WEBVTT

METADATA
Video-Count: 1
Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=649pQbwE_Qk

NOTE
MEETING SECTIONS:

Part 1 (Video ID: 649pQbwE_Qk):
- 00:00:00: Meeting Call to Order, Pledge, and Roll Call
- 00:02:13: Approval of Meeting Agenda and Consent Agenda Items
- 00:05:48: Honoring Retirees: Celebrating Dedication and Service
- 00:15:11: Graduation and End of Year Celebrations Overview
- 00:17:48: Elementary and Middle School Celebrations Recap
- 00:18:38: Alternative Programs and High School Graduation Details
- 00:24:44: Graduation Logistics and Additional Information
- 00:25:06: Question Regarding Signs at Graduation Events
- 00:25:40: Transitional Services Update: Supporting Homeless Students
- 00:30:56: Question about how to Find Students in Need
- 00:31:47: Question About Partnering With St. Cloud Police
- 00:32:34: Question about Dealing with Truancy Issues
- 00:33:07: Question About Parents' Responsibility to get Kids to School
- 00:33:43: Question about Legal Referrals Related to Truancy
- 00:34:18: Questions on Enrollment Difficulties and Data Discrepancies
- 00:36:10: Question About Students who Prefer to be Homeless
- 00:37:20: Questions On Student Enrollment & Service Gratitude
- 00:39:16: Summer Programming Review for 2026
- 00:44:19: Question About Extended School Year (ESY) Definition
- 00:44:54: Apex Multi-Purpose Athletic Facility Change Order
- 00:48:56: Vote to Approve Athletic Facility Change Order
- 00:49:12: Approval of Graduate List for Apollo and Tech High
- 00:51:05: Policy Readings and Superintendent Report
- 00:54:20: Committee Reports: Achievement, Personnel, Finance
- 00:57:31: Future Agenda Items and Meeting Adjournment


Part: 1

1
00:00:00.080 --> 00:00:16.720
is now called to order. It is May 20th, 2026 and the time is 6:31 p.m. Our mission is to provide a safe and caring climate and culture in which we engage, inspire, educate, prepare, and empower all learners in partnership with our surrounding community to be successful

2
00:00:16.720 --> 00:00:37.120
in today's and tomorrow's society. Scott, can you please lead us in the pledge of allegiance? I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation

3
00:00:37.120 --> 00:01:06.720
under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. And then Scott, when you're ready, can you please call roll? >> Okay. Uh Gina Acavendo >> here. >> Uh Scott Andreas's here. Natalie

4
00:01:06.720 --> 00:01:23.439
Copeland >> here. >> Uh Zack Dorhalt >> here. >> Diana Fenton >> here. >> Shannon Haw >> here. Uh the following board members are not present. Uh Heather Williams.

5
00:01:23.439 --> 00:01:38.880
Uh the following cabinet members and staff are present at the district administration office. Uh superintendent Dr. Lori Putnham. Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education Dr. Jason Harris.

6
00:01:38.880 --> 00:01:55.920
Uh executive director of finance and business services Amy Scallarude. Executive Director of Human Resources and General Counsel Tracy Flynn Blow, Executive Director of Operations, Matthew Boucher,

7
00:01:55.920 --> 00:02:13.360
Executive Director of Special Education. Diana Mayor, uh, media technicians, Paul Novak and Gordy Scott. The custodian on site is Emerson Beamer. >> Thank you, Scott. And next, I'm looking

8
00:02:13.360 --> 00:02:30.000
for uh a motion to approve tonight's board of education meeting agenda. >> So move. >> I have a motion by Scott, a second by Natalie. Scott, can you call vote on that? >> Uh Gina

9
00:02:30.000 --> 00:02:46.560
Ao. Okay. >> Yes. >> Scott Andreas. Yes. Natalie Copeland. >> Yes. >> Zack Dor. >> Yes. >> Diane Fenton. Yes, >> Senator Hos. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Then we have the consent

10
00:02:46.560 --> 00:03:02.159
agenda. The consent agenda consists of non-controversial items the board adopts routinely without debate. Any single member may remove an item from the consent agenda by requesting removal at the time the consent agenda is moved for adoption. I have one request uh from

11
00:03:02.159 --> 00:03:19.040
Natalie to remove item D. Did anybody else want to remove an item? Okay, so I'm looking Oh, I have to read it. Never mind. Um, on tonight's consent agenda, item A, approval of board minutes for April 1st, 2026 and April 15, 2026. Item

12
00:03:19.040 --> 00:03:38.159
B, approval of bills and other financial transactions in the grand total amount of $7,319,599 or $319,59955. Item C, approval of personnel staff changes. Item D, acceptance of grant awards and donations. Item E, tech

13
00:03:38.159 --> 00:03:56.000
singleuse restroom remodel change order totaling $565. Item F, bid award Apollo renovations and addition additions bid package 2. Item G, joint purchasing contract award Apollo renovations locker replacement.

14
00:03:56.000 --> 00:04:14.159
So, um, I have one request to remove item D, acceptance of grant awards and donations. So, I'm looking for a motion to approve ABC E F and G. >> I have a motion by Natalie, a second by

15
00:04:14.159 --> 00:04:28.960
Zach Scott, can you call vote for all of us on this one? >> Uh, Gina, you say it now. >> Aso. Okay. Gina,

16
00:04:28.960 --> 00:04:46.240
Scott Andreasen, Natalie Copeland. Oh, did you? Yes, sir. >> She said yes. >> Yes. Okay. I'm Yes. Natalie Copeland. >> Yes. >> Zack Tohalt. >> Diana Fenton. >> Yes. >> Shannon Hos. >> Yes. I've done that job. Scott, it is

17
00:04:46.240 --> 00:05:02.720
way harder than it than it seems. I just got all tongue tied. Okay. So, now um Natalie Copeland is going to recuse herself from item D. So, I'm looking for a motion to approve just item D, acceptance of grant awards and donations. >> So moved.

