time. >> All right, I think we are ready to officially get it started. And I would start by uh if you choose, we'll start off with doing the pledges of allegiance, please. I pledge allegiance >> 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. >> Thank you. And we will start off with I would entertain a motion to approve the agenda with our suggested motions and resolutions. Do I have a motion? >> Motion by Meiser. Do I have a second? and second by Anna. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> All those opposed. Motion passes. Now that we have the agenda approved, we can start off with the superintendent report. Dr. Lewis, it's all yours. >> Thank you so much, Chair. We already held the truth and taxation. So, thank you for your time and attention to that and the public comments that will come later in the event. So, we appreciate that. >> [snorts] >> Next, I am deeply honored and um sad to uh thank Ross Meisner for his service and his time on the board. Ross, I'm going to embarrass you a little bit here. So, um if you all recall, Ross was the one to make the phone call to me to let me know that I was the preferred candidate. And if you recall further, I was balling on the phone. What you all were so sweet about is that that little seven-year-old was running around the neighborhood and I was trying to help find her and she wasn't even my own child. And it was dark and it was all these kids. I mean, I only have three, but it felt like 17. And then I was trying to find this other kid and I was trying to um be super respectful for you um on that meeting. So I will never forget that moment and it has just been an honor to work with you. I also remember that we met on June 30th at Panera and you said I'm gone for the month scuba diving and um for the entire month. So that's how you welcome me as the board [laughter] chair. Just harassing you though. It's also been fun to get to know you um my first year as a dad as well. So Ross, you bring such a disciplined approach to the board. you always are leaning in so much to the academic work. You've really helped us to think deeply about student devices and um you're at our events and I just can't thank you enough. I'm I'm honestly really sad to see you go. So um you've just been absolute delight and you'll always be my first board chair as superintendent. So um board, I'll entertain back to the chair with any comments here to send Ross off. Very well. Yeah, sure. First, I'd like to point out the picture. [laughter] Some people go as Santa. Apparently, Ross just goes right to the the happy elf. But, uh, Ross, I I will miss you as well. Like, I I consider you a friend. I consider you a colleague. Um, you've had many hats on the board. Uh, one of them was as board chair. And I think uh I can say unequivocally, I think one of your biggest accomplishments was guiding us through picking a new superintendent. it was in a in a time in which we didn't think that it was something that we would have to do at all and and you guided us and we got a great superintendent with a lot of your your guidance. Um and and it was easily the most difficult decision I've ever made and I think I can speak for all of us that were on the board at the time. Uh and you really helped us with that and and what I really appreciate about you Ross is not your emotion. You are a you are a black and white guy. you take emotion out of it, which is very difficult to do at times when you're talking about public education and you you are a critical thinker and and you've brought that to the board and it'll certainly be best. So, thank you for your friendship and and uh your your time and service on the board. Appreciate you. >> Thank you, chair. >> Uh >> oh, are you nervous now? >> Say something. >> Um we've known each other for a really long time and I appreciate the fact that you're willing to push all of us. We are, you know, we dive into issues really, really deeply and we challenge each other and we make each other think outside the box and, you know, whether or not we agree, it's kept respectful, but it's usually you come in here and I come in over here and then we find a way to figure it out respectfully. Um, and I think that's really important for people to know, the work that goes behind the scenes and regardless of how, you know, we knew each other before you were ever on the board. Um, gosh, even before I was on the board, I think, um, but always kept it professional and focused on the students and I, you know, just echo everything that Jake and Dr. Lewis said. >> That wasn't so bad, was it? [laughter] >> And I wouldn't expect anything else. I'll say something quick. Obviously, what they said, but ever since I met you, the word data has really uh stuck with [laughter] me and it will forever and ever in my life because of you. >> Measure, how are we measuring? >> Yes, measuring data. So, yeah, thanks for everything. We'll miss you, >> Ross. I also appreciate you so very much on the board and the leadership that you've had, the way that you have mentored me and other board members as we have come into this role what the what the responsibilities are of being a board member and what that looks like. I think you also and as all of them said the focus on what is best for our students is always your top priority and I really really appreciate that. Thank you. >> Thank you so much. >> I've known you for two hot minutes. [laughter] No, Ross, thank you. Thank you so much cuz I do appreciate your perspective and uh you're a very welcoming person on the board for somebody that's brand new in this position. So, thank you for that and I hope that this means that it's a real retirement and you get to have lots of fun. >> Very retired. [laughter] >> I want to be you when I grow up. >> Well, thank you all very much. Uh the worst part about being on the board is having to sit here and hear people say nice things about me. uh cuz that's the only thing that makes me uncomfortable. Um but I do deeply appreciate that. Uh I leave this board um I've enjoyed serving the community. I've enjoyed