[clears throat] 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. [clears throat] >> Good evening, fellow school board members, district staff, and community members. Um, as we always do before we start, uh, the mission of the 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 responsible citizens in. Our first item tonight is agenda item two, adoptions agenda. Are there any questions prior to a motion being made on the agenda before you? No questions. Is there a call to motion for the January 26, 2026 meeting agenda? >> So move. >> Thank [snorts] you, Mr. W. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Thank you, Mr. Sh. Any discussion on that motion? >> Seeing no discussion. All in favor of the motion signify by saying I. >> I motion prevails [snorts] to zero. >> Our next agenda item is the St. Recognition Award. The St. Award was established to publicly recognize St. Francis area school staff, students, and community members at a school board meeting to highlight the positive and impactful work happening in our district. This month's state award and the first for the year is presented to East Bethl Elementary Principal Melissa Gib for her exceptional care of students, being visible and available for students, staff, and families, and her impact on the district as a trusted resource for her colleagues. In her sixth year in the district and as a principal at East Bethl Elementary School, Melissa has created a space where staff enjoy coming to work and students are excited to go to school. Through PBS Sinks, Pride tickets, the Good News Call of the Day program, and the Making a Difference program, Melissa makes sure students are celebrated for demonstrating the schoolwide expectations of being kind, safe, respectful, and responsible. She is committed to listening, learning, and supporting the East Elementary uh school staff and does so by inviting staff to five minute check-ins to provide them time and space to share any updates they'd like to share during uninterrupted one-on-one time. Some of her proudest moments include a significant reduction in office discipline referrals, reinstating the student council to provide leadership opportunities to third, fourth, and fifth grade students, and led by building art specialist the creation of a schoolwide mural where every single student plays a part. East Bethl Elementary School administr administrative intern Ashley said, "Melissa strives to build a safe and welcoming school climate. She goes the extra mile to make sure staff, students, and families feel supported, seen, and heard. We are so lucky to learn and grow under her leadership. This school year, two new elementary principles were hired, and Melissa hasn't hesitated in being an important resource for their immediate success. St. Francis Elementary principal Carla Winter said, "Melissa made me feel genuinely welcome and supported from the very beginning. She is always available and willing to collaborate and share her ideas and expertise. Cedar Creek Elementary principal Jamie Carpenter said, "I am truly grateful for the consistent support and care Melissa provides by proactively sharing information and setting aside time each Monday to help us work through questions. Melissa's kindness, reliability, and genuine care make a meaningful difference, and I appreciate more than I can say." The East Bethl Elementary School motto this year is together we learn, together we grow. And together as a school board and a district community, please help me in celebrating East Bethl Elementary School Principal Melissa Ky. [applause] [applause] Come on Kitty [applause] >> speech. >> [laughter] >> All right. Our next agenda item is consideration of visitors. Tonight we have three individuals requesting to speak. We will allow up to five minutes per speaker. I ask that each speaker that once your time is reached that you respectful of everyone else and say your final comments. Uh there will be no board action on any request during consideration of visitor. However, the superintendent or myself may address uh any comments that required at that time. Uh tonight, our first speaker is Angela Leonard. Angela, [clears throat] good evening board members, community members, and colleagues. My name is Angela Leoners. I am a special education assistant at St. Francis Elementary and I'm here speaking to you tonight regarding our contract negotiations. The district leadership has repeatedly denied our negotiators proposals based on the numbers. They say our requests cost too much. So, let's talk about some numbers, human and dollar numbers. Five co-workers who have left my site in the last two to three years solely because other jobs or districts pay more. 209 days that have passed since our contract expired. We have not had our step movement or our wage increases. Prices rise every day, but our paychecks do not. $24.61. 2024. Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. The NOA County cost of living calculator. This is the hourly wage to support a household of one full-time worker, one part-time worker, and one child. This fits most of us. We could use a different number. $2549 an hour. This is from the 2025 MIT living wage calculator for county, Minnesota. This is two adults working, one child household. Two adults working, one child household. Either of these numbers, either should be the lowest wage on the pay scale for any school employee. Any school employee. And these calculators assume 2018 hours per year. We get 1,111.5 [snorts] $22.79. This is the current district proposal for the highest wage on our scale for the highest step. These are employees with 15 years or plus years of service. This is for the 2526 school year. $22.79 the highest wage. Anything less than livable wage requires an employee to be dependent on a partner, a parent, or food and housing assistance from the county, state, or federal government. How does that serve our community? Seven. The number of times our negotiators have met with the district. They are giving up time and energy in addition to their challenging work days asking for a fair contract with livable wages. We are already in mediation. Millions of dollars. The liability the district would face without educational assistance directly ensuring the safety and educational rights of our students. My own numbers. Eight and a half years of service to St. French school district and the community as an educational assistant. 26 years as a homeowner in property taxpayer in this district. Seven years served as a parent representative on local site and district level parent organizations and committees. Two of my own children have attended St. Francis schools, including one 2025 St. Francis High School graduate. Zero. Zero. The number of EAs who said yes when asked if they would vote to approve the current contract proposal at our January 15th straw poll. Zero who wanted it to even get this far mediation. Why? What happens next? Someone suggested is because the district knows we always back down. And I guess that's true because it's not we don't like we don't have the courage to stand up because it's if we do stand up it's not like the teachers. The school does not close. Our students will still attend. The district will contract with the temp agency at a cost much higher than the wages they are currently paying us. [snorts] They would bring in unqualified untrained strangers into our buildings and buses and other parts of our district to work with our most vulnerable students. None of us want that to happen. None. every contract more of my colleagues are just giving up trying to survive on the pay of this job. We are losing all of our experience dedicated community service motivate motivated people because they are continually disrespected by these wages. As a parent, as a community member, and as an employee, I remind you of your obligations to both the students and the staff of this district. Thank you very much for your time. Thank you, Angela. Our next speaker is Ruby D. Ruby. >> Hello. My name is Ruby Dye and I am a third grade student. I love my teachers because they're really nice and kind. And I love M me because she is really nice and helpful. Please do whatever you can to make sure they can stay in my classroom. [clears throat] >> Thank you. >> Our final speaker for tonight is Peter and the Canal. >> [clears throat] >> Hello, my name is Peter Canali. I have a I'm a district parent of two children. St. Francis uh the middle school held a moment of silence for a woman who attempted to uh violence on federal law enforcement officers with a vehicle recently and my my children are being taught to honor somebody who who tried to uh do that. Um, this is America, not a communist country. And I expect my children's school to reflect American values. We don't celebrate law. We don't celebrate um violence against law enforcement. Thank you. [clears throat] >> If I could um respond real quickly. Uh, I do have information in our admin in my administrative report today and so we'll be talking about that issue here shortly. >> I'm looking forward to hearing about it. >> All right. Thank you to those that spoke tonight. We do appreciate the engagement. Our next agenda item is consent agenda. There are five items on tonight's consent agenda. There will be a roll call vote. Are there any questions or requests to remove an item from the consent agenda prior to the motion being made? >> Um, consent agenda, the extended trip request. I just That's the one going into Minneapolis, correct? [snorts] In March. Yeah. I just want to make sure that um somebody's watching the activity in Minneapolis and making sure we are but I have to say it that we're being conscientious about everything that's going on in the city and that we um are okay with cancelling the trip if it needs to be cancelled for student and faculty safety. That's all I had to say about that. and we do monitor um all of our trips um really wherever they're they're going. And so over the last month uh we did allow one of our dayfield trips to to go uh but not another one. That one was an easy one because it was cancelled by the the sponsoring agency. Uh but we'll do the same with this DECA trip as well and other trips. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right. All right. Is there a call the motion to approve the consent agenda? >> So made. >> Thank you, Mr. Sha. Is there a second? Second. Thank you, Mr. Any discussion on that motion. >> Seeing no discussion, this will be a roll call vote. Signify by saying I if you support nay. If you do not, Mr. Hun. >> Uh, I >> Mr. Sher. >> Hi. >> Miss West. >> Hi, >> Mr. W. >> Hi, Miss. Hi. >> I am I as well. Motion prevails 6 to zero. Thank you. All right. As we move forward to the next agenda items, umformational items and reports. Um please try to hold questions to the end of the presentations if you can and we'll make sure that everyone has a chance to uh interact if needed. We have fourformational reports tonight. Our first one is with Mr. Beth Humphrey, student council. Good evening, school board, uh, cabinet, superintendent Anderson, Chair Burr, community members both here and online. I'm Jack Humphrey representing the St. Francis High School student council once again, and we are once again very honored to be held at these meetings and to have our ability to talk about our student council. Currently within student council, as we're reaching the midway point of the second trimester of the school year, we're kind of in a planning phase of our current student council. We have snow days as our main objective that is coming up within the week of February 9th of 2026. We then see throughout that week that we will not only have different dressup days, but also different opportunities for students to stay involved and then a homecoming pep a snow days pepfest on February 13th. Now, it may be a Friday, but it won't be horrible. Otherwise, within our student council, that's pretty much all that we got going on right now. But within the actual St. Francis area schools, we've had a lot going on. Our one act, the competitive one act queens here at the high school advanced to subse advanced to actual sections after performing well