18
00:05:02.720 --> 00:05:17.520
And do I have a second? I have a motion by Diana. Do I have a second to approve item D? >> Um, and a second by Gina. And so Scott, one more time, can we vote on just item

19
00:05:17.520 --> 00:05:32.240
D without calling Natalie? >> Uh, Shannon Haw, >> yes. >> Diana Fenton, >> yes. >> Zack Dorhold, >> yes. >> Natalie Copeland, >> Camp Kemp, recused. Yep. Um, Scott

20
00:05:32.240 --> 00:05:48.720
Andreas and yes and Gina >> Savannah. Yes. >> Savannah. Okay. >> All right. Thank you. Okay. Moving along. Thanks for getting through that. Um, we are moving on to our information items. And first up is a warm welcome to

21
00:05:48.720 --> 00:06:06.800
our retirees. So many smiling faces out there. Thank you for joining us. As board chair of education, I want to thank you for your extraordinary dedication and service to our students, staff, and community. Your combined 1,024

22
00:06:06.800 --> 00:06:22.880
years of service represent a remarkable legacy of commitment, care, and impact. 1,024 years. That is an incredible number. Thank you. On behalf of the board, I am honored to congratulate you on your well-deserved retirement and

23
00:06:22.880 --> 00:06:39.840
wish you the very best on your journey. And don't forget, we do love our retired volunteers. So, if you miss us, come on back. We'd love to see you. Uh, also, please note, you received a gold card tonight with your thanks. Um, that will allow you to continue your supportive

24
00:06:39.840 --> 00:06:56.800
activities by getting in free of admission. So, thank you for that. That's in your card. Again, we are greatly uh grateful for all you have given to St. Cloud area schools and wish you joy and fulfillment in your next act uh retirement. So let's now enjoy this

25
00:06:56.800 --> 00:09:14.440
video highlighting your accomplishments. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat.

26
00:09:25.760 --> 00:11:56.000
Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. N. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. You go.

27
00:11:56.000 --> 00:12:12.320
>> There we go. >> There. And I get the pleasure of closing out this portion of our evening. Um, and I did have to write it down because otherwise I would probably start crying and no guarantees that I won't yet. Um, but uh tonight is one of my favorite

28
00:12:12.320 --> 00:12:28.800
nights of the year, which might seem strange because we're also saying goodbye. Um, but it gives us a opportunity to pause and honor people whose work has shaped generations of students, families, colleagues, and this community. When we look across this room alone, not to mention all the many who were not able to join us tonight, the

29
00:12:28.800 --> 00:12:45.200
stories are extraordinary. Some of you in this very room gave 46 and 50 years, uh, right? It's amazing. Of service, 50 years. And if you think about that for a moment, entire generations of students moved through our schools during your careers. The world changed, education

30
00:12:45.200 --> 00:13:05.440
changed, technology changed, expectation changed. See, and through it all, you just stayed rooted in service to children. Some of you spent 34 years in the same classroom. Uh, which is something extraordinary,

31
00:13:05.440 --> 00:13:19.920
right? given how much sometimes we people get moved around um to meet student needs. Like I'll be honest about that. But it's also really beautiful that kind of consistency and commitment. Thousands of students walk through your doors knowing that be welcomed, known,

32
00:13:19.920 --> 00:13:37.279
challenged, and cared for in that space because of each of you. And some of us, you joined us for the final few years of your career and maybe only three years in our district. But what matters most is not the length of time, it's the impact. You chose to spend this important chapter

33
00:13:37.279 --> 00:13:52.240
with us and our students and staff are be better because of what you did. What strikes me most tonight is that no two careers here look the same. Different schools, different jobs, different journeys, different personalities and gifts. Yet all of you share something

34
00:13:52.240 --> 00:14:10.000
important. You gave part a huge part of your life to public education and to the young people of this community. Schools are built on people like you. Not headlines, not programs, not buildings, but people.

35
00:14:10.000 --> 00:14:26.320
Those of you, those of us who show up every day, the ones who stay late, the ones who comfort children, mentor colleagues, solve problems quietly, and make schools feel safe and welcoming. And the truth is, there is no way to fully measure what you leave behind.

36
00:14:26.320 --> 00:14:41.680
You leave behind traditions, relationships, opportunities, confidence in students who may never realize how much you shape their lives. And you leave your fingerprints on this district. On behalf of our board of education, our students, family, staff,

37
00:14:41.680 --> 00:15:11.440
and this entire community. Thank you. Thank you for your commitment. Thank you for your patience and wisdom. Thank you for believing in young people. Thank you for choosing public education. And most importantly, thank you for choosing us. Wow, you made me cry, too.

38
00:15:11.440 --> 00:16:05.600
Well, it's official. And you probably don't want to celebrate tonight by staying here for the board meeting, but you certainly are welcome. Um, but by all means feel free to sneak out right now. Next up, we have the graduation and end

39
00:16:05.600 --> 00:16:20.639
of year celebrations information item. Um, presenting this is Dr. Jason Harris, assistant superintendent for secondary education, Lorie Freeze, Apollo High School assistant principal, and Caroline Linden, Tech High School assistant

40
00:16:20.639 --> 00:16:37.199
principal. Thank you for joining us tonight. Um and we're excited to hear about this. >> Uh good evening, Chair H, Superintendent Putinham, board members. Uh Superintendent Putnham, you already in the in the sense of the season celebrations,

41
00:16:37.199 --> 00:16:53.680
all the things that are taking place when you come to a culmination of a school year when you set out at the beginning to set goals and at the end we have celebrations for all the good things that happen. And superintendent just started about the adults. We're going to talk about all the students and

42
00:16:53.680 --> 00:17:10.079
what's taking place and all the celebrations for our kids as we wind down the school year to a a culmination event of graduation and that next stage for those future uh ready students and uh I'll let our two uh assistant principles here take over from here.

