh did an evaluation of the superintendent and it was a very very positive evaluation. Uh and um salary is not reflecting that. I get it. I understand. Um but I am I want to register disappointment with
them. Other comments or discussion? I would just um kind of echo what David was saying and just with our gratitude and thanks for the job that you continue to do Matt and a situation where money is tight um understanding that you're
kind of taking one for the team. I know you're a very wellrespected superintendent in our state and I will go on record as saying as I believe that we're lucky to have you. Thank you. Thank you. All in favor say I. I opposed.
Superintendent's contract is approved. Next item on the agenda, approve the FY26 original budgets. SCARA. Good evening. Um, there is a document in the minutes. It's lengthy. So, um, I'm
just going to do an abbreviation of that tonight in a PowerPoint. Um, starting with um why we do this, where we're going, what our what our northstar is with this, we um have our our strategic directions and
the one I own um is steward stewardship of resources. Um we do have goals in that. Um the first one that we have, you know, even before we we did the strategic directions, we wanted to balance our budget and we have been working towards that and we have done that. Um part of doing that is also
getting our fund balance to where our policy says it's no good to have a policy if we're going to ignore it, if we're not going to abide by it. Um so we've been working towards that. We've also been working to build community awareness. Um before the referendum, um lots of meetings with community and
public. After the referendum failed, Matt continues to do these meetings um with the public. So, we're working towards those directions and the evidence of the the progress on that is we have balanced our budget 23
24 and now the year we're in 25. Um so, you know, we are working towards those. Um we have you know the fund balance policy we are in compliance for the first time in a while. Um, so that that is great. Um, we have sold um part of
one of our old um um goals was to get rid of our excess properties. We've gotten rid of all of them except for one that's landlocked. So um still out there. Um we've also reduced our leases. Um we have um moved the ALC
into the desk. We've got rid of that lease payment. Um early childhood, we were renting from the IRC. We've gotten rid of that. um up at Murphy, we have have people there. Um but Matt was very strategic and wrote into that lease
agreement or that sale of that building um that we would have 10 years of rentree space in Coutasa. So we don't pay anything for that either. We've also um like I said, we have been meeting with the public. like Matt has kind of done done a lot of that after the
referendum and just educating them on where we are and not always financially just grades and you know the great things our students are doing. Okay. Can I ask one question real quick? Yeah. The the excess property right now there is no buildings on it. Correct. So there's
really no operating maintenance cost for us. Yes. Basically equity, right? Why would you get rid of it? We tried though. I know. But I mean obviously changes how
critical it is, right? It's not costing you money on a day-to-day basis. Yeah. The budget process is a long one. Um back in December, um the board met and we talked about the timelines, um kind
of what we were looking at, where we tenatively were. We met again in January, went over our assumptions. That was a long time ago, six months. Since then, um in March, um we have worked through um staff reductions and non-renewals.
The last April and May um we've had a lot of meetings to discuss um what's happening with the budget. May 19th was the end of the legislative session and we were supposed to have updates on where we would be financially. um a lot
of our um what we can do depends on the revenue that the legislature awards us. We didn't know that um June 9th was the end of the special session. The special session didn't end until after June 9th and today is June 16th. So, a lot of the things a few of the things that were
decided in that special session are not reflected in our budget, but none of them are major. There are some small ones. Um but just so you're aware and working towards our fund balance. This is our savings. Um if if not for
this fund balance, um we wouldn't be able to cover this next year's retirey benefits. Um we have built this fund balance up. We are able to cash flow this without borrowing in the next year, two years. Um so at
the end of last year, we had 10.2% 2% fund balance. Um the Department of Education measures this the unassigned fund balance to the unassigned expenditures. It's complicated to calculate um but that's their calculation. That's 13.57%.
They use this as a measurement. If we were to ever get below -2.5% if our fund balance dropped too low, we'd be in SOD, statutory operating debt. The state would review our expenses. They'd be watching us. We would have to get ourselves out of there. The average um
district's fund balance at the end of last year, ours was 13.57, was 23.9%. So, anyone that thinks we're hoarding funds, we are not. We are below significantly below the state average, but we're within our policy.
