So awful. All right. >> Good evening. I call this regular school board meeting um at 6:30. If everyone could please rise 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. >> Good evening, fellow school board members, community members, district staff. Uh thank you for being here
tonight. Uh as a reminder to all of us, the mission of St. Francis Area Schools is to equip all students with the knowledge and skills to empower them to achieve their dreams and full potential while becoming responsible citizens in a dynamic world. Our first agenda item for
tonight is the adoption of the agenda. Are there any questions prior to a motion being made on tonight's agenda before you? Seeing no questions, is there a call to motion for the August 11th, 2025 meeting agenda? >> So,
>> thank you, Mr. Shra. Is there a second? >> Any discussion on the motion on the table? Seeing no discussion, uh, if you are in favor, signify by saying I and raising your hand. I >> motion prevails. Thank you.
Agenda item three, consideration of visitors. We have three individuals requesting to speak tonight. Uh we will allow five minutes per speaker. I ask each speaker once your time is reached to make your final statement quickly in respect of
other people's time and the board's time as well. Our first speaker for tonight will be Nikki Cruz. Nikki, please come forward. >> Hi everybody. Thank you for letting me speak again. um have whole speech
written up, but I feel like um thank you guys for again for doing the right thing with our books. Um the reading list has been phenomenal. That's what I'm calling the fan book list now. reading. I read through about a dozen of
them so far and I can't choose which one is my favorite because each one of them like brings me back to like something different in my life. Like some of my books bring me back to high school and offer a different perspective on how I saw high school as opposed to how other
people saw high school and like just opening up my world. Um, a lot of these books with um, minorities and a lot heavy on the diversity have brought perspective into my life that I didn't
even realize that I was missing. Um, so it's been great. So, thank you guys for making those books available to the kids again and thanks for the reading list. I do really I have loved it. Um,
in an effort to show the board that we're an engaged community, the parents for the freedom to read community, we're not a community that wants to be divisive. We're not a community that wants to um make anything harder for
kids to learn. We want to improve our school. So, I know you I I it's hard to say this because um it's complicated, right? But when I go out into the greater community
and tell my tell whoever I'm conversing with where my kids go, people cringe. And I want to fix that. I want to fix our school so that people want to come send their kids to our school. they want to send their kids to our school or
whatever awesome program or just um community that our school can provide. So, something that has been rattling around in my head since all this book ban stuff happened is I've had parents come tell me their struggles with the
special ed program. And um it seems like it's really easy if your kid checks all the boxes. Maybe not easy. It's still complicated, right? But it's um easier to get your kid approved for the services, but um I've heard I have like
six or seven friends at Cedar Creek, mom friends. And of those six, four of them separately without any um you know, asking any questions about their kids have come to me and told me their struggles with getting their kid the
services they need for the special ed program. And I know there's probably not a lot that the school board can do, but I also feel like the other schools outside of Cedar Creek are maybe not I haven't heard anything
from those parents that they're struggling. So, I don't know if it's an issue that's specific to Cedar Creek or if it's really a more broad issue. Um, I kind of just want to bring it to your attention because this is the first thing that came to mind when I thought,
hey, what can we do to put us on this motion forward of improving our school and um so people don't leave, so people don't open roll their kids, so people want to move here. Um, I just want to make sure we get all the kids the
services and the things that they need to be successful in life, to be good humans, to have the tools, equip them, empower them, allow them to achieve their goals if they, um, if we can work out the kinks. So, um, my eye doctor is
a schoolboard member for Springley Park and he went on and on and on to me about how great their special ed program is that people like from this area and farther north yet will open enroll their kids into Spring Lake Park because of their special ed program. So, this got
me thinking like have we ever considered or is it even possible to maybe do some kind of a collaboration with other school districts? just a thought um what they're doing well, what we're doing well. We can share notes and like see what we can do
different just to just to make it better for for everyone. So those are my thoughts. Thank you guys again for everything you do. This is not an effort in futility. You guys are amazing and I appreciate everything you guys do. So thank you
>> Mr. Just mention please. Thank you uh for um all your work on behing of our school district. It's much appreciated. I want to point out a couple things. Uh first uh in terms of
getting services for special education, there are different layers that we need to go through. Uh and it really starts with a referral to the student intervention teams uh at each site. And you know what that group does is they'll
take the additional information uh and then suggest interventions that classroom teachers can do for six weeks uh and then you know after six weeks they may change those interventions or add interventions uh for another six weeks uh and then it
