wake up in the middle of the night. >> 6 o'c to order. All members are present. No additions to the agenda. Moving on to the approval of the agenda. >> I'll make a motion. >> Motion by Thomas. Second by Ron. All in
favor? I. >> Any opposed? Um no hearing nothing. Motion passes. Uh no public comment. Moving on to the consent agenda. So we'll start with uh bills. Cheryl
in the bills and everything was just normal business. I did notice there were a lot of custodial supplies. So they are busy busy busy getting everything cleaned up, ready, fixed up and should be set to go by the time school starts. Work on it.
Um there's just a couple of hires. Um uh there is one leave of absence and then the donation uh document has been updated for the 2627 school year with a donation to the summer community theater from Payne's Lutheran Church. So um again, thank you
for the community support to uh make sure that we are able to offer all the activities that we like to offer. So um that's the consent agenda for a motion to approve. >> I make a motion to approve consent agenda second
>> by Jer second by Jacob. All in favor? >> Any opposed? No post here. Motion passes. Moving on communication items. Uh administrative report today. Um so some of the ongoing uh summer work
that's happening right now. Uh this is the time where administrators really get to kind of um one they regroup and then two we kind of get geared up for the school year and supporting staff throughout the school year. Um I try to share with you what our theme is for the
year and kind of what we're going to be working on. Um I I've I've talked numerous times. I know I've referenced her her work in a variety of different settings. um whether it be board meetings, administrative meetings, uh um
uh just even staff facil just general meetings throughout the district. But um we are working through the work of strong ground uh by Bnee Brown and I want to just kind of really talk about this really is about developing strong
and courageous leaders. Um and as we really have talked about the implementation of the strategic plan. One of the things that we uh we really talked about were kind of what what are are identified as friction points where we know there might be some things that
um we have some people there, we have some people not. We have some work to do. We have so it's kind of that that rough spot of where how do we move forward? and and so this really is just using um her book and really integrating the work and the implementation of the
strategic plan. So I just wanted to share that with uh with you as board members so that you're kind of aware of of what um our team is going to be working on uh this summer. We also are working through handbook reviews um every year we take a look at the student
the staff activities and pause handbook. So those recommendations will come to you for in the work session in August for approval at the end of August. Um there are is some policy review in in works. So uh board members who are on
the policy committee please uh watch for email in probably the next week from Miranda to uh get that on the calendar. As uh um as Cheryl mentioned, building cleaning and repairs are underway. And
if anybody walked in the hallway, it was pretty prominent. Our secondary office is being refinished this week and the district office is also being finished this week. So um heavy heavy uh cleaning is taking place right now.
Uh the schoolboard filing period opened today uh July 14th through July 28th at 5:00 pm. Um so unfortunately as I mentioned the district office is being resurfaced uh starting tomorrow. So uh
if anybody there just call the district office u at 3202433410 and we'll meet you here in the district office and and get that filing. But as I mentioned, it is open until the 28th at 5:00 pm. Um, also, um, I do want to
bring one other piece of of notification just to, um, the public's attention and to you for you as school board as well. Um, on the ballot in November is going to be a constitutional amendment. Okay? And what that constitutional amendment
is is it's around the permanent school trust fund. Okay? So, I'm going to share uh this document is going to be uh living in a couple of different places, but I'm going to start here just showing what it is. Um the the permanent school
trust fund is a fund that has been in existence um for many many years. Um, and it was set with a uh process that was paid out to school districts um that on essentially I'm going to kind of use it
in like terms of like paying off of the interest that is accumulated on your on your uh your bulk of money. That's what was paid out to school districts. So for our school district in fiscal year 25,
uh we had we had $62,252 come in from the school trust fund. Okay. The school trust fund is managed by a board at the state of Minnesota and what they've been looking at is um is does
this distribution model still make sense based on how well the fund is doing and the way it was established. And what they evaluated is that they would like to increase the percentage of payout to school districts. This goes to all public schools, charter schools, um,
tribal nations, uh, and public schools. And it costs our taxpayers nothing because this money is already sitting in a fund. Okay. The reason this has to go to taxpayers or to our voters is because
it's a written into the Constitution of Minnesota. the distribution model. Okay. So, the revision is really about changing that constitutional um language that changes the payout percentage to schools. What's being proposed um for
our school district, it would generate approximately an additional $25,000. Okay. The fund would not deplete. The fund would remain. Um the concern is around the confusion of a
constitutional amendment uh on a ballot. When people don't understand or they don't they just don't vote on it, it counts as a no vote. So as for as community members go out to vote for schoolboard members, if they see this constitutional amendment and they just
skip it, that's going to be considered a no vote. Okay? So, you're going to see um a variety of of publications come through. Um and and and really this is very similar to um when school boards uh
support a or go out for an operating referendum, a project levy, a bond. We are not going to advocate one way or the other. we are going to educate and it's really about making sure that if the public has questions uh we can direct them to what
the answers are. Um the bottom line is is it it is additional revenue for school districts and we want to be clear about that. Um but it is no tax implication and I think that's another piece that we want to be really clear about because this is not the school board coming out and asking for
anything. There's no you're not having to authorize anything. This just going to be on the ballot. >> Okay. So, is this something that um is kind of equal per student or something where we're going to have a trust fund where the metro schools get the largest majority and everybody else gets bitten?
