out of cont. Oh, good. >> Oh, they don't really have a choice at our house. >> Right. right is so yeah you gota do something so pick >> um the older two did the younger two
>> don't or haven't so yeah >> yeah just kind of roll back over into the other >> yeah the older two did uh my daughter really liked it >> it's commitment you know the waxing of the skis is uh
>> getting in the wax room and stuff is always an adventure Do your kids do you guys do some >> Oh, wow. >> I like way way back before we even moved to Yeah. But not recently. I think it
was >> I think back when I was doing it, my problem was I had skis maybe that weren't really a bit too rigid. So, and I was like a pretty small kid. I couldn't really get the >> get them down into the ground. So,
>> and then the other But I just showered. Good evening. The regular meeting of the Independent School District 279 School Board is called to order at 6:10 p.m. on November 18th, 2025. The regular business meeting of the AIO School Board is being conducted in the boardroom of
the Educational Service Center. The meeting can be monitored electronically by streaming online from the district website. An archived recording of tonight's meeting will also be available on the district website. Seated in front of you this evening for my left and your right are director Kelsey Dawson,
director Erica Foster, director Thomas Brooks, myself board chair Tanya Prince, director Keith Tate, and director Sarah Mitchell. Also present in the boardroom is Superintendent Dr. Kim Hy, and members of the superintendent's cabinet.
Those of you who can please stand for the pledge of allegiance. Director Foster, will you please lead the pledge? Ice to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands. One nation under God,
indivisible, liberty and justice for all. >> Board members, are there any additions to the amended agenda? Is there a motion to accept the amended agenda as presented? So moved. >> Motion by director Foster. Is there a
second? >> Second by director Brooks. Is there any discussion? >> All in favor say I. I. >> All oppose say nay. The motion passes six to zero. Our next standing agenda item is recognitions. We have no recognitions this evening, but we know
we will definitely as year goes on. We have two presentations this evening. Uh the fiscal year end financial audit results. We'll start with that one. John Executive Director of Finance and Operations will lead off the presentation. John.
>> All right. Thank you, Chair Prince, school board members, and Superintendent Hy. Tonight, our independent auditor will be presenting the fiscal year 2025 audited financial statements. We shared the preliminary financial results with the board at the September meeting and
those results have not changed. I would like to welcome Jim Ike from LB Carlson who will be presenting the audit report this evening. Jim, thank you, John. Again, my name is Jim Mike and I'm with LB Carlson CPAs. Uh I'm here this evening to present uh the
uh audit results for the year ended June 30th, 2025. Um, first and foremost, uh, you might recognize I am, uh, with LB Carlson, which is a new firm. Uh, I've been, I was previously with MMQR. Most of our firm is now merged with MMKR,
excuse me, with LB Carlson, and we're a similar team and same people, but with greater resources, which is exceptional for uh, the district, but nothing really has changed from that standpoint. Uh my role this evening uh is to provide an presentation of the audit results for
the year ended. Uh it is the role of the auditor to provide an opinion on the the district's financial statements. Uh the district is required by law by uh the state auditor's office as well as the Minnesota Department of Education to prepare an annual financial statement.
The district also provides and completes what's called the annual comprehensive financial report um which is submitted to the association of school business officials for a recognition for achievement in excellence in financial
reporting. Uh the the uh financial report you'll find that was issued um it's about 180 pages long. So there's a lot of information, great information that provides only uh information for the current year but also historical
information as well. It goes back to uh 10 years for in many uh financial data. Um the role of the auditor is also to to provide opinions on the district's internal control specifically over financial reporting. Uh as well as the
state of Minnesota is requiring us to provide an audit of your compliance with state laws and regulations. Uh there is a list of the laws that we audit which is provided by the office of the state auditor. So we provide their uh under their guidance. Uh we're also as part of
our audit process required to audit the district's um federal awards that you received. Uh this particular year um the we have not issued that particular report to date. U the the reason being is the federal government has not
completed official guidance uh on those audit uh practices and audit uh plans. Um there's delays in issuing those those that guidance. So uh unable to issue opinions at as of as of this particular
moment and when issued we will certainly provide those to the board and provide uh the results of the single audit of federal awards when available. Uh so in the audit results we did provide uh information in what's called the management report. Uh the management
report is my document that provides the results in a format that you could read and and understand uh the audit results without actually me providing them to you. uh verbally. Uh what I'm going to go through this evening is really kind of touch on the high points of that management report to give you some sort
of sense as to the audit results for the year. Uh so first and foremost, when you look at the audit results, um we were able to issue unmodified opinions on the basic financial statements on that uh annual report that I referenced. An unmodified opinion is a clean opinion.
