I aliance 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. >> Good evening, fellow schoolboard members, district staff, and community members. As a reminder to us all, the mission of St. Francis Area Schools is to equip all students with the knowledge and skills to empower them to achieve their dreams and full potential while becoming a responsible citizen in a dynamic world. Uh, member West will not be present tonight. Uh, we want to start off with a happy birthday to Mr. Shron. Happy birthday. And before we begin tonight, I just have a quick statement. Um, I want to take a moment to speak on some of the recent events and conversations happening uh in our community. First, I want to thank everyone who has reached out to share their concerns. As parents, staff, and community members, we all care deeply about the safety and well-being of our students, and I completely understand how unsettling these moments can feel. Uh, when concerns are brought forward, the district takes them seriously. We work carefully and often handinhand with law enforcement to review the facts and respond appropriately. The information we share is based on what we can what can be verified and we do our best to communicate quickly and clearly. Uh that said, I also know that rumors can spread fast. Sometimes the story that shared isn't quite accurate and that can add to fear or confusion. I just ask that we all be thoughtful about what we repeat or post and give the district and law enforcement the time to do their work. I've seen firsthand how much care and professionalism our team brings to these situations. They lead with purpose and with heart. And while we don't always get everything perfect, we learn from each experience and continue to get better because our students and staff deserve nothing less. Most importantly, please know this. Students and staff safety will always come first. Every concern is taken seriously. Every report is investigated and every decision is made. With that in mind, I know how much trust it takes to send your child to school each day. We don't take that trust lightly. We're grateful for your partnership, your patience, and your belief in the work we're doing to keep our schools safe and strong. Uh our first item for tonight is the agenda. Are there any questions prior to a motion being made on the agenda before you? So, be no questions. Is there a call to motion? So, >> thank you. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Any discussion on that motion? See no discussion. All in favor of the motion signify by saying I and raising your hand. >> I motion prevails. Thank you. Agenda item three is consideration of visitors. We have one individual requesting to speak tonight. We'll allow five minutes uh for your your time tonight. Uh Richard, you're up. You got five minutes. Thank you. First of all, I'd say happy Columbus Day, happy birthday, and reminder that tomorrow is Charlie Kirk Day. On February 5th of 2020, yeah, February February 5th of 2025, the president of the United States issued an executive order 14201, keeping men out of women's sports. In the executive order, the president stated clearly, "It is a policing of the United States to rescend all funds from educational programs that deprive women and girls of their fair athletic opportunities, which results in the endangerment, humiliation, and silencing of women and girls and deprivives them of privacy. It shall also be policy of the United States to oppose male competitive partition in women's sports more broadly as a matter of safety, fairness, dignity, and truth. Minnesota Department of Education and the Minnesota State High School League acknowledge they permit male students to compete in intercolastic athletic programs designated for females and indicated they do so because of existing Minnesota state law. Their reliance on a conflicting state law fails to account for their obligations to follow the title N and all related regulations and executive orders as recipients of funding notwithstanding any conflicting state laws or private organizations. The effect of state or local law or other requirements. The obligation to comply with this part is not obligated or alleviated by any state or local law or other requirements which would render any applicant or student ineligible or limit the eligibility of any applicant or student on the basis of sex to practice any occupation or profession. Effective rules and or regulations of private organizations. The obligation to comply with this part is not obligated or eliminated by any rule or regulation of any organization, club, athletic or other league or association which would render any applicant or student ineligible to participate or limit the eligibility of particip participation of any applicant or student on this basis of sex in any education program or activity operated by a recipient which receives seek federal financial assistance. There is a petition that has been going around being signed by more than 100 member schoolboard members in districts across the state to follow Title N. I would hope that St. Francis can do the same thing. Thank you. >> Thank you, Richard. We appreciate the engagement. Next agenda item consent agenda. I hope that's enough. >> There's currently nine items in the meeting consent agenda. The cons consent agenda will be a roll call vote. Are there any questions or requests to remove any item from the consent agenda before a motion is made? All right. See none, is there a called a motion to approve the consent agenda? Is there a second? >> Second. >> Any discussion on that motion? >> No discussion. Again, it'll be a roll call vote. So, when I ask you signify by saying I name, if you oppose. Mr. Humphrey. >> Hi, >> Mr. Working. >> Hi, Miss Anderson. >> Hi, >> Mr. Sha. Hi, >> Miss Fox. >> Hi. >> And I as well motion prevails. Thank you. >> As we move on to agenda item five, information items reports. Again, just ask you to hold your questions till the end of the report. Uh, first one tonight, we have Grace Sunrude here