43
00:17:10.079 --> 00:17:27.120
>> Sounds good. Good evening everyone. I'm Carolland and I'm an assistant principal at Tech. I'm Laura Fes and I'm the assistant principal at Apollo and admin to CMBA. So we are here to share with you our goal to partner with students, families,

44
00:17:27.120 --> 00:17:48.880
and staff to create celebrations that meet their hopes and dreams. >> Can't get it to present. >> Oh, sorry. >> Let's see technology. Oh, there. I just had to hit it twice.

45
00:17:48.880 --> 00:18:03.919
Sorry about that. Okay. And you said that. >> I did. >> All right. Here we go. >> So, we're going to begin with our elementary celebrations. I won't read all of them to you, but they are many. And they are they have been celebrating all month and they continue to finish

46
00:18:03.919 --> 00:18:20.640
the year strong, focusing on successes and celebrations. Here's a few more. There are many ways. Oh, I want to go back to sorry, too fast. There are many ways that they are celebrating, including concerts, assemblies, family events, and fifth

47
00:18:20.640 --> 00:18:38.080
grade graduations. So, yay to our elementary buildings. We also have some middle level celebrations happening. Both of our junior high buildings have a celebration coming up next week. And next, Laura will speak about some of the ways our

48
00:18:38.080 --> 00:18:55.200
older students are celebrating. Hello. Uh for our alternative programs, we have our CO2 graduation happening um tomorrow actually and instep will be later next week and then adult basic

49
00:18:55.200 --> 00:19:12.000
education is later next week for for our alternative programs. We had our indigenous graduation honoring ceremony May 1st. Here are some pictures from that celebration on St.

50
00:19:12.000 --> 00:19:34.559
Cloud State campus. And then now we'll get into um the high schools Apollo McKinley and Tech. McKinley will have their graduation celebration this Friday from 10 to 11. We will have our senior last day is May

51
00:19:34.559 --> 00:19:52.480
22nd. We will celebrate our Apollo seniors. We throw a a grilling type picnic um for them to come outside, enjoy um visiting with their friends. We have bags out there that they play and um music and it's a nice

52
00:19:52.480 --> 00:20:07.919
way for them to um celebrate with their peers right before graduation. And Tech has a similar day coming up on Friday. We have our activity day on Friday which is a fun and experiential day for all students to celebrate one

53
00:20:07.919 --> 00:20:28.799
another and their individual success. This year we have our seniors last senior last day on May 22nd which is coming up really fast. Last day for seniors on that day or this week we will collect all devices from our seniors. They will collect

54
00:20:28.799 --> 00:20:44.320
their uh cap and gowns. They will also pick up their eight senior, sorry, eight graduation tickets and any honor cords that they may have earned this year. We do have a graduation rehearsal coming

55
00:20:44.320 --> 00:21:03.679
up uh a week from Friday on May 29th at the convention center. Apollo will be in uh 9:30 and we'll be at 11:30. And May 30th is the big day, the big celebration day for all of our learners at River's Edge Convention Center. This

56
00:21:03.679 --> 00:21:21.120
year, Apollo is the morning ceremony that will begin promptly at 11. Doors open at 9:30 so that we can ensure enough time for all of our family, friends, and guests to uh get in, get settled. Tech will be in the afternoon at 3:30, and we will open our doors to

57
00:21:21.120 --> 00:21:40.640
all of our fans at 2 PM. Um the ceremony will last approximately an hour and 15 minutes. Um there's live music showcasing our orchestra this year and choir in both schools. The orchestras will be playing speeches

58
00:21:40.640 --> 00:21:58.400
featuring the senior speakers, the principles, the lead principles and the superintendent. We'll be awarding obviously the individual diplomas and then the presentation of the class of 2026. A few adjustments this year. Um, since

59
00:21:58.400 --> 00:22:14.080
we're opening the doors and families will be there uh earlier than what we have in the past, we are having Dan Bar play music and have kind of a a lighter inviting celebratory type atmosphere as

60
00:22:14.080 --> 00:22:30.559
families are waiting. And then um another thing that we're adding this year is we're working with Dan Bar to have the students names come up on the screen when they are announced. Their name will be announced. They have a QR code um that they will scan and then

61
00:22:30.559 --> 00:22:45.679
they'll walk across the stage. Their name will come up on the screen as um as families cheer. So it won't be their senior picture. It'll be them. It'll be like a live it'll still be the live live

62
00:22:45.679 --> 00:23:03.200
version. Um the processional will follow the same past the same path as in past years but the recessional we are going to and I tried try to create a little map here. So hopefully you can read it. Um, what

63
00:23:03.200 --> 00:23:18.400
will happen is rather than have our seniors stand up and go all the way back down this long hallway, they are the aisle, they're going to stand up and then just go out the side doors. So, the

64
00:23:18.400 --> 00:23:33.360
one side door will open up over here right in front of the orchestra and um they'll just turn to go into the staging room and on the other side they'll go right past Dan Bar the sound table and then they'll be in that back hall back

65
00:23:33.360 --> 00:23:53.919
to the staging room. Um just for family information, we've been communicating since January about changes and protocols. Um families will still meet their graduate in parking lot A. This year we decided to have um two

66
00:23:53.919 --> 00:24:11.279
photo opportunities to um a to celebrate to make the the time that families are standing in line um more entertaining because we'll have those photo opportunities along the road where um families will line up to go indoor C.