>> Oh, it's it's it is a per pupil distribution straight across the board. When you have more students, you get more money. >> Yeah, that's >> But it's Yes, but it is Yep. >> It's not going to be >> Okay. And like I said, it's it's every it's every public school um that has
enrollment. So >> So in the distribution model before was not forable and they want to equalize it. Is that what's going on? >> It was per pupil before, but I I'm not um I'm going to look up Bruce and I'll bring it back to our next meeting. It's
don't quote me on the percent, but it was like a 2.87% and now they're proposing it goes up to 3.2% 2% of the fund the interest of the fund is that so and I'll I can get the the specific
percentage and I'm sorry I I don't see that off the top of my head but it's um it's using the same distribution model they're just increasing >> but it's probably building more because investment interest is higher. >> You are exactly right.
>> Y okay. Uh so that's that is um what I have for an administrative report. Um I do want to just remind everybody about the strategic plan implementation. Uh we are having a lot of conversation around that this summer. Um just to bring back
to the forefront of the board what this scorecard is going to be looking like. Um I need to make that bigger. I hope other people um agree with me. So we're going to just start here. >> Yeah, I agree with you this time.
Thank you. Thank you. Uh so first priority is academic excellence and high expectations. So as Jesse and Cassie talked about at um at our June board meeting, one of the things that that the principles are really focusing on along with the team of of other um teachers
throughout the school district um is working on what does highquality instruction look like? And this is an area that I'm super excited about because I think it diff it provides definition and clarity. Um sometimes
when there when you don't have um when it's ambiguous and you just kind of think, well, this is what what teaching looks like to me and this is what good teaching looks like to you. We're going to have streamlined conversation about here's what the research and evidence says or strategies to really hone in on
good teaching. So we're excited about that work. um high quality staff. Um we do continue to talk about how we support and mentor our new staff. Um, our mentorship program has been under some
um, really evaluation to determine how do we provide in addition to kind of that colleial mentor um, like where you park, where you heat up your lunch, what you know, like all those logistical things that really do matter. And I know
that that's a big deal on your first day when you come to work. You don't want to park in the spot that is Rachel's parking spot, right? I mean, it's those unspoken rules, right? Um, but that's a really important role. But in addition to that, we've we've
really built in instructional coaching and that's something that's going to be part of our QC comp plan. Um, and I think that's again really solid alignment with what's happening in the strategic plan. So as a reminder of the other two, culture, belonging and
accountability, improving consistency and attendance, strengthening communication to all stakeholders, and building a culture where all feel a sense of belonging, value, and connectedness. Um those are going to be ongoing conversations throughout the fall as well. And then last um of the
last two, so operational stewardship. You are going to see on our board agenda today, many of our items are categorized to operational stewardship. They are things that the school district is required to do to be in compliance with
um with state law and procedure. And then um career, college, and life readiness. So that is again um more of us uh making sure that our students have long-term goals. We haven't done a whole lot to address that right right now at
this point in time. Um but it is certainly a um it is remaining of at the forefront of the conversations. So I just wanted to remind everybody I don't have anything filled out. these matrix haven't been like finalized based
on um foundational data but um just a reminder as to what that looks like. Okay. And then uh revenues and expenditures have been updated through the end of this fiscal year. They will be finalized when the audit is complete in october.
