You know, >> I'm just >> All right. Welcome and good evening. I'd like to call the Monday, July 27th, 2026 school board meeting to order. Lisa, will you please call the role? >> Director Cummings,
>> yes. >> Wardell, >> yes. >> Weber >> here. >> W. Felton, >> here. Claflin, >> here. And Chair Humeman, >> here. >> That's six present. >> All right. And now I ask all who are able to stand for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge algiance to the flag of the
United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Okay. Well, it is an exciting night. we
get to officially celebrate and swear in our newest board member, Amy Wardell, as a member of our South St. Paul School Board. Before we administer the oath of office, I'd like to take a moment to recognize the process that brought us here today. Following the resignation of
Director Ryan Duffy in June, the school board opened an application process to fill the vacant seat. We were grateful to receive interest from several highly qualified community members who are willing to serve our students, staff, and community. After reviewing applications and conducting public
interviews, the board appointed Amy Wardell on June 22nd, 2026 to fill the vacancy. In accordance with Minnesota law, a 30-day waiting period followed the appointment to allow for any election contest. As no contest was
filed, we are pleased to officially welcome Amy to the South St. Paul Public Schools Board of Education today. Amy will serve as an appointed board member until November 3rd, 2026 special election when voters will elect an
individual to serve the remainder of the unexpired term. On behalf of the board, thank you Amy for your willingness to serve our students, staff, families, and community. We appreciate your commitment to public education and look forward to working with you. And now I'm going to
ask you to step to the front so we can swear you in. >> All right, >> switch sides. >> Sure. >> I don't know if it really makes a difference. >> Sure. >> Okay. Amy, as a member of the South St. Paul Public Schools Board of Education.
You accept the responsibility of serving as an advocate for all students and providing governance that advances the district's vision and mission. Together with your fellow board members, the superintendent, and district staff, you will help ensure our schools provide
every student with opportunities to learn, grow, and succeed. Thank you for your willingness to serve our students, staff, families, and community. We appreciate your commitment to public education and we look forward to working
with you. All right, Amy, having signed the acceptance of office and oath of office, will you please raise your right hand and publicly affirm your commitment by repeating the oath of office after me? >> Let me just read it.
>> I have to say that I said it. >> Sorry. I swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and of this state and that I will discharge faithfully the duties of the office of school board member of South St. Paul
Public Schools, Special School District number six, to the best of my judgment and ability. >> I swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and of this state, and that I will discharge faithfully the duties of the office of school board member of South St. Paul
Public Schools, Special School District number six, to the best of my judgment and ability. >> Congratulations. >> Thank you. >> All right. All right. Get back to my seat. >> Welcome. Thank you. >> All right. Now, we've got our fun normal
stuff. I am looking for a motion to approve the regular board meeting agenda for this evening as well as the minutes for the June 22nd, 2026 work session and the June 22nd regular meeting. Do I have a motion? >> Second.
>> Thank you. Any further discussion? All those in favor, please say I. I. >> I opposed. Motion carries 60. Okay. I would like to invite Amy Winter, our executive director of educational services, to uh highlight what's been
going on this summer. And I I hope that you've brought pictures. >> Okay. I'm bringing a friend, too. Welcome, Jennifer. Thank you for uh giving us a few minutes. I am actually here really
representing a huge team of staff who uh really launched the summer for our um community and our students. And so we're going to just do a quick highlight and a summary of some of the program that was happening. Um and we will get started. The first thing I want everyone to just
know is that this planning starts back in January. Uh we really start sitting down with different departments. we start thinking about what are the needs, how do we coordinate because I know other departments have other needs to just get the buildings ready for the school year. So then to be having programming uh during the summer is some
coordination. So um Robin Schwab is uh the one who really kind of coordinates uh between all of the departments and gets calendars set up, get spaces uh set up, devices, all of those things. The programs that we offered this summer
is we offered uh at the elementary early level we are actually in uh K camp right now. Um but we uh offered a summer learning academy for our elementary students and then we offer the kids choice which is um kind of that before and after school care but in the summer
uh more uh full day care through community ed uh level. We did a packer preview which is really helping our sixth graders transition to the secondary building. Um we also provided some targeted intervention uh from an academic level
for our middle school students and then a kind of a standard summer school program or summer learning academy for those seventh and eighth graders. And then at the high school it's really about credit recovery. If they have fallen behind during the school year, giving them some additional time they are on track for graduation up until
September 1st. So, it's a really nice opportunity for kids to try to um catch up if they are behind on any credits at that high school level. And then why I'm bringing uh Jennifer Danielson up is we also provide some extended year programmings for our students with IEPs.