very much serving with all of you, each and every one of you. Um I've been delighted to work with you, Dr. Lewis and your chief sidekick, Lori, and the rest of the staff. Uh, and I leave during this difficult and troubled time for public education, but I leave with a strange sense of optimism because of the strength of the team that we have here on the board and in the administrative leadership. The role of public education cannot be overstated in the support of a well functioning democracy and uh we need an informed electorate that means we need an educated electorate and we need everyone educated and that is the role of public education. So, I very much appreciate what you will all continue to do for our children, for our families, for our community, and for our country. Thank you. >> Awesome. Thanks again, Ross. Okay, next. Oh, the holiday lunchon. Yes. Okay. So, last Tuesday, um Relle Lori, um Officer M or um Director Mickelson, sorry about that. Um and some other staff uh went and were a part of the holiday launch. That's a joint um lunch. Uh and it's always such a good time. And as you can see, our outfits are on point. I think um what you can't see is that we have bow barrettes. Um so they're little holiday bows as barretes. So um we're really excited. Over 300 um seniors were at the event. The Lions were um just welcoming, serving plates, checking in. It was just a beautiful event. This has continued for more than 40 years. Um and a full holiday dinner. [snorts] and it's just so nice to see our community and everyone coming together out of a place of love and all of the Fidley pride. So, it's one of my favorite events. Um Michelle, Lori, anything further on that? >> Um I would just say, um what a great opportunity to start to bridge generations. Um many of the seniors like to talk to us about what's happening in the schools. It's a great way for us to communicate with them. Um and um usually get a lot of thanks for our festive gear that we're wearing, but also that we show up and continue to help our programming, which is from a continuum of all ages as a school district. Lori, you um next we'll talk about AVID National Conference, also finally called NatCon. Um we went there last week. It is just such a place of learning, excitement, growth, etc. Um, and this year we actually had our uh equity team attend and just phenomenal takeaways. Um, when I say we're there for different purposes. So Michelle and I go to the leadership portion and um what has also happened is we've been invited into the superintendent um very small group. It's like a think tank group and when we suggest things uh AVID seriously listens. So the whole um when Michael McCormack came superintendent of residents from AVID that literally came out of this uh leadership lunchon or leadership um lunchon and and gathering of the small group of superintendents that came out of last year. the um international talent and new to teaching uh avid professional learning that's being piloted in Fley public schools literally came from that we are in um the emerge for multilingual where the um second district in the state to be with that that came out of that opportunity our AVID certified educators came out of that opportunity so it's just phenomenal um the [snorts] work with AVID when we say hey this is what we need. They literally deliver which doesn't happen too often to be honest and they deliver on that immediately. Um they are also asking um Fidley to be spotlighted at next year's Netcon. So we're really excited about that. Um just a wonderful learning. Um if you recall we had at the work session in November an AVID presentation and we are bringing that back in January. And then our equity team will also be presenting on their insights. Director Shriner, I'm not trying to put you on the spot here as you were there in your day job, but anything you would like to add as a conference participant? Second year, right? >> Yep, that's correct. Yep. Second year. Um, no, just they are phenomenal. So when it comes to preparing students with the tools that they need and I'm stealing this 100% from the AVID program to make or to help every student be choice ready for whatever it is that they want to do after high school. AVID has some phenomenal tools, training and support to help all of our staff across the board whether it be equity classroom leadership um and get our students what they need to go and do the things that they want to do after high school. So phenomenal conference and I'm I'm honored that we get to continue to send staff and continue that growth because it's important. >> It's so important. >> So thank you. >> Um thank you Assistant Sup Cox. Anything further? >> I would just say another program that we um had that came out of last year's and that we were um spoke with a lot of people about was our Advent for athletes. So, yeah, and doing that program, which is just near and dear to my heart. And, you know, um, one thing I love about uh, being at Fidley Public Schools is when the superintendent says we're going to stand it up within a month, we stand it up in a within a month. And, and to do that and then to have other programs asking about how we did it and why we did it and what our purpose was. And it's always fun to interact with other school districts while we're there, too. >> Thank you so much. uh board. If you just click on that underlined word conference, you will see our pretty lengthy writeup, which will also be in Friday's update. [snorts] Uh next up, the Anoka County Construction. As you know, uh this has been an ongoing construction project that's now since finished. Uh road construction that really spanned uh quite a bit of our start to the school year. Um, we had a meeting debrief with Anoka County staff, uh, city of Fidley staff and Fidley public safety last week and we were very direct about um, some of the pieces that had happened. Um, Commissioner Meisner also uh, is a real partner in this work. Some of the pieces that we elevated is um, the finality of the project. We had met with Anoka County Literally