at the subsection tournament. Our debate team sent three entries to the MSH debate tournament and performed exceedingly well. And otherwise, we've had different athletes shattering nearly half a century old records with Mr. Schumrock's own daughter Emily breaking a single game rebounding record. Otherwise, all of our sports and activities are in their midst with basketball, boys and girls, wrestling, and all the other activities going on. And I'm open to any questions you may have for me. Mr. Se um first off congrats on u making all state in debate. >> Thank you. >> Um what you do is just amazing. Can you give a little info on what transpired? >> Yeah. So the MS uh the MDTDA Minnesota Debate Teachers Association Allstate Award is presented the top eight performers in each of the four main events of debate within the state of Minnesota for seasonlong performance. I ended up ranking second overall throughout all season long performances and was honored to be St. Francis's first ever congressional state debate all state participant and then also the first ever uh congressional debate participant at the state debate tournament from St. Francis High School in our second year sending anyone to the section tournament. Otherwise, the state debate tournament I wish would have gone better. I was placed into a very hard prelim against very good competition and I'm looking forward to the national competition to make my rights and to hopefully perform a little bit better for us. >> I know you'll do well. CONGRATULATIONS. [applause] >> Any other questions or comments? >> I was waiting for you to give a hoot hoop when we said that student council is back at East Bethl Elementary. >> Yeah, I was on a student council there. I didn't know they left. I'm glad they're back. >> That's awesome. >> Yeah. Thank you for being here tonight and great report as always. >> Thank you, Mr. >> Our next agenda item 6.2 is the American Indian Education Parent Advisory Council report. Haley Dagel, our American Indian equity coordinator and our American Indian Education Parent Advisory Committee co-chair person. Denise will provide an update on the district's program. Hello everybody. Um, I'm Kaylee Begel, the American Indian Education Coordinator for School District. Um, this is my fifth year in the position and I just love it. Um, I grew up in the school district and so I take a lot of pride in getting to be here and continuing to provide for the community. That means so much to me. Um tonight I have with me um this is Lisa Wrenches and uh Denise Gore. They are two of our parent advisory committee members. Um so Lisa is our chairperson, Denise is our vice chair. um they're going to give a brief update about um the annual compliance vote, which is something that um state statute requires American Indian parent advisory committees to complete every year. Um it's due all of the paperwork is due by March 1st. Um, and so every year the parent advisory committee gets together and discusses whether or not they think the district is doing enough for the native students and if there are any, um, areas where there's room for improvement. And so this year, um, they held the the vote on January 8th and they voted non-concurrent, which means that there is still room for growth. So I'll let them talk about that before I talk about um, the program as a whole. All right. Um so yeah, so January 8th we kind of voted non-concurrent. Um some of the topics that we um felt were non-concurrent was um number one the American Indian Education Parent Advisory Committee. We requested a full an additional full-time or part-time employee dedicated to the American Indian Education Program. Um, so that's something that's been discussed in the past back since 2021. Um, and doesn't feel like there's been a lot of movement on that. Um, another item would be a streamlining process for reserving facility spaces. That is something [clears throat] that is new for this year. Um we've tried to make reservations for certain spaces and kind of felt that there was some um roadblocks in doing that. Um number three, APAC requests more communication about progress on not concurrence responses from the district. Um, we request that the board more than one um, I'm sorry, we want to present more than once at a board meeting per year and the impact requests to be involved in conversations regarding prioritizing budgets that directly and indirectly affect the native students in the district. And then um number four um this was something new as well was um APEC requests an increase in support for PSO students. Um I can kind of speak a little about that one. Um, so that one kind of came from um some issues during the summer trying to navigate um a PAC PSO student trying to um get some classes getting registered for those classes and just really had a hard time. the the counseling staff was not available. Um getting the um classes that was needed through the college itself was not um they were not available. So there was just a big disconnect of being able to figure out which classes this student could um could take without having the assistance from um counseling staff. Um, so in the summer and even throughout the year when when you're kind of against guidelines from another school and and having counseling that's not necessarily helpful um makes it hard for the student to figure out or navigate the pathway that they should be able to take in order to um get this appropriate schedule for them to have their their classes that they need. So um I can speak about that, but do you have anything else? >> Excuse me. I would like to highlight number three um for the more communication about progress on non-turns. Um if I understand this correctly, they would like more meetings, which I agree with. So that more communication means more communication out to the community if we're able to talk to you about what's going on and then you know get your approval more often and then um more uh attendance to like say the pow or any other type of um gathering that we have um needs more communication and needs more facetime in In my opinion, that's my big thing on the communication. Um, it's like currently APEC and American Indian education are listed on the schoolboard schedule once per school year. In the past, APEC and I AIE um have presented to the school school board at least quarterly. We notice more participation in our events as well as better communication about that AIE program when we present regularly. Um it is imperative to keep the request solutions as a topic for ongoing discussions resolution to continue growing this program which is beautiful. Um Apex believes that working collaboratively with the school board and or the St. Francis is is essential for this program to succeed. So, I really appreciate that. if we could get more facetime. >> So, since we've got kind of two sections, um maybe if anybody has questions about APAC and the non-concurrences, we'll take those now and then we'll go into the presentation about the pro the Indian program itself. Yeah. So, I've had a kid with that went through PSO and one of the biggest complaints that we've had when he registered was that you have your advisor at the school, you have your advisor at the college and with um with what am I trying to say? Those two really can't talk because of um not conflict of interest but >> or the age of the students. >> What's that? Yeah, privacy. Thank you. And Vanessa, has that changed or is that still a thing where they can't really talk to each other because of privacy? >> You know, uh there are privacy protections. So, we're I think that's still an issue, but I don't know of the extent. And so, as we process this, um you know, I'll definitely check with the counseling staff to see what some of the barriers are. So, so with that, um, we have obligation to respond, uh, to this letter of non-concurrence by the 27th of March. In the past, when the administration does to the superintendent, they'll come back to the board. Uh, we have a couple meetings in between that time frame, three for sure. I think that might be the fourth one we'll approve uh, with recommendations for how we're going to respond to that as well as allow us to have some discussion on on those responses. Um what I asked superintendent to do is to make sure that you're invited to the board meetings that we have that discussion. Uh so if it's an agenda item so if there are questions uh that you can be there to help us with those questions. But if anyone has any specific questions on the actual u numbered item uh for clarification we can ask those now. [clears throat] If not the superintendent will start working a plan with administration and then bring that back to us. Um, as far as the um the teacher that we did hire, the language teacher, >> is that any of that included in your non-concurrences the full or part-time employee? You're looking for >> that's not a support staff. That's that's an educator for a specific class, but that's not really a support staff. >> You're looking for somebody to assist in do what Aby's doing. Abby. >> Yeah. So, ideally, um, we would have a liaison. So our Indian ed program consists of um me the Indian ed coordinator and we have one um liaison and um our temporary liaison is Abby Wy and so um right now she works with basically middle school down. Um ideally what we would have is somebody who can work with elementary kids. So really um before kindergarten through uh fifth grade and then somebody who could work with sixth and up um I'm stationed at the high school and I the majority of my time is spent at the high school but um being a coordinator I'm the one who is writing our grants and I have to offer uh um oversee all of that and I um have stepped in and done all of our anything that we're doing with special education as Well, um, and so it does pull me away from being able to have that one-on-one or any sort of facetime, even small groups with our students. And so, ideally, we would have somebody dedicated to be able to be um, at the secondary level and at the elementary level. >> Mr. Johnson, >> does this new hire, would this new hire need to be native? >> Um, no. I think the preference would be for somebody to be native in that position. Um but Lisa Secika is not native and um I think it really boils down to somebody who is passionate to um co come into this role in a really sensitive way. Somebody who's willing to learn about the culture. Um somebody who wants to kind of be immersed in it really. Um, and so no, I think the preference would be yes, but ultimately no. >> Okay. Thank you, >> Mr. >> For the reserving of facility spaces, are you looking for a dedicated space or just a different way of reserving space? >> Um, ideally a designated space would be great. Um, but we are willing to work around it. So, um, we tried to get ahead of that this year. So Carson and I toured um each of the elementary schools before school started and um we found out kind of the spaces that we were going to be in, but then we had to work with the school and then other um staff that bounce around throughout the district to come up with a schedule where we kind of fit into that space. And for the most part, it works pretty well. Um but there have been enough instances where we feel it's important to bring it up where um on our regular scheduled time day and time we get to that spot and there's something else going on in there or there was one instance where um Abby had the the room she had already used it for one or two groups um stepped away to go grab kids for another group and a teacher went and started using the space. And so, um, what we found is that within the school day, there's not a district-wide procedure or, um, way of reserving spaces. And so, it gets a little confusing. How do we make sure that we're reserving it the proper way for each space to make sure that everything's being followed? >> Yeah. Oh, sorry. No problem. >> This sounds like it could help the whole district then in other areas, not just Apac, other people that have to pull kids out for certain issues. So, I appreciate you bringing that forward. When you have these been rectified or is this still