eventually goes to possibly the special education referral process. So, I'm not sure if the concerns that you talked about would be related to special education programming. It sounds like your question more have to do with kind of the the process before those
services. >> Yeah. Before they get to the services. Yeah. >> Yeah. And so what I would like to do, I I don't know the names of the the parents or the kids and I certainly don't want want them now, but uh we could certainly have um James Carpenter
reach out and uh find out, you know, some additional information and see where those kids are in the process. uh she's brand new so it'll take some time for her to figure that out. But that's something that I'm willing to do if I know the names of the kids and probably
their grade levels. So you could encourage your parents to reach out, you know, to to me maybe start with me because then I can explain to this carpenter kind of the situation. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Uh and then a couple things. Um I
don't know if we have anyone who's open park. I don't know from this district specifically, but he was telling me people when we were in Cambridge from my doctor. >> Oh, sure. Sure. >> Cambridge. So, and I do believe him. It
is like a pretty >> Yeah. I mean, there there are other schools like St. Anthony Brighton. Um, you know, that sound like St. Francis or maybe something got mixed up, but I I don't think we have many if any kids go to Spring Lake Park. Now, I might be
wrong. I don't know. Uh but I think the the more important point that you're making is you know can we further improve our programming and the answer is telling yes we can always do that with every program and uh if it's the MTSS process which kind of leads to
special ed referrals or special education programming uh tonight you're going to hear from three departments and we're you know they're all everything I just mentioned is really doing great work but we can always do better. Um, and sometimes that does mean collaboration with other school
districts and I know our team is constantly looking those possible relationships. So, I'm sorry, Mr. Burr, for for taking so long, but I just thought I'd share that. >> Our next speaker is I'm going to start. The first time that
I've heard that is from you. We I just asked Leo has never had any interactions unless but um I'm bringing you're have to bear with me because
spend with him. We have seen 24 different people in counting. Nine of those have been speech language pathologists in this district. Over the last four and a half years of
him doing speech. The last three years I've been trying to get him on an IEP or a 504. Neither of which we have been successful to this point. Leo is an amazing kid. extremely intelligent, loving, extremely literal
and has a passion for reading brings his books everywhere. He has been medically diagnosed with ADHD inattentive type, other neur development disorders relating to autism, technically Aspers, anxiety,
um, sensory processing disorder, and he has an IQ a few points away from genius level for his age. But I'm not going to talk about all those because you can look them up and learn more about them on your time. Every child is physically, mentally
different and they learn to cope differently with all the things that they have. He is great at masking when he uncover and then releases all that emotion he's later at home.
Every time I reach out to Spven staff about problems that he is having and the emotional releases he has at home after school, I hear how great of a kid he is, how well he listens in class, how intelligent he is, how they don't see
any characteristics of any of the above diagnosis. Usually that followed by he won't qualify for services because of the previous reason. I have been brushed off, pushed away every single time.
I have given the SPE department and school five letters from different providers, pediatrics, individual therapy, psychologies, psychiatry, and occupational therapists. all same and asking for services from the school
because they believe a lot of the people's inside stem from events and happening at school. You can come spend a few days with me and it might change your mind about who you see on the outside.
A couple quick stories about Leo. Our journey started when he was young. He wasn't talking, so we taught him baby signs just to help him communicate. By one and a half, he was making up his own signs and expecting us to learn them, to know what he was talking about. He could
sign whole sentences of his madeup signs. That's when we realized he was not a neurotypical kid. Flash forward between 3 to four years. He started acting out, sometimes violently, slamming his head on the floor, kicking, hitting, biting,
you name it. We sought help. He was put in OT, had a psyche bell done, and even after all that, before his sixth birthday, he would come home from school talking and killing himself,
not wanting to be alive, wish me family was dead. I was at a loss. I searched for anywhere I could. The day we went to his pediatrician for that was not a good day.
I ended up carrying him and kicking and screaming. Not my one and a halfyear-old who was holding my purse walking alone. Everything is normal. This is a normal thing. Hospital security asked me if they could help in any way. There was nothing they could do at the
time. Our pediatrician was shocked. Now he sees a therapist weekly and is on medication. But still, at the end of last school year, 8-year-old Leo decided he didn't want to be at CCS or St. Francis. He asked me to look look for a different school for even asking if I could teach
him at home. I'm exhausted, fighting what seems to be an endless fight to try to get him on an IEP or 54 so he can have a few accommodations. And all we've been asking for is breaks and headphones from for no.