It was a good opinion, the opinion you were looking for from a positive nature coming into this process. Uh the audit opinion does uh highlight there was an implementation of a governmental accounting standard, a GASBY. Uh this is probably the third if not fourth year that you've had to implement uh
government accounting standards or new ones. Uh and certainly uh that is highlighted in your opinion that that was a success and has been recognized in the report uh accurately. Uh I mentioned the internal controls. Uh we did not have any finaster report in
that area uh this year. And then I mentioned the Minnesota legal compliance audit. There were no instances of non-compliance uh this year to be reported. So all in all uh there were no findings to report in the audit this year which is exactly the result that you would hope for as part of the audit
process. Uh my manage report goes through a number of other areas. Um it is important to understand in an audit of this nature that uh there were estimates used in the process estimates u that come from the Minnesota Department of Education which are subject to audit on
their part uh um and certainly the staff and and team here u would would report if there were any changes in those estimates used. I also like to report there weren't any challenges in the audit process this year. We did not have any difficulties. Things went very
smooth as they typically do. Um in my in my audit report, we do provide some comparative information on financial results for the year, uh information on um uh statewide data, uh some trend information, some statewide
information on revenues and expenditures, and we also get into financial trends specific to the district, uh which is this graph you'll see here. Um this graph shows the the district's uh general fund for the year's financial position. Uh references
cash and fund balance as a as a representation of the district's equity position, its financial well-being. And the green line is a graph of the expenditures which is provided to give a sense for how how much the district is
growing and how much it's increasing its overall volume of activity. And as you can see in that particular presentation, the district uh is showing u an increase in fund balance uh for the year. Um the
the results um for the year um show an increase in fund balance as you can see in that particular uh graphical presentation. Um um also the presentation does show some stability significant stability in the district.
You can see that that particular yellow which is the financial position uh of the district is very uh similar for the last 10 years and shows very uh stable uh financial results year after year after year which is certainly our
experience in working with the district. Um we do provide individual information on the individual fund balances. This is information that's in my report. Um uh this particular presentation does show
some information on fund balances as a percentage of expenditures. Uh that particular ratio is widely used as a representative of financial well-being uh in your general fund. Uh the district has a fund balance policy that has a uh
strives to maintain a minimum of fund balance at a certain level. Uh uh this particular financial results do show adherence to that fund balance polic. that you have that you have in place. Uh, one item of note that you should note on that particular presentation
that stands out to me anyway. Um, there is a part of the fund balance that has been assigned this year. You can see that it the assigned number did increase significantly to probably about $23 million number. What that increase is about is is you're assigning fund
balances for next year's budget. Um there was an adopted budget for next year that does report a deficit in the fund balance spend and that particular amount has been set aside. It is an assigned fund balance in that in that presentation.
Uh my my audit result does show my audit results do show some other information on revenues and expenditures. Uh these graphical presentations do provide some information on budget to action results um and really growth in various areas.