tonight for student council. Welcome, Grace. >> Yeah. Hi, my name is Grace Censor and I'm currently representing the St. Francis Student Council in our school. Um, this school year so far, we've had a lot of events and the first main event we had was our homecoming pepfest on Monday, September 22nd. During this pepfest, we celebrated the 2025 fall sport captains who played captain's life-size hungry hungry hippos. Congratulations to the debate team for their second place finish and the football team for winning. We had two dance team performances, a grade level tugof- warar where the juniors won and um we announced our homecoming court. Um our second main event that happened was our 2025 homecoming dance. Our dance theme this year was out of this world. Um, students enjoyed a DJ, concession slimes, space decorations, and even crowd served a 14 foot tall alien we purchased and nicknamed Jacob before we shortly relocated him to a more stable area. Um, we had 617 pre- purchased attendees and it is estimated that roughly 750 students overall attended. Our 2025 homecoming cohort consists of freshman Brooklin Bal Baloney and Western Tremoli. Sophomores Emily Meyer and David Downs. Junior Caitlyn Snyder and Carter Mortonson. And our seniors were Bella Lansen, Olivia Marcus, Olivia Hines, Brena Johnson, and Ellie Herszog. And for the boys, it was Adam Jordan, Sam Bergman, Paul Walters, Clayton Tremoli, and Tana Rothower. And then our homecoming king and queen were Sam Bergman, and Bella Lamson. And our final main event that's happened so far was our 2025 senior sunrise where seniors enjoyed speeches from students Jack Humphrey and Skyler Algree and teachers Miss Bergman and Miss Arnold as well as enjoyed donuts and music and the sunrise was a little cloudy but it was pretty fun. And then coming up, we have our um student council trip to Craig's um which is a fall leadership retreat that students from student council go on to learn more about leadership in early November. And then we just have um other um congratulations were for our boys soccer team for making se section semifinals, girls tennis team se section semifinals, and Abton Clancy who competed today for um our girls tennis individual sections. Um, and then our varsity football who won our homecoming game and currently have a positive record as well as our varsity girls soccer team who are now back to the conference champions and who will compete for the section finals tomorrow in Zimmerman against Monaceel for a chance to go back to state for the second year in a row. >> Thank you. >> Any questions or comments for Grace? >> Well done. Thank you. >> I guess just one thing. Do you know anything about the blood drive coming up? I know it's not the student council that does it. It's National Honor >> Society. So, yes, it's a part of NHS. If any of you guys would love to come and donate blood, it's October 23rd. Um, we'd love if you came and Yeah. >> Where is it? >> It's at St. Francis High School. >> What time? >> Um, it goes, I believe, from 8:30 to 1:15 is the the last spot you can take. >> And is that open to anybody? Um, I think I think it is you just have to go on the Red Cross and um go to like St. Francis High School and it's on October 23rd and I think you can just sign up for a slot. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Any other questions or comments for Grace? Grace, thank you for being here tonight. Appreciate it. Thanks for that report. [Music] >> Yeah. Yeah, she knows. know she can leave if she wants. >> Uh but she's invested. >> All right. Uh 5.2 academic achievement results. Uh Stacy Piper, our director of curriculum instruction will report on the most recent fast bridge assessment. >> I thought I'd just stay here because I think this will be fairly quick. Um, but what I included was the goals from Karsten's document, um, fast bridge goals for both math and reading, so that you can see where we started in our baseline and where we're trying to get to. Um, and then the tables I included next. Oh, sorry. I'll wait. And then if you want to go ahead too, um, this is where the data is. Uh, so for math, I included last year's fall starting data proficiency scores and this year's fall proficiency scores on the bottom. And you'll notice that we have a lot of increases. 16 out of 20 increases uh in those uh assessments. So again, I think we're starting to see an uptrend in our data, which is a good a good news thing. Um, and we're starting the fall on an increase. So, um I was pleased to see where we are at in that. And if we go ahead to reading, oh no, then I put in the action steps uh from Carson's document again. Um you saw this when we talked about MCAS. Um but these are still the action steps for that. And I included the 26 27 year in there as well. If we go ahead to reading or literacy again, there's the fall last year and the fall this year. Again, there are several increases of starting this fall versus last fall. So some up trends are occurring and the final slide or the next slide will also be those action steps in literacy that works questions questions or comments for Stacy Stissy. Um, awesome. Love seeing these. That's what we're here for. That's our goal. Um, make sure that whatever you need from us to keep these to continue, you're welcome by it. Let us know. >> Okay. >> This is by far. >> I have ideas. I'm bringing them soon. >> Any other questions or comments? Carson, you have any? Uh just a reminder uh fast bridge is given three times per year. So you'll hear three different reports. MCAs are given once uh each spring and then we receive those results around the the time of the state fair. So that's why you see multiple reports throughout the year. Right. Thank you Jason. Our next uh item is first reading of the school year calendar 2627. Mr. Anderson uh can start us off with a discussion on this. We had hoped to present this last spring uh but we had several questions and some other delays and so we uh reconvened this fall after um a separate group of teachers and administrators