All right, everyone. It is 5:30. Now that John's here, we can get started. Meeting goes smooth tonight. I will be taking credit. If not stand to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it
stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >> I will take a motion to approve the agenda. >> Thank you Mr. Have a second. >> I'll second >> Mr. Mesa. Any discussion on that?
Hearing none. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Oppos. Same sign. Motion carries. On the communications comments, accommodations, I believe we're starting off with Mr. Light. >> Oh, Miss Carrier >> or is it Mr. >> Oh, Miss Carrier. There we go.
Well, I'm not sure if this is working, but I can talk. Maybe Mr. Lang can help me while I'm standing here. Um, I'm Jenny Carrier. I'm the community education director here at the school and I'm proud tonight to recognize a little comment on a special literacy
milestone. Um 1,000 books, thank you 10,000 books before kindergarten. This achievement represents not only the dedication of our littlest comets, but the dedication of the parents and the caregivers who made this daily reading a priority. Reaching a thousand books
takes a lot of intention and um research consistently shows that children who are read to regularly enter kindergarten with stronger language, listening and comprehension skills. This program began as a partnership between KM Community Education and the Cassen Public Library in 2014.
194 children have enrolled in this program, but just 55 have actually completed the challenge, making the achievement super special. So, congratulations to our young reader, Lauraai. Sir, come on in. Hi, Lauraai. How are you?
>> Good. Do you want to Here, let's step up here. Do you want to tell us right here? You can stand right here. Do you want to tell us how old you are? >> Yeah. Four. >> Four years old. Okay. And who is your te preschool teacher right now? >> Mrs. Hansen. >> Yeah. She's pretty amazing, isn't she?
And my last question for you is, what is your favorite book to read? >> Mermaid. >> Oh, Mermaids. Oh, so good. Okay, I have a special certificate for you. Here's that for you. And a book
and a comic coin. Okay, you stay up here for a picture. Great job. something for you. >> Good job. Good evening board and community members. I'm Trent Langel. Very proud to be the high school principal of Cast Vanderville. And on the other end of
Thousand Books for Kindergarten is the high school students of the month. It's like one leads to the other. So, these students were chosen by staff who collaborate and select kids who are responsible for themselves and others. They are positive role models. They offer help to those in need and they
progress academically. One student per grade level per month. It is quite an honor and they're here tonight. Come on down and and remain down here for a picture. Hermenia Angel Vicente, ninth grade. 10th grade CARLY GANGEL. 11TH GRADE. SO GREENER
12th grade. LANA BIRD little biographical information about our senior Lana. Uh, when asked to name the philosophy that's helped her be successful in life, Lana says life is easier with friends. Some of her hobbies include playing
guitar, volunteering, hanging out with those friends, been playing Fortnite with her little brother. Lana has her own jewelry business. She makes and sells sustainable, environmentally friendly items. Some of her activities in and outside school include
basketball, track and field, and cross country, FCCLA, SAD, Stars, Minnesota Honor Society, Miss Manterville Court, Environmental Club, Blood Drive, and a CA Kassen
Ambassador, and golf. After graduation, Lana plans to go to college and major in biology. She would like to go to dental school and become a dentist. Where do you see herself in 10 years? She says, "Hopefully working a job I love, traveling, and being around my friends and family." Congratulations, Lana Burr.
Senior student of the month at all the KMHs students of the month. Everybody want to go that way >> so you're kind of centered on their >> I I like to be bossy at home. >> Thank you. Hi everybody. I'm Jessica Mark. the
director of teaching and learning here at CAM schools and it's my honor tonight to present a comment coin to Jenna Brock for outstanding achievement in the Zumbro Education District Creative Writing Contest this year. This year we have 243 student writers submit work
with only six exemplary awards given, three for pros and three for poetry. Jenna was selected as the exemplary pros composition winner for grades 9 through 12 with 78 honorable mentions also presented to student writers including
24 other CAM students. This recognition is truly exceptional. All students responded to the same prompt. The moment I woke up I knew. But Jenna's creativity and dedication to her craft set her work apart. This accomplishment reflects both her talent and her commitment to
excellence. We are incredibly proud of Jenna and grateful the support and guidance of her English teacher, Connie Enders, who helped inspire such meaningful student success. Congratulations, Jenna, on this well-deserved honor. Want
a picture? Have a picture. Thank you. All right, good evening. I'm Brock Trident, activities director at Cass Manderville, and I've got several comic coins to give out as well. Uh, the first one is one of our all state music awards. So, I'm going to bring down our
leaders of the music department here in the high school. Let's give a round of applause to Mr. Tony Bolt and Andrew Fer. All right. We had two Allstators this year. So, all states kind of this like continuous process. So, these two individuals auditioned all the way last
February. Um, auditions for this year were actually due this evening. So, a few kids were finishing up uh that in the department. Um, it they go to a summer camp for a week. uh it happens to be happens lately to have been at Concordia College up in Morehead. Um and then that is kind of their main
all-state experience and just a huge uh a huge honor for these students. So Elshana is here tonight and El Shana Tour made it in on um Obo and then Kase Seagull made it in for vocal as well. He's not here tonight. He's auditioning for Spongebob the musical. So we'd like
to welcome El Shana down and to be recognized. Congratulations. Thank you. So, thank you. >> All right, the next comic coins that we're going to give out is to our Cass Mandator cheer team. And I'm going to
give a let's give a round of applause to their leader, Coach Amy Prog. All right. So, on January 31st, the KM varsity competition cheer team participated at state along with um two of our other program teams in our program, our middle school team and one
of our elementary teams competed as well. Um our girls brought home second place from state this year, which was a really great win for them after all of their hard work. Um during this event, they had to perform a twominut and 30 second routine. So, after I added it all
up, it was 156 practice hours in the gym. And that does not include all of the open gyms and time they put in at home. They really deserved this win. Um, they had to be in the top 50% after the first performance and then they had to
compete again to get final placements and they competed for the second time at 8:30 in the night after starting their day at 7 in the morning. So, it's a really long day. They persevered. They did an amazing job. But even more important to me as a coach, they took
home second place. They also got a ton a ton a ton a ton of compliments on their sportsmanship. We got personal messages to the coaches, Caroline Plank, and myself from other teams complimenting their sportsmanship and how great they were. And um the team that actually took
first place messaged me and they said that we were the true champions of the day just because of how awesome our girls were and celebrating their first place win with them. So I would like to congratulate Olivia Jaspersonson, Brooklyn Miller, Callie Mitchell,
Delaney Dhy, Kaylee Gixson, Stelman Sten, sorry, >> Maddie Lair, and Mallerie Plank. CONGRATULATIONS. You girls want to step take a step forward.