the week the project was going to be done, completed to discuss uh opening of that and safety measures and so forth and a third party vendor [sighs] opened the roundabout approximately 2 hours early. So we didn't have any of our supports there and people were driving over the roundabout endangering our children, endangering our families. It was frankly a disappointment and uh very unsafe conditions. We now have added a fourth um crossing guard that's permanent uh because of the impact of that roundabout and to keep our children safe. We also have worked with an NOA County um and they have been receptive apparently when vendor uh utility companies work with the permitting office. Now there's a new step because utility companies aren't um required to notify schools. So now there's a new step that the permit office will flag that uh Excel Energy or whoever else needs to notify the school system. There was a lot of learning on this and I I hope for sure that this carried across all of Inoka County because it was an extreme hardship and I wish that I could say to you it wasn't but it really was. Um where in Noa County fell short um city of Fidley stood up and it wasn't their responsibility to do that but they did. Um whether it be Fidley public safety or um the public works team for example um I was very nervous about the walking path. It was um dirt and then it had this like mat over it, but it was very bumpy and certainly not wheelchair accessible. I elevated that with the engineering team with city of Fidley. They elevated that with the NOA County. City of Fidley just fixed it. Um Fidley police stood up every morning and every afternoon. Um supports for us in Noa County um did help fiscally with that. Um, it has just been quite an undertaking and a lot of lessons learned. There's a new project on the horizon that we were informed of. I believe it's on Monroe. I don't know if that's Street Air Avenue. I apologize there. Um, that's coming up. We will be um having ongoing planning meetings about that, safety meetings. Uh, we do ask Anoka County to please come out on site and to walk it with us. We also have them there provisioning um the morning that the construction starts and the afternoons uh because morning and afternoon are very different dynamics and also you can plan with the best of it and you hit unforeseen circumstances. We were also notified that in 2029 Mindot is going to do a project. Um Anoka County is going to be giving us a project contact for Mindot. Anoka County does not work on that project with MDOT. We'll stand up the same types of um situations there. Lieutenant Titus is going to stand beside us as well with Mindnot MDOT. Um the county is also working on speed zones. I just feel like there was a lot of shortcomings in the road construction project and um the three people at this table were literally almost hit physically by cars. Um, so the level of safety and coordination, um, Anoka [clears throat] County did eventually come to the table, but Commissioner Meisner had to help us, um, to get an NOA County to the table. I'm going to pause there and entertain. I think it's important, board, for me to be transparent even though it's not a love fest about what happened. >> Thank you. [clears throat] >> Okay, I'll move on. Um and next we have an audit update. As I had shared um the auditors were not able to complete the audit um in their thorough manner by tonight's meeting. We are going to be scheduling a special session. We're waiting for auditors availability. As a reminder, we need one board member physically present in a school district building to hold that meeting. The rest can be virtual. We believe we are eyeing the 30th um for that meeting. We need to get that confirmed through our auditor and then we will hold that um legal requirement is December 31st for submission to MDE. There are districts that choose to submit after that deadline. I um don't want to submit after that deadline. So much more to come. Thanks for your understanding. Um, with the transition from a vendored out company to an in-house, um, there's just been a lot of transition and and some significant coding that wasn't done right that [snorts] we are now doing um, back work on that. Assistant Supox, anything that I misstated there or clarify? Okay, thank you board. I would now like to uh [sighs] draw your attention to our continued diligence and uh legal protection and uh moral obligation to our students regarding ICE. I have uh brought forward the resolution that I'm going to read aloud here and then I'll pause for board comment and then this is later in the agenda for board approval. So the title of this resolution is Fidley Public Schools Board of Education Resolution Affirming Student Safety, Legal Compliance, and Belonging. Whereas Fidley Public Schools is committed to providing safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environments for all students. And whereas under PLIR versus Department of Education 1982, public school districts are required to provide access to a free public education to students regardless of immigration status and may not take actions that chill or impede that access. And whereas federal law restricts the role of public schools in civil immigration enforcement, including limits on the disclosure of student information, access to non-public school spaces, and actions that could interfere with students constitutional and education rights. And whereas these restrictions arise from constitutional protections, federal education law, and privacy statutes, including the fourth amendment and the family education rights and privacy act, Furpa. And whereas Fidley Public Schools recognizes that fear or uncertainty related to immigration enforcement, whether we whether real or perceived can negatively affect student safety, attendance, engagement, and well-being. And whereas Fidley Public Schools affirms that belonging, dignity, and trust are foundational to student safety and learning. Now, therefore, be it resolved that Fidley Public Schools Board of Education affirms the