Um and then community ed also provided some enrichment programs. All right, so let's get started. Um at the elementary level, uh the ones who really kind of direct the work at the site level is the assistant principal and they also hire like a program
coordinator, which is an also really nice opportunity for some of our teachers to gain some leadership uh experience um running kind of like a smaller scale program. So for this uh year, we had 293 uh students and again students get invited
uh based on their incoming year. Um and so that's why you see grades 1 through five. We had an average about 83% attendance and the program went five uh five weeks and um we alternate sites this year. Caposia had the programming.
Here are some of your pictures of some of the stuff. I would tell you across the board at all of our sites, one of the big pieces that the staff have to navigate is how do you motivate kids to give up some of their summer and come be in school? And so we really focus on
doing hands-on learning, having it be really engaging so that that motivation factor is there um while also trying to support them on a academic level. Um this year we did uh adopt a new uh reading and math curriculum for that
elementary. So this was kind of the first year that we were launching um some of that. But in addition, they had uh field trips, they had uh fishing, they had a lot of different activities. The team was able to capture some uh comments from some of our families and
um I'm not necessarily going to read all of them, but I appreciate uh just the feedback they gave us. And um you know, like the last one there says, "Thank you for creating a summer program that my child doesn't want to miss. It has made our summer so much easier." And I think that's uh really exciting to hear that
the team is finding that balance uh to motivate our kids to stay engaged uh in that learning even though it's summer. All right. Like I said, uh K camp is going right now. This is an opportunity to get those early learners uh ready for
kindergarten. Uh for some of them, they may or may not have gone to preschool, so this may be the first time they're stepping into a building and just kind of getting that school environment. So, uh, we offer it at both of the elementary sites for them to get a preview of the school that they are
attending. Um, and again, they just get to experience the staff, the classrooms, routines, learning about the building. Um, they they're going on a bus ride, what, Wednesday morning, and they're taking a little bit of a tour. So, they get to ride a bus, too.
All right. Transitioning to the middle school. Uh so the kind of more traditional sum summer summer learning academy we had 32 total students uh an average attendance rate of about 73%. I will tell you probably middle school
is the hardest when it comes to motivating them to come to school because now it's more about choice. Um and so I again um meeting the needs of the kids who we can get there is really our priority. We also offer a sixth grade
intervention. We had 35 students and we had just under 70% uh attendance there. And then we also do a transition activity and helping those kids transition to middle school. We call it a packer preview. Uh it was two sessions, two weeks. We had a total of
91 students attend and we had just over 85% uh attendance or average attendance. Um, and then the next one had 51 students with an attendance rate about a little over 82%. >> How many entering sixth graders do we
have? What percentage of the kids did the Packer preview? >> I think we have what, just around 200ish. >> That's a decent chunk. Yeah, >> it's really good turnout. >> All right. high school the motivation
comes back a little bit because now like the graduation uh kind of finish line is coming so they are paying attention um at the high school uh again it's really trying to fulfill that graduation um goal and our model is is that we have
students enrolled in two courses at a time and then as they complete them they can add more courses. This is our attendance and enrollment uh at the high school credit recovery. So, we were averaging a little over 63% and then the breakdown by grade level.