Do you guys want to pyramid? Thank you. >> Thank you. Is anyone else speaking or can I turn them off? >> That's it. >> Now on to the people that sitting at this table that really know what's going
on. >> Good evening school board and thank you for your time as we present you our February schoolboard report. Our winter sports are continuing on their way. Girls basketball currently has a record of seven and 19. Their first playoff game is Wednesday and they are the fifth
seed playing away versus Fairbull. The boys basketball team has a record of 917 with their next game being at home against Fairbull at 700 p.m. tonight. Wrestling has finished up with its season with a record of 12 to four. They play second in sections with Cassinia,
Kaitlin Anderson, Parker Richards, Re Rex Ashford, and Kaden Linquist making it to state in individuals. Gymnastics finished their season placing fifth at sections and Eleanor Smith made it to state placing fourth on B. Girls hockey just finished up their season with a
record of 227 and one and finished third at the state tournament. Boys hockey currently has a record of 188 and1 and is in the section finals on Wednesday playing against Northfield at the Rochester Recreation Center at 7 p.m. Powerlifting finished off their season
on the first of the month and are now preparing for their out of season meets. And then in addition to winter sports, we have several upcoming activities and updates from our clubs to share. Auditions for the high school spring show started last Thursday and will continue on this week. Along with this,
the middle schoolers are getting prepared for their production of the musical Anastasia, which will be performed for the public on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday this weekend. The speech team went to Farmington this weekend with a majority of the team breaking into final rounds and placing top six in their categories for that
meet. The next meet is this upcoming Sunday, I mean Saturday at Redwing. Our clubs clubs have also been working hard over the past month as well. Sad continuing on their anti- vaping campaign, continuing to educate students
on the dangers that vaping poses. They are also working to put some put together some anti- vaping activities for the middle school. Our student council is gearing up for a fun-filled week with snow week, which is next week. The Minnesota Honors Society is continuing their volunteer work with
working concessions at various sporting events and through their tutoring programs. FCCLA had their capital day on February 17th where they got to meet with representatives and learn about activities. They are preparing for their star event
for the state conference which will be held on March 27th through the 29th and will determine who advances to nationals. POS is preparing its events for its state conference which will be held on March 9th through the 11th. FFA have been has been working hard on
planning their FFA week with fun activities and their food drive. FFA week started today and will continue through the rest of the week. The robotics team is hard at work building their robot in preparation for their competition in Duth that is in a few
weeks. The post prom and a picking out an after prom theme and some activities as well. Next week, the band will have its mid- winter concert with the HBL contest being the next day. The choir will have its concert and HBL contest next week
or the week after. The school year is flying by, but we are continuing to have an excellent year. Thank you for your time and attention. This will conclude our February school work report. >> Uh any questions or comments from the board?
>> I have one. Um, you mentioned the high school spring show. What is that show going to be? >> Um, so this year our high school spring show is called Curious Savage. Um, we actually put on a show a couple years like four years ago actually now that I
think about it um by the same author who wrote the play, but it's basic it's a really nice sweet heartwarming play. It's about um this old woman who is inherited a lot of money from her husband's passing, but then her Greek stepchildren want to take the money and
so they put her in a psychiatric hospital, but then we find out um the end that she's like donating all this money to help these other patients achieve their dreams and it's it's really nice and heartwarming. Um our performances for that will be midappril so we're really excited for that.
>> Thank you. the postprong party themes. Is there any names being floated? >> Um, they're thinking about like a black light theme, a white out theme, or like a beach theme. I think that how
>> about snow week? Is there dress up days for that? >> Yes. So, those are going to be announced here actually on Wednesday. So, we'll have our pepfest spring bridge and then we'll announce all the bridge activities then as well. So, we're really excited for that coming up. It's always a great way to break up the winter.
>> Thanks for sharing. We have so many amazing activities and clubs that you guys can participate in. I wish I was back in school. >> I know you guys always bring it every board meeting. It's a plethora of information. It's great. Thank you.
I don't know if people know this, but Miss Hayyatt graduated with like 30 classmates. So, not as many activities. >> 24, >> right? Anything else from um representatives?
All right. Thank you, ladies. And >> on to believe Mr. Wilky has a presentation for us. Come on down. We have two minutes. >> Okay. I think I I I actually wrote something specifically for two minutes
today. >> I'm just going to uh pass these a little bit around the table. Just something to look at while I talk. And >> this feels very teacher of you, Mr. Feels pretty teacher of me. will be created on this.
