Fridley Public Schools — Transcript
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
School Board Member Appointments and Oaths of Office
Clerical Master Agreement Approval
New Staff Introductions
Literacy and Math Program Updates
Educator Professional Development Initiatives
Open Meeting Law Changes
District Facilities and Construction Projects
Federal Funding Withholding and Advocacy
Votes (8)
Oaths of Office for New Board Members
Dissent: No dissent
Moved by N/A · Seconded by N/A
Malik and Sarah publicly affirmed their commitment to the oath of office, swearing to support the Constitutions and faithfully discharge their duties as school board members of Independent School District number 14. The importance of guiding education, ensuring equitable quality education, accountability, and advocacy was emphasized.
Approval of Clerical Master Agreement (2025-2027)
Dissent: No dissent
Moved by Anna [00:11:54] · Seconded by Jones [00:12:00]
Angela McShane, a representative of the clerical unit, expressed appreciation for the new competitive contract, highlighting improved staff morale and retention. Superintendent Dr. Lewis emphasized the importance of competitive wages for staff retention and the district's proactive approach in being among the first in the metro area to settle the agreement without back pay, reflecting a collaborative negotiation process and fiscal responsibility.
Superintendent's Report: Withholding of Federal Dollars
Dissent: No dissent, strong support for advocacy
Moved by N/A · Seconded by N/A
Dr. Lewis detailed how over $180,000 in congressionally appropriated federal funds (Title 2A, 3A, 4A) have been withheld from Fridley Public Schools since July 1st, impacting teacher professional development, multilingual learner support, mental health, and the SRO program. She stressed the moral imperative to speak out against this injustice, especially as legal obligations to serve students remain. Board member Sarah echoed concerns about the direct blow to vulnerable students and communities, urging community action. The Chair commended Dr. Lewis's courage.
Approval of Long-Term Facilities Maintenance Plan
Dissent: No dissent
Moved by Anna [01:40:24] · Seconded by Jones [01:40:29]
No specific discussion highlights were recorded, suggesting a routine approval based on prior planning.
Approval of Long-Term Facilities Maintenance Plan for Northeast Metro 916
Dissent: No dissent
Moved by Jones [01:41:26] · Seconded by Anna [01:41:31]
No specific discussion highlights were recorded, suggesting a routine approval based on prior planning for the joint powers district.
Approval of 2025-2027 Community Education Employment Agreement
Dissent: No dissent
Moved by Shriner [01:42:24] · Seconded by Anna [01:42:31]
No specific discussion highlights were recorded, suggesting a routine approval.
Approval of One Reading for Adoption of Policies
Dissent: No dissent
Moved by Anna [01:43:48] · Seconded by Jones [01:43:52]
No specific discussion highlights were recorded, implying a routine adoption of multiple policies listed in the agenda after a single reading.
Approval of Consent Agenda
Dissent: No dissent
Moved by Jones [01:45:00] · Seconded by Anna [01:45:06]
The consent agenda, which typically bundles routine administrative items like meeting minutes, financial reports, and personnel actions (new contracts, resignations), was approved without specific discussion on individual items.
Notable Quotes (8)
It is an honor that you were selected to guide the education of our community students. As you recite the oath of office, you assume a tremendous responsibility for equitable quality education of every student in the district. Because as a board, we must be accountable to the community.
I hereby publicly affirm my commitment to the oath of office. I swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and of the States and that I will discharge faithfully the duties of the office of school board member in Independent School District number 14 to the best of my judgment and ability.
With this new contract, I can say for the very first time that I really feel like our voices are being heard and appreciated and supported. So, for that, I thank you very much. So, um, and to keep good good staff, you need to be competitive and I do believe that this contract is the beginning of that.
I feel like when our staff are paid a wage that is competitive, our staff will choose to stay with us. It's one thing to recruit staff. It's much harder to retain staff and it is from a morale standpoint really hard when you have an open door where people are constantly coming and going from your district.
As of this moment, Fidley Public Schools has not received a single dollar of our federal funds allocated to us under three essential title programs. ... The harm is real and immediate.
The funding for what's legally required has been withheld from us, but the law hasn't changed. So, this uh programming still must occur by law without the funds.
This federal funding that has been authorized, but is being withheld nationally and from Fidley Public Schools is not just a line item in our budget. These funds are vital to our most vulnerable students and will impact the teaching and learning of everyone in our school community.
I I would just add uh Dr. Lewis that it'd be really easy for you to just sit this out, right? Just go underneath the radar, hope everything will figure itself out. That'd be the really easy approach. And I think I can speak uh certainly for myself, but I think I can speak for the rest of the board, too, that we appreciate you being willing to be the tip of the spear and a very uh unapologetic manner.
Ordinances & Resolutions (15)
Agreement for clerical unit employees from 2025-2027.
Legislation guiding literacy initiatives and funding.
Extended timeline for teacher training requirements.
Framework for multi-tiered systems of support in education.
Intense, college-level professional development on the science of reading.
New literacy curriculum being implemented at middle and elementary schools.
Recently approved standards for math education, emphasizing practices, contexts, and rigor.
State law governing public meetings, recently updated to facilitate virtual participation.
Federal funds for teacher and principal professional development, currently withheld.
Federal funds for multilingual learners, currently withheld.
Federal funds supporting student enrichment, mental health, and school safety, currently withheld.
District-wide plan for maintaining facilities.
Maintenance plan for the Northeast Metro 916 joint powers district.
Employment agreement for community education staff.
Various policies undergoing a single reading for adoption.