uh discussed options for late starts as far as how formatting would be and and how those would unfold. Uh so that group met first and then we had another meet and confer uh which consists of teachers primarily as well as some administrators a couple board members as well and uh we've looked at multiple options uh over the past 12 months or so. Uh the option was the option that's included here was almost unanimously selected. Um, but we had great discussions and uh it's option two version five. I won't go into any details about what it consists of unless you have some questions about it. >> Any questions or comments for superintendent or the committee members? >> Go ahead, Mr. >> I was asked by a staff member today about the date in November. Um, I think this year it's on the same date, November 9th, if I'm not mistaken, on our current calendar. No, >> might be a different day. >> That day is they were asking me. I had no idea. >> I Oh, go ahead. >> If you want to take >> Well, we uh version 4 actually had that uh day off on Wednesday, November 4th. >> Yeah, there you go. >> And then the feeling at least the majority of the committee wanted it to be on a Monday or Friday. So that's why we moved it to the 9th. >> Okay. Is that day? It's just simply school not in session, staff only day. What's the purpose of that day? >> It's school not in session, but the staff is on duty. >> That's all I got to ask you today. I didn't know the answer. >> Any other questions or comments? >> So um Rob has decided he will not speak on this meeting so we can move forward um with voting but we the committee has worked hard on this to try to ensure that we're looking at all different scenarios. There will probably be some changes for next the next year. So we're going to work on that. Um Stacy's got a committee that will be working on that. So you know as a as a committee this is it's normally been fairly um I wouldn't say easy to get a calendar um reviewed but this process was actually pretty good with all the discussion we had on other subjects such as late starts and um and topic that came into discussion was um conferences you know just a lot of those other areas. So it was good good meeting and good discussion and um we should vote on this topic now first reading first reading Ron wants to talk though. He said he wouldn't. He promised me he wouldn't. >> I wonder what changed confer >> what >> I said. I wonder what changed in confer. I think it was just one member that you were mentioning things and delay things. >> Oh why it was so easy before. Yeah. >> Um so as most of you are aware I'm passionate about the calendar. I'm not really even sure why, but um maybe because it impacts every student, every parent, every staff member other things we vote on eventually will people come in contact with, but the calendar is very personal to everybody and everybody has their opinions and we're never going to make 100% happy. Um with that being said, I would like to see spring and break moved around. It's been surveyed numerous times. Um in 2023 24 calendar, we surveyed parents and 48% supported keeping spring break in early March, but the other 52% wanted to see it move. Um, in 2023, the teacher union surveyed licensed staff and 52% said after trimester 2 and 40% said late March and beginning this year, 50 56% wanted after trimester 2 and 4404% wanted after mid to late March. So yes, majority are more people want after try 2, but I think if we went with a rotating one every four years of moving the spring break, we could accommodate a lot of people that would like to see it changed. Um, a lot of things we do around here aren't just majority rule. We do things that are equitable, and I think moving it around would be equitable. Um, one of the arguments against it is it just wouldn't be a smooth transition to have that two week break. But we do it every year in December. We have the end of trimester 2. We go to schools for two weeks and then we have winter break. There's no discussion of moving winter break. So, I don't think this is a big issue either. Um, it does make for a smoother transition, but I think kids are able to make that transition. Um, another thing is the MCA testing. Um, wanting to move spring break earlier, so there's more days before that, but we're still going to keep the number of days. We're just moving days off. So, we still have the number of contact days the same. U, what else is on my list? We're getting through a lot of it. Um, that's just spring break. Late start is another thing. I've been trying for years to get that changed. Parents, I shouldn't say parents, a lot of parents are not in favor of them. It just throws everything off. Transportation, if you talk to Peggy there, it is a nightmare. I mean, a regular day is hard enough. Take 90 minutes out of the day and still trying to move all the states is just a nightmare. um and nutrition they're not big fans of it either. So I think we got a plan in place of keeping it this year and then moving forward changing some things up. Um I think I've rambled enough. I'm feeling like Jake right now. But that's my view for now. So, we got another meeting on this paper. >> Thank you. Uh, so what Mr. Shrock stated as well is that Stacy is studying a subcommittee that's going to review some of these areas. If you have uh specific ideas on what that makeup should look like for that subcommittee or what topics they should be talking, please send that to the superintendent. He'll compile that and share that with Stacy as she builds that subcommittee. But if there's certain areas that any of us want discussed uh specifically, that's the that's the path to do that. As well as if you have ideas of who should be on there, not individuals, but who should be represented on that committee so we can make sure we get all of this stuff taken care of and looked at across the board. >> I guess one more thing. So I know the meet and confer, this one was with the teachers. Is there a reason that we don't ask other groups and it's just strictly to