>> But I might be >> Do I have to push a button or are we good to go? >> Okay. Well, number one, thank you for having me here tonight and fitting me on the agenda. Um, as you know, I I teach eighth grade social studies at the
middle school. played a number of different roles here at KM since I think I should say my official start was late 90s and uh I love teaching. It's a passion of mine but uh another passion
of mine is uh some of the union roles I've been playing with union president now that's over and but along with that is healthcare and I've been fairly active in it for the last number of years. It plays a
role with uh negotiations which I was trying to think about that today. I can't remember if I started doing negotiations in '05 or 07 but it feels like it's been a while now. Um and I would like to talk about where Education Minnesota is
hoping to go in terms of healthcare in the state of Minnesota and give a little bit of perspective that I think you're all pretty aware of uh locally and what a challenge it's been. Um, first of all, I I'd like to start by
saying that in years past and and as we get back closer to where we are today, health insurance for our district and I would argue nearly all the districts in the state is nearly an impossible problem to deal
with, if not impossible at all. And I I really think that's why I'm here tonight. How many times we went through negotiations only to be uh handcuffed at the end by an increase in health
insurance that we weren't expecting or as you know we negotiate two-year cycles. Um but our health insurance gets redone annually and so we we're impossible to predict what might happen uh for January 1st of 2027 and of course
beyond that. So, here's what I'm looking for. I'm looking for Cass and Manifil School Board, all of you, to publicly support new legislation um that's uh up at the legislature this
year establishing an educator group insurance plan across the state that I'll refer to as EIP. And uh I I think if Education Minnesota comes forward and is looking at getting
support for a health insurance plan for all educators and by that I mean all educators from administration in every district to teaching staff to uh uh paraprofessionals, secretaries
um all educators, custodians, everybody who works in school district across the state of Minnesota to be included in the eg plan. Um for education Minnesota to do this alone is quite a challenge convincing the
legislature both houses a governor uh to be supportive of such a plan. But if we can get uh uh administration and districts on board, if we can get school school boards um to help advance this through the
legislature, doing it together, I think gives us a better chance at making some progress on it. So the argument is that the current health insurance program across the state, which is negotiated locally, is
simply not sustainable. it can't continue and function. I did some math and right now if you take a family policy, it's about $3,000 a month for a premium at Cass and Manville schools. And if we take a 10% average over the
next decade, I'm talking about the unsustainability of health insurance the way we're running it right now. By the way, 10% increase that I'm projecting is 1.1% roughly less than our six-year average.
And that would mean 10 years from now, our family health insurance at KM would be somewhere around $93,000 a year just for health insurance. And the unsustainability of this is who's going to pay for it? are our local
taxpayers going to be burdened with in even more possible situation than we've been dealing with the last decade and a half to two decades. Um so that's the unsustainability I'm going to talk about just two years from now
two 10% increases puts us around $43,000 uh 6 or 7,000 increase from what we've got right now. Um, that's about my sales pitch to get some support from uh from the school board.
Um, there are some number other numbers on here like I I figured people are curious to know what is it that staff are paying for health insurance. And so I I highlighted what teachers pay, secretaries and support staff of both family and uh individual policies. And
please understand I could have filled this up with a lot more data. I do have more on the back if you're interested. Um, I just took a middle of the road plan that we've got and yes, people could pay a little bit less. People could also pay
a little bit more uh than what we are right now, but I just kind of went right down the middle with it. Um, our support staff would include I I would I would call it like hourly employees. Um, with secretaries having Although I've got
them I got the secretaries highlighted by themselves there. They've got a little bit different contract. Um who takes insurance here divided up between administration, teaching staff and support staff and how expensive it is for support staff. I think you can
see the numbers of people who actually utilize our insurance here. Um seven single policies districtwide, one family policy districtwide. And I'm sure somebody might have a question. I'll address it right now. Married's
counted one time. So, uh, we have a lot of people on staff who are married to a two teachers, right? Uh, married u, those are being counted uh, as one. >> Correct. U, there's one teacher who's
married to an hourly employee that takes a policy and it happens to be me and so I put one married including a teaching staff. So there's a second support staff family premium being paid by the district but it's not recognized in the
one family. So what is EIM? Um around I think the number was 145,000 maybe um educators around the state that would be eligible to participate and it is modeled after CIP which is a state employees group
insurance plan that all state employees have access to. In fact, not only is it modeled, it's nearly identical to the state employee group insurance plan model. Uh the uh the only difference is that has around 55,000 if I remember
right members and and so at the added nearly 100,000 members that CIP has which has brought stability to increases. Um they're able to negotiate uh as a group for lower premiums.
uh kind of like I suppose shopping at Sam's Club or Costco. You get a little bit more when you buy in bulk and a little bit more for the dollar. So again, I wrote benefit of larger pool, shared resources, power to negotiate.
effectively the state would be managing health insurance for all educators across the state and we wouldn't need to do it locally. So that's what I'm looking for. Again, I
I'm really looking for the school board to get behind this. I'm not even sure you need to do anything. But for me to be able to go and uh visit with lawmakers around the state to work with
education Minnesota and know that we've got not just teachers but administrators and local school boards on board to uh fix this otherwise unsustainable issue. I'm happy to elaborate, answer questions,
whatever you've got for me. >> I I have a couple um things to say. Over my time on school board, this has been the most dysfunctional part of the system that I've witnessed. Um three years ago, we had to do a one-time
payment because the health insurance, I think, raised 40%. It was so disappointing to watch the challenges of health care that this profession puts on people that we need. Um
it's depressing. And then knowing that we change um companies frequently uh to try to alleviate some of the raises is hard too because then employees can't get comfortable with one
system and know all the numbers inside and out. It's like every time we change it's a whole new system, a whole new portal. Um, it's a huge challenge and for us in negotiations, being a part of the negotiations team, extremely difficult to negotiate. I'm wondering
what would be the downside. This seems like it makes so much sense. What has prevented our state from doing this? >> Um, that's a good question. I'm going to take two parts of it. One was a question and then was not a question asked, but it it kind of got my mind refreshed. And
then the other one, uh, I'll answer your question. Thank you. Um, I want you to recognize that when we say a average 11.1% increase over the last six years. U
I want you to recognize the impact that that has on the insured. It has a huge impact on the district and in negotiations. In our last contract, we got 125 additional dollars from the district. Uh, plus a little bit of a statement monthly for people who have a
family policy. Um, and then we have that unknown variable going into next year. Let's just suppose hypothetically we get a 10% increase next year. Family policies are getting another $125 from the from the board in our contract to go toward that increase.
