Good evening. It is January 28th, 2026 and the time is 6:01 p.m. and I'd like to call our meeting to order. Uh, Director Milner, could you please take attendance? >> Director Beer Meyer >> here. Director Michael Moulder here, >> Director Zuzac >> here, >> Vice Chair Dresley >> here, >> Chair Tate >> here, >> Director Bruns >> here, >> and Director Melner here. >> Thank you. I'd also like to recognize that we have our four student representatives seated at the table as well as our superintendent. >> Right. Could I please get a motion to approve the agenda? I would actually I'll make one caveat. Um, uh, Andrew Hodgeges may be Oh, sorry. Oh my gosh. Thank you. Um, before we get to that, we have to say the pledge of allegiance. [laughter] Could I have everyone stand, please, and remove room your headwear? >> I pledge allegiance 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. All right, sorry about that. Um, before we do approve the agenda, I just want to make a note that Andrew Hajes may be running a little late, so for his portions this evening, we may just shift things a little bit as we get into it, but that is yet to be determined. So, I'm looking for a motion on the agenda, please. Michael Moulder moves to approve the agenda. >> Can I get a second? >> Beer second. >> Thank you. Any discussion? Right. Seeing none, all those in favor of approving the agenda say I. >> I. All those opposed, say nay. Motion passes unanimously to approve the agenda. Uh, and now I'd like to take a moment to recognize our visitors in the room. Thank you for joining us this evening, both in the room and online. We appreciate your support of Hastings Public Schools. Uh, first up, we have our Raider spotlight. So, thank you. I would like to introduce tonight Abby Meyers with Hastings Rotary and Scott Dornne, our high school principal to come forward and discuss our Hastings Rotary students of the month. We're honoring four students tonight. Sebastian Strauss, Fiona Meyers, Ryder Ashcraft, and Bobby Wargo. And um if you guys want to come up and talk a little bit about this and tell us about yourselves, be great. [laughter] >> Welcome. >> That's a very nice truck. >> [laughter and cough] [clears throat] >> Uh, Director Tate, members of the board, superintendent for Camp Herman, and our school board reps from the student body. Uh, thanks for having us again. Uh, such a great program that we have. It's a partnership with Rotary that we've presented uh, each semester. We have eight students per year and they're all seniors recognized um and uh recommended and nominated by staff for outstanding achievement. Um some some of it's based on growth, but really I'll let Abby talk about the tenants of what the Rotary is truly about. Uh but we have one of our four students here tonight, Bobby. So he's going to speak for all four. No, just kidding. Um so I'll let Abby take it away. >> Thanks, Scott. I um am a proud member of our Rotary Club here in Hastings. Uh and thank you guys for allowing us to present tonight. Uh the Rotary Student of the Month is really our favorite meeting of the month. Uh we get the opportunity to recognize these students and just see what an impact they have on the community and the school and it's just it's a light for the future. And so um getting to recognize them here as well is is an honor. And unfortunately, not all of them could be here tonight, but Bobb's going to hold down the fort. Uh I was just going to read off this is the criteria that is used to select these students. Uh there is a committee at the uh high school between staff and teachers that nominate and then select the students and then we give the award as uh Rotarians. Uh so the criteria is the student selected should demonstrate some or all of the following attributes. Gets involved in various school and other service related groups. Takes a leadership role among their peers. Diligently works to ensure success for themselves and others. Exemplifies the Rotary four-way tests of the things we think, say, or do. Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? And will it be beneficial to all concerned? And Rotary's general motto is just service above self. And that's what these students uh really exemplify. And so I will let Bobby tell you a little bit about himself and his plans for the future uh and share with you what we got to hear. >> Um I'm Bobby War. Uh I shoot trap, archery, and I do a little bit of golf. Um, my plan after high school is to become an electrician. And, uh, I'm hoping I'm going to go to DCTC, but right now I'm looking for an apprenticeship to start right away. Um, and then might be me. >> Uh, so there we go. Um, I've been in a lot of the technical uh tech classes in school. Uh, like shop classes. I got woodworking. Uh, three years in woodworking. I got a two years in metals. Uh, lot a couple years in small engines and wreck vehicles. Uh, housewiring, which is what made me decide to become an electrician. Um, couple of my hobbies are that I like to 3D print. Um, and then I do have a few RC cars. I got some drones. Uh, you know, I do I help with the tech club after school with Mr. Davenport and my uh good friend Jack McGregor. Uh we like to it's kind of it's an after school activity uh once a month on a Thursday and we uh we kind of combine all of the shop classes together. We try and pick of which one one month and so like one day we'll do uh woodworking, the next day we'll figure out how to solder some joints together and so on. So yeah. One last little comment. Really what set Bobby apart from his peers is just that kind of that internal um service like we talked about, but he is such a mentor to the younger students within those classes. Uh we heard loud and clear from the staff who nominated him that he is just Johnny on the spot. He gets in there can recognize a student maybe struggling with some stuff just you know always offering to help. So that's uh what we always want to see with students and Bobb's a perfect example of that. So, congratulations again, Bobby. But I when he got his award, his parents were there, and I'd like to make let everyone know what his dad said. His dad said, "Um, yeah, they say he can work for anybody because he worked for me." And we laughed. But what he talked about was him instilling a work ethic in his children and he and his wife modeling that behavior. And Bobby is that person. And so I just want to comment about how appreciative we are of parents and what they do to raise kids like this because this is that's the true partnership that we we want for all of our kids and for us as as school officials. And so I just want to say thank you um to all the parents out there because that's it's it represents you as well. So thank you. >> If I may, >> I I'd like to add on to what Dr. where Cam Herman said that you are a role model for a lot of kids and Mr. Dorne mentioned this you've taken all but is it one or all but two classes that teched offers at the high school? >> Uh two. Yeah. So all but two. And why did you decide to go into uh electrical uh being an electrician? >> Um it's a funny story. I uh I took house wiring and right before housewearing started, I was kind of skeptical about it. I didn't know how I was going to feel about it. And after I did one semester of it, I decided that I quite enjoy house wiring and wiring outlets and all that stuff. So, I found um found out that I can become an electrician and that's ever since then, that's what I want to do. >> Yeah. And and that's exactly what I meant, Bobby, when I said you're a role model for other people. And in that what we want is for many many many students to take and explore classes that they wouldn't otherwise take and then see whether or not they like it. They you know, people don't know if they like house wiring if they've never wired an outlet or done that work. So, I I think that you're just a you're the you're the future of what we want even more of uh in Hastings public schools and specifically at the high school with our with our pathways program. So, keep up the good work. >> Thank you. >> And then Bobby, I don't want to go into career counselor mode. Um but I love that high school age and that transition age. And I wonder if you've reached out to the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers because that apprenticeship pipeline could save you some tuition dollars because that's traditionally a model where you do work for a company, then you'll be gone doing some class work, learning the new