Welcome everybody. Um I'd like to call to order the September 9th, 2025 school board uh Columbia Heights public schools school board uh meeting. If you're able, please join or please rise 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 so much. Michelle, if you would call roll. >> Absolutely. Uh, Maderas >> here. >> Pway here. Palmer >> here. >> Gramlin >> here. >> H Smith >> here. >> Superintendent Stimbe >> here. >> All right. Thank you very much. >> You're welcome. >> Columbia Heights Public Schools. Our mission statement, 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. All right. Next, we'll move into the agenda approval, adjustments, and announcements. Can I get a motion to approve the agenda? >> So, move. >> Michelle, can I get a second? >> Second. All right. Um, any discussion? All right. No discussion. We'll move to a vote. All those in favor say I. I >> opposed. Abstained. Motion carries. Um in our agenda is uh in our consent agenda, it's the personnel report in the schoolboard minutes from August 26, 2025. U moving into the uh announcements. First off, um September 16th at 5:30, we will have a school board work session here in the community room. September 23rd at 6 PM is a schoolboard meeting again here in the community room. October 14th at 4:45, we have a subcommittee on policy in the community room. And October 14th at 6 PM, we have a schoolboard meeting in the community room. Also from September 17th to the 23rd, it is Constitution Week and I would like to um read a little bit about that. So all institutions receiving federal funding are required to hold programming about the Constitution during the observed Constitution Day. Columbia Heights Public Schools will acknowledge the Constitution Week from September 15th through the 19th. This is a great opportunity to explain the impact of the constitution, checks and balances, impartial laws, and how citizenship is impacted as a result of it in our nation today. Teachers across the district have been provided with resources for Constitution Week learning opportunities. Um, also I would like to pass it over to Superintendent Stenvic for the last part of the announcements. >> The last announcement is that September is schoolboard recognition month. So, our schoolboard members are responsible for governing local schools, managing multi-million dollar budgets, approving curriculum, overseeing policy, ensuring compliance with state and federal laws, and carrying out the 2020 strategic 2020 2030 strategic plan. >> Go back. >> Vision 2030 strategic plan. Um, you all take time out of your busy lives for multiple meetings a month to make crucial decisions that impact children, families, and our community. Your reach extends well beyond governance. The work you do prioritizes learning, creating worlds of opportunities for students. You hold the system accountable for ensuring that the unique needs of each and every learner are met. You commit to providing safe and secure learning environments. You promote the core values of our school district. And for all of that, I am I wholeheartedly thank you. Um, so in front of you, you have a certificate from MSBA and a token of our appreciation. And I'd like to note that we did commission our own Susie Bashio for the sweet treats that are in your boxes. >> And um, the design was wide open and she said it was inspired by Blooming Heights. A >> So I hope you enjoy those. >> Absolutely lovely. They're they're very beautiful. And thank you for all you do. Sincerely. >> Thank you so much. Thank you so much. >> Beautiful. Um, is there any communication from citizens or employees? Not at this time. Awesome. As alluded to earlier, our consent agenda includes the personnel report and the school board minutes from August 26th, 2025. Can I get a motion to accept the consent agenda? >> Moved. >> Jessica, can I get a second? A second. Michelle, any discussion? All right, we'll move to a vote. All those in favor say I. >> I. Opposed. Abstained. Motion carries. Moving into the contributions, which honestly is such a highlight of these meetings. Okay. All right. So, an acknowledgement of contributions resolution Minnesota 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 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 $6,000 in monetary contributions detailed in the background. Uh detailed background monetary Minnesota Vikings Football LLC donated $6,000. >> Yeah, there was a missing zero, but $6,000 to Columbia Academy for girls flag football inind donations. Donors Choose donated classroom supplies valued at $340 to the Valley View Art Classroom. Deianne and Patrick Hollererman donated a Yamaha P52588 key digital piano valued at $1,699.99 to the Columbia Heights High School to support the choir program. Columbia Heights Lions Club donated feminine and personal hygiene products valued at $1,193.76 to Columbia Heights High School for student use. The total fiscal year 2025 2026 monetary contributions to date $6,000. Can I get a motion to accept this resolution? >> So moved. >> Laura, can I get a second? >> Second. >> Uh Karina, any discussion? Go ahead. >> As always, it's it's fun to see these numbers grow throughout the year and um and all of the generosity of our local community, all those value and kind are going to go an awfully long way. You know, it's one of those things, you know, where we had one that said priceless, and it really is priceless. And and thank you very much the to the Minnesota Vikings uh for supporting our girls in sports. >> Well said. Any other discussion? I think maybe just a note there might be a typo underneath the line for signing >> for the the donated. What? Where's