Individuals are getting another $25 per month. But if it's a 10% increase on a $3,000 policy, that's $300 increase. and the insured is paying that extra $175.
So while while it it isn't a 10 while it's a 10% increase on the premium, it can be a much larger dollar percentage increase on the insured because they're absorbing really an unknown variable, right? We don't know
what that premium is going to look like January 1st at 27. Maybe we'll get lucky and it's 2%. Uh, but it's been a while since we've had anything near that. And if past history is any indication, somehow I feel like we've been tricked into
thinking as consumers that 10% is a small increase. And of course, it's enormous. So, there's that part. Thanks for on. Um, and then your question, why not now? Or
why why not the past? Has this not been dealt with? That's where it gets a little bit beyond my knowledge, but I will say they've tried doing some things like PEP, public employee insurance program,
um, which simply didn't work. I I would say based on the increases we've seen, we used to be a part of PEEP. Uh, Bobby, you might have to help me with this. We'd be required with PEEP to stay on
board for two years, four years, >> regardless of what the premium increase is unless the increase was over. >> It's either 30 or 40%. >> I think maybe it was 40 and they reduce it to 30, >> something like that. And uh
I mean we're talking about 10 or 11% increases as a six year average. Imagine get hit get hit we had s at 16 or 17%. This last January 1st 26 there were districts that were fighting 2530 I think I even saw 52% increase in the
area local so they tried there was an effort about 15 years ago um to get to get teachers into see it
and if I remember right that was uh veto vetoed by the then governor if I remember correctly. Did that answer your question? They they tried. >> Yeah, it did. A couple other pieces to this too, just to supplement. And what
I've learned on the board is because our group is smaller, anytime somebody goes and has a surgery or uses the insurance, it increases for the whole group. So like when Bob presented the numbers in the past, it made sense why it increased. But because it was a small
group, the cost was shared by few people where Erin's saying if Mr. Wilkey is saying if it's a bigger group, that cost gets distributed over more and it's not felt as individually. I think it's harder for rural areas that have these smaller. And
I think right now, aren't we still in a group with not just our district? um because we've looked at this a lot. It's been a huge problem for the district as well. Um so it's frustrating and I appreciate your time and effort to do this. It like
makes so much sense that I just can't figure out why it hasn't been pushed before. >> Well, I mentioned the outstate issue and and I think outstate can get hit a little harder because of those lower numbers. Um metro has also kind of been
a yield sign to this. the large metro area schools because their groups are so large naturally I mean huge class size huge numbers of members of teachers and uh they are on board right now and and
that's something that's pretty new compared to past history. So you're saying some of the bigger schools are on board with this because I guess that's argument I've heard in the past is that you know you got you kind of need all schools to buy in but you have some schools that have really good plans that you know this would be a
setback for them. That's kind of an argument of why there would be pockets of schools that say no but no. >> I know there's some uh some parts of the bill that that are written. There's both a house bill and a senate bill out there. They've been around about a year but they're getting
heard this Thursday. um where I got I got to get my frame of reference back here larger districts hesitant. Yeah, they they've got extra dollars a lot of those districts in large pools where they've
their plan has actually been able to save money. Can't remember the term they've got for that. I don't think we've ever had it here, but where where their local plan has saved dollars in case of a big year to be able to absorb that without going back to the consumer
and I know in this plan is different. They've been assured they'll be able to keep those dollars locally and uh with an undetermined view for it. So that might be a factor in getting them on board. Know politics can work sometimes.
And Keith, obviously the biggest factor, we've met with a couple legislators and making calls and doing all those things is how do you pay for it? >> And there's no number. It it's hard to solidify what that looks like. You know, if you bring in the Reed Act, okay,
there's this many teachers, it's going to cost this much. It the number looks huge. Okay, we're going to pay for every lunch or every breakfast for a student. Okay, you take all the numbers, you add them up, there's this number. when you start talking about health care, it becomes a very who's got the right
number and and so that's why you're seeing and I'm encouraging Erin to get to these other groups. U you haven't met with MSBA yet, we haven't met with MASA, you know, those those groups, you're going to need more support um to kind of get that, but what they're waiting on
are the numbers. Uh a lot of people won't meet with anyone until they know what the numbers are going to be. But it's like cart horse which one comes first and what will that look like? So >> that's when you ask the question why is this happen? >> Where is that going to come from? And
then do we how much will we take from the schools because that money has to come from somewhere >> you you know so then when our pot goes down and it's all used for insurance then you know it's a whole new game
because you wouldn't be negotiating that piece. it. There's so many layers to it and the unknown is what I mean the when you hit the wall with anyone you're talking in this conversation tell me when you don't agree with me is you're hitting that wall when there's the
unknown. People want to know what will this cost me and it's there's just no way to know. Would everyone in the state jump onto this program? >> Yes. So your current cost how many do you have employees here? >> Yeah.
