Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Good evening. It is Thursday, May 21st, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. We are at the District Service Center in Cottage Grove, Minnesota. We would like to acknowledge that the land on which we gather is the land of the Mdewakanton Dakota people. Mdewakanton means Dwellers of the Spirit
Lake. Our first item on the agenda is roll call, Dana. Louis Signs Here. Uh Evan Clark Good evening. Melinda Dols is absent. Elizabeth Bachmann Ekberg is absent. Simi Patnaik Here. Sharon Van Leer Here. Katie Schwartz Here.
Then we'll move on to 2.0, Pledge of Allegiance, please stand. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all. 8 3.0 is approval of our agenda. Can I get a motion to approve? >> So moved. Second. Moved by Sharon, seconded by Simi. Any comments or questions? All those in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion passes.
Okay, we will move on to 4.0 and that is our student district ambassadors and that will be introduced by our superintendent, Julie Nelson. Students, it came up quick, didn't it? Like you're like, "Oh, we're on almost first." Um this evening we are excited to celebrate and end the school year
with our district student ambassadors. So at this time, if I could have our student ambassadors come forward up by the microphone. I'll meet you right over there. So I'll be right back, board. Want to come over this direction? Have you all just kind of line up here. You know, and then you're okay.
They just know that we have to and you're going to be introducing but stay lined. And you will introduce one by one of it and then you're just going to have you step over here. Okay? Once you get done, Melanie, you just hold tight there, kiddo. Um it was nothing organizing this small
group here. Uh today in the board room we had 80 students. So our ambassadors came who were our existing ambassadors this year and then they brought their friends for next year. And so the students don't usually get to see what the board room looks like uh when it's all set up and they're probably like,
"What is Mrs. Nelson doing up there? She never sits up in that space." This is what a school board meeting looks like. And so you get to see as student ambassadors kind of what it looks like behind the scenes. Um so our student ambassadors, uh we have ambassadors that represent all of our schools. They meet
five times throughout the year. And to summarize our five meetings, I could probably ask them but I'm going to just tighten it up a little bit. Um our first meeting we did a series of interactive active storytelling and perspective taking exercises to strengthen their ability to have a voice and to have
opportunities to connect with other students. At our second meeting, um I know the favorite and parents and family members, I know you heard about it. That would be the nutrition services food testing. I don't know if they liked it more or if the adults liked it more, but there was a lot of food and the great thing is
that our nutrition services staff really utilizes their feedback. Like, "Too green, too salty, too spicy. Ooh, we like this." Um so there was a lot of yummy food and then the other thing I was reminded of today when the students were here is that as part of that, it wasn't just
about taste testing, but they also got to learn about nutrition services um and how the school lunch program has changed over the past decades. At our third meeting, uh students got to take a look behind the scenes where no other kid gets to go in district office.
They got to see the technology drop old floor and they got to learn about the number of kids and all the dollars we have in the school district. So a lot of fun touring district office. Um at our fourth meeting, we did a world cafe where they got to brag. Um uh they got to tell us the good, bad,
the brag, and the innovative and some of you are aware that we did that with our adult ambassadors as well. Um and then they were also uh could could have been engaged in a read aloud project. And then today our focus was on our district theme for next year. We love when kids can give us some ideas around what that
theme will be as we kick off the new school year. Uh and then we divided into groups. We had an elementary and middle school group. They did a lesson on digital literacy and then our secondary students, our high school students, actually took a look at the course catalog. So a number of things that
students have been engaged in. Uh this evening we would like to have each of them introduce themselves and share the school they attend. And there are just a couple, four or five, that are just going to say just a little bit more about their experience as an ambassador. So, Mallory, if you would just step up first and then Cayden, you can be ready
to go next. Mallory, go ahead, honey. Yep, perfect. Hi, my name is Mallory and I'm the student ambassador for Woodbury Elementary. I like this experience because I was able to learn about the district building, share my opinions on food choices, and give input on student norms. I learned
that my opinions are valuable and I gained confidence in trying new experiences. Thank you, Mallory. You want to just step out here and then other students you can follow Mallory. You can just step right there. Perfect. And oh, you want to face this way? You can face the board. You want to turn to Yep, there you go. >> [laughter]
>> You can face out, sweetheart. Face out. Why am I Why am I facing these strange people back here? I want to face my mom and dad. Okay, go ahead, honey. My name is Cayden. I'm a fifth grader at Crestview Elementary. My name is Mateo and I'm a seventh grader at Woodbury Middle School.