the typo? >> Um, it says Michelle's name for schoolboard chair. [Music] >> Oh, at the bottom. There it is. Yep. I did not scroll down. It's at the bottom. It list. Yeah. >> Yep. Uh, thank you for noting that. >> Uh, any other discussion? All right. No other discussion as this is a resolution. We'll call we'll have a roll call vote. Michelle, if you could. >> For sure. U Maderas >> I. >> Pway I. >> Palmer >> I. >> Granland >> I. >> Smith >> I. >> All right. Motion carries. Okay. Next up, we will move into reports from members of the board. I can go first. I'm sure I will forget something and somebody else later will add to it. So, um, since our last meeting, I was able to attend convocation, um, which is essentially a pep rally for our new staff and, um, as well as our, um, current staff. So just getting everybody together and celebrating the start of the year uh which was delightful. We had a lunch outside and picnic style and that was really great to be able to connect with teachers and other staff um and just share excitement for the upcoming school year. Uh I also um attended the first day of school uh to say goodbye to students at Highland with um Director Maderas and Superintendent Stenbick and that was really fantastic to be able to um to see students and their families after the first day of school, especially those little kindergarteners. Um that was really fantastic. I also had an opportunity to connect with Mr. win a few times, some phone calls with Superintendent Stenvvic, and um to chat with teachers about um their their excitement in uh and other things for the school year. I also was able to attend contract negotiations last night um for our teachers contract and uh was able to participate in um caucus and discussing the things and uh as a side note I think uh the negotiations seem to be going really well and it's it's feeling pretty positive all around. So I would say uh Karina, do you want to go next? Sure. Um, since our last schoolboard meeting, I've also attended convocation. Uh, had some wonderful conversations with neighbors given the start of the school year. Um, and believe just double check. Oh, and also attendant negotiations. >> Thank you. Uh, Jessica. >> Sure. Um, well, we're off and running. Busy school year already. Very exciting. Um, I like many of you attended convocation. Um, and in addition to it being, as as Chair Granland said, a pep rally for our staff, it was also a great opportunity to highlight uh service and contributions of our staff and different programs were highlighted, which was awesome. Um, the staff band is always a highlight. My only complaint, and I have shared this with members of the staff band, is that I think that they do need to have a uh a band name. So, um, I threw one in the mix as a suggestion, which is curricular notation. Um, but I I think there are lots of other options. So, I, uh, I would just offer that as a, as a suggestion that they, uh, have a break out some sort of pun for their, for their banding. Um, but a great event as always. Um, and then I, uh, had a presence at a variety of, uh, back- toschool activities and open houses throughout the district. I attended the family center open house, uh the Highland open house, the open house at Columbia Academy. Um and as Chair Granland said, I had the opportunity to um uh greet all of the students at Highland at dismissal on the on the first day. Um and uh what Chair Granland didn't share about the kindergarters is that they all had very adorable first day of school paper hats on >> um as they were exiting the building. So, it was fun to see them and give them high fives and say hello. Um, and then lastly, I attended the Columbia Academy PTO meeting just before this meeting. Thanks. >> Wonderful. Thank you, Michelle. >> Yeah. Um, just a few things. So, I attended convocation as well. Um, lots of fun getting to see um, uh, teachers that I had met um, because we're moving into CA territory over here. Um, and saying goodbye to my North Park family. So, that was nice uh to update them before they start the year on on on my little one. Um I'm sorry, my big one. Um and uh I attended open house SCA, which was a lot of fun. I got to meet my daughter's star teacher and you know, kind of get a better lay of the land. Um pick up our uniforms, which was very nice. She's very excited, which I am happy about. Um so that was great. And then um I also uh reviewed and caught up on the AMSD uh update that was actually last Friday but I couldn't make it so I caught the recording um which was uh very informative. Um there was a survey done of the um educational and political temperature kind of right now and also of Perpich um which I would love more information on um how much we actually um have to do with Perpich um Arts High School. Uh which that was a nice update. It was nice to see that we do have something to do with them. So, I I really would love more information on that as well if that's possible. Um, but that's all I have. Thanks. >> Right. Thank you. I see Super Dembeck is making a note. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> Uh, Laura. Um, well, I mean, I haven't I guess I had I missed convocation and I I I mean, people I thought about you like all morning, you know, and I'm going, "Oh, they're probably doing the dance and the, you know, like that and they're they're doing the phones with the, you know, with the band and stuff like that." So, what a great what a great what a great event and um and like I said, my heart was with you. Um and then the um the but I did get to for the very first time go over to Valley View and help greet the little the little ones coming to school over there. They were so adorable. And I think we have way more than 600 students, okay? Because they just kept coming and coming and coming and coming. And um we were very fortunate also to have uh two of our representatives also um there um to uh to greet our students um both uh Mary Kunes our state senator as well as uh um Sandra Feist um actually were also in attendance. Um and so then thank you for inviting us. That was a lot of lot of fun to be able to do that. Um I also uh attended um 9:16 executive uh board meeting. um uh the when we have such a large board over at 916, there are so many uh so many um districts that are represented that um for superintendent evaluations and feedback. um everybody takes a survey and then the executive committee kind of comes together and kind of pulls everything together and then is able to submit a report on behalf of the board to the and that's kind of what we did was we kind of pulled it all together and um we have discovered that without a doubt um like our superintendent here our our superintendent over at 916 is also extremely highly respected and very effective in her position not as good as I mean nobody's good as Cena but >> just a different beast I it's totally different. It's totally different thing. Yes. And so I I I appreciate the continued uh collaboration that we have um over there. Um and then of course I just I attended also the 916 board meeting and it was to have one that was a little shorter than most of the ones I've had lately. So appreciate that. That's the end of my report. >> Wonderful. Thank you. Uh Superintendent Stenbeck, would you like to give your report? >> Thank you. Uh it's hard to believe that we are only in the second week of school because everything is up and running and the schools are bustling and it's great to have the students back. Um this week I attended the newly formed Northstar Optimist group. Um this is a group that spans membership across an NOA County. Um and they I was told that they're focused on supporting youth. So I wanted to go check it out. I'm not a member at this point. Um, but I'm planning on providing some information um in my weekly report to the board on what that group is. Um, I spoke with Mayor Marcus Simula regarding polling places. I provided some information to the board, but I wanted to state publicly and that during a recent uh work session, the city council discussed our proposal to move um polling places out of our elementary schools and into the Highlander Center. Um, so my understanding is that the council, I did not see it on the agenda from yesterday, so it probably is coming at an upcoming board me or council meeting. Um, that they are in favor of moving out of Highland Elementary to the Highlander Center, but are more reluctant to move out of Valley View. Um, so I'm considering that as step one win and and there's still a step two to to go. Um, so we will just continue to collaborate with them and move forward on that. Um, I I still have the continued request. So there's an update on that. Um, and then lastly, uh, last week I did participate in the first legislative task force on compensatory revenue. Um, it was a brief meeting via teams was virtual meeting. Um, largely in introductions and kind of an overview. However, the next meeting is a full day meeting on October 6. So, and that will be in person. So, I'm looking forward to really digging in to the work around compensatory revenue for the children of Minnesota. That's it. All right. Thank you so much. >> Okay. Uh we will move on to the employee handbook. Um and I believe that is Director Bennett who's walking up to the stage now. Welcome >> Granland, members of the board, Superintendent Stenbeck. Tonight, I'm here to present a draft of the 2025 2026 employee handbook. Um, there are very minor updates from last year's handbook. So, it's just a practice we do to bring it forward to the board. Um, some of the updates did include just reviewing the policies over the last year if any language changes and updating that in the handbook. There was some buildings and grounds updates um to language about indoor air quality and pesticides. Um, updating leave language in preparation for the January 1st Minnesota pay leave law to go into effect. And then there are some updates to some contact information or website links that had to be revised. So the final handbook will be presented as part of the consent agenda on September 23rd and the final handbook will have the updated table of contents, cover page, and appendix. >> All right. So this is anformational item. Um so we do not have any votes on it, but does anybody have any questions? >> I did. Go ahead. Um, I was just curious if the second item, the language access plan, would be included in the handbook or separately for >> again. I'm sorry. >> Would the language access plan be included in the handbook or separately? >> That's something totally separate from the employee handbook. >> No, I think there was mention of it being in the handbook, but I didn't see it in the handbook. So, that's why I'm asking. >> The student handbook. >> It's in the student handbook, it sounds like, and not the staff one. >> Okay. Thank you. I don't think it stated which one. So that's why I was asking. Thank you, >> Laura. >> Oh, I I was just looking at the cover letter here. I do I do love this paragraph to Can I share it? >> Okay. It is my expectation and our collective responsibility that every student and every staff member experience a learning and working environment that is free from discrimination, a place where our differences are not only recognized but celebrated and honored. I think that's