Uh I'm not going to get into a ton of details on these particular uh graphical presentations, but I will state this. Um we as an auditor or I as an auditor look for adherence to the budget. How did the financial results mimic what the budget
projected at the time it was issued? And certainly the audit results do provide that information. Um a sense for that. Um the the overall revenues in the general fund were projected to be about 367 million which is significant uh
operation and final results were about uh 1.3 million less than that or actually in this case over that which is about 4.4% of the overall volume of activity which is exceptional. Frankly, from when you look at the amount of
projecting that's going into how much revenue you're going to have, uh why I bring this up, what that why is that meaningful? Um well, the board is making decisions on on a constant basis based on that budget that you're receiving. You're making financial decisions, the administration is making decisions, and
if the audit doesn't hold true to that particular budget, it's really challenging for the district. So uh I stand here to state that this year this year's audit results held true to that uh those results held true to that budget that was put forth in front of me
at that time. We also provide some information on general fund operating account expenditures. Uh expenditures did uh uh uh complete the year about 8 million less than than final budgeted amounts. Uh there was some open
positions uh as well as unused uh budget capacity that relates to of that um under budget amount. Um there was some underbudgeted amounts other areas like transportation and curriculum those kind of things. Uh but all in all the the
financial results didn't as I mentioned adhere to the budget percent. Uh the district has a number of other funds uh in presented in this report. There is a food service fund. There's a capital account as you can see on my presentation. uh a food service revenue,
community service fund. Again, all of these uh funds are are showing uh good financial results, stable environments, uh and monies available to be used for future budget projections and future budget spending. Um the district without I don't have a presentation on this. The
district has also uh uh provided and established a couple of other funds in in represented in internal service funs that are that money where money is set aside to pay for future retirement incentives and for other post-employment
benefit funds. All of those funds are are are in solid financial condition and are really looking out for the future of the district to pay for and set aside funds for those future obligations of the district uh in a in a meaningful and
strategic manner. Uh um I'll move on from the financial results. Certainly the as I mentioned so far the the the the audit results were exceptional. No findings to report. Uh financial results were also exceptional
as well. Uh I do report in my report that there are are continues there is and continues to be more governmental accounting standards changes. I do highlight that in my report um the finance staff and the team here at the district is well aware of some of these
changes and we'll see those again next year. I think that's the end of my presentation. So the in September I was able to issue a clean opinion on those financial statements. As I mentioned, we did not have any findings to report. Uh I will follow up with you on the financial results of of the single audit
of federal awards at a future date when available. I mentioned some of the changes in fund balances as well as adherence to the general fund pal fund balance policy that you have. Uh there were uh other operating fund balances which are also very uh stable uh in good
place. We also implemented new accounting standards which are also required. But lastly, I wanted to say this uh and this is very important. The district is and has always been committed to the audit process and the success of this particular process. Um
um they're always ahead of the curve when it comes to meeting my demands and my needs as an audit process. And with that comes successful audit results like this. Uh it might sound obvious or or simple, but it doesn't always look like that. So, I commend the district for
their commitment to this process as well as the results of this evening. So, with that, I'll turn it over to you for questions that you might have for me. >> So, um we're in a very uh beneficial position here.
Of course, we have regular updates on our financial um from our finance team. Of note, um during the course of your presentation, I heard these words repeatedly, excellent, exceptional, commitment, results, and success. Um so, thank you
for you and your team's work. Thank you to our financial leadership and all of our leaders who make the decisions in partnership with finance that result in these outcomes for our district. You know, many of our finance leaders are uh leaders themselves in their profession
and professional organizations as well as our cabinet members. So, thank you for the excellence that you bring to this process that results in. Thank you very much. The next presentation is the Aspen Ridge Elementary School logo mascot presented
by Gabe Kalilla, executive director of community relations. for the opportunity to share our next fun step with uh Aspen Ridge Elementary School tonight, the logo and mascot. Uh in our last conversation, we talked
about our future Aspen Ridge um students and families having a part in this logo and mascot process. So tonight I'll be talking about how that went and then be sharing the new logo. We'll be doing a little unveiling tonight. So a little bit about the overall process. Students
and families were first welcome to share their ideas with our district team digitally. We did this through a thought exchange that was emailed and texted out. A few weeks after this was out, we connected with a team at Fernbrook Elementary and they helped gather a few students that would potentially be going
to Aspen Ridge based on their address. And in that group, we had two students from each grade level, kindergarten through fifth grade, so a group of 12. They too shared their ideas with principal Smith and myself. This was done through two meetings at Fernbrook. Once the second process concluded,
district leadership approved a final direction which included superintendent hy assistant superintendent and our community relations and publication teams. All the student and family shared how to determine students. So before I start talking
about our work with students, I want to point out a few of these wonderful helpers in the crowd tonight. So let's uh talk a little more about our work with students. In our first meeting with students, we talked about what a logo and
how it becomes recogniz which many of the logos on here were recognized by students and had a positive reaction to them. We also spent some time going over our existing elementary and landed on the fact that many are
animals and a good on that animal. Then we spent some time uh on just what it meant by the school names. We talked a bit about that which I know we talked to about that
regard as we showed some of these pictures and the reasoning behind that final color to the school forward. So the first meeting students had an
open We were drawn on sheets of paper. For the second meeting, the top three student and family ideas were shared with some possible directions. Those three ideas were an owl, a bear, and a
coyote. CCX spent some time with us on our second. So, we have a little video here. elementary school students. >> I think it's your third page. >> I have a good idea.
