Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District — Transcript

Thursday, August 27, 2026

Early Childhood Education Programs Review and Impact

Legislative and Policy Updates Impacting Education

District Policy and Regulation Revisions (First Readings)

Board Governance, Operational Items, and Community Support

Votes (8)

Approval of Initial Field Trip for Band to Norway (2028)

Unanimously Carries

Dissent: None

Moved by Director Chester [00:42:50] · Seconded by Director Anderson [00:42:52]

Teachers presented a preliminary application for a Burnsville High School band, choir, and orchestra trip to Norway in February/March 2028. The trip is organized every two years by Gateway Music Festivals and students vote on destinations. Fundraising opportunities are provided to help cover costs, with options for online campaigns and working at sporting events. The trip is open to 11th and 12th graders, and select 10th graders.

Approval of Casual Wage Scale for 2026-2027 School Year

Unanimously Carries

Dissent: None

Moved by Director Hume [00:45:00] · Seconded by Director Saxi [00:45:04]

The Executive Director of Administrative Services presented the annual casual wage scale for approval. No changes were recommended to existing rates. The primary update was the formal inclusion of 'special education teachers on special assignments' (SATOSSA) onto the scale to improve formality for audit purposes, as these positions had previously been compensated under minor administrative assignments.

First Reading Approval of Changes to Policies 423, 709, and 722

Unanimously Carries

Dissent: None

Moved by Director Mickelson [00:47:04] · Seconded by Director Hume [00:47:07]

The policy review committee recommended minor changes to three policies. Policy 423 (Employee Student Relationships) was updated to include language on 'grooming,' as mandated by 2026 legislation. Policy 709 (Student Transportation Safety) had a definition and requirements for first aid kits added. Policy 722 (Public Data Requests) was amended to include 'safe at home participants' and data privacy considerations.

First Reading Approval of Changes to Policies 634, 507.5, 613, and 621

Unanimously Carries

Dissent: None

Moved by Director Anderson [00:50:35] · Seconded by Director Worb [00:50:37]

Four policies were presented for a first reading of changes, largely driven by the 2026 legislative session. Policy 634 (Internet and Technology Acceptable Use and Safety) addressed online notification laws. Policy 507.5 (School Resource Officers) clarified expectations for officers identifying as law enforcement. Policy 613 (Graduation Requirements) included updates to titles and diplomas for veterans. Policy 621 (Literacy and the READ Act) reverted to the 2023 READ Act, making universal screening for 2nd and 3rd graders mandatory (nonsense word and oral reading fluency) and requiring dyslexia screening for grades 4-12, reinforcing existing district practices.

First Reading Approval of Changes to Regulation 206R, Listening Session Guidelines

Unanimously Carries

Dissent: None

Moved by Director Hume [00:52:48] · Seconded by Director Saxi [00:52:51]

The Superintendent recommended changes to Regulation 206R to clarify arrival guidelines for board listening sessions. This revision followed discussions during recent work sessions and policy review committee meetings.

Adoption of Resolution to Accept Donations

7-0 Approved

Dissent: None

Moved by Director Chester [00:56:22] · Seconded by Director Hume [00:56:24]

A resolution was presented to formally accept various generous donations from community partners. Dr. Daniels expressed gratitude for the support extended to district programs like 'Brain Power in a Backpack,' food and nutrition services, and general student supply needs. Specific donors, including individuals and organizations like Burnsville Savage Lions Club and United Healthcare, were recognized.

First and Final Reading Approval of Guidelines for Sharing School Board Meetings

Unanimously Carries

Dissent: None

Moved by Director Hume [00:59:04] · Seconded by Director Anderson [00:59:06]

The board considered and approved updated guidelines for sharing school board meetings on a first and final reading basis. The revisions aimed to streamline the recording process for greater efficiency and more effective time management, particularly concerning personnel resources. It was clarified that while recording practices might change for committee meetings, these meetings remain open to the public.