And this is what our fund balances look like. We have worked our way out of our lowest spot um where we struggled um you know cash was had to be moved around to make payroll payments. Um our fund balance is lower than an average
payroll. So um I'm glad we're not in that position anymore. Um of course 25 and 26 are estimates. I'm really hoping it 25 is is flat. um 26 will decrease and we'll talk about that
and um you know 100% of that is related to the retirey benefits. um enrollment is the biggest driver of our revenue and um our enrollment um I was very surprised when I pulled up 20 years
of enrollment and looking at it um because if you look back 20 years ago our enrollment was very similar to where it is today and um because um it has decreased in the last six years. I
thought it would have been higher more recently and that it would have just continued to decrease. It's not. So, it's good to know that where we are is where we have been. Um the average of the 20 years is 3,858
um average daily memberships. So, that also surprised me. We are budgeting for 42 um enrollments online in our online um program. So um
of that 3,700 42 are online enrollments. This is how it breaks out by grade. Um there was an increase in the voluntary prek in this past year 2025. The state of Minnesota awarded um
the Grand Rapids area schools um 58 BPK seats. Prior to that, the only BPK seats that we had in our entire district were up here in Big Fork. So um and that started in 2017, those VPK seats, voluntary prek. So since so this is the
first year. Next year again we have 58 seats. I believe they're all filled um in the Grand Rapids area. We do have available seats in Big Fork to be filled. Our kindergarten class we're again budgeting the lowest in the year shown. Right now we have 214 kids
enrolled in in kindergarten. When I look at the trend of what we have enrolled at this time and what we have enrolled at the end of the next school year, 232 is um what our trend shows over the last several years. So that's where we're
setting it. Um it's low. I don't like it, but it is um where we are right now. over the last 10 years. Um, this is what our revenues and expenses have looked like. And, you know, we always talk that we had been deficit spending for several
years. In 2020, it looks like we didn't deficit spend. But, just a, you know, note here, um, we we had an operating loss of $112,000. Um, we had a change in accounting principle almost 200,000. So, it looks
like we're positive. We continued to have operating deficits, but the last three years we have had an operating surplus and we will continue that in 2025 and in 2026 again we would have an operating surplus if not for those
retiring benefits. And I'm not blaming retirees at all. This is just fact. Um we will levy for those payments in the following years but it can't be it can't match revenues and expenses. So we have to recognize this as a loss. So, it'll be a one-year leg. It will be a one-year
leg. Yeah. Thank you. Yep. So, the details of that play out like this, um, I know this is a lot to take in right now, but please go back and and read the document that's in the minutes. Um, it explains a lot of it are overall for next year 2026,
um, about a $2.6 million loss. Um, as it stands, um, 3.8 8 million um recorded as expenses for retirey benefits. Um we offset by the 1.2 million operating surplus that
we are budgeting. So some of the details that go into our budget, some of the changes from the prior years. Um starting at the top, the other category, this encompasses a lot of different revenues. Those are going to basically be flat next year. Um,
federal is down. You can see federal has had the largest swings. Um, $6 million in fiscal year 24. This is all co, not all CO money, but the biggest portion of this is COVID money. Um, we'll be down to $2 million. It's a $4 million swing um in a couple years. We were able to
use our COVID money to build up our fund balance. Um, and and I'm glad that we did. State aids um up. We had the 2.74% increase in the basic formula. Our enrollments going down, so we're not
going to recognize that full amount. Um, special ed will be up. We have spent more in access in in our alternative delivery um services um program and that is paid out in the year following the expense just like special ed is. Um, and
that is paid at the same reimbursement rate as special ed. And so as the state increased the special ed cross subsidy um so has access reimbursement. So that's good. Um we are seeing decreases in this last legislative session in library aid and student support aid. Um
those came at the very end so those aren't reflected. I did estimate a decrease but I didn't capture the entire decrease that we'll experience expenses um you know salary freeze salaries are almost flat from 25 to 26
so I budgeted a salary freeze that means people that have earned steps and lanes will receive those um in longevity um we did reduce some of our FTEES that's offset by adding um a literacy lead position that we needed according to the read act. Um we
did add um another position um and that Matt is evaluating where that will fit best in our budget. Um benefits are up again, retirey benefits, we're budgeting those. Um contracted services are are pretty
flat. Um we are like I mentioned earlier those VPK seats when we receive that money we get paid state aids basic taxes we get all the money that we earn on a regular kid for those um a portion of that will be passed on to early edge who's educating those kids and running
that program. So that is part of the contracted services more kids money's passed on in the past we haven't passed on the majority of that money. Um we are we're doing that for the upcoming year and we are doing it in fiscal year 25. Um and then supplies, capital and other
will decrease slightly. Um we did purchase four buses this year and a truck. Um we did purchase $600,000 in curriculum. Um we are not purchasing that big amount of curriculum next year and we're only budgeting for a couple buses next year.
salaries and benefits. I when I looked at this, I thought that um salaries and benefits would be a bigger portion of our budget adding the retirey benefits onto it, but um 83% of our budget will be salaries and benefits
in the next year. And just a reminder, um you know, the state we receive less money than the average um district in the state of Minnesota. We spend less in 22, 23, and 24 than the average district in the
state of Minnesota. All of this is going to change when we have to levy um retirey benefits. Our our story is going to change. Um our expenses will go up, our revenues will go up um about $900 right now per ADM.
So um it's a lot to explain, but um we know how we're spending money. um it's just not going to go to the classroom. So, it's just it's just an addition to our story. And then all the other um funds are listed in that document that you're
approving the budget for tonight. Um food service and community service. Poly Podfuses and Melanie Deb do an awesome job budgeting for their programs. Um debt service. Um this is basically on autopilot. I have to budget 105% of our
principal and interest payments. Um, and the state monitors that very closely. Our health insurance fund, we are trying to build up our fund balance there. That was also below statutory level. So, um, we have been working to increase that,
but our our, um, insurance premiums are only going up 6.5%. Only 6.5%. We're excited about that, right? Um, and we will hopefully have a surplus in our health insurance fund. And then the OPED trust that just spends that down to zero.