teach? I know there's state law that says we have to consult with them. Not that we need their approval, but we have to consult with them. Why we don't consult with transportation or other groups? I mean, we get their opinion, but they're not part of the calendar. >> Yeah, my hunch is that it's just how it's always been. Doesn't mean it should stay that way. I do think food service and transportation have important perspectives and we can do a better job as far as ascertaining what they are and then sharing them or you know somebody come to the meeting to share that as well. >> We do have the calendar. >> No. >> Yeah. Education assistance would be another group that's directly impacted as well. Are there community members on this committee or proposed committee or planning to be going forward like parents and or just other people? >> Me and Confer does not have community members on it, but I bet you if you send a request to have community members or parent involvement, we can work that through. I would say putting our customers at the front of this group would be one of the most uh important issues in my recommendation. >> Can I ask a clarifying question in this group meet and confer or the group that's going to be working on the path forward? >> That path forward meet and confer. >> Yeah, like if we're taking input on the new calendars, whatever that group is, please. Yeah, I think that's I'm glad you asked that question because that would be the best spot to hear feedback. Certainly, especially because one of the topics for this year for the 2728 calendar will be parent teacher conferences. Sure. >> You want to really look at that. So, it's a natural fit. >> Sure. Things keep popping up. Um, another thing is if you make recommendations as a board or maybe get parent input, but there's always this push to get done early June and then it just takes days out during the year like Christmas break is to seven days off for the kids. For me, I'd like to see it just automatic every year. It's two weeks of Christmas. Um I don't know the board and I'm not saying for this one but it would just be nice to have going forward give some input on what we think the board what the calendar should have >> and we've uh considered that as well um not just because of Christmas break but just give us more professional development time during the school year. It'd be really nice to have a graduation on the second Friday. The problem is summer school. So we start literally the the first Monday we can in June so that we finish in June. And so there would be some difficulties, you know, accommodating that. The points well taken, but that's just been the barrier so far. >> Can that be shifted? >> It can. Uh, you know, we'd want to talk as a group to see if it would work. Uh I think it'd be really challenging to get kids during the first week of July, >> kids and teachers >> during the first week of July. Uh there are also some coding issues with the fiscal year. I would hope we can figure that part out. >> Yeah. >> Um but it's that first week of July that would be problematic possibly. But and by the way, just I'm just giving the the counter narrative. It doesn't mean that it's a no. Yeah. You know, I think we could certainly discuss >> Yeah. everything every year to come up with the best calendar. >> Well, I think a good sales pitch for doing your job when you're supposed to be doing it um during the school year and not ending up in school in July would be that you don't end up in school in July if you do your job during the school year. >> Any other questions or comments on calendar? Mr. >> I just keep coming up with them. Um this is just grammatical or just spelling stuff but um in the September side I think whose should be changed. Oh, and the um the actual narrative on the the left hand side, >> right? And if we get a and in there after M through Z and [Music] >> Okay, now you're being interacted. >> SF HS. I know. I'm horrible. This is my job, but I just look at stuff. >> Who is I know, >> but I could be wrong. I'm not saying I'm not an English major. >> What was the second one they mentioned? You just added and after M through Z and SFHS. >> Oh, [Music] this last one just goes up to Carson. If we could just get this and meet and confer before the meeting happens so we have time to digest it and look >> because getting it at the meeting is just hard to >> come up with questions on on the spot. >> Yeah, we had it going uh a year ago when we had the calendar approved two years in advance. It'd be really nice to get back to that, however that is. So, we're going to have to accelerate some of this review, but uh it's well worth it. Uh, another big issue is we need to provide training, reading training for secondary teachers this year. Uh, and unfortunately the state has not announced what program they're going to require us to use, how many teachers will need to do it, how many hours. We have so many unknowns. Uh and so in January we'll have a better understanding of that not only for this calendar but also 2728. So hopefully that'll make it a little bit easier to make some decisions about late starts teacher conflicts and those kind of things. >> Okay, thank you. Moving on right back to you Carson with administrative report. All right. Well, um, three areas that I'll just mention briefly. Uh, first of all, we're all aware of the bus fire that occurred on Friday, October 6th. Um, you know, I think we've sent out announcements, you know, about that describe, you know, what happened. And uh as with all communications, you know, what we do as a team is after the event takes place, you know, we try to get together to debrief about what we can do differently and better next time. And so this is one of the areas uh that we'll do is we'll review how our communications work, you know, other safety protocols and those kinds of things. Uh but um overall, our bus driver was amazing. So, no question about that. And I don't know if other board members want to say anything. >> Second, that was amazing. >> So, and