following: student safety and belonging. Fridley public schools should continue to foster learning environments where every student is valued, supported, and able to learn without fear and intimidation. Legal compliance and restrictions. The district shall comply with all applicable federal and state laws, recognizing that federal law restricts public schools from participating in civil immigration enforcement activities and limits cooperation to circumstances where the district is legally compelled to act. access to school property. Immigration enforcement officials shall not be granted access to non-public areas or school buildings, school grounds, or school transportation unless presented with a valid judicial warrant or court order lawfully served upon the superintendent of schools and reviewed and approved by legal counsel. Protection of student records and privacy. Fidley Public Schools shall protect student records in accordance with FURPA and shall not inquire into or disclose a student's or a family's immigration status, protocols, and oversight. Any requests related to immigration enforcement shall be immediately referred to the superintendent who will consult district legal counsel to ensure a lawful, appropriate, and student centered response. Moral responsibility. Fidley Public Schools affirms its moral responsibility to take care for students, to care, excuse me, for students, staff, and families, recognizing that schools are places of learning, stability, and care, and that student success depends on trust, and belonging. Be it further resolved that the superintendent is directed to provide guidance and training to staff regarding these obligations and district protocols and to communicate this resolution to the school community, Fidley City Council, and Fidley public safety. There are also several legal foundations that inform this resolution. School board, we're at a place where in my 26 years, I have never seen a federal enforcement agency cause such deep intentional chaos. And I am not here to speak partisan. I am here as your superintendent school of schools that we cannot legally allow this access. There is an environment that is being intentionally upheld where our students are terrified to come to school. And we have parents that are terrified to leave their homes. And the other part of this is school is compulsory in America. So now we have placed parents into a position where they have to choose whether or not their children will not return home or to violate the law. I will not stand for this in our school system. Chair, I yield to you. >> Thank you, Dr. Lewis. Of course, we'll vote on this resolution, but would anyone like to say anything before we move on to the next portion? >> Yes, I would. >> Okay. Sure. >> Thank you. Okay. Um, this summer I had the opportunity to travel as a parent chapron with my child and 40 of our Fidley Middle School seventh and eighth grade students. We went to Washington DC and to New York City. While we were there with our Fidley students, I was so honored to be with them. We were able to learn and see in hand in first person many of the places, events, and individual individuals who have contributed to the history of our United States of America. The students were able to see these moments that shaped our nation in many different ways. We saw historical events that we could celebrate. We had the opportunity to walk into the Library of Congress and stood in awe of um just the cornerstone of knowledge within our country. We to we went to the Martin Luther King um Junior monument and we went to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island um where we were able to see where our country has welcomed so many members um who have who have become members of our country. We then also toured many somber locations that pointed us to great losses of life within our nation's history. We toured the 911 memorial museum and museum. We toured the Holocaust Museum and we also had the opportunity to um be a part of the Vietnam War Memorial. When I reflect on these uh experiences with our students and how I can lead my own children and our school community in this way, this has really been impactful to me in this particular context. The moments that I think about um in history that I see here showcase times where humans have chosen to value other humans to create prosperity for others in our country and additionally times that have led to disagreements boiling over in anger fighting sewing of hatred towards others and causing intentional harm toward other human beings. In 100 years from right this moment, I hope that we can look back at this time in US history with the knowledge that the choices that we made have led to valuing humans through care and respect. I believe that it is Fidley public school's responsibility, which is legally stated in our resolution, to offer an education for all children in our community. These children need to have the freedom to access this education, not to be scared in hiding in fear in their homes, unallowed to attend the required public education that they are responsible for being at. And for this to happen, our families have to trust that we will keep their children safe while they are here with us and that they also will be safe in our broader Fidley community. I am in support of this resolution and ensuring that our priority is to value human life. every individual student, staff member, and family that is a part of our school community. >> Thanks, sir. >> Sir. >> Yep. Thank you. Um, as a parent, as an educator, as a resident, and as a school board member, I am deeply committed to ensuring that every student in Fidley feels safe, feels welcomed, and supported without exception. Without exception. In today's climate of fear and division, it is more important than ever that our school remains places of learning, stability, and belonging. This resolution affirms what the [clears throat] law already requires and what our values demand. That access to public education is not conditioned on immigration status and that