Does anyone have any questions? Thanks, Sarah. Questions or discussion? Got couple that no one can jump up. Sorry. um enrollments online. When do we get an
idea as to those numbers? Right. We're budgeting the I think it was 42 or 44 or something like that. When when do we expect students to We have already had kids enrolling. Um I think we're up to 10 so far. Okay. We we monitor this very
closely weekly. where we're where Matt and I are getting reports as to our enrollment and I see every single enrollment that comes into the district online or for online schools or regular and just based that well of course we haven't done online before but I mean
how do we feel about that does that give you a warm fuzzy I would expect okay the 10 okay expect a lot of last minute or type thing or yeah it's 10 more kids than we would have had I I hear you there I But, you know, I'm just trying to feel how we're
how we adjust for that. Or if we need to, right? I'm sorry. Go ahead, Matt. I'm sorry. Is that a tornado thing? Is everybody checking their phone right now? Mine's a flash flood. My house is actually, you know, bad. I would love to, you know, I'd love
to have 43 right now so that, you know, we could all be like, "Okay." Um, I don't feel bad about 10. I think we we do if you talk to um people that have been in that enrollment or that are are in that enrollment
office, they'll tell you that uh August is really busy for them. July and August as far as enrollments go. And I think that um a little bit uniquely, and I'm not trying to like um paint too pretty of a picture, but uh I
think the nature of that will be that we'll have kids enrolling in there through through the middle of September. Um as they, you know, a kid maybe that doesn't even enroll in school and then they So, um it'll be an unorthodox
an unorthodox timing and process for sure. And um and like you said, Tom, it's our first crack at it, so we'll uh we'll see what happens. Okay. Appreciate that. Um the the other
thing I know when we we've had some we had a consultant talk to us about some potential options for OPED um that might help mitigate that somewhat. Um a and you know you know feel free to correct me if I
misunderstood or misinterpreted. I mean the options we've looked at have really not necessarily are changing any benefits for our retirees but just the way we handle it so that we can mitigate the losses on it
for lack of a better term a little bit. Um what where are we at with that and and what is the opportunity to you know when could we ever maybe see some potential savings
from that? Is it something that we wouldn't even get an answer on that from a it take us a year to get an answer on that or is it something we could potentially maybe mid midyear readjust budgets and
you know be seeing something from that I guess just time frame or any feel for that potentially. Yeah. So the where we're at in the process right now um because like you said our uh sort of our
commitment all along and our obligation is to ensure that we are providing benefits that are as good or better than what employees have now or retirees have now I should say. And so there has to be
some sort of a determination relative to that. Um, and you know, that's not something that I get to determine or Carrie gets to determine obviously or the board even gets to determine. Um, so right now we're sort of in the process of of
getting some some feedback on how the options that we have considered as far as Medicare subsidized um, Medicare supplement plans as far as
how those options compare to the plan that our retirees are on now. And um you know that was one of the things I think in the meeting that we had it was a great meeting lot very well attended but I think one of the things that is is a little bit hard to kind of connect the
dots on how the this plan or these plans can be um cost savings and provide benefits that are as good or better and and it's because they're subsidized by Medicare. So the first thing we're waiting on is
some feedback on how uh the plans that we put forward compared to what we have our retirees on now. The second thing that's happening is uh one of the concerns raised by the employee group was um you know the the
plans that we've looked at so far have been Blue Cross Blue Shield. Um our district has been with health partners for quite some time. We've been we were with Blue Cross Blue Shield many years ago and as you know every two years we're required to go out for bids and
the last ever since I've been here um I know that we've gotten bids from Blue Cross Health Partners, people like Medicare, people like Preferred One. Um, so we've gotten all those bids, but uh, some of the retirees were like, you
know, we we really like Health Partners and it'd be great if we could stay with Health Partners and and so the second thing we're doing is seeing if Health Partners would um, meet the benefits and cost of the plans that
we got proposed from Blue Cross. their first swing at it didn't didn't get there. Um, so we're just trying to be responsive to the retirees that way. So, that's kind of what we're waiting on. Um, as far as timelines go, and this is
where I get out over my skis, there are some timelines specific to Medicare enrollment that are later in the year. And so that's sort of like if we were going to get a that's sort of like the
timeline marker is the Medicare enrollment timeline later in the year. So if we can if we can get to a place where we can feel comfortable about the comparison, get some feedback from some groups, there's a possibility we could
be looking at uh you know getting something done this school year, but we need a few markers to kind of fall into place that but that would be the goal as soon as we can obviously uh to get something going. So there what I heard is there might be
some opportunity to mitigate that somewhat. Yes. Yep. Yep. We need to do something for sure. Uh it's just a matter of how quickly can we move through that and some of that has to do with you know how quickly we can get feedback and opinions on the values of
these plans. The you know the we're working quite a bit with admin on it. Um and they've been cooperative. They understand that there's value here. uh you know because from a you know from a theoretical standpoint on the district
budget side but also from a practical standpoint um many of our employees live inside of our district and our employees are going to see the same t property tax increases that anybody else will. So there's some real practical savings
there with our activives. Well, and and and I appreciate you're bringing it up because I mean I don't want to, you know, just because it's a levy, we don't have to go to the voters. The voters feel it. I mean, bottom line, right? You know, so
we it's a realistic cost for them. And and I don't want to ever forget that. I guess bottom line. That's that's all I had. Oh, I'm sorry. On the last slide, you had 1.19 million. I thought I saw for for retirement. I
thought it was a higher number. Did I see that wrong or I don't know what is because it's been around three or something. Yeah. So, the one point that's the I guess I misunderstood that or that's about what I'm estimating our trust balance will be