um anyway, go ahead, Rob. >> I I saw the video just the other day and I didn't realize all that transpired. I mean, literally, there was a fire under the bus when the kids were still on the bus >> and it just blows my mind. I mean, everything everybody got off and everybody was safe. So, yes, thank you to everybody involved. >> And, uh, you know, Carrie Thorp was the parent who alerted the bus driver. The bus driver immediately got the kids off. I think Chad was saying it was a 20 second time span by the time the the kids got off, which is amazing. We're talking about over 20 elementary kids. You know, some of them kindergarten and first grade, you know, it's hard for them to walk across the room in 20 seconds, you know, much less off of a bus with other kids. um and you know got him off and then I think Chad was also mentioning that you know Rick walked up and down the bus twice checking into the seats so I was pretty impressed I apologize if I get a little emotional firsthand experience with the situation and it was in our neighborhood. And I know Jeff feels the same way, but for starters, I just want to thank you to the first responders that were on set very quickly. Um, I also want to say thank you to the neighborhood. Uh, there were I don't know. >> I'm sorry. 10 of us at least um that were on site and dealing with it. Um and when those first communications came out that automated response about the bus being 15 minutes behind, I know there was some criticism about that, but I mean honestly that's not an email that someone is sitting there typing to like try and bypass time. It's just a notification that the bus there's something happening. When that email went out, the bus was still on fire. Um, we didn't have information to share. There wasn't anything. And like Carson said, we were working through the process. Literally on fire. They're on site feeling like fire. Um, so I want to say thank you to the neighborhood for responding. Um, Carson, I want to say thank you to you and Peggy Scott for how fast you guys responded to that situation. I mean, you were on site again as the fire trucks were coming in to deal with this situation. Um, it was I commend you for that. It was such a big deal to me. Um, to a lot of parents. I know that for sure. I also want to say a special thank you to Miss Kitty and Tammy who both work at the elementary school. The communications that she sent out to us as parents was so heartfelt. You can tell she's invested in these kids. You can tell her passion in her job and what she does. And it just I've said thank you to both of them face to face several times and again I just want to go on record thank you for that. They took the time the following Monday to get on the bus and ride the entire ride with these kids who had experienced that. They took the afternoon to ride the bus with these kids so they could experience a friendly face, feel safe, understand that this was such a rare event that it it's not a thing that happens on a regular basis and to make them feel safe and comfortable in that situation. They took the time to provide counseling for anybody that needed it. And honestly, I think for a few of us parents that got on site first, I think we need the counseling more than the kiddos did because again, last but not least, Rick, I mean, he is my hero. Um, he was so calm, he was so cool, he followed protocol from the moment that there was a recognized situation of an emergency. He just I mean, in that moment, human nature says you can do two things. Fight or fight. Most of us literally have never been tested in a situation like this. And when you are tested, you fold. That is the reality of the situation. Rick did the opposite. He chose to fight and with a calm demeanor got the kids off the bus. And honestly, with his demeanor and how he operated in that situation, most of the kids didn't even really realize they were in danger um because of how fast they got off the bus. Now, once they got off the bus, he had moved them up one one yard um around the side where they had camper for a little bit of protection and he was just kind of calmly controlling that situation. Um and then the fire actually escalated and that's when a lot of the kids emotions came into play because it was it was a big fire. It was intense and um I just Like I said, for some of us parents that got there when we did to come around a corner and see an elementary school bus in the 20s and not know or not only your own kid was, but not to mention 20 other neighborhood kids that you have personal relationships kids. I mean, how many of those kids have we coached over the years or have eaten my food at my house or played in my yard or are friends with my friends or friends with my kids and personal relationship with with our friends or our family. Um, so yeah, like I said, I think those 30 seconds of not understanding where the kids were and then to see Rick just have all these crying kids just call them by first name. Every morning he says good morning to these kids by their first name. Makes them feel comfortable. Every afternoon he wishes them a good evening and a good night. He has a personal relationship with these kids. He's invested in what he does. And anybody that's got criticism for Rick for what he did, you have to come through me to get to him. He is my hero and I just commend him for what he did. I will stop rambling. Thank you. >> Very well said. >> Thank you, Chad. That was not rambling. Uh that was a real life testament of what this district can do uh and what great people in our community can do. So uh not just uh district staff or district students and parents, but look at how the community wrapped around this this incident and thank you for sharing that. We appreciate it and we are extremely thankful for the outcome of that situation. >> Yes. >> All right. I don't think we need to do anything else after that. Right. We're good. >> I wish. >> Good for the night. >> I wish. >> So, um, Friday, October 6 was, uh, really crappy. So, uh, earlier in