>> 40. I think we said we have 363 43 to 300 people that are now going to take insurance. What does that look like? There's just so many unknowns that that's they've got really really great people at the state that could start solidifying those numbers, but that's
the biggest why I mean that needs to be put into the space is how do you pay for this? >> Yeah, just makes I understand what you're saying. You're kind of saying that. So they get this great Cadillac plan. Now instead of having 30 something people in our school district in our
insurance, it jumps to 150. Well, now even though it might be a cheaper plan for us, we're actually paying a lot more because we're not just paying for 30 people now. We're paying for 150 people. >> Even 15% of everybody is going to be a cost increase when you're only paying
for 43 now. You know, but but again, those numbers, you don't know. I don't know. we don't know what those numbers would be and that's where where it can be a little bit difficult but there's a lot of support out there people are listening to us um it's just that
usually ends the conversation when you say well what's the number >> we don't know and people don't want to listen to things that there isn't some facts behind it I know I don't I don't tend to want to listen to a conversation if people don't have that information so
yeah >> so do we have I mean, so it's it's wonderful for big districts. I understand that. But smaller districts like ourselves, I don't I'm I'm leery. I'm I'm not saying that I'm against it. But the thing that scares me is that we
get stuck in a program three or four, five years that possibly will raise continually for a smaller district versus a bigger district that has the numbers. Do you have any data on that? I I don't know that because it's a variable they just don't know. But but I
think there's also a philosophical change that if I can we we put it in space too. This becomes a state program. It's not a local program in negotiations. I foresee we would never talk about health insurance again when we are at
the negotiating table to finalize a contract. It would be a complete non-con conversation. It's already done. And then we talk about those more important pieces and and again I mean how many times have we sat in a room and done negotiations and think we're almost
there and then all a sudden health insurance happens again. And so I understand totally what you're saying. I just see I just see I'm I'm sorry and I don't mean to be a Debbie Downer. That's not my role, but I'm a
conservative person as as a whole and I look at this if it's going to be something I can understand why the big schools are going to jump on because their dollar are going to go down. >> I don't think they were on the board though. They they because they had a bigger pool were didn't want the state
pool because it wouldn't have benefited them. I wouldn't. Yeah, I wouldn't. You're telling me that a co-op, basically co-op insurance is what this is going on. Uh my younger brother owns his own company and has
done this co-op insurance and it's good in some sense. It's great, but you also have to look at the size and then the the sustainability and how many years are you stuck in this three to four years. That's all I need to know those information and get some data. Um, but I
I'm not saying I'm against it. I'm just saying there's a lot of whatifs and I I'm one of those type of people that like the whole picture. >> Well, I appreciate that. Um, the other thing I'll I'll I'll mention and I think I alluded to a little bit earlier is
that and I just ask that you consider the alternative because if we keep going down this road, we'll have more of what's already happened in January 26. I work with people who have families, their own children at home, who quit paying
premiums this year because they cannot afford it and they simply don't have family coverage at all at all. >> And I mean, that's a reality. I I would just like to throw out I mean the fact that you know $1,600 a month for
insurance is a lot of money but it's not like it's buying you premium insurance where if your kids hospitalized you don't have a $20,000 deductible that's per person. So I mean I feel like this isn't like you said not really sustainable and that's a huge amount of money to pay on top of huge deductibles
possibly you could have for each individual family member you have like who who has 20 30,000 $40,000 sitting around? I I've had two kids hospitalized at the same time at once and I have amazing insurance and God bless that. But I I couldn't imagine that at the end of the day after having two kids hospitalized for multiple weeks that I
have to pay 40 $50,000 in deductibles for both of them on top of you know paying up $1,600 700 deductible a month a premium a month. >> Yeah. Thank you. other things. >> Are they talking a sunset like after
three or four years be all time? >> Yeah. Thank you. Um there's a a long-term goal here and and I'm glad you brought that up and there's a shortterm reality. At the end of the legislative session, if everything goes perfectly in
26, this isn't going to happen. Okay. Number one is a nonfunding year at the state which the goal this year is to get EDF heard rally support u and
continue again next year. The the the best numbers I've heard for this to become a reality is six 8 10 years down the road. In the meantime, here we are and uh trying to negotiate contracts and provide benefits
for people, right? And uh and that's going to be a challenge I think in and of itself. That's the long-term goal is the six, eight, 10 years. Again, the shortterm goal is getting as much support, which is why I'm here today
as we possibly can. And again, we're already doing it with CEK with 50 55,000 members um almost in a targeted copy plan. And so to take some of those variables, I know
you're not getting detailed data, but but at the same time, it is something that's been sustainable, is working, and uh at least better than the options that most locals have, right? Just a quick question, clarification on
the PIP. PEIP. How does that compare? Is that the new version of the secret or how is that? I thought the PIP was the public. >> That's the old >> That's the old one. Okay. >> That did work out quite as well as they were hoping, >> right? We saw some pretty big increases
if I remember right. >> Not in the beginning, but we did. >> Yeah. And what I think really limited us is part of the I mean it's a problem that just continually I think every time a district goes and shops around you we bring instability to the whole system
and yet when you're faced with people I think it was what four or five years ago all of a sudden we you were I think looking at a 25 or 26% increase and to not be able to shop around and look at other plants just have to take that
for another year or two uh brings a added element to it. It didn't work out anymore. >> The other hard thing is that it's hard to staff like some um it would be easier to get paras in other supportive roles
because we've had employees and correct me if I'm wrong, but they've been hired and had to actually write us a check for insurance. They don't even get paid. So, they they quit. They don't work with us. That's insane to me. It's just such a broken system and I think it'll be hard for everyone because
it has to change some way. It sucks six, eight, 10 years. It'll be a crisis. Well, who wants to go into a profession that doesn't provide benefits that's affordable and and provide for your family? It's it's hard. >> But this is a universe. I mean, it's
everywhere. >> It's everywhere. Absolutely. And even outside of education, it's a broken system right now. Yeah. >> Thank you. I was just going to say that, too. Like, I'm not coming here whining. It's just only educators are facing this. I mean the reality is small business owners um people in other other
areas even people in healthcare their premiums I realize are going up too but there's a point in time where you just have to make a decision can I pay this or can't I pay this and I hope increasingly we don't get ourselves in
that place and this is the solution that at Minnesota at least I I can tell you it's their number one priority this legislative session and and that's a big statement coming from that Minnesota and and yet and I wonder is it really
everything I've seen them do um in the last four or five months really is a testament to that they're making it a priority and they're putting resources wherever and whenever they can >> you know you and I are on the same page
but I'm going to say it one more time You've got to get these larger organizations in. When I was at my region meeting last week and no one had heard about it, that can't happen. You know what I mean? And I'm going to really encourage you to bring back to your group that when there's 12 people
on that committee, we need more faces and people represented. The principal group needs to be there. All of those things. I I can appreciate the work you're doing and you know I support you. It's just it's going to be vital that this isn't just
an Ed Minnesota platform. If it truly is everybody, then I think even voting should be even. I mean, I'm hearing seven, you know, voting. You've just you've got to make that more equal if it's meant to be equal. Um the
superintendent's organization doesn't know a thing about it. >> I just I'm going to really encourage you. You're bringing it to the local level. That's great. But we need those large groups, the MESPAS, the TR, what's your group called? >> MASSP. >> There you go. Those folks need to know
what we're talking about. So, >> we'll do I can do that Thursday. >> Exactly. And I'm continuing to do that. I brought it to my region and I'll keep But you know, when the head of Mesa says, "Oh, I have no idea what you're talking about." We got to get those groups knowledgeable so that this, you
know, >> Yeah. Right. >> You know where I'm at. >> Yeah. Thank you. I just want to say thank you for bringing this and bringing this information. Um I know that especially when I ran for school board, this was a really big issue for a lot of teachers and I I understand why it is. So I am
very thankful that you're taking the time to do this, make this a priority and that education Minnesota is. >> Thank you. Appreciate that. >> Thank you for sharing. >> Thanks. >> All right. Anything else? >> All right. Thanks for having me. I really appreciate you.
