I'd like to call to order the March Why can't I find a date? March 24th, 2026 Columbia Heights Public Schools School District meeting. Um, if you are able to join us, please rise uh and join us in 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. >> All right. Thank you very much. Laura, if you could please call role. A >> here. Mueller >> here. Maderas >> here. >> Pway here. Granland here, Palmer here, Superintendent Sten is not here for today. And uh I'm sorry I don't remember your last names. I apologize. Hansen here and uh Vez Paf. >> Is it Poples? >> Uh either is fine. >> Pña is proud. >> I'm sorry. >> Poles pas. Okay. So, thank you. Wonderful. Thank you. Columbia Heights Public Schools. Our mission statement is creating worlds of opportunity for each and every learner. All belong, all succeed. Our core values are community, excellence, collaboration, integrity, respect, courage, and innovation. Tonight, we get to start off with Highlander highlights. Um, we are here to celebrate uh the Minnesota Scholastic Art Board honored eight of our students with special recognition for their artwork. Um, as you are able to see, it's uh the various art is playing on the screen in front of us here. We have um I'm going to go ahead and read them all off and then uh I'll ask each student well actually I will ask if possible um Miss Honeywell >> would you be able to come up and and speak a little bit? Is there somebody else that would Yeah, come >> awesome. We would love to have that. >> And then Just stand here. >> Yep. No. No. Up to the front. >> Oh, nice. Okay. >> Yep. It's all different since the last time you were here, I think. Come on in. >> Y >> Mr. Oh, yeah. Isaac are here. >> Shy. >> Yes. Wonderful. Thank you guys. Um, if you could tell us a little bit about the Scholastic Awards. >> Sure. Uh the Scholastic Arts Awards is a tradition that we've been done been doing for as long as I've been here and it's been around for many years. It's kind of the trademark for um excellence in arts in the state of Minnesota and then it goes on to nationals. Um and they have merits for certain students and they have an expectation of excellence and we are often submitting almost I think every year we submit and some years we just do really well like this year our students just got all the notoriety. >> Yeah. Wonderful. Do you is there anything else you all would like to say about about um the students, the artwork? >> Yeah, just just one note. Um one of them up there is a student named Alex who's a former student because uh you know when all of this craziness started with ICE, his family made the decision to just leave. So he wasn't uh detained or anything, but his family made the decision to just leave the area. So, he won an award, but I don't know how to get him the uh certificate. >> Thank you so much for letting us know. That's really sad. >> Um, is there anything else you would like to share about the awards or the students or the art before we start celebrating them? >> I do want to share one thing. I was just reading something for a class I'm taking and it just talked about one of the reasons. We always talk about different reasons, academic reasons to support the arts for students. But one of the reasons that was sort of a new new found one is that, you know, the arts strengthen community so much. People just keep kind of coming to it, whether it's music or plays and you keep seeing the same faces all the time. And that's really that's what it is. That's what the whole world is is just seeing each other a lot. And arts are often at the center of that. I know sports are as well, but the arts are an accessible way. and I'm so glad that we do so much of it here. >> So, thanks for supporting us in recognizing the students. >> Thank you. Um, before we start celebrating students, is there anything that the board members would like to say? >> Go ahead, Michelle. >> Um, yeah, I mean, this is like one of my favorite times of the year. Um, I love art. I love creativity and I love watching people um do what they love so well. Um, I am so excited that we uh place so highly every year. It's not just this year. I feel like I've heard you say that. >> I know it's true. >> Um, more than once, more than twice. And um, I just have to say every year I'm so impressed that our students are so talented in so many different ways. Um, it's not even just art because all of the students here are probably not just, you know, artists. they're probably in other activities and other things as well. So, um I just want to say kudos to you guys. Um and you know, all the other educators who are creating well-rounded students who are able to express themselves in the best ways. Um but yeah, this this makes my heart smile. So, thank you guys for for doing this and congratulations to all the winners and places. >> Well said. Uh Laura, did you have something you want to say? >> Oh, always always. I'm always just absolutely amazed at the creativity that our students exhibit and and the fact that you give them that space for them to be themselves and share, you know, how they I mean, it's like a little picture of their soul that we get to share and and I'm very um very grateful and blessed that that they that they offer that up so that we can all kind of enjoy the way that they see the world and see the world through their eyes. and thank you for everything you do and giving them them that space and then the different mediums to be able to work with everything from the ceramics to watercolors to you know um looks like some digital arts as well and yeah everything it's and I look forward to seeing more and uh what what they do in the future. >> Thank you. >> Well said Jessica. >> Thank you. Um, thanks for your comments and that was all really well said and I just want to add my own congratulations to all of the students on their achievements and um, uh, express my gratitude for what the three of you do every day to support our students. Um, I really appreciate having um, access to these pieces in the slideshow in this meeting every year to be able to see them and to see as Laura mentioned the diversity across medium and subject matter. Um, I did just have one question if I'm wondering if any of these pieces might be featured in the Silverwood Art Show later this spring. >> Great. >> Yeah. >> And