board meeting for Lake Area Schools, Thursday, May 28th to order. Please join us while we recite the pledge of >> allegiance. Algiance 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. >> Member clerk, will you please take the roll call of attendance? >> Sure. Okay. Member Antonsen is here, member Tyson here, member Rebeline >> here, >> member Corkran here, member Christensen >> here, and member Castle >> here. >> Everybody's here. >> All right. Great. I would uh entertain a motion to approve the meeting agenda. >> So moved. >> Second. I motion second. Is there any discussion? >> Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Those opposed. >> Okay. The motion carries. That brings us to schedule and unscheduled visitors. We have no green cards this evening. Uh listening session was hosted by myself and member Christensen. Member Christensen, do you have a report on the listening session? >> Sure. We had um three uh citizens attending uh the listening session. We discussed about the superintendent contract, the schoolboard vacancy uh seat, uh discussion of a local community group. Um and I think that covers it. >> All right. Thank you, Member Christensen. and I have nothing to add which will bring us to student achievement the student report the forest lake area high school rise program and I believe we have Mrs. Calwell here with us this evening. >> You get me tonight only as the students who are supposed to be here are off in softball or at the pops concert. So >> that's right. >> It's me struggle through. Thank you Superintendent Massie and board members. Um I'm here on behalf of the Rise Club which is Rangers Impact Student Experiences. This was a club that was started five years ago now through the positive community norms grant and basically what it's about is um really helping shape a culture where positive choices that students have are the norm. And so this year our the rise theme was to lead with a purpose. And so we this was a little vision board that they had put together. uh it was all about building connection, focusing on leadership and feeling like they belong and making positive choices. So we kind of thought about how do we lead with a purpose and their purpose of of leadership is really just to create positive experiences in the school um through messaging, different opportunities um and encouraging students to think that um they have the choice to make positive choices and that they're leaders to represent um their peers um and to build just a positive school culture and community. So uh again they you know are building on connection developing leadership and to create belonging and so they really we want to focus on what's going right in our schools and uh just to help them feel connected involved because well as you can see there's a lot going on in our schools and a lot of things that kids can um find a piece to be a part of uh and belong. So we talked about what is what does it mean to lead with purpose? And so we decided the kids decided that culture um the culture students see influences the choices that they make. So different activities that they've done throughout the year um representing from middle school to high school uh their leaders wherever they go. Uh we wanted to create positive, healthy opportunities for kids to be involved in. These are some of the pictures from our pickle ball tournament, the third annual pickle ball tournament that they just had a couple weeks ago. Um great turnout. We had 27 teams. So 54 students plus a few others that came in just to play in the evening. Uh there was a themed outfit contest. You could dress up in a theme. So we had the wizard and Dorothy and uh the mustache twins. Uh so just just a fun event that grandparents came and watched their kids because um he wanted his grandma to play pickle ball so she came to watch him. So just some really fun stories along the way. Uh this was our holiday hype back in December. Um, part of that was they made had t-shirts made with a most message on the back. Um, that all of our teams are girls basketball, gymnastics, hockey, had these shirts to wear during warm-ups. Um, and the students had a chance to sign up to go to the games. When they if they wore the t-shirt to the game, they got in free. Um, and during the games, they had different activities out in the concession area. um that you can kind of see the reindeer hats and things like that. So, just some fun things just to build connection and bonding. And part of the positive community norms is doing our uh student surveys and we had in February the positive community norm student survey taken in February. We just got the results back about two weeks ago and you can kind of see I did a comparison on this slide from the 23 survey results the students did to the 26 results. And this is just one of the questions about asking their uh to give their uh choice on do you drink in a typ what do you drink in a typical month? And so our students um there's an increase which is very encouraging. That means somehow the message is getting out there. They're making more positive choices. So just encouraging to see. And I think another really encouraging thing to see on this slide is the number of students taking the survey uh between the middle school and the high school. Uh we had a really great response rate on that which helps balance the the data results out too. And just to note the PCN grant is we are one of nine schools in the state of Minnesota that has this grant and um Forest Lake is doing really good. Um, not that you want to compare other schools, but it's just really encouraging to see that the efforts that we have been making continually in this community, I think really show by these really positive numbers. Uh, and we talk about in this survey, the kids we talk about perception matters. We I say um perception pulls the narrative. So, what you perceive is kind of the story you're going to tell. And so we want to encourage to students, you know, they may believe, well, everybody's doing this. They're drinking. They're vaping. Um, and when they think that, they're probably going to use more. Um, but when students can understand that not everybody's doing that, um, then they're more apt to make healthy choices. Um, and that just makes it more visualized to them and normalized. So, and to remember if when people are saying everyone is doing it, it's really not everybody. It's probably, you know, just a handful that are doing it. But it if it's the same thing you see over and over again, you kind of tend to believe it's everybody. These are some of the new posters I just got that haven't even been put up yet. But part of this is messaging, getting the word out there just to have kids see a message about, and this was um the message about most rangers would rather not drink alcohol when hanging out with friends. That's one of the questions on the survey that we score really high about. U on another really fun thing that kids have had the opportunity to be a part of is through this grant is the youth leadership academy. Uh once a year all the schools from the the nine schools come together, the youth from uh those groups come together and this year we got to go to base camp at Fort Snelling. If you've never been there, it's an amazing amazing place. So here they had a chance to meet with you know there's probably about 200 students from across Minnesota from Virginia Eveith down to Jackson Central. Um that they could just be together rock climbing lots of fun activities. Uh, one of the activities they did, we had John Nolner is a it's called a piece of my mind and he had a question to ask the students and they had the opportunity to choose if they wanted to be photographed and to give a little answer to the question, when were you inspired to lead? So, I'm going to show you a few of our students photos and you can just read for yourself of what their responses were. And so I hope those I went really quick through those, but they just are really inspirational of just saying what does leadership mean to them? It looks like a lot of different things and we're just always so proud of these kids just making really good choices and maybe, you know, finding a way to be able to talk to other friends about it and and their peers and the community. So, uh, that's just a quick a little update from the RISE group. Um, but we're just thankful for your support and your leadership. Um, and would love to answer any other questions if you have any. >> Thank you for being here this evening. I'll I'll actually kick us off and um I don't mean to put you on the spot here, so please feel free to say I will get that information and send it to the board. >> Um but I see so so many benefits out of this program for our students. And when you say we're one of nine that get this grant, um you know, the risk manager in me starts to think, oh no, what happens if we're not one of nine? What happens when we lose this grant? How do we continue this work? So I immediately shift gears into >> sure >> a how long do how long is the grant still a kind of a guaranteed service for us and when or if that wouldn't occur um what's the amount of the grant so we know where you know what funds we might have to free up in the general fund to continue this work. >> Yeah. Um I'll try to answer those questions um so if I forget something let me know. So the the positive community norms grant was a grant written five years ago. It was a five-year grant between um JP Jacobson and Emily Carpenter from Fair View and we were awarded this grant for five years. So this is July one we are we are no longer part of the positive community norms grant. Um but part of that work that's done is helping I think lead and focus differently in how we message with our kids, how we talk to the kids. So hopefully there's a lot of things that are just kind of been built into the under u part of just how we do things at the schools too and in the community about getting messages out. Hopefully it's already built there. >> Okay. >> Um rewind a little bit. Last year knowing this grant was ending um Emily Carpenter and I helped uh we wrote a new grant for communities that care. So that has already kicked off but I'll start into that role on July one. Okay. >> So, funding is not quite the same. PCN grant funding was very generous uh for all the extra all the fun things that we were able to do. So, we'll just have to be creative and finding other funding opportunities and ways to support the work. But we're still going to do this and we'll hopefully even just bring us into a different path too or enlarge it with moving more into elementary schools because we know the younger you can get kids to make good choices and protect those little brains um the better off they are. >> Okay. Wonderful. Well, thank you. You re Yes, you refresh my memory because I do recall talking about this. Um, but uh I just wanted to make sure that the work was going to continue and it sounds like we have a plan in place to keep this work continuing and and even expanding a little bit if we're going to bring the younger kids in. Like you said, the earlier >> earlier we get involved the better. So with that, I'll open it up to the board. Member Christensen. >> Yes. Thank you, Mrs. Calwell. I just had a a question and maybe you or not even a question, but maybe you could just put an exclamation point on it because I know that you uh spoke and and Mr. Caldwell about what a big deal it is that we had more students answer the survey but yet our numbers looked better and I I remember you guys mentioning that that that that is a big deal. So maybe just >> Yeah. Um so response rate is always you want to get at least a you know 80 response percent response rate which just helps validate your your data results. And so yeah, we were able to get um 80 I think we're at 81 at the high school and about 83. I'd have to look on that data, but it was over 80% for both schools, which is great. So number-wise, I think out of the 14, there's like 1,400 from the high school and about,00 school. So um yeah, really encouraging to know we had that. Um they're given the options to opt out. parents get receive the information so they can choose to opt out if they want or not. So uh there were under 15 opt outs within both between the two buildings. So >> which was encouraging but then with that many students replying we still were at you know whatever 97% of the students were making really good >> and healthy choices and some of the other schools that had less participants their numbers were even a little bit less. So I think that's >> and it's encouraging if you look I don't mean to take over the show but um Minnesota has really seen a really nice decline in substance use and so I think this work has been going on for 20 years in Minnesota. Um so I think we kind of see that rippled across all the different communities in Minnesota. So yeah the grant is through metro. I mean, we're one of the largest districts with this grant to, you know, smaller districts of, you know, 20 in a a class. So, yeah, it is really encouraging to see those high numbers. >> Yeah. Thank you. You bet. Thanks, Jill. >> Member Tyson. >> Yes. Well, before I forget, I want to thank you so much for writing a new grant. I knew that this cycle was ending or is over shortly and um due to your capabilities and strengths, we have a new grant in place. >> Yeah. So, thank you. Well, >> it's good community work. Yeah. >> But I want to just note that, you know, over five years, we've seen so much growth with RISE and with the PCN and the whole program. Um I think Are you the second director? >> Yep. Uh yep. I came in uh three years into the grant >> and I know you were worked through COVID because I attended some of those meetings and those were kind of difficult juggling that around, but we did we made it through and you made it through. I wasn't part of co or during that time that was >> why were we doing them remote in the >> it was right at the beginning was right at the beginning of co yeah but I wasn't involved >> but I mean the group still functioned and community members were actively involved and all of that so I think that's what it takes it takes a community to really focus on what you're doing at your high school and what your programming is and you need that community involvement and you've been very good at getting that >> and do you think I know one of the things that they talked about was connecting it to home. Do you think we're there or we're halfway or we're still >> I got there's always room to go. Uh last night we had an event where parents were there. We had about 24 that came and you know just hearing that one of the parents just said we just need more of these conversations and it um just was encouraging to go okay let's make more conversations happen. So >> yeah that's and that sounded like an excellent event. >> Yeah. >> What was the name of the speaker? Uh Heather and Randy Bachis are from Be Extraordinary Beu. Their parents who live in Madameai whose son died by suicide due to cannabis induced psychosis and uh just share their story about education and uh prevention and um the dangers of of cannabis and THC. So yes, it was really well attended and good information >> and yeah, the numbers with the survey results compared to what they were three years back even before >> just keeps going up. >> Just keeps going up. So, thank you for all the great work and tell the students to keep it up. It's just wonderful. >> I will. They're great kids. Thank you so much. >> Certainly. >> Don't run away. You're not taking over. All good. I'm just curious. You did mention a little bit of something about perhaps even um evolving this into bringing it into the elementary level. And you said you you know you writing that grant. I'm sorry I can't remember the other woman's name. >> That car. >> Yeah. Right. Um, are there other ideas you hope to bring to it? I mean, as in addition to possibility of bringing it into elementary, I mean, do you have, you know, said it's maybe a little bit different? >> Yeah. Um, a little, you know, really basically building on uh kind of we've talked about bullying