My name is My name is Winston. I'm a fifth grader at Valley Crossing Elementary School. My name is Parker Eberhard and I'm here from Liberty Ridge Elementary. My name's Adeline and I'm a fifth grader at Bailey Elementary. My name's Abby and I'm a fifth grader at
Cottage Grove Middle School. Um my name is Brooks and I'm an eighth grader from uh Lake Middle School. Hi, I'm Emily Gordon. I go to Great Cloud Elementary and I'm in fifth grade. One part of DX that I really enjoyed and appreciated was coming together with
other students from other schools and come up with ideas how to make our schools better. It felt like the students had a voice and not just the adults. I learned that there are many people that are working behind the scenes to help our schools be successful. I don't think I realized
that before and I gained a better appreciation for all the people who helped the district run. I love working with Mrs. Neilson. She is so kind and has a fun personality and helped me feel valued as a student. I
really loved my experience in DAC. Hi, my name is Sanvi and I'm Valley Crossing Elementary Student Ambassador and I'm in fifth grade. And my favorite part of being an ambassador was taking a tour of the building and learning about the
different parts and like how everything worked behind the scenes. Thank you. >> [laughter] >> Hi, my name is Ryan and I'm a graduate ambassador from Next Step. Also, I really enjoyed being the
ambassador cuz there was a lot of things to unfold behind the scenes that I did not believe were a thing until I >> [laughter] >> And thank you so much to our students. Um for parents and family members here, you may not realize, but when we think
about building leadership and building character, that comes in really small steps. As an example today when the new ambassadors were there, your children had to stand up and introduce a friend. They had opportunities throughout their time to to lean in and to share
opinions. They have opportunities like this to come up in front of a microphone and share their names. And all of those things are little small steps to gaining confidence and continuing to build leadership. And um as family members, as moms and dads and grandmas and grandpas
out there, you have done such a wonderful job. Truly, uh we have some executive cabinet, Ms. Jansen back there, our assistant superintendent in the middle. Um we would share that having the kids in this boardroom bring us the greatest joy. Sorry, board members, but we have a lot more fun in
this room when the kids are in here. And so, uh we could not say enough wonderful things. Uh we thank you, parents and family members who are here for your support. Um please, as people who have your kids connected to us, we always tell the kids, "If you have a problem,
you know us. Reach out to us." So, has the superintendent ever gotten emails from kids? I sure have. Uh many times about snow days, >> [laughter] >> I also I also take to heart that if there's something happening with your kids and they want to be an advocate for themselves, then we know them. They are
ambassadors to our school district. As they left today, I asked them really just to think about one nugget. Be kind to each other. Look out for each other. Make sure that if there's someone in your school that's having a problem or struggling or something you hear, make sure you report it. And so, that's what
we ask of our ambassadors. We are so proud that we have gotten the opportunity to meet them this year. Um I will just close by saying um the one question I got three times today was, uh "Mrs. Neilson, how can I continue to be an ambassador?"
Um so, our students love connecting, sharing their voices, learning, and representing the best in South Washington County schools. And so, uh they are aware that we have students who were gone a year and back a year. So, today when the new students came back, we had two students that were
ambassadors 2 years ago. So, students, if this was your last meeting today, this isn't goodbye. This is we'll probably see you again. So, let's give our student ambassadors a round of applause. >> [applause] >> Thank you all so much, and you can be seated, and I'll just tell you, students, if you want to stay for a
board meeting just to see what it looks like, um I know a couple of you have to go and you may all have to go and that's okay, but this one's going to be about 15 to 20 minutes. So, it might be nice to see what the action looks like. All right. Have a seat, students. Thank you. Thank you. Okay, we will move on to 5.0 and that is
comments to the board. There are no people signed up tonight. So, we will move on to 6.0 and that is our consent items. All consent items are considered routine and non-controversial by the school board and will be approved by a single motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items. Prior to the
meeting, board members had the opportunity to review each of these items and could have requested that any item be moved to an action item for individual consideration. That did not happen this evening, so can I get a motion to approve? >> So moved. >> Second. Oh. Oh, moved by Sharon, second by Louise.
