St. Francis Area Schools — Transcript
Monday, August 24, 2026
District Policy First Readings
Facilities Capital Projects and Funding Strategy
District Staffing and Employee Retention
Votes (2)
Approval of Lease Levy and Reimbursement Resolution (Tennis Courts)
Dissent: None
Moved by Chair/President [0:29:57] · Seconded by Mr. Sh/Board Member [0:30:00]
The board discussed a resolution to approve a lease levy and reimbursement for the tennis court project, valued at $600,000. It was clarified that this resolution authorizes the administration to submit an application to the state for this funding, which would result in a preliminary property tax increase of approximately $5 per year for an average-valued home. The final board vote on the levy would occur in December. The move aimed to free up strained operating capital, typically used for technology, curriculum, and buses, which has been largely absorbed by bus purchases in recent years.
Reimbursement Resolution of Abatement (Parking Lot Project)
Dissent: Board Member W. voted 'No'.
Moved by Chair/President [0:34:19] · Seconded by Board Member W. [0:34:26]
This resolution concerned a reimbursement obligation for the parking lot project, authorizing the district to make expenditures with the intent to borrow up to $600,000 for repayment. This step was presented as crucial for maintaining financial flexibility and options, particularly as the project was beginning and final bids for the larger IAQ project were still pending. It ensured the district could spend money now and reimburse itself later through appropriate financing methods.
Notable Quotes (5)
Just to be clear, this has been increased property taxes.
Yes the statement is is accurate. This gives us the giving administration the authority to submit an application to the state so that it will be show up within that part of the covenant property tax in September. The final vote on this would happen in December.
operating capital would include items like technology, curriculum, and buses. Those are some examples. One more thing on that are we have the last two years buses have absorbed most of our operating capital.
We want to make sure that you have the authority to go out and build water similar to what we did last year with the tax dating piece and the proposal or the plan.
We have some options and what we're trying to do, you know, as an advisor to you and as these pieces come together is maintain flexibility to do all to to put a plan in front of you that makes sense as the details become more clear knowing that you have you've got some big things to accomplish. And a lot of these things are not things that you can wait on just as you as you look. There's a few things in in here once you've heard that you you genuinely can wait on, but there's some there's some pretty high priority stuff.
Ordinances & Resolutions (7)
District policies presented for first readings.
Successfully passed by City East to fund a portion of the water connection work.
Board resolutions authorizing expenditures on projects with the intent to issue lease and reimbursement obligations for repayment.
A financial tool limited to $212 per pupil, primarily for instructional space, proposed for funding facilities projects like tennis courts and potentially the track and field.
An application to the Minnesota Department of Education to include the tennis court project into the preliminary tax levy.
Rules governing tax financing, requiring express intent to borrow for future projects.
A previously approved, large-scale $36M project, central to the district's overall financing strategy, with remaining funds to be borrowed based on construction bids.