>> Thank you. Appreciate you. >> Thank you. >> Long to consider approval of resolution for acceptance of gifts and grants. Mr. Mason. >> Okay. Resolution for acceptance of gifts and grants. Whereas the state of Minnesota has generously awarded the
following great start grants to KMCE. $4,987.50 50 cents to childcare PK, $3,465 to Childcare PB. Whereas the following have generously generously offered to
donate to the 20 26 robotics team, KM Youth's Fishing Team, $150. Jodyie Barts, $200. Kyle Barts, $500. Mike's Full Lawn Service, Inc. $100.
Just Like Home Scc $100. Mberger law offices $500. Old National Bank $250. Contact Manufacturing $500. KM Telecom
$400. Whereas KMESPTA has gener generously offered to donate the following. $2,980 for grades K through three field trips,
$150 for KMES staff coffee card. Whereas an anonymous donor has generously offered to donate $150 to KMCE for a little comic sponsor. >> Right, we have a motion and uh do we
have a second? >> I'll second. >> Thank you, M. Any discussion hearing? None. All those in favor say I. >> I. Same sign. Motion carries. On to board committee reports. Public input tonight. It looks like finance committee
was here. Anybody comfort? >> No. >> Okay. Um looks like Atlanta facilities met on the 17th. Mr. Stacker. >> Uh yes, we discussed the um I think some people have brought up the softball field a couple times. There's some fence
issues, but it was uh we've learned that the softwall feels really wet and so everyone freezes the fence essentially gets pushed up. So something we're looking at trying to get some beds to see if we can fix it and then longterm also fix some of the back stops. The back stops are probably rough shape. So looking at getting some quotes and
possibly looking at that uh moving not necessarily moving forward moving forward with some more quotes on the concession stand uh get more detail on exact pricing of different options for us and then um we are going to move forward I believe the storage shed that would actually be a shed and kind of two
separate rooms uh so during football games or any event uh especially in late fall they have a room we go into during halftimes. Um the bus barn we will not be pursuing. That turned out to be quite expensive. Um >> we thought it was going to be
>> I think that's about all we covered from >> Yes. Yes. Z just >> I'm sorry on the Okay. Sorry did a great job. >> Any questions for Aaron? If none we can move on to looks like finance. Mr.
Madiri is gone. So Mr. Mesa, Mr. Armstrong, anything. >> Uh we just talked about the levy which then we talked further about in the special that we had. So that was really our conversation before that.
>> What were some of the Did we get any cost estimates on what that would cost survey? >> She did um mail that to us today. It was right around $4,500. um which is great. That hasn't gone up in many years. So that's kind of um it's
based on your students if we decide to do extra publications, but we'll bring that all to that next session. But it was very reasonable for I was shocked that the price hadn't jumped a lot since my last question.
Okay. Uh let's see. Moving on to Mr. >> Yes. Now I will go. Um Zed just met this last Thursday. Um we approved our director Patrick Gordon's contract. We approved the calendar. They're always very um careful about their calendar
making sure all their member districts get their calendars approved so that they can kind of coordinate around that which is nice of them to do. Um and did a revised budget. There's a lot going on at Zed. Um, their facilities
are always open to a lot of the member districts, so they're being used regularly, which is really nice, especially for Cam. I know we use it a lot for sports, so it's nice to have their partnership. Um, the Zed Academic Triathlon has begun. Um, which is exciting. We have some students participating in that and I learned that
that actually used to be run by the state and then when they stopped said kind of took it over so it was still an opportunity, which is nice. Um the traveling art show is going on right now. Um currently it is at Byron Middle School and that is um all the member
districts art teachers choose some art to put on display and then that art show travels through every district. So that's kind of fun too. Um something they brought up is uh legislatively they there's a group uh
the Minnesota Administrators in Special Education M and they go to the capital March 4th. And one thing that has been approved, but they're trying to repeal and um Miss
Geese actually mentioned it in her email as well, is they want to cut 250 million to special education cross subsidies. So that's huge. Um that would be very hard. Um so Zed is very concerned and watching that closely
and That is it. I also though do have this book that they gave out because it was um the Zed creative writing contest. So earlier when we recognized Jenna Brock, I do have what she wrote here if anyone would like to take a look. She did a very nice job. That's very cool to
go through and read. So I'm happy to share. >> Um something else, sorry more, um that will be coming. So I want everyone to be well aware is their long-term facilities maintenance proposal. Um, and we can invite the director, uh,
Patrick Gordon back if we have any questions, but they're working on developing that because unanimously there was support for them to do so. >> Okay, any questions or comments for M? >> We'll move on to community ed, Miss Armstrong.