happening? And then, um, what do you do when you come to that room and all a sudden it's full? Is the day gone or do you guys find another room or how does that work? >> So, I wouldn't say it's been completely rectified. Um Aby's still trying to figure out ways that work best with each school. Um and so sometimes it boils down to each teacher needs something different. So she's um toying around with calendar like Google calendar invites. Um some teachers a phone call works best. Some teachers aren't able to answer their phone when she calls and so then maybe an email or physically having to go to the class. The hard part is that we have such a limited time that we can meet with students. So Aby's meeting with our students and at the elementary level. Um she meets them weekly. One week she meets them for 30 minutes um for a lesson and one is the opposite week is just a five minute like check-in with her. Um and that's oneonone. But for the lessons she's got a little group of kids. And so at the beginning of the year, she started by going and grabbing each student individually for group and it cut the time about in half. >> And so ideally there would be some sort of system where she doesn't have to physically go and get them once they are familiar and know where her space is. >> Sure. um when she's gone there and there's somebody else or something going on in the space and she can't use it, then she has to go find um admin and ask where she can set up somewhere else. >> Thank you for that. >> Any other questions or comments from the board? >> So, um I agree with the presenting to us more than once a year. I think that's a fantastic idea, but I just want to encourage you guys for like events and participation. You guys can come to any of our meetings and fill out the consideration visit to speak and get that out to the community um at any meeting possible. So, keep that in mind. [clears throat] >> Superintendent. And just for clarification as far as the scheduling, so it's not just reserving the room rooms in the building, it's also scheduling the kids who are going to be seen. Is that not good? >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> I think so. >> Okay. Anything else on the non-concurrens you want to say for the board? >> I don't think so. Yeah. Okay. >> Yeah. If I could add just one more thing. Um, first we appreciate the work of Apac and of Haley and you know the staff with American Indian Education Program and uh I think the the letter of non-concurrence process is actually really positive because it it creates the space for dialogue uh to make things better. So, I appreciate um this notice and you know, I'll be working on it starting later this week and as Mr. Burr mentioned, we'll present kind of a rough draft of a response, but really it's up to the board to decide what that response will be. I guess one other thing that I do want to mention is um whatever the board comes up with for that response to APAC um it needs to be signed by all school board members. >> Not just those present but all board members. >> Okay. Thank you. Are you on the second part of your presentation now? Is there a clicker or how would you like me to >> There's a clicker right here. >> Okay. So, now we're going to shift a little bit. So, obviously our parent committee is integral to what we're doing as an Indiana program. Um, but we are kind of separate things. So, our parent committee is the committee that kind of tells me what they would like to see from the program and they give me that guidance on on um you know if there are specific topics or um anything like that for the year and then it's my job to help implement those within our program. So, um I created just a little slideshow. Is there a specific one I should >> Oh, there it goes. Okay. So, in St. Francis, and this number has actually changed um since I created this, but at St. Francis area schools, we have 124 um students that identify selfidentify as Native American. So, our program goes off of two separate um definitions for Native American. One is the state definition, which is more inclusive. It allows for students and families to selfidentify. And then we go based off of the um federal definition which requires um either enrollment in a federally recognized tribe or direct descendency. So direct descendant means [clears throat] either the the child is not enrolled but either their parent or their grandparent. Um and that requires some more documentation that shows that sort of lineage. Um but um at the time that I created this it was 124 students with the last Mars update it was 127 students and our numbers kind of fluctuate throughout the year. It could be because we have families moving in and out but also um we see a lot of we see a big change in enrollment at our alternative sites. So like Crossroads East, Crossroads Barn None, um which are students that we serve. Um just to highlight some of the things that our kiddos are doing at the elementary schools, they've been learning about bandelier bags. And I don't know if any of you are familiar with those, um but they are traditionally beaded bags. They're about this big and then they've got a really long strap. It's a really thick strap and they were traditionally beaten front and back. Um, they're beautiful. They're very heavy. Um, they were called a bag worth a pony because people would literally trade these bags for the same price as a pony. So, um, they're really special. But our students have been getting to learn about these bags um, and creating their own to take home. I didn't when I was creating this, I didn't have any pictures at the time, but I do have a few pictures of maybe some of our students bags that they're creating right now. Um, and it's really a cool project because they get to be creative with it. Um, we just give them the tools and we teach them kind of the lessons about it and then they get to use their own imagination. So, some of them are using stickers. Um, some of them are using are making fringe on the bottom. We've got some that are Yeah, they're just all decorating it together. And then at the end of the year or whenever they finish them, they get to take them home and hopefully it's something that they'll remember forever. Um at the middle school they've been working on a few different tasks. Um they've also been looking working on these bandelier bags, but they've been um learning about um create or doing bead work on the beading looms, which has been really cool. So we have a large scale version where they use plastic pony beads to learn the techniques. Um that way when if they are really interested in it and would like to continue on, they can learn how to do it with the tiny tiny seed beads. um that's how they would traditionally do it. And so they're learning those tasks. Um and then they've been partnering with the multicultural student union at the middle school. And so it's been a really great space for students to get to know each other and just celebrate um cultures. This is a picture from a little celebration they did right before holiday break. Um and they all got together, had some snacks, and got to do a few different projects together. at the high school. Um I kind of have an open door policy as long as I'm in my room. Um any students that want to stop in can. And it's been really great because I get students popping by during passing time and it's it's a nice time for me to just do a little check-in with them. Um and so we're able to build some really great relationships that way. Um but some of the more formal things that we've done this year is we've gone on a college tour to the University of Minnesota Morris. Um we took students from the high school and the learning center and it was really great. Um actually one student it was their first time visiting campus and left so excited and said this is where I'm going to go. So it was really cool to be able to experience that with the kids. Um, and then we also had some high school students who helped with a a sixth grade social studies project. Um, and we'll talk more about that in just a second, but um, we have some plans to make ribbon skirts and shirts before our pow so students can wear those. So, we've got some cool ideas coming up. Okay, here's a picture from the Blue Earth Reservation Wikipedia project. So, this is the one with the sixth grade social studies students. Um, it was kind of a passion project that Ted Garren came to me with and he asked if we could collaborate. Um, and the idea was to bring this indigenous perspective into the project he was doing. So students that um didn't need intervention, extra intervention during intervention time were able to go to his classroom and work on this project for I think it was about six weeks or so um to research and create a Wikipedia page for the Blue Earth Reservation. Um which there was not a whole lot of information about. So we we were reading books and just trying to get creative talking to historians. It was a really great project and the the Wikipedia page itself is published now. So if anybody would like to go and check it out, you can just type in Blue Earth Reservation Wikipedia and it'll pop up. Um because of this great collaboration, uh Mr. Garing and I are going to be presenting about it at two conferences um in the next couple months. One is going to be the Minnesota Council for the Social Studies and that's February 21st at Mallister College and we're also going to be presenting at the Minnesota Indigen or Indian Education Association conference which is March 18th through the 20th at Mystic Lake Event Center. So, we're excited to be able to talk more about this project and hopefully inspire other teachers and other schools to um partner with their Indian programs more. some other ways we've been in the classrooms. Um, and I love to get into the classroom. So, I love when teachers reach out to me asking to collaborate. Um, it's one of my favorite things to do. So, um, one that we've been doing for years now is the high school health presentations where I talk about the difference between commercial tobacco and sacred ceremonial tobacco. Um, and that's been really great. So, this year I've already presented to all of the students in health in first and second trimester, and I'll be doing the same next trimester. Um, I presented to some of the second grade classes during a research project they had about the Amishame and Lakota tribes. And then um I've been working with um the high school but the district as a whole on getting an Ojiway language class and we finally have that this year and we have a student who is actually in that class I would like to share just a little bit. I would hope to not make a fool of myself for my for my great debate captain [snorts] but my name is Leon Gore um and I'm currently a student in Daryl Bowman's from East Central's Ojiway um 1A class for this trimester and next trimester um supervised by the Spanish teacher Melinda Wetland um in this high school. My great-grandma was from Red Lake and I was also enrolled in the um American Indian like program that they have from seventh grade when I moved here. So upon hearing that St. Francis High School offered a OJ boy language class, I thankfully signed up for it. Unfortunately, this class only consists of nine students right now and for this and next trimester, but uh we're hoping to have more by the next year that this class is offered. Um so, yeah, [laughter] sorry. All of this will be moving on to the next half of this trimester along the second trimester as I previously stated and we're hoping to come out by the summer at least halfway through it and so so far our curriculum has been made up of like of topics such as time, colors, weathers and even Minnesota areas such as or in English Minneapolis. On Wednesday um this week, Mr. Bowman is hoping to come down from Duth or East Central um to be present in our classroom for our first in-person learning day. And at the end of the trimester, we are expected to give a speech. We're like supervised by Mr. um where you will ask us questions or we will say things using the words that we've learned for this class. And though I'm not too sure how the next trimester