the day, there was ammunition found at the middle school grounds. The, um, police department, well, and school district did an investigation, uh, into Monday, actually, uh, to figure out the source of of the ammunition. Uh the police department determined uh or found the owner of the magazine and confirmed it was unintentionally left uh while they were attending a sports event previous evening. So we felt so much better when we got that news after the police department verified that. And um so once again, you know, no one is at risk in the middle school or anywhere in the district. No one was at risk. Uh however um you know after we sent out the notice uh to middle school parents and some you know maybe we should have sent it out to the St. Francis elementary school parents too you know because they're so close to each other and I totally understand that. Uh but after we sent that announcement, then there was a lot of guessing in the district uh about who may have done that. And uh there were a lot of social media comments essentially many of them saying that that they had heard from a friend who had heard that someone had done this. uh sometimes even mentioning the name of the person. Uh turned out that that was completely wrong. It was not true. And um so once again, the police department played an instrumental role in figuring that out. Heidi Kitchley, you know, is the real deal. And so she was actively involved uh throughout the weekend and again on Monday. And um so kudos to the police department and Heidi Critley and really the whole uh middle school staff. Uh Chris Linquist is always there uh providing support too and so we really you know appreciate his efforts. uh too many people to to mention. Um but once again, there was no risk to any student or staff member in the school district because of the ammunition or because of what was on social media. So I cannot emphasize that enough. There was no risk um at all. Uh now the um there have been a lot of questions about you know the communications uh in terms of sharing information and so uh once again from my perspect oh oh by the way if there's any blame for the communications about that you know I accept that responsibility so please you know it wasn't Heidi's responsibility or Chris's or anybody else's. Um they did a lot of the work preparing the communications but I'm I'm responsible for that. So if anyone is upset about that, you know, they can always feel free to to reach out to me and and discuss that. Uh but um you know, first and foremost, you know, the safety of our kids is always by far the most important thing. Um we also wanted to make sure that we would not do anything to prolong or interfere with the investigation. We didn't want to share out information prematurely. uh sometimes that information could have been wrong if we had done that. So we decided to wait very methodically. Uh so we knew that what we were saying was accurate and in the end uh throughout uh we had an ex we were extremely confident that there was no threat. Extremely confident. But we wanted to go through all the steps and make sure that the police department and the school district all felt the same way. And in the end, that's that's what happened. So anyway, but please um you know, if anyone has questions about that, set up a meeting with me, give me a call, send me an email. I'm still trying to respond to some emails uh because I've been focused on some other things after uh you know, this was resolved. Uh but I will get to them. It might just take me a little time. And then finally, Title N if non-compliance. President Richard um was talking about this, you know, during public comment, but the United States Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services uh announced uh that uh the Minnesota Department of Education and State High School League violated Title N uh because uh currently uh well, according to their announcement, they allow males to compete in female sports and occupy uh female intimate facilities. So that was their finding and uh the those two departments gave uh Minnesota 10 days to respond. Um I read real quickly today that Minnesota did not provide a response in those 10 days and um so there's still a lot of work that will be done and problem or issues addressed over the next few months. So that's all I really know about the the title N finding and um action thereof. Uh one reminder though is that you know the school district um is obligated to follow state law uh even if even if some people don't agree with it. Uh we are obligated to follow state law and if we want to participate in the state high school we we need to follow their rules too. So, you know, as we go through this, um, I'm sure the federal government and the state government will come to some sort of conclusion. Um, and, uh, then we'll, you know, we'll follow up with that. Um, but those are some of the factors involved, not only the the finding, but then also state law and the rules of the state. I don't know if there any questions about those two areas. say, how much uh funding to our district comes from the federal funding that we're potentially going to lose over this? >> Yeah, it's about $2 million is what we expect for this year. >> Okay. And I'm, you know, as a libertarian, I'm a big local control guy. So, I would say this is the most important, the local control, the school board. recommend we would go to the state um because of the amendment amendment number 10 which is you know states rights over the federal government and even though a person may disagree or agree with uh what the state says um it does take precedence over what the federal says. So we may just if our state and we want to continue on this path then we just lose that funding and we learn how to come up with uh the difference or we just go without. The reason why I signed this petition is because not because I'm anti-trans at all. Um, people can do whatever they want. That's perfectly fine by me. Um, I did it because I believe it's cheating. I just think that