thing, then going out to the job site and doing that real skill the whole time. You have benefits right away, you're getting a paycheck, you're getting that pension fund built up. So, I just if you haven't already, explore that route. >> I have not explored that route. Um, I didn't know that that was a route that I could explore. So, >> awesome. Well, congratulations. Oh, director Beman, >> I just want to say as a former uh business owner and uh somebody who needed services. Um, I'm super impressed with what you're doing. Um, some of the most talented people I know work with their hands and uh, I keep doing what you're doing. I'm proud of you. Thank you. >> So, I have a something for you. >> Yeah. Congratulations, Bobby. And thank you for coming to be with us this evening. Appreciate it. [applause] [applause] All right. And next up, we have the Minnesota State High School League recognition. Uh, and we'll have Mr. Dorne come up again. I will do my best. Trent Hansen uh impression here. Um, pales by comparison. I love listening to that man speak. Um, we have four students recognized tonight uh for the XL award and the AAA award. Unfortunately, none of them are here. Oh, >> get over here. >> What were you doing, man? >> I was hiding. >> You were hiding? >> Yeah, I was hiding. >> All right. [laughter] Well, can you at least tell them what award you got? >> I got the um Excel award. >> Okay. Really briefly before we let Eli talk, I'll let you know that um Hastings High School, and this is Trent's words. I want to be real clear. Um, Hastings High School is proud to announce that four students were recently recognized as HHS recipients of these MSHs awards. All four will be considered for additional state level recognition. So, Eli and Mattie uh Eli, it's Henrik, right? >> Yeah. >> Yep. And Mattie Pollson are recipients of the Excel Award. Excel stands for Excellence in Community Education Leadership. It's a unique program designed exclusive exclusively for high school juniors who are active in school activities, who show leadership qualities, and who work voluntarily in their community. So, Eli specifically has earned two letters in tennis. Is that accurate? >> Mhm. >> He has a 3.99 cumulative GT GPA. Is that still accurate after semester 1? Yes. >> At a boy, [laughter] >> call you out now. >> He's a link crew leader, active in fellowship with Christian athletes. That's FCA. National Honor Society, Student Council, volunteers at Hastings Family Services, uh, Feed My Starving Children, Collecting and Donating Books, and has participated in a week-long outofstate mission trip. So, I can either go through all four and come back to Eli, or we can let him speak a little bit. Eli. >> All right, Eli, tell us a little bit more about what isn't included in your bio here. Um, well, I'm I'm gonna start cross country soon, so I'm doing more sports, getting more into activities like that. I also just started show choir this year, which was really like I was really scared at first and it's a lot, but um, and just like I started choir in general. Like I've never really um, like singing like that before and just trying new things this year as a junior. Um, just open my book about trying things like that. Um, yeah. And I really I really enjoy putting my like self out there and just like risking the new risk like what was I going to say? Like like taking the opportunity to like mess up or even just like do all that stuff just to risk it. You can only live once and why not just do it, you know? So just putting myself out there um trying new things like choir, like show choir and Yeah. >> Fantastic. Yeah. >> Questions for Eli. >> Do you have any idea what your plans are after high school? >> Yes. I think I'm going to go to Florida GF Coast University. Um I'm going to minor in nutrition and major in exercise science. So, I'm going to do that. Um, and I want to be a athletic trainer with that and just like have nutrition on the side and help people um, like have the right meals and everything like that and just help them with that aspect. >> Wonderful. We need more of that. >> Yeah, for sure. >> Thank you. Uh, Director Bruns, >> I just want to echo some of what Director Zusk has said, but Eli, you and Bobby kind of exemplify like high school is really that time to try everything you can because it's not about just preparing yourself for the workforce. That's that's a part of it, but there's wreck and leisure, community participation. How are you going to show up in the community when you're not forced to be a part of it as a high school student and have a fulfilling and enriching life? So, thank you for leaning in like totally and finding those things that you're into or not into, but figuring that out now. >> All right. Anybody else? >> All right. Congratulations. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Should we make him stick around for the others or we cut him loose? [laughter] >> Dr. R Camp Herman has something for you on the way out. >> Appreciate it. >> Just want to recognize um the other three students. Again, the other Excel Award winner as a junior is Maddie Pollson. She's earned three varsity letters and received the most improved award in alpine ski, 3.82 cumulative GPA, active in both band and choir. She's received the best rookie award, outstanding musician award, excellent ratings in solo ensemble contests, and is a member of both jazz band and the state championship marching band. She's also involved in link crew, peer tutors, Red Cross club, and she volunteers with Feed My Starving Children, collecting and donating books and instrument fairs. So, congratulations to Maddie as well. And on to our seniors, the AAA award, uh, they go to both Josephine Bower and Parker Stoultz, recipients of those AAA awards. It's, uh, stands for academics, athletic, and arts. They need to be a program designed to honor students involved in all three areas. So, Josephine has a 3.97 GPA and enrolled in multiple college in the school's courses. participates in track and field, band, choir, theater, dance, NHS, including marching band, jazz band, percussion ensemble, and show choir. She's received superior ratings in solo ensembles. Josie is undecided as of yesterday at least [laughter] um on her post high school plans, but intends to major in commercial dance. So, congrats to her. Excuse me. Parker Stoultz has a cumulative GPA of 3.92. Enrolled in again multiple advanced placement college courses. Multiport athlete cross country, Nordic ski, track and field. Two-time captain and repeat allconerence runner who has competed in the state meet and cross country captain and all conference in Nordic ski. He is also active in band where he has received superior ratings also in solo and ensemble. Parker intends to enroll in the United States Marine Corps after graduation. So, congrats to Parker as well. >> Thank you. [applause] >> Thank you for sharing all of these amazing students with us and their accomplishments. It always makes me tired just looking through their checklist of all the things that they're involved in. It's amazing. All right. Next up, we have uh our public comment session, which we don't have anyone who signed up tonight, so we will be skipping on to our reports and discussions. Starting with our student schoolboard representative updates. And this evening, we will start with uh student representative. It's taking a while to load, Dery. Okay. Um, to start things off, starting with McAuliffe Elementary, on January 9th, their staff had a wit and wisdom coaching day. January 16th, kindergarten classes had a very educational farm presentation made by Hastings's very own local farmers. January 16th 16th as well, the fourth graders attended attended a wonderful music demo concert at HHS. Big thanks to the HHS band, choir, and orchestra. January 20th, McCullif hosted their countdown to kindergarten for incoming kindergarteners. It consisted of teaching and learning as well as three literacy presentations. January 21st, the second grade had the works school visit. Students got to experience being engineers and design dwellings to match different geographical locations. There's a picture of their engineering. um [clears throat] January 22nd and as well coming up or January 29th, the third graders have a very exciting NASA ambassador visit. Um January 27th, staff head Catalyst AMD and coaching day. January 30th, Hansen's class hosts creative kindergarten plays. And as well on January 30th, the McCulliff Parent teacher committee