>> Is this a program where they meet the Monday through Thursday schedule kind of like the other ones? >> Yeah. And again, they can come and go like it's it's because every student is needing to fulfill their credit at whatever they need. It's very individualized and then they're working
on those individual classes. Um so uh if you kind of just look at the program and total uh numbers, we had 173 total students enrolled. Um there were a total of 164 credits that were recovered over the summer and we actually got uh
seven additional graduates to the finish line over the summer programming. So that's exciting. Right. We'll talk about extended school year. So this summer, Hannah Anderson, who is a special education teacher at Caposia, uh was an ESY coordinator, and I cannot give my gratitude and thanks to
her enough. She just she did all of the coordination and just did a great job um helping out with ESY this year. So overall, we had three programs uh at early childhood, so early childhood special education students. Sometimes that's their very first time in a school, so they're coming off of their
birth to three visits and they just come a couple of days a week for a couple of hours just to try to get used to just what a classroom is like. Um, then we had an elementary program that had several classrooms. And then secondary had a middle school and high school combined classroom. Um, some highlights having an ESI coordinator. This is the
first summer that we've been able to have an ESI coordinator or someone that was able to help out with that. So that was a huge lift. Um, and just someone who just dove in. I again I can't thank Hannah Anderson enough. She's an amazing educator. If you ever get the opportunity to see her in action, she is amazing. She's requested like all the
children in her classroom this year. And I said, I can't give you all of them, but I just really really appreciate her. We had 37 students overall signed up. And then the exciting thing was this is the first time that we had extended school year programming over at Caposia. So, because students can go to their
home district now or their home school, um we don't have to send students that need more needs or more services over to Lincoln. they go they stay at Lincoln or Caposia. This is the very first time that extended school year has ever happened at Caposia. So it was good and exciting to see that all of that programming is happening in one spot
rather than all of SLA rotates, but Lincoln always hosted extended school year previously. So it was good to see it at both elementaryaries now across um and at the secondary. I know they did some cooking, they made some cake. It was Jolene's birthday over ESY, so they made her some cupcakes and all that
piece. So it's good to work on those skills as well. All right, the last program wanting to highlight is community education. And again, this is kind of our kids choice programming. We do extended uh programming in the summer. Uh normally during the school years before and
after, uh they had some open swim, some gymnastics, a lot of fun uh engaging activities. And then when we go on the other end uh with our adults, we had 73 adults participate uh in our South Suburban adult education program this summer and we had 145 youth participate
in our gymnastics program this summer. Uh for our summer ECF classes, we had a stay and play. Uh we averaged about nine uh families attending that, which equals a total of 44 adults and children's. and then we'll continue that through August.
And then the power of playful parenting, that's just again some uh programming to help from like a more family uh approach. So again, in closing, I want to just give a huge thank you to the amazing teams at all of the sites that really um
made this program go well from our littlest learners all the way up to um our adult learners. So, thank you. Open to any questions. Any questions for either Amy or Jennifer? >> I just think it's so exciting to hear all of the things that are still
happening throughout the summer. Um, >> good news. >> It's great. And I think I think Packer Preview is like the best thing ever. That's that was huge for my now middle schooler. And I know you're saying Will's been
>> Yeah. Yeah. Loving it. uh Packer preview was just an amazing opportunity for my kid to go in and experience the secondary school, but as much as we talk about it being for the kids, it made such a difference for me and
>> getting used to the idea of my kid is walking through the secondary school building. So, >> it's for the parents, too. >> Thank you for offering that. I'm glad. I'm glad that you're like experiencing it and hopefully you as a parent feel more comfortable and your kiddo feels comfortable with the transition because
a lot of nerves. >> Yep. >> Well, I think a thanks to all the staff who helped make all the summer programming. You guys for helping coordinate and keeping the coordinators coordinated and um it takes a lot of people and all the different departments and I know you think of summer break as
a time when everything goes dormant and it absolutely isn't true. So to everyone who makes this happen, just thank you so much. >> Yes, thank you. >> Thank you everyone. >> You >> now we move on to reports. >> Okay. Our first standard report is stakeholder comments to the board. As
decided in January at the organizational meeting in recognition of the July 4th holiday, the board did not hold its first meeting of the month. So there were no in-person comments to the board in July. Additionally, we received no online comments either. As a reminder to the community, there are two ways to
make comment to the board. You may either submit an online form or appear before the board in person. If you would like to speak in person, the board has set aside time on the second Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. during our regular extended work sessions. Our next
public listening session is at 6:30 p.m. on August 10th. Online submissions are accepted at any time. We'll now turn things over to Vice Chair Claflin for an update on this evening's work session. >> Thank you. Uh this evening we did have a
full work session. Um, first we heard from Jennifer Danielson about the cardiac emergency response plan. And this is in response to some new legislation that requires us to have a plan um within all of our buildings
where we have um staff who are trained in responding to any sort of cardiac emergencies where these um AEDs are located, how to use them, how to respond and provide CPR. And uh we got a a preview of what this
plan looks like and some of the training that will be happening to make sure that we have folks within all the buildings. We already have uh 13 folks within our buildings who are currently certified in CPR and willing to be part of this team
and uh make sure that we have that emergency plan in place. And this is of course in line with a lot of other emergency response plans that our staff have prepared and make sure to train folks on in those return to school days
and introduction to our district that new uh new teachers and staff will have in August. Um so among all of the other trainings and drills that will happen uh we've added one more but it'll be um to the benefit of all of our students and
staff to know that this resource is um available and our staff are well trained in it. And then we uh had a overview from Mr. Rajoff about our long-term facilities maintenance plan, and we'll hear more about that uh coming up this evening, but had a discussion about what
this plan is and what it does include and doesn't. Um a 10-year building plan sounds like it includes a lot, but it it's really much more of a general budget. We'll hear more about that. And a discussion about all of the community engagement that is happening.