Okay to Amanda. Thank you. Um and so then I would turn it back over to you for any committee on organizational reports. I I do have something real quick before I move on to that and it has to do with uh the book that you've chosen for
development uh strong ground don't know the book and that that's not my my comment you know I for those that have ever been have ever gone to some type of formal leadership training those are the most important things I
know through military uh through loy There are either books that were recommend that you read before you show up or the books that are recommended once you leave here is to keep you grounded and focused on why you were there and how you move forward. And I think this is just absolutely fabulous
that you've done that. So, thank you. >> Thank you. >> Moving on to committee and organizational reports. >> Uh West Central Ed District, we had our meeting last night. Uh and as Janelle had mentioned some of the things that we'll get in here as far as just the way
that the governance and and keep in uh step with the statutes and stuff. So we did that same thing uh as far as the the resolutions on certain uh things that we were going to that the district would follow that year uh the handbook
different things like that. So went very well. There was also a presentation prior to the uh the board meeting uh and it was from the Painville Area Community Foundation, the grant that was awarded uh to West Central Ed District of
$20,000 and uh it it's to uh to help uh with the Gaze Lab that will come here to help support the sale program here. So, and then also uh speaking of sale uh the
contract with the uh Methodist church uh Christian Methodist Church is also so continuing with another year uh at least on here and we'll see what happens in the future um from old business moving on a new
business reorganization activities. So, uh this is the time of year where um the board will select uh the following items. So, you have the official newspaper. Uh historically, uh the newspaper has been the Payneesville Press. Uh my recommendation to the board
to consider is again using the Payneesville Press. Um authorization for bills and payments. You'll see our business manager, superintendent, executive administrative assistant, payroll benefits specialist. Um, you know, the the process really is as as
you will hear, Cheryl comes and reviews the checks, reviews, the bills, the payments. Um, and then those are public and they're posted in all of our board meetings and people can take a look at those if they if they would like to. But, um, this is these are the individuals authorized for payment to
bills. Um, our census taker is myself and Erin Botton, our new, um, community ed director, in addition to Miranda Ty. uh hearing officers for lunch. This one always kind of it just perplexes me a little bit because it's never been used,
but it's a requirement that we have. Um so it's myself and the board chair uh school bank. Uh a couple of years ago we went out for an RFP for our banking services and our recommendation is to continue with Magnify Financial for um
those various accounts and then PMA Financial Network as our investment um our investment bro um organization. uh commencement date uh is uh pro proposed to be May 21st, 2027th at 7 PM
at the Hanzel Area High School. Um fees. Uh so this is an area that I want to uh call out to you because we did talk a little bit about this in our budget proposals that came forward in uh April.
um of my documents. So, I have what they were went to sleep. Sorry about that. Sorry, I have my computer sleeping. Okay. Let me just keep going. I'm sorry about that. I'll answer the question. Okay.
Our um activities. So, we did talk about increasing our admission. Um adults are $8. It was six. Students are five. They it was four. um this with uh the transition to bound like Rick talked
about a few months back, we will have the capacity to have um um digital tickets and we'll be also have the capacity to um use credit card for admission in addition to cash. So um some school districts you're going to
see a differentiation. At this point in time, we wanted to give it a year as we're kind of transitioning to bound and if that um that may come back as a recommendation for the board to consider next year. But um the increase in prices
was to be consistent with our surrounding communities. Okay. Um activities uh we did talk about each of these. Um so what I did is just highlighted what the amounts are. Um these were again um to remain these are
not high and we are not low. Um it is a competitive a commensurate dollar amount. Uh hockey um again we are averaging. There's one that's considerably higher. There's one that's considerably lower. This was the average
of all of those. Um and then you'll see our non-activity or non-athletic participation fees were also slightly increased. Um and those had not been addressed for a number of years as we had talked about. So just wanted to kind
of give that background for meal fees. Uh because we don't um have our federal requirements and our past history has been to increase it by a 10 cents per identifier. And if we come in below the
federal guidelines, we will have to come back and ask the board to revise those. But we've always been really close with that 10 cents. Um I also am asking the board to consider uh we also have a sorry
technology insurance um $30 per year. It in the insurance covers 50% of the repair cost. Um so and that is optional. It's not required. If parents choose to participate they can. And then um the
other area that I would like the board to consider is uh increasing our substitute costs. Uh when our contracts settled um I think in each of the bargaining units uh with board members I mentioned that the substitute rates would need to be addressed um to be more
comparable. They are still not at the starting weight. Uh so it doesn't deter somebody from just being a sub and there's still a benefit to come on for employment. But those are the recommended uh rates for uh the substitute for sub for clerical
custodian pair professional and food service. There is no recommended change for teaching staff. Um coming down to oh that's all of the um that is all of
the uh reorganizational activities. A motion >> make a motion to approve the 26 27 organizational items as presented. >> Second by Cheryl. All in favor?