student privacy and safety are protected. Standing against hate means standing together for our students, for our families, and for our community. I am proud to support this resolution and the clear message it sends that Fidley public schools will always put students first. >> Thanks. >> Um so I want to be clear. Um I support everything that has been said here but I'm going to go a little bit different. Um I don't want to repeat what has already been said. Um but I do want to offer concrete steps and real actions each of us can take to protect our neighbors and strengthen our community. First, call out speech rooted in hate and misinformation whenever you encounter it, even at holiday dinner tables. Bullies only persist for as long as we allow them to. Challenge harmful viewpoints. Use facts. Silence is not neutrality. Complicity will not protect you. Second, support friends and neighbors who are too afraid to leave their homes. Run errands. Help shovel snow or mulans. Walk their children to school or the bus stop. Do whatever you can to help them stay safe. Third, use social media carefully and responsibly. Do not share information about anyone who is fearful of ICE. Connect with pro-democracy groups online. Use secure communication tools. And remember, being pro-democracy is not partisan. Every one of us should be alarmed by the sustained attacks on our democratic institutions regardless of party affiliation. Fourth, fact check your own sources. Those of us who believe in democracy and human rights do real harm if we spread misinformation or propaganda. And finally, take advantage of free community trainings offered across the state. Learn how to stay safe during encounters with ICE. Learn how to protest peacefully. Learn what your legal rights are. And because knowledge is a form of protection when our neighbors are taken out without due process, all of our rights are at risk. When US citizens are disappeared is the phrase being used um from our streets because of the color of their skin, every one of us is threatened. Some people scoff at the comparisons to Nazi when Nazi Germany are raised. They say that history is being exaggerated, that the warning is overused. But I am telling you plainly, history is repeating itself. I am asking our community to get trained to engage and to resist no matter how small the action may seem. Use your privilege, whether it is race, wealth, or social status, to protect those who are being targeted. When you first learned about Nazi Germany in school, the hunting and persecution of those deemed less than by the regime. You may have wondered how such horror could ever happen. Today, in the United States of America in 2025, you have your answer. The defunding of public education, political extremism embedded into everyday life, indifference to children murdered in school shootings, the prioritization of billionaire polluters over public health, the systematic destruction of labor unions through so-called right to work laws. These are not accidents. They are deliberate choices carefully designed to weaken us. Project 2025 was a list of promises and we are now watching them carried out on the backs of our immigrant friends and neighbors. I could tell you that I'm speaking from an academic perspective with multiple degrees in political science, history, political management, and advocacy. But the truth is I am speaking to you as a human being, as a mother. Any parent who has turned away for just a moment in a store and lost sight of their child knows that terror that this is the fear families are living with every day. Families being ripped apart. And I just got a text from one of my dearest friends who has ice sitting outside their house right now. So I'm taking this extremely seriously. These are human beings with stories, histories, and people who love them. They fled violence and instability, and I hope none of us ever has to experience that. Immigrant neighbors cared for me in the hospital after my brain surgery this summer. They cook our food in restaurants. They teach our children. They care for our elders. They move our goods that keep our economy running as as drivers. They are human. And God help us if we ever forget that. Thank you, Alvana. >> Do you have anything else? >> Oh, jeez. I completely agree with this resolution. Um, as a parent educator, I do work with students of all backgrounds and needs and know firsthand that students cannot learn if they don't feel safe or that they don't belong here because I've seen it firsthand. Unfortunately, um I do support this because it does affirm both our moral duty and our legal obligation to safeguard each and every one of our students. >> Thank you, Nikki. And uh the eloquence of my colleagues on the board uh is very impressive and the wisdom that you all share and the character that you demonstrate uh makes me very proud of two things. uh to have been to still be and for a short while be a member of this organization and to support this resolution as so well defended by the board and the wording of the resolution. Thanks, Ross. Um so I think Ross misses being board chairs. This is kind of the easy part. Like I can just say did all right, but I'm not going to. Uh I'm going to start off by uh thanking Dr. Lewis for being a leader. Um, it would be real easy for you just to sit this fight out. It would be right. We could just not talk about it, just ignore it, hope things don't affect Fidley. Uh, but you're not that type of leader, and that's uh not why we hired you. So, I I tend to try to simplify things. Uh, when I first started on the school board, one of the first things uh that we do is you swear an oath, right? and you swear an oath to basically have our families and our schools best educational interest when you're making decisions. It's a very simple oath. It's not long. It's not complicated. And one of the things I I I couldn't repeat it verbatim, but I can guarantee you the oath was not contingent upon where the child was born or what their immigration status was. If they're in our schools, we're going