Fridley Public Schools — Transcript
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
School Board Organization and Officer Elections
Superintendent's Report: Paraeducator Recognition Week
Superintendent's Report: Summer Capital Projects Update
Superintendent's Report: Impact of Immigration Enforcement (ICE) Activities
Superintendent's Report: Statutory Operating Debt (SOD) Recovery Plan
Superintendent's Report: E-Learning and Community/Staff Support During Crisis
Board Updates: MSBA Leadership Conference and AMSD Legislative Priorities
Votes (7)
Election of Board Chair
Dissent: Jay Car [0:07:33] abstained from his own election.
Moved by Unknown [0:07:05] · Seconded by Unknown [0:07:07]
Nominations were opened for the Board Chair position. Jay Car was nominated, and no other nominations were put forward.
Election of Board Vice Chair
Dissent: None
Moved by Anna [0:08:14] · Seconded by Stark [0:08:18]
Nominations were opened for the Board Vice Chair position. Sarah Jones was nominated by Anna. No other nominations were put forward.
Election of Board Treasurer
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [0:09:12] · Seconded by Jones [0:09:15]
Nominations were opened for the Board Treasurer position. Nikana was nominated. No other nominations were put forward.
Election of Board Clerk
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [0:10:11] · Seconded by Unknown [0:10:13]
Nominations were opened for the Board Clerk position. Avana Start Shriner was nominated. No other nominations were put forward. Following the vote, the Chair announced that Sarah Shriner and Pajar Yang would be titled Clerks (Directors) for the year.
Approval of School Board Organization and Annual Authorizations
Dissent: None
Moved by Jones [0:11:47] · Seconded by Unknown [0:11:49]
Following the election of board officers, a motion was made to formally approve the school board's overall organization and associated annual authorizations for the upcoming year.
Resolution Accepting Gifts
Dissent: None
Moved by Stark [1:04:19] · Seconded by Anna [1:04:22]
A resolution was presented to formally accept a monetary gift of $1,290 from Fidley United Women in Faith, which was designated to be used for the needs of students in the district.
Approval of Consent Agenda
Dissent: None
Moved by Stark [1:04:47] · Seconded by Anna [1:04:50]
The consent agenda, which included the statutory operating debt resolution, minutes from the December meeting, new contracts, amendments, leaves of absence, resignations, and terminations, was presented for approval. The SOD resolution was a significant component of this agenda item, having been discussed extensively earlier in the meeting regarding the district's financial recovery plan.
Notable Quotes (2)
I just appreciate the well thoughtout plan um and the transparency and how school finance actually works. Um, I think it's a wonderful lesson that once an educator also always an educator and there's always more to learn for the community.
Well, well put, Dr. Lewis. Appreciate this. I mean, this isn't certainly an easy conversation to have, but the the point that I really appreciate is the live updates. Uh, not only for us as a board, but for the community as well. Um, I think it takes a a bold agenda to to put these things out there live and I think it'll be uh that information will be well served for our community. So, I appreciate that.
Ordinances & Resolutions (7)
Official declaration designating January 19-25, 2026, as Paraeducator Recognition Week.
Minnesota law enacted in 2023, taking effect in 2025, restricting the intentional addition of PFAS in products, which impacts synthetic turf selection.
A formal statement from Superintendent Lewis detailing the district's experiences and impacts due to ICE enforcement, for use by the AG's office.
The district's recovery plan submitted to the Minnesota Department of Education to address its financial deficit.
A formal resolution committing the district to the recovery expectations and statutory requirements of the SOD plan.
A survey providing high-level information about student experiences within the state, mentioned during the MSBA update.
A list of advocacy items from the Association of Metropolitan School Districts presented to the board.