at the end of fiscal year 25 and we'll spend that down. Okay. Yeah, that helps. Thank you. I if I can, Mr. Chair, too, I just want to point out and these are some of the things that having a skilled business manager will do. Cara sort of, you know,
even getting into this year, having projected the potential for this, had sort of been pre-planning for this so we could be in as good a spot as we could be and um by levying some coming into this year. So, just want to recognize
that and um I appreciate that, Cara, that you were thinking thinking ahead like that or trying to you know, we knew it was going to run out at some point. You were trying to plan for that. So, thank you. I have two two questions if that's okay and I'm gonna kind of piggyback on Tom a
little bit. Have we Matt may this question for you? Have we or do we intend to do any marketing regarding our online school? Regarding that, we haven't um been taking a real we haven't
taken a real public approach to marketing that and that's a decision that we may want to change at some point. Um could be any time. you know, our approach has been really to focus on reaching out to like through direct
communication to the people uh students, parents that are district students enrolled elsewhere. So, we've, you know, made f personal phone calls and personal emails to those people. Uh
we haven't really communicated outside of that group. Um, I have been in touch with our partner on it and he suggested potentially another open house and we did good turnout at our last one and he suggested that we consider having
another one um I think maybe a little bit later in the summer. you know, some, you know, my in my experience, we have some parents that, um, you know, they're thinking about in in April, they're thinking about things that are
happening in October already. And then we have some parents that, you know, at the end of the school year, they're thinking about closing the school year out. Um, and September 5th is the furthest thing from their mind. And so, we have parents in both boats. So, I think something a little bit later, but
if it's something that we wanted to pursue a little more aggressively, we sure could. I I'm running into more and more and more school districts that are doing what we're doing, especially in the metro and kind of the I'd say
medium to larger size school districts. And I'd put ourselves like on the I guess it depends, you know, in the mathematical averages what which number you use, mean, median, or mode. But um you know, if you look at those numerical averages, we're kind I'd say we're a
small small uh on the small end of the medium scale. Lots of school districts doing what we're doing. And so I think there's opportunities for partnerships with other districts. Something that I'm seeing and hearing about more and more
is tuition agreements between a district that has a program in place and uh other districts around them. So there's a a different tuition amount that's paid and that kind of serves as a
win-win and creates the opportunity maybe for the uh you know the district that's sending the student to be motivated maybe a little bit more. So I'm I'm kind of rambling
here, but an example would be that if there was a another district around here that had a student attending uh Infinity Online, there's not a lot of motivation for a district around here right now to say,
"Hey, why don't you enroll in Grava instead?" Well, if we had a tuition agreement with that school district, we'd be able to charge uh a any tuition rate we wanted really. And that could be a motivation for that school district to do the same thing that we're considering
where they have a student that they know is already going to be enrolling online. Um, and instead of sending their money to Minnesota Virtual Academy or Cyber Truck Academy, they're sending them to um a neighboring school district. So,
rambling long answer, Melissa. Okay. Thanks. I'm just wondering because I just I haven't heard much about it. So, I'm thinking if we only have 10 people, I mean, once word gets out, we'll, you know, because 10 to me sounds actually pretty good for no for no marketing uh
really of it. Um, can I ask a followup question on that? Yeah. Um, Matt, I so I I think potentially marketing to get more numbers might be good, but I also in the am potentially in the camp of this is our first year and I don't know
that we want to go. So, you know, if it becomes too big, is it, you know, do we not learn into it? I don't know. I'm kind of on the fence. There's a lot to learn. Um, I'll say there's a lot to learn and, you know, we're making decisions.
We're making decision procedural decisions based on our the best information we have and looking at what other districts have been doing. But I'll I'll I'll give a a a specific example. So um a question
might be well when how long can students have to change their mind? So, if a student started face toface on September 5th, could they change their mind on September 8th? Uh, or vice
versa, if they started online, could they change their mind and go face to face on September 8th? Those are all questions that we have to answer and sort out and and we've had lots of discussions and kind of have some have some positions established. Um, but some
of those I feel like we're go to your point a little bit, Dave, we're going to figure out during this first year. The other thing we're going to figure out this first year is um how much energy and time is required by the principles
that are that have been assigned this extra duty. So, um, Andy Forbort at Grand Rapids High School and Clayton Linder at West Rapids Elementary, they've taken on respective, you know, grade levels that they're going to be
supervising essentially in the program. So, um, I know those two principles are very busy. You know, Clayton's already splitting two schools and all this. Um, and you know, our high school is a
building that has 550 kids per principal already. So, those two positions are already busy. Uh, I think easing into it is okay. But I do think, you know, if we can get into that, if we could hit 42, I'd feel feel okay about that. Feel good
about that. Melissa, do you have another question? Yeah, just um I think more for the general public, but to kind of peg off some of the questions on OPED, like who actually has decision-making capacity there on moving that to a different
plan? Like who actually has the decision making authority to do that? If the if the benefits are the same or better, the board has the decision making rights. So it would
be similar uh to if we had in the bidding process the uh health health insurance transparency act bidding process we do it for two years if blue cross blue
shield next time bid lower on the same insurance plan or equivalent insurance plan and the board took that bid. we would be changing carriers. The board has the authority to do that as long as
the aggregate value doesn't change. So, um that decision assuming and and kind of required that aggregate value stays the same is the boards at that point. Thanks.