>> I. >> Any opposed? Hearing none. Motion passes. Moving on to the designate individual with authority. So, the Minnesota Department of Education requires our district to have a um an individual who is the designated
individual with authority. Uh essentially what that does is that makes sure that you have one person that authorizes individuals within the school district to have access to secured and confidential information. Um and it's it's a security feature. Um and superintendent are are designated as
that in that function. motion is a motion. >> Motion by Bruce. >> A second. >> Second by Thomas. All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Hearing none. Motion carries. Moving on to the fiscal year 28 long-term facility maintenance.
>> Um, so this Yep. So this is a resolution. So before the resolution goes, I will just kind of pull forward the bottom document, which is going to be a very familiar document to board members. Um, this is kind of our guiding plan. you saw it not too long ago
because we pulled this forward when we talked about um the paying for the remediation and the cleaning of the um the steam uh at the elementary. So we it it has been to at your um it has been at
this table very recently. Um so this is the re recommended 10-year plan. Um, one thing just to note is, um, when we've had projects and and as people are kind of watching, you might see that example,
for an example, um, we've had, um, the track or the football field. If that money is not used, it's not lost. It moves forward a year. Okay? So, just as a as a point of reference, um, this is a there is a statement of assurance, and
I'll pull that up for for you to see as well. Um this is a an assurance that our district is using the funds appropriately. Um and uh um that cannot be signed. It's signed and dated. Um
you'll see it's dated tomorrow. It cannot be submitted until the board authorizes the resolution. So um the last document is the actual resolution. Is there a motion to approve? I did notice that there was normal monies, but
it was soft field update. I thought there was some put aside for that. So, we we have received clarity that um we are not going to be able to use long-term facility maintenance to uh for some of those components. So what we are
what we internally are doing is looking at things that could be paid for out of long-term facility maintenance that previously we had coded to like maybe designated for like operating capital. Um so that we can maximize the use of
the funds that we had set aside. Um but uh when we met with um when we met with the Minnesota Department of Education, we were told we wouldn't be able to use it in the ways that we we got really creative. Um, we I'm looking at Ken. We
tried. Um, but but I also want to make sure that we aren't we are not using funds inappropriately because if we do then we have fines and we have to pay things back. We don't want to do that either. Um, but I will I will gladly tell you that we are um Canon has
been doing some pretty significant work. So, we're going to have some a plan coming forward in the near future that's going to start addressing a little bit. Sure, they don't address that. They need football in there. Does that mean it's because they won't help with the men's
and women's bathrooms or >> it's because like a um >> facility. >> It's because building a new so you could use it for like we buy a lime for example for the replacement of the field that would be something you can pay for.
Well, agreime is not where your cost is. your cost is those the concession stand, the bathrooms. I even asked because one of the eligible uses of long-term facility maintenance is to um create gender control bathrooms, but we you'd have to be converting bathrooms, not
building new. So, um like I said, we got a little creative and tried to tried to say it, but we we're we're going to be building bathrooms that are gender neutral and um it was just too far of a reach. And I'm I'm not I'm not bad mouthing or talking down. I'm just
saying like it's just not in the scope of the money that's set aside >> with the rules. >> So then what So then in order to to be sure that we're doing that, like I said, there are um we may have we may have paid for something out of operating capital that could have been an eligible
use. And so we're really trying to feed those in where it goes so that we can we can maximize the operating capital money spend. the football field track >> refurbishing the existing structures. Yes. Not
>> building like if the top field grass needed to be refurbished because of this but the field >> and building we couldn't build bleachers. We probably
can't put up a new announcer tower with post funds. >> That's going to have to come from a different set of bonds. Yep. Yep. So, it's not I and I appreciate you asking um because we we just received probably within the last three months
that clarification. So then Ken and I have been talking with um a couple of different individuals um to phase in with each year what we have for revenue um or set aside for revenue so that we can um even even if we just get the
fields placed and the pad poured and then we can you know so we can really get this progress moving. I know it's kind of like the whole daycare thing. People have been talking about it forever. We've been talking about this for a long time. Let's start making some progress. So I I want to be clear I'm
has not fall off the radar. >> Okay. >> A motion for that resolution. So move >> by Bruce second. >> Second by Ron call.