prevention. That all ties into just pre, you know, helping kids understand how you treat each other with kindness and what that means. Um, so yeah, we're looking at ways that we can work with our elementary and maybe fourth, fifth grades um to do some of those skill building opportunities. Yeah, there's a lot of possibilities. So, yeah, just hoping that we can kind of start even going younger so they know what choices to make and have healthy boundaries around them when they get to when they face hard challenges or choices that they have to come across. >> All that growth Yeah. >> that comes in life. >> Okay. Well, thank you for what you're doing. >> You're welcome. Yeah. It's fun. member Castle. >> Um, so I'm guessing that uh the parameters for qualifying for a program we fell out of. So then we went to another program. So what are the parameters for this? So that what are we looking at for falling out or keeping on with this >> new program? >> Yeah. So the PCN grant was funded through Minnesota Department of Human Services Behavioral Health Administration. It was just a five-year non-renewable grant. Um, and that's that the way they did that. Um, so it's a non-renewable grant, so we were we knew it'd be done after five years. Uh, the communities that care is brand new and it's through the Minnesota Department of Health. And so um it doesn't say if it's renewable or non renewable yet. Uh we're going to be the first cohort to go through. There's um seven other communities in Minnesota that received this grant as well. Um, so we're still living and learning a little bit on on that grant of what it's um what it entails and how it will fund. So we know we've got that until 2030. So >> wonderful. >> So and if we can renew are the parameters such that like we are at 97%. Well usually you have to be kind of in trouble to be to get grants. So when we bring ourselves out of such trouble, we wouldn't be able to reapply. >> We're spinning that going, okay, look at all this great work we've done and we know prevention helps so many things with academics with with so many things in our community. So um we spin it going, we've been doing really hard work since the 80s even in Forest Lake. So this is why we keep seeing this progress and we don't want this work to stop. Um, and that satisfied. I mean, we wrote in things and wrote in different concerns we have with, you know, the new laws with cannabis. Um, >> uh, is definitely one that that helped, um, us >> gain another cont that that >> grant. So, if you hear of other grants, we're always open to hear. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. Well, thank you again. I appreciate your time. >> Thank you so much. >> Thank you. All right. Uh, community education with Director McKinnon. >> Welcome, Director McKinnon. >> Yeah. Good evening and thank you, board chair Raalign, members of the school board, and Dr. Massie. On behalf of community education, we thank you for the opportunity to be here tonight and to present and showcase our programs that showcase what the extension of the school day is, our academic system being beyond K12 and really from birth to last years of life and and certainly tonight you're going to see that really throughout our presentation. I'm going to start just with a quick overview again of all the programs that we offer. Uh we've got a plethora of programs that meet the needs of our community and through our advisory council and through feedback from our our participants and our families, we're constantly evolving to continue to meet the needs of our community in different ways that um that our community sees fit. Um long ago, this is this is might be new for some of you, but some of you have seen this many times over. We when I first got here it's 10 years ago. I I told my wife I got offered this job 10 years ago this week. So that's worth celebrating because it's uh it's it's it's a great uh place to be and and being a ranger and growing up here. Uh I couldn't think of another place I'd want to be. Um we developed our team developed and I developed these purpose statements of what we do. And I always put this up in front of our presentations because it's our goal that not only do you see this in the presentation, but if you were to go out in the schools and see our childcare programs or go out into our athletic fields or walk into a classroom in the evening and see an adult painting class, you would see these purpose statements lived out efficiently and effectively meeting the needs of our community is is uh how I would summarize that. or as you see in the tagline at the bottom, engaging people and enriching lives, making their lives better. So these are the things that we when we make decisions, we focus around these five bullet points. Um, I'm not going to go through and read them all, but again, it just this has guided us when we've had some easy decisions to make, some tough decisions to make, when we've had to roll back some programs, carry some programs forward to see if we're in a like a small little window where we can get things to bounce back. And time and time again that this is uh these benchmarks have served us well. Um, so tonight I'm going to we're going to present uh an extremely valuable service to our working community and our working families. Uh, our child care program is one that I will put up against any other program out there, school, non-school. Uh, we've got great leadership who you're here from here tonight. We've got amazing staff members and our families who uh participate in our child care programs. Um, we've just got amazing kids in our system and there's certainly uh we believe that there's no better place for kids to be than in school buildings and when child care is a need for a family having them arrive before school, stay after school or on non-school days and do so in the manner at which our program is run um is second to none. So with that, I'm going to turn it over here. We have Nancy Seafford, our school age care coordinator, and Sue Wadaja, our school age care assistant coordinator. >> Thank you. forward is >> uh right side. Right. >> Right side. I got it. >> I am picture illiterate. I'm sorry to say. I mean, even the little arrows make no sense if you put that behind a remote. Um basically, I've been with program since it started and have grown with the program, I would say. Um just as our kids grow every day when they're with us. We serve kids at every elementary school, um before and after school, on non-school days. Um, it provides accessibility for our pre kindergarten kids because they can come before and after school on their little rangers days. Um, we're open all summer. We're gearing up for that right now. Um, we'll talk a little bit more about what we plan for summer in the next slides, but um, overall our February 1 opening for registrations each season gets to be a little tough for parents to remember sometimes. So, we're still reeling this week for summer registrations and accepting some more yet today and probably a few more tomorrow. >> Um, I think it's always good to look at numbers and I just love that little girl drawing with her little friend there teaching her grandmother, right? Um, but the numbers for the school year enrollment have remained pretty consistent over the last four years. Obviously, CO did a little bit of a number on us, but we've recouped and um we're back. I have no doubt that we'll stay and be back in full strength. Um summer enrollment. Um we had a little bit of a jump in 2025. I can't explain that. Um but those are total registration numbers. Um that was a little trip to the um Stacy to the wildlife management. Um Sue is going to take over from here and talk a little bit about our staff. >> Our program is set up primarily with very dedicated and talented staff. They're the backbone of our program. The the staff working with the kids is what it's all about. But overall throughout the entire system, we've set up a staffing um um setup to make the most of getting resources for all of the kids at every level. One thing that we have done is we have partnered with the special ed department. And so we have nine positions which are um called combo positions and we have we have employed pair of professionals to work at SAC either before or after school and having these highly skilled and trained people is a real benefit to give um supports to kids that need those extra supports when they're with us. We are certified with the state as a um child care program and we were first certified in 2018. We continue to meet all of the standards and um regulations for that. And it's been a real benefit because that allows us to provide child care to the families who need county assistance. We couldn't do that if we weren't certified. And it also is really in line with our desire um to provide the highest quality child care available for the working families in Forest Lake area schools. And now I'm just going to highlight why would a child want to be at Zack? Well, first off, there's friends. That's their biggest reason for wanting to be there all the time. So they can come and hang out with their family friends. Um, our staff do a wonderful job of encouraging friendship building and so on for those that struggle with some of those things. Um, but overall that's where it's at is they want to be comfortable. Um, they want to know their supportive staff there to help them along and just to hang out. We also have a strong belief in physical fitness every day. um whether it's gym time or outside time. For the past three years, um some of our staff have on our PD day trained other staff so that we can have consistency districtwide because we do combine down to three sites in the summer and on non-school days. But it really helps staff and students understand games and how to adapt games for maybe different age groups and figure that all out. This is one of the new ones. Um, right after our staff training, they were out there doing this relay. It was lots of fun because we all got to play at a PD day, too. So, that's cool. And of course, it all of a sudden turned from a cool spring to like hot summer, but I thought I wanted to take you back to a little cooler time of outdoor plays. Um, along with some of our summer parks that we visit, too. We go outside every day after school. Um the only times we don't go out is if the school day cancels recess. When we cancel recess, we go the same guidelines as the school. We try to make our program fit in with the school day as much as possible. Um they like to build almost anything and they really want their pictures taken. These kids look the pictures taken. You want us to look at peace out. You know, Lincoln logs are still a thing even back from my day. Um, yeah. So, capital blocks, you name it, the magnetiles, any kind of blocks. School age care invests a lot in block. Um, they use that during their choice time. We also do lots of experimenting, lots of STEM activities. Um, these kids are building to see if they can find or build the tallest tower. There were some kids behind there. Um, that other bubble over there, that's made out of silly putty. I don't know if you've ever done glue and liquid starch together, but it's all sorts of fun. I know when my kids were young, we had a box in the fridge that lasted, I think, months. It would didn't turn into any kind of a quote unquote science experiment. Oh, did I do I clicked off? Seriously, on Okay, there it is. last summer. Um, some of our field trips I was going to talk about. Oh, we missed this one. Crafting. Oh, yeah. We do all sorts of crafts, too. Um, one of our staff went home, painted rocks last summer so they they could do a more involved project that took days of time drawing and so on. And these kids are just so cheesier. I love that group of older boys that so got into the rock thing. staff are very creative in planning activities and get the kids involved in that too. >> And of course the highlight of our summer program that is our field trips. So this summer we have a number of field trips planned. We are going to movies, going bowling. We always take the kids to see a play. We're going to the sidekick theater this year. Couple of museum trips to the Bell Museum and um Mil City Museum. Water parks are a big hit. So, we go to the NOA water park, Rush City Water Park. Um, we're going to Walnut um Wallock's farm. >> Walnut farm. Y >> and um the fun lab. >> And then our end of the summer celebration is a visit to Lynwood Elementary where we enjoy their extensive playground and forest. So, that's a big hit. We have Scoops ice cream prom so the kids can have a treat after they've had their picnic. Um, we've taken part in the community education mini grants several times and our site managers plan what they'd like to do at their own sites. This is highlighting what Scandia did this past year. They purchased a sewing machine and have done a bunch of different projects with the kids sewing a bunch of different things and they've just had a ball. So, that was a great one. Um the summer programs participated in the learning to grow grant or garden of box grants. Sorry, they're learn to grow vegetables in their school's backyard. So Lionel Lakes Elementary and Wyoming Elementary grew little tiny raised beds and had a lot of vegetables and then the families could take them home and it was a lot of fun. And I did the same thing. Thanks. >> The drawing contest. >> So, uh, Forest View Elementary has taken part in the drug awareness drawing contest for the past few years and have had many winners in that contest. They're very proud of that. And then there's a monster madness contest that um three of our schools participated in. And this was a nationwide contest where the the managers got this information at the school and the kids drew different pictures of monsters and then every child's picture was published in a book. So that was really exciting. the families could purchase that book if they wanted it to have. And I I can't remember it was Forest View Elementary. I think one of their students was the winner for that particular group. And that picture is on the cover. >> Yeah. >> One of our students, the donut monster. Yeah. Monster. So, as we close here, as you can see, this is more than just dropping a child off, passing the time until they're picked up. Um, anytime I visit a site, I'm I'm constantly wowed by the engagement of our of our staff, which then engages our students. And it's across sites. You could go Scandia one day and head up to Lynwood another day and you're going to see the different feel in the building just like we do during the school day, but you will see consistency across the board which is a highly engaged yet very safe environment. Um Nancy and Sue and her their teams do a great job of of teaching and training the expectations to our staff going through the trainings of with DHS which is also just best practice that it just it strengthens our programs and and ultimately we put on a real good product and a good service for our community. So um just as we close here just a reminder these are so these are the last three cataloges that we brought over the last course of the last year. Um, we find out that when kids are featured on the catalog, they don't want the next catalog to come out because they're the celebrity and star of the show. Um, but really, I have to say that um, some acknowledgement needs to go to a person who hasn't been before the board as our marketing coordinator. We have a marketing coordinator dedicated to marketing. In fact, this presentation, I had a presentation set up. We worked on it. We built it. Alexa Nelson, who is our part marketing coordinator, looked at and she said, "Let me get my hands on your presentation." Um, which is why this presentation looks marketkedly better. Um, so kudos to her. So with that, I'll open up to any questions or comments from the board. >> Wonderful. Well, thank you for coming in. >> Does anybody have any questions or comments? >> Member Castle. Uh so for the unfortunate incident where a family has not enrolled or anything but they have an unforeseen need to have a child be there for a day. Is