Can I say one more thing? Um go ahead. Sorry. Um I you know again I just feel strongly too that I I had hesitencies about about online you know I think I think our state went through a big
struggle with it and we're still trying to recover from from learning online right um and and I really want to say I feel strongly we need to keep our values on this too not just chase a dollar to get another
dollar um I I I mean, I appreciate the fact that we're doing this to to help our budgets and and things like that, but I but I want to make sure we're doing right by the students and that they're getting the quality education that they should get out of a Grand Rapids
school um that we would expect. And I hope we monitor that. Well, so I think that's a great point, Tom. I appreciate that. Um I that's always that was kind of the challenge when we started talking about it too to how we
even frame it. Um I think what's unique about especially these 10 early enroles um many of them many of them have stories that sound
like my student uh has anxiety and wasn't going to be able to attend school and so uh this was an option for them that they wouldn't have otherwise had. Um, so it's good that we're it it's good that we have that option. And at the
same time, like you said, Tom, I think, you know, I don't think our goal is to build a school with 1,200 kids in it just to, you know, as a solely as a budget solution. And I think that's what you're you're getting at. And I agree with
that. Sure, dude. Uh, I want to uh express concern and dismay that we're looking at an an unbalanced budget. Uh, we have been
so diligent as a board. Uh, we've really um taken it on the chin uh to get that to force that budget into balance. Uh, and we're not. And I want to reiterate what I heard you say and if I didn't hear it right, please correct me, but that we are doing that because of the
OPED uh situation and that we can um levy for those funds in the following year to backfill. So depending on how you look at it, it's uh we are approving a budget with a loss
but we are making it up the following year and we have uh pretty strong assurances on that. Is am I correct in understanding that? Yeah. If not for the retirey payments to cover those we would have a surplus. Okay, perfect. Thank
you. I appreciate that. Other uh discussion or questions? Mr. Chair, Cara had this slide in there and it's something that I talked to the uh you know as I've been out in
communities and maybe people are sick of me talking about it. Um, but I think that slide that you had in there that illustrates that we bring in less money and we spend less money is something that's important that if if if one of our goals like is stated is to
build confidence and trust uh we are doing what we're doing with significantly less money and we're spending significantly less money. I mean, $1,800 I think is what my memor is right here. Fiscal 24. $1,800 less per student in fiscal 24 than the average
school district. The average school district. Um, and uh, you know, you've heard my diet tribe about uh, my expectations and uh, my hopes for our school district. It's certainly not being average. Um, but I think we're
providing a good value. I think the numbers show that, the data show that. and uh but but that's a you know it's something that uh is worth highlighting and and has some sense of concern for me as we think about the future and the
opportunities we want. I I just had the opportunity today to attend a conference looking at um artificial intelligence and I'll talk more about that in in a later on but um the innovation opportunities that exist around that
whole new world I think is something that we don't want to be uh on the bleeding edge. I think Tommy said once we don't want to be in the bleeding edge uh of things, but I certainly don't think we want to be in in the back of the pack on
either. And so um just something that I want to be mindful of. At this point, I'm looking for a motion to approve the FY 26 budget. So move second by Dave, second by David.
Any further discussion? Is there a comment? When do we typically do we have a review of how it's tracking mid school year or something and make an adjustment or how Yeah, I'll continue to provide um month
monthly financial reports compared to budget. I've already started a revised budget knowing what the legislative changes are. So um this is just one one guess at this time of the year. All in favor say I. I opposed.
Budgets approved. Next item on the agenda, Superintendent Gross, uh, approve school board members right to employment. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh, statute 123b.1
195 provides for the uh, a schoolboard member to be employed by the school district to a uh, for a limited amount of pay. Uh, in 2022, that number was changed. Um the current number in 123B
is uh not to exceed $20,000. Obviously that has to do with um public checks uh and balances. Uh there are some stipulations and requirements if if a board member does have seek employment in the school district and they it has
to be approved by the majority of the board at a meeting when all board members are present. Uh Ashley Goodman's provided some um background and information in the packet as well as your is the statute. This isn't new for
our school district. We've had this for a number of previous years with other board members um and it's worked out uh flawlessly and I'd recommend approval. I have a motion to approve the right to
employment notification. So moved. Moved by Melissa. Second. Second, David. Second, David. Uh, any further discussion? Julie, does this need to be roll call since we're
It's not required. Okay. Regular vote is okay. Okay. All in favor say I. I opposed. Um, that agenda item is approved. Next item on the agenda, Superintendent Gross, uh, approve the 2526 Minnesota
School Board Association membership. Thank you. In your packet, uh, you have details of the due structure for this upcoming school year. Um I think you know one of the things to keep in mind there's no cost to one of there's no
cost for board members to attend the leadership conference from a registration standpoint. So that's all um just one of the values that comes from this. Uh we do use the policy services uh service of
MSBA quite extensively uh and uh have had good value from the organization as well from a lobbying standpoint and others. So I'd recommend approval. So moved David moved by David second.
Second by Dave discussion just just one question for myself. How do they structure their um you know I saw the amount it it didn't cause any concern for me but more a question for my own information. How do they
structure it? Do they charge a flat rate to every school district or do they look at the school district size and change charge different rates to different school districts? How does the MSA how do they come about their that number? I guess do you know the policy services is
a flat rate. Um, and I believe the association dues are based on student uh numbers. Is that right, Julie? From your recollection? Yes, that's correct. And and that was actually the lower number,
wasn't it? The the policy services was the lower number. Yeah. Okay. Okay. Thank you. All in favor say I. I. Opposed. Membership is approved. Renewal is approved. Uh, next item on the agenda under
partnerships, we have quite a few of them here. Uh, Superintendent Gross approved the 2526 early edge agreement. Early edge, uh, if you are still making these connections, is the early
childhood program, formerly known as invest early. Uh Jackie Skellyy, the executive director from IASK, and Darla Ronnie have done a significant amount of restructuring to that program after the
uh blend grant of 20 years is coming to a close. We offer programming at West Rapids Elementary. We have three classrooms there. There's a classroom at uh Minnesota North as well. Uh Cara talked a little bit about the makeup of
that. our funding is braided uh there. And what that means is that uh funds from our school readiness as well as our early childhood family education um and uh scholarship dollars um
voluntary prek dollars kind of all get put uh into the middle and then that is what they used to do programming with. So this services agreement details the services being provided and and uh the manner in which we're compensating. I
ask for those services. Do I have a motion to approve? So moved. Moved by Melissa. Second. Second. Second by Dave. Any further discussion? Hearing none. All in favor say I. I. I
opposed. Uh, the agreement's approved. Next item on the agenda, the PACE programming agreement. So, the PACE lab is housed in our middle school and if you haven't had the opportunity to visit it, I'd encourage
you to do that. Uh, it is a collaborative program. We have students there depending on the semester and kind of time of year from a number of is school districts. they come and learn work skills, practical skills in a
simulated work environment. Um it's very very neat and especially if you can get some students to engage in a dialogue about it. um this leads to, you know, further transition for our special education students down the road and um
is a really unique program, really successful and um uh I'm really grateful that we have it and I'm uh especially proud that we're able to host it here. So, this is uh again lays out the details of that and and I'd recommend approval.