many more. >> And many more. >> And many. >> Yeah. I to what you said about seeing like a little bit of the students, I guess, creativity or soul. I mean, you're seeing kind of the the absolute highlights both from what we decided to submit to Scholastic, but also what won. But really, there's just so much more that's happening in our classrooms every day that might not necessarily get submitted to an art competition, but that you're still like watching the students put their heart and soul into what it is they're making. Um, and it's a really rewarding experience. So, Silverwood, if you want to see more, far more than what's on the slideshow, is uh Wednesday, May 21st or 22nd, I think, um, in the evening over at Silverwood Park. So, come enjoy, watch. There's music. There's um Yeah, it's a fabulous evening. >> Per 21st. Okay, perfect. Yeah, for the secondary night. Thank you. >> Go ahead, Julie. >> I just have a question. um during the summer when we have the state fair, do we have any of our students, you know, entering um their artwork in that big because I've gone into the department of education and they just always have the most amazing art and I was wondering if our students have competed in that. >> We've had a few interests. It's never really taken flight, but it is such a I love it too, but I don't I don't always know how to access the in the summer they seem to run away. >> But that is a little thing where then like in May like yeah yeah I want to do that and then >> because I think the quality that we see here is so competitive >> with those artists at the at the fair >> as for the submissions like in June >> so it's like >> beyond the school year. >> Yeah. It's just it doesn't quite I mean we can always try it. We have tried it a little before, but it might be worth giving the name. >> I'm just curious. >> No, you're right. It would be cool. >> Yeah. >> I mean, I can't say. Yeah. Go ahead. >> I just I I don't want to be the last one who doesn't say anything, right? >> You all know that like >> I know the pressure's on now. >> The pressure's on, but I'm like I love the arts. Um but congratulations to the students. I know. Um we've got I think got a couple here. Um, it's so great that you're taking the time to hone this craft and and not just thinking about science or math or, you know, kind of those things that are on on tests um that you might have to take. Um, but you're really, I think, engaging in your passions and you're so talented and thank you for sharing those with us. >> Like Jessica, I love coming to this meeting and seeing the the artwork and going to Silverwood and and seeing what our students produce because it is fabulous. I agree with Julie. It's award-winning. >> Agreed. And I don't know that I could say anything better than was already said, but um but yeah, like in a in a time where, you know, arts are cut frequently and in a time when STEM sort of takes a lot of focus, I really appreciate that our district and that it, you know, we support you guys to be able to support the kids to do this really amazing work. And I feel like without um without the support of really fantastic education like you know teachers like yourselves, we wouldn't be able to also have um a space to allow kids to be able to explore this part of themselves. So um I think that the quality of the artwork is amazing and I I just thank everybody for it. um and for all of the supports and amazing students like and families to be able to support them to do this too. So um thank you very much and thank you all for sharing that with us. Okay. If there's nothing else, then I will I will read off all of the awards by person because there are some people that got quite a few. And then um we'll have you come up and uh Emma is going to take pictures. That's why, you know, that's what Emma does, right? Uh she does lots of other things, too. But um and then, you know, we'll take a couple pictures and then we'll check in at the end. Sound good? Okay. So, first up we have Elizabeth Lee who won I will I should do this uh gold key for photo album, silver key for holiday bundle and silver key for 3:00 a.m. meal. So, is Elizabeth here? She is not. Okay. And then we have, is it Keley or Kelly? It's Kelly. Uh, Kelly Tanesca T. Did I say it right? Okay. Tennisaka. Uh, gold key winner for Coral Glance and silver key winner for Blazing Glimpse. And she is awesome. um virtual. >> Oh, nice. Okay. Well, we will make sure that all of these get to the students and we will work on getting Alexander his. Alex is his. Uh Olivia Candella is also not not here. She won uh in uh gold key for in focus, silver key for her painting a familiar place. Then we have Melania. >> Melania's not here. >> She is not here either. That's okay. You know what? It's really nice out. There's a lot better places for kids to be, right? Like enjoy it. >> She won silver key for her drawing Two-faced and uh honorable mention for her drawing Nighttime Fantasy. Uh then we have Muhamad Ertaza who was >> or Muhammad had a doctor's appointment. So >> no worries. Uh Alice Sabatki for her memoir where have you been? Daniel James for uh his painting infestation and Jaseline Negron for her ceramics and glass. >> Hey, you want all of us up here? >> Yeah, you guys get to come up. >> Sorry, Lauren. What we do everybody's >> I love your hair too. >> Yes. Stay up here. No, you don't have to stay. >> They have to stay. >> I can lost them for half. And then >> I think you could probably just ask >> Yumna Ali uh for her uh ceramics and glass fruit of heaven. >> Relax. Okay, one printition someone spelled my name as in dense d e n s e and I corrected it and she put it back to how it was previous. >> Yeah, that's it. >> The last one is for Alexander and we will make sure that we get that to him. Thank you so so much. Um, >> so now we've come to the part where we always say you are always welcome to stay for the rest of the meeting. >> You do not have to. We will not be afflicted. Walk on out. It's a beautiful evening. Feel free to take advantage of it. >> Second. >> Thank you all for coming tonight. >> Hi guys. >> Good job. >> Love it. such a highlight of our of our so >> a way to start a meeting. >> It is a great way to start a meeting. >> Okay, next up we'll move into the agenda approval, adjustments, and