there like an emergency method for that to happen or >> we I mean we don't we don't have families just like up and drop off and if they were to call we we do everything we can to take students in but we do have to go through the the proper intake process to make sure that we know the child. We have all their forms on file allergies any safety precautions. The other thing too is that with we have to make sure that we stay within our ratios which is 1 to 15. So we are constantly hiring to accommodate that which is why the only time we ever have students who aren't able to we we don't even like to use the term weight list because weight list kind of denotes well you got to wait for somebody to to drop off and that usually doesn't happen. It's contracts pending which means we staff up into what we have. The moment a student goes above that threshold for uh the one to 15, we already start hiring that next one and we'll get that next staff member on more because we know that it serves that one child and we'll get we'll get others to follow. >> So, it's possible, but it takes a little while. >> Yeah. Where where we've where we've met that accommodation more often than not is the if it was an emergency emergency situation, I'll apologize to anybody saying we took a child and we kept them safe and we'll deal with whatever needs to be dealt with there. we've done and we've had situations that have occurred at a school where >> times in the past I can remember it's been principals have been involved and we've >> taken a student just given that's some emergency situation family >> common sense >> certainly um that's not what we are overall as a program as explained we are not a drop in care program but um because we have our guidelines to follow >> thank All right. Thank you, Member Tyson. >> Yeah. Well, Corey, first of all, I want to thank you as the director. Just all the integrity, intentionality, and purpose you bring to all the programs, including this fabulous one. And we have so much longevity in our staff with our SAC program, and it's just a tribute to all the great work and many years of children that have passed through your hands in sack. And the other thing I guess I'd like to add to that Gail is just that we have also had students come back to work for us that we've had exactly which exciting. >> Yeah. They thought enough about the program when they were with us as students. Um actually one of my former students from elementary. So yeah, >> that's my little tutu. Okay. >> We saw the students up on there. Nancy was Oh, there's one of our kids. That happens all the time. some of those other kids that were here for a day. >> Well, I only hear so many good things from parents who have their children enrolled and how much they love the summer program. >> Oh my gosh, we have to get in that. They don't want to miss that. So, and it's a lot of planning. >> It's a lot of planning. We start in January planning for the summer and I worry sometimes in the spring of the year, okay, but remember we're still in the school year, you know, I have to constantly remind myself. I think that teachers are the same way in that respect. You know, they're looking forward to summer school, too. And >> but yet, we have to finish out the school year and we have to keep kids engaged and engagements means less um problems with behaviors and >> um dissatisfaction with the program. They want to do what they want to do within reason. One time one kid said to me, "I want to go to space." I said, "I'm sorry, honey. We can't do that." But um >> with space cam >> well we could space cam now space back then I did I did a spat show in the classroom. >> He was a child in a wheelchair and we had a >> great thanks for all you do and all your years of dedication. >> It's the staff that are out there like Susan working with those kids. >> We'll pass that along to them. >> Thank you. >> Remember Parker? >> Yes also. Yes. Thank you for and thank you for your 10 years at Forest Lake area school. It's gone fast. Very exciting for you to be here for that many years. Um no, the program has just grown over the years. My kids attended when they were young. >> They were at Forest Lake Elementary. >> Oh, good. >> And yeah, Linda. >> Linda was there. Linda, >> Linda was there and uh she was >> she was wonderful. Yes. And yeah, so I always felt safe as a parent dropping my kids off because they look forward to going and I always felt like it was the friendship that they and activities and they did go in the summer. So I mean I do really value that as as my kids have enjoyed the program and I've just seen it grow and just continue to grow and you know and I'm so thankful you guys do such a great job and you offer a pass. Yeah, I did. Yeah, it was many years with my three children. So, um, yeah, and I think just having that availability to all the school, you know, I know it goes for summer, it goes only goes to three, but during the school year, it's just it's such great help for parents that have to work >> and and just to drop off and just know that they're safe. That is so valuable. So, thank you for all your service. Really appreciate it. >> Yes. Thank you everybody. >> My kids have done plenty of sack over the years that I know a lot of them do. I'm like looking at your last name now and trying to picture who your kids are. >> Oh yeah. Um so yeah, they loved it all the time. Always doing fun things. >> So thank you for all >> Well, and with that, I'd like to take this moment to thank the board for your support of community yet. And Dr. Massie, thank you. >> Um we don't I have colleagues who don't have the the support from their superintendent that I do and our team does and it's felt all the way through. and a robust community education program just means a more vibrant and strong community school and non-school integrated and that doesn't come without the support of a superintendent and a school board. So just want to thank you personally. >> Well, thank thank you Director McKinnon. I will say you do make it easy for us to support you and your programs with the success you bring and the uh team >> the success the programs bring to the community >> makes it easy to to support that and continue to encourage growth in those programs. Um the challenge with the incredible success of the sack program is finding space but we continue to prioritize that and especially as enrollment continues to increase. It's a it's a perfect problem to have. uh we love to sit down and and deal with that challenge. So >> we always say flexibility is our middle name and try real hard to be flexible. It it gets difficult sometimes for the space but I can say it's something we can overcome. >> There's always a way. >> Well, we appreciate that too. It's good partnership. >> Thank you. >> Thank you so much for coming in. >> That's right. >> All right. another tough act to follow, but we do have positive happenings. Um, does anybody have anything for positive happenings? >> Well, I'll just say I mean going on a lot. There is. >> I'll maybe just talk about one because I'm sure people will talk about everything here. Um, I'll say I went to multiple things, but I'll talk about um egg day. That was my first time going and uh it was busy. The kids, there was just a ton of kids outside. and all sorts of different games they had going on. And you know, I was amazed to see, you know, a cow and a horse and all these goats and chickens and everybody, you know, all these students representing the animals and teaching about them and um different clubs that are going on and so impressed to see all the girls that are in the trap shooting club. I So, it was just a very fun all around. And of course, I was able to get some plants and they're currently growing in the garden. And um it was just a lovely I mean wonderful little event that they have. So I thought it was really cool not having that before. >> Well, thank you. >> Well, yeah, same thing. I did go to the plant sale. I bought a lot of plants. That was awesome for egg day. Um, also the staff retirement was always amazingly well attended and all the years of service that our staff has done. It's always such a it's a bittersweet day when we lose those good staff members, but we also have to it's such a great to appreciate them and and to honor them for all their service. Um, of course we had Steve's retirement party on Tuesday night. Was it Tuesday or was it Wednesday? Wednesday. I'm losing track of my days already, but well attended and uh lot nice to see a lot of people from many years that have known you over the years. So, that was that was a great event. Um and then also um the um Gail Tyson's um spotlight MSBA director was in our MSBA book and for her great work with the uh MSBA representing us. And I think that is all I attended this week, couple weeks. Thank you, member. Member Christensen. >> Um, it has been a very busy uh last few weeks. May is always really busy, the end of April, but lots of really exciting things going on. I did attend the uh Indian honoring honorary honoring honoring ceremony, excuse me. You got it. >> On May 13th, uh that was really a beautiful um ceremony. They do such a good job um with the blankets that they have and it was just um a really beautiful ceremony. Uh I went to Tela on the 14th and um >> members Corkin and Tyson were there as well. Uh beautiful new venue. They had it out at Rustic Roots. That was really nice. And then after that I quickly went over to the high school for the uh the EMS grad graduation ceremony. I've attended that I think three years now and they do such a good job. It's really amazing um for the students that are in the EMS program um and the EMT program and just how they spend so much time together in the class and you can really tell that they're a family. So that's always a good group. Um mental health day was yesterday in the elementary schools which was exciting. The big kids um the high school kids come and visit all the elementary schools and they sit and have lunch with the elementary kids and go out on recess with them. And then um the younger kids just really look up to the high school kids and old and so anytime high school kids can be in the elementary schools. Kids just love that. Um I know there's a lot of things going on individually in the elementary schools. The Scandia carnival is tomorrow night. Um and our girls softball team won 50. So they're going to state next week. So >> that concludes my report. >> Congratulations. >> Well, I can continue on. Yes, egg day as always was just so fun. Um I did have to send a text to Mr. Caldwell about a few animals, but um it was fun. It was just fun to see all the kids enjoying their day, enjoying the animals. The plants went really fast. And I want to give a shout out to Jordan Pollock because he does an excellent job just gearing up for that big event. Um, I went to uh Steve's retirement which was bittersweet. Um, a lot of people talking about how they'd wish you could stay >> and um, looking at your pictures from past >> was kind of fun going >> changed a bit. >> That's when he was my daughter's principal and that's when you So, it was really fun. It was a great group of people. a lot of fun visiting and um seeing your wife Kate. She's so cute. Um also, I went to the honoring ceremony. I was uh very humbled to read the land acknowledgement agreement um at that event. It's just so fun to see the all the ages there. It's like elementary up to high school. It's fun to see that that combination there um for that program. Um, I also went to tried to make it out and I want to just give a shout out to Scandia, our IB school. They had their project presentation and I wasn't able to make it that day at appointment that ran late. Um, and then after Steve's retiree retirement party, I went over to the seventh and eighth grade orchestra event and you know, our concerts are always packed. I had to drive circle the wagons to get a parking spot. So, it's grandmas and grandpas, moms, dads, all the littles, and they they just it's amazing how they how much growth, how they sound in the fall to then how they sound in the spring at their concert. Um, and then I watched a little bit of the boys lacrosse just kind of from sitting in the end of the stadium because I've never been in there for lacrosse. So, that was really fun for me. Um, and again, Julie commented on the the retirey recognition that we have. So fun to hear the stories of what people are planning to do with their time after their many, many years of dedicated service to our district. So that concludes my report. Thank you. >> Thank you, Member Tyson. I think uh we might have only missed one event here um at least according to my notes, and that was the uh Hall of Fame induction. >> There's there's so much going on, it's hard to remember everything, but yeah, we had the Hall of Fame induction as well. We had a lot of great inductees this year. >> Um that's always a really fun event as well. And that concludes my report which will brings brings us to reports. Um do we have anything for workshops and conferences? Kind of a quiet time of year for that. Don't see anything. Um city of Forest Lake either member Christensen Center or member Tyson. >> I do not have a report. >> I don't have a report this time. >> No problem. We have so many of our own things going on. It's hard to to get to everything. Uh community education. And I feel like we might have just gotten a report on that unless there's something to add. Member Corkin or member Christensen. >> Well, I can just add briefly that the meeting was on uh May 4th and um every year it's really exciting and so interesting. They give out community ed gives out these mini grants within uh community ed and you saw one picture that um sack out in Scandi had appi or applied for the grant for sewing u machines and that kind of thing. So, we gave out a total of 11 grants for almost $5,000. So, that was really um really exciting and always great to see um what they're applying for and the work they're doing. So, that was kind of the main thing of the meeting. >> Wonderful. Thank you, member Christensen. Um that will bring us to uh MSBA. This is kind of a dual report. We could go to member Tyson to see if she has anything from MSBA as a whole. >> Well, I just want to add quickly. I know I've talked about the kids rise initiative through um that they're launching through collaboration between AMSD, MSBA, a lot of people going in on that. It's um the first launch went out today. So, you'll be hearing more about that. I know members have asked to find out more information and we're very excited. It's just a whole launch to promote positive uh information about public schools and all the good work they're doing. So, you can look for that to come to you guys. Right. >> All right. Thank you, Member Tyson. And then we'll pivot to uh Member Corker, right? >> Yeah. Well, I actually reach I reached out to Gail Gilman about our self-ealuation and she did forward me an email with the attached um what to send to you guys to start the um questionnaire. And then um she usually leave it open for a couple weeks, give people time, do the evaluation, and then when we get the superintendent on board, then he will also do that. And then we'll follow up with a group um a group meeting after that sometime this summer. >> Yeah. >> So she said whenever we're ready. I figured we'd kind of wait till maybe next week and I can get that sent out and we'll have a couple weeks. But I do have the information. So >> that was actually what I was just about to suggest. Do we want to >> do we want to kick this off next week and then we meet again on the 18th? >> No. When is it? What? Like >> Well, our next board meeting is scheduled for the 18th. So that gives us a couple weeks to finalize it like you mentioned. >> Yeah, that sounds good. >> So >> question. >> So >> point of inquiry, does that mean you will be sending it to us? >> I'll send it to you whenever you guys would like me to. I mean, we I think we should send it probably next week. >> Sure. >> And then I'll send it out as a group and then we'll have a couple weeks and then the 18th we can kind of follow up >> on that and then I guess we can move on from there and schedule Gail to She needs about six weeks or so to kind of get on schedule because she's really busy. So, we need to give her time to do that. >> Member Tyson had said no to >> I didn't want to schedule a special meeting for it, but as long as we stay on our meeting night, >> correct? This is our That's our meeting. >> Yes, I know what she >> And member Corkran, could you clarify >> which program you're sending us >> the questionnaire? >> Yeah, >> it's just going to be >> We've been talking about two different things. Yeah, it's going to be the full the full evaluation, but we're going to do the questionnaire first >> and then when the superintendent contract is complete, then he will >> um also do that and then we come together. He then she gets all the information together and then we meet as a group to kind of go over the results and then we that's how we formulate our plan. >> Okay, thank you. So the the full timeline or scope of that is probably going to be concluded in the fall. >> Probably late summer. Late summer probably because the first couple months will be busy. So maybe by maybe August maybe might be a nice time frame. >> That would be phenomenal. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Okay. >> All right. Thank you. >> Perfect. We'll continue to leave it in your capable hands, member Corker. All right. And thank you for your >> help in in getting getting us through this. It's uh >> it'll be good for us. >> It is quite the process. All right, perfect. We'll pivot now to the superintendent report. Dr. >> Thank you. I have a number of things to update through my report. Uh member Christensen mentioned May is mental health month. U a lot of activities throughout our schools and I think the most noteworthy is the work our student council kids do by u preparing lessons that they then bring to the elementary schools. really focusing on mental health as a whole and the trying to break down the stigma of asking for help and receiving help when kids are struggling. And as member Christensen mentioned, when our seniors are delivering that message, when students are delivering that message, >> there's a different level of student engagement. Um, and they're there for the day. They interact with kids throughout the day, lunchroom, playground, and it's just a a neat connection that our kids build. U you don't need me to indicate that we are now entering the final week of the school year. Uh extremely fun and busy week. Um it the week actually culminates a whole series of events that consume the spring and many of those were mentioned here tonight by board members. on uh Monday, June 1st will be the academic award ceremony at 7:00. All board members are definitely welcome and encouraged to attend. Uh Chair Rabeline and Mr. Caldwell and myself uh will congratulate the kids as they walk across the stage and you will be amazed at what kids are doing and where they're going and the money they're getting to do that. all generously contributed by colleges, institutions, and our community. I believe I should have checked this, but I believe Wednesday is senior picnic and also cap and gown handout day. >> Cap and gowns will be handed out throughout the week. >> Okay. >> Have rehearsal on Wednesday with the >> There we go. And that will culminate with our seniors kind of gathering by elementary schools and then touring parading really through our elementary schools in their caps and gowns. Just a powerful symbol of uh just the culmination of public education and the the years that kids spend in school and those elementary kids really admire and look up to the our seniors. So, it's a very powerful event. Um, the last day of school of course is June 4th, graduation night, 7 o'clock. Uh, we've ordered a beautiful sunny or sunny evening. So, I'm sure that will be served up for us. We'll keep our fingers crossed. Um, so yeah, just an exciting, super exciting week uh with graduation. Lastly, right after that, we'll be into summer school mode. Actually, principal Kelly Lefine has been prepping for summer school, taking enrollment, hiring teachers. Summer school will begin on June 15th. And with taking the week of July 4th off, they will extend through Friday, July 4th. And those are offered kindergarten all the way through 12th grade with credit recovery for kids who need to make up courses that they need to just simply finish. Uh the K4 program will be at Forest View and grades 5 through 12 will be at the community school. >> And that concludes my report. >> Thank you, Dr. Massie. I have one thing to add to that report just for the the board's information here this evening. Since Dr. Massie did mention graduation, um we passed a policy last year that stated that former board members could attend graduation if they had a family member that they could present a diploma to. So, I'm happy to uh inform the board and and the public overall, and the board did receive an email on this earlier this evening, um that former member uh Kate Luther put in the request to um deliver her diploma or deliver diploma to her child and that is at the prerogative of the board chair. Um I did grant that request. So, former member Lutheran will be joining us at graduation to be the first individual to partake in that policy. And I'm I'm very excited about that. That was a policy I was very passionate about and I was happy to see that we got it passed and now I'm happy to see it being enacted. Um I've asked her to work with Principal Caldwell to figure out the logistics of that evening. U but uh that will be an exciting time uh for her and her family and for the district as a new policy moving forward. And that's all I have to add on that. which will bring us to uh unfinished B business uh 7.1 vacant school board seek consideration. Um I do want to set this up because this is a kind of a unique uh a unique situation for us to be in. Uh we don't typically end up with unfinished business. Um so there's a couple of different parameters that we need to follow. Um member Christensen corrected me in the listening session earlier. Um I kept referring to this as a special order of business and that may not have been correct. This is this was more of a conditional order of business. We as a board had defined parameters around this order of business and how it should have proceeded last week. Uh the primary piece of that the parameter was that we were going to conduct a discussion and debate on the uh the applicants and on the process for approximately one order or one hour. Um, member Christensen, I don't believe a conditional order of business is part of the the rules. I'm just I'm trying to encapsulate it in a uh in a word that's that's comprehensible here. Um, but anyway, we have ended debate on this. There is a motion on the table uh concerning this. Yes, member Tyson. >> I just since you we're talking about special order of business, I just want to clarify that you need a twothirds vote >> to be special order of business. Correct. And we had correct we had a unanimous vote on setting the conditions, >> but we didn't have a vote on it being called >> a special order of business, >> which is why I'm agreeing with member Christensen that we may not have met the technical definition of a special order of business. So I'm basically just stating that we had conditions around, >> right? >> So I'm only bringing that up so that next time if you use that wordage, it should be on the agenda and then we do need to have that twothirds vote. >> Yes. Yeah. That's fine. I'm I'm just trying to find a way >> Robert's rules. >> Correct. I'm just trying to find a way to conceptualize this so we understand there there were conditions around that order of business is basically the point that I was trying to make. And the conditions were that we were going to end debate after that hour. So it didn't it didn't draw out for an 8 hour marathon which uh um has unfortunately occurred in the past. At this point that business has carried over from last week into this week because we hit that time limit. So this week we begin with a motion on the table. Once the motion on the table is settled business is settled, this order of business will be settled and we will move on. And I know that can cause some some concern because of the motion on the table is to appoint uh Mr. Shawn Thomas via a resolution. So if there are other applicants that we want to consider, that is fine. We just need to do it through an amendment process to the main motion and then the amendment could alter the main motion and then there will be a vote on the main motion which right now is to appoint Mr. Shawn Thomas to um via resolution. Does does that make sense? Please please ask questions. I want to make sure this is very clear. >> Just point of order. >> Yes. >> I'm curious. I I I just want to make a motion that we hold an election. I think we owe all these candidates that to have an election. >> Okay. So, what I'm hearing you say, do we have to amend the 60-minute >> rule? Is that what you're saying? We should >> No, that that is elapsed. >> Yep. That is already elapsed. >> Okay. So, I made a motion to have an election. Is that something we can do? >> I don't know. >> The motion fails due to lack of a second, but it it would also fail due to the fact that there is a motion on the finish that. >> Yeah, he's just trying to convolute everything. I No. >> Okay. So, we just need to finish the motion and then we can >> and then this this order of business once this motion is settled, we would then move on to the consent agenda. That will settle this business. >> Okay. >> So, if we want to make amendments, we can make amendments. That's fine. And member Tyson, I'm interested in your concept here of what do you mean by >> the concept that's in Robert's rules? Can can you help me understand the >> and this is this is how MSBA fills all their board vacancies at the leadership conference. I believe you were there. >> Okay. >> You just make a motion to hold an election and no one needs a second. They tell say their nominee and then the election closes and before it does we ask if there are any further nominations three times. Then you go around and vote. We have plenty of deliberations on all of the candidates. we shouldn't be really talking about them at the board table in a public meeting. So, it's the best way to do that. >> Yeah, that that part has closed. That that was the condition was that we're done with discussion. We're just moving to motions now. >> But we owe all the other candidates an election. We're obligated to do that for our community members that have come forward and applied. So, are you making a motion to amend the main motion to appoint Mr. Thomas? I'm that that's the part I'm having trouble understanding. >> We're not appointing Member Thomas. We haven't voted on him. >> Correct. That is the motion that is currently. >> So, yeah, amend it so that we can have an election and vote properly as said in Robert's rules. I can find it for you. And have nominations and then vote. >> Okay. So your proposal is that we I I just want to make sure I'm I'm understanding this that we instead move to an election process where where one of us would say I I nominate I'm going to I nominate Bob >> because we had no applicant name Bob. So I would say I I nominate Bob. We don't need a second for Bob. And then um member Corkran, for example, could say, "I nominate Sue." >> And then we could close nominations just like we do when we elect >> um the officers here. And then we would each go around and we would say, "I want or or member Castle could say, I'm going to go with Sue." And I could say, "I'm going to go with Bob." And we just added up the list. Yep. And whoever has >> and who has the prevailing highest number of votes gets the vac fills the vacancy. >> I do believe you need a majority >> of the board and you need a majority >> for an appointment. >> Yes. Correct. >> So if if the vote lands three, >> you need a majority. >> Well, if if there are three candidates that get nominated and you end up with only three votes on one of the three candidates, that would not represent a majority. >> Correct. the plurality could not appoint and >> and I think to be safe >> explained in there. I I think to be safe we would want to follow up with a resolution to appoint that individual as well just to make sure that all of our tees are crossed and eyes are >> the board vacancy would require a resolution >> because I I just want to continue this the last thing that I feel that there was an unfair advantage to you member chair having the microphone for the last 10 minutes of the meeting we didn't get to vote or I nominated Tracy Tamilton but nobody seconded it. We were rushing because the clock was running out. So, I think we need to back up and do this properly as said in Robert's rules. >> I agree. I second that. >> Okay. I I don't have any problem with that. So, I would I would offer a I would quote member Christensen. >> I hear what member Tyson is saying and member Corkin and I I agree with that. But I am concerned um that we've already and I'm concerned because I don't want this to come back around which um has happened sometimes with different procedural maneuvers you know things kind of come around. So I'm fine with that but we did not do that for the other groups. >> And so my question is if we do that now which I support that's fine. We should have started probably started that from the beginning. But I'm just saying if we try to change the process now is somehow this going to come back later and you know somebody uses something to change the outcome or something. I'm just concerned that that do we have to and it's just a question. Do we have to use the same procedure that we've used for what two other rounds of interviews? And maybe we don't. I'm just asking. I would offer that in the previous rounds there were proper motions on candidates and uh roll call votes on those candidates. >> So I don't know that the process was improper. Different. Yes. >> But not improper. >> Excuse me. I'm not saying the process was improper. I'm not saying that. I'm saying if we change the process now for sort of round three of the candidates is is somehow somewhere it's going to come back that we didn't use the same process or something. That's that's my question because a lot of times um that's my question. I I guess what I would offer is um sure somebody could make an argument that that pro the process night was more fair versus the process used previously but I don't think there was anything in the previous process that would nullify the the motions in the action taken by the board >> member >> and I just want to add one point quickly to that that our process hasn't been very good. I mean, we can't sit here in a public meeting and discuss people like we've been doing. That border lines on an ethic issue and there's standards involved with that. So, now we're improving our process and we're not going to allow for that. And I think that just keeps us enforcing the rules that we need to have at our public board meeting. And I don't want to sit here and be complicit in comments that are made that our opinions or our statements I think we've deliberated enough. We did it in the past and I think moving forward we need to follow Robert's rules and do it the correct way. >> So I would offer a or I do do have a question for you, Member Tyson. I I I don't disagree with this process at all. I think it's a good idea. um we would carry out one election cycle and if we we find a resolution obviously we have an answer and that the matter is closed. But if we have appointments and we do not reach a majority consensus the order of business is then closed and we move on to consent agenda. Is that what I'm understanding? >> Yes. >> All right. Is there any additional um discussion here? I'm happy to offer an amendment to the motion of the table. >> What I'm hearing, let me just put this out there. What I'm hearing is if there's not a majority consensus >> of the board through this process that would dispose of this >> this agenda item and no one is elected to fill the