67
00:24:11.279 --> 00:24:29.279
And then afterwards, they'll come, we're hoping they'll come right around from parking lot A with their graduate and take advantage of those two stations and take photos. Both Tech and Apollo are having their mascot there. So, I'm hoping that um the Eagle can, you know,

68
00:24:29.279 --> 00:24:44.720
razledazzle people out of parking lot A and get them um to take pictures. And I know the Tiger will if you have the same gentleman do it that did it. Absolutely. Before. Absolutely. Um, and then like last year, the live stream is available for families that can't

69
00:24:44.720 --> 00:25:06.320
attend, and that information has been sent out already this week. That's it. Any questions? Love it though. >> Thank you. >> Exciting. >> Scott, did you have a question?

70
00:25:06.320 --> 00:25:23.840
>> Yeah. Um, are there going to be uh signs allowed? Um, I think last year there was a little dispute about regarding signs. >> You mean signs that families bring in, >> right? >> No. >> No.

71
00:25:23.840 --> 00:25:40.320
>> Thank you. >> Y >> All right. We're looking forward to it. We'll see you there. >> Awesome. Awesome. Thank you. >> We're looking forward to it, too. It'll be awesome. Okay. Uh, next item we have transitional

72
00:25:40.320 --> 00:26:23.279
services update presented by Christa Potter, director of title programs and multilingual student services and Nancy Dyson, tradition or transitional services coordinator. Welcome All right. So, I'm Christa Potter and um one

73
00:26:23.279 --> 00:26:38.799
of the many hats I wear is overseeing transitional services and I Nancy Dyson is here. um she's actually new to our transitional services department. Um a fresh five months um but we've been able to accomplish a lot and so I'm actually going to kind of turn it over to her

74
00:26:38.799 --> 00:26:55.360
since um she's the the brilliance behind a lot of this. >> I am so happy to be with you all and I'm excuse me going to quickly run through this. Um and of course if you have any questions after or if you want to contact us after this meeting we're

75
00:26:55.360 --> 00:27:10.240
happy to answer any of those longer questions too. So, what is transitional services? Transitional services is District 742's response to the McKenna Vento Act, which is a federal law that ensures students can enroll in and

76
00:27:10.240 --> 00:27:27.279
attend school regardless of their living situation. Our goal in transitional service is pretty simple, to support students in attending school, continuing their learning, and fully experiencing all that school has to offer. I think of it as the magic. If we get them in the

77
00:27:27.279 --> 00:27:42.080
classroom, that's where the magic happens. So having them there and ready to learn is the key. So a student is considered homeless by the federal government if they lack fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime

78
00:27:42.080 --> 00:27:58.960
residence. And what is homelessness? Let's start at the bottom. We think of homelessness as people living in cars, parks, empty buildings, in hotels, of course in homeless shelters, but also uh many kids are considered homeless if they are

79
00:27:58.960 --> 00:28:16.720
doubled up with others in the community. So transitional services provides the biggest one is transportation, school supplies, clothing, personal care items and resources for housing, jobs, dental, doctor and eye care.

80
00:28:16.720 --> 00:28:33.440
Transportation being the biggest one, getting kids to wherever they're living in those places to their school of origin. So a few interesting numbers. I'll start at the bottom. Approximately 20,000 students in Minnesota are enrolled in

81
00:28:33.440 --> 00:28:51.360
their own version of transitional um services under the Mckin Vento Act. Um enrolled five days of school on average. The majority of our students are in that doubled up um category.

82
00:28:51.360 --> 00:29:08.880
And uh a year ago we had 810 district 742 students enrolled in transitional services and as of today it's probably a little bit higher because we're continually enrolling students but we have 360 um this year.

83
00:29:08.880 --> 00:29:25.760
So we're looking to next year over the summer we've got some pretty exciting things happening. Um, one of the challenges is finding those students and that is my job under the law is to seek out those students. So, it's not good

84
00:29:25.760 --> 00:29:41.440
enough that people just come to us. We have to find them. So, um, the challenge is um, getting the word out to all of our schools. So, we've got some pretty creative ways of doing that over the summer. Um, we're going to pilot our first attendance support program. Um, I

85
00:29:41.440 --> 00:29:58.000
won't reveal all the details because it's still underway, but I'm very excited about um how we can look at attendance and and all the strategies we can put in place to see if that impacts um um students attendance. We're operationalizing

86
00:29:58.000 --> 00:30:15.520
the distribution of resources. We've got phenomenal resources in our um district and we're kind of categorizing them, figuring out what schools need, where are those resources, and how can we get those to the kids who need it and the families who need it in the best way possible. And then we're implementing a

87
00:30:15.520 --> 00:30:31.360
new documentation of communication plan, which means we're keeping track of all of those phone calls and emails and texts and stopbyss um of what kids need. um we haven't kept track in in the way that we would really like to in the past

88
00:30:31.360 --> 00:30:56.240
and we're going to do that now. So, questions. >> Well, welcome. Happy five months 50 years, but maybe that'll be you. >> Well, I don't know if I'll make it that long. >> Thank you. >> Um thanks for all you're doing. >> Thank you. Um you mentioned um that your

89
00:30:56.240 --> 00:31:11.919
job was to find students, not just wait for them to come to you and report um right >> um their current situation. How do you find students? >> That's an awesome question and I think the biggest way is to um to make sure that every employee of the district

90
00:31:11.919 --> 00:31:27.679
knows that they can let us know if they think that something's happening with a family, whether it's custodians or school lunch folks. Um certainly teachers and counselors and social workers. um but just to give us a call. We say, you know, there's a family that we think could use your help and then

91
00:31:27.679 --> 00:31:47.679
we'll take it from there. So, thank you for that. >> Um I recently completed a St. Cloud Police Academy and apparently they do a lot of partnering with a few folks. Uh can you tell me what uh how that works?