I am here asking the school board just to take a moment to look at special education in the district and to think about all the kids in the district that need a little extra help during this school day even if you can't see any of their problems or issues. >> Thank you.
Our last speaker for tonight is Barb Anderson. Well, that was very heartening and I mean, thanks for sharing it. It takes a lot of courage. So, it's wonderful that I think a parent can come to the board and feel like I can share my story.
That's wonderful. So, thank you all for addressing. I think it's one of those ways, yes, that we we get to the improvement. We get to wanting people to stay here. um like I know you all want that same thing too. So um I just want
to bring up September 23rd so that the public or anybody watching this knows it's going to be a meet the candidates um evening from 7 to 8:30 right here. So just since we have an election coming up the school board
it's coming out of the community and advisory council. We've done this the last I don't know a lot of years. Um, so we're going to do it again and have a meeting candidates. So, thank you. >> Thank you, Barbara. Just to confirm, uh,
September 23rd, 7 to 8:30 p.m. here at the district office. >> Thank you. >> All right, that concludes tonight's uh, consideration scissors. Thank you all for coming in and speaking. We truly do appreciate the engagement from our
community. >> All right. Uh agenda item four, consent agenda. In district policy 2036, we have items on consent agenda. There's six tonight that we will be approving. Uh it will be a roll call vote. Are there any
questions or requests to remove an item prior to the motion for the consent agenda approval? All right, seeing none. Um, out of the transparency, I am going to abstain from tonight's vote. I don't have to abstain, but I'm going to. My wife is on the
personnel um list as a new hire here in the district. So, I'm going to abstain from that vote tonight. I don't see any issues with the rest of that agenda. So, we will start off with Mr. Working. Actually, sorry, we need a motion first.
So, let's get a motion. Thank you, Miss Anderson. Second. working. Any discussion on that motion? Seeing no discussion, a roll call vote. Uh so once I say signify by saying I if you approve n if you do not Mr.
>> Thank you Mr. Humphrey. >> Hi >> Miss Ble. >> Hi >> Miss Anderson. >> Hi >> Mr. Shock. >> Hi motion prevails. Thank you. All right, as we move forward under
agenda on five, uh, items and reports, again, uh, please try to hold out questions till the end. I know Mr. Lucas has three areas to talk about, so I'm guessing he will pause after each one for questions in those areas. He's given me a big thumbs up on that one. We will
go forward with that. The first one is uh, community ed. >> Fantastic. Thank you so much. Um, is it all right if I sit? Sure. Absolutely. Fantastic. My knees bugging me a little bit. So, I appreciate that. Um,
we put a lot of information in the board packet. Right. So, I guess at this time what I'd ask is are there questions that I can feel right off the bat. Uh, community ed is pretty exhaustive, expensive, you know, subset of our
organization. Um and it is a subset like there's a big umbrella called St. Practary Schools. We fit under that umbrella but in that umbrella we service a lot of programming a lot of families in a lot of really different and diverse ways. Any initial questions?
>> Okay. Um notably some things I'll highlight. Drivers ed drivers training has moved totally online. That's a state thing. Um, we are very, very slim with our availability in St. Francis. We only have one person who whose license to
teach driver's ed. If you all at any point have inner workings with people who make laws, we would greatly appreciate schools being treated like private companies because schools have a different subset and requirements for giving someone a license to teach
drivers. They also have to be a licensed teacher, right? Um, at last count, I think St. Cloud was the only in state institution, a higher education institution offering a driver's ed program. And so that means you'd have to go to school at St. Cloud State. You'd have to get a teaching degree. You'd
also have to get the driver's ed degree. And then you'd have to be hired in St. Francis in order for us to be able to utilize your services. You can go teach for any one of us can go teach for A1 plus Driving School down the road and not have those same strings requirements. So we're we're we're
handcuffed um significantly and um our one instructor is a veteran teacher and will not uh I would think would not do this in perpetuity. So there is a time limit there. Um
child care we we are struggling greatly at one site to hire enough people. So we've had to have some tough conversations. We prioritize five day care over four day care over three day care over two day, right? And there's a waiting order and there's a there's a lengthy list and there's some frustrated
people in our community because they've had care in the past and they've been denied care this year. Um, be real transparent about that. We would love to serve and it's a goal of ours to get every kiddo and every family care that wants care. Um, but it's challenging to
hire staff in AM and PM and do a split shift. like there's a that's a small subset of the population as well. And so while child care is crazy expensive and crazy challenging for all parents, um that's still our goal is to be able to provide that opportunity for folks.