host is hosting an exciting family bingo night. Moving on to Pinerest Elementary. On January 8th, Carpenter Nature Center provided the adaptations programs for each first grade classroom. January 9th, Carpenter Nature Center presented the Animals of the St. Croy presentation for the entire school. January 16th, the Pinerest fourth graders also attended the music demo concert at the Hastings High School. There's a picture of that. Um January 21st, fourth grade students attended a science museum assembly on engineering at the Hastings Middle School as well. On January 21st, the second graders also got to experience a science museum assembly, but this time it was on dinosaurs, also held a or HMS. January 22nd, Countdown to kindergarten event was hosting for incoming kindergarten students. And January 30th, also family bingo night. Thank you. Any questions? Dr. Bruns. >> Um, as someone who got to go or got to experience kind of kindergarten, I want to throw a special shout out to everyone that's involved with that, especially everyone at the building level, but a special tip of the cap to Andy Larson. There were different literacy presentations, all about 15 minutes long. And by the end of that, not only did parents have some semblance of understanding for the science of reading, but he had a group like a captive audience, but he had all of those kids doing literacy related activities. And there were manipulatives that we got to take home that resemble those activities, including taking apart chunks of play-doh and counting out syllables and phmic parts. And we got to take that home and then use those activities with the instructions provided with our own learners. And so I just that level of prep and then providing eventually a passive service because you get those 15 minutes but then you hope those literacy skills are something that we develop before the kid gets us in kindergarten. I think that a really high point of the experience for everybody. >> Cool. >> Thank you for sharing that. All right. [snorts] Any questions? >> All right. Well done. Thank you. Uh next up we have student representatives Suarez Garcia. >> Okay. This is a long one, so buckle in. [snorts] Okay, so starting for the high school, um during January, students have had all sorts of activities. Students started off the month by reviewing going into finals, which is always a stressful time, especially for the freshman. However, our link crew hosted their annual cocoa and cra. This gives students time to study, connect with teachers, and enjoy some hot chocolate during this chilly season. Then another great thing from our link crew was the courage retreat for the seventh graders where we hosted youth frontiers at two locations crossroads and our saviors both churches in town. I was at the crossro cross crossroads church with student representative Henen where we both got to see kids engage with the topic of being courageous in their own lives. Um, a quick side note on that, too. As a sophomore, I was able to go as well, and I was at um our savior's church, and it's kind of they're it's the same message, but they do it in different ways every time, and it like reaches the kids differently, and it's just it's a great thing, and we should continue to do that. Uh, and then Huh. >> It's really fun to watch. >> Yeah. [laughter] Uh [gasps] oh, and then in that there's the photo there, that's Youth Frontiers there. This is at the end right before we start the campfire thing where they get to say their acts of courage that they want to do in their lives. Um, and then another thing I'd point out in that photo is like kind of like almost a sea of blue with all the leaders wearing their link crew shirts and just showing how many kids actually participate in this and be a part of it. And this is just one location and just times by too. It's it's just great. I don't I hate that. [gasps] Okay. Um, now music. In the music department, they had their annual concert for the fourth graders. During this concert, high school students demonstrated their instruments and even had the select choir sing into the unknown from Frozen to them. This is a great opportunity to introduce music into these kids' lives and hopefully have them join our strong music department. And this Wednesday, Hastings Riverside Company, or today, we performed for the eighth graders um for a similar purpose to hopefully have them join join show choir. Uh and lastly, there was the MEC band concert at at Mameidi this past Sunday where we had mult participate. >> It was Monday. >> Did I not say Monday? Oh, it was Monday. Sorry, that's my fault. Okay. And then girls wrestling, huge shout out to them. The girls wrestling team recently captured the Minnesota High School Coaches Association Team Duel State Championship. While female wrestlers can currently compete in the Minnesota State High School individual tournament, team duels have not yet been incorporated into the official state high school league events held later in February. As a result, the coaches association sponsors a separate team dual tournament for girls. 16 teams enter the event with full varsity rosters and the Raiders earned the third seed before winning four consecutive matches to secure the team title. So, not only is it one of the first events of this, and we won it. That's that's that's amazing. That's great. Okay. And then Hockey Day Minnesota was a tremendous success despite extremely cold weather conditions. Both the girls and boys junior varsity teams competed at the United Heroes League site on Monday, while the varsity girls and boys teams participated in games on the official Hockey Day Minnesota event on Saturday. Sincere appreciation is extended to thei United Heroes League and the Hockey Day Minnesota committee and the entire Raiders hockey community for providing an outstanding and memorable experience for our teams and the local community. And then coach recognition, Jason Cook or Mr. Cook was recently honored by the Minnesota Football Coaches Association with the prestigious Butch Nash Award, which recognizes an assistant coach for exemplary service. In addition to his roles at the Hastings High School science teacher, head girls track and track and field coach, and director of the Raiders Express summer strength and speed program. Mr. Cook has served as a Raiders varsity football assistant coach for 19 seasons, including 17 years as the team's official offensive coordinator. Okay. And then scrolling down a little bit here, we get to Yig, which is the last part of it. And then those are some photos and I can explain those in a minute. Okay. So, for those who don't know what youth and government is, commonly referred to as YG, it is exactly what it sounds like. Over the course of four days, kids from all across the state come together to this convention where they act as real senators, representatives, lobbyists, the media, lawyers, and judges. YG is a great place for students to learn and engage in politics from an earlier starting point. I'm proud to say that every single student representative on our Hastings school board is a part of YG. Some things to highlight from this year's convention are Jen, our own Jen Beni, uh, being the head of district courts and being an amazing leader through all of the difficult scheduling issues, plus her background through her time in the courts of all the time she's been in YG. [clears throat] Gabriel Peterson was the state issues executive director where he combined many bills to create a comprehensive bill that solved financial inequalities. Matthew Maluchcci and myself achieved the servant leader award for for our outstanding work and dedication to the district courts and final finally Anukar Reese for being our newly elected lieutenant governor position for next year's conference. And then so we scroll down um that's the entire Hastings delegation of YG. Maybe a couple people missing because they forgot to show up. Shame on them. Um, and then and that I I didn't really have any other photos, so I'd pick me and um Matthew Maluchcci, the where we got our award, which is right next, right? It's just it's a little like purple ribbon thing for servant leader. And um it's only four people get it per uh >> four people get it per program area. >> Okay. Yeah. Do you want to know more about that? [gasps] Um Oh, and then if you if you can kind of look in, you can see Avery in the corner uh in the middle photo. So that that's always a good shout out for Avery. But yeah, Yig's