>> Most of these fronts will attend the new elementary school next year. an elementary. Do you not like that idea? Is it okay or do you really like that idea? >> It's fun to go through this process.
>> For the school's new principal, this group activity is historic. There's no words that can describe the excitement for it. When you think about building a school from scratch, uh the identity of the school is essential for our community and for our district. >> Aspen Ridge principal Patrick Smith says
this will be the first new school in the district in 20 years. >> It's super exciting. Um it's it's it's a lot of work and the more we can get input from our community and most importantly from our students, um that's what's going to make it really genuine and and a great startup for a brand new school.
>> So, what do students like the best? Second grader Blair Herbert prefers the owl. >> It just like sits on a tree and stuff like that. >> As for the school colors, >> I kind of like like the reds and then like the blues and browns kind of. >> Fifth grader Dylan Oppovven has a
reason. >> I feel like they kind of like go with like outdoors kind of like and then like with the owls and then like the trees >> and a good feeling to know she's playing a role in school history. >> It's pretty cool. in Maple Grove. Corey
Borg, CCX News. >> CCX. [clears throat] >> All right, so this is the the group that helped out. Um, we had a really great time together. And now for the drum roll. Here is a new logo. It's a bear.
Um the bear is standing in front of an aspen tree. We talked a lot about um being outdoors and that green really um gets at that as well. Um and definitely the bear was the favorite amongst our family and our students as well. So um
this is the new logo. Um you can kind of see as we've been uh working with our signage, you can see it starting to come to life. Um, and then more updates of course are coming and they're going to be on digital and all the print materials that we're creating. Um, then
once the school year kicks off, students are going to work together to help name the bear. Uh, thank you for the opportunity to share this next exciting step with building a better future in our new elementary school, Aspen Ridge. And I'm
happy to answer any questions you may have at this time. But more importantly, thank you for including our students in the decision and um finding creative ways to get their yeah
thank you >> and thank you students for stepping up. So fun that you got to be part of this and um be part of our new school. I think it's such an exciting chapter for our district. >> I just think it's been it's been such a fun process to watch um and to be
included in and we have a lot of decisions to make as a board and some of super fun. But this is like a bright light for sure. This is so exciting. And I see a principal Smith back there too. So this is Yeah. will be fun. >> Can they come back and help us with
budget? [laughter] >> Yeah. Uh wonderful. We love it. Thank you students. Um, thank you K for your leadership and um, for everybody who participated in the process. It's great. >> Thank you. [applause] >> Thank you for coming.
Okay, the next agenda item is audience opportunity to address the board. Um, tonight we don't have anybody who is um filled out a speaker card, but I do want to recognize that we have many teachers and staff and union members in the room. So, I just want to express um
appreciation for being here and for um communicating and representing your interests here tonight. So, thank you for being here. Our next agenda item is uh the superintendence report. Dr. Hy. >> All right. Thank you. Good evening, Chair Prince, Vice Chair Brooks, board members, and our stakeholders and our
teachers and staff in the audience today. Over the last few months, we have held several meaningful opportunities to engage with our community. Each one reinforcing our commitment to ensuring that every person in our area schools
feels valued, heard, and seen. So, this weekend's information was an excellent example of that commitment in action. All of our school sites and departments were represented providing current families as well as prospective families the chance to learn more about our
programs, our services, and all the opportunities available across Ocio area schools. It was really energizing uh to see our staff engaging with so so deeply with parents and our caregivers and community members and witness firsthand the pride that they have in
the work that happening in our buildings and in our district. This past several months, we also held a community conversation session where stakeholders and schoolboard members along with facilitation from district staff came together and shared space to
listen and learn from one another. Participants reflected on what is going well in our district as well as offered to us some thoughtful insights into where we can continue to strengthen our systems, our culture, and our supports. So, I do want to thank everyone who took the time to participate and once again,
your voices are essential as they guide our continuous improvement of what we need to do in our district. Additionally, we're working closely with our scholars across all grade levels to help co-develop a new student survey. This effort ensures that we're not merely collecting the data, but truly
listening and creating a tool shaped by our students themselves so we better understand their needs, their experiences, and aspirations. So, their leadership in this process has been impressive and inspiring. And our first one will be at Cedar Island tomorrow
where we'll have over 60 students working with us and helping to develop those questions. Grades K through five. K through five. Dr. >> Four. I got that wrong. Four. Okay. So, our next opportunity we're exploring is for our high school students, which came
as a request from some of our scholars who presented at our school board meeting. So, they are asking for the creation of a process through which our scholars can earn a high school letter for community service. So this initiative not only elevates the importance of service and leadership but