beautiful. Thank you. It is really >> pretended that to the >> employee. >> I think that that's that is our core values. >> All right. If there's no other discussions, this um as was stated, this will come um at our next board meeting uh as part of the consent agenda. Thank you so much. >> All right. Next we have uh the language access plan and uh director Namboy and um Miss Bowman >> assistant >> I'm sorry assistant superintendent >> assistant >> sorry about that >> welcome Um, >> good evening. >> Thank you. Good evening, Chair Garland, Superintendent Sanvic, and members of the board. I am here to present the language access plan with my colleague uh Sarah Bowman who was our EL coordinator. Um it's important for me to note that the language access plan is a result of new legislation that was passed but in practice we already do a lot of the requirements that are in the language access plan. I think it was good for legislators to pass the statute so that school district can put into one place all the requirements that are necessary to support families, students and staff. So our mission in Colombia Heights public schools is creating worlds of opportunity for each and every learner. All belong and all succeed. And as we think of the language access plan, it really touches to each and every learner because of our students who speak other languages uh that are different than English. And you know, I was reflecting about the core values. At first, I thought, well, just community, collaboration, and courage. And then I looked at the comprehensive language access plan. It actually encompasses all of our core values. When you think about the respect of those who speak other languages, when you speak about the integrity, doing what is right, you know, when we think of the civil right uh uh act of 1964 article six that talks about allowing family to have access to information in the language that is there. And so uh all of these core values will be uh represented in our presentation tonight. And then equally important uh the CHPS core values are aligned with the CHPS board equity board statement and I think there is evidence of that as well in the work that we're doing with the language access plan. Um so today it's an information session uh where we're pro providing information about the language access plan and then we'll be back on 923 for action requesting you to adopt the language access plan. So to put things into context, it's very important in our district to center ourself around data and before you you can see our individual schools and that we gave the number of EL students that we have including the percentages. Uh you know I proud to say you know when I first started we used to talk about it was one out of every three students who was in Yale students. Now it's one out of every two students. So we've grown and this falls um into play with the language access plan because many of our families speak more than one language. Equally important uh we've provided here the top languages spoken in the district but it's not all the languages. In total we have 37 languages represented in our school district but in front of us we have the numbers by uh numbers and um you can see them for yourself. We often uh create trivia during uh new staff meetings to ask if people can regurgitate the order. So maybe you'll be part of it someday as you are very present in our schools. So when we think of the language access plan, there are three sections. The first section is policy and regulation. By virtue of this meeting, we're responding to the policy. Uh it's the law. We need to meet federal and state uh requirements. And that's section one. And then there is a second section which is the content of the access plan. So all those bullets uh from an overview to timelines to plans of maintenance and community engagement all those are things that are in the second section. And then there is the good part uh the procedures uh what we do every day and uh we'll share in the preceding slide what we already do to support our families to support our staff to be able to have access to translation or interpreting services. And so in terms of policy, um the Minnesota state law that support language access plan uh is in statute 123B32 and the first subdivision talks about the school board uh adopting a language access plan at the public meeting. So here we are presenting our plan and uh equally important it states that this plan must explain how schools help students and families who use a language other than English and be included in the school handbook. So Karina uh you did read it is the student handbook. And then the second subdivision talks about the plan must be must include how school use and train certified interpreter for conversations about academic progress you know placement and special services and it must explain how families uh will be in form of their right which is accessing resources. And the third subdivision talks about a plan that can't be static, created once and left alone, but one that has to be reviewed every two years to uh implement some update and changes based on what we've learned uh and what we're doing in the district. So I will pass it on to Sarah to lead us through the key component of the language access plan. >> Good evening everyone. Um so I just kind of highlighted the key components of the language access plan. And I won't go into too much detail for you, but it really is about policy regulation and then um the description of services that we have provide and um identification of language assistant needs. How do we identify if they need um assistance with another language or with the English