announcements. >> Can I get a uh can I get a motion to approve the agenda as presented? >> So moved. >> Laura, can I get a second? >> Second. >> Second by Laurian. All those in favor say I. >> I. Opposed. >> Motion carries. Next up, we'll go into announcements. There's a bunch, guys. We haven't had a bunch in a while. Look at that. Um, next week, March 30th through April 6th, we have no school. It is our spring break. The 3rd of April, the district center is closed. April 14th, we have our special election. April 21st at 5:30, we have our work session in the community room. April 28th, 4:45 to 5:50, subcommittee on policy. That's in the superintendent's conference room. April 28th, 5 to 550, subcommittee on community engagement slash our political action, >> legislative action committee. >> Legislative action committee uh will be here in the community room. And April 28th at 6 PM is our regular school board meeting again here in the community room. Communication to the board. At this time, any citizen or employee may briefly address the school board. The board will listen to the brief remarks, ask clarifying questions, and if desired, request that the administration follow up. The board will not take action at this meeting on requests presented at this time, and time will be limited to three minutes per speaker. Do we have anybody who is uh wanting to speak to the board? Nope. Awesome. All right, moving into the consent agenda. Our consent agenda today includes Actually, I will wait. Can I get a motion to accept the consent agenda? >> I'll moved. >> Thank you, Lauren. Can I get a second? >> Second. >> Second by Jessica. Uh, can I get a discussion? I would just like to say that the calendar, the 20 2026 2027 calendar and the 2027 2020 draft calendar, um the overnight and out of state field trip, uh the personnel report minutes from the 10th of March and the 17th of March and the policy second reading, including a lot of different policies. 101, Legal Status of the School District. 301, School District Administration. 302, Superintendent. 303, Superintendent Selection. 304, Superintendent Contract Duties and Evaluation. 305, Policy Implementation. 306, Administrator Code of Ethics. 402, Disability Non-Discrimination Policy. 421, Gifts to Employees and School Board Members. 427 Workload Limits for Certain Special Education Teachers. 515 Protection and Privacy of Pupil Records. and 709 student transport transportation safety. All of those are in our um consent agenda. Any other discussion on that? Jessica, >> I did just want to make two comments about items on the consent agenda. First related to the 26 27 and 2728 draft calendars. Um just to let the community know that um or I guess a reminder that we have moved now to approving both a final calendar for the next year and a draft calendar for um the year after that. And so um families in the district, staff in the district can kind of plan um two years out based on uh that draft calendar. And then um the second thing I just wanted to mention was although it's part of the consent agenda tonight, we did have a presentation and discussion about the overnight and out of state field trips at the last board meeting. And so if folks are interested in that, they can review the video from that meeting. Thank you. >> Yeah. Thank you very much. Any other discussion? All right. If there's no other discussion, we'll move to a vote. All those in favor of accepting the consent agenda as it as presented say I. >> I. >> I. Opposed. >> Motion carries. All right. Next we're next up is the acknowledgement of contributions which I need to zoom in for. All right. Minnesota State Statute 123B.02 permits school boards to quote receive for the benefit of the district bequest donations or gifts for any proper purpose and apply the same to the purpose designated. On that behalf, the board may act as trustee of any trust created for the benefit of the district and for the benefit of pupils thereof. End quote. Therefore, the School Board of Columbia Heights Public Schools Independent School District number 13 resolves to accept with appreciation the $9,350 in monetary contributions detailed in the background. Monetary Rasmusen Northeast Bank Foundation donated $1,000 to the Columbia Heights High School Scholarship Fund. Colin Anderson donated $150 for the Valley View Fund Run. Pat Johnson donated $2,000 and Annne Larson donated $3,000 to the retired staff scholarship 2026 fund. Valley View PTO donated $200 to the Valley View fund run and Greg Gardner Fidley Lions Club donated $3,000 to the 2026 scholarship fund. Value and kind. The total fiscal year 2025 2026 monetary contributions to date $71,33926. Can I get a motion to accept the acknowledgement of contributions? >> So moved. >> Thank you, Julie. Can I get a second? >> Second. >> Second, Michelle. Discussion. >> Go ahead, Laura. >> As always, thank you so much for um looking out not only for the students that are here, but for their futures by donating to the various scholarship funds. Um it is um greatly appreciated by our students and and thank you thank you for not only today but for their futures tomorrow. >> Yeah. Thank you. Well said. Any other discussion? >> All right. As this is a resolution, we will need a roll call vote. >> Laura, >> I >> Pway >> I >> Palmer I Granwood >> I. >> Motion passes. >> Motion carries. Thank you very much. All right, we'll move into discussion reports and information items. We're going to start with reports from members of the board. Um we'll start with Jessica. >> Sure. Thank you. Um I have a short report tonight. Um I was able to attend a fundraiser at Zero Gravity that the Highland PTO organized. Um and we had 125 families or 125 people, I'm sorry, not families, um come out to that event. So that was really exciting to see um everybody in community together um away from our school site just playing. So that was um I don't know, just really great to see. Um and then um I like many of you was able to attend uh the Frozen Junior musical um that Columbia Academy put on. And I just want to um give my kudos to all of the students that were involved as cast and crew and all of the staff um and parent volunteers that helped make that show a success. Um they were supposed to have three shows because of weather. They had to cancel