uh until you're an adult and are legally able to become a male if you're a female or a female and if you're a male, I think that up until then it's just not fair. And in 1972, the reason why we set up Title Nine was because women were looking around and going, "Hey, my parents and I'm spending the same amount of tax dollars here, but there's football and wrestling and all these things for boys. We need to have something for girls." And now we have something for girls, and it's equal, and that's beautiful. And here we go again. So, I do believe that this is the next fight. Unfortunately, it's going to take a lot of time off our hands for uh how minimal this impacts, but I don't know if this will necessarily go as long as the other controversies go because it is really strange bedfellows you have. Even if you're the craziest feminist in the world, which I am, you would support women and girls in their sports. And and it turns out it's like 85 to 95% of people who see it that way. So, I don't understand who's really pushing this, but it is what it is. The federal law is the federal law and tied to their funding. I'm hoping that when they take away the funding, we'll get that rebated to us tax-wise. And then the state is their state and, you know, we follow these rules as we learned before with the whole book thing. So, that's why I signed this. I've already gotten an email saying that, you know, you and your religious people. I'm not religious. I'm actually atheist. So, the talking points come out and it's very tiring. And this is why no one wants to run for public office and I'm completely sick of it. Um it's simply the fact that myself as a parent and more importantly even that I agree with this it doesn't matter because if I didn't agree with this and I had the same amount of people coming to me saying hey why are boys and girls sports I would stand up for their voice as well. So that's why I signed that. Um nothing personal definitely nothing anti-trans. It's just uh I don't think it's fair. I think it's cheating and so do the vast majority of people. So that's I just wanted to state that. Uh, for the record, because people come after me and saying that I'm anti-trans or anti-gay, they that's that's So anyway, that's all I need to say. Any other comments or questions? >> Okay. Um, my only comment on your report, Carson, is just, like I said at the beginning, um, a lesson for not only schoolboard members, but our community as well, uh, to be thoughtful about what our role is in these situations and our actions that we take uh, in those situations to see what happens. uh because we've got both spectrums, the bus situation and then the additive situation and and how impactful a community can be both positively and negatively. That's all I have. Next item, action item. We have one for tonight. Uh policy 721. Are there any questions prior to a motion being made to accept policy 721? See no questions. Is there a call to motion for approval of policy 721 as presented and recommended by administration and our policy committee? >> So move. >> Thank you, Miss Anderson. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Any discussion on that motion? Seeing no discussion. Uh first. Okay. If you're in favor of the motion, signify by saying I and raising your hand. >> I motion pre. Okay. Thank you. I already heard myself. Okay. Next uh one is upcoming meetings and primary topics. Any questions or comments on upcoming meetings and topics? Again, if you have anything that you would like added, please uh send that information to me and we'll work schedule to get that. Or if you have a specific update that you would like uh schoolboard member reports, member boxing club, I think this >> um negotiations I took part in office professionals, technology custodians, they're all moving along. Uh, I did have a little note here about the bus fire, but I think Chad said everything that I want to say. Um, huge thank you to Rick and Miss Kitty and Julie Tanner. They made a lot of difference in my own daughter. So, huge thank you to them. Uh, the end of the football season was this past weekend. Fun season. I want to take a moment to shout out Brad Krauss for his work in that program. He's improved it every year since we've been involved. And um also thank you to the coaches. We have two on our board here. Uh you guys do a lot for youth footballers and it shows. And then um ninth grade footballers play their last game tomorrow. They won the game so far. So hopefully they win again. [Music] >> Thank you. >> Mr. [Music] I attended conferences at the high school tonight for my son and along with two other parents. I'm sure everyone else was busy at home reading to their kids um or on social media of some sort. Um and then uh but I really thanks the thank the teachers for uh being there. Uh it's important to touch base even if you know your kid is doing well to show the parents that you actually care and are doing your job as a parent. Uh and even the best kids have um areas to work on. That's one thing I always ask is what can we do better? Um I'd like to thank calm parents and social media. I'm not a social media guy, but I know a lot of people uh immediately light their hair on fire and and get all crazy and start blaming everyone else. And uh I think the vast majority probably even amongst that mess um of people once they are talked they can understand and have the conversation that people's best interests are at heart. Um it's obviously a very scary issue but uh boy oh boy we can certainly do a lot of damage when people are trying to solve problems and I really want to thank the parents that remained calm and adult through this. And then finally, uh, looking at these scores, um, Miss Pikert and, uh, the superintendent, uh, I like, you know, we're turning this huge ship around and we're going in the right direction and I'm looking forward to seeing more of that, uh, upward onward. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Mr. Shar. Uh, I attended a couple negotiations that are going well and just wanted to say that fall sports are starting to wind down. I know the soccer girls soccer team plays tomorrow in Zimmerman for a chance to go to state. Football is winding down. I think their last home game is Wednesday. Not home game, but last regular season game is Wednesday. Um volleyball, their last regular season games are this week. So playoffs start next week. So things are really heating up in with playoffs right right now. So look these up and go and support these kids. Thank you. >> Um intended meeting and confer which we've already discussed tonight. That's all I had. >> Uh I attended the investment committee meeting met with professionals. I know the retirement funds here at the district. They had some good things to say about it. Couple good quarters in a row funds would have been good. They didn't have any recommendation for changes. The only criticism that they gave was they'd like to see more participation in it within our staff, which makes sense. Uh, the longer you decide to go into the market, the better chance you have at retiring. Um, let me see. Also, a lot of these events that we've been talking about, attended a lot of them as a community, that's one of the strongest ways to grow is to continue to support the kids in our community and parents um as a community whole by attending these events. Uh spent my day today at E Bethl Elementary School, uh specifically with Miss Ashton's class, uh third grade class. Thank you, Miss Ashley, for letting me come in your class today, hang out. Um, spend some time doing some one-on-one stuff, a little bit of reading, a little bit of math, help these scores that we just talked about, continue to grow heading to the middle school tomorrow. Um, doing some more of the same stuff. So, thank you, Miss Kitty, for letting me come in. Thank you, Miss Ashley, for letting me come in. Thank you, Heidi, middle school principal, for letting me come in tomorrow. I want to give a shout out to Mike Stppel. He's one of the varsity football coaches. He manages a program where he has his varsity football coach or players come into the elementary schools to read with them. Um, one of the coolest things I've been a part of, I didn't get to do it this year, but I have been volunteering on days when that does happen. I know our arts program does very similar things where they come in and sing to the kids um or do some type of performance for them. Been there on those days as well. So cool for our older kids to give back to our younger kids and connecting with the community that way. So cool for the younger kids to see bigger kids reading at an efficient level and have goals to move forward to as they progress through their educational program. Um again had a big spiel about the bus fire. did have some criticism and some choice words for all of our board warriors, but I'm going to digress and keep it lasting and go back to refer to what Nikki and Jake have already talked about so far. Please be calm. Just relax. You're not doing any good by posting your opinions without factual information. Let the administration do their job in a timely fashion. And then again, um, I say thank you to everybody that I feel like had a big part in the positive of that bus. Um, so thank you again. I just want to commend the district for that process um, and what they did in that emergency situation that was near and dear to my heart. So, thank you. >> All right. I attended the third negotiation session for teachers. Um an update for all negotiation. If you go to the website, district website under negotiations, you can see the current negotiation status to include uh um group proposals and district proposals. If you want to compare what that looks like, you can see all that on our website. Uh, Veterans Day. Uh, there's a nice flyer out front if you didn't see it, but Veterans Day is scheduled at both St. Francis Middle School and St. Francis High School. We've got Monday the 10th at 8:00, 8:45 at the middle school. And then actual Veterans Day, Tuesday, 8:46 to 9:46. Uh, great program set up. Uh, two great speakers coming in. Uh, a parent of some of our students is coming in as well, uh, to speak. Uh so encourage this is open for all community members. So please share that information. If you know a veteran that lives down the neighborhood, please invite them to come. There are going to be donuts um that are donated by county market. So again, the community is coming together to wrap around that. So please attend that. I also attended the first ACT meeting for this school year. Excited to see where that uh committee is going. and we had some good conversation about what um we think is important and what we're moving forward with. Uh and then the last thing is I was going to start with this and I'll do that for the next meeting, but if you see we've got new decoration here in the uh in the boardroom uh the first was it maybe the second or third staff day when all the staff got together uh they were able to write down their district-wide hopes and goals. So, I'm going to pick two out of them for every meeting and just share that with all of us uh to show what our staff thinks our hopes and goals are and really the culture that they're setting in our district. But, uh the two that I picked uh today kind of um tie into everything we're talking about, which is kind of cool. But, uh be the happy place for each student and staff. So, be the happy place for each student and staff. And then, uh the next one that I saw was to start each day with joy. Uh so again uh I love seeing what our staff thinks the hopes and dreams of this district should be and those are two very powerful statements uh for not only our students but us uh our staff and our community as well. That's it for my report. Next on the agenda is a close session for labor negotiations. So um before we start that I'm going to take a threem minute recess. three minute recess uh for committee members to leave and then we will go into our next item which is total 73 minute recess. God. If