language and staff training, how are we training our staff and supporting them with language services and then procedures for requesting those language services. So those are kind of the key components of the language access plan. So the description of services we have written translation services, interpretation services, in-person interpretation services for events um and additional language access supports uh through like apps, communication apps like S'more for a newsletter or um talking points or Seesaw um that can translate into parents' home language um so that they have it in a preferred language and and then we have a process for requesting those services as well. So, this is just like um there's a visual support that this is a guide that we send out to our teachers um for directions on how to access interpretation and translation services. Um so, to be able to identify language assistance needs, we kind of do a scan in different areas. So like multiple points like the when they come to the placement center and fill out the enrollment forms there's a Minnesota language survey that kind of talks about what their child what language does their child understand or know but it also asks like what is what kind of language is exposed in the home. Um so that's one point data point where we can identify what languages they might need. Um it's also we record that information in our student information system which is synergy. Um and we make note if they need translation services or interpretation services. Um and so then the schools can figure out if they need to get those services for them um at certain events or um when teachers need to communicate to parents and call home. And also we have homeschool liaison is each site and they're also another point of contact where they can um get information on whether they need language services or not. Um, and then they also have this guide, the guide that was shared previously of just um, other languages if they don't speak Spanish because most of our homeschool leaison speak Spanish. And um, Yep. And we also just interpret the the our services that we do have available of like what requests have been made and analyzing those and seeing which ones are primary primarily requested and seeing how we're best supporting um our families. So how we are communicating these language services. So that's kind of been a work in progress, but um we are this is primarily for the families that don't speak English, right? And they speak another language. And we are going to try to communicate it through newsletters and printed flyers and the district website. And we already do some of those things like when we send out uh newsletters at the beginning of the of the newsletter, we're like, "Do you need this translated?" and it's in their mult multiple languages in our top five. Um and then also um if there's any parent notifications being sent out is making sure that it's in their language and or they're able to scan a QR code and get it in their language as well. So there's different avenues that we're trying to take to make sure that they're getting the getting information in their preferred language. So um training staff is ongoing and so every year we have scaling the heights for new teacher orientation and that's one area that we have a little section of where we presented the information of what services are available for them and provide that handout that was uh previously shared at the beginning and explaining how to which language services they have available to them. Uh, and then I also send out an email to the district staff, the entire district staff of that hand handout and communicate if they have any needs of how to use those services, just uh, let me know and then I'll connect with them. And um, yeah, so those are the training pieces that we usually have right now. We have resources to provide language services. So for example, um we have that quick guide for staff and then uh homeschool liaison also help interpret during the school day. Um so that's another service that is available to families if we need another language besides Spanish. We always use uh the selected vendors that we have contracts with. And the primary vendors that we do use for language services are which is the next slide. We have Propio which is our primary one and then Language Line Solutions. Uh Propio has like video call and in person. So that's really nice. Language line is mostly on like through phone call and then all-in-one is our uh translation services. So like anything written that we need professionally translated that they they provide those services. So, >> and uh both Propio and All-in-One also have in-person interpreters that we bring in for conferences. >> So, this so in the language access plan, we have to lay out the procedures on how to on various different topics and some of these are covered in the language access plan. Um, and we just want to make sure that we're responding quickly with language assistance needs and tracking it accurately. So, that's our primary goal for having these procedures laid out um and in detail and having these procedures clearly laid out just helps families and staff be on the same page and feel supported in our school district. That's what we want. So, um which leads us into the outcomes and next steps of our >> I'm going to add one. So on the translation documents, we receive students who enroll in the district with transcript from out of the country >> and so sometimes we don't understand what those are and we're able to send them for translation before we look at the credit validation so that they can receive those credit uh