All those in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion passes. Okay, we will move on to 7.0, that is our information items and we do not have any this evening. So, 8.0 is action items. We do have three action items and
8.1 is release of long-term substitute teachers and that will be presented by Abby Baker, Executive Director of Human Resources and Operations. That was a hard act to follow. Good evening, Chairperson Schwartz, members of the school board and
Superintendent Nielsen. Um today I will begin with action item 8.1 and the release of long-term substitute teaching contracts. In compliance with Minnesota statutes, we are required to terminate the teaching contracts of South Washington County Schools long-term substitute
teachers. A long-term substitute, by definition, is one who worked all or part of the school year replacing a specific teacher who has return rights to their position. The contracts of the long-term substitutes must be terminated. Failure to terminate these contracts would result in the district
allocating two teachers in each affected position as the regular teachers exercise their contractual right to return from leave of absence. Administration recommends approval of this resolution. Can I get a motion to approve? So moved. >> Second. Motion by Sharon, seconded by
Simi. Any comments? Okay, this is a resolution, so Dana, can you call the roll? Yes. Yes. Yes. >> [clears throat] >> Yes. Yes. Motion passes.
Okay, we'll move on to 8.2 and that is Kids Club Supervisor Contract and that will also be presented by Abby Baker, Executive Director of Human Resources and Operations. Do I have to say that again? I No, you don't. >> You got one more time. Um negotiations toward a new collective bargaining agreement between South Washington
County Schools and the Teamsters Local 320 Kids Club Supervisors have resulted in a tentative agreement effective July 1, 2026 through June 30th, 2028. Members of the bargaining unit approved the tentative agreement on May 11th, 2026.
The economic costing of the tentative agreement includes the following. Um the first year of the contract effective July 1, 2026 is a 3% increase on wages. And then year two of the contract, July 1, 2027 would be a 2% increase on wages.
Um for health insurance, effective January 1, 2027 is a 10% increase to the district contribution for high deductible medical plans. And then on January 1st, 2028, another 10% increase of the district [clears throat] contribution for high deductible medical
plans. Um other items include a VEBA increase from $102 to $121 per month to $125 per month effective January 1, 2027. Administration recommends approval of this contract. Okay, can I get a motion to approve? So
moved. Second. Motion by second by Sharon. Any comments? All those in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Motion passes. Okay, 8.3 bus mechanic contract presented by Abby Baker, executive
director of human resources and operations. Okay, the final contract that will be presented tonight is for a bus mechanics. Negotiation toward a new collective bargaining agreement between South Washington County Schools and the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 70 bus mechanics have
resulted in a tentative agreement effective July 1, 2026 through June 30th, 2028. Members of the bargaining unit approved a tentative agreement on May 14th, 2026. The economic costing of the tentative agreement includes the following. The bus mechanic wage increase from
$38.48 to $40 per hour effective July 1, 2026 and $41.50 effective July 1, 2027. And for the head mechanic wage increase from $42.33 to $43.83
effective July 1, 2026 and to $45.33 effective July 1, 2027. Um for health insurance effective January 1, 2027 would be a 12% increase to the district contribution for high deductible medical plans. And then on January 1st, 2028 would be another 12%
increase to the district contribution for high deductible medical plans. Um administration recommends approval of this contract. Thank you. Can I get a motion to approve? So moved. Second. Motion by Simi. >> [laughter]
>> Seconded by Ryan. Any comments? All those in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Motion passes. Thank you. >> Okay, now we will move on to 9.0 and that is our superintendent report. I told you students this was going to be a quick one. This is the one you want to be at.
