Fridley Public Schools — Transcript
Thursday, September 19, 2024
School Board Governance and Operations
Community Engagement and Student Support Events
District Infrastructure and Maintenance Issues
Financial Planning and Levy Certification
Student Voter Registration Initiative
Votes (6)
Commissioner Review and Comment on Proposed Projects (MDE Review)
Moved by Ms. Jones [00:30:17] · Seconded by Ms. Anna [00:30:22]
The CFO presented the positive review and comment received from the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) regarding the district's $30 million bond projects. This approval is crucial for moving forward with the election related to these projects, which encompass Safety and Security upgrades, site work, parking lot updates, football stadium improvements, and playground equipment across all district sites to address deferred maintenance.
Preliminary Levy Certification
Moved by Ms. Jones [00:45:51] · Seconded by Ms. Anna [00:45:54]
The CFO presented the preliminary tax levy for calendar year 2025 (fiscal year 2026 revenue), an annual process that kicks off the budgeting for the next school year. The board was asked to approve the levy at its maximum as per state law, with the specific dollar amount to be finalized in December. The presentation detailed changes based on projected enrollment, adjustments in building and lease levy, a significant shift in long-term facility maintenance funding into debt service, and estimated increases in special education aid. The total expected revenue increase for next year is about $1.8 million.
Accepting Gifts to Stevenson Elementary School
Moved by Mr. Stark [00:46:50] · Seconded by Ms. Anna [00:46:54]
The board accepted a donation from Presbyterian Church of the Way to Stevenson Elementary School, consisting of supplies for students valued at $1,399.
Custodian Master Agreement Acceptance
Moved by Ms. Anna [00:47:49] · Seconded by Ms. Jones [00:47:53]
The board moved to accept the Custodian Master Agreement for the 2024-2025 year, which had been ratified unanimously by the custodians.
Adoption of Policies (First Readings)
Moved by Ms. Jones [00:50:39] · Seconded by Ms. Anna [00:50:42]
The board reviewed and adopted three policies after their first readings: Policy 5:15 (Protection of Privacy of Student Records), Policy 5:22 (Title IX Sex Non-Discrimination), and Policy 6:20 (Credit for Learning).
Consent Agenda Approval
Moved by Ms. Anna [00:52:43] · Seconded by Ms. Jones [00:52:47]
The consent agenda was approved, encompassing various routine administrative items. These included minutes from the August 20th business meeting, new contracts, amendments, leaves of absence, resignation letters, a letter of agreement with nutritional services (modifying work week), a memorandum of agreement with Fridley Education Association (specialist teachers taking extra sections), and a memorandum of understanding for Read Act implementation training.
Notable Quotes (6)
We did submit the review and comment this came to the board back in June for approval um it was about a 18-page document laying out uh kind of some background on frle public schools along with um just what our projects were um that we were undertaking...
again we submitted the plan to uh the Minnesota Department of Education uh they approved it without any questions back to us which I think was a testament to the work that um that was put in by a lot of Staff here...
this is an annual process we walk through um uh to approve our our preliminary tax levy um this is for uh calendar year taxes payable in 2025 which is revenue the school district will receive in fiscal year 26 um so this really starts our budgeting process for next school year...
I want to highlight row 12 which is our building and Lease Levy number uh showing an increase of $222,000 on it um there was an adjustment coming through our Levy from um pay 2022 or fiscal year 23 Levy um when we inquired to the state about that they identified it was an error...
one of the pieces that Fridley um benefits from is the new legislation around direct certification so 54.8% % of our students are immediately qualified via direct certification so that means if we're in the Minnesota family investment uh program if one child's enrolled all child children are automatically counted in snap Etc...
that was ratified at 100% so we're so excited
Ordinances & Resolutions (9)
18-page document submitted to the Minnesota Department of Education detailing the scope of the $30 million bond projects.
Annual process for approving the preliminary tax levy for calendar year taxes payable in 2025 (fiscal year 2026 revenue).
Labor agreement recently agreed to and ratified by custodians.
Policy reviewed and adopted.
Policy reviewed and adopted.
Policy reviewed and adopted.
Modifies the work week during the 2024-2025 school year.
Regarding specialist teachers taking an extra section of students.
Regarding training for mandated Read Act implementation.