Um as Chair Brewer mentioned last time, uh youth wreck, we're pleased to offer the the bass fishing deal this year. It's gone really well. Um how was today's? >> So St. Francis did well again. Uh my son and his fishing partner won the tour of
champions. Uh so they're headed to another national tournament. I'm going to need another job to travel these two. But we have three teams competing in the tour of champions and uh two placed in the top six. So a very well
they're advertising well for the district. The announcer on the stage today said looks like St. Francis is the place to go if you love fishing. So, we had a crowd with us to cheer them all up. So, it was a great day. >> Very cool. >> Thanks for asking. Very cool. >> I'm a little proud right now. You should
be. You should be. Um, and I didn't want to make it personal, but I didn't want there was a way to intertwine it, so I wanted to know it. I did catch him before meeting. Um, uh, adult enrichment is a challenge in our community. Finding instructors is always a challenge. If you or anyone you know has a passion, a
hobby, or something that they're really good at, uh, and want to teach a class, we're we're happy to entertain and and try to put something together. Um, I don't know if that's fly fishing or how to make your own venison sausage or whatever is your thing or people, you
know, is their thing. It could be crocheting. I I don't know. Um, but we're always looking for instructors and people who want to give back and teach a skill or teach a a lifetime hobby. Um, Brown got that crocheting kind of venture out there. So that's in a nutshell that's community
with youth Richmond's the same way. It's hard to find instructors to come to St. Francis. Um, most people in the metro will look at the drive and they signal thank you. Um, especially when you're driving from the south to the north during rush hour. So um, if there are any questions that arise after the
meeting or any point in the future, uh, don't hesitate. Please don't hesitate to reach out. Very approachable, very quick to respond. So, let me know what questions you might have and we can cover those at a later date. >> So, just one item I wanted to highlight that they didn't cover was the um
voluntary pre kindergarten. So, that was a huge thing from last year. We've been applying for many years and we were finally accepted and our program did so well that they gave us more seats 14 8 so 17 more 17 more seats uh with that because there is a need in the
community. So um great job from ECF team in getting that question. >> Um so could you tell me about um the new kind of layout or show?
>> Oh fantastic. Yeah, thank you. Um I laugh because you probably of all people know the history as well as anybody but yes uh for the first time since its inception in St. Francis showire will be run by community um and
will be fully under the umbrella of community. So that's something there's been some you know logistical challenges here to get it off the ground. Uh but we're very very excited about about that partnership and really having not be 100% part of our school and our
community. Um so that's happening this fall. We had another we were going to do that at both the high school and the middle school. The high school is Bridge Street and the middle school is um the name is escaping right now. >> Vocal vocal. Thank you. Um, the middle
school has been run totally different since its inception from the high school and the middle school choir teacher had resigned at the end of last spring. Uh, I have not been able to touch base with the middle school principal to see if they if we fill that vacancy yet and if the person filling that vacancy is
interested in running locality program, but the feeling from the folks in vocality was they would like to be a part of community education, too. So, we're very proud to be able to to offer that. um the new director, there's new people in leadership there. Been
incredible to work with, been very forthcoming with information, very open about what they're doing, and very transparent, which is one of the uh challenges that we saw in the past. >> Thank you. >> Thanks, Mr. Any other questions on community?
Okay. Communications. >> I'm going to turn this one over to to Dax a little bit. I mean, again, the write up is pretty pretty thorough. Um I think all of you maybe have met Dax. Yep. Perfect. Um, and Dax has been with us just over a year. Uh, we've got some updated stats and information that we
didn't include in the board packet because I didn't want to confuse with the goals that you see. Um, but the engagement has been has been really positive. One of the things that uh um there's a hall of fame committee that we have in the district and we will be
inducting people into the hall of fame this year and one of those uh is a late ad is uh representative Bruce Anderson who will receive his induction posumously. Um and Dax did a post not only on um Ron
Larson's son who's the activities director or assistant AD at Cal um University of California as we call Cal State that's University of California. Um and did a post on that and then he did a post just last week or week and a
half ago on Bruce Anderson. Um, I didn't know that Bruce was related to Dave and Dave is a longtime member of the school board and community as well. And so that was new information to me. So it's we're starting to just really see the roots of this community uh manifest in in
graduates and some of the amazing things people are doing. and Dax has uh started something called an alumni spotlight which we hope to continue as we move forward because um there are a lot of really really amazing people and amazing kids who do amazing things that come from this school district and too often
the negative overweighs outshadows the positive and there's just so much positive that we can talk about. So that's one of the kind of the new things that we've done. Anything you want to talk about? Yeah, it's it it just building on that want to be a storyteller and um I think
just in the last two weeks have seen people reach out to me directly about the positive things that are happening. So I think we're >> Jadell was bowling that was another one that we just did. >> We're getting some traction within our our districts and then in the community
with people letting us know about the stories that are happening and giving me the opportunity to tell them. And a lot of those stories go unsung. Um, you know, we just need to do a better job of of celebrating our successes. And that's challenging in
this culture. It's challenging in our in our way of being. Um, there's a a dad who I've coached his boys who every fall will send me an email and update about his kids. Uh, and it's and I look forward to it every year. His kids have done actually some pretty amazing things
that I never thought they'd do. one is a a high level Army Ranger and is now training other other Rangers. Like that's his job. Um this kid, you wouldn't have pegged this kid on the football field as that guy, right? And Chad, you know, kind of the more metamorphosis that kids go through. Um
but you get those updates, you hear those positive things and they're just not celebrated like we should. So we need we're going to we're making a conscious effort to do that at a higher level. Questions on communication? Communication? Yes, Mr.