>> All right. um for the community ed meeting, we reviewed the advisory council handbooks. Um they had recorded so in terms of the behaviors that they've recorded, um they're significantly lower than they
had last year. So um right now we're at 186 recorded behaviors versus 307. Miss Carrier, please correct me if I'm wrong with that. Um they talked about some of the reasons why they think they're seeing um lower behaviors and consistency with staff and
the rooms um training common language. Um and Mrs. Mer was spotlighted just with her behavior support work that she's doing. Um that that was likely making a big impact on it. Um just that she mentors teachers on how to react to behaviors and um has been really crucial
for that. Uh we also talked about preschool registration is March 4th. Um and they're working on the next community ed brochure um already. About it
>> questions or comments from legislative I don't have a meeting but just uh Erin were you are are you going to the capital? You have some interest in it? >> Yes. I I know they've sent my information. I don't think sing this time.
>> Yeah. But uh yeah, we'll guide you through it. You'll have a good time. So now legislators, get a glimpse of the magic that goes on here. >> Um okay, moving on to superintendent
communications. >> Yeah, I I have been busy. It's been fun busy though. I mean, when you've got a school that's this successful in so many ways, um it's just been a lot of fun. So, I'm not going to read through my uh report. I did add something something to
the end. You have already approved it, but it's your um pre-sale report. Um the agenda was already done. I added it to the bottom. You'll see this again in March when you do the final approval, but I just I'm not trying to stick it in there, but we weren't quite sure where
to put it. So, that's in there. But, um, just a ton of shout outs in there. Make sure you you take time to peek through it. Um, Kelly Braun, it's worth mentioning. It's just been in every school I've worked in, it's just hard to get all those approvals done with MDE and she works so hard at it. Um, she and
and Jessica as well just do a nice job of making sure we get everything. All of our eyes are dotted and I'm appreciative for that. So, I think that's all I have. We'll keep it simple. It's all in there. >> I have a quick question. Sure. I just saw and it has come up before
about the Dodge County Ice Ring. >> You adding detail? >> Sure. I have had many meetings. Um we're working on it, you know, and that and that's the truth. I'm not trying to hide anything. It's just it's there's a lot to it. Yeah.
>> The county owns the ice skating rink. Um the city participates in it. Um it's a great thing for a city to have an ice rink. Um they would love for us to have or take over or manage the ice to
us before. >> I don't feel as if it's a gift. I, you know, I'm working through some things. So, we'll get there. Um, it needs a lot of work as well. Um, I've got some really good ideas and I'm excited to present those ideas down the road. We're just not quite there yet, >> but there's been a lot of meetings and I
can't tell you how much I appreciate the city. They have been great to work with and we're trying to be creative together. So, it's a win-win for everybody. Awesome. Thank you. You bet. >> But thank you for bringing up the ice skating rink. >> It's come up a few times.
>> I just had to. I'm sorry. Jesus. >> Okay. Any questions for Miss other ones? Okay. We'll move on to there's some uhformational personnel items. Take a look at those. Anybody have any comments or questions on those?
Okay. We'll move on to admin leadership reports. Questions for our admins or >> Mr. Larson, can you um talk a little bit about the West Woodson presentation?
>> Yeah, absolutely. Um, so trying to think Aiden's Light and uh the Duck Cut Memorial reached out to me December, maybe January about this opportunity. Um, so Aiden's Light U is is very good at bringing speakers to
us and I like to get as many people in front of our kids as possible. and Wes um came to us from uh Massachusetts uh and spoke really spoke to our kids. We had a fifth and sixth grade session, then a seventh and eighth grade session,
but really highlighted the impact of of mental health, anxiety, what that what's what's that feel like? Um and just did a really great job of connecting with kids. And even in just a short time, um the impression that he made on our kids,
you know, some eth graders wanting to go up and say hi and thank you. Um it was was really meaningful and so it's a great we don't get to see a lot of I would say male speakers when it pertains to mental health and so this was a really good opportunity for us and
special thanks to Aiden's light and the duck memorial for bringing this to us. It sounds like it was maybe >> Yeah. Yeah. >> I have a question for Mr. Lango. Um, how do parent teacher conferences work at the
high school? I know in the elementary it's more individual the teacher and at middle school they have the gym filled. What does that look like at the high school? >> We do ours in classrooms. >> Okay. Um, so we encourage students to come with parents. Uh, or if they don't come and they don't know where to go, we
have office staff and schedules and math. But yeah, they're just open 3:30 to 6:30, three times a year, first, second, and third quarter, kind of around the midcarter time, and teachers are available in their classroom. So, it's private and it showcases our spaces, too, so parents can see into all
the the different areas of our building. >> And I know we track a lot of like elementary attendance for parents. Do we do that at the high school or is it mostly just if necessarily they're available at that time? >> I mean it's encouraged. We send notes home and so forth. I guess we don't
track numbers but they they tend to do okay. >> Okay. >> Kind of depends on what else is going on for people and it varies by the quarter the block schedule. Sometimes certain parents or kids hit a quarter where they don't feel they need to connect with the teacher and they don't come. So
>> yeah. Yeah. That's kind of I mean realistically that's probably how it goes. >> Yeah. Awesome. Thanks for explaining. >> Mr. Skullfield, are you going to bingo night? >> I am not. >> We have basketball tonight. >> It's a day ending in Y. So
>> that's so much fun. It >> coincides with the middle school play which is hard but I know they pack the gym. >> I'm really nervous. It's so fun. Yeah. For 30 minutes or over the years we've done it.
>> I've never called Bingle before. >> Well, you have Mr. Whan like hosting the event. So, >> it'll be great. >> I'll send Bob. He'll go. >> I just want to comment on that bingo. There's so many community um businesses and individuals that
donate and it's really cool. I know we always have our police officers giving students rides and um fire truck and miss patties and all kinds of cool experiences as well. So, it's just such a fun collaboration between the community and the district.
