White Bear Lake Area Schools — Transcript
Friday, August 15, 2025
Student Recognition
Superintendent's Report
First Reading of School Board Policies
Minnesota High School League Membership Renewal
Intermediate School District 916 Long-Term Facility Maintenance Plan
District's 10-Year Long-Term Facility Maintenance Plan
Official Depositories and Authorized Signatures Update
MDE External User Access Recertification System Authority Designation
School Board Policy 613 Approval
Votes (6)
Action on Resolution to Renew Membership in the Minnesota High School League for '25-'26
Dissent: None
Moved by Ellison [6:00] · Seconded by Thompson [6:03]
Board members discussed the importance of extracurricular activities, emphasizing that they teach students hard work, teamwork, resilience, and provide a sense of belonging, which contributes to overall student success. The value extends beyond athletics to include programs like speech, debate, and one-act plays.
Action on Resolution of Approving the 916 Long-Term Facility Maintenance plan
Dissent: None
Moved by Thompson [10:04] · Seconded by Unknown [10:07]
This item concerned the district's annual financial commitment to the Northeast Metro 916 Intermediate School District's long-term facilities maintenance budget. The district's share is calculated based on net tax capacity and ADM utilization.
Action on 10-year Long-Term Facility Maintenance Plan
Dissent: None
Moved by Ellison [17:09] · Seconded by Streiffoji [17:12]
The board discussed and approved the district's own 10-year LTFM plan, which funds facilities maintenance, ADA compliance, and health/safety improvements. The plan detailed revenue sources (levy, bonds) and expenditures, outlining specific projects for upcoming years (e.g., boiler/chiller replacement, LED lighting, roof/parking lot repairs). Discussion acknowledged the need for flexibility due to changing factors like tariffs and unexpected maintenance issues.
Action on Official Depositories for the School District Funds and Authorized Bank Accounts and Signatures
Dissent: None
Moved by Thompson [19:07] · Seconded by Ellison [19:09]
This annual approval ensures proper financial governance. The change specifically involved removing a recently resigned finance specialist, Sarah Andrew, and adding April Livers, the new finance specialist, to the electronic transfers authorization list.
Action on the Designation of Identified Official with Authority for the MDE External User Access Recertification System
Dissent: None
Moved by Thompson [20:41] · Seconded by Streiffoji [20:44]
The board took annual action to designate the Superintendent, Wayne Kazmierczak, and the Executive Assistant to the Superintendent, Rachael Markuson, with authority for the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) External User Access Recertification System. This ensures the district can maintain up-to-date access to MDE functions.
Action on School Board Policy 613
Dissent: None
Moved by Streiffoji [21:30] · Seconded by Ellison [21:33]
Policy 613, which pertains to graduation requirements, was presented for approval following its first reading in May. The necessity for the update was explicitly stated as being due to a change in the high school's academic schedule, making it a straightforward alignment of policy with new operational realities.
Notable Quotes (4)
This year really focused a lot on players and our students who are athletes and their wonderful words of wisdom of how parents can support them by being more engaged in like just their child and not really putting all that added pressure on them that parents can often do at a game.
It teaches them to work hard. It teaches them teamwork. It teaches them some of the work skills they have to have for the world. They learn to fail. They learn to overcome. They learn to continue to move forward.
One is immediate things that we need to address. Three are things that we know are based on forecasted periodic maintenance. Things we know we're gonna have to do in the long run. Roofs and flooring and things like that. And then the five-year is something we operate off of through a facility assessment that was done back in 2018 that we continue to pick away on as we move forward.
I was just going to say the infrastructure, the schools are so important, but they're not things that people can normally see or notice so much, so I think it's I really appreciate the fact that you're so detailed and looking at every school and see what it needs because it matters even if people don't notice it, it really matters.
Ordinances & Resolutions (11)
Policies presented for first reading, reviewed by the policy committee, and guiding district operations.
State statute referenced in the context of policy resources, specifically regarding immersion education.
Policy referenced for its resources, including 'I love you guys' and 'safe and sound schools' training.
Annual resolution allowing district teams to participate in state-sponsored activities.
Budget for facility maintenance for the Northeast Metro 916 Intermediate School District, to which ISD 624 contributes.
The district's own multi-year plan for capital funding, ADA compliance, and health/safety improvements submitted to the Commissioner of Education.
List requiring annual approval, updated due to finance staff changes.
Annual designation for Superintendent and Executive Assistant to manage MDE system access.
Policy related to graduation requirements, updated due to changes in the high school schedule.
Statute governing labor negotiations, under which the board may move to closed session.
Statute governing the evaluation of the superintendent, under which the board may move to closed session.