vacancy >> and the meeting would proceed. >> Yes, >> that's what I mean. Correct. >> That's And if there is a majority consensus, we would then propose a resolution to the board that would hopefully prevail as well. And then we would move on to the consent agenda. >> And what was what would the resolution entail specifically? >> The resolution would be to appoint whichever member, whichever individual was selected through the election process, it would just uh finalize it and meet the legal requirement because the legal requirement states that the appointment must occur via a resolution. Mhm. >> So it would just it would it would literally be just dotting the eyes and crossing the tea and and meeting the legal requirement. >> Okay. Because if I heard you right, did you say the resolution before this conversation would be to appoint Shawn Thomas? >> Correct. Yes. The motion that is on the table right now is to appoint Mr. Sha Thomas via board resolution to fill the board vacancy. So, in the rush of the last 10 minutes when you had the microphone, I nominated Tracy Templeton. >> You made a nomination for Tracy Templeton after the time had expired. It did not receive a second and it was um out of order because another motion was still on the table. >> Yes. And in Robert's rules, when you make a nomination, you don't need a second. >> And that we were not going through a nomination process at that point. >> Okay. >> But but that that is the the differentiator there. Yes. Member Christensen, >> I'm confu um not confused, I'm concerned that we are unnecessarily convoluting what we need to do here and so that people are it's tricky and people aren't you know it's it's unnecessarily con convoluting the thing. Can we just amend the motion >> to say that we are just going to >> have an election >> um do away with the resolution on the table to appoint Shawn Thomas and can we just revert back to just calling a name and making a roll call because I'm just concerned that the >> the amendment on the table is you know >> that that is my suggestion. And I think it would require a withdraw of the motion by the person who offered the motion >> which I I cannot do. The the board has the motion once it's seconded. It becomes the board's property. So I can't withdraw out with second on the table. What I can offer is a motion to amend the motion to appoint Mr. Sean Thomas via resolution and instead hold an election process as outlined in Robert's rules to make the to make a recommendation for a resolution for the appointment. >> Does that cover me? >> It would. Then you'd have to go back to the main motion. Act on the main motion. >> Okay. So, can I get a second for that motion? >> Second. >> Okay. So, now we're voting on the amendment to my main motion, which would then >> enact member Tyson's idea instead. Do we have any discussion on that? >> Joy, would you be able to read that back, please? >> I was going to listen to it >> or parts of it or someone just restate. I just wanted to be crystal clear. >> Motion to amend to appoint Sean Thomas via resolution and instead hold an election. That's kind of where I lost it. Yeah. >> Yeah. An election consistent with um >> as defined in in Robert's rules >> and we Yeah, we have a second there. >> Okay. Any any discuss any more discussion on that? >> A vote in the affirmative would be to hold an election. >> Yes. >> Correct. >> Yes. >> Well, would Yeah. >> Can we get to do it again? >> Okay. Okay. So, all those in favor signify by saying I. I >> those opposed. Okay. The amendment passes. So now the main motion is to hold an election as recommended by member Tyson as outlined in Robert's rules which is consistent to how we elect board officers and then if a m majority candidate comes out of that election we will then move to a resolution. If not we will move to uh the consent agenda. Is that clear? >> Yes. >> Okay. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Those opposed. Okay. So now we are going to carry out an election. So I will start in the exact same manner. Do we have any nominations? >> I nominate Wendy Schroeder. >> Okay. Open vacant seat. Okay. >> I nominate Tracy Templeton. for the vacancy in their board. >> I nominate Mr. Sean Thomas. >> Okay. Sean Thomas. >> I nominate Sean Thomas. >> Uh, we already have a nomination for Mr. Thomas. >> All right. I nominate Susan Young. >> Susan Young. >> Okay. Do we have any other nominations? Do we have any other nominations? >> Do we have any other nominations? >> Point of inquiry. >> Yes. >> We go around here and there's no majority. There is still a candidate left. >> Yes. >> Is it possible to come back around? >> No. But we can nominate the final candidate. Now, if you would like to see >> that is that is still open. Um, go to my notes. >> I'm sorry, I missed your question. Member Antinson, what was >> I was asking. There's still one candidate here who hasn't had a nomination yet. >> And you're referring to who? Uh Dr. Dr. Seabour >> Savor correct. I >> I will nominate Dr. Savor >> which maxes out our nominations but per the rule I will ask three times if there are any more nominations. Are there any more nominations? Are there any more nominations? Are there any more nominations? All right, nominations are closed. So our options are Mrs. Schroer Schroeder um Mrs. Templeton, Mr. Thomas, Mrs. Young, and Dr. Seabore. And um member Tyson, since this was your idea, how would you like to go? Just in the order that uh >> Yeah. And just to clarify, everyone has one vote for one person. >> Correct. >> Correct. >> And unless we meet reach a threshold of four, nobody advances and we then move on to the consent agenda. >> Yes, member Christian. Um, and how are we doing a roll call or how are we voting? >> Um, I will ask the clerk to go on the roll call with the random order that has been specified. >> So, we're going to go with member Corkran's nomination for >> um, nope. We're what we're going to do is you're going to read off the individual's name. So, you would reach out read out like member Castle and Member Castle will state which candidate he prefers. >> I'm writing this down. Okay. >> And well, not not member Cass. You'll go in the order. Okay. On on the sheet, >> I'll just write which one he prefers. >> And each individual will will note who they prefer. And if we reach four votes for one individual, >> one person, >> one vote for one person. >> Correct. >> Correct. >> So when our name is called, we have one vote. We say one name. >> You say one name and that is your vote for the uh fulfill fulfilling the position. And we need an individual to reach >> four >> four in order for us to move to a resolution. >> We ready? >> Yes. I guess >> I think well if >> I just think like when normally when you vote you might say one person might have four people voting but if you only vote you know >> that's one modification we we could make now we didn't do this in the motion anybody >> I I could offer a motion to say we're going to amend the process that saying that if any candidate has a plurality of votes and like the high vote getter as long as there aren't two that are tied if if one vote vote getter stands alone. We can we can move to a resolution for that individual. >> It has >> but that would still require four votes. Correct. >> It's the prevailing highest voter. >> But if there is a tie >> four votes, >> if there's a tie for the highest vote getter, we would instead move on. >> Instead move on to what? >> Consent agenda. >> Consent agenda. But if there is one individual on the list who has say two votes and everybody else gets one vote, I don't know if that's mathematically possible. I didn't do the math here. Well, actually I think it is. We would then present the individual who would receive two votes for a resolution. >> No. >> No. >> We have to have four votes for majority. >> We we have to have a four votes for the resour. >> Correct. What I'm saying is we we have to have four votes for the resolution. That is non-debatable. We can we cannot do that. But what we can do is we could alter it to say that if one say all five people get one vote and one of these individuals gets two votes, say candidate C gets two votes, we could then propose to the board a resolution to appoint to that person. That resolution would require four. >> I think we just go with if someone gets four, you know, the majority. We don't need to again. >> That's what we've got in place right now. >> Let's just do doing what we're doing. >> Okay. The Robert's rule process. >> Okay. >> Okay. I just I wanted to propose the option to the board. Um does everybody understand exactly how this will play out? >> Okay. And does everybody understand what is expected of them when the clerk calls out your name? >> You say you're one person. >> You say you're one name. Okay. In that case, I will ask the clerk to please take a vote. >> Okay. All right. Here we go. Member Corkran. >> Oh, I'm first. >> I vote for Wendy Schroeder. >> Member Reveline. >> Uh Mr. Shan Thomas. >> Member Castle. >> Mr. Shan Thomas. >> Member Christensen. >> Mrs. Templeton. >> Member Tyson. >> Tracy Templeton. >> And member Antonson votes for Shawn Thomas. So I have three for Sean Thomas, one for Wendy Schroeder, and two for Tracy Templeton. Okay, seeing no individual receiving a majority of votes, that will close this process and we will move to the consent agenda. Does any individual have any items um 8.1 through 8.4 that they would like removed from the consent agenda? All right. If not, I would entertain a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. >> So move. >> Second. >> All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Those opposed. >> All right. The motion carries. Um, is the board interested in taking a short recess prior to moving to action items? >> I'm I'm fine. I'm good. >> Okay. We will proceed then. We'll move to action item 9.1, the superintendent contract approval. I am very excited to bring this to the board. We've had much discussion, much back and forth on this and uh much legal review over the last several weeks. Uh many hours went into this. Um our wonderful uh director of communications uh Mrs. Ready prepared prepared this for us. Uh I'm just going to give a very brief key highlights for the new superintendent contract both for the board and for the community. Um, overall the new contract represents a salary and benefits package that is appropriate for a superintendent. The superintendent serves as our chief executive officer of the school district and is responsible for overseeing the operations of a large organization with many permanent employees. The contract represents a competitive salary and benefits package that is slightly higher than some of our comparable districts and significantly lower than some of our other comparable districts. This contract provides a salary, benefits, and conditions of employment that are similar to previous superintendent contracts with a few key differences. This con the proposed contract and um this is a still a proposal for the board. The proposed contract period is for two years. Uh the previous superintendent contract was for three years. The salary amount in the proposed contract is toward the midpoint of the posted salary range of 190,000 to $230,000 um per year. The salary amount in the proposed contract is higher than previous contracts. A number of factors make up this increase. one, a 3% salary increase, which is comparable to the year-over-year increase of other employee groups in the school district for 2026 and 2027. An additional increase in salary is offset by a reduction in post-employment benefits included in the contract. The values of these benefits would more than exceed the value of the salary increase. Um, I'm going to I'm going to add a little color to this. Some examples of this include uh things like mileage reimbursement. Um a lot of superintendent contracts include things like um cell phone reimbursement or vehicle use reimbursement. Um we did not include this in the contract. We felt it was more transparent especially to the community to understand the specifics of what the superintendent compensation looks like at the end of the year. Uh this contract uh reflects that um a little bit more clearly. It's not as if uh things are buried in contract language for a reason, but uh this is just very clearly delineates the expected salary. Um I thought I had another point on that. Um Corkran, did I do we have something else on that or am I >> imagining that? >> I think those were the main the mileage and the telephone and >> yeah, I think that was Yeah, that was >> okay. some of the things that were kind of >> and then some postemployment I kind of covered that about reduction in post-employment benefits things like that include like ongoing medical care >> um things that the the superintendent has earned over the course of employment >> but could have the potential to put the district in a cash flow um a concerning cash flow position in the future >> well because it's the unknown of how much that's worth >> precisely So we moved some of the >> postemployment up to current. I think it was just a better >> and then we incentivized retirement in just a little bit different way. So I'm I'm what I'm trying to to state is yes we there was a shift in the number but the shift in the number there were offsets built into that >> um that are fair to both the uh the superintendent and fair to the community and the district overall. And then the last uh piece that Renee put in here is there's a daily rate of that the daily rate paid was lowered and will now be calculated based on a higher number of days per year. This rate is used to calculate the payout of unused vacation days, severance, and other miscellaneous pay. And I'll add a little color to that too. In every contract that u especially in education you see a calculation especially for postemployment that is based on a daily rate of pay. In the the private sector you typically see it break down into hours because what they do is they'll take your annual rate of pay and they'll divide it by 40 hours a week divided by 52 weeks of school or 52 weeks a year. in schools it's not as clear uh because you have teachers that work um you know that their their normal work schedule is throughout the school year. You have other staff such as a superintendent whose normal work schedule is year round. So instead what you do is you um define in the contract how your rate of pay is calculated and and the biggest piece of that is based on the days of service I think is the best way to summarize that. And for the superintendent we adjusted it since it is a 12-month position to be 260 days versus 223 days. And then that affects other mathematical equations that determine severance and vacation payouts and and sick time calculations postcontract. And uh that that is what's getting at in that uh specific clause. So with that, the contract is shared um on the agenda. Um, it is the same contract that uh, member Corkran and I shared with board members as we were uh, working on this with director Jacobson and it is there uh, presented for approval and I would happily entertain a motion to approve as presented. >> Move to approve. Second. >> All right, we have a motion and a second. Is there any discussion? >> Member Ty, can >> I just have a couple of quick questions? Could you clarify why the change was made? two years. >> I I can speak to that uh briefly. Yes. Um so as as indicated in previous meetings, myself and member Corkran worked with Director Jacobson to negotiate the contract. Um in order to avoid a serial meeting, Member Corkran worked with member Christensen and member Tyson and I worked with member Antinson and member Castle. And then I also had the privilege of working with Peton Law uh to review that through a number of discussions. There was a a lot of lot of discussion around the the appropriate length of the contract for a new superintendent >> and it's been three years. It is it's typically three years because the statutory maximum is three years >> but most of them in the state are >> most of them are three years when I had a discussion with Peton