White Bear Lake Area Schools — Transcript
Saturday, March 15, 2025
Student Achievements & Recognition
Student Liaison Recognition
Superintendent's Report
Community Services and Recreation Summer Programming
School Board Policy First Reading
Nutrition Services Prime Vendor Approval
Sunrise Park Security Package Approval
Labor Tentative Agreements
School Board Policy Second Reading
Board Forum
Votes (10)
Recognition of Student Liaisons to the School Board
Dissent: None
Dr. Kazmierczak commended Arianna Vann-Cook (12th grade) and Lydia Kleinhans (11th grade) for their service as student representatives. Arianna shared her plans to attend the University of Minnesota for journalism, highlighting the value of student perspective on the board.
Superintendent's Report
Dissent: None
Arianna Vann-Cook provided the student report on upcoming senior events (prom, Senior Day, graduation). The Superintendent's report covered Michelle Norcross as Teacher of the Year, Willow Lane Elementary's Donatelli's restaurant takeover, district involvement in Marketfest (June 27th), a community open house for the renovated White Bear Lake Area High School (August 29th), and general end-of-year celebrations.
Community Services and Recreation Summer Programming Report
Dissent: None
Tim Maurer and his team presented diverse summer programs including academic support for incoming K students, ECFE playgroups, Diaper Closet, and family advocacy. They detailed out-of-school time childcare, youth enrichment classes, and the Freedom Schools program, which will serve 120 kids at Willow Lane Elementary. Significant was the announcement of a $1.4 million After-School and Community Learning Grant. The report also covered middle school intramural sports, youth recreation camps, adult programs (Meals on Wheels, enrichment, facility rentals), and adults with disabilities initiatives. Upcoming events like Bears Explore Outdoors and the Annual Bear Bike Ride were highlighted.
First Reading of School Board Policies 517, 518, 519, and 705
Dissent: None
The specified school board policies were presented for their initial reading. This serves as a period for board members to review the policies and offer any feedback or questions before they are brought back for a final second reading and approval at the June 10th meeting. The Policy Committee and cabinet were recognized for their thorough work.
Action on Nutrition Services Prime Vendor
Dissent: None
Moved by Dr. Arcand [0:50:09] · Seconded by Dr. Newmaster [0:50:14]
Bridget Lehn, Director of Nutrition Services, recommended approving IFD Foodservice Distributor as the prime food vendor for a contract valued at an estimated $1.8 million annually. IFD was selected after an RFP process with four bidders, primarily due to their superior service model allowing for diverse product sourcing without minimum case requirements, which was crucial for providing quality products to students.
Action on Sunrise Park Security Package
Dissent: None
Moved by Ms. Daniels [0:52:50] · Seconded by Ms. Streiff Oji [0:52:55]
Mr. Wald presented a bid award recommendation for a new security system at Sunrise Park Middle School (which is relocating to South Campus and becoming Mariner Middle School). Systematic Technologies was awarded the bid for $299,883, representing a significant savings of approximately $130,000 from the estimated cost. The lower bid was potentially attributed to the contractor already being on-site for other technology installations, offering efficiencies.
Action on Tentative Agreement: 2023-25 Fiscal Years, Bus Drivers and Bus Aides, Teamsters Local 320
Dissent: None
Moved by Ms. Thompson [0:56:06] · Seconded by Dr. Newmaster [0:56:10]
Matthew Mons, Director of Human Resources, presented the tentative agreement, noting it was the first time negotiating with Teamsters Local 320, who now represent the bus drivers and aides. He praised the positive and cooperative nature of the bargaining round, thanking the district's bargaining team, stewards, and leaders for their efforts.
Action on Tentative Agreement: 2023-25 Fiscal Years, International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 70 Custodial Unit
Dissent: None
Moved by Ms. Streiff Oji [0:58:20] · Seconded by Ms. Thompson [0:58:24]
Matthew Mons presented the tentative agreement for the custodial unit, commending the positive nature of the bargaining process. He expressed appreciation for the time and discussions contributed by the custodial unit during negotiations.
Action on Tentative Agreement: 2023-25 Fiscal Years, White Bear Lake School Nutrition Association
Dissent: None
Moved by Dr. Newmaster [1:00:32] · Seconded by Ms. Daniels [1:00:37]
Matthew Mons presented the tentative agreement for the Nutrition Association, which represents itself as an association. He praised their effective representation of members and highlighted the positive shift towards an interest-based bargaining model, fostering open dialogue and collaboration.