You can look for your schoolboard members at night to unite. We'll be circulating among a lot of the different events that are happening in town with other folks from our police and fire departments, uh, city council and schools
and a lot of other events that are happening to gear up for uh, the start of the school year as well with the new teacher institute and opening days happening in August. A lot to already be planning for. >> Thank you. All right, Dr. Zambbrino, you're next.
>> All right. Thank you, Cheer Hume. Well, I hope everyone is enjoying their summer and finding ways to stay cool with our very high temperatures and high humidity. I'm sure I'm not the only one who woke up to wet windows this morning, but I knew I was going to get hit with it when I opened the door, but um at
least we have lots of water around us. So, hopefully find ways to stay cool in Minnesota here. Um do want to just put out one final reminder uh that we do have we mentioned that we had the the two-year term and I'm excited to have Amy Wardell join us, but we do have with
that some extra things or one extra thing on the ballot. So we have our typical four-year terms that'll be on the ballot this fall as well as the two-year term. And so we want to just make sure that everyone has one last call that the applications put your name
in for that are due by 5:00 tomorrow. Uh it's a very important role, a great job. It's really been wonderful as an administrator and I know our teachers and others would, you know, just say thanks to our board for the support you give us. So we're looking forward to whatever the new version of the board
looks like after the election. Um we are getting at that point, so I don't want to wish summer away on anybody, but we are very excited to welcome everybody back soon. We just want to put another reminder to folks. Uh if you're looking for uh answers to your questions, our website is always a
great place to start. Um obviously our schools will be sharing information and uh as we get closer to the start of the school year, but you can always hop on uh to the website there at the school year section and find supply lists, important dates, uh links to key information. I know people are always
looking for good deals on those school supplies. So always want to make sure we have those accessible for folks who are looking to do that. And of course, if that's a challenge, we'll we'll support families with that. We have fill the backpack and other great supports for families if if that's a challenge. So, don't want that to be a barrier either.
Um, as we get into the start of the school year, we will be continuing to to pitch and ask for folks to fill out the application for educational benefits. Uh, as a reminder, a lot of people used to think of this as the free and reduced price lunch form, but it's always been so much more than that. With universal
free meals, we don't need the form for lunch, but we do want to just make sure that families are aware of some of the benefits that could come with that. So, it could be in the form of reduced athletic or activities fees, a lot of internet and phone service providers, home utilities, Amazon, the zoo, lots of
places uh offer discounts if you qualify through that process. Uh, and it definitely brings a lot of additional revenue that we put 100% back into the classrooms, into the schools. And so uh I will probably be pitching that for quite some time on these meetings. So I
hope not to sound like a nag, but it is really important. It also helps us with the price we pay for our technology through so through the federal government. So we do need those forms and we will uh ask you to do those until we get one and appreciate the partnership on that. Um speaking of
partnership, we're very excited to partner with Dakota County Public Health to offer back to school vaccine clinic for um eligible students. And so, um, we know that, uh, students in Minnesota do have some required vaccines. We want to make that easy and support folks, uh,
with access. And so, we are hosting a clinic at Central Square on August 27th. That's a Thursday. Uh, and I think that's the same night as Family Connect. Um, and so that's at 1:30 to 6:15 at Central Square. So, it's either free or very low cost. You don't need an
appointment. just show on up at Central Square and they'll help you figure out what vaccines your child might need and help you get taken care of. Talked a little bit about some of the summer fund that's been going on. We're very excited that our Capos Caposia
Education Center was awarded a $4,200 grant through the No Child Left Inside Grant through the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. So, um, it's that the idea is hooked on learning, connecting students to aquatic ecosystems through fishing and
conservation. I got the kids down to the river. We know the river has such a long history and and importance in South St. Paul and the entire Twin Cities area. So, great that the kids could get down there, learn the importance of preserving the river, but also just have some fun. You can see the smile on the
face there. I think says it all. And then I just wanted to take a minute to just reiterate what we just heard a moment ago. I'm just thanking everybody for the work over the summer. Um, a lot of times people think summer's slow and it's very, very busy actually and for a
lot of folks, especially those planning for the school year, but a lot of our staff haven't unplugged. They've been going non-stop, but they've been just having a blast. You know, we you heard the positive feedback from families. I had a chance to visit with the kids and the staff and everybody was having so