92
00:31:47.679 --> 00:32:02.480
Yeah, we have a lot of community partners that we um we reach to for resources. So depending on a family or a student situation, um Nancy is very in tune with, you know, um county workers, um the local shelters, um as well as

93
00:32:02.480 --> 00:32:19.600
some of those programs that different um the police department and other other community members run. Um and so having those to be able to um source students to um is really vital so that they get the services that they need because sometimes situations are very unique and

94
00:32:19.600 --> 00:32:34.640
um how do we plug them into the resources and our community is plush with resources. >> So how do we also just make those referrals and those nice handoffs to make sure that students can get into those programs that are already running and doing great things.

95
00:32:34.640 --> 00:32:50.320
Um, how do you deal with the truency? >> That that's another really good question. I had the privilege of meeting with some of our um truency folks at the upper level schools and with some of our attendance groups at some of the lower

96
00:32:50.320 --> 00:33:07.760
grade schools and and um I think the interface between the knowledge that they have about attendance and getting that information to us so we can intervene sooner. It kind of goes back to that attendance plan that we're looking at for the fall. So, we're working really closely with them.

97
00:33:07.760 --> 00:33:25.760
>> Uh, what responsibility do parents have to get their kids to school? >> That's another good question. Um, of course there is a there's the legal responsibility when you get to those um days off, you know, that get to be cumulative over time, but our our role

98
00:33:25.760 --> 00:33:43.039
um in transitional services isn't that part of it. Our role is to walk alongside families and try to get them to school um and knock down whatever barriers that they have that are preventing them from getting to school. >> Uh do you make legal referrals?

99
00:33:43.039 --> 00:34:00.720
>> Uh in in truency, >> yes, >> those would our school board policy procedures for attendance. >> Yeah. So each school has a a policy that they follow. Um when a student gets to certain um certain number of truencies

100
00:34:00.720 --> 00:34:18.879
um then schools are required to report those. So that's done in each school per school board policy. >> Thank you. >> Thank you for the question. >> Thank you. Is it some the the 300 number and the 800 number is do you say cuz is

101
00:34:18.879 --> 00:34:34.560
that cuz we don't have the full numbers for this year and what is I mean the difficulty of getting people enrolled is that getting more difficult less difficult or >> I I came five months ago and so I cannot

102
00:34:34.560 --> 00:34:50.720
speak to last year so I'm going to turn that over to Christa. >> Yeah I have a couple thoughts on it because I also asked that question. Um, some of it is in our data. We were also flagging students um as like foster care students because technically transitional services serve students

103
00:34:50.720 --> 00:35:05.839
that are in the foster care as well as like safe at home families. And so there's kind of this beautiful umbrella that Nancy holds in her job that's not just specific to homeless students. Um, and so we've done some review of our data systems and realize that we can report those foster care students

104
00:35:05.839 --> 00:35:22.560
differently and safe at home students. So some of that difference does come just in the actual reporting. So we're getting more real numbers of who actually is homeless. Um in addition to that, you know, when we have turnover in the position, whoever leaves brings a network of relationships with them. Um

105
00:35:22.560 --> 00:35:36.800
and so I think that that has impacted too and NY's done a beautiful job at building relationships and we're continuing to strengthen and deepen that network and so I think that's going to help. And I also think just some of the events in the community, right, that happened over this last year has really

106
00:35:36.800 --> 00:35:54.240
impacted families and um we deal with a highly mobile population. Um and it also is directly related to how much housing we have in St. Cloud. So we would expect that sometimes if there the housing get continues to be full that we may not have as many transitional families or

107
00:35:54.240 --> 00:36:10.640
vice versa, we may have more because there's just not housing for them. But sometimes our mobile populations will seek communities that do have housing. >> So then what who we're serving would go down as well. So it we expect it to fluctuate, but I think most of it was just our data keeping and we're cleaning

108
00:36:10.640 --> 00:36:30.160
it up a little bit and then building those new relationships. >> Thank you. Um, the police had indicated that there was a certain population that want to be homeless, that do not want whole housing provided.

109
00:36:30.160 --> 00:36:47.119
They'd rather camp outside >> because there's more freedom >> and generally the freedom has to do with drug use. Um, how do how do we work with kids of parents like that?

110
00:36:47.119 --> 00:37:03.200
>> I I can speak to that a little bit. Um, typically the people who are camping outside are not camping out with children. That's pretty rare in this area. So, um, that that's another whole topic that I would love to talk to talk

111
00:37:03.200 --> 00:37:20.000
about because it's a passion of mine. Now is probably not the time to talk about it, but um we don't have too many kids who are tenting outside. We have a few that are in cars and that sort of thing under different circumstances, but that's typically not the the folks that

112
00:37:20.000 --> 00:37:36.160
we're seeing at the school district. >> I think you indicated there's 742 uh enrolled uh homeless kids. What percentage of that of our population?

113
00:37:36.160 --> 00:37:52.960
>> Um the I think the 742 was the district. I think the No, that's okay. Um so it was kind of that 800 versus um 360 right around there. So what was your question of of those numbers? Who are >> Yeah. What percentage of our total

114
00:37:52.960 --> 00:38:10.000
enrollment is 800? >> Somebody would have to do the math. >> We'd have to how many how many students we have versus is about 3% of our total student our current year and the last year would have been right around that.

115
00:38:10.000 --> 00:38:27.760
>> Okay. >> Okay. Thank you. >> I get the privilege of closing this out again. Um and I just want to say thank you so much. This is crucial work often um unseen right um by a broader uh district or broader St. Cloud community.