a great thing and yeah. Would you guys like to add anything else? >> Sure. So I've been in Yig for 4 years and it is like it's such an interesting opportunity because I don't think there are many other things like it. You get to be in the House chambers in the capital building. We got to go to St. Thomas Law School as being in the courts and we got to use their beautiful courtrooms. It is just such a hands-on experience to experience what democracy is like outside of the classroom. And I'm so glad that 1600 plus kids in the state of Minnesota are involved because more people need to know how to decipher what's going on in the world right now. And it's a really good program for kids [clears throat] to learn how to do that. I also have a few things to add on. I really like YAG because of all the stuff it has. Um, I'm a part of the media in YAG, so I get to like report on stuff that's happening and kind of just make the conference a little more fun for people. I do a lot of stuff with social media. I'm the digital manager, so I'm the one that posts all the Instagram stories and kind of lets people know what's going on. I also um go around to all the different program areas and take pictures. I took that middle picture right there of Aiden and Matt. >> Probably the best Yig photo I've ever got, by the way. Just [laughter] >> Yeah, I I would like to take credit for that. Yeah, I just want to say it's a really really cool program um for students to be able to get more civically involved and I know that Hastings is one of the larger delegations at Yig. And I think I mean 1,600 kids has I think been the largest number in the three years. Yeah. In the three years especially that I've been in YG. So to see that it's growing um is a very rewarding experience and I think it's just an amazing program for kids to get involved and see what politics and government is like in the real world before you know they graduate high school. >> Yeah. I mean one last thing to add is that YG doesn't kind of just stop at YG after the convention. Um like all I mean just holy all of us for example um like are kind of you know what Yig is is going out in your community and being a part of like you know like local government and stuff like that and honestly it's just it's a great path to get started >> or your school board. >> Okay, one last thing I promise gives you so many opportunities. I got to lobby on a real bill through the House and the Senate through Yig. I've been able what else I've been able to do model through Yig. I've been able to meet some of my best friends through YIG. I'm going to try and do a national Yig this year. It [snorts] is essentially getting your foot in the door for infinite opportunities both in this world and in the real world in politics. >> Sounds amazing. Um, thank you for sharing. And I have to tell you this wasn't planned. So, I don't know if you guys know who's sitting here tonight. This is our state representative Tom Depel as our special guest. So, having [laughter] having you guys talk that was not planned at all. So, but I think it's amazing. Thank you for reporting on while he's sitting [laughter] here in our audience with us. >> Can I add you on LinkedIn? >> Can I add you on LinkedIn? >> Oh, yeah. [laughter] >> Can I ask you a question about YG? >> Yes. >> What what do you guys find to be the most engaging part about YG? Like what what what pulls you and um could you see anything translating to your like classroom experience? So obviously we have discussions in schools about things that are going on, current events and things, but the level of debate and the conversations that are had in the gig are such high level. I'm seeing 13-year-old kids to 18year-old old kids talk like more I don't know have more engagement in topics going on than I see happening in the real world. and they're having more respectful conversations both inside and outside of the program's time. >> And it's shocking to see how articulate and like how these people are conversing. >> It's crazy. And it's students with students. >> It's students on students. It's all student run, student led. There are the only reason adults are there is for safety. Students stu students. >> Yeah. Safety from >> Jen [laughter] students lead. It's students on students. And it is it's really it's enlightening. It's crazy. >> Yeah. >> I'd also like to add that it is a great communication and confidence builder. Just being able to talk with people from your kind of age range cuz talking to adults can be really scary sometimes, especially for younger children. and being able to talk with people of your age, like-minded or not, and being able to civically discuss matters at hand, whether they're in a madeup court case or it's about a bill that somebody created or even real life topics, is just insane. And I think definitely I've carried that kind of confidence with me throughout my entire life. Like I was super scared coming into the high school as a freshman, but then being in YG kind of gave me the confidence to do things that I wouldn't normally like apply for schoolboard or apply for the page program. I am, you know, auditioned for show choir and it's just an amazing experience to be able to grow those communicational skills that you'll take with you throughout life. I know like with those communication skills what I do I have to talk to a lot of people like I have to go up to people and be like do you want to be in this and they tell me no straight to my face. So it really it's a confidence builder. Yeah. It it's rejection therapy pretty much. And [laughter] I I just I learned I learned a lot about myself and like what I'm comfortable with. And I really like got to grow my ability to be confident when speaking with people. Okay. And to end off that question then, I guess my favorite part about about YG is I mean so I I've done ledge or like you know legislation and I've done courts and um by doing courts I kind of I found my passion for that and I mean that's what I'm going to do in college and that's what I hope hopefully you know see me back in that courtroom hopefully soon. Um and honestly I think it's just a great opportunity too. too. I mean, kind of building on like our theme of everyone today is like being an example and trying new things and it's honestly just a great spot to be able to do that. So, >> yeah. >> Okay, I think we should probably move on to the ALP now. [laughter] Um, this one's a lot shorter, I promise. So, during quarter 2, students engaged in a variety of hands-on and culturally enriching enriching learning experiences across subject areas. In chemistry, students concluded the quarter with an interactive lab activity by making ice cream, reinforcing scientific scientific concepts in a fun and memorable way. Uh, and then in science and life life skills learning, students explored plants by learning how to grow spider grow spider plants, gaining practical knowledge about plant care and reproduction. And then there, oh, I forgot to mention there's the picture of the ice cream in the bag. Um, and then as a part of our social studies and cultural studies curriculum, students were introduced to games from different cultures, allowing them to learn about global traditional traditions through interactive play and collaboration. Students also participated in seasonal creative activity by decorating stockings which were then hung by the chimney with care. I don't know why it's in quotes. That's just how it was sent to me for the information. um helping foster school spirit and create c creativity during the winter season. Then in enrollment updates, HASS welcomes six new students for the second semester while two students successfully graduated at the conclusion of the first semester. Hastings online academy continues to grow and now serves over 100 full and part-time students. And then if we scroll down a little bit more, there's some photos of the plants and then there's the stockings hung with care. It's a story. >> Is it really? >> Yes. Okay. >> All right. >> Thank you. >> Moving on. We have also [laughter] >> we have student representative Banky. >> Very busy month at the middle school. And then so I'm just going to start with some things from the end of December because busy months. The PTO had their very first meeting of the semester and they organized volunteers and donations to make for a very fun jingle bingo. Students were welcomed back after winter break with a big reinforced motto. Small choices can create big