>> It's just more kudos, but uh and we had this conversation today that's part of that AP pack. Uh my son got interviewed um further for some more details. Um and then Dax is going to put this into the the form that everyone can read. And I I
just I really appreciate like digging deeper and going, you know, getting the story behind the story. It's like that's a that's a fresh take on things and it's it's more than just what we already know. So, I I really think that and and then like the histories with the other people that went to our district as well
in those interviews, I just think that's phenomenal and I can't thank you enough for that situation. You guys are doing a great job in our Thanks. >> And just to take that one step further, please, please, please mark the calendars for the Hall of Fame induction ceremony. He's already posted it on
social media. those posts will become a little bit more frequent as we send out bios. But um I'm gonna I have I have to interview one of our inductees. His name is Paul Olsen. Um and I think you will be blown away when you hear this story. Like incredible.
We have those in our community. They're all over the place. We just need to tell them and that's a big part of what Ax has done. >> What's the name? Friday, September 26th. >> Thank you. >> It's a little earlier start because home football games have been moved up to a
six o'clock start, but it will be in the performing arts center. Um 4:30 is I think the start time. We've got a Hall of Fame committee meeting coming up next Monday. But that's a great way just to get in touch with with some of our heritage.
Okay, any other questions on communications? All right, next up is Chuckers is still here. Uh we've had an interesting day today and Chuck has more than so than I. But um you know, first day of fall sports is today and so things are kicking off and uh we've got
a ton of projects that are still, you know, getting down to the the nitty-gritty right before school starts. We're confident we'll get them done. Um, but there's no shortage of work here and and the team of Chuck and William Dial, all our maintenance, all our custodial um and our grounds have been very very
hard at work all summer. Uh, there's been a conscious effort to increase um the amount of trust in our work order system and that's a directly on Chuck's shoulders. um work orders are being
submitted at a higher rate than they've ever been before and they're getting completed in a timely fashion. And so we're really really proud of the work that we've done there. Um we're starting to really take a look when we walk around schools at things that aren't fixed and we're really starting to say,
"Hey, um what do I do about that?" Speaking of buildings of ground, their job is never done. and the hallway that goes ripping behind the school and the work. Um, but the work orders, the the the attention to detail, the broken outlet
that nobody that people walk by for 15 years is now getting attention and that's happening from across the spectrum. Um, we've even kicked around the idea of of of submitting some kind of prize from Chris and Chuck and William to the person or persons who submitted the most work orders at the
end of the year because it means people are paying attention and we're fixing the things that are broken, right? Like it's kind of like rewarding um your partner in the house for creating the honeydew list, right? Like it's not a bad thing. The list needs to get done. Let's get it done. And that's where
we're at. And so we've we feel really good about the work that's happened there. Um, we did lose our grounds league ground staff member. So, we're in the process of um begun the process of a new search to replace that position. Uh, would encourage anybody who knows anybody that's qualified to get an
application and submit it. It's part of our custodial group, the bargaining group. So, um the the Monday that fall sports starts is a tough time to have that position lost. But uh the things that I can say about the department of buildings maintenance and grounds or
custodial maintenance and grounds is that they just know how to get things done and they don't they don't take excuses. They just buckle down and and work harder and figure it out. That's not sustainable in the long term. So we need to fill the position. But I have every confidence in our staff that we'll continue to provide quality work for our
our community, our schools, our our families and kids and staff. Questions on Any questions? There's a lot of work going on building. >> Mr. Sh, >> not really a question, but just the
middle school gym. I've seen pictures. I can't wait to see that finished product. >> It technically technically isn't finished yet, but just the pictures look amazing. I sent um I sent a sneak preview video for my cell phone to
Principal Critley who was out of the office when when I sent the video and she texted back and she said there's literally tears in Max. It looks that um that gym the whole building was beautifully made over when we did the bond and the one thing that we didn't have enough money to do is really
retrofit the gym. So, brand new floor matches the high school looks amazing. Um ADA bleachers that will be in there. Um the bleachers we had were were really old and um quite honestly broken. Dilapitated would be a good word to use.