also reinforces our district belief that contributions to the community are just as important and meaningful as contributions to the classroom or on the field. So as we move forward I just want to reassure the board and our entire community that our work will continue with purpose. We remain focused on
becoming the best place to work and to learn and everyone input does truly matter. Everyone's voice helps us grow and together we'll continue building that strong inclusive and supporting culture our scholars and our staff deserve. So thank you for that. So this
evening, every evening we do have points of pride at our board uh meeting. So by sharing our points of pride we're taking time to recognize and celebrate our scholars, our staff and our community members who are contributing to the mission of our district. So I have members of our district cabinet here to
assist us in sharing some of those examples from last month. >> All right. Thank you, Dr. Hy. In the area of achieving dreams, last weekend, the Park Center Pirates uh physically impaired adapted soccer team took home
the state championship uh in the Minnesota State High School League adapted soccer tournament. This team is a is comprised of athletes from all district high schools. Huge congratulations to the Pirates on their amazing season and state tournament win.
[applause] At next month's meeting, we will hear and learn more about how all of our fall sports from across the district did in their state competitions. Last month, the District 279 Foundation held the 15th annual Reading is Fun 5K.
The familyfriendly brought in $10,000 in donations to support media centers in AIO area schools. Participants enjoyed warm-ups before the 1K and 5K led by jazzer size instructors, a mascot race,
a 1K race around the track, and cheers from Park Center Senior High School's cheerleaders at the start and finish line. In the area of contributing to community, a number of community businesses and organizations joined
forces recently to lead donation drives that brought in nearly 1,800 winter jackets and 800 pairs of snow pants for students in need across AIO area schools. These businesses and organizations have joined together to
run this donation drive for the past 10 years. And this year they donated almost 1,800 winter jackets. I just said that. And 800 pairs of snow pants. With all years combined, the organizations have donated just under 10,000 jackets and
just under 5,000 pairs of snow pants. The last week of October, students and staff at OIO Middle School participated in a non-p perishable food drive and spirit week that collected a total of 3,127 food items for the cross food shelf as
well as a $3,523 donation. Dress up days included spirit week, twin day, neon out, dress your best day, and costume day. In the area of lifelong learning, AIO
area schools celebrated Veterans Day across the district on November 11th. Veterans, current service members, and their families were invited to attend Basswood Elementary School's all school assembly. The fifth grade chorus, led by music teacher Cindy Sterns, sang songs
such as Star Spangled Banner and You're a Grand Old Flag. students, staff, and visitors heard from Master Sergeant Jeremy Melchow and the assistant coordinator of facilities for the district about his experience serving. The AIO Maple Grove American Legion
presented the color guard, accompanied by the Minnesota Firefighters, Pipes and Drums. Maple Grove Middle School social studies teacher Shelby Weber invited veterans into her classroom on Veterans Day to share about their experiences
serving in the United States military and answer student questions about their service. Oakview Elementary School parent Gino Farachi, a ver a veteran from the United States Army, came to the school and visited several classrooms
during Veterans Day. Dressed in his army fatigues, he told his story of deciding to join the army after the events of September 11th, 2001, and shared about his military experience with students. At AIO Middle School, students sold
flags, donating the proceeds to the local VFW. Students also spent the morning and afternoon of Veterans Day in front of the school building waving flags and holding up signs thanking veterans. Second graders in Angela Kentner's class
at Rush Creek Elementary School recently headed outside to enjoy outdoor learning on a beautiful fall day at their new outdoor classroom built during the summer's Building a Better Future construction phase. Students practice science and math skills while examining
and measuring various plants and their roots, creating leaf rubbings with leaves they found on the ground, and reading books from the library. Fourth grade students at Zaynwood Community, a steam school, got to try their hand at archery recently when the
community partners from Three Rivers Park District came in to give lessons to students in small groups. The students received training and safety instructions before each got to take several turns at the target. In the area of missiondriven employees
at Fernbrook Elementary School, special education teacher Sarah Fes has worked with students for three and a half years creating a supportive learning environment with individualized instruction to help her students succeed. Freeze said, "It's always something different. I have different
kids in my case load and I'm always working with different kids. It's always something that is unique and as individualized and different for every student. It is fun to see how much they grow as they start getting that support or figure out something that they are interested in. Check out our latest
staff spotlight on the district website. So, we have a few final notes and reminders for tonight. There will be no school for students November 26 through 28 and that also includes our building staff. It's okay to do this. Um, as mentioned earlier, we also held our
first community conversation on November 5th. Schoolboard members along with by district uh leaders will host two more of those community conversations this school year which will be on February 3rd and May 12th. So all are welcome to attend. So to learn more
about this visitschools.org community conversations. So once again wrapping up as usual we always thank our hearing and guardians for allowing us opportunity to teach their children and thank you to our teachers for being available to teach our scholars. Thank you.