changes with the ripple effect. Um the HMSS unified fied class held a secret Santa and the unified class brings together general and special education students to work together on sports, fitness and healthful activities. So all students come in the importance of teamwork and leadership and creating a welcoming environment. We can see everyone is having a grand time. Now the seventh graders participated in youth art month state flag design competition through art educators Minnesota. It's a mouthful. Two of the middle school's designs placed first and third in the middle school division. The first place flag will be printed and flown in Chicago to represent Minnesota at the National Art Educators Convention. And then also the seventh graders have their designs on display at the library for a month-long showcase. So be sure to stop by in the few days we have left in the month. And then last week, seventh graders had so much fun at the courage retreat. I was at the other I was at the other location at our saviors hosted by youth frontiers and led by high school link leaders. It was a day of high energy and connection. Students work in both large and small group discussions to understand a few objectives, identifying their everyday fears, committing to act with courage to make their school and community a better place, and removing social barriers between themselves and peers. I saw so much transformation this day. So many kids were talking to kids that you wouldn't see them talking to at school. Kids were opening up about things in their small groups that I wouldn't expect them to open up about. Kids were getting emotional. It's a really transformative experience for the seventh graders and I think it's really important for them to be there. And finally, students in the drama club have been hard at work on their production of How to Get Away with a Murder Mystery, which will be on tomorrow and Friday. >> Thank you. And finally, we have a student representative. Oh, sorry, Dr. Bronze. Uh to add on to that art piece, so Kendraberg and the folks at Pleasant Hill Library put together an art showcase for the students from Hastings Middle School and they are there were refreshments. The art was all over the place. Families rolled in. Um Miss Berg gave some really kind words at the beginning and that was supported by we call her Miss Megan affectionately in our house cuz she is a VIP rockstar uh from the library. But it was just really rad just that connection between community and what folks are doing. We stumbled upon it completely by accident, but it was wonderful to see that tying into the connection and going that late in the evening. It was really cool. It was something to see. >> Thank you. Any other questions? >> I have a comment about the courage retreat because my seventh grader attended and you know, she's at the age where nothing's too exciting and change is hard and so she didn't enter the day with a great attitude, but when she came home, she couldn't tell me enough about it. So, she really really enjoyed the day and I'm just glad to see her transformation and attitude about it. Um, so thank you guys for volunteering and being there and changing those seventh graders. >> Thank you. Uh, and finally, we have student representative Henen. All right, so starting off with Kennedy, they had a visit from Carpenter Nature Center and then so those are some first graders and they had the opportunity to learn about animal adaptations from the classroom which you can see right there. I It's a little baby tortoise. And then there is a snake, which [laughter] you would think most first graders would be kind of terrified of a live snake, but you can see I'm petting it, which I think is really cool. And then just a reminder for the kids to dress for the weather. It's getting really cold out and you don't want your child to freeze outside. So remember to provide snow pants and snow boots for recess so they can go out and play in the snow. And then if you do need assistance in getting those cold that cold weather gear, you can reach out to the school social worker. And then there's just a picture of a kid playing outside in the snow fully geared up. Looks very warm. And then they had their countdown to kindergarten January 22nd, the 2026 to 2027. Kindergarteners had the opportunity to tour the school and visit future kindergarten teachers, which I think is really awesome. And then they have um want for snacks. So kids have snack time during the day if you are willing. Kennedy does take snack donations for snack time from 7:30 a.m. to 400 p.m. in the main office. They really like goldfish. I figured that out. Kids really do enjoy those. So, if you want to donate some of those, you can. And then they had Grinch day. The Grinch welcomed students and visited every classroom that you can see right there. And those kids were just taking a picture with the Grinch. And then there's more pictures. They had they just dressed up, celebrated the Grinch. And then they had their kindergarten gingerbread day where grandparents came in and made gingerbread with them. I remember that. It was really fun. [clears throat] And then at Tilden, they had a very It was chill for them. They had um Lifework mentorship program with preschoolers. Life Works is a program for people with disabilities. And then they mentor the preschoolers on artwork and techniques that they use. And then the preschoolers were inspired and created their own reindeer paintings based off the ones made by those at Lifework. So you can see some of those which is really cute. >> Awesome. Thank you. >> I'd like to add one thing on to that. Sorry. Um for the gingerbread day um that's a great lasting memory and we should continue to do that. I remember doing that with my grandma and I even have a picture of it and it's yeah it's it's a great memory and I love thinking back on that. >> Awesome. I'd also like to speak a bit more on the demo concert especially with today and then the demo concert that we had. Those students are so excited to see art and they're so excited to get into it in high school because art fosters community and community is something that we see in Hastings but we don't see everywhere. So I think fostering community in Hastings through art is really important and seeing that the demo concert and the concert today how excited kids were to get into art that's pretty awesome. >> Fantastic. Dr. Ber, >> I would just like to thank you for for your representations of all of these schools and getting this word out that this district is moving fast and it's a lot of positive things. So, thank you. You are very talented people and I appreciate it. >> Well said. Thank you. All right. And next up, we have our superintendent report. >> That's a hard act to follow. >> [laughter] >> I want to tell you all thank you very much for all of the work that you put in every single day leading others modeling behaviors. Um congratulations on the awards with youth and government. That's impressive. Um that work will last. That's awesome. Also, I was at the courage retreat briefly at both sites and want to tell you it was really fun to see how engaged the seventh graders were and I did get feedback that it was one of the best uh events that we've had. They do it annually and this one was just really energetic and the kids are really engaged and so thank you for leading that link crew leaders. That's really important. So you guys are doing great work and I also hit the show choir opening and it was really fun to see. I will be there again. Um so I just want to say hats off to you. Thank you so much for your commitment to us. Thank you. >> So, I'll go on to say that uh January 19th through the 25th is PAR professional recognition week. And I really want to send a shout out to all of our PAR professionals and the supports they provide our students as well as other staff members in our buildings. Um we can't do this work without them. And I just want to give a heartfelt thank you. Um also I'm just going to give the board and I may need Andrew's assistance. We'll see. It depends on if you have a lot of questions. I don't have a visual for you yet, so maybe it will limit questions, but you'll get more as we come. But we have, as of January 1st, we've officially moved with our infinite campus insights and early warning tools. So, we basically are moving away from performance matters and we're able to now consolidate our data. our teaching and learning along with our tech teams are