goes, I'm hoping that it'll end up as successful as this trimester has been going. Um and with that, I hope this helped you get a slightly better feel for the class that we offer here. Mig, thank you. [snorts] >> [applause] >> Yeah. So, we're really proud to be able to offer a language this year. Some events that we've hosted so far this year is the National Day of Remembrance for US Indian boarding schools, aka Orange Shirt Day. Um, this was our second year hosting something for it. We gathered at the park um Rem River North and we just we started by um kind of talking about what the day is. We read the uh proclamation for the day and then we walked around the park and it's just a nice way for everybody to gather and kind of um it's it's a heavy day and so it's a great space for everybody to just sit with it and um I don't know kind of feel healed just with that community aspect. So, we had a really great um turnout and we had some people that I've never met before, some community members who found out about our event from um just googling. So, I appreciate Dax and all of the communications that he's sending out to help our program out. We also hosted a holiday event um with we partnered with a couple of other school districts. We partnered with Big Lake Centennial and Cambridge Iani for this. We had a few families in our own district and then a few family families in the other districts that reached out just asking if we were going to be hosting something. So, we thought why not? And um it was a really great turnout. This picture is pro this picture is probably about half or so of our group. Um this was at the very end of the night and so we had probably about a hundred people there. It was really wonderful. Um we even had Santa as you can see in the middle and we made um medicine or the four sacred medicines. We put them into ornaments and we made ribbon stockings. So it was just really fun. And then we are coming up on our multi school powow. So, we're hosting um for the second year and we anticipate hosting here on out, but um St. Francis, Princeton, Big Lake, Cambridge, Sani, Centennial, and Chisaga Lakes are all partnered together. Um last year's event was great, and we hope to just make it even better this year. So again, we'll have food trucks, we'll have some vendors, we'll have um we've increased drum groups, hopefully dancers. We're still looking for more if anybody knows any. Um and then we'll have a free raffle, so it'll be a really fun time. It's open to anybody. Um and it's free and we we try to make it really inclusive. We know that a lot of people don't have a lot of information or knowledge about native cultures and so we want it to feel like a really inviting space. Um we'll have pamphlets with some etiquette and talking about the different dance styles. So hope to see you all there. >> That's February 28th. >> Yes, February 28th at St. Francis High School. And then these are just the remaining APAC meeting dates. February 5th, April 12 or 2nd, May 7th. They're all from 5:30 to 700 p.m. in 8 to 10 at the high school. We always have a Google Meet option available as well. >> That's the end of my presentation. So, I will take any questions or comments. >> Mr. Shar, so for the Ojiway language class, so they did one and two this year. is next year going to have three and four or how does and is there going to be option of one and two? >> So, we're kind of playing around with that right now. We're trying to figure it all out, but we know for sure we'll have um well, I think we're for sure keeping the one and two, >> I believe. >> Yeah. I don't know if it's been finalized yet, but yeah, I'm I'm hoping one and two, and then we'll see about three and four. >> Yep. Could it be an option that they both go at the same time and just at a different level or you guys can figure it out in your mind? >> Yeah, it all depends on the teacher because the teacher isn't full time here. So, that's the biggest barrier. >> Um, sorry, there's going to be a 1A, which is the class I'm in here now. Um, this is like the first class offered for this year. Um, there's going to be a 1A and a 2 A, um, for this year. And I can't remember if this is junior or sophomore, but there will be a one B and a 2B class, I'm pretty sure. So, >> awesome. >> And and that's open to anybody in high school 9 through 12. >> Yeah. >> Is it 9 through 12? >> Yes. >> Yeah, it's 9 through 12. Um like there's freshman, sophomore, juniors, and seniors in my class. Um, but I know that there should be like a third and a fourth class because to graduate you need two years, which is four semesters. Yeah. So, right now, um, it's just offered one hour a day. Um, it's all five days. It's, um, the teacher that is teaching that class works for another school district that's not nearby. Um, but even with that, he is working on rescheduling his regular schedule so that he can come in person a couple days a week. So, he plans on starting that this week, but yes, it's open to any students who are um in high school and we really hope to just increase that enrollment number. Right now, it's about half and half native students and non-native students. um which is really cool that um there are some students who are interested even though that's not something that might usually gravity you >> I would highly suggest anyone who has the time and even if you don't make time to go to this pow if you do not if you haven't experienced this it's fantastic if you do it's one of the better ones I've ever been to your group really does a great job of putting that on and uh in talking with one of my friends who I think is like an elder with you guys. She said that for 18 years, I think it was they were trying to do something like this last year and it almost brought tears to her eye. She's one of the tougher people I know, never thought she cried. So, I was pretty impressed with that. And uh it's uh it's pretty amazing though. It's a really really good time. You can go for a short amount of time, a lot all day if you'd like. The colors, the dancing, the music. Um they have wares out and about that people can purchase and experience. some crafts, all sorts of uh you know, learning outside your own uh little comfort zone. So, I really encourage anyone to go do this and see uh see how great it is and it's it's really top-notch for what we and um Jack and I go to a lot of POWs all over the place and uh uh this is still one of our favorites. So, thank you for putting it on and your group is really nice and Leighton, nice job stepping up tonight, too. Mr. Sher, uh, is there no winter Olympic games this year? >> No, we're not doing our winter games this year, but I'm hoping to bring it back next year. Yeah, >> I know the kids, my kids had fun. >> It's a lot of fun. Any other questions or comments for >> uh the Wikipedia page? >> Yeah. >> I had students come up to me and say, "Have you gone to look at it yet?" when I was at the middle school. So, it's it's an absolutely awesome thing to see. It's cool to see the input and how it changed throughout the year as well. I think they started in August with the initial page and then it went all the way through the end of December. Cool. And then Leon, what day is that inerson um >> class that you have? >> It I guarantee it because he we've already had this discussion and I don't know if he would like opt out unless there would be like a serious danger present. But it should be on Wednesday. >> On this Wednesday? >> Yes, this Wednesday. And then um like she said, he's going to work out more of his schedule at East Central with this class. Do you know what time he'll be here? >> Um, he says that he'll hang out around lunch. Um, and then so probably around um like 12 12:30 to um or at the end not two but at the end of the day. >> Yeah, the classes that >> Thank you. >> Um I'd also like to highlight Mr. Garing and the collaboration. I know also Miss Graved Doll at the middle school and Mafel at the high school. I know they've worked closely with you guys on projects like this. This is exactly what we're looking for and the educators to in to bring new voices to the table and uh this collaboration with this great group. So, um there's so much to learn and such a resource and you guys do such great work. I just really keep up the collaboration wherever it's invited and um if teachers and administration could seek that out, it would be beneficial to all. So, thank you. Thank you, Carson. Any >> No, thank you for all the work you do on behalf of our kids. [applause] >> All right, our next agenda item report. >> All right, my uh written report is included in the uh packet. I'll just highlight some of the items. First of all, Miss West did ask about the corrective action plan from the financial audit. And so I included the three areas on an audit correction that has been done. Uh timeliness of payments and uh we have a plan in place to make sure that our our payments are are completed within 30 or 35 days, whatever that legal expectation is. And then also segregation of duties is commonly included in financial audits throughout the state. So I don't have a solution for that, but it is a recognition that it continues to be an issue here as well as other uh school districts. The only way to really solve it would be to hire more staff, which of course uh could be quite expensive. Uh title one reduction. Uh so last spring in the summer we found out what our title one allocation was for the year. So we hired staff members accordingly and then I think it was in November we found out that they eliminated $200,000 from that allocation. So it was kind of a shock to us and it really has you we aren't able to solve it. Um and so we expect it to continue at that lower level for years to come. The reason has to do with our poverty rate as the federal government um calculates it. And uh I know that Stacy and someone from CISO uh really worked uh with the state to better understand why it happened because the state administers the the plan. the money comes from federal government and no one is able to explain what the calculation is. Um so we know what the results are are. You know, we're under 5%. Um and uh that means that we lost $200,000. So, uh anyway, uh what we're doing for this year, we're not cutting back on staff this year. Instead, we are recoding some of the title one teachers uh so that they're split between title one and a program called compensatory and basic skills uh funding. And so we're able to do that for this year and then we'll have to look at it for next year to see what the impact will be. Uh the brand style guide I have to apologize for. My big plan was to share information tonight uh about um the recommendations from the communications department and activities department about changing that style uh which would allow red colors in certain circumstances like uniforms and you know those kinds of things. Um but um cabinet has been quite busy the last two weeks with some other projects that we're working on and so I haven't run any of that by the cabinet yet and I'd like to do that before presenting it to the board. So [clears throat] I don't have an attachment to share anything like that. I just need more time. Uh so sorry about that. Uh you can see the uh minor field trip change uh on a return date for an overseas trip. just an echo eye to to make sure that you're all aware of that one day change. Uh we already went over the state debate results and one thing that Jack did not mention um or uh um is that you know last year I think you were policy debate and this year you were congressional debate. Is that right? >> Two years ago we were in policy. Yes. >> Two years ago. Okay. And uh so it was a a major change, you know, going from one style of debate to another style. And I'm really bummed out I didn't see it this year because I think, you know, the kind of debate you're doing this year is really applicable. Uh and I'm serious, two years ago when I went to the the state meet, I went to one or two of Jack's rounds, I literally did not understand a single word. [laughter] not even the and that's how fast they speak, you know, because they're they're trying to win their case. So anyway, I'm