Thank you, Dr. O. Our next agenda item is schoolboard reports. Director Dawson, do you have a report or update? >> I have a couple. Um, I attended the tribal nations education committee all day professional development conference with district leadership including our
Indian ed team and APEC members. And really the purpose was to hear from other districts um their learnings and just different strategies to overcoming different challenges um and just really building meaningful partnerships and what that looks like with our um American Indian students and our APEC
members. Um I think one of the things that really stuck out to me was that they're starting to look really at the intersection between academics behavior and attendance. And so I'm really looking forward to what comes of that and what that looks like for us and our district. Um and then our rise committee
met last week or excuse me last month, sorry. Um and that's radically investing scholars excellence. We um really focus on our culture and climate and identity and belonging and what that looks like. Um and you know really what our goals of
are for this year and then um you know what practices can strengthen that and then how to encourage and increase our membership. Um so for all of you watching or listening to this or in the audience um our next meeting is this Thursday at Park Center at 5:30. So all
are welcome and we really um would love um even more people to attend that. And then finally, the metro uh AMSD um they had a conference uh focusing on just stronger outcomes and what that looks like. And there was a lot of breakouts
around um mental health challenges in our schools, arts, education, literacy, data implementation. Um and then just again a lot of learnings from other districts um and leaders in education across the state.
>> Director Foster, do you have a reporter update? >> I do. Um, I did want to give a shout out to all the teachers that are here. It's so fun to see familiar faces. Um, and just the connection tonight. It's really cool. So, thanks for being here. Um, I had a policy uh committee meeting on
October 7th and we went over a batch of um, policies as well as our plan forward this year. Um, I'm part of DPAC and we met last week, I believe. Yes. Before work session. Um and we were presented a budget review by Kelly Bonusa and then
also um an overview of school-based public health clinic that was that's in the plans. Um and the group began discussing plans for um what they want the recommendation to be. And then we also talked about what would be the best way to leverage that group um and what
they think from an internal perspective as a committee. >> Great. Thank you. Director Brooks, do you have a reporter update? >> Yes. Uh so I attended uh my first 279 foundation meeting. Um and so that was a good opportunity to get to know that the
board of trustees um and some of the staff that support Foundation. Um I know I received a question at the last meeting just wanting to know more about a night out. Um so I do have that information for you. Um, so A Night Out,
um, is being held on February 6th. Um, the theme is, um, in a winter wonderland. Um, so it has a new location this year, um, at the Mississippi Garden off of two two and 610.
Um, so the winter wonderland, the theme is sort of like diamonds, ice, snowflakes, sparkles, winter glam is what it sounds like. little little different from the country western theme west. >> Um so and then a limited number of
tickets are supposed to be available uh December 1st. Um so of course uh all are welcome um to attend that event. Um they are starting to work on uh just putting the pieces together to make that event happen for us. um you know 279
Foundation does a lot of work to support our scholars um by funding programs and opportunities that we're not able to cover through our budget. Um so appreciative of the work that they do and I'm excited for uh this opportunity to raise some funds for the foundation.
