White Bear Lake Area Schools — Transcript
Thursday, July 16, 2026
Process for Adding Agenda Items and Classroom Consolidations
Transparency and Review of Invoice Register
Public Accountability and Policy Review
District-Wide Summer Activities and Community Engagement
Votes (9)
Approval of Consent Agenda (excluding Invoice Register)
Dissent: Beloyed voted 'No' on this item.
Moved by Beloyed [04:47] · Seconded by Streiff Oji [04:54]
Initially, a motion was made to approve the consent agenda. However, Mr. Skaar requested to move the invoice register to the regular agenda for separate review, citing the need for more detailed discussion on large expenditures. The board proceeded to approve the consent agenda without the invoice section, which was then discussed as a separate item.
Approval of Invoice Section of Consent Agenda
Moved by Ellison [06:58] · Seconded by Streiff Oji [07:07]
Following the removal from the consent agenda, the invoice section was brought forward for approval. Mr. Skaar raised questions about several large invoices, including a $70,000 vehicle purchase, $39,114 for College Board, architectural fees for Johnson & Galloway Architects, $33,600 for CM Construction Company, and $120,307 for Flynn Midwest for 'building acquisition/construction'. He expressed concern over the lack of prior detailed information and sought clarification on the nature of these expenditures, particularly the MDE's definition of 'building acquisition/construction'.
Resolution to Renew Membership with the Minnesota State High School League for 2026-27
Moved by Ellison [17:29] · Seconded by Daniels [17:35]
The Superintendent presented the annual resolution required for all Minnesota school districts to renew their membership in the Minnesota State High School League. Board members had reviewed the 'Why We Play' training video and membership materials defining the purpose of education-based activities and responsibilities.
Resolution Approving the 916 Long-Term Facility Maintenance Plan
Moved by Daniels [19:40] · Seconded by Ellison [19:48]
The board considered approving its proportionate share ($55,703) of the Northeast Metro 916 School Board's 2027-28 long-term facility maintenance budget. Discussion included clarifying the services provided by Northeast Metro 916 to the district (special education, ALC programming, professional development, career & tech programming) and confirming that other member districts consistently pay their portions.
10-Year Long-Term Facility Maintenance Plan
Moved by Streiff Oji [23:49] · Seconded by Beloyed [23:55]
The board approved the district's 10-year long-term facility maintenance (LTFM) plan, totaling approximately $12.6 million for the 2027-2028 school year. The Director of Building Operations, Kevin Fernandez, explained the key drivers for the plan, including the age of facilities, mechanical/electrical/plumbing systems, health and safety issues, and building security. Questions were raised about the assessment process (which is continuous and based on staff knowledge, contractor input, and past reviews) and the documentation of facility knowledge.
Designation of Identified Official with Authority (IOwA) for MDE External User Access
Moved by Ellison [24:59] · Seconded by Daniels [25:06]
The Minnesota Department of Education requires an annual designation of an Identified Official with Authority (IOwA) to comply with state IT standards for user access to MDE secure systems. The recommended action was to authorize Superintendent Wayne Kazmierczak and Executive Assistant Rachael Markuson as the IOwAs for White Bear Lake Area Schools.
Resolution Relating to the Election of School Board Members and Calling the School District General Election
Moved by Ellison [26:17] · Seconded by Streiff Oji [26:24]
The board approved a resolution, provided by their elections attorney, to formally call the school district general election scheduled for November 3rd, 2026. This action is required at least 84 days prior to the election date.
Action on School Board Policies 515 and 604
Moved by Beloyed [26:59] · Seconded by Daniels [27:04]
Two school board policies, 515 and 604, were presented for approval. No specific discussion points or objections were raised during this item.
Motion to go into Closed Session for Superintendent Evaluation
Moved by Ellison [28:22] · Seconded by Beloyed [28:30]
The board moved to enter a closed session to discuss the evaluation of the superintendent, as permitted by Minnesota Statute 13D-05 Sub 3(a). This is a standard procedure for personnel evaluations.
Notable Quotes (13)
I'd like to move that the invoice register be moved to the regular agenda.
On page 17, there's a $70,000 invoice for Chrysler of Forest Lake for fleet. Is that an individual vehicle that we purchased?
I think if you gave me the invoice register on Wednesday instead of Friday afternoon, I probably would be able to.
So just because it says 'building acquisition,' it's also slash construction. So that's the technical definition by the Minnesota Department of Education. So it doesn't necessarily mean that, well, it doesn't mean, in this case, that we're purchasing a building. In this case, it means it's some type of construction that, by MDE definition, the most appropriate coding.
Each year, all school districts in Minnesota, including White Bear Lake, are required to approve the resolution to renew our membership in the Minnesota State High School League.
As a member, it is our responsibility to approve our proportionate share. So this year, that's 9.3% or $55,703.
They help with some of our special ed funding or special ed programming. There's a lot of different special ed programming that we participate in. They help us with some of our ALC programming. They help with some professional development. They help with some career and tech programming.
The total cost of projects planned for the '27-'28 school year is about $12.6 million.
So we do a lot of stuff based on an assessment that was done some years ago that we've, like, coming up to the referendum and all the stuff we've been doing with that LTFM and non, we've established a priority list. We use it based on our knowledge of the buildings. We base it on things we're seeing, things we anticipate, staff interactions, ages of the buildings...
You mentioned health and safety. Is it also for like building security? Like, facilities that help our buildings stay secure when the students are there or even after hours?
The Minnesota Department of Education requires that school districts annually designate and identify official with authority, the acronym is IOwA, to comply with the Minnesota IT Services Enterprise Identity and Access Management Standard...
School board approval of the resolution relating to election of school board members and calling the school district general election is required at least 84 days prior to the date of the general election on November 3rd, 2026.
This portion of the meeting may be closed to discuss the evaluation of the superintendent pursuant to Minnesota Statute 13D-05 Sub 3(a).
Ordinances & Resolutions (12)
The meeting's schedule of items for discussion and action
A collection of routine business items approved in a single vote
Detailed list of invoices for payment, typically part of the consent agenda
District publication mailed to local residents
Policies undergoing their first reading for future approval
Annual resolution required for school districts to maintain membership in the MSHSL
Budget for facility maintenance of Intermediate School District 916
Plan outlining facility maintenance projects for the district over a decade
State standard requiring annual review and re-certification of user access rights to state systems
Required resolution to formally call the school district general election
Policies brought forward for approval
State law governing the closure of meetings for superintendent evaluations