glad that you switched, but that's a huge deal to change the style and kind of learn the format and best practice than anything. So that's even a a greater accomplishment for you. Uh the M8 theater awards, um all conference and all honorable mentions are listed uh in the document. Um, and uh we know that we're going to sections uh next. And uh the the last item has to do with the recent moment of silence that occurred on January 9th. And um you know, if I could rewind time, I would have done it differently. Uh and so I want to acknowledge that. And uh I I will say though that uh you know as far as I know uh the principles did not make any reference to Miss Good you know who died a few weeks ago and uh again as far as I know uh there was no mention of federal agents u you know being involved with what happened there. Uh we did not intend it to be political in any way. Um however the moment of silence um was in unison with what Governor Waltz had recommended you know the same day and the same time and so understandably many people thought it was politically motivated you know because of that alignment u but you know I think the message itself was um apolitical certainly wasn't in our intention but I'm sorry for you know all the confusion and uh dissension that that caused um uh But anyway, as a result of that, [snorts] um I did develop a first draft of procedures related to observances, including moments of silence that we can follow in the future. Uh and I shared that with the cabinet uh today. Uh they did have enough time to digest and give adequate feedback, but hopefully we'll do that next week and then after that review, um you know, I'll be able to share with the school board. So, I can't say for sure it'll be at the next board meeting, but that's kind of my goal. Um, and uh I don't know if you have any questions about any item on the report. >> Any questions? >> Mr. >> I got one, but it's not due to your report. Um, we had our second snow day this past week and then we've talked about this back and forth, but just wanted to get it out here. It just doesn't seem fair that some of our employees are required to come to work, some are not, and some are hourly employees, if they want to get paid, have to take holiday time or vacation time. I just think it's worth a discussion at some point on how do we make that fair for all of our employees >> um or um fairer, >> right? Sure. Um because I I think it's almost impossible to be fair when you have so many different types of employees and uh you know Mr. Nelson is so much better versed in that. Um and I don't want to put him you know on the spot to share that information uh you know right now but we could certainly share what was sent to employees with with the whole school board so at least you can see uh what it is and we're always open to suggestions. Um, I know that in terms of people who are required to work, uh, that would include 12-month custodians, uh, superintendent, the district cabinet, uh, and 12-month office professionals, for example. Uh, so we are required to work. It's a great day to get stuff done. You know, [clears throat] I caught up a little bit on many things. Uh, but then many of our other employees, uh, get paid, but they're not required to work on on those things. So it's something that we review periodically at the district cabinet level and we can certainly share you know the current plan with everyone on the board >> because is there contractual stuff or is it just >> some of the um the groups have contractual arrangements in terms of like what happens for the first two closure days and then what happens after that. And um I I don't know, Brent, is that fair to say that all the employees have something in their contract? Okay. >> Yeah. So the answer is yes, but it varies depending on the group. >> I'm going to bounce back to the moment of silence. I'm really looking forward to seeing the information. I don't know what constitutes an opportunity or why we would do a moment of silence in the classrooms. Um you know, we should be neutral. I don't know what constitutes that or what constituted the one that we had. Was this the first one we've ever had? It's the first one I know of. >> Yeah, I'm not aware of any. I've only been here for three years. Um I asked the cabinet about that today and we weren't sure, but I didn't talk [clears throat] to the principles. And so I can tell you what the the first draft calls for. Um it would uh it calls for not having any moments of silence. Thank you. >> Uh with students >> now um possibly there could be a difference like if you're just dealing with adults or the employees of the district like if there's a staff member who passed away or something um you because we're dealing with adults. So the the first draft also calls for you know a possibility of that happening. Um, but one thing that we want to be sure of is that we're consistent with whatever we do uh so that we aren't um criticized for being uh political or at least a perception of being political in nature. I look forward to that because I think that's exactly what happened that it was perceived as being political >> and I would like to not take the school learning education time to set aside for something that's not feeding the kids their ABCs and one two threes. >> Yeah. And there's also the you know age appropriateness of it. Um and you know if there are moments of silence then um you know then we need to explain what a moment of silence is and then is that prayer is that reflection is it just understanding what happened. Um, so there are lots of variables and so we have kind of the values that we're uh that we want to follow um as well as moments of silence but then there are a whole bunch of other issues that make it complicated um and that's why I call it observances uh because [snorts] you know the 911 you has a 25th year next year uh September 11th of of 2026 and you know that's something that you know I think warrants um an observation you know that was a big deal in our lives and uh so but how does that go about and uh you know what is said and those kinds of things that's just one example and so when you throw in everything it gets a little more complicated but uh we're we're trying to tackle it >> thank you >> Mr. company. >> Uh I was just curious, how did it come to be that two of the three elementaryaries did this and the middle school did this and the high school didn't? >> Yeah. So, um and one thing, and I'm not trying to excuse myself in this, but I was really sick on Wednesday and Thursday, and apparently the proclamation from the governor, I think, came out Thursday at some time. I guess I I don't know for sure. So, I wasn't even aware of it when I walked in the door Friday morning. Uh, the principles were aware of it and I think they assumed that it was something we needed to do and so at least at the elementary level and middle school level. So, they were preparing, you know, information related to it. Um and uh and so after I checked some emails, you know, after coming back on Friday, I um uh noticed that and uh you know, the original document that was being proposed. Um you know, I thought was could be perceived to be political. And so, you know, I did ask them to change that, which they did. and um you know anyway so that's what happened there uh but I gave them a choice if they wanted to participate or not uh and uh so that's why some of the schools did it and some of the schools didn't. Did you get feedback from those who didn't as to why? >> Yeah, I talked to well, for example, uh the early childhood center, >> you know, I mean, you're dealing with three and four year olds, so that was an easy thing, >> right? >> So, I I suggested to Jim, you know, not to do that. Um I think um one or two of the principles uh may have believed that it wasn't and you know the everything that's happening in Minneapolis right now or throughout the state really hasn't been an issue in the classroom. So why make it an issue? >> I think that was one of the driving factors. Um, maybe a bigger factor though is that there just wasn't enough time to really get our stuff together, [clears throat] you know, and that was, and again, I'm not trying to blame the governor, um, but, you know, getting Oh, I know MDE, the Minnesota Department of Education sent their notice out like at 9:46 p.m. on Thursday. And so, you know, and their suggestion was to have a moment of silence 10 o'clock on Friday. And that is not enough time you know to uh to get everything you know all the factors considered. So that's why I wish I would have pressed pause you know I I wish I would have just said you know let's wait on this you know we need time to really look at it and decide if that's the right thing to do here at all. >> Um and if so you know what the message could be. Um so the message that we actually crafted um I think was positive. Um we talked about kindness um caring uh safety at school. I mean the message itself I thought was was really well done. Um but you know the alignment with you know the day of unity that was suggested you know really complicated things. Uh and I think we probably could have done it a different way. I mean, all the elementary schools talk about important values that I think everyone in this community and school district would believe in. Um, you know, and you know, a lot of them have those as words in the statements that they share on a regular basis. You know, we teach to them. You know, for example, kindness. Um, I think that is an important thing. It's not a political issue. It doesn't mean one thing or another in terms of immigration or anything else. Uh that's an important value that we believe, you know, we want to instill, you know, in our kids. Um but if we would have if I would have just said, "Hey, let's press pause. Let's sit and think about it." Um I think things would have got a lot better. Sorry for that um long- winded response. >> Mr. Sure. >> So for the procedures you're coming up with, would that just pertain to the school day or would it pertain to after school like sporting events because I know it's fairly common to have them at sporting events. What would your >> moments of silence or >> can you give an example of one? just when they're doing introductions after the anthem or something, they'll do a moment of silence for something that happened in the community or somebody passed away. >> Would this still pertain to that or are you >> That's a good question. Um, and that's something that's kind of the kind of feedback that um that I want to hear. So, right now the the first draft says no moments of silence. And so, that would include during the school day and after the school day. there. It's a really restrictive first draft and I really want feedback, you know, from people um because I got feedback a week ago or two weeks ago and so that's what came up with this first draft but you know needs to be open for more discussion and um you know one one question would be you know should we have moments of silence um with high school kids you know if there's a death of a high school student either here or at another school, you know, then what what would we do to to honor that person in an after school event? Uh it's pretty complicated though uh because there's definitely advocacy for not doing it uh because if someone has committed suicide that's that kind of changes the dynamic and then if you do it for some but not other kids then people are guessing what really happened. Um, so you know, that's why I think a a good procedure, you know, would be really helpful. But it's it's easy to write something down, but then all of a sudden something will happen and we want to do it or not do it. And so we want to be really careful about how we proceed. >> Questions or comments for super. [clears throat] Okay. >> Um I remember back when George Floyd was going on and there was uh non-sanctioned protests, you know, like uh Black Lives Matter and then um people came up with well blue lives matter and so we're going to have a non-sanctioned protest with that. And Amy Kelly, to her credit, you know, even though she may have picked one or the other, she said, you know, we're