the final show, but they really did pour their heart and soul into the two shows that they had and there was a packed house both nights. I believe um that it was sold out one of the two shows as well which I have never experienced happening at one of our uh theatrical productions. So that was uh really great to see. So congratulations to all of them. Um and then I did attend the work session uh last week like all of you. So thank you. >> Wonderful. Thank you Laura. I I really only attended the work session. So that's it for my report. >> Awesome. Laurian me, I was expecting you to go around circle and I know it wasn't. >> I know. I was like, >> keep you on your toes. >> Um, I also attended the work session last week. Um, and then I wanted to comment that this is my I feel like this this happened before. Um, this is my last regular meeting um with you all on the board. Um, so my last official meetings will be a special called meeting in a work session. So um won't be in this format. But um you know, I just wanted to share when Chair Granlin um reached out to me and asked me um about being appointed back to the board um to fill a vacancy, I never expected um that we would be in the national news. >> Um I never expected that as a board and as administration we would be working so hard and so diligently to keep our students and our staff safe. Um, I never expected that the ask was going to be as big as the ask was. Um, but I am honored. Uh, I do not regret for a minute that I said yes. Um, I'm honored to be back on to have been back on this board to serve again with all of you. um who truly have a passion and a diligence for for our students and our district, for our community. Um I am honored to have that responsibility um and to serve with all of you. Not going to say I would do it again. Might do it again. Um >> so nobody else can resign. >> So nobody else can resign. Um and and truly I'm I'm glad that I was here. um being a a an elected official or an appointed official, a public servant, um comes with a lot of responsibility and not necessarily responsibility that you think you're going to have. I remember originally being on the board never expecting to have to deal with COVID and all of the things that we came up with. So, I'm hoping that as you all continue to serve and as the people who come after us continue to serve, that they recognize the great responsibility that comes with that position and how um how so many students and so many staff and so many people depend on on the members of this board to make good decisions um to do the right thing um and and to really represent uh our community well. And so, thank you for that opportunity. Um, I will miss you all again. Um, never going far. I'm always just a few blocks down the road. Um, but thank you for the opportunity and thank you for trusting me. >> Yeah, thank you very much. Well said, >> Julie. Thank you, Laurian, for that. Um, lovely to have you back and sad to see you go. Um, I also attended the work session last week and that's my report. Sounds good. Michelle, >> why did you guys let her speak? >> I know. >> If she doesn't say it, it's not true. Um, >> but no, we appreciate you for being back. So, thanks for for saying that and making it real. Um, I um also attended Frozen Jr. Um, which was amazing. I didn't expect the show to be so uh like like great. There were moments where I felt like I was watching a movie and like you know how you know you're watching a movie and you go, "Oh, oh yeah. Oh wow, that was really good." Like they really pulled me in and I was so impressed with um the cast and um all of the set and just all the work that went into the show. Um it it was really nice to see uh something that I've been watching since my child was born probably be like her first show to be in. So that was very special for her specifically. Um, but that it was really really beautiful. So that was a great moment and it was so fun seeing all the little girls show up in their princess outfits taking pictures with Elsa and Anna and seeing them kind of be heroes to these these littles who were just like I love you know so that it was just warming. Um but it was lots of fun but I could talk about that forever so I'll move on. Um I also attended the work session um last week and the chair meeting before this one. Thanks. >> All right. Thank you. Um so for me I attended the mayor's shared vision meeting with the National Immigration Law Center. Um Mayor uh Amava had an opportunity to speak with them uh and invited me. They wanted to meet directly with our with our school district and our community to find out more about um how we were supporting immigrants in our community and uh the families thereof which was really a wonderful opportunity. Um we also uh Superintendent Stenick and I attended two different meetings with Amnesty International talking again um about the experiences of our of our community and our students and our staff um during the metro surge. I missed out on Frozen because they had um because I could not go Friday night and could not go Saturday. I intended the uh COH highcon uh which is a gaming convention. It was really great. I got to see a lot of uh familiar faces, families um coming out despite the the snow. Um got to see a couple high school students get up and sing karaoke for the first time which was adorable. Um so that um was a lot of fun. I attended the schoolboard candidate forum and I know lots of people watch that online as well. Um and then I uh attended the work session. Um I had an interview with WCCCO talking about the impact of the mutual aid fund and the matching program that's going on which was really fantastic. Um it's you know the batch continues until the end of March. Um, and you can find it on the Heights Next website. That link will go right to that. So, people can donate that way and have possibly other their businesses, you know, your places of employment also uh do that. Uh, can also donate that way. Then I had the chair meeting just before this and honestly like that's a lot. It's been a lot. Um, and I think that is my report. Uh, next up, I would say it's the superintendent's report, but as everybody can see, she is not here. She, uh, superintendent Steenic is currently in DC speaking with reps about the impact of the surge on our