Approval of Board Planning Document for 2026-2027 School Year

Unanimously Carries

Dissent: None

Moved by Director Mickelson [01:00:23] · Seconded by Director Worb [01:00:25]

The board approved its annual planning document for the 2026-2027 school year. This document serves as a guide for the board's workflow throughout the year and also functions as an informational resource for individuals considering or running for school board positions, outlining the scope of their work.

Notable Quotes (13)

We don't go over spring break generally because it um conflicts with our drumline competition... So that's an opportunity for our students to only miss three days of school instead of missing a whole week.

Keith French [00:35:36]
Approval of Initial Field Trip for Band to Norway (2028)

the way that we decide our trips is we, uh, partner with Gateway and we have them come up with what they think their five or six best trips are. We try to, um, get, uh, we try to get them to hit a price point. And, uh, then we let the kids vote on that.

Keith French [00:37:37]
Approval of Initial Field Trip for Band to Norway (2028)

every student who comes through either our band orchestra or choir program will have an opportunity to travel with us in their high school high school career.

Keith French [00:40:53]
Approval of Initial Field Trip for Band to Norway (2028)

Since it has been now a couple of years that that position has been in place, we are wanting to move it over to the casual wage scale and make it more formal for audit purposes to tie out.

Stacy Soine [00:44:27]
Approval of Casual Wage Scale for 2026-2027 School Year

The 423 is adding grooming to the language which was enacted by the 2026 legislation legislature... for 722 we are adding safe at home participants and data privacy to our data public data requests.

Stacy Soine [00:46:28]
First Reading Approval of Changes to Policies 423, 709, and 722

most of the changes are resulting from shifts and decisions that were made in statute in the 2026 legislative session.

Dr. Belmont [00:48:07]
First Reading Approval of Changes to Policies 634, 507.5, 613, and 621

all second and third grade students will complete both nonsense word and oral reading fluency subtests in the fall, winter and the spring. Also moving forward, all students grades four through 12 receive, dyslexia screener.

Dr. Belmont [00:49:43]
First Reading Approval of Changes to Policies 634, 507.5, 613, and 621

I am bringing before the board an opportunity to clarify arrival guidelines for our listening sessions.

Dr. Daniels [00:52:26]
First Reading Approval of Changes to Regulation 206R, Listening Session Guidelines

I just wanted to say thank you to our community partners for their support of our schools, our students, our teachers, and our families. I am so grateful for their support and generosity.

Dr. Daniels [00:54:05]
Adoption of Resolution to Accept Donations

Mighty cause is representative of individuals who give through the give to give MN site. So Mighty Cause is might be representing several individuals.

Director Chester [00:56:06]
Adoption of Resolution to Accept Donations

we have discussed further streamlining the recordings of our meetings in order to be more efficient and effective in time management especially the people resources that are employed in order to record our meetings.

Dr. Daniels [00:58:12]
First and Final Reading Approval of Guidelines for Sharing School Board Meetings

I just want to make it clear that even if we're no longer live streaming our committee meetings, they are still open meetings and members of the public are always welcome to join us.

Director Hume [00:58:43]
First and Final Reading Approval of Guidelines for Sharing School Board Meetings

This is the document that the board uses for its annual workflow. We also utilize this as basically an informational document for um anyone considering um running for school board um or candidates who are running for school board um kind of as a template for um basically our work year.

Chair Alt [00:59:43]
Approval of Board Planning Document for 2026-2027 School Year

Ordinances & Resolutions (48)

ISD 191 school boardOther

Governing body holding the meeting.

District 191Other

The school district under discussion.

Community Services Early Childhood Program ReportReport

Detailed update on early childhood programs and their impact.

Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK)Program

Publicly funded preschool program for eligible four-year-olds.

Kindergarten JumpstartProgram

Summer transitional program for incoming kindergarteners.

Ready to Grow, Ready to LearnProgram

Licensed childcare program for children from infancy through age five.

Diamond Head PreschoolProgram

Preschool program for ages three to five, offering inclusive learning environments.

Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE)Program

Programs supporting families from expectant parents through third grade, offering parent and child learning.

Preschool PlusProgram

Two-day a week preschool experience for children 33 months and older.

Early Childhood ScreeningProgram

Free service providing comprehensive health and development checks for children starting at age three.

Ready for KindergartenProgram

Program teaching parents literacy, math, and social-emotional skills for home use with children 0-5.

Kinder SparkProgram

New program for 5-year-olds needing an extra boost before full-day kindergarten.

ParentAwareCertification

Rating system for early childhood programs, District 191 holds a four-star rating.

National Reading FoundationOrganization

Developer of the Ready for Kindergarten program.

Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) guidelinesGuideline

State guidelines followed by early childhood programs and screenings.

Hegerty instructionInstructional Framework

Literacy instruction framework used in early childhood classrooms.

A reading assessmentAssessment

Longitudinal reading assessment used to track student progress.

MCA reading testsAssessment

Third-grade state reading tests, used to show long-term impact of VPK.

Community education catalogPublication

Catalog promoting early childhood programs.

Fundra GeniusFundraiser

Online fundraising platform used for student trips.

Achieving DreamsCompany

Company offering opportunities for parents and students to work at sporting events for fundraising.

Association of Metropolitan School District (AMSD) monthly meetingMeeting

Meeting where legislative updates relevant to school districts are discussed.

constitutional amendment on the Minnesota ballotLegislation

Proposed change regarding the Permanent School Fund allocation.

Special Education Blue Ribbon CommissionCommission

State commission charged with reducing the state special education budget.

state task force to review and make recommendations around compensatory fundingTask Force

State body working on recommendations for compensatory funding.

Policy 423, Employee Student RelationshipsPolicy

Policy being updated to include language on 'grooming'.

Policy 709, Student Transportation Safety PolicyPolicy

Policy being updated to include definitions and requirements for first aid kits.

Policy 722, Public Data RequestsPolicy

Policy being updated to include 'safe at home participants' and data privacy.

2026 legislation legislatureLegislation

State legislative session that enacted changes prompting policy updates.

Policy 634, Internet and Technology Acceptable Use and Safety PolicyPolicy

Policy updated in response to changes in online notification laws.

Policy 507.5, School Resource OfficersPolicy

Policy updated regarding SROs identifying as law enforcement officers.

Policy 613, Graduation RequirementPolicy

Policy updated with changes in references, titles, and clarification on diplomas for veterans.

Policy 621, Literacy and the READ ActPolicy

Policy updated to reflect changes in the READ Act regarding universal screening for 2nd/3rd graders and mandatory dyslexia screening for grades 4-12.

2023 original Read Act lawLegislation

Previous state law that the 2026 legislature reverted to for literacy screening.

Capt Basics screenerAssessment

Dyslexia screener currently used by the district.

Regulation 206R, Listening Session GuidelinesRegulation

Regulation being updated to clarify arrival guidelines for listening sessions.

Brain Power in a Backpack programProgram

District program receiving donations.

Edina Realy FoundationOrganization

Donor to the Brain Power in a Backpack program.

Prince of Peace Church in BurnsvilleOrganization

Donor to the Brain Power in a Backpack program.

Burnsville Savage Lions ClubOrganization

Donor to the Brain Power in a Backpack program.

Mighty Cause FoundationOrganization

Donor, representing individuals giving through the Give MN site.

Wells Fargo Giving ProgramOrganization

Donor to the Brain Power in a Backpack program.

King Family FoundationOrganization

Donor to the Brain Power in a Backpack program.

United HealthcareOrganization

Donor supporting various district needs.

CostcoOrganization

Donor supporting various district needs.

Savage Police DepartmentOrganization

Donor supporting various district needs.

Board Planning Document for 2026-2027 school yearPlan

Document outlining the board's annual workflow and serving as informational material for prospective board members.

Guidelines for sharing schoolboard meetingsGuideline

Updated guidelines for recordings and live streaming of board meetings.

View Source
Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District - Burnsville Recorder