just not going to do either. And I think I think that is kind of we kind of put oursel in a sterile box, but it is what it is to be unbiased and unsllanded towards this stuff. And I I just I mean I think everything's political these days, unfortunately. Um I think the letter minus a few key words was exactly the same thing that the governor handed out. So it's it's it was obviously not an accident that it was timed with that governor's response. It was the governor's response. And I can see where people are getting upset with this. And so I look forward as well to the kind of a non-biased foot forward. I don't really look forward to the sterile environment that [clears throat] leaves us with, but I do not believe that we should have gray areas kind of, you know, in in education. Something I do if I disagree with something in life is and especially when it involves my kids is I have a discussion with my kids on this. Uh, so that's kind of like a fail safe. If anyone's feeling unmpowered and that they're being sold something or their kids are being sold something, when their kids when your kids come home, have the convers I still do with my adult child and it's, you know, you catch up on their day, you hear about their day, anything controversial, you can have that conversation. It really moves uh the needle both personally and socially. Um, I do not believe it's our purpose to guide that in any direction. That's why we kind of want to stay biased but or unbiased, but it I mean, you're not in a good position doing this. So, I I mean, you know, we're just supposed to be doing what we're supposed to be doing and then we can find something to get political about on all today for everything. So, I don't know. I'm just really looking forward to that and at the same point uh uh saddened by the fact that we've painted oursel into this box in life. >> If I could add just a couple quick things. Um first about the the governor's proclamation. The first two bullets on it. Uh well the first bullet talked about uh the death of Miss Good by federal agents. >> Yeah. And then something else about the second bullet was um I thought um controversial. I can't remember what it was. Um but we did not include that information, you know, in our message, >> right? >> You know, uh we truly talked about kindness, um caring, school safety, you know, those kinds of things. So, we viewed that as not being political, but as I said earlier, you know, because it was tied to the quote unquote day of unity at the same time, you know, that's that's the connection. It was the timing, you [clears throat] know. >> Yeah. I think everyone agrees with that. >> Yeah. And by I'm glad you mentioned protest because um I just want to be clear with the board and the community um that there was a protest at the high school uh last week and um you know it's about you know the same kind of issue and I want to reassure people that uh the district does not sponsor protests. That's not our wheelhouse. Kids have the right to protest. you know, it's a first amendment right. Um, but we do not sponsor it. We do not encourage kids to participate. We do not discourage kids from participating. Uh, but there was a protest uh that occurred last night. There may be additional protests um over this issue and a variety of issues. You know, we'll have to wait and see. Uh so you will see staff members though uh whenever there's a protest um stationed you know in particular areas because we don't want kids running around the school um you know they still have to follow other school rules and um you know and so we strongly suggest that students go to particular areas that are away from uh passing cars and you know those kinds of things. So we are involved in that way to to essentially try to manage what the protest looks like. Uh if kids uh choose to participate in a protest, they are marked as unexcused. You know, parents can excuse them at some point, but they, you know, have to take a proactive step to make that happen. So anyway, I'm really glad you mentioned that. Um because again, we're not involved in the protesting way of life. Thank you, Mr. Anderson. Um, I'm going to go back to one agenda item, the first reading of teacher seniority list, which is Brandon was staring me down. I missed that one. But, uh, 6.3 is the first reading of the teacher seniority list. There will be an action item on this uh, at a future meeting. This was provided to all of our our staff that it applies to on January 22nd via email. And Mr. Johnson is here if you have any specific questions. Anything else you need to add to that? Any questions on that first review? All right, seeing none, moving on to our action items. We have three action items tonight. Again, I'll make sure everyone has a chance to speak as needed. Our first one is 7.1, the FY 202.6 2027 preliminary budget assumptions and timelines. our [clears throat] director of business services, Don Devel will provide an overview of the initial assumptions that we will use when developing our budget going forward. >> And as Don comes to the um the podium, just want to um you know, this is the first time that she's done a budget in St. Francis area schools. She has, you know, quite a bit of experience in other public schools in Minnesota, but she's only been here two weeks. and uh so she you know has the the budget information or budget assumptions as far as it is right now but we need to continue looking at that over the next month or two and so some things will change not only in terms of of this information but also revising this year's budget and preparing next year's budget. So this is step one you know in the process. >> Thank you. Good evening, chair, directors, superintendent Anderson. I'm speaking tonight to present to the school board the fiscal year 2026 27 budget assumptions in preparation for the fiscal year 2026 27th school year. We begin the process by gathering assumptions such as student enrollments and assuming funding formula percentage increases for the upcoming fiscal year. The report I put in front of you tonight will highlight the assumptions that will be considered in preparing the fiscal year 202627 adopted budget that will be approved at the June 2026 board meeting. As we know enrollment is the largest factor in projecting budgets. In your packet you will see the enrollment projections historically and also enroll enrollment projections for the following five years. When we look at 2025 26 to 2026 27, we have five grade levels show growth out of ECE through 12th grade. Um if you look at your um presentation that's up there we go we have 3,998 students projected for 2627 school year. 2526 ended with 4,61. So, we're showing a de a decrease in students of of 62 students. And I apologize for not updating that information in in that's in the other colored box to the right. I didn't see it. So, I apologize for that. But it is 62 less. So as you look at that and you look at the enrollment projections that that is that are down um below this this uh presentation you will see the historical year data plus the um following five years. Also the assumption in the percent of the funding formula for next year 26 27 will be between 2 and 3%. We don't have a definite percentage yet. We should know that in about a month, month and a half. So, as soon as we have that, we will update um school board members here of that actual percentage. And uh now I want to talk about some other revenue streams that are also big factors um in in projecting budget assumptions. Um they are the compensatory revenue and the revenue that we received from the levy that was approved in December. So that is up on if you look up there. Yep, Vanessa. Um I did show the compensatory revenue uh down about 104,000 um and that could be the decline when we did a worksheet on it um of some being reduced um lower numbers than that and that has been decreasing um historically and also the levy revenue actually was very flat. Um it's it's a it's a good indication that your enrollment numbers are pretty accurate. um you're not over um presenting enrollment numbers or underpresenting when we do the levy. So um that's pretty flat. That's that's a good indication that those are consistent. Um so we also have federal revenue streams that come into our district for specific programs such as title funds. Um they are um Kirsten had indicated earlier um funds that are from flow through from the federal government that are managed by the Minnesota Department of Education and as he did indicate we are we lost about $200,000 in revenue. Um I think we'll be in that same $200,000 range um for the next fiscal year. That's what we're going to project right now until we hear anything different. So below the uh revenue is the expense side of the assumptions. Salaries and employee benefits are per bargaining unit and they're set by the school board. So that is that's what that indicates there in the blue is that um you guys have already set those or are in the process of setting those. The other expense exceptions that we have are based on internet s searches, excuse me, and contacting agents. So, as we look at some of these expenses, um the research I conducted on the utilities show an average increase of 19%. And in the upcoming year with natural gas is projected to increase approximately 33% in 2027. Um, and that's across the board. Um, I'm not sure why, but that's a huge increase in natural gas. So uh the insurance increase assumptions were projected after contacting our insurance agent. So when we look at that in the blue um we have a 10% increase in property insurance projected and that is uh based on adding value and uh the industry standard. Auto insurance is projected to increase about 6% and that's based on um auto claims that we have. and general liability. We have a projected assumption budget increase of 4%. And that's also based on industry projections. The inflationary percentage in the funding formula is about 2% on the revenue side. With this being said, the assumption for other expenses is set as you can see at 2.75%. This is in consideration of potential increase in workers compensation insurance and any unforeseen rise in costs of goods and services. And finally, if you look at our contingency, I we kept the contingency the same dollar amount. It's just a little bit for safety margin for expenses that may come up but not but are not part of any other expense assumptions. So that those are the budget assumptions in a nutshell. And uh I guess the enrollment projections were done by Ellers. Uh we had that fig um we had that report statistically um and that is attached. Uh they did a very comprehensive review of um the enrollment in St. Francis school district. So relatively very accurate in that. Do we have any questions that I might be able to answer? >> Mr. Sure. >> So for enrollment, if you look at going from 10 to 11, why is there always like a 25 to 30, maybe even 40 in some cases drop in students? Is it we don't count PSO kids or why is there a big drop there? >> PSO doesn't get counted in enrollment. We don't get it, you know, unless we have a contract with the college, we don't get to account that those um ADMs, those that average statement membership in into our numbers. The college gets the higher learning entity usually keeps that. Like I said, unless there's an agreement with the college and I'm not historically I don't know that data here at at this point. Probably something that Superintendent Anderson probably knows more about than I do. We currently do not have any contracts or very few contracts >> with PSO. And I remember my first year here, I looked at that and eventually concluded that it, you know, if we initiated [clears throat] those contracts that it might not save as much money as what I had hoped. So I looked at it. It's probably time for another review, but um so that's where we're at right now. >> And you will typically see that in any 10th, 11th, and 12th, mostly 11th and 12th. Some 10th graders can take PSO, but you'll start to see that decline because, you know, they're encouraged to take college courses and to their benefit, it's it's it's good for the family financially. So, I