December 8, 2025 - School Board Regular Meeting

Thursday, December 11, 2025

Pledge of Allegiance

Approval of Board Agenda

Consent Agenda management

Review of meeting minutes and governance issues

Invoice Register review

Truth and Taxation hearing for 2025/2026 property tax levy

Discussion on Amazon transaction controls

Special education funding and cross-subsidy issues

State funding inflation gaps

Areas of Interest (4)

Board conflict over meeting transparency and the specific wording of minutes regarding public forum policies.
Concerns raised by board member Scar regarding growing Amazon transaction volumes and lack of financial controls.
District financial struggles highlighting a $5 million special education 'cross-subsidy' shortfall.
State funding for education has failed to keep pace with inflation since 2003, creating a $13.3 million gap for the district.

Votes (4)

Video streaming of public forum and post-forum comment period

FailedN/A

Moved by Scar · Seconded by None

Approve meeting agenda

Carried4-1

Moved by Thompson · Seconded by Strife

Approve consent agenda (as amended/tabling two items)

ApprovedRoll call

Moved by Not stated · Seconded by Johnson

Approve check/invoice register

ApprovedRoll call

Moved by Strife · Seconded by Daniels

Notable Quotes (3)

Staff represents that the quarterly revenue and expenditure report meets the standards and guidelines as set by the school board.
— Scar

Meeting MinutesRequesting changes to the board minutes to reflect proper governance roles.

The state of Minnesota is mandated to provide programs and services for students with disabilities, but they do not fully fund the cost.
— Mr. Wald

Special Education FundingExplaining the special education cross-subsidy.

I'd like to ask the chair if we could add to the agenda an overview of what controls we have over these Amazon purchases.
— Scar

Financial ControlsQuestioning financial oversight of growing transaction numbers.

People (9)

ScarSchool Board Member

Proposes agenda changes and questions minutes/invoice procedures.

StrifeSchool Board Member

Participates in voting and meeting procedure discussions.

ThompsonSchool Board Member

Moves agenda items and votes on consent matters.

AranSchool Board Member

Participates in board operations.

DanielsSchool Board Member

Supports motions and administrative procedures.

EllisonSchool Board Member

Previously made a point of order regarding public forum discussions.

Dr. CasmichekSuperintendent

Present for financial and board discussions.

Mr. WaldAdministrator

Presents the Truth and Taxation budget and levy report.

Andy JohnsonDirector of Finance

Responsible for walking board through financial data.

Places Mentioned

White Bear Lake (District context)University of Minnesota

Events & Meetings (4)

Meeting of Independent School District 624
Truth and Taxation hearing for taxes payable 2026
September 8th (Levy limit report receipt)
September 26th (Levy certification)

View Source