before they are registered for class. uh and also working with teachers. Sometimes teachers have resources that they would like to make comprehensible for students who speak a different language. The written translation is submitted through the district and then we work with um allin-one to be able to translate some of the resources, not all the resources. >> And and we use like certain there's AI now that can help us do some, but it has to be depending on the situation. So like IEPs and 504 plans and meetings like that, you have to have a qualified interpreter. Um but in like daily communications using Seesaw, their translation services um and using sometimes Google translate even just to help um build the bridge. Um sometimes teachers we have them use that as well. But with that, so the outcomes, the whole purpose behind this is really just to meet compliance for um federal and state regulations, but also making sure that it's helping increase family particip participation in our district. Um, we really encourage family engagement and we want them to feel welcome and and and build and building that bridge of like communication leave alleviates the the pressures of school and the environment hopefully. So that's the goal is is really to make families feel welcome and supported when they're here at school and making sure that they understand that the information that's being shared um at their schools and ultimately is to to improve multilingual learners academic outcomes and making sure that they're well informed. So, sorry. So, next steps uh it's reviewing and revising. There's always room for improvement and um and so that's going to be ongoing and we will have to continue to do ongoing training and making sure that everyone understands the services available including staff and families and collaborating with building administration and seeing where areas where we can improve um and providing language services to our families and and creating familyfriendly resources like This language access plan is very exhaustive. It's probably not the most, you know, familyfriendly one. So, we'd like to make a a version that's um more concise. Yeah. So, where the language access plan will live, it will be on our website so anyone can access it and view it. It will be under families and then under language services. And so right now it's really just the language access plan is linked in there, but eventually down the road what we would like to is build it out and make it more familyfriendly. So >> all right, thank you for that. >> Um, are there any questions? >> No, just ahead. >> No, go ahead, Jessica. Thank you very much for the information and the presentation. I especially appreciate having the data at the beginning about um the languages spoken by our current families because we've um definitely seen some some changes um over time. Um and I'm just wondering uh about um sort of everything that's gone together in this plan. You had said, you know, these are things we're largely already doing. So, it's putting everything in one place um to comply with with the statute, but I'm just wondering if there's anything um that's a part of the plan that you would consider uh something new that we'd be doing, whether it's around um monitoring uh how we're using um the services in the district. I'm thinking particularly around um we're able to see like provide many different opportunities for um different channels, different modalities um different vendors for um uh interpreting services. And so just thinking about like um are we doing anything different in terms of how we monitor that or have we always kind of monitored that data? Thinking about the stakeholder engagement piece and um you know how we're going to get feedback on this plan. um just as a couple of of pieces. I guess my main question is um are there things that are part of this plan that are going to be new for us as a district? >> Yeah, I think that's a very good question. I think the superintendent and I were discussing. So when you think of language access, you also have visuals. So one of the things that we've been talking about are signs, right? So we're used to always putting out our signs in English except when we go to parents and we translate. And so one of the things that we've been discussing even at the placement center is having these signs where a parent come and they can choose a card and say I need help with whatever their language is that's aspirational that we want to be able to see or even at the schools when you get arrive at the school can the parents see a sign that say espanol and then can read it in their language. So those are things that we are in discussion of and see how we can make those environment friendly. >> Thank you. Um and then I just want to make sure I understand sort of the bo the board's role in this going forward. So we're we'll be asked to approve the language access plan. Um and then um as revisions are made every two years or sooner, whatever that looks like, um will we be receiving sort of regular reports to the board about that or would we be asked to approve revisions in the future or how will that work? >> So, as I think I heard the superintendent says, you guys do a great job with governance and showing up at schools. Um like Lindsay just presented the update to the handbook when we do make major update to it we'll be able to come and say as a result of the work we've been doing here are some recommendation that have come from our staff or from our families and here's something new that has come. So we'll be able to provide that because when we come back we're asking you to adopt it as you understand