So, move David moved by David. Do I have a second? Second. Second by David. Any further discussion? Mr. Chair, just one quick comment that um Matt and I had an opportunity to visit the PACE lab at the beginning of my term on the board and
what an incredible facility and opportunity we have to host that for these these kids in the transitional environment. Wonderful program. Happy to support it. All in favor say I. I opposed programming agreements approved. Next
item on the agenda, low incident services agreement. Superintendent Gross. Thank you. Again, there's a number of these, like you said, Mr. Chair, coming through as we ramp up and get things in place for the fall. Um,
IASK hosts a number of low incidence uh programs and that you know that for our district and other is districts and even outside of there. Um, these are these are services that most districts
uh don't have enough children to support like full FTE for or full staff for um because we may not have a lot of students that need those services. So like hearing, vision, um really rare
medical potentially. So really highly specialized supports. Uh so rather than us having to hi uh find, hire, employ really part-time people uh as we lump all of our students together in the
region in a sense we can provide licensed staff um qualified staff to those students that have those specific needs. So um I tried to detail in there uh in there some examples as well in that administrative report. Um, again,
the alternative would be us trying to find very part-time people to provide services that we are obligated to provide. So, this is just a really smart cooperative way to do that. I'd recommend approval. I have a motion to approve.
So, move David. Moved by David. Second. Second, Melissa. Further discussion. Makes brilliant use of shared resources. All in favor say I. I opposed.
Service agreements approved. Next item on the agenda, career pathways program and agreement. Superintendent Gross. Uh many of you I I hope all of you are aware of the career pathways program. I know just a few weeks ago Scott Patro
was here to talk about the program. Um we had many students complete pathways this last year. 12 in Big Fork, 66 at Grand Raps High School. Um and uh at Big Fork 105 45 enrollments in career
pathways and Grand Raps High School had 238. Um another benefit this last year that was kind of rolled out through the um the community or the the foundation at Minnesota North Itasa. If a student from
an I is school district graduates with a certificate, that certificate's worth a thousand dollar scholarship at Minnesota Northaska. So, we've been talking for a long time about the um the importance of that work, but also trying to create
something tangible there. So, uh that's something that we have a number of students who will take advantage of this fall. Uh we do contribute to career pathways and um we'll benefit from coordination liaison with businesses
lining up our signing days and uh I ask was recently awarded a grant from the Blandon Foundation as well to expand workbased learning coordination which is that that really important role of
connecting kids with employers uh for those exploring and and uh experiencing uh career, you know, career connected activities. So, um really good program and I think you've all probably seen seen and heard about that. Uh and I'd
recommend approval of this. Motion to approve. So, move David second. Second. Second by Dave. Further discussion? I one last thing I would just mention.
Um you know this is uh generally I ask is has had billing that was proportionate to enrollment and this is an area where um our is partners are
have agreed to pick up a little bit more higher proportion of the overall cost um just given the financial situation that that we've been in and recognizing the overall all cost of the the program our from an enrollment perspective we
represent uh I think it's 60% of the enrollment in in I ask Cara I don't is that sound about right 58 did she say 58 58% yeah you're way off that's embarrassing
what did you teach or minus 2% was a margin of error there plus or minus 2% um so just for frame of reference. Yeah. Okay. All in favor say I. I. Opposed.
Pathways agreements approved. Uh next item on the agenda, student support co-op agreement. This is kind of an odd one. Um in uh the legislature approved cooperatives
in a broad sense to be able to spend and be reimbursed for student support positions and the member districts can generate aid to reimburse these co-ops. If the positions aren't in place and the
money's not spent, the districts just don't get it. So, this isn't a spend that we would um or this isn't Yeah, this isn't money that we would get if we didn't have the program in place. Uh we just wouldn't get it. Uh I ask is the cooperative that we're working with.
Obviously, um in some areas of the state, they may be working with their service co-op or some other joint powers affiliate. Um, we've had a lot of conversations at the IS level about how best to use these
funds and I think this will probably uh evolve over time. Uh, some of it has to do with the access to staff that qualify. We can't just hire anybody. It has to be uh people with particular licenses and skills and certifications.