Um the ceiling was no offense to our neighbors to the north Cambridge blue which we don't appreciate down here. Um we've painted that white so it brightens up the whole space. Uh we are we just signed some work today um for our local electrician to install LED lights so we
can cut down and realize some energy savings. And then uh the only thing left to do is replace the curtains and then that gym is completely um up to date and modernized and it it's a different feel when you walk in the space. So we hope students and staff and our users of that
space will appreciate it as well. >> Can't wait it it darn good. It looks darn good. >> The bleachers arrived this morning. So we're just waiting to get them installed install next week is what'll happen. So
she'll be rare rare and ready to go for the start of school. >> My sixth grade was going into seventh grade this year as a youth basketball coach. Have wind of it and they're already talking start to talk about it. So very excited. >> Uh any other questions or comments?
>> Last time. Um thank goodness for the uh we for the wall protection over at softball. I don't know if you guys watched a game over there. It's a coin toss whether you're gonna survive. I'm not exaggerating. It's so that is that's I've never seen it needed as much as
there. I'm not exaggerating. Like that's fantastic. Needed and that's wonderful. We met um we met with one fencing contractor. Uh we'll need to secure for for auditing and state u state law be compliant, but we'll need to secure
another quote. We feel really good that we can get that installed this fall so it's ready to go next spring before we're meeting with the second contractor. >> All right. Uh Chris and Chuck, thank you. Uh I have been around some of the
facilities in the last few weeks. It is amazing to see the changes. I think students are going to be happy when they get back into the buildings maybe. Um but the big there's two big items. One is the our staff that work underneath uh
of you, Chuck. Everyone I've talked to is super excited about the work that they're doing. They are absolutely loving seeing the progress that they're making in there. So, thank you for that. And then one item that you didn't cover, Chris, uh that was implemented that I think is really good for the district
moving forward long before any of us are there is the custodial handbook that has been implemented uh across the board. So we talked about using key individuals through retirement and other things and how all that knowledge leads. Uh we are implementing ways that that knowledge
gets to stay within the district and helps us moving forward. So thank you for doing that. That's the stuff that people don't see, but that's the stuff that's going to make this district continue to grow. So thank you for doing that. >> William William B gets a lot of that credit. He works side by side with
Chuck. Um, thank you to the board because we've been able to hire some really good people. Um, and I've said this, this is a message that I I want you to hear loud and clear. The team of people that I get to work with like on a daily basis is probably the best I've had
professionally to this point. Like we have a really good crew of staff who are working really, really hard. And as somebody who's been in buildings my whole life on the first day of school, there's nothing like those fresh wax floors and that feeling of coming back.
The grass is green and every we're we're not there yet. We've got two weeks. We've got plenty of work to do, but our our buildings are going to look amazing on day one. So, thank you, >> Mr. Anderson. Do you have anything to add for those three departments right now? >> Uh, a couple items during my report, but
I echo what Mr. Lucas just said. It's uh with all three of the departments you just talked about, we have people working doing great things. >> Thank you. All right. Next agenda item. Uh 5.2 first reading of policies 414 418
501 515 516 534 602 621 7079 802 and 806. Okay. Uh the board packet has the background information on each one of those. Uh and any changes that were made
are in there. If you have any questions, I please ask you to send that to the policy committee or Mr. Nelson. If you have any issues, we can discuss some of that tonight. But if you have specific questions, please send that to them before we will see this at a at a future
meeting for final approval. Mr. Nelson, do you have anything to say on that agenda? just comment policy 602 will most likely not get moved to final action. The only change to that was some background information which we don't
even include in the policy. So if you look at the red line right now there's no change. So um no action is needed on that one but the rest will proceed as far as final approval. >> Any questions or comments on the first
reading for any of those policies? When will these come back through for us to approve? >> Most likely the next one, but it will be a future meeting. Most likely be the next one. >> Okay. >> Any other questions or comments? Great.