what services we're providing. We're not just doing interpreting internally, but you know that we have vendors that are trained and licensed that we're using. We're not just using in-person interpreting, but we're using VRI, the video uh interpreting. And then we've also shared that at uh open houses or parent teacher conferences. Schools do request in-person interpreters. And one of the we just gave you an example of three vendors, but there are local interpreting agencies that we use. and one of them was a former parent from Highland whose services are heavily used for Oromo and Tigrinia. Uh and so those are some of the things that uh we may provide update if there is a major shift >> and the reason I ask is because we do have mechanisms built into the plan for stakeholder input. And so I'm particularly interested in I mean I know we're already we're already gathering um feedback from from our families on our our language services and accessibility issues. So, I'm just interested in hearing um from families um and kind of what you're hearing as this plan is is implemented and as we kind of push out more information to families about what's available. >> Absolutely. >> Um and then I just had a not a question, but I just wanted to note um that the plan does include um language around um services for emergency communications. And I think that's particularly important to to families in the district to make sure that um you know if there's anything happening um in our district or at any of our buildings that all of our families have the same access to um immediate information um about what's happening. So I'm glad to see that that's part of the plan as well. And then I had maybe just one suggestion as you're thinking about um putting together a more familyfriendly sort of concise version that maybe when that's complete um it that's something we could also push out to our parent teacher organizations um maybe through the principles um because I know that um in my um my work with PTO's in the district that we get a lot of questions from families about um what uh services are available. um particularly at school events or when they're planning um family involvement or engagement activities at school or um working with the individual schools on activities for the multilingual um learner nights. Um that that would be really helpful information that I think would be well received. So thank you very much. >> Great. Thank you. Any other questions or comments? Laura, >> I of course I have a comment. Um when I first started on the board, this was something that we were talking about then and there was so many things that we could not do. So I'm I'm glad to see kind of this more comprehensive kind of solution um that does more than just welcome even in our families, you know, I we want our families to to um to uh know that this is their their school, you know, so and they should be at home here. So, um, so and I'm glad to say that that is a special emphasis. >> I think I'll just leave it at that. Thank you. >> All right. Thank you. >> A lot of work there. >> Um, any other comments, questions? Um, I just want to say I love how far our district has come uh to be able to provide this support even since I was first on the board. Um, so I really I love all of this work. Thank you very much. I know it's not easy to put that together and to put a plan together that is um not only accessible for to make our policies and information accessible for our families, but also um it can be a challenge to make something that is easily accessible by staff. So, uh you did a really great job walking that tight rope. So, thank you for that. Um one more. >> Go ahead, Laura. >> And if and it complete and it completes our mission there. all belong, I'll succeed. >> I think that this is literally the epitome of what we were looking for. Thank you. >> Yeah. Um, so as was noted, this wasformational only and this will come to our board on September 23rd as an action item. So, thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> And happy schoolboard month. >> Thank you, assistant superintendent. >> Thank you. All right, we will move into board topics. I know Laura has one. Does anybody else have a board topic? >> I got notes here. >> No. All right, go ahead, Laura. >> Okay. Um, couple things. Um, MSBA um the delegate assembly, the um self-nomination for that is happening right now up through the 30th of September. Um so if you want to participate in the delegate assembly there are three dates that you need to keep in mind. Um one is the 24th of November. There's like a pre-delegate this is what happens kind of a deal and we go over a lot of the resolutions that are submitted. Um so that's a webinar so you don't have to go anywhere but it is online. Sometimes they record it. I haven't seen any notice about them about it being recorded so that you could view it later but I'm pretty sure they will. Um and then it'll be the 5th and the 6th. That's a Friday and a Saturday of Sep of December is the delegate assembly. That's down in Bloomington. That is a self-nominated um and it'll be uh made up of um of uh school board members. Um our kind of our delegation will be schoolboard members from our our um school board districts. Um, and if there are more than the seats that are available, um, then, uh, there will actually be another election that will be held later. And basically, everybody's names put into a hat and we all check off on it. Um, and then they do choose some alternates, which um, should be, if you are chosen as an alternate, you want to make sure that you are available on those days. And I actually would recommend actually going