much fun. Packer preview last week. I heard from the middle school staff just what a wonderful group of incoming fifth graders that or sixth graders from fifth grade. Uh they just were having so much fun with them. The elementary, they were out playing in the sprinklers and eating popsicles and just blowing off a little
bit of steam. Wasn't as hot as today. It would have felt really great today. But just again a shout out for the coordinators, the staff that that just everyone who makes that happen and especially the families for keeping your kids engaged with us throughout the summer. It's it's a great thing. And then just some other reminders. So
back to school dates coming up. So we have Packer Essentials on August 13th and 17th at the secondary and then the family connect on the 26th and 28th. And then at elementary they have the family connect on the 27th and 28th and
open house. Uh so the family connect is the time they'll schedule. They do have in the middle of the August 27th, well not the middle, kind of towards the end, but from 5 to 6 it's an open house. So, they won't be scheduling uh family connect touch points at that time, but they do want to have everybody have a
chance to get into the school. Um, back to that piece of parents like to feel comfortable and the kids like to feel comfortable. So, get into the school and see what's going on. Uh, Kids Choice has their family connect on the 27th from 8 to 1:30 and ECF has open house on
September 3rd. So, we are rolling here right through summer. We're in the dog days of summer, but it won't be long till we have everybody back in the buildings. Our buildings will be looking great. Our uh buildings and ground staff have been working hard. Our nutrition staff have been feeding people and families all summer, so really trying to
help there. And I heard about community ed and all the great things going on. So just tons and tons of great work happening around the district and proud to be a part of it. Thank you. >> Thank you, Dr. Zambbrino. All right, we are moving on to the consent agenda. I'm looking for a motion to approve the
consent items tonight which include financial claims, bills payable, and staffing as presented. Do I have a motion? >> So moved. >> Thank you. Second. Perfect. Any discussion? All those in favor, please say I. I. >> I.
>> Opposed? Carry 60. Thank you. All right, we're moving on to business items. We have four business items this evening. First, I'm looking for a motion for the South St. school board to approve the 202627 athletic and activity fees. Do I have a
motion? >> So moved. >> Second. Thank you. And I'd like to invite, uh, Brady Kger up, our activities director, to discuss fees, what they do, why. >> Yes. So, uh, unfortunately, we do have
to, uh, in order to run an activities program, we do have to have some fees. Um and so this year the activities department and many schools across the state of Minnesota are switching to bound um as our scheduling platform. And bound also comes with registration, it comes with communication, it comes with
a whole bunch of other things to kind of make the activities kind of department management more seamless um and easier for parents and so on. Part of that process we found out was our existing fee structure did not work with the way bound um was set up and how it operated.
So we had to make some adjustments um and because of that we had to just adjust some of our activities fees. So um myself we worked with the finance department to try to minimize any change in fees. Um you can see from the documents that the fees and really it's
our reduced fees that are impacted. Um because we had to move to a set percentage. We hadn't been using a set percentage before. Um and it was more just kind of like dollar amounts. So, moving to that said percentage. We were able to kind of find a set uh percentage that just essentially was the same
thing. So, we've got a couple maybe 20 cent 30 cent maybe increases. There's a couple decreases across the board, but we tried to make it as simple and easy as possible. So, any other questions >> with bound? Is that like an online subscription or
>> No. uh bound is so we were using our schools for our scheduling and so on and we also had a different uh program that we're using for registration. Um there were some changes in the in the market. Our schools was bought by another company and so activity administrators across the state
kind of re-examined what we were doing. Um and Bound just has a a product that a better product and so it does have an app and so you'll be able to see schedules, you'll be able to get communication, you'll be able to register, you'll be able to see fees. it it should work really really nice. Um
this is new to the state of Minnesota, so there's obviously going to be some kinks um that will need to get figured out and worked out, but everything we have seen right now um looks really really positive. >> All right. >> Is that um I know that there was the activity app. Is this new then?
>> That is essentially the activityuler was our school's arbiter and that's what this is replacing. >> Okay. And um are we going to be able to just easily download onto our own calendar? >> Real question. >> I believe so. There is um you you have
that ability, but this also coming with another app um that you'll be able to download and see all those schedules and all that information. >> See what you know, we'll see what happens. >> It should it should be much easier and simpler um than what you are used to. And I I know what you're talking about.