Thank you, Mr. Alson. Uh, next item 53 administrative reports as I'll just briefly mention the six topics on the report and then of course there can be questions about any of the topics. Uh first of all, I did include the latest version of student handbook uh as well
as a redline version for your review. If you have any questions, you can ask them tonight or you can send me those questions or suggestion uh changes um either tonight or tomorrow. And the reason I have a quick timeline is that we have a district administrative
meeting on Wednesday. And so I'd like to present the changes at that time. So, if you could let me know in a quick manner, that would be greatly appreciated. Special election, as you may know, uh is scheduled for November 4th. Uh we do
have the candidate filing period open. Uh it closes tomorrow at 5:00 pm. So if someone wants to apply to be on board, uh we need a completed notorized application by tomorrow at 5:00 p.m. Uh
and I emphasize the notorized because we will not have a notary public uh in the building necessarily um tomorrow. And so, you know, people may need to find another notary public um like at the city um to fill out that paperwork, but
then we need it in the district office by 5:00 p.m. Uh candidates can withdraw um on or before August 14th at 5:00 p.m. So, there's a two-day window for that. Open houses are listed there. Uh fall sports started today as Mr. Linquiz
said. Uh just a reminder that all of our activities uh and events are on the activities and athletics website. The link is in the report and uh you not only do we have the original schedule, but we show changes and postponements
and those kinds of things. So please check the website out. Uh the indoor air quality project um want to give an update about that documents were submitted to the state of Minnesota. uh and we do not anticipate having any problems but we need to go
through the approval process there. Uh our project services agreement is being finalized with site logic and as soon as that's done uh they will continue design work. So we're just following the the regular timeline there. Uh and then finally the parking lot abatement bond
update. There is a hearing, public hearing scheduled for August 25th, two weeks from tonight. Uh during the board meeting about the possibility of issuing abatement bonds to repair or replace district parking lots. Later in that meeting, the board will
consider resolution to approve abatement bonds to do that work. So the last two items are two more things that the custodial maintenance department has been working on. And really the bulk of that work was done with some
pre-planning that I know the board um understood we were doing and it was amazing work and I know Chuck uh well and Chris and Bill and others did a lot of work getting that information inside logic as you know so that can be included in software so we can have a
really strong long-term maint facilities maintenance plan in the future. So, um, couple more projects that are really unfolded because of that. That's all I have. >> Thank you, Mr. Any questions or comments?
Thank you. Next agenda item is item six. These are our action items. We only have one action item tonight. It is for e-learning days. uh Brandon Nelson and Superintendent Anderson to provide any more information if you have any questions. Are there any questions prior
to a motion being made to approve that? Okay. Is there a call motion to approve for days? So, Mr. Anderson, is there a second? >> Second. >> Thank you, Mr. Orin. Any discussion on that motion? Seeing no discussion, all in favor of
the motion signify by saying I and raise your hand. I motion prevails. Thank you. Now, next agenda item for tonight is seven upcoming meetings and preliminary topics. Are there any questions or
comments about upcoming meetings? Right. Seeing none, moving on. Agenda item eight is school board member report. Mr. work. You want to start us off tonight? >> Uh, yeah. I'm good.
>> Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Humphrey. >> All been on techology last time, too. Um, so I was at the uh APAC thing tonight where um a couple of our students, Olivia and Colton, they had
put together during the summer some projects where in this case it's over at the Ceda Creek uh preserve um kind of north and east of here and a great place and I didn't even know that existed um
and uh they they made which will stay on site for future like you know when you go to a science museum and you put your hand in something and you guess what it is. So they went through and they did all this with like the mask and the snake skin and different sorts of things and then the native worms were right there. So it was kind of a hands-on
learning experience. Got a lot of that. That was really cool. Um and then I'd like to I was just at policy committee today. Uh Brandon, you're the Oracle. I mean got all this things and uh up to where it needs to be. and Carson, you're bringing a lot of different uh um
experiences from your different schools. And Jill has the wisdom and Jess fresh mind. This is kind of why the team works so well. Um finally, I'd like to thank uh Mr. Fitner who's the middle school art teacher. Uh he was he's in a band.