educational system, which I think is a pretty great place for her to be. Next up, we'll uh move to our student school board reps. We will start with uh Christian. >> Oh. Um okay. I honestly don't remember if I was an actual technically student in the district uh the last school board meeting I attended. But I am now since Thursday of last week uh back into the school after having completed my mental health program and kind of noticed how I mean there's a lot of goods and negatives and I'm kind of just trying to right now having balance you know uh band and journalism which we just had finished our print edition which Yep. Right there. >> I'll have a copy at our desk. >> Uh, you know, we had a lot of stuff happen. We had printer issues and uh we had to have a lot of last minute pages. So, I'm proud of the work uh that was put into just completing this entire project of ours and I look forward to the last one of the year. And also uh I'm just trying to advocate for others who might be struggling with the same exact situation I have to struggle with uh after having coming back from the hospital program. And there's just a lot of complications with credits and uh really just how to reintroduce yourself to a life back into school after being away from it for so long. So that's my report. >> Thank you very much for all of that and thank you very much for being so open about your, you know, the program you were in and the struggles and and naming that. that that helps a lot too. >> Kate, >> um well, I haven't been doing very much recently since the last board meeting, which I don't think I attended. Um uh one of the big things I did was the print edition, and that was pretty fun. It was kind of difficult because a lot of stories were not finished and a lot of people were very far behind, but we did end up getting it done like a day later than we were supposed to, but and we had some printer issues, so then we had to wait another day to get the papers, but they're delivered now. Um, and besides that, I've just been doing online school and also dedicating a lot of my time to volunteering and um, yeah, I've been having a lot of fun with that. So, >> you also attended MSBA day on the hill with us. >> I did do that. Yes, that was very fun and I learned a lot about um like the laws and stuff and I met a lot of very nice people there. >> Awesome. Thank you. All right. Next up, we have policy first reading. Um the Sorry, I'm waiting for it to load. All right. So, the following policies were reviewed at the March 10th, 2026 policy subcommittee meeting. These policies will be made available for staff and community input on the district web page and brought before the board for second reading approval at a future board meeting. Three-year cycle. These policies require two readings. 203.5 school board meeting agenda. 205 open meetings and closed meetings. 206 Public Participation in meetings. 208 Development, Adoption, and Implementation of Policies. 209, Code of Ethics. 210, Conflict of Interest, Schoolboard Members, and 211, Criminal or Civil Action against. Once again, all of these can be found uh on our website. Moving on, we'll move into action items. First up is the health insurance bids with uh Director Lindseay Bennett, Chair Granland, members of the board. Um presented last week at the work session was information on the health insurance bids. Um it's a requirement. We have to go every two years. The last bid was in 2024. The district did receive 10 initial bids and four best and final and the health insurance committee met and discussed the bids and it's recommended a switch to the Minnesota Healthcare Consortium which is Medicica effective July 1st 2026. All right, I move that forward. >> Yes. Sorry, my computer so I had to reload it and now it's taking a hot second. So, can I get a motion to accept the uh health insurance bid as presented? >> So, moved. >> Thank you, Laura. Can I get a second? >> Second. >> Second by Michelle. Discussion. >> Go ahead, Laura. >> Um, we had a great deal of discussion on this. Um, and, um, I'm confident that not only did we get the best bid, um, but there was an awful lot of work that went into getting us a really great rate when so many um, there some of the the increases that I was seeing elsewhere were were were quite frankly um terrifying. >> So, thank you. >> Any other discussion? >> Go ahead, Jessica. >> Um I just wanted to thank the health insurance committee uh for all of their work um in looking at these bids and reviewing these bids. Um, as Laura mentioned, this is clearly the best option um, in terms of continuing um, the same type of coverage that our staff have um, at rates that are reasonable for us to absorb over the next couple of years. I do want to just acknowledge though that moving to a new insurance provider um, does, you know, have some impact on employees. um and we recognize that and that is part of the discussion both at the health insurance committee and at the board table when we look at those things. So um all in all I'm you know supportive of the bid that we ended up with and moving forward with but I just wanted to acknowledge um that impact as well. So thank you. >> Well said. Thank you. Any other discussion? All right. We'll go ahead and move to a vote. All those in favor say I. >> I. I >> opposed. Motion carries. Oh, next up it's Director Bennett again. Look at that. >> I'm just staying. >> Um so next up is the termination of probationary teacher contracts. Yes. >> Um Chair Granland, members of the board, um the board's going to be asked to adopt a resolution to terminate and non-renew um employment contracts of probationary teachers listed on it. Um we switched back in 2021 to doing two separate resolutions. So the first one is um staff cut for performance lensure with our long-term sub. Um most of them are lenture on the list. So it's a way we can get them hired back quicker. And then the second resolution which will come at a later date that's staff we just cannot find a position for. So we did this a couple years ago. We started the two resolutions and the feedback's been positive from staff. So tonight I'm here seeking um approval of this resolution. >> All right. Thank you very much. um as it's a resolution I will go ahead and read it. Resolution relating to the termination and