law they actually recommended one year and >> the recommendation for one year >> I did not hear that >> yeah so the recommendation for one year from Peton Law came from a um she she said it was kind of a blanket recommendation that she made to all school districts because school districts typically go with three years and and when you engage a law firm and they're looking at a contract, they're looking at the the risk for the district. Of course, they're they're helping us negotiate that. So, what she said is that that was a protection in place to make sure that you had the right superintendent. And I went on with that discussion with her and I said, I I had major concerns about one year primarily because if we offered a one-year contract, um there are there are two problems with that. The way I see it is first, it puts Director Jacobson in a impossible position where he's leaving a very stable role for a one-year risk with a renewal requirement that would come up in only a couple of months. he would only be a few months enroll. So he would have very limited opportunity to prove his worth and I recognized that and I was concerned with that. I was also concerned with the fact that we would be deciding on a subsequent contract in what would essentially be kind of a lame duck situation for the board especially especially now I anticipated that we would be um that we will likely be a six member board at that point and I didn't feel that was really a strong benefit for the district overall. I felt a little bit more stability was in order. And these were concerns that I shared with uh um the attorney that I was working with at Pepperden. And she said when you take in the full context that she felt the two-year contract was more appropriate. >> So that was a long answer. Thank you for that. But just to clarify, so you're saying Hamilton recommended a one year, correct? And then with your conversation, then they decided on recommending a two-year. >> Correct. >> So that came from Peton. >> That came from Peton. >> I've never heard of a one-year contract for superintendent of a public school. What was her name at Peton? >> Or you can send it to me. I'd like to follow up on that. >> Sure. >> Okay. Well, thank you. >> I I believe you have that information. I did share who I was engaged with at member 10 with the board as I worked through that process, but I can send it to you again if you can't find it. I'm happy to. >> And then my last question goes with duty day and year. It's vacation, which is section two, I believe. Um, so I I read these every time for 17 years now. I'm just wondering, it seemed like a word was added. >> What uh page are you on? president instead of just the school board. >> Correct. What? >> Under duty year and leaves section two, it's the very last sentence. >> Yes. >> Consecutive days of vacation may be taken during consecutive scheduled school days during the regular academic school year without prior written approval from the school board. But president was added on here. >> Yeah, actually that didn't. you add that or you recommended to add that? >> Actually, that entire sentence was added. Um, I can't remember the exact language that's in our current superintendent contract, but uh the intent there was just to make sure that the board was informed if there was going to be an extended vacation taken during the school year. And if you go through the um entire contract, you'll notice that when notification of the board is required or when prior approval such as this is required, it typically goes through the schoolboard president. That was something that we did discuss at length during um the negotiation period. And the thought process there was to simplify um things for the superintendent if working through the s the school board president especially in in a board where you don't always have unanimous agreement on things. It gave a specific individual answer the way that was required for the superintendent to carry out um with his plans. Um so that was the intent behind that. Um, member Corker, is there anything you you want to add from that discussion? It was pretty >> No, I think we did talk through that and I thought that was just to connect with one person over a whole board. I think that was the discussion and I think >> JP felt that was okay >> and there was discussion about what does it mean if you need to get approval from the board? Does that mean if I have a vacation pop up in mid July and it's, you know, an unplanned that I have to pull a special meeting together? And so yeah, there were a lot of nuance with that, but that that was the intent of um some of that language and and that's just one example of uh a couple of different spots that's in the contract. >> Thank you, >> Member Castle. >> I would assume that uh with the school the other school board policies is that if the president was not available for a whatever period of time that the vice president would handle that. >> Yes. >> Absolutely. And and that that is defined in policy. Um I can't remember the specific policy but where it outlines the duties maybe it's 1202 it states that the uh the vice president handles all president duties in the president's absence. So yes, that would be applicable. >> Yeah, member >> Corker, >> I was just going to say I thought the process was really well and uh working with JP really, you know, and with all this the ESST and some of the new nuances with all the medical and then there was just a lot uh to learn and having a law firm really look at it was really helpful because we were starting on a bad path at the beginning and then we realized no, we need to really have that nailed down. So, I think we worked back and forth. I think it was a fair compromising contract. I think we went back and forth quite a while on a few things, but I think um I think it's a fair contract and I'm I think I think it's well done. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. >> Thanks for your >> Yeah. >> Thank you. Yeah, I thought it was good. >> Do we have any other discussion on the contract? All right. I'd just like to to say a few words that I mean this member pork kind of alluded to it with with ESST and um a couple of the other time off provisions. This was more of a challenge than we expected, but it was a really good process. It was a very collaborative process. I I enjoyed working through this with Director Jacobson and with member Corkran. A lot of good ideas came to the table. Some of them are reflected in the contract. Some of them got jettisoned pretty quick and and others we had a lot of good conversation around. Uh I feel that this is a a really good contract and it serves as an excellent template to keep moving forward and um even director Jacobson had some ideas about things that could be amended in the next contract and um that's exciting. I think it's it's I think it's good. I would encourage the board to uh support this Any other discussion on the contract? >> All right, seeing none. Um, member clerk, please take the roll call. All >> right. Voting to approve superintendent contract. Uh, member Rebeline. >> I, >> member Tyson. >> I, >> member Castle. >> Hi. >> Member Corkran. I >> member M Tonsen >> I excuse me and member Christensen >> I >> and the eyes have it. >> EXCELLENT. >> Director Jacobson like to welcome you to say a few words. Well, had I known I was speaking tonight, I would probably have prepared a few thoughts, but I will repeat things that I've said time and time again to others who have congratulated me in hallways or out in the community. It's an honor uh to have been selected by this board. Uh you know me well and you still chose me. So, I I appreciate that a great deal. It's also a little daunting to walk in the shadow of the person I'm following. Um, but I've looked at him as a mentor for the last 11 years, uh, five just down the hallway and learned a great deal. So, um, uh, looking forward to that next chapter in our working relationship together and where we can take our board and our district going forward. It's a honor that I got all of your votes >> uh a month ago and all of your votes again tonight. So, thank you for that. >> Thank you. >> Mayor, light shine and the shadow dissipate. >> I'd just like to add uh Director Jacobson, I have the utmost confidence that you will succeed in this role and I I look forward it'll be bittersweet come July. I I look forward to you uh being seated next to me and it'll be an honor to work with you. >> Yeah. Likewise. >> Thank you. >> All right. That will bring us to denote donations. Uh member Castle. Okay. It's a relatively short list this this time. Uh there's $1,000 from the Forest Lake uh VFW post uh 4210 for the uh Ranger Ranger Space Camp, $200 from American the Hugo American Legion Post 620 for the FFA chapter student organization account. Um, there is a disc golf. I'm assuming this is a book from the MVP disc sports LLC LLC for the for the community education disc golf disc golf classroom edition 25p pack valued at $150. And there is a boulder from Drestle Trucking uh donated to the community education disc golf course valued at $100. I am interested in seeing such boulder uh for a total of $1,200 plus goods total donations. And I move to approve this resolution. >> Second. >> Motion and second. Any discussion? >> All right. Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Those opposed. >> All right. Motion carries, which brings us to Forest Lake Area School staff retirements. Member Castle. There is a one submitted retirement. Uh, Cheryl Nelson, the Health Support Office at Forest View Elementary School, effective 64206 following 15 years of service. Administration recommends the approval of the staff retirements. >> Move to approve 93. Second. >> A motion to second. Any discussion? >> Seeing none, all those in favor? Oh. >> Oh, I was just going to wish Cheryl a wonderful retirement. 15 years at Forest View. That's quite an accomplishment. But I wish her well and have a great retirement ahead of her. >> And she'll be able to participate in next year's retirement ceremony. Is that correct? >> Correct. >> That's right. She missed that. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> We got her. >> Oh, did we? >> We got her. >> Great. >> Oh, we did get >> Okay. Wonder there's many names, so I didn't I didn't remember all of them, but >> All right. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Those opposed? I >> Okay, that motion carries as well. Which brings us to the Forest Lake Area Schools Language Access Plan. Director Jacobson, >> welcome back. >> Well, thank you for having me again. Uh, this is a um a board policy that we have been tracking for a number of years. I think we've been speaking or talking about this, discussing around the board table uh each of the last two years with the discussion on our achievement and integration plan. Uh this is in response to uh Minnesota statute that came out of the 2023 legisl legislative session uh requiring school districts to put in place a plan for how we were going to provide translation services to families. Uh starting this year, school boards need to adopt a plan. I am happy and proud to say that there's really nothing new in our plan that we haven't been doing for years. uh because it's the right thing to do with helping families gain access to our school district and to partner with families in any way we can. Uh school districts and students benefit when families families understand our systems and can get involved. So the uh language access plan that was presented to the school board on May 7th is up for an action item uh tonight and school this the district administration would recommend uh approval of that language access plan. >> All right. Thank you, Director Jacobson. Are there any questions before we move to a motion? >> If not, I would entertain a motion to approve. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Motion in a second. Any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Those opposed. Motion carries. Thank you, Director Jacobson. That will bring us to the student attendance policy number 519. Uh Dr. Maxi. >> Uh very good. This policy is coming back tonight for approval with a few modifications to the policy. In in essence, we're updating uh our our practice with respect to largely through this policy serving kids who are absent and allowing processes for kids to make up work. How we track absences. I think it is uh moving the policy in a more contemporary time where the the reflection is on student learning, not punishment for being absent, even if it's unexcused. So really focusing kids on on their learning if they're absent, giving kids time to make that up. You'll see that in language added on page three um and again on page four with respect to missed work and how that will be handled. Um also removing language of grade reductions for kids who miss school for one reason or another. Um we don't think learning should learning that's already attained by a student should be punished if a kid is absent even if it's unexcused. Learning is learning. If you have gain learning, then you should get credit for that and that should be reflected in your rate. There's also updates to on page seven um trying to be more clear about student sports and activity participation if students are absent, unexcused, or medically or otherwise during a given day. And you'll see that language again on page seven. Um and then just some simple language around parent uh requirements for reporting absences. With those changes to the policy, administration would recommend your approval. >> All right. Thank you, Dr. Massie. I'd entertain a motion to approve. >> Move to approve. 95. >> Second. >> All right. Any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying I. >> Those opposed. Okay. That motion carries. Uh bringing us to the fund balance policy 1714. Director Amber, >> thank you very much for having me tonight. Board, um the fund balance policy was brought back to the finance committee at the uh last meeting. And so in front of you is the result of um some of the committee's work. So um continuing, we go on to page two after the definitions. Um again, that 6 to 10% annual fund balance. Um we did include um from the original committee the language if the unassigned fund balance is projected to fall below 6% or rise above 10% the superintendent will develop recommendation to the school board as part of the annual audit review on what to do about that. So conversation around that was again we know about the low fund balance and the need to have the reserves on hand um for cash flow and other reasons um unexpected legislative changes things like that. Um the above is also about making sure that the students that generate the dollars get the dollars um that they generate uh and we're able to um have a full program for all of our students. So again, both ends of that spectrum being covered in that statement. Um again, uh nothing changed in the assigning of the fund balancing. Again, superintendent or director of business services can do that. Um it's reported as part of the annual audit, uh which is standard. Uh and then the review continued to be the um annual review and then there was a section added uh on the first review on remediation and so in that area was the majority of the conversation that happened at the finance committee. Um so I attempted some language and hopefully it got to the point of some of that and I'm assuming there'll be some additional conversation uh from the board tonight on that. But the language simply states um that for all the quarters that the district is projected um to be in violation of the fund balance policy that the compensation of board members would be reduced for $1 per month of each month of those quarters. Um and then when it rose above that then they would be reinstated. Um so conversation around that uh was really focused on um just the the flow and the projection versus actually knowing what the fund balance will be and how that goes. Um again the annual audit when taxes only come in twice a year. Um state aids only come in twice a year. Legislative changes are an active midyear. Um