116
00:38:27.760 --> 00:38:44.079
And so, um, that you are you are doing this work every day and that you brought it for us to to be aware of and to, um, to support, we're super grateful. And, um, one of the, um, I think one of the jobs of any leader, um, is to build a great team. And so, Christa, I want to

117
00:38:44.079 --> 00:38:59.520
say kudos to you for hiring this, uh, beautiful human sitting here beside you. Um many of us know Nancy and if you don't know her, you know that she has been um tied to uh working with transitional and homeless and um student underserved students um in this

118
00:38:59.520 --> 00:39:16.960
community for decades. And so that you would come choose us um and be part of Chris's team and this 742 team uh just means so much to the students and families and and staff here. So thank you. Thank you. Uh we're grateful for you. >> Thank you so much. Happy to be here.

119
00:39:16.960 --> 00:39:41.359
Thank you. And then Christa Potter, director of title programs and multi-ingual student services will stay for one more uh information item tonight is the 2026 summer programming review. >> There we go. Okay, a little better. All

120
00:39:41.359 --> 00:39:56.880
right, so we've got some exciting summer things. is again a nice fun hat I get to wear um to organize all our summer programs. Um so here's just kind of a highlight. These are the ones that we run pretty much every year. Um they seem to work. Uh kids like them, families like them, and they meet the needs that

121
00:39:56.880 --> 00:40:12.880
we have um for our students in the summer. So we have extended school year, which is um I'll get into that in a minute, but K5 targeted services, 67 targeted services, some secondary credit bearing opportunities, and then we also offer credit recovery.

122
00:40:12.880 --> 00:40:30.800
So ESY programs, so these programs are specific and they serve students who require that special education service in the summer and it's based on their IEP. And so we have programs for absolutely all ages and um that includes our our journey students as well.

123
00:40:30.800 --> 00:40:46.400
Elementary targeted services, these are for our elementary friends, K through five. There's two different sessions. um we bundle them based on what side of town they live in um based on transportation. And so we're excited this year to partner with a great theater. They're going to come in and do

124
00:40:46.400 --> 00:41:01.760
like a play in the week. Um so one thing we love about summer and I hear it from the teachers and the students is that they begin to love teaching again and they love school again. It's just a fun environment where they get reading and math. Um we do some Lego kits

125
00:41:01.760 --> 00:41:18.400
enrichment. The kids really love that. Um, and then with this great theater partnership, that ability to partner with our community um, to provide that enrichment is is really great for our elementary friends. Middle school this year, we're going to have a couple different sessions for the north side and the southside. Those are

126
00:41:18.400 --> 00:41:35.839
happening both at North Junior High. Um, and for this one, we've got some really cool enrichment. Somebody's coming in to do some 3D printing and comic books. So, the students will get to design their own comic character and do either a comic strip or book and then create and print 3D print their character. Um,

127
00:41:35.839 --> 00:41:51.280
they're going to have an art class with the local artist. And then we also have somebody doing some strength strength training and sports movement. Um, it's kind of like a sports sampler, but they're going to focus a lot on just that supporting confidence and teamwork. Um, and so getting the students up and

128
00:41:51.280 --> 00:42:07.760
moving and just highly engaged. Again, really small class sizes. um just highly engaging and a really great place for those sixth and seventh graders to be in the summer when they kind of want to sleep in and play video games all day. Um 9th grade, we've got an opportunity

129
00:42:07.760 --> 00:42:25.359
for eighth graders going into 9th grade um to kind of help that transition and it's kind of a two for one because they get a credit. Um so already starting to look at graduation as they go into nth grade, they could start out day one already having a credit toward graduation. Um, but really it bridges

130
00:42:25.359 --> 00:42:42.000
that gap between eighth grade, ninth grade. I get to see my new high school. I get to build some relationships, see, you know, some social connections with my peers. Um, and just kind of gives them a preview for what high school is like. It can be a little anxietyinducing and so the more familiar you are,

131
00:42:42.000 --> 00:42:57.200
sometimes you just can show up with better confidence. So, um, we also are going to offer a newcomer health class again. So, this is specific to students who have recently arrived to the United States and they are receiving English um instruction,

132
00:42:57.200 --> 00:43:14.560
intensive English instruction. Um it's often difficult for them to get that intensive English instruction and fit all the credits in they need to graduate. So, this eases the pressure just a little by allowing them to take that health required credit for graduation in the summer. So, we have a class of 30 that will be able to um get

133
00:43:14.560 --> 00:43:29.280
that health credit. Um, and then we offer the full range for credit recovery of students who are needing to recover credits whether they're 9th through 12th grade. Um, and they'll access those directly at the ALC. And then I already mentioned um that 9th grade opportunity

134
00:43:29.280 --> 00:43:45.680
which is also credit bearing. Um, we'll have obviously the free meals and free transportation. We use our district transportation as well as um this year nutritional services, our own nutritional services will be providing free meals. Um, and those meals that are

135
00:43:45.680 --> 00:44:02.079
served at the sites, um, they have to be what are called open site, which is a great thing because that means that other students in the community can come and get those free meals at the schools during the time that it is served. So, there will be postings on each of the doors of during the days of summer

136
00:44:02.079 --> 00:44:19.280
school. Um, and if students need to come and or want to come and get a free meal, they can do that. Any questions about the summer? Does anybody have any questions or comments? Scott, >> yeah, right at the beginning you used

137
00:44:19.280 --> 00:44:35.520
the acronym ESY. What is that? >> Yes, it stands for extended school year and it is specific for those students um who are in special education and their IEP or their individualized plan says that they need to utilize summer break

138
00:44:35.520 --> 00:44:54.160
for some of their education. >> Thank you. >> Mhm. This is wonderful to see and it's so nice to see the transportation because that would just be a deal breakaker for people to be able to get there. So, and the meals are wonderful. >> Thank you very much.