non-renewal of the teaching contracts of probationary teachers. Whereas the following persons are probationary teachers and independent school district number 13 uh be it resolved by the school board of independent school district number 13 that pursuant to Minnesota statutes 122A.40 40 subdivision 5. The teaching contracts of those persons listed on page two of this resolution, probationary teachers in Independent School District number 13, are hereby terminated and not renewed at the close of the current 2025 2026 school year. Be it further resolved that written notice be sent to said teachers regarding termination and non-renewal of their contract as provided by law, and that said notice shall be in substantially in the following form: notice of termination and non-renewal. Dear blank, you are hereby notified at that at a regular school meeting of the school board of independent school district number 13 held on March 24th, 2026, a resolution was adopted to terminate your contract effective at the end of this current school year and to not renew your contract for the 2026 2027 school year. Set action of the board is taken pursuant to MS122A. 40 subdivision 5. All right. Can I get a motion to accept this resolution? >> So moved. >> Thank you, Michelle. Can I get a second? >> Second. >> Second, Laura. Discussion. Um, I would just like to say first of all, um, just to clarify, all of the teachers that are on this list have have already had this like this. They are aware. They've already been notified that this was >> their supervisors have been told to ask let them know. >> Yeah. All right. >> And a lot of them, like I said, are not a surprise. their lensure that they knew was had to be an automatic non-renewal, >> right? Yeah. >> Any other discussion? That was my question. >> Yeah. >> Go ahead, Michelle. >> Um, so I guess so a second ago before we did the resolution. Um, you said something about having like a quick turnaround to get them back >> if I don't know. I guess could you explain a little bit of the process for that? >> Yes. Um, so some staff on this list have a tier one or a tier two license through um, Pillsby. And a tier two license is only good for two years. A tier one's only good for one year. So you have to renew it, but you have to non-renew them. So this way um, there's staff we want to bring back either on a tier one, a tier two um, or an out of field and we're able to get the positions posted and get them hired back instead of waiting until the end of the school year. >> Thank you. Just the word non-renewal sounds so >> it's a formality for some >> so extreme right >> and then for clarification those those folks that um that are on that tier one or on in that that space um my understanding is a lot of times they are they are informed that yes we have to do this now and also we're looking to get you back. Yes. That >> Yeah. >> So that's all of that's generally >> usually when they meet with the principal, the principal say you're on tier one. We would like to have you reapply, >> but part of the application process is we have to show that we couldn't find anybody. >> Right. >> So got it. Thank you for clarifying. >> Yes. >> Any other discussion? >> All right. If there's no other discussion, this is a resolution, so we'll need a roll call vote. If you would, Laura, >> I've been very busy this evening. P >> I Mueller. >> Hi. Maderas >> Iwway >> I >> Palmer I Granland >> I >> Motion is carried. >> All right. Resolution carries. Thank you very much. >> Next up we have the 2026 high school classroom renovation project with Director Henkkins. Thank you Chair Granland. Members of the board. Um so uh previous board meeting um I presented information um of the results of uh the bid for or bids for the 2026 high school classroom renovation project. Um and as presented rack construction um was the low bid and uh world architects has been able to have conversation with them and confirm their bid. Um so they are the low responsible bidder. Um the two as discussed that we had uh two lower bids. They were the lowest. Um and the two lowest bids were the people that showed up for the pre-construction meeting. Um so that gave us some confidence as well besides the conversation. So this evening, this project is funded through district's long-term facility maintenance um dollars. So this evening um seeking approval from the board to um approve rack construction for the 2026 high school renovation project, classroom renovation project. Wonderful. Can I get a motion to accept the bid as presented? >> So moved. >> Thank you, Julie. Can I get a second? >> Second. >> Second by Laurian. Discussion. I will just say we had a really robust discussion about this project and the um the different bids that there were and you know looking at the prices and talking about um the impact of that and you know whether or not like because one of them was significantly lower and we all had questions about that. Um, and as you said, this was that that bid was um, made by somebody who has a very good reputation and also we're here in person like you said, which gave us a lot more confidence in in accepting that. Um, so I wanted to put that out there. Any other discussion? All right. If there's no other discussion, we will have a question. >> Oh, sorry, Julie. I missed that. So, Director Henkins, when does this project start? >> Uh, the project will start right away in June. Um, so the week after we get out of school. Um, and there will be abatement in the first process. Um, well, demo of the cabinets and abatement. And then in July, they'll start doing the flooring and the new cabinets will come in probably August and it'll all be ready to go when the teachers come back. So, >> perfect. Thank you. Great question. >> All right. Any other discussion? All right. Can I get a motion to uh accept the bid to RAK Construction for the 2020? >> What? >> We already did that. >> Oh, we did. Oh, yeah. Yeah. Sorry, we didn't discussion. Yep. All those in favor of accepting the the bid as presented. Say I >> I opposed. >> Motion carries. I can't make it through a single. >> I think you just don't want Laurian. >> Yeah, I don't. Yeah, I'm just trying to prolong this. Okay, >> let's just go back in time a little bit. >> All right, next up we have the 2025 federal single audit