Uh, right now I think we're focused on nursing, but we've had conversations about social workers. I think we originally set out to uh to hire social workers to serve in a kind of student family support liaison position, but um
people with that expertise are hard to come by. So again, this is where this is at. This is a kind of a flow through I guess is the best way to say it. Flow through funding. Um but needs our approval. Motion to approve. So moved. Moved by
Melissa. Second. Second, David. Second, David. All in favor say I. I. I. Opposed. Agreement's approved. Uh, next item on the agenda, technology
service agreement. Superintendent Gross. For the last few years, uh, this is kind of part of some restructuring and I think budget uh, activity and reduction cost savings moves. uh we our district uh sells
part of our technology director's time to I ask and so it's bundled in a technology services agreement. Uh that's what this contract essentially represents that we're selling some of our technology staff or services to IASK
to provide support for their ISA network first of all and then also I ask staff. So, um, our staff support not only the infrastructure piece, but also people like, you know, like I mentioned, our
executive director, Jack Delli, Scott Patro, those I ask employees get support technology-wise from uh, staff that we're selling. So, financially, this works out well for us. I'd recommend approval. Motion to
approve. So, moved by Dave. Second. Second. Second by Melissa. Discussion. I I guess I have one question here. Um, do we do we feel we're getting
adequately reimbursed for this? I I know that I know we've you know we've we've had some turnover in our staff there and and I know there's been some work level concerns
has been my understanding and in some of the feedback potentially there and maybe I'm expressing that wrong but but I I want to make sure that you know um that We're getting what we need out of
this because because I I think we lost we have stress level there for some of our existing staff and throwing that workload on them. Are we getting compensated correctly? I guess ultimately right. Um
or concerned about that stress level for that staffing I guess. Yeah. I I mean I I definitely think there is um you know even in the budget reduction process I think I shared um our technology staff
in general has been cut more as a proportion than most of our other departments. Um and you know we we run really lean there. Uh I think it it's useful that our staff
are involved in the ISA core work uh if for no other reason that it's housed in our building. Uh so the is infrastructure that we're talking about is uh in the Grand Raps High School
building. Um some of it's you know really intricately connected to that building obviously but you know backup generator and that kind of thing. So, it makes sense that we're involved. Um, I, you know, I think that part of that
question could evolve, Tom, with services moving forward that we're providing. Um, I don't know that I don't know that how we've assigned duties
to support some of the IASK work. Um I I I wonder if how we assign duties to support I I ask work could be looked at differently. I think that maybe is the first place we have to look um to try to make that manageable or manageable.
Do I have a motion to approve the agreement? I thought we had a discussion. Okay. All in favor say I. I. I. opposed service agreements approved. Next item on the agenda, approved sale of deaf and
heart of hearing services. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh again, I'd say the next uh three of these contracts represent um more agreements with IASK specific to special education. Anna did a good job laying out uh information in
the uh board report. Um again they represent in the first case deaf heart of hearing positions that we would if we weren't collaborating with IASK both of us both organizations would be out looking for a halftime person um which
is really really tough to do. So this enables us to employ somebody full-time. uh our I don't remember if we've said this before, but our child count from a special ed standpoint and I asks uh child count from a special ed standpoint
are about equivalent. So it kind of makes really good sense to arrange this in a half and half way. um it's been working really really well and so I'd recommend continuing with uh I guess continuing with with the next three GH
and I for all the same rationale. Mr. Chair, can I make a motion on all three? Yes. Uh David so moves on uh heart of hearing, autism, and physical impairment services. Second on those three. Second. Second from Dave. Any
further discussion? Really wise collaboration. All in favor say I. I. Opposed. U. Those three agenda items are approved. Um, next item on the agenda, approve the
contract with Northolomes for school-based mental health services. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh as many of you know uh mental health services are provided in our schools through a partnership with Northomes. These services
uh are provided by Northolomes. They do billing on their end and uh that enables those services to be provided with little to no cost to our school district. They also solicit grants um because sometimes there are gaps between
insurance coverage and and the cost of providing services. Uh we've been through a number of RFPs. Uh the initial RFP dating back a number of years. There were a u a couple of
respondents. Um this was before my time. North Homes came through that process uh as the uh provider of choice. Uh subsequent RFP was done. At that point, they were the only uh provider that
responded and our contract provides for us to be able to renew with them uh which is what we're proposing at this time. So, the uh the agreement represents a renewal of a
contract with North Homes um for the upcoming contract period through June of 2028. Motion to approve. So, move by Dave, second. Second. Second by Melissa.
Further discussion hearing? None. All in favor say I. I I opposed contract with North Homes approved. Uh board reports. Ashley, do we want to start with you? Um Mr. Chair, actually I don't have
anything to report to the board. Um I was absent for my policy committee meeting um at a child's doctor's appointment. So that would have been that would have been it for me. So you can Thank you, Melissa.
Yeah. uh policy meeting as uh Ashley put forward. It was pretty short. It was one of the shortest policy meetings we've had, which a lot of people are super happy about that. I still love policy. Um so there'll be more on that. Uh the
big one for me is we've been in contract negotiations with IASK. And um for those of you who don't know, uh last week, end of I don't remember what day is it. Um about a week ago,
Jackie Skellyy submitted her resignation. Uh huge. I can't tell you what a huge loss that is. um she's really our first executive director uh for that and she has done so much
work to bring IASK in line contractwise, policywise and all the work that she's had to do with losing the Blandon grant and restructuring early edge. And I just can't even tell you what a unicorn she's been. Um partially too because she has a
special ed license. So, uh, the way that that's structured is could get reimbursed for her salary because the majority of her work would fall, you know, or at least part partially because the majority of her work would fall under that sped category.
So, can we get another unicorn? I don't know, but we're going to try. Um, so we are looking we're relooking at the job description because when we originally posted that job description, sped wasn't part of it. Um Jackie just
happened to apply. She happened to be a great leader and she was already in SPED in IASK. So it wasn't like she was take, you know, she kind of took her duties with her as she went to this next level. So someone coming in would have to learn
both sides. Um so we're going to try that first. If we can't find someone and we're okay with saying we don't have the right person um then we will go back to the drawing board and take a look at that job description and see how best to structure that. Um but this could take a
while. So there is going to be an interim uh sped director and um so look for that. But we do need somebody as of July 1st on record as the lead for sped. And so we will bring an interimm person
on board. And part of that thinking was although we have someone in IASK with a sped license, they have a full-time job that and because Jackie is going to be gone, they're going to have to keep things moving. And so we're bringing in someone for just a short period of time
to deal with anything that might arise. And I say interim, like nothing's going to arise. And Matt is probably like, "Oh god, like soon as somebody comes in, something could happen. Um but but so this person will be compensated and they
will have um some help from 318 to if there's anything that shows up. Anna who is our other unicorn um uh will be helping and and there will be some compensation there from the IASK group. But this is a big big big deal and um
something that we uh didn't see coming. Um, but Jackie has is actually leaving the state. Uh, she's moving on to uh bigger and better things. And I don't like to say that because I hate losing her, but she will she will be wonderful
as a leader um in another position. So, that's a big one for us. We've been dealing with that a lot um over the last six days, six, seven. uh and contract negotiations for them are ongoing. So we do have leadership
contracts and and teacher contracts that are going right now. So Dave, um just a couple things. Happy to report that ED policy bill passed last week on a party line mentioned. Um
I would also share that um I had some social media interaction with some members of the public about our new logo. So, I would just recommend that whenever we can just to share a little bit more of the details of our logo. Um, I think it's awesome. I love everything about it. I just think we need to
communicate it. Um, I was playing offense and defense at the same time. Um, and then there's a RIFE meeting tomorrow at noon that all dude. Yeah, as Ashley and Melissa pointed out, uh, policy is always fun.