139
00:44:54.160 --> 00:45:11.480
>> Thank you. >> Moving on to our action items. Uh first up, we have Amy Scallard, executive director of finance and business services, presenting the multi-purpose athletic facility change order totaling $161,612.

140
00:45:12.560 --> 00:45:55.200
Thanks Amy for coming and uh explaining this to us. Okay. Good evening, Chair Haw, Superintendent Putnham, school board members. Um, normally we see change orders on consent agenda. Um, but we normally don't see change orders this large. And so, uh, we want to make sure

141
00:45:55.200 --> 00:46:11.040
that, um, we're explaining why we have a large change order um, and and not just, you know, trying to to look like we're trying to sink something through because we're not. Um so a little bit of background and context um what the change order is related to. Uh this is

142
00:46:11.040 --> 00:46:26.960
for the Apex multi-purpose athletic facility. Um originally uh the um the mezzanine so the kind of the second level of the building um in the original bid was scheduled to have a metal railing system. Um the the reasoning for

143
00:46:26.960 --> 00:46:41.760
that was was budget driven. Uh we went to tour the Rogers facility um over the summer. Uh they had a glass um railing system that everyone saw and said, "Oo, we really like that." Uh and the architects said, "Yes, so do we, but we

144
00:46:41.760 --> 00:46:59.520
probably can't afford that." So um our base uh bid that we had uh included the metal rail system. Um we're at a point now where uh fortunately bids came in favorably and so we'd like to proceed with changing to the glass system. Um so I do have some photos here um just to

145
00:46:59.520 --> 00:47:17.760
kind of show what we're what we're talking about. Um so this is the Rogers facility. Um this is their uh railing system. Um so this first picture is um the view from the mezzanine looking down. Uh and then uh looking up at the mezzanine. So much

146
00:47:17.760 --> 00:47:33.200
cleaner look um than what a metal system would would um be and safer, right? Any sort of metal system um there's that ability to to climb it and so we don't want that. um

147
00:47:33.200 --> 00:47:48.400
has um a little bit more of an industrial uh look with um kind of large mounting brackets. Uh our system is a little bit different. Ours would will look more like this where it's um a kind of a little bit sleeker panel in

148
00:47:48.400 --> 00:48:04.960
between. >> Not it will not be there will not be an ocean. We will not have this kind of view unfortunately. Sorry. Uh we don't have that within our budget. So, uh, so picture of Turf Field on the other side of this glass railing and not

149
00:48:04.960 --> 00:48:21.760
quite as high because this is a little a little high. Um, but yes, our railing will look uh our system will look much more similar to this with um a little bit of a more sleek streamlined bracket in between. Um, so really there's two change orders that we're approving. there's a change order um that's about

150
00:48:21.760 --> 00:48:36.960
$26,000 um to add the glass with the glass contractor uh and then that's offset by a credit um to the steel company to remove the metal railing. So it nets out to about $160,000 increase um which is

151
00:48:36.960 --> 00:48:56.640
clearly within the scope of um and budget or we wouldn't be here. So are there any questions? Okay, Scott. This is an action item. U Oh, I need a motion first. Motion. Just moving this meeting along here.

152
00:48:56.640 --> 00:49:12.000
Um, looking for a motion to approve the multi-purpose athletic facility change order totaling $161,612. So moved. >> I have a motion by Diana, a second by Natalie. Now Scott, can you call vote?

153
00:49:12.000 --> 00:49:30.559
>> Gina Vo. Good >> job, Scott. Yes. Yes. >> Yes. >> Uh Scott Andreas. Yes. Natalie Copelan. >> Yes. >> Zor Halt. >> Diana Fenton.

154
00:49:30.559 --> 00:49:46.720
>> Yes. >> Shannon Hos. >> Yes. >> All right. Thank you. Uh we have one more action item tonight. We have um a very exciting approval of the list of graduates for Apollo and Tech High School. And this is being presented by Dr. Jason Harris, assistant

155
00:49:46.720 --> 00:50:03.760
superintendent of secondary education. >> Good evening again. Chair H superintendent Putnham board members. Uh you have in front of you uh Apollo graduate list for the class of 2026. I think uh we have around about 280 students that on this list uh that are

156
00:50:03.760 --> 00:50:18.960
going to walk across the stage and finish out their career with us uh in K12 education or E12 education. And then you have a second list of uh Tech High School graduates and it's about 393 students on this list that are going to

157
00:50:18.960 --> 00:50:34.319
walk across the stage for uh Tech High School on uh was May 30th uh and a combination about 675 students are going to walk across the stage for both graduations. So administration's looking

158
00:50:34.319 --> 00:50:49.440
for approval for the list of Apollo High School and Tech High School graduation list. Okay. >> Okay. So, looking for a motion to approve the list of graduates for both Apollo and Tech High School. >> So, moved. >> Uh, again, I have a motion by Diana

159
00:50:49.440 --> 00:51:05.440
Diana and a second by Natalie. Scott, last time to call vote, I believe. >> Please. >> Sharon Haw, >> yes. >> Diana Venton, >> yes. >> Zack Dorhold, >> yes. >> Natalie Copeland, >> yes.

160
00:51:05.440 --> 00:51:22.319
>> Scott Andreas. Gina Aco. >> Yes. >> All right. Thank you. Uh moving on to a discussion item. We have the second reading for proposed revised board policy 2020 204

161
00:51:22.319 --> 00:51:38.559
and this is being presented by Superintendent Dr. Lori Putnham. >> Thank you, Chair H. Um tonight I'm bringing you the second read of board policy 204, which is school board meeting minutes. Um this was the one where we were just noting uh to be to bring it up to

162
00:51:38.559 --> 00:51:53.520
day that we would publish our meeting minutes both in the local newspaper which is required by statute along with on our website. Otherwise there were no questions uh from last meeting. Um and that was just a reminder of what's changing.