working coordinating their efforts um to get training on these systems and then um our primary focus is integrating an early warning tool with our MTSS framework which allow us to identify and support at risk students with much greater precision and speed. So it's basically a data collection tool. It's going to put everything at in one place so teachers and staff are able to analyze data and then provide any sort of interventions necessary to support kids in their movement forward. Um we are implementing the pivot designer feature which is a an increase to the technical side of it. It allows for real time and historical data to be pulled in for our vision card and the data dashboard. So it's coming. Um, we're also migrating five years of historical data into the system which includes MCA data, Fastbridge data, Kogat, Access, all of those. Um, and what we're working on is a public facing dashboard. We don't have it yet. They're working on it. Um, we're hoping that it's going to be really accessible for parents and our, you know, the community to be able to access some of that data online. of course all data privacy uh of course but the team is currently finalizing the rollout timeline so I will be bringing you more information as we go um we'll eventually have a visual the dashboard as well as the vision well the vision card is pretty close to where you know we came a long way with that work here but the data dashboard will utilize the system one of the key components of this is it will be very little we're hoping it will be very little uh data entry by manual labor And that the hope is then you have fewer errors, right, with transosing numbers. So I can take questions. I may or may not have answers. Andrew may need to support with the answer piece if I can't answer it right now. But >> more will come. Yeah. >> But it's it's exciting that we're doing this. And by the way, um this particular enhancement from Infinite Campus is newer for them. It's not always been around. It's more recent. It's also saving us some money as compared to our other system that we're uh the power schools that we're getting rid of. So, we're excited about getting a better tool that potentially is actually a little bit less money. And so, that's all exciting. >> Awesome. >> Yeah. So, thank you. >> Thank you for the update. >> All right. Uh next up, we have our high school course guide and website presentation with Mr. Doran and Mr. Hajitz. Welcome. All right. Thank you, Chair Tate, directors of the board, superintendent or camp Herman. My name is Andrew Hodgeges, uh, director of teaching and learning, >> and Scott Dorne, principal at the high school. Again, uh, we appreciate the opportunity to talk to you again about the pathways work and the registration course guide. Um, I know this was presented at a work session back in December, uh, but really wanted to present it again, full board meeting, go over there's been a couple of updates to this work. Um, and also kind of like walk through what this means for students and families as well. Uh, a little bit of a reminder, this was driven by the effort of a team that came together in five meetings throughout the fall made up of uh, teachers, counselors, uh, us, uh, superintendent. Um really in our roles we sat back and and facilitated answered questions. It was really the the work of the the teachers and educators there. Uh and we wanted to move from this like this idea of pathways being kind of theoretical like we had pathways but it was kind of like what are they right? Like how are we going to make them come alive and make them functional easy to navigate tools for students and families to actually see how it comes to life on a day-to-day basis. Um, we have some key contributors. So, I'll let >> Oh, yeah. [laughter] Um, I can't say enough about the outstanding staff, not only within that committee, but a couple of members in that committee. We had Bert Caspersonson is our art teacher who just on his own volunteered and said, "You know what? As we're developing these images and kind of revamping what Pathways originally rolled out as, he said, I got it. I took it on." And what you're seeing here is the majority of his work as a duty over the last well, he started last spring. We did offer to pay him if he did work [laughter] outside of the duty day and he's like, I I can handle it. I got it. >> And he did. He handled it well. Uh Drew Cooper is one of our counselors who is just a master behind the scenes when it comes to Infinite Campus. He's a coder. Um that's part of a a previous career of his or or interest. So really what you're seeing here um is coming to life and userfriendly as much as we can right now uh because of his efforts. And when it comes to registration, Naomi Marietta, one of our other counselors, is the driving force behind all of it. She's creating videos for staff members. She laid out templates for people to say, "Here's promote their classes." And I think some of you may have gotten an email earlier today about kind of an adjusted timeline and here's what we're asking families to do. Making sure you're reviewing what your kids are um signing up for, making sure that's what the family decides and what the kids decide. So, lots of kind of checks along the way and that really is because of Naomi's work. She is outstanding at her field and we're lucky to have her. >> I'm not going to make Lindy go backwards on this page, but one of the big pieces was making sure that all of this is prominently featured on the high school website. kind of in the past, if you remember, you had to go to like >> the menu, then you had to go to counseling, then you had to go somewhere else, then you had to go down to registration, then you so it was kind of hard to find this information. Now, if you go to the high school main page, there's the menu. Okay, you're going to do there. Okay, if you scroll down just a little bit, >> right there on the left hand side at the very bottom, oh, there it is. Registration. So, you click that registration, takes you right here. So, we made it a lot easier for students and families, prospective families to find this information. Uh, as you go through this, if you'll scroll down to the bottom, actually, Lindy, you'll see we've really laid out the registration process in four steps. Um, we look at a lot of websites out there. How are people presenting this material? And some of them are like verbose. It's all textual. And if you're just like wanting a quick snapshot, that's not there to help. But some of them are too visual. And if you're looking for more information, the too many clickthroughs to find out that information. So really wanted that healthy balance of what the what's going to grab your attention and what's going to explain with clicks if you want further information on here. So you'll see the four-step framework really is about the requirements, what classes, the non-negotiables, you got to take them. Um, you know, for graduation credits, uh, requirements, your advancements. This is where the pathways comes in. And that's why it says right there, pathway moves. and has a little explainer about how the pathways come into this and how we use Zello as part of the career interest survey to really identify those interest areas. Um, we wanted to make sure people knew how we're using the pathways. It's how you pick those advancement courses. Then you look at the enhancements. What are the courses you might be interested in? They're not requirements. might not be, you know, the electrical CL or sorry, it might be the electrical class that you're not sure if you're interested in that we heard about before, but then you take it and you're like, "Oh, man. This isn't just an enhancement, it's an advancement." Um, but it's the courses you're just kind of interested in. You know, for me, um, it was taking ceramics in high school. I had never done anything like that, but it was super fun. Never did a career, but I took three ceramics classes after that. Uh, so it was super fun. Uh, and then the agreements. Make sure you're reviewing this with your counselor, your family, checking off to make sure you're not overloading yourself and overextending yourself. We heard earlier, you know, all those awards and how many things kids are in and I'm like, I think I'm busy sometimes. >> One thing real quick is that the counselors, I believe within the messaging that has gone home, it talks about finishing up registration and then the counselors next week pull every