things like that. It it does get hard um to have those numbers um that happen at the end of the audit. Um so that is just some of the conversation that happened and also um desire by some board members to have that remediation area. So um again that is the board's decision on what the fund balance um policy would be and conversation tonight for that. Um I would like to just state that the importance of a fund balance policy. We have been lacking that. Um several most districts in the state have it. Um and back in even 2011 when it first came out and so I would encourage the board to have the conversation and see if we can find a a place where we can agree to have a policy that um gets those targets out there. >> This policy was set on the table at a previous meeting. uh this would be the first board conversation on this policy. I don't think it would be inappropriate to take action on this tonight >> or you could defer to discussion and move it to mid June for for action. But we would need action by the end of June. >> That that was actually my my question. I I think you encapsulated the the changes or the discussion that we had finance committee beautifully. That was very well done. Very impressed to see this final version. Um as Dr. Massie mentioned I think we want to at least get to an approval process sometime before July. I would ask is is there really a procedurally is there a difference between if we approve this on the 18th or the 25th or this evening or are are we >> no the 18th um it isn't the the board meeting still happens in um June if we adopt it on the 25th. The 18th is the cleanest way to do it. Okay. um because the 25th is the July meeting in June 27th, >> right? But that's kind of just in words. So the actual date is within this fiscal year. So it would still apply. But again, >> we like things just clean. >> Well, that's that was the clarity I was seeking. And uh really so that there's no procedural difference for you whether we do it this evening or we do it on the 18th as long as we we address it at some point there. Okay. Okay. So, being that this is a new policy, this is before us this evening for additional discussion. We can bring it up for amendments. If there's a strong feeling of the board that we just move to approval tonight, we can absolutely do that as well. So, with that, I'd open it for discussions for director or um or questions for director or discussion amongst the board. Member Tyson. >> So, I have a question director ID. Um, so in this remediation part, and I I'm just reiterating what I said before that I think it's punitive and it's kind of silly and a little irrelevant because if you get to that point, you know, it's the pay that we receive is a drop in the bucket. It's not going to make any difference. And, you know, not that I want it, but I feel like it's a little disrespectful. But anyway, so to make those adjustments, that's got to be through payroll, right? >> Correct. So you've got to monitor that and monitor our pay and what goes out. Take it down to the dollar amount and >> it would be additional staff time. Yep. >> Right. Yep. In terms of like this might be a hard question, but how many hours, how many people just depends on how many times I'm sure, but >> yeah, it it would be hard to say. It is additional um yeah, it is additional staff time. So it's loaded um into payroll uh as part of a process. So once it's loaded, we would have to go in and make the manual change each month and confirm that it was done. >> Okay. >> So on a monthly basis. So >> and then I have talked with colleagues because of course this is a topic that all districts are addressing. Do you know of any other um fund balance policies of our neighboring districts that have this remediation language? >> Right. Yeah. So, as part of planning for this, MASBO has a spreadsheet that I shared with the finance committee of all the policies. Okay. Um that are um that were collected through their member board. Um and so I did take the time to look um and they do not have remediation in the ones that were presented. Now, that's not all of them in the state by any means. As I said, only around 20 um but I did not see remediation in any of those um yeah areas. >> Okay. Thank you for that. >> Yep. Thank you. Any other questions? >> Yeah, I spoke up pretty directly at the finance committee about this. Um, >> yeah, and now now you have I guess I don't remember it being projected to be in violation. So, how how does that pan into the annual audit? >> That's my that's also kind of tricky. >> Being in finance, we believe in pennies, right? >> Even though we're not having pennies anymore, we balance things to the penny. And so I also don't want to say that I'm going to have a have a punishment or have a a a change in salary based on something that isn't known. So So the annual audit is when we tie everything out and money does get moved at the end of the year between different accounts. Um just tying out our long-term facility maintenance, making sure we have all the dollars correct in the levy, other areas. Um so some of those things are just not known throughout the year. are projected and businesses deal with the same thing. But again, the annual audit and the annualness of school budgets is a real thing. And so I just did not feel comfortable saying that each month or each quarter that it's under that it's that I wanted to say projected because that's what it is. It's not reality until we have the final audit that's approved by the school board. And so that was the struggle. And so it's just as as a person as as somebody >> I thought it was tied after the annual audit. >> It is I mean the fund balance policy is again to this that's the number that you're going to be put against but then if there if it is quarterly which was what you know was the recommendation then I I added the word projected that as I said my prerogative but again just of who I are positions we need to be as accurate as possible. I think I was asking for that like a almost like a cash flow like where will we be every quarter is >> and we talked about you know cash flow doesn't always equal fund you know like what we're doing investments and all of that so again there's restricted funds the you know and again we're talking about on assign for the fund balance but >> right >> yes it but we also talked about we're policy makers we do set policy we're not in the day-to-day operations of when and when money comes in it comes from the a property tax. I mean, it's it's it's it's in flux, right? So, at times it might dip, but it's going to maybe two days later it'll come back. I mean, you we have no way of controlling that money. We can control our budget, which I know we do a really good job of as we set a budget, but we can't control the in money coming in. So, we did talk about responsibility. We are policy makers only. We're not like we're not running the day-to-day going to the bank and checking what our you know that is not our role by being penalizing us as a governing body treats us like we're almost criminal in a way and I don't like to be treated that way that we're doing something wrong if we go below 6% like we're purposely trying to get the district in trouble and that's what this policy means to me. It makes me very angry and upset that we'd be penalized due to that of something I can't control. That's not fair as our governing board. It just does not it doesn't seem fair to us. So, we did speak about that. I mean, it we're a collaborate and we collaborate with the superintendent and you and we can only do so much. So, I really am upset about this being added in there. I don't disagree with the rest of it. I think six to 10 is great, but that those that verbiage is really offensive to me and makes me very angry. So, >> and if I if I can add um >> that's my opinion. >> I think accountability in the policy is a really good thing. >> I do too. >> Uh when you set a limit of 6% a ceiling of 10%. Uh there should be some teeth there. >> Um I agree. And I think the board's the board's job maybe to your point member Corker is to set the governance policy around what the board expects minimum of 6%. >> Right. >> The policy has language directing the business director and the superintendent to monitor that to manage that. Your accountability is with the superintendent. I don't mean to throw the new superintendent under the bus or put under burden on him, but it would be me if I were still here. It would be my job or the new superintendent's job to make sure we adhere to that. >> And your leverage is with the superintendent through governance policy and the corrective measures are with the administration to correct the fund balance if we dip below 6%. and through your evaluation of the superintendent that's where you also provide that leverage. Um I offer that as perspective obviously this will be your call on that but I would offer that governance policy the governance model would suggest that you set the policy you hold the superintendent to that as the one person you supervise in the district. I would also state that in the committee we did talk about the fact that there are times strategically as a district that you make decisions to go below a fund balance or to spend down when we didn't have a fund balance policy to spend down. Things like CO um Forest Lake when you think about the metro area was open one of the most um access to school for students during COVID. Uh there were districts that were fully shut down uh very close to us for months longer than we were. And so doing that though does cost money and does cost to do that. And so strategic decisions were made to say we're going to dip into that fund balance and we're going to do that and then we need to build it back up um you know when we're back at in session. There's also legislative changes that come through. So we're seeing you know through Minnesota paid family leave and um our ESST and others where we're seeing substitute costs increase and and other things that are beyond our factor. We can't control the legislation and what they're allowing for leaves for employees or other things. And so as we see those substitute costs go up, there might be a need to say, well, next year we're going to have to put a little bit more aside or dip into a fund balance to cover some of those. Those things are again things that we didn't make choices on. And so, you know, monitoring the fund balance and doing that is really important in making those decisions. But having sometimes we do make strategic decisions um that we then come back and correct, which is what we're in the process of doing now. So um just the note of that, >> member Castle. So should such strategic decisions be made, we can also have uh make a motion to suspend that clause for a period of time >> so that that strategic things can happen without that uh apparent negative effect on the board. But I would consider that it would it should be part of that consideration for for such uh things that are happening. >> But we it's not we we can make a motion to to suspend that. >> Well, means we can suspend it. Why do we even have it in there? I mean, it's kind of like why bother even having it in there? because it's it's full disclosure to the public so that when we make that that decision to suspend it then they are aware of it. >> So the public is demanding this to be in our policy. I mean I've I've never I mean it's it's like ludicrous to me like no other district has it. It's like it's just really like she said punitive to us. I mean we work really hard at what we do have good policy and good ways to monitor and be good shepherds of this money and I feel like it's just such a negative thing. So >> we shouldn't be afraid of it. Then >> I'm not afraid of it. But I also realize that we do a lot of things that we we're not in control of everything every day. We can only do what we can do. We set the budget. >> And again, we can suspend this if we So see that should be the case. >> Well, I'm not going to say anything more because I will not support it the way it is. I'd like to make an amendment to take it out. >> So I'd like >> second that. >> Yeah. I'd like to take it out of there. motion on the table. >> Well, we we sort of have a motion and a second on the table. Can can you clarify the motion, please? >> Well, I would like to clarify that I take out the rem policy. What is it? Fund balance policy 9.6. Um, I would like to monitor or to amend taking out the uh the re remediation part that's added in red under section 10. >> So, you want to strike all >> I would like to strike that. Yes. >> Okay. I would. Member Tyson, I'm gonna ask, do you still second that now that >> I do second that because I think it takes staff time. >> It es and flows with payments. I I I I just think it's punitive. I I I I still second that. >> Okay. In that case, we we have a an official motion and a second on the table which will open it up for discussion on the amendment. Does anybody want to comment on the amendment? >> Well, okay. I would like to say something. Ask a question. >> My thought about this is that it is for to provide for board member accountability. I I understand though what member Corkran is saying and I think what I heard you say earlier is that the fund balance isn't always like this until you take a big chunk out. It does this all the time. So it may dip below that but and then then the work that comes into chasing it the whole time you know to so I I do understand that conundrum about having it this way. Um and that's all I wanted to say because I I don't know. I think maybe there needs to be a little more discussion because I >> I mean I don't feel like it's punitive to me. I feel like, well, okay, well, that makes it even more so. Let's make sure we're paying attention to finances. And I'm not saying Director Renberg and her team aren't doing it, but for me, like, you know, look and see how how are there any ideas what we can do to, you know, improve? Um, and how can I help make that happen? But I don't see it as punitive. But I also think it's we need to if we're going to take that out then where is the accountability for school board in in this? It's it's in another section about uh where is it? Um if it if it's um where is it? Oh uh to the phone superintendent and director of business services. I mean, they're they're going to be looking at it and they will be advising us and we'll work with them on that. That's their >> that's their role. >> That's their role in the district. >> And I'd like to kind of add my two cents to that and kind of address some of these points is um when you go above and you look in the policy where it says the uh the superintendent and the director of business services will do these things that shows that they're tracking the projected fund balance anyway. So that work is being done on a continuous basis. In fact, uh I know a lot of the discussions I've had with director Renburgi, she probably knows the number every day, but uh they're tracking it that close. And >> um as member, I think it was member Castle that mentioned the word accountability, and that's what really drives home to me. It's an accountability, and it's a being transparent with the public about what's going on. Uh, as much as we defer things to the superintendent, the director of business services, it's the board's prerogative to direct them to do the work. And whether they agree with the directive that we give them, we it it's our prerogative if we tell the superintendent and by extension the director of business services to exhaust the entire fund on buying pizzas for the elementary schools tomorrow, we can do that. Would it be irresponsible? Absolutely. But that's where the accountability piece comes in as it it drives the accountability back to the board of being very conscious about these decisions. And I'm not implying that we haven't been conscious and intentional about the decisions that we've made with them in the past. But as member Castle alluded to, there's a second lever that needs to be pulled if you're going to um exhaust fund mouths for some reason. member or director rebery mentioned the you know when