to take care of them. Um, so I obviously support this resolution and I support the oath that we all have taken to defend our education of our of our students. So with that, I'll uh turn it back to Dr. Lewis. >> Thank you so much, Malik. Anything you want to share, bud? And I'm not putting you on the spot. >> Just for the record, Malik, I didn't put you on the spot. [laughter] Dr. Lewis put you on the spot. >> For me personally, I I support this. I mean, I think it's really good that you're speaking up on this. Um, especially with other school districts that I've seen as well speaking up on this. I think it's really important that this is brought up at a time like this specifically. Something that I do think personally and I have been thinking about with this discussion is if we are like going to like pass this resolution, is there some type of like public statement that we put out um to like families to like see just so we like have them like know that makes sense? if you guys are like kind of like >> getting where I'm like going going at >> tomorrow. So, you foreshadowed that really well >> for entire community. >> But yeah, I just think that'd be really good just to kind of like have families >> um know that information just so like they feel safe with like bringing their children to school and all. >> But yeah, >> sense. >> Thanks, Malik. You also have um put into my head that we're going to take the same resources that we had last week and put those in an accompanying letter uh for our families um as well as work on the translations. And then um I think we'll put the DOPA in there. We didn't have that in last week, the delegation of parent authority. I think we'll um re-elevate that. So brilliant as usual, my friend. Proud of you. Thank you. I just also want to elevate and he is going to be horrified and embarrassed but my son is first generation. So, here sits uh Ibu Nigerian that's here um with uh his dad who once was in a situation and uh we had a conversation and he said, "Brenda, if I was in that situation that we once were in, I wouldn't be in this country anymore and we'd be terrified." So, it just impacts our families on such a deep level. And um bottom line, the fear and chaos aside, it's against federal law. With that, chair, I'm going to move to board updates. Um so, >> yes, I'm sorry. Go ahead. >> Real quick because we had a little AVID. You guys went to the AVID thing and and I just want to highlight something that I've I've seen that we've done and that's highlighting some of our AVID >> Oh, yeah. um graduates and I think it's great to see because I love the fact that you guys go and you do the work but like the result is pretty cool. So the the two and I won't name their names but it's on social media. Uh one recent AVID graduate graduate works at US Bank in a global fund custody onboarding specialist. I have no idea what that means but that tells me it's probably a pretty significant employment. Uh, another one of our advocate uh, AVID uh, graduates now works at Alina as a customer experience representative. She graduated from Hamlin with a major in communication, digital communication, and she has a certificate in data analytics. So, I I hope these stories keep coming because while we're you guys are doing the work, like the output that's happening here is is really something that I think needs to be highlighted and I appreciate seeing those. So, with that, I'll >> chair. Thank you for that. I believe we're doing a feature weekly. >> Yeah. So stay tuned. >> Not to put you on the spot or anything. [laughter] >> K who knows. Good job. >> Excellent. All right. I'm just going to start at the top here. Um board treasurer Jones, did you want to um share about 9:16 and then even though it's rostered a little bit differently, you can just share about MSBA uh delegate assembly too at the same time if you're so inclined. >> Thank you so much. Um so at the 916 board meeting this week or this past week um we had a presentation on their assistive technology library which they are working very hard to share with their member districts which would include us. Um, and they have over 2,965 items in their library that are available for um, check out to help collect data to make sure that there are appropriate tools that are being used um, that then districts after they have checked them out are able to purchase their own copy of that item, but to support students. So they want to make sure that districts are knowing that they are allowed to use that and that that tool and resource is available um for use. And additionally, we saw a special a documentary, a docu series that had been created by 916 and um well, two other partner um intermediate school districts, the 916, 917, and 287 that they were showing um what services were provided in their pathways um in intermediate districts. So, there was a 17-minute documentary that we were able to view for that. And then so that was 9:16. Those were the highlights from that meeting. Um then additionally I attended the MSBA delegate assembly. It was my first year being elected and serving as a delegate and that was such an exciting opportunity. Um to meet with representative schoolboard members from around the state. Um the metro area was very well covered and I know that that is definitely more of a commitment for outofstate delegates but um there was a initial part of the meeting on Friday night where we heard a um where we heard a presentation we had some speakers and then on Saturday morning was the actual um delegate assembly with the resolutions and there were just a couple resolutions that I wanted to highlight. uh we spent most of the time the resolution that felt like had the most time was regarding PSO and um I know that there are some there's a working group the P20 education partnership is working on PSO uh in just what that looks like in our state and how best to utilize the resources and the benefits that PSO provides while still um ensuring that our kids are getting the right education that they need but also not underfunding our our