Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan Public Schools — Transcript
Sunday, December 14, 2025
Recognition of Adapted Soccer State Champions
Recognition of Apple Valley High School Girls Volleyball Team
Recognition of Rosemount High School Marching Band
Superintendent's District Updates and Recognitions
District 196 Artificial Intelligence (AI) Framework and Implementation
Truth in Taxation Hearing and 2026 Property Tax Levy Certification
2026-27 and 2027-28 School Year Calendar Approval
2026-27 Middle School and High School Course Revisions Approval
2026-27 Connections Preschool Fees Approval
2025-26 Final Budget First Reading
Votes (6)
District 196 Artificial Intelligence (AI) Framework and Implementation (Informational Update)
Dissent: None
Rachel Hughes and Rowan Ellour presented District 196's framework for integrating AI into schools, emphasizing critical thinking, equity, academic integrity, and ethical use. They highlighted a five-level AI expectations poster for secondary classrooms and discussed professional development for teachers. Board members expressed appreciation for the thoughtful approach and rapid implementation, suggesting further communication to parents regarding the balance of technology and traditional learning methods.
Truth in Taxation Hearing and 2026 Property Tax Levy Certification
Dissent: None
Moved by Jackie [00:34:30] · Seconded by Robin [00:34:35]
Christopher Robshot presented the details of the payable 2026 property tax levy, which amounted to $168,815,699. He explained the three main components influencing property taxes (estimated market value, property classification, and district levy) and highlighted that 67% of the levy is voter-approved. The presentation noted a 12.8 million (8.2%) increase from the prior year, primarily due to inflationary adjustments in the operating levy and the recently approved technology levy and debt service for building bonds.
2026-27 and 2027-28 School Year Calendar Approval (Second Reading)
Dissent: None
Moved by Jackie [00:37:30] · Seconded by Katherine [00:37:35]
Joel Miltier presented the proposed school year calendars for 2026-27 and 2027-28, incorporating feedback from the first reading. Key changes included starting school on August 31st/30th to create a full week before Labor Day, moving staff data analysis days to March, and adjusting spring break to maintain consistency. Board members praised the comprehensive approach and the use of attendance data. A discussion arose regarding accommodating religious holidays like Yam Kippur, leading to a decision to explore this topic further in a future board workshop.
2026-27 Middle School and High School Course Revisions Approval (Second Reading)
Dissent: None
Moved by Robin [00:44:40] · Seconded by Anna [00:44:45]
Rachel Hughes presented the proposed course revisions for the 2026-27 school year for middle and high schools. This annual process involves adding, dropping, replicating, restructuring, or renaming courses to ensure they meet the evolving needs of students and align with educational standards. The revisions were presented as old business, following a preview at a previous meeting.
2026-27 Connections Preschool Fees Approval (Second Reading)
Dissent: None
Moved by Robin [00:45:50] · Seconded by Jackie [00:45:55]
Kaia Bruce presented the second reading of proposed fee increases for the Connections preschool program for the 2026-27 school year. The increases, ranging from 3% to 4.5%, are an inflationary adjustment to cover rising operational costs. The program will continue to offer a sliding fee scale based on federal poverty guidelines, as specified in Regulation 507.2 2 AR, to maintain accessibility.
2025-26 Final Budget (First Reading)
Dissent: None
Danny Duchene presented the 2025-26 final budget for its first reading. The budget projects total revenues of $706 million and expenditures of $796 million, with the general fund accounting for the largest share. Key updates from the preliminary budget included finalized enrollment counts and new employee contracts. Duchene emphasized that education is a 'people industry,' with over 81% of general fund expenditures dedicated to employee compensation and benefits. Specific fund discussions included a planned spend down of nutrition services surplus, significant building construction projects, and trends in health insurance costs.
Notable Quotes (12)
Our AI guidance framework addresses this gap, preparing students to use AI responsibly for their future careers.
The key requirement across all levels where AI is permitted is transparency. Students must make clear what is their own work versus what came from AI. This teaches accountability and academic integrity.
It seems like this process has been very carefully considered and well thought out. Um, and as I talk to various parents in the community, um, I think, you know, the more knowledge we can give parents about what we're doing is going to be to our benefit because they're kind of afraid of how, um, maybe afraid is the wrong word, but um, hesitant about how AI is being used.
I do think it's important to just keep in mind how we do educate parents on this and keeping that in mind as we move forward. Um because in talking, you know, we were out door knocking this fall and I heard a lot of people that were very hesitant about this and then talking about the tech levy, it came up that many people have the misperception that all school is done on the iPad now, especially those community members who don't have students in the schools.
Our voters have been very generous and that's the 67% of what we're collecting is based on their actual saying yes uh to supporting the mission and vision of the school district.
In summary, 168,815,699 uh is the amount of levy that we will be uh asking the board to approve. This represents a 12.8% 12.8 8 million increase from prior year or 8.2% uh increase.
Adding this day in April offers a planned break during a long stretch of five-day weeks during the third trimester. We were able to add this no school day for both students and staff by starting school one day earlier in August on August 31st.
I wanted to just bring up the the move of or um the observance of Eid on March 10th and having that be a Wednesday um which is in the middle of the week and just asking for consideration of um that Yam Kapor uh for the Jewish holiday is also um on a Monday this year and wanting to just identify uh the possibility of doing the data day that's right now on Friday, September 25th, moving it to that Monday the 21st, which would allow a similar observation of a holiday of a religious holiday that um students do celebrate.
I'll just say I I appreciate using that as our foundation. Um if we're talking about student attendance and success, I think that is the gold standard of how we look at our calendar. I get concerned about making exemptions for re holidays, especially religious holidays, just because there are so many of them. And I don't know if this board wants to be the decider of which holiday is more important.
The proposed fees reflect an inflationary adjustment resulting in a 3 to 4 and a.5% increase from the current year with all figures rounded to the nearest dollar. This adjustment is necess is a necessary inflationary measure to help cover the rising costs associated with running the program.
Education is a people industry, a relationship-based industry. So, this shows that District 1 sense is not only committed to programs that are going to directly impact our students, we're delivering those programs by investing in the people that make those programs possible.
Can you help me see what kind of what might have been major shifts from the uh, preliminary budget to the final? I I can see some things. So, I know the spend out on nutrition that you already talked about, salaries seems to have moved and related to contracts being finalized. I'm guessing, but are there any other kind of headlines?
Ordinances & Resolutions (7)
District guiding document mentioned as aligning with AI framework and budget priorities.
Regulation outlining the sliding fee scale based on federal poverty guidelines for Connections Preschool tuition.
The annual property tax levy amount presented for certification by the school board.
Approved official calendars for upcoming school years, detailing start/end dates, holidays, and staff development days.
Approved changes to academic offerings, including additions, deletions, restructurings, or renamings of courses.
Approved fee schedule for the preschool program, reflecting inflationary adjustments.
District's comprehensive financial plan for the current fiscal year, detailing revenues and expenditures across all funds.