Fridley Public Schools Board Meeting - October 2026

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

Story

Fridley Schools Pledges Public Answers on Finances as Audit Looms

Financial update was presented in the work session; district will post answers to community questions online and respond to commenters. A board member expressed frustration but confidence in Dr. Lewis and the finance team pending the audit (D1).

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Superintendent's report: Costa Rica student trip funded by In-N-Out

Three Freedom High School seniors—Julian, Audrey, Jacqueline—described a 9-day Costa Rica service trip funded by In-N-Out, the district's construction oversight firm led by Matt Kiefer. Projects included school rebuilding, beach cleanup, releasing sea turtles (D1).

Enrollment update (October 1 count)

Caitlin reported enrollment across four brick-and-mortar schools fell 56 students (2.13%) from Oct 1, 2025 to Oct 1, 2026. Hayes rose 13 to 471; Hayes+Stevenson at 960. FPS Online Academy serves 56; Vista sites grew from 25 to 37 (D1).

Blue Ribbon Commission on Special Education / $250M state cuts

Commission's top recommendation is repealing the $250M special education cut mandated beginning with the 2029 biennium. Fridley impacts: $707,114 early intervention aid assist and $644,875 transportation reimbursement, totaling ~$1.35M (D1).

Tax increment financing (TIF) impact on school districts

Captured tax capacity in City of Fridley totals $5,938,150 across 203 TIF parcels: Fridley Schools $3,058,715 (56 parcels), Columbia Heights $2,574,915 (17), Spring Lake Park $270,785 (120), Anoka-Hennepin $33,735 (10), payable 2026 (D1).

Stevenson Elementary Full Service Community Schools grant

Stevenson won a $490,000 federal Full Service Community Schools grant after repeated applications; funds a coordinator, tutoring, after-school programs, on-site medical/dental/mental health, transportation and shared governance (D1).

Achievement and Integration plan update

Dr. Cochran reported on the 2022-2025 plan: MCA reading goal (Hispanic students 22%→31%) not comparable due to state test re-norming; integration composite reached 3.404 overall but American Indian students at 2.75; teacher-pipeline class grew 0→14, short of 20 (D1).

CTE, concurrent enrollment and internship programs

District expanded CTE pathways and Genesis Works paid internships; teaching course offers Anoka Ramsey Community College credit and a 30-hour classroom field experience. Participation numbers to be provided (D1).

Areas of Interest (7)

In-N-Out, the firm overseeing district construction, funded a student trip to Costa Rica — examine vendor-funded student travel and potential conflict-of-interest policies.
District finances under scrutiny: pending audit, community frustration, and promised written answers posted online.
TIF districts divert nearly $5.9M in captured tax capacity from Fridley-area school districts annually; Fridley Schools alone loses $3.06M.
$1.35M hit to Fridley from state's mandated $250M special education cut; commission recommends repeal.
Enrollment decline of 56 students and ICE enforcement reference ('Ice Metro Search') tied to enrollment drops — investigate immigration enforcement's effect on school funding.
Unanswered board questions on staffing levels and Vista teacher counts deferred to written response.
State MCA test re-norming makes multi-year achievement comparisons impossible — accountability gap for districts.

Topic analysis (9)

Approval of agenda

Agenda approved by voice vote; motion by Anna, second by Estrada, no opposition noted (D1).

transcript

Superintendent's report: Costa Rica student trip funded by In-N-Out

transcript

Comprehensive financial update and audit

Post answers to financial questions on district website
Respond to community commenters on district finances

transcript

Enrollment update (October 1 count)

Superintendent to provide written response on staffing/teacher counts and Vista teachers

transcript

Blue Ribbon Commission on Special Education / $250M state cuts

Include repeal of $250M cut in district legislative priorities

transcript

Tax increment financing (TIF) impact on school districts

Provide parcel detail for Northstar Transit Station TIF district

transcript

Stevenson Elementary Full Service Community Schools grant

Hire full-time Full Service Community Schools Coordinator
Establish leadership team and advisory committee
Continue applying for grants for other two schools

transcript

Achievement and Integration plan update

transcript

CTE, concurrent enrollment and internship programs

Report number of students participating in Genesis Works

transcript

Votes (1)

Approve the agenda with suggested motions and resolutions

PassedVoice vote; no opposition noted

Moved by Anna · Seconded by Estrada

Notable Quotes (7)

The biggest recommendation out of the Blue Ribbon Commission is don't do it. Repeal the $250 million mandated cuts.
— Dr. Lewis

transcript

Blue Ribbon Commission on Special EducationExplaining special education cut mandate

No, unfortunately, we're asking to have less cuts sustained. That's the current reality that we find ourselves in is less cuts sustained.
— Dr. Lewis

transcript

Legislative prioritiesRecalling advice to a former board member about legislative asks

I have a high level of confidence in Dr. Lewis and our finance team to get us to where we need to be. It's just going to unfortunately take some time.
— Board member

transcript

Financial updateResponding to community comments on district finances

October 1st is a big deal in school districts. Um that's what the state uses as our enrollment count.
— Caitlin

transcript

EnrollmentExplaining Minnesota funding count date

Enrollment decreased by about 56 students from October 1st last school year to October 1st this school year... that's a 2.13% decrease.
— Caitlin

transcript

EnrollmentReporting enrollment data

I went to a school and we helped like paint and kind of rebuild the school... it was a to help like rebuild a staple in the community.
— Jacqueline

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Student tripDescribing Costa Rica service project

It's way bigger than academics. It's really how do we make sure that families and students can get all of their needs met right at our schools.
— Dr. Cochran

transcript

Stevenson grantDescribing Full Service Community Schools grant

People (12)

Dr. LewisSuperintendent

Led financial, legislative and TIF discussion; promised written responses

1 quote

“The biggest recommendation out of the Blue Ribbon Commission is don't do it. Repeal the $250 million mandated cuts.”

Special education funding

Dr. CochranDistrict administrator (curriculum/equity)

Credited with winning $490,000 community schools grant

CaitlinDistrict staff (enrollment)

First school board meeting presentation

JulianSenior, Freedom High School

Described cultural immersion and kindergarten service project in Costa Rica

AudreySenior

Described sea turtle release and beach cleanup

JacquelineSenior

Helped paint and rebuild a Costa Rican school

Matt KieferIn-N-Out (construction oversight firm) leader

Named as leader of firm overseeing district construction

AnnaBoard member

Agenda motion

EstradaBoard member

Agenda motion

Ms. MathesonPrincipal, Stevenson Elementary

Referenced in grant implementation

Ross MeisnerFormer board member

Quoted historically by superintendent

Governor WalzGovernor of Minnesota

State budget context

Places Mentioned

Fridley Public Schools (ISD 14)City of Fridley, MinnesotaFreedom High SchoolStevenson ElementaryHayes ElementaryVista Autism / Vista Middle SchoolNorthstar Transit Station TIF districtCosta RicaColumbia Heights Public SchoolsSpring Lake Park Public SchoolsAnoka-Hennepin Public SchoolsAnoka Ramsey Community College

Events & Meetings (5)

School board meeting with preceding work session and public forum (financial update presented in work session, recorded)
October 1, 2026 enrollment count (19 days before meeting)
October 1, 2025 prior-year enrollment count
9-day Costa Rica student trip
2029 biennium: statutory $250M special education savings begins

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