I >> I >> the resolution carries. We have a resolution calling school election. I the following process that will call for um the election to take place for the schoolboard members um that file by
Jan July 28th at 5. >> Make a motion for resolution. Second motion by Bruce, second by Cheryl. Roll call vote. Hi. >> Hi Robert. >> Hi Rachel. Hi Thomas.
>> Hi. >> Hi. >> Hi. >> Motion three. Moving down to the 26 27 membership slashcontracts. Uh so these are just the memberships and annually the board approves those those
memberships. Uh there's nothing new uh that we have added. Um so these would just be the the consistent memberships that we've had year over year. Oh, is the Minnesota Rural Education Association, most of us have been for a long time, that was the most recently
added. Is that a value to us still? >> Um, >> whatever your opinion is. If it's not, let's cancel it. >> If it is, we keep it, but just if it's not of value to us, we probably shouldn't spend the money. >> Right. Right. Um,
>> can I get back to you on that? We can we can table that item if you'd like to. You can remove that uh and and approve the others minus that one and I can I can make a So there's MA is different than the others in its legislative
advocacy for districts like us. So, as you think about, so remember I had talked about the seasonal wreck, the seasonal wreck revenue that came from advocacy from MRE because they know that districts like us that have large
seasonal wreck properties and that um for an operating referendum, they're excluded from that tax base. So then the rest of your taxpayers um they assume the responsibility. So
what's unique about MEA is that they they do advocate for districts like us very specifically. I would say from what Tam Thomas and I have attended um we typically have not attended their conference. We haven't expended the
money to do so. Um I I navigate and interact with their um their weekly legislative um the lobbyists their updates. Um it's not we haven't attended their
conference because they do have a fee and we don't want to pay the fee. >> Are you attending the meetings what you're seeing from them as a value? That was my only question. I I don't know necessarily that if something has to be there, but I just we have to be very careful that
>> we're not spending money on something that we actually are not finding to be a value for us. >> Uh Thomas, do you have an opinion as the legislative? Um I don't know. >> No. Um
no. I think as Janelle mentioned obviously there there's benefits to being part a member of that organization some of those advocacy things I do question sometimes you know if
we're not a member is a change see of what what we see results from >> um but you can say that with every school district is it of value at some point in time those organizations go away because they don't have the funding school districts to continue to
advocate. So it's two sided, you know, if every school district said, "Well, yeah, if you guys keep advocating, we won't pay you dues, well then they don't have, you know what I'm saying?" But it just
came when it came board years ago, it came aboard a different route involved. >> Superintendent would have recommended get involved. It didn't come that way. Came from a member of us, family member
was involved with the organization. That's how it kind of came through. And at that time, we were going to take it on and try it out. >> Oh, that's a great that's a great I mean, if you would like >> some of these are $10,000 and $5,000 and $12,000. I mean, it's still a chunk of
change. >> No, it's for sure a chunk. And I I mean I support if the board would like me to look into that a little bit more about what our um like I guess maybe I would ask like as I mentioned I don't attend their in-person meetings because I don't
want to spend I don't want to spend registration and lodging and all of those for their conference. Um I do I do attend their for one year they were 7 a.m. meetings.
It was virtual meetings which I would do always love but I was you know it they were valuable because we have the opportunity um with other superintendents of rural school districts to
one hear from um the lobbyists and the the executive director that are overseeing um uh MA and at the capital to kind of talk through the nuances. But then when we're done with the formal presentation, we all have a conver an
opportunity to say, "Okay, now when the boots hit the ground, what is this going to how's this going to spin out for us, right?" Um, is it is it worth the I mean, >> well, if you have an opportunity that you're talking to a whole bunch of other superintendent and have an interchange
like that, that actually has a fair amount of value. It does >> because other issues that might not be related there >> can come out there. Yes. >> Which can do other things. >> It may be a value. I just >> Yeah. >> I just wanted anything to be an idol one.