with again um Director Henkins. >> Uh thank you, Chair Granland, members of the board. Um see this evening uh where the school board was uh presented with the federal single audit for fiscal year 25 um at the previous school board meeting on March 27th. Um and this evening is um the district are is seeking uh board's approval or acceptance of the federal single audit report as as presented and which is attached to this meeting um for the FY25 federal single audit. And just to quickly the uh school district completes a federal single audit um or is required to complete a federal single audit when we have federal programs that exceed $750,000. And depending on how many programs we have that exceed that is depending on how many programs that they look at um and uh as you can the report is attached to this and um it's it's an unf unmodified um uh audit report um which is the best uh finding that the audit firm can give us um with the single finding of um suspension dearment and the district already has a process for resolving that finding. And um so that's that's it. And seeking approval or acceptance. >> All right. Thank you. Can I get a motion to accept the um fiscal year 2025 federal single audit report? >> So moved. >> Thank you, Julie. Can I get a second? >> Second. >> Second by Laura. Discussion. and make the comment this time that um we had a a very good discussion um at uh our work session. So, thank you Dr. Hennekins. We went through the the audit report and of course member Hull um asked her really good questions as she does when we get audit report. So, thank you member Hull for that. Um so, good discussion. Long discussion was had at that time. >> Thank you. I I kind of want to just let our constituency know that the finding uh that was actually found was kind of minor in you know they called it a significant deficiency but I would say that because of the timing and kind of the challenge of making sure we have all the ducks in a row um I didn't think it was a big deal. So, let's just say um I I believe that this report um may may be look looked at as amplified, but I don't think it's it needs to be that way because the word significant deficiency does sound bad. Um but let's just say from a person who does this for a living, I wouldn't have considered that a significant deficiency. Um and there's also the um segregation of duties deficiency which we already know from our financial audit and we've already talked to administration and they're working on a solution for that. So um I just wanted to let everybody know. >> Thank you. That's why you couldn't see but I was just looking at you going I know you're going to tell us all of this because we need you to tell us >> super important stuff. Yeah. So um thank you for that. Um, any other discussion? All right. If there's no other discussion, we'll go ahead and vote. All those in favor of accepting the single audit say I. >> I. >> I. Opposed. >> Motion carries. All right. Last up with Director Henkin again. Uh, this time for the district 2026 year rate. >> Oh, purchase. Thank you. Go ahead. >> I rateate. It's an I rateate purchase. >> I rate. >> Thank you, Chair Cranland. Members of the board, um this evening uh uh we have each year we have technology purchases and and this one just happens to be a purchase that exceeds $175,000, which um each year the school board gives authority to the superintendent and myself to make purchases up to $175,000. is once we hit $175,000, there's state statute um for for bid law. And uh and the only exception to that to go through that formal bid process like we did for the classroom renovation project is if it's a pre-bid contract. So um we are accessing a pre-bid contract with this, but it does exceed the two or the $175,000 in that it's $287,000 almost $288,000. Um, so this evening I'm seeking seeking board approval um for that purchase. Um, it is within our our our budget. Um, and and really mostly we're cash flowing the purchase until we can receive rate reimbursement. Um, which is a federal program for um, certain types of uh, purchases around communications. Um, so there there's a category one and a category 2. Um, and the category 2 covers equipment for communications within the district. So our wireless access points, our network switching um fall into that and uh technology changes fast and um needs for the students in their classrooms with all their devices grows quickly um and so um these are incredibly important funds. So if you ever hear about -ate funding and a risk to it, that's something we need to pay attention to um because it is very important for our school systems in maintaining that network infrastructure to support the students and their devices for learning. Um and so again this evening um we received several quotes which I shared um uh in the memo to went to the board last Friday in your packet um and this evening seeking approval uh to move forward with the CDW purchase which meets all of the requirements that we've put forward um both with the bandwidth needs with integration within our existing equipment. >> Wonderful. Thank you. All right. Can I get a motion to accept the um contracted purchase from CDW Government LLC totaling $287,89822? >> So moved. >> Thank you, Julie. Can I get a second? Yeah. >> Second. >> Second by Michelle. >> Discussion. Go ahead, J. I did just have a question about a portionment of um funds and so um what what portion of this project do we expect to be funded or reimbursed by the - program versus our capital project? >> Sorry. Yes, I should have said that right away. We have a 90% reimbursement. So it's based on our free and reduced. So um on the back side of this, so this this basically a year from now um roughly. So, in that April um March, April time frame next year um sometimes they get a little bit earlier and we get in the February time frame, we'll receive um the reimbursement basically for this purchase which will happen this summer um which you'll reimburse at 90%. So, we'll get 90% of this back um for those qualifying purchases. Um the service part is not qualifying um but the equipment part will be. Sometimes um certain licensing isn't. So that 266 number might come down a little bit um depending on what they final do final approval on, but we're not concerned about that um because like