163
00:51:53.520 --> 00:52:08.960
>> Okay. And then we're rolling into another second reading is proposed revised board policy 205 open closed and special and emergency meetings again being presented by superintendent Dr. Lori Putnham. Thank you so much Chair

164
00:52:08.960 --> 00:52:24.640
His again this is the second read. Um there were no questions or concerns last time but we're bringing it forward. Um and this was simply formatting changes um related that uh again aligned us to MSBA uh model policy.

165
00:52:24.640 --> 00:52:39.520
Okay, looking good. Then those will be on the consent agenda next time. Moving on to reports. First up, we have superintendent report. Again, our superintendent, Dr. Lori Putnham. Perfect. Thank you so very much. I'm

166
00:52:39.520 --> 00:52:57.200
just going to transition here. Um, good evening again. I am very excited to um share a few exciting updates. Um first and foremost um is a celebration um of the work of Dr. Harris and uh Anna Wilhigh and Sarah Wear and

167
00:52:57.200 --> 00:53:13.680
um they uh recently uh earned us uh a partnership with the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry for a youth skills training program. Um it comes with $100,000 of funding um to develop you skills um and uh in

168
00:53:13.680 --> 00:53:30.720
partnership with manufacturing in this community. So thank you to Dr. Harrison team. that's life-changing for our kids. So, great work there. Um, we want to also uh celebrate um uh again you I think you saw it last time, but I just had to call it again that Justin Scallard and Sasha Hansen represented on

169
00:53:30.720 --> 00:53:45.920
the north side for the central division principles of the year um by MASP MASSP for uh central Minnesota. Um and then just a few other um shoutouts. So um congratulations to um the Tech Morning

170
00:53:45.920 --> 00:54:00.640
Show for our students who earned 13 nominations and brought home four awards continuing their domination which feels like an aggressive word and yeah I think it's appropriate of their domination of the awards uh um the Midwest I'm going

171
00:54:00.640 --> 00:54:20.160
to say the Upper Midwest Foundation student production awards from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences which is very serious. So congratulations to them and uh their thank you to them for their hard work. Um then we have the board of education

172
00:54:20.160 --> 00:54:36.640
standing committee reports. I believe we have three. Um so achievement integration equity board committee chair Diana Fenton. >> Thank you chair Hos superintendent Putnham and members of the board. The achievement integration and equity committee met this morning. Kate

173
00:54:36.640 --> 00:54:52.880
Bakowski um prepared and shared the attendance, behavior, and achievement data. Um this was a comparison to the mid review she did in January um where we compared the data from fall and winter and overall comparisons from last year at this point. The spring data will

174
00:54:52.880 --> 00:55:08.559
be analyzed at the completion of the school year. Um and second, uh Christa Potter, she prepared a report on the summer programming that was presented here at the board meeting tonight. Thank you. >> Thank you. And then we have Personnel Negotiations Board Committee Chair

175
00:55:08.559 --> 00:55:23.440
Natalie Copeland. >> Thank you, Chair Haw. We met yesterday um and talked about four things. So, the administration outlined the need for 10 additional paid days in 2627 school year for business services, technology

176
00:55:23.440 --> 00:55:38.640
services, and human resources departments to support the preparation and implementation of the Skyward system conversion, which we've been hearing about. Um, in addition, five extra days were approved for Katie Herbald and Amy Skullroode in recognition of the

177
00:55:38.640 --> 00:55:53.760
significant time commitment and leadership required for this work. Administration also informed us uh the committee about the internal search for principal position at Kennedy Community School. The superintendent also

178
00:55:53.760 --> 00:56:11.040
pretended presented her 2526 goal summary and the committee provided feedback. We're going to be preparing a draft evaluation of uh the summary of the superintendent's 2526 performance for board review on June 3rd. We'll be

179
00:56:11.040 --> 00:56:26.480
in a closed meeting um before our regular school board meeting for the evaluation of the superintendent followed by a public report during the board meeting and hint hint it's going to be good. So looking forward to that.

180
00:56:26.480 --> 00:56:43.520
>> Thank you. And then um we have Gina Asavdo filling in for um Heather Williams to report to the finance and audit board committee. >> Thank you, Chair Hos. I will shorten this a little bit since Amy just shared all of this detailed information a few

181
00:56:43.520 --> 00:56:59.359
minutes ago. Uh board finance committee met on May 11th, 2026. Amy shared information on a large proposed change order for the Apex project. Uh the district included a steel rail system in the original bid. bids for the project came in favorably and now there's room

182
00:56:59.359 --> 00:57:14.880
in the budget to make a change. Uh there will be an increased change order for a net increase of about 160,000. Uh the committee recommended we proceed with the change um which will be on the May 20th board meeting. Um there's also a need to schedule an additional board

183
00:57:14.880 --> 00:57:31.359
finance committee meeting in June to discuss the 2728 LTFM budget that has to be submitted to MDE in July. The committee members agreed on Wednesday, June 10th at 1:00. >> Thank you. Um, last we have future

184
00:57:31.359 --> 00:57:47.200
agenda items. The June 3rd, 2026 board meeting topics will include systemwide literacy progress and next steps, summary evaluation of superintendent, policy readings, preliminary 2026 2027 budget presentation. At this time, does

185
00:57:47.200 --> 00:58:03.119
any board member wish to suggest a future agenda item? Okay, wonderful. Looking for a motion to adjourn tonight's board meeting. >> I have a motion by Diana, a second by Natalie. All in favor say I.

186
00:58:03.119 --> 00:58:11.000
>> Opposed. Okay, meeting is adjourned. 7:29. Thanks for watching. Have a good night.