>> Oh, I some of the others I get a little better. >> When I came aboard, I was worried about a little bit duplication. >> Yeah. between C and what they were up >> because you have five organizations doing exactly the same thing and they need to have support in all five or do
we support one or anything but >> is it greater than 50% participation in something like that >> on my behalf or like this >> all other superintendents in the state of Minnesota
>> um well no because so MA Ma is is rural school districts. >> Okay. So, that really is about um that's really targeting school districts that are like us and a little bit bigger and and there are I'd have to look at the
actual membership run and I because I don't remember what the percentage is, >> but it's not metro which is a a nice because sometimes you get a metro bend on an issue, right? Um >> it'd be interesting to know
the big city. I I would guess their participation has to be pretty high. >> In the rural, I mean, >> I would just like to know in the future. It' be nice if you could find out a number, but I'm curious. Is it 30%, 50%.
I mean, >> give me one second. And I'm going to I'll pull up um >> I know some of these big schools that get a lot of funding, you know, that money's no object, but >> so the big schools in the metro, they
are members of what's called um uh the Association of Metropolitan School Districts, AMSD. So that's their organization that's and they really focus on metro centric issues and they
really deal so they're not members of ma >> okay so apples and oranges >> right and what's different about sap what was used to be saf or or what is sap and used to be c is they are really focused on um equalization
so that you don't have your your um zip codes that get way more funding and have um the taxpayers really carry the burden because they have um your residential taxpayers because they don't have anything for that tax base to spread
upon. So their focus is really about um advocating for a shift and a change in your tax structures. So they're they're apples, oranges, and peaches, >> you know? I mean, they're they're all
they are all kind of doing the same thing, Bruce, but they're doing different work that really do benefit our district in different ways. >> And and I this is probably wishful thinking by me, but it'd be nice if the rural schools kind of work together a
little, maybe take turns donating go into this. So, we're kind of we got some people lo lobbying versus I don't know. I'm really curious to see what kind of participation is in the rural area.
>> I'm gonna count. I got it here. >> If it's over 50%. >> Well, okay. Let me instead of me counting, I will I'm gonna put up on the map. I'm not talk about it next month. >> This is easy. Just give me one second. This is easy. I can do this.
It's going to be in a really random spot, but um >> it'd be 25%. I'm not 25 30 I could understand, but >> let me I'm going to Amanda, I'm going to drop this in just a really weird spot.
So, when I'm done, will you just delete it? Okay. Um, all right. So, this is MEA's map of the school districts. And so, MA represents more than 20
259,000 students in greater Minnesota public schools. So, um, here's the membership map. So the red are members question. >> Um the yellow and now the yellow most of
those yellow metro are members of AMSD. Okay. Um so that's that's who they are and that is who they represent. Okay. And then here's all the school districts.
Okay. Um I'm going to just because I I forgot to cast I'm going to do this. I want to just put it on the recording so people can see the map because I think um I do think it's important to answer the question. Um, so
there we go. So if we look at the interactive u membership map, this is going to show us um all the yellow are non-members, the red are members. So it's just kind of a an important
visual snapshot. >> Yep. So, um, anything does that does that answer your question a little bit? >> Okay. >> Um, Amanda, if you want to delete that. Thank you.
>> Motion by comics. >> I'll second by Jacob. All in favor. >> Any opposed? Hearing none. A motion carries. We got a magnify credit card authorization. >> Yep. Uh so anytime when we have a new
employee that's going to be assigned a credit card, um it it needs to come to the board. So Aaron Botton will be replacing um Chris O'Brien. So then she needs the authorization. >> Get that motion. >> Motion by second by Gerald. All in favor?
>> Any opposed? Hearing none. Motion carries. Moving on to the upcoming meeting schedule. I just want to point out that our next work session is Monday, August 10th versus Tuesday, August 11th due to the primary elections. And
um hearing no other comments, moving looking for a motion to adjurnn. Second >> motion by Ron, second by Gerald. All in favor? >> Any opposed? We are a trips.