I said, we we've planned for the expense and we know approximately what the reimbursement rate is, so we've accounted for that um in with this purchase. It is a large purchase. Um but um you know, it's it's uh and with this category 2 funding, it's a fiveyear cycle. And so based on our free and reduce, we get allocate and our student count, we get allocated a certain amount of dollars. Um I think our award for the next five years is is between 700,000 and 750,000 that we have to spend over that five years. And this this is our this is a lot and that and that dollar amount in the first year. Um but it is also one that we're working with the high school. It's our biggest building. Um, and so, you know, moving forward, we're not going to see near that level at expense at a building. So, I won't be back um for 175,000 or more next year. We'll still do this, but it's just going to be a smaller scale because it'll be at a different building. Um, but that's kind of approximately what we're what we're going to get. >> So, is the service component of this an ongo? the the service component of it is really just to help with the integration that we're going to need. Um so there is some level of programming that is beyond our small teams expertise. Um so that's what that service component will be will be programming within some of the networking and switching gear. >> Okay. So my rough math then is that approximately around $48,000 would be coming then unreimbured out of the capital projects levy. Okay. Thank which which the capital projects levy will will support. >> Correct. Okay. Thank you. >> Yes. >> Great question. >> Great question. >> Julie, um so you mentioned service is going to be some maybe programming or whatever. Um could we have glitches in this? Is this going to happen this summer? And then testing. >> Yeah, it'll happen this summer. I mean it we we definitely discuss that and that's part of the process that we look at and you know when I talk about integration and looking at the different companies and what equipment will best integrate we want to make sure that um you know we we're not putting in this completely different system here that we're trying to link with the other four buildings and it just it increases our chances for variable for for errors for problems dramatically. Um but getting it implemented in the summer is best case scenario of course and then it's running and there's at least some people around but you you know it you never know what your um true problem is going to be at capacity until capacity comes. Um but um having you know them work with us and not solely doing all of the programming ourselves also is a benefit because then when we do need that help they know exactly what's going on. we get the same guy that helped us program it to start with. So, um it speeds up the process. So, definitely uh something that we discuss and think about. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Yep. >> Great questions. >> Any other discussion? All right, we'll go. We'll move into a vote. All those in favor of approving the purchase say I. >> I. >> I opposed. >> Motion carries. >> Thank you. >> Wonderful. Thank you. Last but not least, board topics. Does anybody have Go ahead, Jessica. >> I just had a board topic around the special election on April 14th. I have heard some questions in the community about um where to vote and early voting. So, I just wanted to uh note that in-person voting on election day is at the Highlander Center only. So, all precincts in the district vote at the Highlander Center. Um, early voting absentee in person is available at the Anoka County Government Center. So, again, not at city hall, uh, at the Anoka County Government Center in advance of the election. That's open now. Um, and then additionally, mailin absentee valid balloting or sorry, mail mailin absentee ballots are available um for this election as well. Um, and so anyone who's looking for a mailin ballot can request one by applying on the Secretary of State's website. And so there's information about the details of that on the site, but I just wanted to note that there are um those three different ways that that people can um exercise their right to vote um in the special election on April 14th. So thank you. >> Thank you very Thank you. Um and then just to clarify um when you say the Ina County Government Center, you do not mean the one that's down on Central. You mean in >> downtown? Yeah, downtown. Yep. >> I just I've gotten close too and I want to make sure that you know we are not sending people to the wrong place or so. Thank you very much for all of that information. It was really important. >> Any other discussion? I I I think that that's great that we're going to have all the precincts in just one place, you know, so the Highlander Center and uh the city is going to help with um opening up the access to that and then, you know, half the city will go on one side and half the city will go on the other side and nobody's going to be in the wrong place. We'll just be either here or there. So, left or right. So, it's great job. Anybody have anything else to share? Uh, I just want to say um just so much gratitude to you, Lauren, for um for coming back and for joining us. Uh it was not sort of the uh easy stuff that we usually go through in the first six months of the year. Um you know, of our school year. And honestly, it's been really wonderful to have you here and have um have you present with the experience and the knowledge that you you have and you brought to the table the first time when you were here and this time also um as the appointed person. Um it has been lovely to have you here and uh little bit bittersweet to say goodbye and also you know uh just so much gratitude and so much appreciation for you. So thank you for stepping up and for continuing to serve our community and I know even after this role is done you will you will always be there. So thank you for everything. >> You're here. Yay. All right. Uh, any other others? >> I knew she was going to do that to you. Just one for the road. Just >> Yep. Yep. Perfect. >> All right. If there's nothing else, uh, can I get a motion to adjourn uh, the meeting? >> So moved. >> Thank you, Jessica. Can I get a second? >> Second that. >> All right. Uh we will adjourn at 7:02.