we when we experienced co we made a conscious decision to spend down the balance well then that comes with the the acceptance that that's going to affect our compensation as well as a board and and we're going to share in some of that pain and it it actually immediately brings to mind a book that Dr. Massie has on his shelf in his office. It says leaders eat last. And I believe in that premise of of everybody in the school district. It it is our purview to protect their compensation, to protect their their positions, to protect um the the ability for students to come to school. And if if we don't do that to an adequate measure, the consequences could be catastrophic. We could go into statutory operating debt. We could completely uh exhaust funds and and how do we hold school tomorrow? I mean, there's lots of major questions and we're we're empowered to make incredible decisions that affect thousands of students every single day. And this just shows that we understand that massive responsibility and we are accountable for it. Even if it's not I we don't make a fortune here. We absolutely don't >> peanuts. >> If we look at it on an hourly basis, I we we'd be lucky to break a dollar an hour, but it shows that we understand the the the incredible responsibility that we have and we at least have some skin in the game. And like member Castle or yeah, like member Castle mentioned, if we make conscious decision to spend that down, we can also make that conscious decision in the state, but we're going to suspend this clause in the policy and we're going to continue to get paid because that's transparent with the public. That that's my thought on it. Member Christensen. >> Yeah. I just have a a question for Director Rember ID. Um so um well first of all I just want to remind us all that as as we've discussed the board is meant to set the direction of the district not to manage its day-to-day work. And so let's just kind of play out the scenario. So we go under 6% um what does that um look like? So then is director Remberg ID letting the superintendent know that we're under and then we're putting the superintendent in an awkward position to be able to say board, you know, we're we're um freezing the stipen. I mean, it just seems it ju I'm just trying to think how how that process works out and and what that looks like. And I'm wondering then, you know, director member Gdy, do you have six of us then are asking you where where are we at? where we you know I mean are we coming to you and asking or um I don't know I just >> we do uh yeah to president uh board president's um comment you know we we do our run rates on a monthly basis at finance um you know and that gives us a sense of where we are um you know in the year and we're watching as I said you know the money come in and out making sure that we're checking all the boxes that all the programs have been paid for and things like that so there's always projections out there as to what is going on. So to that point, yes, I mean we're we're doing the work anyways, um they are projections, right? And we know that student counts matter and we know that dayto day those change in in different times. So if I think that in December we're going to lose 20 kids and we lose 40 kids, my projection that I made is is not going to be right at the end of the year, right? And so that's that's where I just as you know use that word projection in there because that's the struggle that you go through is making sure you know you always go out you try to go on the low side and you try to make sure that you're covering everything. um you know especially as we're building the fund balance that's you know a really big deal and losing less kids it's easier to do but you know that's you know to the point we are always monitoring it to the point there are a lot of things going on on a daily basis that change those numbers but the projections are the projections and that's what we're saying is that throughout the year we're going based on a projection at the end of the year we could show that we were above 6% and we took away the stipen and and that's okay because that again we just that would be the sense of what it would be. Um but that's that's the reason I I'm hoping I'm answering your question but that's the genuine reason why I added the word projected because I could you know we as a department would take away the stipend yet at the end of the year we could be above the 6% here and above the 6% in the audit. >> Well and that's my genuine >> sorry I didn't mean to interrupt you. I just also believe that you are the professional. >> Our superintendent is the professional and I just I just feel like we need to listen to our the professionals uh who you know who do this work every day and and listen to what they're >> in the committee. We did we did talk about you know the the placement a little about you know is there there's also another section about schoolboard members right and we talked about the fact that it is about finances but it's also about student achievement it's also about the overall operations right customer satisfaction enrollment all of that and so so is there a different place besides in the actual fund balance policy that we get to the heart of what we're talking about to say accountability um so it came up as a topic I you know again that's up to you as a board but the question is is this section here in the fund balance policy or is it somewhere else more encompassing of a full board um duty list >> yeah member >> I was just going to say we take our oath of office don't we all take an oath of office to do our best to manage and do our jobs to the best of our ability which I believe we do and I think we're very co cognizant of where we're trying to So that I mean that could be in somewhere in their in our roles in that policy of what our duties are. >> I mean I don't I feel like that's a better place than this. I just feel like this doesn't belong here. >> Member Tyson that's a very good point that I feel like it would belong somewhere in the 100 is better. >> But in my mind I just keep going back to you know the task of manually having to No, this isn't a livable bit of wage for anybody. It's a statement and we've always had to load a statement pretty much in the northeast. So, for somebody to have to manually change this and go back and forth and then we're paying them to do that, it's like the the money change would just be a wash. It would just be adding more work and more dollars in hourly pay for somebody to manually go in when this es and flow is to be changing this and it doesn't seem like a valuable idea in terms of that. >> I I do have a question to that point. Is the fund balance that dynamic that it would be a daily struggle >> and I said we we would do the monthly. No, it's not daily. It is not a daily it's not a daily task but it is as I said it's monthly based on the projections and that's again it it for mine my thing it's more about making sure that again the projection as we go knowing where we are with students and again >> somehow if at the end of the time we're going to be right on the cusp of that number right like genuinely and so at the end of the time if we end up making it or not making it by a 0.01% 01% and I didn't take away the stipend because of that, right? Because my projections were off by that$100 $200,000 which could be, you know, that I just am making sure that I want to follow your policies that you set for us because that's the most important thing that I do in my job. >> Yeah. And and and to be clear, that's why I was I was so excited to see the the modifications that you made. I I think that's really good because it gives you the cover you need >> to adequately do your job while it puts it still ties the accountability into the board that member Castle was speaking to. >> I think that's really good. >> Yeah. >> So, point of inquiry, are we voting tonight? Are we done discussing what is >> Yeah. I was actually just going to I was just going to pull the board back together and say we do have an amendment on the table um that we're we're discussing. All the discussion here has been uh related to the amendment and that is whether or not we should strike um section 10 of the policy which is remediation and all the text below it. That amendment was offered by member Corker and seconded by member Tyson. Do we have any other discussion on the amendment that was proposed to strike that text? >> Member Anderson. >> So I believe it was member Tyson's amendment, right? >> Uh it was member Corkran's amendment and member Tyson seconded it. >> Okay. >> Thank you. So then member Corkran and you're talking about this should be in somewhere else >> possibly. Yes. Well, then what are the parameters around this? >> I don't know >> in somewhere else because I don't I mean >> I would I would I move to amend the amendment and just not vote on any of this tonight and >> that motion would not be in order. >> Um instead we would just vote the amendment down. Mhm. >> Um, >> move to vote. >> Mhm. >> Okay. I I I don't really see any objection to calling a question here. So, >> question. >> Yeah. Why don't why don't we just go ahead and do that unless there's an objection. >> Just one second. Just clarify to member Antinson's point. I would agree with member Antinson that that we should >> discuss this at a later time. So then we're voting. So then if we vote the amendment >> down, >> then the amendment goes away and then we can table the motion. Is that what we're >> So if the >> if that's what >> So there there's a couple of uh couple of points here I'll make. So the amendment was to strike the entire section 10 remediation. Um we could let's say we approve that tonight. We decide, hey, we're going to strike that. Um it doesn't sound like we're ready to move on the policy itself. So that will come back um next month and next month we could put it back through an amendment or we could vote the amendment down tonight and say no we're this was a good discussion but uh we're not ready to strike it yet and we could bring it back up but you could be argued that we'd be representing settled business but with the discussion that happened tonight I I feel like it they wouldn't be bringing back settled business it would be opening that discussion back Well, the other thing that we could do is we could have a motion to um postpone the final action on the amendment until the 18th and we could pick this up on the 18th right here where we sit at this moment. So, we have a number of uh options that we can move forward under. Does that does that answer your question? >> Okay. >> I move to postpone the amendment. >> Second. >> Okay. So, just for clarity, um to vote on my amendment first though. Uh, no. Now, a motion to postpone would then would do that. But, um, just for clarity, u, member Tyson, I want to go back to your motion here. Your motion would be to postpone the amendment until June 18th meeting. >> Is that when it's due back on the agenda? >> That that's when we would put it back on next week. >> Perfect. Yeah. >> Correct. >> Okay. >> Okay. So, is there any discussion on postponing action on the amendment? Member Castle. >> Okay. So during the postponement um as people look at other policies to determine where if we were to move this language to another policy uh please do so. >> I'll I'll I'll look at policies that >> yeah that's an excellent >> it might be able to go into and then perhaps we would bring that up at the following meeting. Yeah, we could do that. Yeah, we could absolutely do that. We could propose that policy. Say we want to put it in policy uh I don't know 123. I know we don't know policy 123, but we want to put it in policy 123. We could uh have that proposed language in front of us and and we could discuss that. >> Well, I'd like to say I mean I know how important this policy is to member Chrissy and I I know it's important to our audit our audit firm. So I would love to support this without this language in it. So because I do feel it's really important for our school district to have safe some fund balance and I'm not saying that it I don't believe in that. I just don't believe it belongs here and um yeah so maybe we can look at other options for that. >> Well and to that point I will support the motion to postpone because I think it's uh >> it's apparent that we need to have some more thought >> into this a little bit more time to think about it maybe some time to discuss internally. Member >> I just have one more question for member Corkran. So you're not cuz earlier you said you find this very offensive. So you're not going to find this offensive somewhere else. >> Well, I don't I'd like to be I don't want the exact wording. I would like to maybe revise that wording a little to maybe have some accountability, but I think the way it's written I don't like it. So that doesn't mean I don't agree with >> some fashion of of that, you know, added in a different maybe different verbiage. But like I said, this fund balance balance policy is really important to our district. So I do that >> festive being an accountant. I mean I get it. It's important. So I do want to bill support it. It's just not the way it's written. >> All right. Any other discussion on the motion to postpone? >> All right. Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying I. I. >> Those opposed. Okay. The motion to postpone carries. So we will see this again next month which will bring us to the final item on our agenda. Um, adopt a resolution establishing dates for filing affidavits of canis candidacy. Dr. Mask. >> So, this this item might appear a bit confusing thinking, didn't we just take action on this at the last meeting, but the last meeting you set the election called for the election. This particular resolution will set the filing dates for the election. This is all statutory requirements. So this is a requirement in statute that the board take these two separate actions. One calling for the election which was at the last meeting. This particular resolution will set the filing dates for candidates to file for for the election. Those being July 14th through July 28th. So with that administration would recommend your approval of this resolution. >> Move to approve 97. Second. >> All right. And just for clarity, these dates are set by a state. Is that >> correct? >> That is correct. >> All right. Yeah. So, we we don't really have a whole lot of wiggle room here. >> This is routine. >> Is there any any discussion on this? >> All right. None with the state's statute. Um, I should have read it myself, but does it allow for making it wider or making it narrow? No, nothing. >> No. In fact, it sets the withdrawal date. If somebody files within that twoe period and somebody who files wishes to withdraw, that withdrawal date is set at 5:00 p.m. >> 2 days following the >> So, I remember reading that when I was >> filing myself. Yet, those are all set by the state. >> So, then I'm guessing what is the point of us even bothering with this? >> Well, it's board action that that acknowledges, I guess, what's in statute, but it also then allows us to get things in motion, getting things posted on our website, making it known to the public. >> I suppose we could do that just by statute, but yeah, >> it's a formality. So, so perhaps we could the next time make a motion to just follow the statute and have the staff do it. We don't have if if only it were that simple. >> Okay. There's no additional discussion on this. I'll ask the clerk to take a roll call, please. >> Okay. Member Christensen. >> Hi. >> Member Tyson. >> I. >> Member Anton votes I. Member Rebeline. >> I. >> Member Castle. >> I. >> And member Corkran. >> I. >> And the eyes have it. >> All right. I see no new business uh in reviewing calendar dates. Lots of stuff going on next week. So, please refer to the district calendar. I'm not going to even attempt to itemize that all out. Next school board meeting is on June 18th. I would entertain a motion to adjurnn. >> So moved. >> Second. Motion second. Any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying I. I. Those opposed. All right. We are adjourned.