I actually did not put mine on my own calendar because it just floods my calendar. So, I like to keep them a little bit separate so I can stay more organized. >> So, instead of having multiple apps, it's just one app. >> It's going to be one app. >> Arbiter included. >> Um, Arbiter we will still be using, but parents and everybody else won't have
any really use for Arbiter. That's just what we're using for officials. >> Got it. All right. If there >> are no further questions regarding activities, fees, and the move to bound, >> then I say uh all those in favor, please say I. I
>> I opposed. Carry 60. >> All right. And you might as well stay because you're next. I am looking for a motion for the South St. Paul School Board to approve the addition of St. Croy Prep to the existing cooperative
agreement between South St. Paul public schools and New Life Academy for boys and girls hockey. >> Can I have a motion, please? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Thank you. And back to Brady. >> So, uh earlier this year, I guess in the
spring of last year, um St. Corey Prep reached out. They were looking for a home um for their kids that play hockey because the co-op that they were in was dissolving. Um and so they contacted us. I worked with our coaches and members of the hockey community here. Um and it was a good fit for us. um bringing we
bringing them into our existing co-op with New Life. Um South St. Paul's hockey numbers continue to decline. Um so we are continuing to look for other ways to uh boost those numbers um and keep hockey here. Um and so this is just a really good fit because they're coming
on both the boys and girls sides. >> Is this an annual agreement that you would re look at each year? So, a existing co-op, uh, it's a two-year agreement, and essentially, if you're going to stay in your existing co-op, you don't necessarily need to kind of
reauthorize. And if the board does want us to reauthorize and come back and examine those things, we definitely can. Um, but there are kind of a lot of changes. So, as teams kind of dependent on participation, like if a school doesn't have any athletes, we may look
for another team to co-op with. So, there's a process for that, too. I had two questions. The first one um uh had to do with our um I I read on the application, but I just wanted to confirm that all of these folks will be
playing under South St. Paul hockey program or at least that's the name that they would come on the programs and things and they would be playing as Packers. Is that >> That is correct. that has been one of um our sticking points and one of the reasons why we've reached out to these
schools or these schools we're working with these schools is because they are going to play under the umbrella of South St. Paul hockey. >> Okay. And then one other question. Um you've clearly stated why this is probably important for the long-term sustainability of programs like hockey.
Um is there is do you have any concerns that there may be some students from South St. Paul that would not be able to play because there are um more people or is this just enough in order to make the team work? >> This is really this is enough to make the team work and really to make sure
that the kids that we have participating are able to play at the appropriate levels. Um we don't want to be bringing up you know 9th graders um and 10th graders up to a varsity level that may not nec necessarily be ready for varsity level hockey. Um, and so this allows us to kind of maintain two levels um, of
programming. And it even allows us to keep some of our like eighth graders and ninth graders um, the opportunity to play at that bantam level if that's what they choose to do. So, >> so we're not going to see an influx of students saying, "Oh, I didn't make the team." Because there were no, >> we had an agreement that came in that >> No, you can see from the numbers like
the the number of kids that are coming in are pretty small. Um, and it's just kind of enough right now to like help us uh reach those numbers that we're able to have those two teams and we're not having to like pull kids up earlier than they need to be pulled up. >> Um, and I just want to confirm that the
co-op teams, they have to deal with transporting their kids to us. We don't pay for that. >> Yes, they do. That that's one of the conditions. They are responsible for getting their kids to here >> for practices. Any other questions regarding our hockey co-op? Okay,
>> it's nice that approval. No further discussion. I ask all those in favor to please say I. >> I. >> Opposed. Motion carries. 60. >> Thank you. >> All right. I am looking for a motion for the South St. Paul School Board to approve the resolution calling the
general and special election. Do I have a motion to approve? >> Some moved. >> Second. >> Thank you. And I'm going to invite Lisa Brand Decker to explain why what >> election day is coming.
>> Right. Uh Minnesota law requires school boards to pass a resolution calling the election. And so the election we're calling as we've talked about in the last few meetings and Superintendent Zino also shared is we're calling the general election as well as a special election. So, the general election will
be for four school board seats and then the special election will be for one school board seat that to fill the remainder of director Duffy's term. Um, this is part of the legal requirements and with the board passing this resolution, then um it directs the um
clerk of the school board to kind of follow all of the election requirements that come with that. So, posting things in the newspaper and notifying the county and the state and things like that. Any questions regarding we're having an election? >> Okay. Uh Lisa, will you please call the
role? >> Director Weber, >> yes. >> Wfelton, >> yes. >> Claflin, >> yes. >> Cummings, >> yes. >> Wardell, >> yes. >> And Chair Humeman, >> yes. >> That's six. >> All right. Resolution carries. All right.