He plays bass where um it's called Broken Hearts Are Blue. They started in Michigan, Koo, Michigan 100 years ago. He's like my age. and uh he was actually my son's art teacher, my daughter's art teacher as well. But anyway, their band got together and after 27 years, they
played a concert. So, my son and I took that in this weekend. And it's really neat seeing uh the employees and our educators in different aspects in the real life. And uh I know Mr. Bner has a swagger about it. Anyone who's gone through middle school art class is
probably one of your favorite teachers. And uh my son's ability to play bass started in that art class because he always had his guitar there and then his love of music as well. They were playing uh uh records and such there. So I just want to say thank you to him for a great
weekend as far as us being able to catch that uh show. So lots of great things going on in this district. I love the uh um positive attitude. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. 3 minutes and
>> All right, moving on. >> I was going to yield my time to Jake, but I >> don't just wanted to bring up the filing deadline again. If anybody wants to be a school board candidate, deadline is
tomorrow. So, please get your name in. Um, and just the start of school and just going in the building. We talked about it before that it looks like there's some chaos going on, but in two weeks it's going to look amazing. Just
fun to see that. Um, another personal note, we get an exchange student on Thursday from German excited to host this whole school calendar. Another personal note my wife
usually doesn't watch but say anyway 25 years married. >> Thank you. Congratulations. Thank you. >> Any updates? >> Um just a few. I'm just dipping my toes here and starting to get my feet under me. Um I attended my first contract
negotiation last Monday for the mechanics. Um youth football events happened last week and it's starting today. That's exciting. Um and then attendance policy committee tonight. So getting getting an understanding of how things are working
and enjoying my time on the board so far. >> Perfect. We will continue to show you. >> Thank you. >> All right. uh was able to have a meeting with the city of Oak Grove mayor uh last week I believe right which is great uh
thank you Mr. Anderson uh getting us set up with all three of the cities that are in our district that we specifically work with St. Francis Bethl and Hope. Um, working on a collaborative relationship with them. Uh, really, you
know, not necessarily doing major things for each other, but making sure we have the same messaging and we understand what we're doing as well as what they're doing, which is super helpful. So, I'm excited to see where that continues to grow. I was able to attend the second EA negotiation, my first one, but the
second one for the EA uh group. Uh, thank you Brandon and the team for working through that process. Um, we already talked about our fight and saints fishing team and how they're helping recruit. Hopefully we see some more work for financial opener moments
coming up with that. The Hall of Fame induction, again, I'm going to announce that September 26th. Um, I had the honor in a different hat that I wear to provide final military honors for Bruce Anderson at Fort Snelling. He was a veteran as well. He served in the Army,
the Air Force, and the Navy uh throughout his career, as well as 30 plus years as a Minnesota state senator and had done many things that helped this district even though some of us didn't know that because he has a lot of ties here. So, that's really cool. Uh thank you for bringing that up. And Dax,
thanks for that story. I think he was a very good man. Uh another item and Dax, another story for you. Uh we had a opportunity a local business uh outside of our district uh donated uh just over
$20,000 worth of um in kind donations. Right. So powder coating sand blasting for benches for all of our football track and softball fields. Uh and when I went down to help pick up some of those benches, I realized that they have eight
St. Francis graduates that work at that company. So, uh, Dax is going to help me, uh, with a story on that company and what they've done for us, that central sand blasting and the MFI powder coating. So, absolutely awesome. Most of them live in our community, but they,
you know, the business is just outside. But, uh, super cool to have members giving back to our district, uh, which is great. And then, uh, lastly, for board members, you'll see in front of you the documents from MSBA. Uh, I have, uh, been able to attend a lot of this
training. Uh it is great. It helps you understand school uh district a little bit uh and how we operate. Uh if you go to the budget class or most school district finance, hands down, no issues. Um but it it does help you and it it builds your network, you know, because
we we talk to each other, but it's nice to talk to other districts and what they're doing, to talk to other school boards to see what they're doing as well, uh to help us uh improve and to continue to make St. friends is a proactive district, not a reactive. So, uh, please take a look at it, try to get
it into your schedule. I know they give it out for the rest of the year, which is great. Um, and then I'm going to highly encourage us all attending that leadership conference as a team. Uh, we've been down there before and it's really cool to see the entire team together because we can do a lot of good
work and and understand what things are doing. So, that's in front of you. Have any questions? Vanessa will gladly answer them for you and help you through the process of signing up. She takes care of us for bed. Uh that's all I have for my report. Uh the last item for tonight is item nine
adjournment. Are there any questions prior to a motion being made for tonight's agend? All right. Is there a motion? Thank you, Miss Anderson. Is there a second? Second. Thank you, Mr. Working. Any discussion on the motion for tonight?
>> All right. Hearing none. All in favor of adjournment signify by saying I unions prevail