know that we don't get the funding or very little funding for them, but aren't they still enrolled in our schools? >> Uh, technically >> they are enrolled, but then it' be part-time. >> So, part time is that >> it's on a Go ahead. >> There's a difference between enrollment numbers and ADMs. >> Yeah. >> So, the ADM like calculates how often they are here. Yeah. and in a seat in the high school. So, it's not just that they have an enrollment, it's that their percentage. It might take five of them to equal one. Okay. >> And also a lot of and I don't I don't know the history in this district yet on one slide, but a lot of times these students tend to go full-time PSO. Um they can get two years worth of college credits in. Um, and again, it's a financial benefit to a family to to take part in that. It's obviously not totally beneficial for the district because we lose those dollars, but it it is good for families to take part in that. And I tended to see I don't know about this district again, but I tended to see a lot of students taking part in full-time PSO classes. The amount of increase and decrease is that the amount from last year or is that the amount from what we're projecting? >> That is the amount from the projections from last year to the projections or from this current year to what next year's projected. >> So how far off are you what we have? >> Um we're not that far off. I 25 26 they're actually we're about 60 kids it's a 60 kid margin 60 student margin for like I I'm looking at 10 year revenue projection >> what are you looking at I'm sorry this this 10year revenue projection how far off are we from I'm not understanding. I don't have a 10 year projection. >> Oh, the fiveyear the the budget projection report these numbers that correct? >> Uh yes, they do. uh and that's something that that Don you know will reconcile you know as we go through the process. So you know these are the budget assumptions and so we use that to revise a current budget and then that feeds that document. So what Jessica's talking about it's actually a really important document. It's a five-year long range plan financial plan and it will show um you know where we expect fund balances to be for the next five years. >> When will we know that? Uh we should have a better feeling probably in two months I would say. >> Yes. >> Y >> yeah three weeks in. It's I just looked at the budget projection model last week. So we're reviewing it. We're really looking at getting these assumptions which are good assumptions and and getting the revised budget really really comprehensively tight. So there isn't a lot of wiggle room between the revised budget and budget to actuals. You really want that very comprehensive. So that's really what we're focusing on right now. And then when we're focusing on revising that budget, um, and I'm doing it in collaboration because I'm so new to this district, I'm asking for a lot of input from the cabinet and from Superintendent Anderson because I want I mean a village. Sometimes it takes a village that first few months to um get the get the strategy down. So, but we did get it and we are reviewing it and it's and it's close and like I said, we got to really focus on the revised budget, make that comprehensive and very detailed and accurate. >> Yeah. And so, like for example, tomorrow we're meeting with multiple people including Stacy and I think Chris might be on that list as well. So, we're going through the different finance codes to see the revenue we're expecting and what, you know, we're spending this year and what we're plan to spend next year. So, but we want to go through it essentially program by program. >> You know, we won't get to all the the smaller funding sources that way, but we want to tackle the bigger areas right away. [snorts] >> Mr. So, our natural gas is used probably for just our heating of our buildings and our cooking. Um, I know the bus barn uses propane. uh they have also secured by buying in volume over years. Is there any way we can secure something like that with a grand scale for can you purchase propane or can you purchase uh natural gas ahead of time? >> I'm not sure. It definitely is worth a conversation. Um especially when we saw the the rate of increases in the next, you know, two to five years. Um that is something we that >> we are going to call on. Okay. >> And see if there's some type of agreement or a pre-by. >> Sure. >> Yeah. That's that is that is in the works. >> Okay. And I I know we can do that. We do that at our cabin, but I think it's propane as well. So, I don't know if you can do it at natural gas because I think that's piped in. So, it's different than purchasing like a vessel or something. >> No, I think they have margins and and parameters to do that, but I don't have that much exposure to natural gas. So, it's definitely worth a conversation to to the com to the utility. >> Okay. Thank you. Any other questions or comments for Mr. H? >> I think one thing that we all know and everyone knows but that should be focused on I mean Elk River they just built a new school in Zimmerman the Elk River District and or they're building it and it's not big enough for the anticipated uh population there already. I don't even think it's done yet. Um, and then we go to other schools such as Robinsdale and there's vacant schools that they're consolidating greatly. I think the the main focus of our district as far as if you're worried about funding should be keeping kids here or getting kids here. And so, um, like if everyone can kind of keep that in mind, I think that's uh I mean it looks like it's approximately a percent after we get through the COVID craziness. a little bit two, a little bit one, you know, slightly under, slightly over. Is that normal compared to like I mean I was going to say our area, but obviously the Elk River School District is a little bit of an outlier in comparison because it's changing that, but we're not perhaps hitting gentrification or, you know, people coming here and not having kids and staying here. It seems like a young area. It seems like a lot of land to build a lot of houses. It's it's really hard these numbers. I mean, I'm sure everyone says it all the time. It's hard to believe that because what your eyes are seeing is not is not what this is telling us, but it just so happens that people are having less kids and such. Um, >> yeah, that's a statewide >> certainly >> phenomena. So, um, you know, the overall we're we're having fewer kids, you know, throughout the state. >> Uh, St. Francis is in a competitive environment. about oneif of our kids choose other options if it's other public schools, charter schools, home schools, you know, they're all viable options. >> Uh parent I support the the rights of parents to make those choices >> certainly. >> And so we need to do two things. First, we have to put the best product on the table. >> There you go. >> And second, we need to communicate that with everyone. And people are going to have to start stepping beyond how they perceived the district 30 years ago. You know, it's not 1995 anymore. It's 2025. We have beautiful buildings. We have great teaching staff. We have a great educational staff. We've been buying technology and curriculum and replacing bus. I mean, we we're in a good spot and so we need to publicize that. But we got to get those kindergarteners to sign up for our school district. >> That's what it all comes down to. Whatever it takes, we need to make that happen. Uh, I know Chris Linquist brought up, we haven't talked about this in cabinet yet, so I hesitate to bring it up, but you know, are there some transportation changes, uh, so that we can provide, you know, stronger service to people who live in the outlined parts of the district so that, you know, it's a shorter time to get to our school district on a bus. You know, those are the kinds of things. It's customer service. It's those kinds of things that we have to analyze. So, um, Brandon and Chris and I will be talking about that a lot over the next month, just to consider those kinds of things. >> Thank you. >> Any other questions or comments? Okay. So, a couple items that I take out of this. Um, you know, Mr. Humphrey, thank you for talking about areas that we can affect, uh, specifically based off of the best product on the table when it comes to public education. Uh but some of the highlights from the assumption that I see uh that we can't affect uh compensatory revenue, right? Uh that decline is happening across the state. Uh we're seeing some effects from the free lunch program uh and that we're not getting as many people to fill out the forms with the free and reduced which allows us to get more funding and we're seeing that decline. That's something that we personally cannot affect at this time. We're trying uh to advertise more. We're trying to help with that. a $100,000 uh hit is a is a big hit when it comes to some of those areas. And then uh things like the the estimated utility uh cost 19%. Mr. Lquist, thanks for the quick numbers. Uh but in gas alone, uh what we spent this last year, we're looking at a $57,000 increase in gas alone. in um and in 2027, you're telling me that that's going to go up to about 99,000 uh with that increase of 33%. And electricity alone in our district, we're looking at uh $99,000 or sorry, $95,000 uh dollar increase in just paying for utilities to keep doing what we're doing every single day. Uh so those are areas that we can't affect. Uh yes, we're going to do the best we can. I know that our facilities team, Mr. Humphrey does look at uh the best options for purchasing things um you know switching to LED doing all those things to help us reduce those costs but those are costs that we can't affect. [snorts] However, we have to plan for we have to pay for that with the limited funds that we do get in uh into our area. Uh enrollment is yes an area that we can affect and those are the things that we can do to help increase revenue that comes in. uh but all all things that uh affect this budget that we look at going forward. So Don, thank you for the detailed report on that. We know that this is the probably 1A of 1 Z that we're going to see on the preliminary budget assumptions. Uh that's going to change probably every single day that you look at it. There's going to be a change to it that we'll continue to work through as a team. Um Mr. Anderson, any other comments before we take action on this? >> Uh, no, I don't. >> Okay. Uh, so for this, we are uh in need of a motion to approve the 2025 2027 budget assumptions and timelines. Again, this is preliminary. It will be coming back to us multiple times. Are there any questions prior to a motion being made? >> No question. Just one. >> Yeah, go ahead. Mr. >> Just for those out, why does this need to be voted on by the board when it's just assumptions? You know, my understanding is that we've done it in the past. There's no requirement to do it. You know, we can um either approve it at the board level or not. You know, these would be the assumptions we're going to use regardless. Uh in some ways, it's nice to be transparent, you know, and uh to make sure that the full board is supportive of the assumptions we're using. So, that would be the the rationale in favor of it. [snorts] >> Yes. Hi. I'm sorry. I agree. It's also good for auditing standards. Um, our auditors do look at these and as a basis like just like the school board would look at it, we would look at as a cabinet, but they they do ask for what our basis was. So, it is really a good auditing standard and it's good that the board puts their seal on on something. >> Yeah, Mr. Son, I I like having it in there as well because then that forces that we all look at it when we start talking other budget decisions in other types of meetings that we have uh that we at least have an understanding of what how we're making those decisions. >> Yeah. I guess it's just why isn't it just a presentation on vote, but I don't it's nice to have it in it. Yes. [clears throat] >> All right. Is there a call motion? >> Thank you, Mr. Worth. Is there a second? >> I'll second it. [laughter] I >> any discussion on that motion? >> Why? >> See no