public K12 school systems. So, we had a lot of conversation on that. The specific resolution on moving forward with a new um PSO resolution did not pass. Um but we I do know that there is a statewide partnership that has been working on this for the last number of years. And so the reason that it did not pass was to defer to the work that is being done through this organization. And then additionally um some other resolutions that had been discussed with uh that I had shared with the board previously um were the resolution to um bring to our legislature about the addresses of um board members specifically school board members being published on signs and literature and that did pass. So that will be part of or move forward as they prepare their legislative priorities for this year. That will be something that is moved forward within that. So I thought that that was also of interest to board members. >> Awesome. >> Thanks for the work on that. Both the 916 and the MSBA stuff. Of course, it's I mean here's her book by the way. [laughter] >> It's 300 and some pages of resolutions that I know Sarah was diligent enough to go through it all. So definitely a lot of extra hours on that, Sarah. And on behalf of the board, we appreciate that that worked. Thank you, >> Vice Chair Anna. Um, and board clerk Stark, I know that Vice Chair Anna, um, serves as the alternate for Northwest Suburban. Um, is it okay if I just frontload this agenda item? um Northwest Suburban um they have a joint powers board which is a board member from every member district and then we have a superintendent advisory group from every member district. As a reminder, there's seven of us that comprise Northwest Suburban and then um the executive director of Northwest Suburban, Heather like then reports to the joint powers board. Um also uh the superintendent advisory group uh also provides input uh to director like uh the board [sighs] had a work session last week and I'll let you talk to those details in just a second vice chair. Um we're at a place where there needs to be conversation um between joint powers board members and the superintendent group so that we can have some role refinement and work through that um because there um seems to be some um areas for enhancement around is this a joint powers board? What's the role of the superintendent advisory group? So with that, um, Vice Chair Anna, um, and Director Stark, I'll yield back to you both. >> Yeah. So, it was a work session, so I thought we discussed rather in detail of what needs to happen from now on. So, we all agreed we're all going to get together, do concurrent work with um the strategic plan and a separate operational plan and then um just figure out how to work out this communication and how joint powers board and the superintendent and is executive director like yes um how we can all work together. So the next meeting is for January 28th and we're meeting in AIO. I believe Dr. Hile's hosting. Yes, in person. It'll be an organizational meeting, regular meeting and then a work session also. So we can just start this process. >> Um board, I know that we will have the organizational meeting where we have um committee assignments or these assignments. Um, I think the board member that represents the joint powers board, whether that's you, Director Stark, or that transitions, uh, I think we're at a pretty critical time where, um, both the superintendent and I have prioritized every superintendent advisory group meeting. [laughter] Lori knows that over like many things, including right after my injury. Um, I'm really asking our board to have a presence with either the the board member or an alternate. So, um, we're just some of these are a little bit less critical. Go ahead. >> Yeah. And they're all going to be in person from now on. >> Thank you for this reminder. Yes. Forgot about that. Thank you. >> Good to know. >> Yeah. [laughter] Yep. So um and chair of course we will talk about that at the organizational meeting but this is reached a level where I think we just need to pay it a little um deeper attention both from from my uh chair and from the board's chair and I'll keep the group um pretty closely prized to this. >> Fair. >> Okay. Sounds good. Uh, director Stark, anything? Our board covered it. Okay, thank you. Perfect. >> I think we're down to Chair Car. >> Yeah, I did not was unable to attend the MS. >> Okay, sounds good. Thank you. >> All right. Um, second to the last slide here. Team, thanks for hanging in. Um, please mark your calendars. We'll put much more invitations out. We, uh, Lori sat in. Well, and you were there, too. uh vice chair Anna um sat in on the staff meeting. I think it was last Friday uh when I was at NACON and um March 18th is our day at the cap. I'm going to just sneak peek a preview here for you. Staff heavily advised and they pair us with school systems. Um as I've repeatedly shared with you, Fidley doesn't look like the other districts. Um, I wanted to give it a try in good faith recommended to the board last year about us uh sitting with representatives that both rep our district and do not rep our district. Unless I'm compelled here differently, I'm going to recommend we still attend staff, but I'm going to recommend that we only attend in the uh reps that rep our district. Uh there were some unfortunate situations and um frankly I do not believe that um it is the best investment of board and superintendent time to meet with representatives that don't represent our district. And I think we also need to honor them that they need to listen to their constituents. And it didn't go well last year when we were with reps that didn't rep us. Uh those of you that were there, please feel free to contradict that recommendation as well. >> No, I think that that is an absolute wonderful strategy to continue to build those relationships. It's no secret that's one of my favorite days when I get to have my day job and Fidley be at the capital. Um and so I think that's a really strong strategic plan to keep the message focused. >> Thank you. Who else was at