to those meetings because somebody doesn't always show up. Twice I've been an alternate and both times I was seated. Okay. So, just putting that out there. So, that's one. Uh, the second item is is between now and the 24th of um of uh September. Um, we could submit a resolution if we so desired. Um, MSBA is no longer accepting resolutions from single school board members. It has to be done and submitted as a board. Um, I think they were getting an awful lot of one board member, I mean, one school board, half the board wants it this way and half the board wants it that way. And they were just saying, you know what, if you're not all in support of it, don't set it to us. >> I'm sorry. >> Is this for the delegate assembly? >> Yes, this will be for Yes. Good question. That is for the the delegate assembly. Now the the advantage of course of being in the delegate assembly is is that MSBA does a lot of lobbying for us especially with our legislature to um and so we have an opportunity to uh to in mass kind of say you know you need to you know we need to focus on this particular area that's really affecting all of our schools not just a single one or the biggest one you know um so it it's done by obviously by popular vote and um and that they develop a legislative platform um by our input. I think it's probably one of the most effective ways to spend a weekend in December. So, I highly recommend that if you want to be involved in that, please go online. Um you just go to the MSBA website and you just apply. Okay. >> I guess I have a question. >> Go ahead. >> So, you're saying like individually to go apply, but that we all have to agree on it as >> that's two different things. So apply apply to be a delegate but also if there's a resolution that you would like to bring forward bring it to the work session so that we can all agree because we all have to agree on the resolutions to provide. Is that correct? >> That is correct. Yes. It has to be it has to be an entire board. >> Okay. >> Resolution. >> Okay. And submitted by September 24th. >> I gota thank you. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> I am interested by the way. >> Okay. And did I promote that enough? I'm going ravolved. Okay. Well, you've done this before, right? Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Okay. I highly I highly recommend it. Highly I already asked for the time off, so just in case. If not, I'm just going to take a weekend off. >> There you go. >> In December. Yay. >> Um, is there a limit on the number of school board members from one board that can participate? >> I don't I don't know. >> I don't know. I We haven't had that happen. >> You know, I'll usually very well represented. We usually do. >> You have to avoid a quorum, I'm imagining. But Jessica, >> what's that school board? >> What did you say? I'm sorry. >> I'm wondering if there was something to do with quorum, but it looks like you were going to answer. >> Oh, not about quorum. You were asking. >> It's not school board business. Like we're not doing like school board. >> No, I mean it used to be right that they would appoint they would just fill seats based on everybody that applied. But now they've changed >> into the the districts. And so um >> No, no, it should still be out. It should still be out of like our our our like district 13 the not not district um uh the >> the school district you know so it'll be like us and Fidley and >> right it's still going to be it's still going to be collective like our region >> they're trying to sp spread the delegates for broader representation so where it used to be like >> you know all six of us for the Columbia high school board we could all like apply and maybe we'd all get seated now it's going there's going there's going to be some people that are designated to be representing that broader area and then there's going to be sort of at large spots. >> So since we're not we don't have all of the information I'm curious if you might be able to provide that superintendent stenic in our Friday pack. I sure can. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> I'm sure it's available on the website. >> I'm sure. Yes. But this way then we all get the correct information. >> But regardless of the process that they're using this year, you're right, Laura, that you you're likely to get seated. So every I think if any anybody on this board is interested in participating, they should definitely >> Yeah. >> self-nominate. >> Yeah. It it it is sometimes unfortunate to see larger districts that have a lot of seats available only have a few delegates show up, >> you know, because they they do represent quite a few quite a few districts and it's it's great to hear more voices rather than less. It's just my opinion. >> Right. Thank you. So, >> are there any other board topics? I would just like to say um to the board last week um we had received the information regarding um Superintendent Stemik's contract from our lawyer just she was looking it over. Um uh as of 5:00 p.m. today, I did not receive any questions that would require legal um any legal clarification on. So, uh as a reminder, we're going to have that closed session next week to finalize and discuss um the contract for superintendent. So, just wanted to make sure everybody was prepared for that next week. All right. Since there are no other others, can I get a motion to adjurnn? So moved. >> Michelle, can I get a second? >> Second. >> I second my own motion. >> Laura. >> All right. >> All those in favor or is there any discussion? No. Is there any discussion? All those in favor say I. I. Opposed. Abstained. Motion carries. We are adjourned at 653.