student in and work with them one-on-one. Sometimes those conversations, I've been in those meetings and it's 30 seconds. Sometimes it's it's 40 40 45 minutes if needed because of exactly what Andrew said that sometimes a counselor can see a student's academic record and see that oh next year everything is college in the schools and honors classes 14 of those it gets overwhelming and we see kids sometimes need to be coached out of a little bit of that or maybe just a little bit of a different direction. So they are very hands-on with this entire process. If you'll scroll down just a little bit there, Lindy, you'll see all these other drop-down menus now. So, you can click through them. It shows like timeline, resources. Uh it's just that way it's not all over the page, but when you need it, you can click it and you can get to it really easily. Uh at the very top, it's got some other menu items that you can go through, like if you want to click through the academic planning, the course guide, the pathways, Raiders U. a lot of different options there, but we've kept them so that if you want that information, you can click through to it. Um, I want to go through the pathways guide again real quick. Uh, so if you'll click into the pathways guide again, this was the work Bert Caspersonson took the the vision of the team and put it all together. We uh sat down and actually outlined like page one should be this, page two for the and then I went over and met with Bert like the next week and he's like, "Yeah, it should look like this and this and this." like, [laughter] "Yep, yeah, just more of that." Um, and so right here, I want to highlight the skills for success. So, the team of teachers and educators came through and said, "We need to identify," and they did this themselves. We didn't prompt them to do this. They said, "We need to look at like what are the skills kids need when they graduate from Hastings High School. What is it they need to be successful, not just in work, and college, but just in life? What is it?" And we went through, we had a really long list, really long brainstorm. We whittleled it down, I think, over two meetings and came down to the list we have here. Um, you can look, I'm not going to read it all to you, but you can look through this list. It's displayed really well. That was another meeting. How do we how do we define all of these terms? >> And the labeling of skills for success took the longest. The title, just the title, >> that title. >> Um, but we wanted to lead off with this in the pathways because really what we're saying is these are the skills you need to be successful that we've defined. Pathways are going to help you get help get you there. other courses as you go through aren't not every course in the high school is in a pathway not every course but every course can help you develop those skills for success can I interject he's absolutely correct on that and it was a real fun experience when the team was all together because you had teachers from every every [snorts] area and to think about so you think about an art class or a music class where you might be this musician but you're not necessarily going to be in that as a career. And they talked through though about >> the skills you develop that help you be successful in a different career that you learn from those classes. And that coming working through those skills for success really drew in a lot of those types of class the teachers that are teaching those classes to fill in those gaps. And it's just really fun to like to put it all in perspective that it's the whole child approach. And so I think that was the best part. >> And one thing that's leading to is some ideation about what's next. I think I've talked to you to the board before about, you know, there are some classes we're missing, maybe some areas we're a little weaker in, not quite as strong. This is helping us to develop even just having the initial conversations about what other course could we develop. So that's that's been fun, too. >> Uh, as we keep going down, the next thing is just a one pager. What are the what are the five pathways? A little oneliner about each one. Um, and then as you go through there, it goes through. This kind of looks somewhat similar to our old guide here. It's got the courses in the pathway. We have refined this list. It used to be pages and pages long for each pathway. We've really said, what are the exact courses in each pathway that are really tied to the pathway instead of trying to fit everything in because pathways are really should be helping you advance your college and career interests, right? Not every course in the high school is going to exactly meet these five areas that we most have at the high school. And that's fine because courses exist for enhancements. Courses exist for requirements. Uh so we don't need to fit everything in. The skills for success are how we're going to make sure every course is represented. Though as you go through here on this next page, you'll see that we have the pathway course progressions. I know we've talked about before. That just lays out in areas inside of a pathway what order should you take some of these courses. if this is what you're interested in. It also has the occupations comes from deed up-to-date data on growth on salary information, college or uh certificate information you might need, recommended activities and clubs listed at the bottom there that we have at the high school. Um, and this is kind of a rinse and repeat for the next four pathways. Uh, we've had a couple of updates since the last presentation. So, in meeting with uh global language, meeting with art, there were a couple of courses. So, a couple of art courses. Bert actually who created this was funny. He emailed me. He goes, "So, I was looking at this. I don't know how I didn't catch it when I made the table cuz I teach it, but this course isn't on here." Um, so we made sure to get that course on there. uh met with the global language teachers about like how we could make sure that global language as an arts and communication, how we could make sure that is in the arts and communications pathway and that their clubs are in our arts and communication, business entrepreneur, business and entrepreneurship and health and human services pathway. So we added those clubs to that list as well. >> Andrew bring uh Andrew brings up a good point too. This is kind of right now a living document. We have things set for registration because we're actively in the middle of registration right now, but we're looking for feedback from parents. Uh students will go to staff after this first real round of what we've developed. What else can we add, subtract, modify for next year? What again are we missing? We're actively looking for that as well. >> And so if you remember last year, we had an 83page document because it had both a course guide and it had the pathways information. Well, what we've done now with uh we made some investments. You might remember we talked about them last year in Zello. We uh invested some more money in that programming. Um and we now have all of our registration linked through Zello. Uh everything you need to find out about your courses, you can do in Zello. It's where also we do our career interest surveys. Um so we're able now to have this kind of one-stop shop. So that those QR codes you saw throughout the book, if you scan that, it takes you to this page um has a couple links at the top about the planning and registration, about the career pathways again. But on the side there on the left side, all of our departments are listed through here. So if you're looking for courses, like um what what's the art courses, what are the uh music courses, the science courses, you click on any one of those and it's going to take you to that area in the P. Well, I'll get to that in a second because what it's going to tell you in here, all the stuff that used to be kind of hard to read even in that 83page document, much more clear, much more connected, easy for a student to see and family to see what all the courses are. And if you scroll now all the way to the bottom on the left side, you click one of those pathways and it's going to list all the courses now aligned to each pathway. So, we've done them in a couple of different ways uh for students and families to be able to access them. And with the Zello, I met with one of the counselors just to make sure everything was working smoothly. And what happens