>> I just had a comment from Mr. Lango in the high school. I'm not for sure where I read it, but with the girls hockey, I was reading online that Cam just brings the fans and the school spirit is always there and just that comic pride. I read
that a lot. Um, and I just I think it's awesome and thanks for supporting the kids. >> Appreciate it. We had a huge turnout. Big one Wednesday, but Friday was massive. It's uh yeah, we had about 140 kids in the high school on Friday and
the rest were at the most of the rest. We had a field trip too that day. So yeah, kids are busy, but they prioritize that supporting that team and it's a great venue and they do a nice job hosting us and it's a lot of fun. Thanks >> teaching and learning. Do you want to
talk a little bit about um Oh gosh, I just passed it. The professional development day. >> Yeah. >> How' it go? >> Yeah, we had our third one just last week. Monday, Tuesday, Tuesday. And it was um it's been great. This we kind of all
three days have run pretty similarly for us this year with a couple hours in the morning of kind of building specific. I mean, our needs are very different for our teams at the different levels. So our building leadership and the teaching and learning coordinators have led those. And then some PLC time for those
teams to get together and kind of apply what they were working on. And then in the afternoons we did um we called it for PD your way this year and they um our teachers kind of dove into a topic that was meaningful for their own spaces and their own um professional
development that way. Uh, and then they shared them out with us here after they shared their learning out of group slides. And I had was sent a text while I was reading them and I was like, I'm tearing up. Our people like there's so much good in those slides and our
teachers. It was so fun to see them dig into things that lit them up and we know are great for our kids. So, >> how cool. I love how that uh was so like individualized and personalized to even buildings and
teaching teams. Very cool. >> Thank you. >> Miss H, can you tell us a little bit about this cyber security class that you >> Oh, sure. So, I had an invitation home two weeks
ago >> um from Mrs. Swanson who's teaching an introduction to cyber security right now. >> Um and the kids had all worked on a project to that they wanted to pitch to the school for us to consider adding or
purchasing um that had to do with um biometrics. So like a lot of them were um let's put fingerprint locks on our lockers um or Let's put a face scanner
on the um entrance to the locker room so we can kind of control and see who's come in and out. Um and then we asked some questions about, you know, what's this look like from a security standpoint or what happens if this happens or
some of those questions they put some time into it. It was interesting to um kind of see what they thought was needed and um kind of hear their or what they needed. >> I got to do it as well. And she would
ask the really hard technical questions and I'd ask the well, how are you going to pay for that question? They never really knew the answers to mine. >> You're good at that. It's like, how you going to pay for it? Well, and a lot of them did respond with there was cost
savings built in, they thought. And you know, I mean, it was they did quite well. and not for not knowing what the questions were going to be. I was quite impressed. Really? >> Anyone else? >> Thanks for bringing that up about parent
teacher conferences. I had a weekly one high school. >> Okay. Uh thanks admin team. We do appreciate it. And uh Brock, I do appreciate pictures. Moving on to looks like we are on to
consent or consider approval of bills consent. >> Oh, I'm sorry. >> Yes. On the consent agenda, do I have a motion to approve the consent? >> So moved. >> All right. Thank you Stocker. Do I have a second? >> I'll second.
>> Thank you. We have uh any discussions hearing? None. Uh all those in favor say I. I. >> Opposing sign. Motion carries. Now we're on to action items of business. None. And new business. Uh
approve of records disruption request. Some >> I have a motion to motion and do I have a second? >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. motion and second a discussion on that.
Miss Ke, could you kind of run through what that what that involves, I guess? >> Sure. There's very clear statutes of when you can get rid of certain things. Um, can you imagine if we kept every single one of these? Um, so it's a very systematic way. Um, it's all followed by
statute what you can and can't get rid of. You'd be shocked at the things that you need forever. You'd be shocked at the things you need to We had a graduate from 1953. If Carlen was here, she'd tell me if it was right or wrong. It was and they wanted a student vaccination record or
something from then. Obviously, we didn't have that piece of it, but you'd be surprised at some of the things that do need to stay. Um, your grades stay for a lifetime, you know, those kinds of things. So, this is statute and these are the things that we would recommend not hanging on to because we don't need
to. >> All right. >> Anything you want to keep in there, Bob? >> You're so enthusiastic. >> All right. Have a motion and a second to approve. All those in favor say I. I. Motion carries on to 5.2. Approve.
designation of official newspaper. Um, I will be taking motions to nominate one. We do have two to choose from. Um, and I believe they both of them meet the legal requirements. So, I actually will
make a motion to nominate DCI as our official newspaper. Do I have a second? >> I'll second. >> Thank you, Mr. Stalker. We have a motion and a second. Uh, discussion. I just want to clarify, will you talk about it a little bit?
>> Um, I can pass out the statute if you want to have that. Um, I did do everything you asked me to do. Reached out to MSBA. Um, some of other schools had looked into legal advice, so I used theirs. I didn't, you know, have to recall ours because we share. Um, got a
response back uh from a lawyer. They both um in the capacity of requirements are there. Um but I too my recommendation would be DCI for the simple reason of the location of an
office in a subcommittee of a political uh >> exact terminology. >> Yes. Yeah. Well, I want to be careful on how I say it. Um you want it to be in your political um area. So having one
that's in Kassen or in Manorville does fit the definition just a little bit better than someone in Dodge County. So I I agree with the chair that or any any of them are okay. I just think um DCI dots
all the eyes very comments. Hearing none. All those in favor state I >> post. Motion carries. On toformational items. We have the schoolboard meeting at 5:30 Monday, March 2nd.
>> That's next. >> Okay. All right. We are not having Okay. Regular school board meeting 5:30 Monday, March 16th at the high in this room here. So I will be taking a motion to adjourn.
>> So moved. >> Thank you, M. Ryan. Do I have a second? >> I'll second. >> All right. Thank you, Miss Hyatt. >> Okay. >> Uh any any questions or comments on that? Hearing none. All those in favor say I. >> Oppos same time. Motion carries. Good
night. B it in.