>> Thank you. Director Tate, do you have a reporter update? >> Uh no reports tonight. >> Director Mitchell, do you have a reporter update? Yes, we had the CPAC committee meeting here um November 13th kind went over an annual report and also an overview of our four-year-old um
program offerings. And there's such a variety. Kind of fun fact, I thought this was great that 90% of the students that attend the four-year-old prek um end up attending kindergarten in our district. So, that's very positive. There's a little bit of a wait list there. So, all those things are very positive. We also talked about discussed
adding youth on board um adding some student voice to the um CPAC committee and kind of like Kelsey said, we u we'd love more voices and perspective. So if anyone wants to join us on a Thursday night for CPAC, you're welcome to come. >> Thank you. Um and I do not have any
report or updates this evening. The next agenda item is the consent agenda. Board members, our consent agenda items this evening include meeting minutes, financial reports, fundraisers, extended educational trips, personnel items, grants, a partnership agreement, uh
Minnesota State High School League resolution for Park Center Senior High School, outdoor classroom bid awards for three elementary schools, and an open enrollment resolution. Are there any items that you would like to remove for separate consideration? Okay, seeing none, is there a motion to
approve the consent agenda as printed? >> Moved by director Mitchell. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Second by director Brooks. Is there any discussion? Uh so for the discussion, I'll point out that the resolution um about open
enrollment, we had a discussion on at the last work session. Uh a good robust discussion about that. Um and what it means is um we are continuing uh our uh our closure of open enrollment at some of our schools that are at capacity and we are also uh closing an open
enrollment um to the new elementary school. And the reason why that we have to have that closure is because we have a freeze on um our district boundary changes resulting from district boundary change. We have a freeze on interd district transfers. So, if we don't close open enrollment, that would mean
that um those outside of our district would have uh the ability to attend this uh the new school but not our own uh community within district transfer. So, um just want to mention that if there's any um you can see that it's in the in the packet. Um and you can see the last work session where we discussed that as
well. Uh okay, any other discussion? Okay. All in favor say I. >> I oppose. Nay. The motion passes six to zero. We're going to move on to our action items. The first action item is the
acceptance of the fiscal year 2025 audit report. Information will be shared by John Morstead, executive director of finance and operations. >> Thank you, Chair Prince. Um, we uh were already blessed with the presentation from Mr. Iikton about the audit report and the state does require that the
school board take action to accept uh the findings of the audit report. So, we would just ask you to take action on that at this time. Is there a motion to accept the fiscal year 2025 audit report which includes the fisc year 2025 financial management report, the fiscal year 2025 annual
comprehensive financial report and the fiscal year 2025 special purpose report. >> So move. >> Moved by director Brooks. Is there a second? >> Second. Second by director Dawson. Is there any discussion? >> No discussion. And just again thank you staff uh for making making this happen
once again especially the finance staff. >> Okay. All in favor say I. >> I oppose. Nay. >> Motion passes six to zero. Our next action item is the recommendation for approval of the agreement on the terms and conditions of
employment between the ISD279 school board and OIO principles association. information will be shared by Yvon Schwarzland, executive director of human resources. Yvon, >> thank you, Vice uh Chair Prince. Um as
you indicated, we're here to um recommend uh approval for the principal's contract um for um fiscal year 2026 through 2027. Um I want to thank uh the bargaining
teams led by um uh Lisa Bostik, uh Dr. Harris and OPA's council and um the bargaining teams on reaching a settlement um an agreement. Um so the principal group is comprised of 48 employees of elementary and secondary
principles. They're comprised of lead principles and also um assistant principles. Um in terms of uh and you all um uh have of course the materials in the board um packet which includes the memo and um the track changes
contract. Um in terms of compensation in year 1 there is a 2.15 increase to base salary. Uh year two 2.0 increase to base salary. language. Um certainly language changes uh which includes uh language
changes around salary ranges um and maximums uh maximums. Um in terms of group health insurance uh district contributions uh were increased with the exception of the high plan. there was an increase to the 403b match district
contribution and a decrease in professional development funding. Um over the term of the 2-year contract, the total financial investment is $557,52 and it represents a 3.55 total package increase. With the ratification of the
contract, human resources and payroll would begin implementation. >> Thank you. Is there a motion to approve the agreement on the terms and conditions of employment between the Independent School District 279 School Board and OIO Principles Association July 1st, 2025
through June 30th, 2027? Motion by Director Brooks. Is there a second? Second by Director Tate. Is there any discussion? Again, uh thank you to everyone who is involved in the process um in getting us to this point.