One of our favorites. I love policy. the uh uh Minnesota School Board Association uh had a Zoom meeting last week uh at the end of session uh to kind of bring all the threads together of what passed and what didn't pass. If
anyone's not had the chance to see it, they do record these and it's extremely informative. It's exactly an hour long and you can get it on the MSBA website. Uh very informative. And on uh June 9th, uh Matt uh went to the Itasa County
Township Association and made a presentation uh about uh schools budgets uh plans uh and was able to answer a tremendous number of questions and uh Matt makes a
very very impressive uh presentation. Uh, we need anyone has any context to get Matt out. Sorry, Matt. I'm put putting words on your on your work on your load. Filling out my
calendar. That's good. If anybody has any places uh uh he is an extremely uh fluent spokesperson uh for what we need have happen happening at the school.
Tom. Yeah. Um, so I was actually uh last week we uh had at my place of employment bar, we had uh some Minnesota North and Upwardbound students that came from 318 and some of the surrounding districts and came and learned about engineering.
So I poked my nose in there and saw what was going on and uh got to participate in that a little bit. Um, tomorrow I'll be up here again in uh, Big Fork and we're going to have our advisory committee meeting. So, that's all I have.
Um, I'll be here for the advisory meeting as well and I'm so glad we have policy people on the board. Superintendent Gross. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh I mentioned a little bit earlier the uh my quick down
and back to St. Cloud. uh a number of school districts and organizations have formed an alliance to look at uh AI and education and uh it was a really good uh really good day uh eyeopening in many ways and uh we're going to be gathering
some staff in three weeks here in this room actually where I am to talk about what that looks like in our school district. Uh it's happening right now. our kids are using AI in their classrooms. Uh I uh one of the
statistics that they showed today at the keynote had to do with a I can't remember the sample but it was a pretty large group of of students and they asked them if they were using AI in their classrooms on assignments and 60% said no, 40% said yes and then they
asked the 40% of kids um does your teacher know that you're using it? And of that 40% that were using AI, um, like 44% said, "Yeah, my teacher knows." And 44% said, "No, they don't know." And 12%
said, "I don't know if they know or not." Um, the the point is I think that it's here. This reminds me and and also dates me of when um the internet became a thing and
there was this, you know, what are we going to do now that kids can access all of the world's information on Google? uh it reminds me of that uh except it's it's amplified and probably exponential just
because of the capabilities of AI. And one of the things they were talking about today had to do with the workforce and some of the people there were from DED and other workforce development and they said that they their estimates now
or that 30% of the jobs will be affected or you know will have an AI component to them in the near future and uh but one of the comments that uh quote that was shared was that um AI isn't going to
replace people necessarily, but people who use AI will replace people that don't use AI. So, interesting to think about whether you agree with or disagree with any of that, but the reality is that that we're in a position as a school district um like others where we
have to look at it, figure out how what we're going to do with this, how do we use this in the smartest, safest way we can. Um I think that the concerns that were raised by even AI proponents center around student data um ensuring that
student data is protected and so we'll have uh that as part of our work too and considerations but again we have a group of people coming in on the ETH teachers from all buildings and grade levels and principles and uh to get started on uh a
plan here and that'll come back to you to review and um my plan is to get our student schoolboard reps involved in that dialogue. It'll be good opportunity for them to weigh in, I think, and and probably also our student student leadership groups in our building. So,
more to come on that, but um it's interesting. Um let's see. David mentioned the township meeting. Uh Dave mentioned the legislation. Uh you know, I think in general it could have been worse, could have been better. uh a lot of what they did
to help us was really a short-term or one or maybe two-year uh help and then we'll be right back uh wondering where you know what what we're going to do. A lot of work around staffing. We have few pieces uh to finish up, a couple hires
to take care of still, so we're all set for the fall. Um you saw in the consent agenda uh Gage Fischer stepping into the technology director role. So, uh, you'll probably see he starts tomorrow, actually. And so, um, he's going to be
drinking from a fire hose this week, meaning meeting the meeting the team and learning all the things. Um, and then, uh, we had kind of a wrap up for principles, uh, last week and, uh,
kind of set the stage for the summer and looking ahead for the year. and then also met with our strategy team last week to start mapping out or continue mapping out our uh early out times and professional development next year. So, um that's all
I have, Mr. Chair. Thank you. A reminder, upcoming schoolboard committee meeting dates are posted on each agenda. Schoolboard meeting agendas can be found in the district website and on the designated posting site at the ICD3
services center. Is there any other business to come before the board? Julie, is anyone signed up for public input? They have not. Meetings adjourned.