I am looking for a motion for the South St. school board to approve the fiscal year 28 long-term facilities maintenance 10-year plan in accordance with Minnesota statute 2022 section 123B.595
do I have a motion >> so moved >> second >> excellent and I'd like to invite Rajath our finance director up are you bringing Mark with you >> and Mark Fenton our director of maintenance and grounds to explain this
annual process. >> Thank you so much, Madam Chair, madam vice chair, member of the board. Once again, um I just want to rejoice what we have spoke at the work session today. Um the LTFM uh long-term facility maintenance plan
here is a 10-year plan that we annually submit to MDE. Uh we're not the only district that is probably going through this tonight. um our surrounding districts and also state of Minnesota has to submit this by July 31st. Um we
have met that deadline. Um because we're we're we're going through the process today. Um the actual spreadsheet actually outlines the revenue that we get to access and also the expenditures that we're going to expense on. Um, new this year is actually roofing
replacement that meets the threshold of 100k or more that we get to access. That's approximately 700K and plus some new indoor air quality that we also get to access this year, which is approximately 500K. So, it's approximately 1.2 in addition to about
$1.1 million that we usually get to access. Again, it's not a comprehensive uh facility plan at all. This is a long-term maintenance plan for our district. We have critical needs that total about $50 million. Um we are
grateful for this additional revenue, but it still does not um helps us with all of our needs here. So I stand for any questions. >> As RA mentioned, we did talk about this in our work session earlier and um just
kind of outlining this is an annual process. We go through this every year and the 10-year planning is actually very general regarding the bucket of long-term facilities maintenance monies that we get. That mostly goes to Mark's team to make sure the walls stay up.
>> Okay. >> Um if there's no further discussion, I ask all those in favor to please say I. >> I. >> Opposed? >> Motion carries 60. Please submit our thing and time. Yes. Thank you. >> Thank you so much. Appreciate it.
>> All right. As we reach the end of our meeting this evening, I'd like to invite our school board directors to share any updates um from committees they serve on if they'd like or highlight any recent district events they've been able to participate in. And I will um not put you under the spotlight at your first
meeting. We'll start with uh Director Weber. >> I get to go first because I know there was a an event that a lot of school board members attended. So, I get to go first. I'm very excited about this. Um uh so the the event uh in question um I
was able to attend Oklahoma done by the community theater. Um and again what an incredible display of community talent all the way from like there were some I think even some middle schoolers in the
play all the way up through adults. Um and it was just good wholesome fun. Um, and a great and a great show and I'm just always amazed at the talent that this community has. Um, and um, all the people who then support the show, go to
the show, are in the show. Um, fun was had by all. Um, other than that, um, just enjoy encourage people to enjoy the rest of summer um, and all that it and all that it has to offer. Stay cool. um
vote in the primary. Um so we won't have a a meeting. Make sure it's your uh civic duty to make sure you vote in all elections. Um yeah, and that's it. >> Thank you, >> Director Cummings. >> Well, I wanted to just um reiterate my
um admiration and appreciation for um the theater. Oklahoma was amazing, as well as the um youth um uh theater production of The Pirate Sisters and The Bounty for Bluebird. I think I saw some other schoolboard members at that one as
well. Um, splish splish splash bash was a wonderful time that um um it was very hot but um there were a number of schoolboard members there and in addition I think every single child in South St. Paul came out to that event
and which made it a really fun and vibrant event. Um and I will also just say we're looking forward to seeing people out. um for night to unite which is coming up next week and um and lots of excitement coming up for the coming
school board or school um school year. So, >> thank you Clapton. Yeah, Splish Splash Bash was definitely a lot of fun and it was really neat seeing the kids come spin the wheel and then get disappointed
that they won candy instead of the new tattoo of our um new logo with the bull on it. They really wanted those tattoos. Everybody wanted one. And being a wet event, I think we got some on kids. Um,
the other thing I wanted to talk about was a fishing trip that I went on and the topic of South St. Paul came up and the the fishing guide was telling me he just took these kids from Caposia down to the river and had the most amazing
time with them. They got to catch a pike in the river. And he was telling me how much fun he had with these kids. And while he's telling this story, I'm up in the front of the fishing boat so excited because this is my district. He thought
I had caught a fish because I was so excited about South St. Paul kids catching fish. So really, this program is amazing. And there there's a couple points that I think are just fantastic opportunities
for our district. It's funded by some legislative uh funding for No Child Left Inside. And seeing that come to fruition in South St. Paul is really meaningful because I was involved in getting this passed um a few years ago. So seeing it
benefit kids here is just so awesome. And then these kids having the opportunity to go out and engage with nature and experience something that a lot of people may remember doing growing up.