that? Sarah Jones. And um any comments there from you two? Not necessarily specificity, but just wanted to hear you weigh in there. >> I do agree that it would be more advantageous for the schools who are represented by those representatives to have the opportunity to meet their that those that they can hear the values or the needs from their community and that we can partner deeply with our with our representatives. Um, I think that that would be very advantageous. >> Anything else, Vice Chair Anna? I know you were there. Okay, perfect. Before I end this, I wanted to let you know that ironically, we were paired with Steuartville Public Schools with [snorts] um those staff meetings. I sent uh Superintendent Belinda a um note on um last Friday expressing our condolences from Fidley Public Schools. I MASA, Minnesota Association of School Administrators, also put together a padlet. uh literally right before we started the work session, I sent her love um to her and her community through that on behalf of Prid Fidley public schools. As you also know, um Steuartville is right next to where I grew up. So this one hits a little bit differently and um you know it just talks about the state of our country and that no school district is insulated from violence and that certainly uh was a very violent act in um that very small town um rich school district. So, I couldn't help but think of that day at the Capitol with Belinda and her sweet um just very highly intellectual students there and my time in Rochester public schools. So, that's how I'll end chair. >> All right. Thanks, Dr. Lewis. All right. Next up, uh we have our business action items. I'd [clears throat] start off by entertaining a motion uh related to the proposed purchase of property in the city of Fidley. Do I have a motion? >> So moved. >> Motion by Stark. Do I have a second? Second >> second by Jones. This is a roll call vote. Miss Anna >> I. >> Miss Jones. >> Hi. >> Mr. Carnop's eye. Mr. Meisner. >> Hi. >> Miss Shriner. >> Hi. >> Miss Stark. >> I. >> Mr. Ba. >> I. >> All right. Motion passes. Next [clears throat] up, I would entertain a motion stating the intention of the school district to issue general obligation aid anticipation certificates of ineptness series 2026A in the aggregate principal amount not to exceed $1.5 million. Do I have a motion? >> So move. >> Motion made by Meiser. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Second by Anna. Uh, this is another roll call vote. Miss Anna. >> Hi. >> Miss Jones. >> Hi. >> Mr. Carnop is I. Mr. Meisner. Hi. >> Miss Shin Shiner. >> Miss Stark. >> Hi. >> Mr. B. >> Hi. >> All right. Motion passes. Next up, I would entertain a motion uh as discussed earlier for our tax levy final certification of pay 26 levy. Do I have a motion? So move >> motion by Meisner. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Second by Shriner. Uh no roll call needed here. All those in favor, please signify by saying I. >> I. >> All those opposed. Motion passes. Last up in our business [clears throat] action items, I would entertain a motion that the Fidley Public Schools Board of Education resolution affirming student safety, legal compliance, and belonging. Do I have a motion? >> So >> motion by Shriner. Do I have a second? >> Second. Second by Stark. This is a roll call vote. Miss Anna. >> Miss Jones. >> Hi. >> Mr. Carnop is I. Mr. Meisner. >> Hi. >> Miss Shriner. >> I. >> Miss Stark. >> Hi. >> Mr. Ba. >> Hi. >> And I would like to note that that passes unanimously. Next up, we have our consent agenda. I would entertain a motion for a consent agenda, which would approve agenda items and minutes for the last meeting. uh contracts, amendments, leave of absences, resignations, retirements, and terminations. Do I have [clears throat] a motion? >> Still moved. >> Motion made by Jones. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Second by Shriner. Roll call vote. Miss Anna. >> Miss Jones. Hi. >> Mr. Carup is I. Mr. Meisner. >> Hi. >> Miss Shriner. >> Hi. >> Miss Stark. >> Hi, >> Miss Mr. Ba. >> I. >> Motion passes. Actually, that didn't need a roll call vote, but I think you get my point on that one. Okay. Okay, next up we have our important dates for December. Uh we have okay uh for the high school holiday spectacular concert on December 18th at 7:00 at the district auditorium at the high school. Uh no school for winter break starting on December 22nd and ending on January 2nd. The district offices will be closed on December 24th, 25th, 31st, January 1st and classes will resume Malik when? January 5th, not 6th. You'll be there. You'll be you'll be there on the 4th. [laughter] Uh we [clears throat] have the free family movie night, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 on January 9th at the District Auditorium at 7:00. And then we have our youth and governance conference, which is a huge hit here, highly attended uh January 9th through the 11th. Actually, not here, but it'll be in Minneapolis. uh Vista family fun night on January 14th 5:00 at Vista Elementary and then we will have earning college credit at Fidley High School night January 14th 6:00 at the high school no school on January 19th for district holiday and our next uh schoolboard meeting will be on January 20th with a 5:30 work session which is open to the public we have a 7:00 public forum for those that would like to speak and then we have the 7:30 business meeting following with at Did I miss any important dates? >> No. >> No. Anyone's birthday or anything like that? No. Okay. Uh, with that, I would entertain a motion to adjurnn. >> I mean, >> I will move to adjourn the meeting. >> All right. Motion made by Mr. Ross Meisner. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Second by Stark. All those in favor, please signify by saying I. >> I. All those opposed? >> And then before everyone runs, I think we could get a if we could get a picture with Ross, that'd be appropriate. If you don't mind, Ross, >> by the way, if you'd have told me that flattery was your kryptonite, [laughter] like I had to give you a compliment.