Action on School Board Policies 403, 498, 502, 606.5, 801, and 910 (Second Reading)
Dissent: None
Moved by Ms. Streiff Oji [1:02:00] · Seconded by Ms. Daniels [1:02:04]
These specific school board policies were brought forward for their second reading. The board typically approves such policies in a single motion after they have undergone a first reading and discussion period. No further questions or discussion were raised during this final approval stage.
Notable Quotes (16)
So the White Bear Lake Area School Board would like to commend and recognize Arianna Vann-Cook, our 12th grade student, and Lydia Kleinhans,our 11th grade student... for their outstanding role as our student representativesto the school board.
Not all school boardshave student liaisons. I think it's one of the thingsthat makes our board such, it's such a conversation whenyou have student perspective, so thank you so much.
As we make a way through spring, many exciting activities are coming up for our graduating class of 2024. On May 4th, the upper class (indistinct) 24 carat gold to the prom, which was a huge successfulwith the student body. Seniors are preparing for aschool sponsored senior day this Friday, May 17th. There will a breakfast (indistinct), along with (indistinct)the remainder of the day. Additionally graduation willbe taking place June 7th, celebrating the hard work of our students.
So as the school year comes to a close, a variety of end of theyear student celebrations are taking place throughout the district over the last days of school (indistinct). I'd like to offer aspecial congratulations to those who are celebratingthe end of an era, those that are graduatingfrom high school, middle school, elementary,kindergarten, and preschool, during the last days of the school year, and have a safe and relaxing summer.
And we were lucky enough to getnotification a few weeks ago that we were awarded the grant. We're very excited. The purpose of the grant is to connect schools and communities tooffer culturally affirming and enriching afterschooland summer experiences that meet the needs ofour students and families.
Last year they gave us 40. He asked this year, 'Can you take 80? And can you take 60 ofthem before winter break?' (people chuckle)I'm like, 'Sure.' You know, we don't wanna say no. So yeah, so we currentlyhave around 80 bikes, 70 to 80 bikes currentlyat the gym up north in Hugo that we'll be bringing down to the lake to raffle off for all ages.
These are coming to usfor a first reading, that the board will read these policies and offer any feedback andthey will come back to us for a second reading at theJune 10th meeting for approval.
And the number one service that we found with the IFD, our recommended award, is that they were willing to bring in just about any productwe would ask them for. So we feel like we could getthe best quality products for our students.
The next closest would require a minimum of 50 cases a month, or we'd have to bring it in-house, which is just not feasible for us.
The bid process wasdeveloped in collaboration with True North Consulting, the consultant who hassupported the school district in all of our projectsin terms of developing the design and the RFP processfor the security systems.
Just one question. Do we have an idea of whythere is such a big difference?
No, you know, Systematic Technologies will already be in the building doing the technology lowvoltage installation. And so maybe they felt like they could, that it was worth it to them to bid a little bit lower, 'causethey had crews there already.
This was our first time negotiatingwith Teamsters Local 320 who came in to representour bus drivers and aides, after previously beingrepresented by Local 70. And we had a very positiveround of bargaining.
Yes, and so very similarlywith our custodial unit, we had a very positiveround of bargaining. I appreciated the amount of time that that unit put intohaving discussions with us.
And with ourNutrition Association, it's a little bit different as they represent themselvesas an association. They're great to work with. Do a really nice jobrepresenting their members and keeping that dialogue open. We've also really appreciatedthat we've continued to move towards an interestbased model of bargaining with that group.
These are coming to usfor a second reading. Generally we approvethese in one fell swoop. I'm gonna get a motion on the table.
Ordinances & Resolutions (7)
School board policies presented for a first reading and feedback.
Document issued by the School Operations Department to solicit bids for food services.
A $1.4 million grant awarded by MDE to support culturally affirming afterschool and summer learning experiences.
A collective bargaining agreement for bus drivers and aides with Teamsters Local 320.
A collective bargaining agreement for the custodial unit with IUOE Local 70.
A collective bargaining agreement for the Nutrition Association.
School board policies presented for a second reading and final approval.