um but not every kid has access to. So making an opportunity for these kids to go out and do it um experience fishing and experience the nature that's really right outside our classroom walls is so
fantastic. Uh but there's not a grant fairy. We don't just get this money. These programs don't just appear. It happens because of the hard work of our teachers. And I reached out to the teacher who put this together, Mr. Sin
Walker. You might know him as Mr. CW. I think that's how everybody knows him. And he said he didn't have that sort of opportunity growing up either. >> And wanted kids to have that experience and really bringing this program into the classroom with a year-long program
raising trout, learning about our ecosystems and everything else that goes on with water quality and the environments. I mean, I'm an environmentalist, an ecologist by training and by passion. So, I am so thrilled
that we have teachers in the district looking for opportunities like this, putting in the effort to make these grants happen because they don't just appear and really bringing that to the kids. That's that's what we want to see happen. So, just an amazing fishing trip
for everybody. >> Thank you. All right, Director Wardell. Oh, >> um I'm just really excited to be here for my very first official meeting. So, thank you for welcoming me. And I was really excited to attend Splish Splash Bash for the first time ever in my um
time being a South St. Paul resident. I'm always busy that same night or it gets rained out or whatever. So, it was so exciting to see so many kids spin the wheel and then so many times they got spin again, spin again, spin again and they were so disappointed. But it was just fun to see everybody and meet
everybody and um it's the food trucks are always great, you know. So, and I'm just excited to um bring some ideas and some just excitement to the board this um at this time. So, thank you for welcoming me.
>> Yes. Thank you for being here, >> Director Felton. >> Yes. Yes. One of my favorite things that I've done in the last week or so, I truly truly enjoy our theater presentations. Of course, the first one, of course, musicals are my favorite. This one, the
Pirate Sisters, which was just a little over less than a month ago. And the one also I attended was the Oklahoma musical. Oh, it was absolutely
phenomenal. They did a wonderful job. It was excellent. This is the book that that you're given as an attendant. And one thing that's nice about this book, if you look on the back side of the book, it gives you the whole upcoming
events. So, the next theater presentation at our high school is called Beetlejuice Jr., which will be another musical which is November 13th to the 15th. So, it's nice
to know all the information and all the upcoming plays for next year's students. That's so nice nice to have. And also, of course, as you know, I'm involved with this with the senior center, the board of directors. Last
week we had our our major lunchon where we had the barbecued hot dogs, several salads. Oh, it was so good. We truly truly thank Linda Jacobs for preparing all that. And her husband is the one who who does our our cooking
of the hot dogs. And I also thank Dr. Zambbrino for being there and helping hand out the ice cream for the desserts. That was great. Then coming up now, the next one on here, as you can see, which is August 20th at Central Square, which
will be the uh Salsbury steak meatball lunchon. That'll be coming up though, you know, just under a month. And then one thing that's exciting that's coming up this Saturday up at Lincoln Center on the on the track
field. It's the relay for life. It's the American Cancer Society financial donation which starts at 4:00 goes to 10:00 in the evening. It it is a major
fundraiser. There are many personal and family memorial things right around the whole track area. So you can you can see any memorials that that you have made for about your family or even yourself. So
that that is really good. Looking forward to that like I said. And they they also have a food truck there. And there are several products that you can are are things that are on for sale that if you're interested in looking at them, they have them there. Relay for life
this Saturday at 4:00. And then uh one very personal thing I want to thank our technology department for being such a wonderful assistant to me as I am not the best technology person but they have
helped me out several several times in the last couple weeks. So I truly truly thank them for all their assistance and and all of their help. So, I thank them very, very much.
>> Thank you, Director Felton. Well, I feel like all the things I was going to mention have been touched on. I'm still humming music from Oklahoma that I didn't even realize I knew all of the music from Oklahoma, it turns out. Um, so with that, I guess I encourage
everyone in the community to enjoy this uh hot weather the best you can. And um school's coming round, so enjoy what's what's left of summer. All right, that's all that's on the agenda. I will hereby entertain a motion to adjourn the
Monday, July 27th, 2026 school board meeting. Do I have a motion? >> So moved. >> Thank you. >> Second. >> All right. Any discussion? All those in favor, please say I. >> I. I. >> Opposed. >> Motion carries 6. The school board
meeting is adjourned at 6:50 p.m. >> Wow. >> All right.