All in favor say I. I oppose. Nay. Motion carries six to zero. Our last action item is gifts to the district. Um today uh this time we have gifts totaling $62,142.50 and those are outlined in detail and
that includes uh even inind donations. So the snow pants and all of the wonderful um ways that the community um helps uh our district and our students. Is there a motion to approve gifts to the district totaling $62,15250? >> So moved.
>> Moved by Director Tate. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Second by Director Foster. Any discussion? >> All in favor say I. I. >> All oppose. Name. Motion passes six to zero. The next agenda item isformational
items. This evening will be the first reading of the following policies. Policy 312, assignment and transfer of principles. Policy 502, search of students lockers, desks, per personal prof personal possessions, and students person. Policy 507, corporal punishment
and prone restraint. Policy 512, school sponsored student publications and activities. Policy 544, school meals. Policy 556, release time for religious instruction. Information will be shared by general counsel Amy Moore. Amy,
>> Chair Prince, thanks for everyone for sticking around for the most exciting part of the uh evening. So, policy 312, assignment and transfer and principles. Um, last year we did update um the procedure to for 312 to reflect kind of
what had been going on in the district. And in reviewing the policy for this year, we find that it's still relevant and it's utilized by uh the principal association and our human resources department. So we are recommending no changes for that.
Next is policy 502, search of student lockers, decks, personal possessions, and students person. Um for this we did include um delineations of probable uh search of the different search types. So
you see that in 2A um lockers and personal possessions within a locker and then we included desks, personal possessions, students persons um and noting that a violation occurs when
students use these things. Um and uh then we added definitions. Um that was missing before and we thought it would be useful for everyone to be on the same page of what does contraband mean uh personal possessions and then what does
reasonable suspicion mean u when we're doing those searches. So we added uh definitions. Next for policy 507 corporal punishment and prone restraint. Uh this was a policy that we updated in 2023 and 2024
with all the legislative uh changes. Um there hasn't been any additional changes in legislation. Uh so we do recommend uh that there are no changes at this time needed uh for 2025. Next for policy 512 school sponsored
student publications and activities. This was a new policy last year um by legislation uh requiring school districts to have such a policy. Um there hasn't been any um concerns or issues that have risen up at the application of this policy. So at this
time we recommend uh no changes for 2025. And then the last policy school meals or not the last but second to last. Um we did update this in 2023. Um and uh in consulting with our subject
matter experts, they find that it's been working well. Again, no issues or concerns with its implementation. Uh so we don't recommend any changes at this time. And then the last policy is release time for religious instruction policy 556.
With this, we did um remove language that's outdated or not really implemented. So, you'll see we talk about um church or religious bodies incorporated under Minnesota statute. That's not something that we really look into. So, since it's um not what we
utilize, we decided to take it out. And then we clarified with the last that um what the student is responsible for um in completing class assignments when they've missed something through their absence under this um policy which is um
related to a Minnesota state statute. And that is it for the updates. Any questions? I'm happy to answer. >> Okay. Board members, any questions? Okay. And as always um our policy committee uh meets uh and is open to the
public. Uh we also have on the website uh a link where if anybody wants to provide uh feedback on these policies or any other policies that's an opportunity to do so. Um thank you Amy. Okay. At this time the board will be taking a
very brief recess. We will be reconvening for a schoolboard property committee meeting in the forum room. The committee meeting is open to the public. The property committee consists of all members of the school board and is advised by the superintendent and other administrators, engineers, and legal
adviserss as needed. The meeting will not be livereamed or recorded. A report will be shared at the December regular business meeting. At the conclusion of the property committee meeting, the board will hold a session that is closed to the public pursuant to Minnesota statute 13D.03 03 to consider labor
negotiations with the following bargaining groups. RNs and LPNs, kids stop instructors, educational support professionals, and OIO administrative professionals. Is there a motion to recess the regular meeting uh for five
minutes and reconvene in the forum room for the property committee meeting followed by close session? >> So moved by director Dawson. Uh is there a second? >> Second by director Tate. Any discussion?
All in favor say I. I. Oppose. Nay. Motion passes six to zero. The meeting is recessed at 7:03 p.m. uh the schoolboard meeting will adjourn at the conclusion of the closed session. >> This is the principal
contract cover page.