Mhm. >> [clears throat] >> And teachers back there, you're like, yes, >> [laughter] >> this is the one I wanted to be at. Um first of all, uh families and staff should have received their quarterly mailing. Uh we hope you did, and one thing that um someone pointed out right away is, "Oh, I loved how the little um
ad was put in there for like this is the number one source of information in South Washington County Schools." And that is accurate. So, if you saw that little sidebar that talked about our quarterly mailing, in our community survey, one of the things that people noted was that was the best way to get
information out to our community. And why is that? Because about 30 to 35% of the people have kids in the district, and about 70% do not have kids. So, getting a paper mailing about what's happening was really viewed as something positive. And
so, we will continue those quarterly mailings as we move forward. Um also, just to reflect back a little bit, uh last week we held our employee recognition. I know a number of board members got to attend. And just really a wonderful event for staff. We celebrated All-Stars. We celebrated years of
service. I did have a certificate signed by myself for being in the school district for 30 years. I thought it Am I going to frame this or something? My own signature on my own certificate? Um and then, of course, just an outstanding group of retirees. And just um for those of you who don't get to see
educators celebrate often, it was just really a very nice night um to celebrate all the work that bus drivers, mechanics, custodians, every bargaining group, every employee group that we uh do work together. So, just a wonderful event. Um next, I could I wouldn't I
would be remiss to exclude the fun we've had the last 2 weeks with senior awards. And while I know that as I look out there, you have elementary kids, maybe middle school kids, um the reality is that time goes so quick. And our senior awards programs, each of
them last about 2 hours, 2 and 1/2 hours, uh but time doesn't matter because we are celebrating some of the best of the best. And I know last night at Park High School, just the scholarships that were given out at the actual event, over $300,000.
I'm going to estimate based on information that I know throughout the district, well over millions of dollars that our students receive in scholarships. Last night, one student received a $40,000 scholarship. Um and that was one of about six or eight scholarships this student received. And
so, my encouragement to you as moms and dads, as families, is make sure your children are looking at those opportunities. There really are a lot of opportunities. We have a lot of local opportunities, which was really nice to see from our teachers organization to our bus company. Just a lot of different
um individuals, our 3M's, our Marathon Oil, really wanted to give back to our kids and to our school district. So, thank you to all of our local businesses uh that help support um our students moving forward. And then also just to talk a little bit about graduations, our comprehensive high schools, those
graduations will be held on the 28th, which is a Excuse me. Um on Yeah, the two No, the fourth. The fifth. Fifth. The fifth. Trust me. Two for I only have six to eight Oh, sorry. I should have asked one of the moms who's has a graduating child. On the fifth, we'll have our
comprehensive high school, East Ridge at 11:00, Park at 3:00, Woodbury at 7:00. They will be held at TCO. We also have our online graduation on June 4th and our alternative high school on the fourth as well. And then um as our students shared, we will have our next
step uh recognition on the 28th. So, there was my confusion. Um so, again, a lot to celebrate. And I think sometimes we look around and wonder, and I just want to share with people, and I share with the board all the time, we are in good hands. We have some really, really amazing kids.
Um next, just to uh communicate that last week, we celebrated the birthday of a 100-year-old um individual that goes to our senior center. And so we went over and celebrated with him. He is still driving
to the bank and to the senior center and just really really with it. And so just so fun to celebrate and that just to share with the board and with the community. We asked him like what's the secret to 100 years old? And he very eloquently and in different
levels said it was family. Family was the secret to his success of turning 100. So and then finally just to say that we are coming up against a holiday weekend. I don't know where the time is gone but Monday we will have no school in celebration Memorial Day and then our
last day will be June 4th. Thank you. We will move on to 10.0 and that is our future meeting dates. June 11th, 2026 is a school board workshop meeting here at the district service center at 6:00 p.m. And then June 25th, 2026 is our school board business meeting also here at the district service center at 6:00 p.m.
And then 11.0 and we are adjourned. >> Mhm.