discussion. All in favor of motion signify by saying I and raising your hand. >> I motion prevails to zero. Thank you. Agenda item 7.2 approval [cough] agreement. I'm not going to skip this one. A summary of agreement is provided in the board packet. Mr. Nelson is here to answer any questions. Are there any questions prior to a motion being made? >> Mr. Sorry, >> not a question, just a comment. I sit on this negotiating committee and Mr. Nelson, thank you for all the work that you put into this one. I know it was a lot of work getting to this point. So, thank you. >> I'd like to second that. Thank you very much, sir. >> Any other comments? >> I'd like one, >> Mr. Humphrey. Questions? >> Uh, mine's a comment also. I'd like to thank the mechanics um for kind of swallowing hard and it is what it is. We came to a conclusion but this isn't the free market and I we all appreciate that but we appreciate their dedication. >> Thank you Mr. Is there a call to motion for approval of the mechanics 2020 work. So thank you Mr. Is there a second? >> Somebody else. >> Second. >> Any discussion on that motion? >> Seeing no discussion, all in favor of the motion signify by saying I and raising your hand. >> I motion to prevail. >> [clears throat] >> Uh agenda item 7.3 resolution directing the admin administration to make recommendations for reductions in programs and suggestions and reasons. Therefore, superintendent will give a brief overview of this resolution. This is the yearly resolution that we approve uh regardless of how um how many reductions we need to make. So, we approved this to kind of kickstart the um the budget reduction cycle. Uh Brandon did update this resolution based on changes by the Minnesota School Board Association. So, it's slightly different uh than previous versions, but it's the same concept. Uh, one thing I'll note, uh, is at the bottom under background information, uh, we do anticipate, um, coming up with a plan, uh, to reduce between 500,000 and $800,000 in the budget for next year from this year. So, it's not part of the actual resolution because we want flexibility, especially as Don gets her feet on the ground here. Um but that is our plan to to come up with that range of reductions. >> Thank you, Mr. Anderson. Uh so there will we will need a motion to approve the resolution directing administration to make the recommendations for that um reduction in programs and positions if necessary and any reasons. Therefore, any questions prior to the motion being made? What about a slight modification that were made from last? >> You know that is just a verbiage. >> Yes, I believe the terms are really consistent. It's just how it's worded and phrased. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Is there a call to motion for this resolution? >> So move. >> Thank you. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Mr. Sha. Any discussion on that motion? >> See no discussion. This will be a roll call vote. Uh if you are in favor, say I. If you are close, say. Miss B. >> I. >> Mr. Wy. >> Hi. >> Miss Wes. >> I. >> Mr. Sha. >> I. >> Mr. Humphrey. >> Hi. >> And I am I as well. Motion prevails. A resolution prevails. >> Agenda item eight, upcoming meeting and preliminary topics. Are there any questions or comments on our upcoming meetings or topics? Miss West, >> I'm I'm still not seeing any behavior reports. >> Um >> that is that's supposed to be scheduled for the second meeting in February. So >> yeah, we'll add that. >> It's not on the current list, but that's the plan. >> Okay. Make sure that we get that information. Any other questions or comments? Okay. Uh we do we did have a tenative February 4th meeting uh for the task force to provide recommendations back and we saw that that was cancelled. Uh the engagement task force is continuing to work forward. They anticipate they've got upcoming meeting and they anticipate uh potentially the week of the 23rd or the week of the 23rd of February or the week of March 2nd. So we will discuss that at our next uh meeting what that date would look like and if they're ready for that to come back to us. So, very similar to what it was before, just looking at postponing it, giving them a little bit more time to finish what they're doing. And then I will be adding a short uh and short by 30 minutes work session after our next regular meeting February 9th. Vanessa, if you'll take that note, but a work session will happen after the meeting. Uh and we will discuss superintendent evaluation and goal format. So, we're not going to discuss the evaluation. We're just going to look at how we're going how we're going to evaluate from what we decided last year and then just reook at those goals moving forward. It'll be a very short work session after our next meeting from us. Uh and again, thank you all board members for reaching out with ideas or requests for items. We are continuing to work. I did add the snow day required employee procedure uh as a discussion. So, I don't know if that'll be a meeting, but it'll be part of information that comes back to the board. >> All right. Agenda item nine, school board member reports. Mr. Shonock, >> uh, went to the MSBA conference last week or the week before. It's always great. They have great speakers there, a lot of great seminars and workshops. Um, so next year if you can go, I would recommend going. There's just a lot there and even just meeting all the schoolboard members from across the state and seeing what's going on in their districts. It's just a good opportunity meeting new people. Um, and then did Shark Tank last week with the eighth graders at the middle school. It's just amazing what those kids come up with and they get in front of four adults and present with two or three of them and it's just a great experience and I mean the kids learn so much and there's a few other members there as well. So thanks for being there and that's all [clears throat] I got. >> Thank you Mr. Sh Mr. Hump. >> Uh so I'd like to highlight the powo again February 28th please go. like to thank all the teachers at the high school today that I met with at conferences. Um I do like that they tied in the eighth grade orientation so that uh the four of us parents that still go to conferences don't take up all the time of these teachers and they actually have something to do. Um uh Mr. Wernern and uh the other Mississippi 8 music leaders uh had a concert with the jazz band from all these different uh uh schools and the choir and the and the uh concert bands. That was quite awesome at the high school gymnasium the other day. I'd like to thank Mr. Tulle for being the debate coach. He stepped up after someone left and uh um he's done a great job. Uh, and uh, Jack, I know your state wasn't what you wanted, but I'm looking forward to Virginia for nationals this summer. Um, DECA, Wednesday, we got a a competition in St. Cloud. Uh, and so, Miss Shrog is taking her best and brightest out there to do some big things. Uh, it's an it's a pretty much all day competition out at the Crossroads Mall on Wednesday. Um, DECA and the PBIS at the high school are going together to get the merch and prizes for their uh PBIS uh drawings. So, that's kind of cool. They're going in house and getting some St. Francis merch as well as some uh snacks and whatnot. Um, went to the Shark Tank thing. It's good to see my fellow schoolboard members and administrators out there judging that. And I can't believe what Mr. Buhel is doing with these kids. That is very applicable learning what we saw there. and a lot of uh a lot of great ideas and and and three crazy ones. So uh um and then uh I went to the spelling bee um at the middle school judge that with Miss Valve who put that on who I will always know as Becky Polia because I graduated high school with her in Noa 92 old. Anyway, oop sorry did I tell you how old she was. Sorry. Sorry Becky. Um we're good friends. But that was really cool. That was really cool to see. Uh and then finally on this on this uh population thing of our school um I'm now on the early child or early childhood learning center uh liaison and holy cow man if we had every PTO acting like this and every parent group acting like this and the enthusiasm and they are they are busting at the seams um good pipeline and uh just a dream. These people are colorful and loving and caring and really our best foot forward for these early early learners and that is the the majority of the vessel the the vehicle that gets kids into our district. So boy, if that could just I know you guys do a lot at the elementary schools and then as it goes and then eventually we're in high school and we we show up u all three of us to conferences. So I don't know how that happens but I think parents should look inside themselves and uh figure that out. Um, I know I am. And that's all I got. Thanks. Sorry, Chad. >> Uh, the only update I have is I also attended MSBA two weeks ago. It was great. I would also highly recommend next year. It was very educational. >> I also got to participate in the Shark Tank with uh how do you say his last name? I always mess it up. >> Breel. Yeah. The the passion that that man has for this program that he's running >> and the things that he's putting these kids through um the real life experience he's given them is second to none. It's it's just an absolutely amazing experience. Um went to the double header last week for the boys and girls basketball. Super fun time. I think there's another one coming up. I encourage everybody to get out and go see um the kids in action in both basketball and wrestling. Don't forget the wrestlers. Um other than that, we're good to go. >> And gymnastics. >> And gymnastics. Yep. I can't see. I can't keep up with my own stuff. [laughter] I just want to remind um our viewing audience and public sitting here that we do um put the progress of negotiations on our website. So, if you have questions and concerns about who's been settled, what we ratified and voted in, and you know, who's in mediation, um, and what each side is asking for and offering, go on to our website and it's very transparent. It'll give you all the information that you're looking for. Um, so check it out. That's it. Uh, I did not attend the insurance advisory committee meeting, but they did have it. Brandon, I don't think there was anything major that came out of it. From what I saw, it was just basic updates moving forward. The next couple meetings, we'll see some more information that comes out. EA negotiations. Uh we have our second mediation date scheduled uh with the team coming up the first week of March. I also attended the MSBA leadership conference. Uh again, the conference itself was good in allowing for some collaboration with other districts as well as some new information coming out uh from MSBA for us to be prepared for. Uh I also was able to participate in Shark Tank. Uh we invested all of Mr. Shonrock's money uh in the students. So that was a great thing. Again, absolutely love what our students are doing, what our staff is doing to support them. Uh want to highlight uh community ed. They have a lot of programming that's coming out in the next uh few months. Uh they have the new brochure that went out as well. There's a lot of information that's out there um that we can go to. Please help encourage our community to participate and help us grow that program. If again anyone that has interest in teaching or hosting a class or something, please reach out to Mr. Linquist. he will ensure that if it fits our criteria that it is offered and I think the answer is almost always yes when it comes to that and we're always looking for people to help. Uh and on that note, February 12th there will be anformational meeting on the St. Francis fishing team uh at the high school. Uh really excited about that. We've got a lot of interest in the community for that program. That is it for my report. Uh Mr. Anderson, anything else before we adjourn? >> No. Okay. Uh then the uh questions are to a motion to adjourn. See no questions. Is there a motion to adjourn? Mr. is there a second? >> Second. >> Thank you. Any discussion on that motion? >> See no discussion. All in favor of the motion signify by saying I. >> I.