is when the the families and kids lock their classes in for next year, that it there's a pass back to Infinite Campus so that the scheduling is done >> very quickly. So, it's going to help us out on the back end of making sure kids are in the appropriate class and get more classes that they're asking for. >> Yeah. So, we're really excited about this work, where it's at right now, uh, how we're communicating it, how we're utilizing it. There's a lot still, right, to come. Um, that we'd like to that we're going to be continuing working on. >> Just the intentionality of how registration is going and making sure students are selecting what's best for them with their voice, the parents voices, with recommendations from teachers. It's it's very intentional top to bottom. >> Yeah. But we welcome any questions or >> Dr. Susan >> um how many courses are new because of pathways and how many are courses that we've had for a number of years and we're just um thoughtfully planning them into pathways. >> Good question. Um, I give the example right off the top is our healthcare professions course came out of this conversation in our partnership with Alina and other agencies in town. Um, culinary class. So, I don't know if there's a specific number. >> No, I can't remember. >> Of newly developed classes. >> Oh, newly developed now. >> And some of them have been redefined. One of our art classes, it's kind of a mixed media class that had been sunseted for a while, sat on the shelf, has now gotten traction because of the conversations we're having. >> Yep. We did have a few teachers uh put in for some courses they would like to have and they were like pathways aligned. Um we we did kind of pause on a couple of them like you know we need some more development in this course. Uh we need more development on like what this progression would be. So we really want to map this out and like what courses I think uh Mr. Dorne talked about this earlier, like what are we looking for in the pathways in our course guide to have all of these versus looking at each course just as they come to us individually. We want to be really intentional about this development process. It's easy to get really excited about a course that comes across your desk, >> right? It's really easy, but we want to make sure that we're developing these this pro these progressions uh for students. >> Yeah. The other thing to think about just kind of real deep in the weeds is that you can't just add and add and add and add. What you do is you thin out the herd and now we've got classes not running because 14 kids want this and nine want this because you're offering too much. So with adding the new courses, we're also looking at what can we sunset. Yeah. What courses haven't run uh in a while and what industry related should we be moving on from and and and just sunsetting? >> Yeah. I I just uh A an example of one that I I think is lowhanging fruit is in the field of education. There are education prep courses that are college in the school courses that there's you know a there's such a high number of people that have a master's degree in teaching and learning or teaching and instruction. We've we have people that can teach those courses. Yes, that is on the list to develop next year which would then launch the following year 2728. That's what the plan is to look at. I'm not promising anything, right? The plan is to look at how we can develop that. We're looking at two different partnerships uh with universities for that program. I talked with Steve Peterson actually la last week I can't I think it was last week about this exact course. So, and if you want want >> information about schools that are doing it that there's just a ton of them out there and I can I can help to point you in the direction. >> Director Brun. >> Yeah, I love the um skills for success and actually at MSBA there was a round table discussion on how like Watertown mayor has taken that and although it hasn't become a part of the formal grade book, they rubricked what those skills look like and so they're trying to figure out what to do with that. But right now in that initial stage, staff are choosing tasks that align to those so they can give students that feedback. In other schools, I've seen them align their gradebook to that. So here's this group science lab. There 25 points on the rubric that fall under this part, 25 that fall under this part. Then be able to give a student some feedback on, well, here's your collaboration skills. You should foster those, but you're really strong here, and this might direct your pathway work. So just I guess food for thought or if there's any thought on what that looks like in the future to make it really intentional. >> Yeah, as it's so new staff are literally just seeing this um and you know threequarters of our staff were not part of the process. So I look at this as kind of kind of that same thing as a strategic plan. You've got your anchors. These are our anchors and we're going to be incorporating those like you mentioned Matt into those courses. What what can we do and how can we change what we're teaching to make sure we're hitting as many of those as we can. part of those in the conversations that were had at these five meetings about that exactly what you're talking about was kind of robust. It was fun. >> I have one comment. Well, actually I have four, but I one I I love [laughter] I love just setting expectations. Great. Um, I love how this gives um not only students the framework of, you know, what am what am I really working towards, but I also love the framework that it gives the teachers because I hear all the time, mostly [clears throat] from the guys at the gym, who are like, I don't even know why this, you know, how this connects to real life and stuff. And I love that we have this and that the the tilling that you guys are doing with the teachers gives them that tool. Actually, it does have relation and this is why and this is why and this is why. I don't think that has been answered for many years. So, I take my head off to that. Um I also love the enhancement versus advancement because I love you know even the conversation around the table earlier um with the different students like you can talk about you know you can take classes that are going to be for your career but there's also classes that you can take to just be interested in things and it's okay to have those two things in your life. So love that. Um, three, I' I'd love to hear how you guys are going to engage teachers with, you know, the wi with the tools that you have here. You said that you put it before the teachers, but I'd love to hear more about how they're going to they're going to know how to talk about it. Um, and then, um, oh, I have five. Sorry. Four. I'm really jealous because I didn't even I when I was in student when I was in, um, school, I didn't I didn't even know half the classes that were offered. And it's because it just wasn't accessible. I think I had to like look through like a Excel like print out. So this is like I'm so jealous. [laughter] And then lastly, I feel like global languages could be on every course. Just >> just small plug, but um if you could just touch on how you plan to like work with the teachers to kind of make sure that they have the tools to communicate well about this, that'd be great. So, as we're developing this for the last few years, uh, one of our high school goals this year is to have each and every staff member within a course or a specific unit within that course connect that course with real world uh, experience, whether it's a speaker coming in or a experience outside the school. They're I'm having them dabble in that this year. There are some that are on the road already and they're high-f flying. They do it all the time and others are not maybe just haven't thought about it as much. So really, it's getting those basically providing permission for folks, teachers to think differently and make sure they're connecting that coursework to what our industry partners are telling us they need in their next round of employees. >> Y >> uh I was just going to comment as a parent who has been neck deep in this uh all week with my daughter. Um I think the layout is great. The the way that it the it's organized is amazing. So, this has been tremendous this year. I I just want want to say hats off to you guys and all the work that's been done and the teamwork that's gone into this. >> Director Bear, >> I want to echo that statement. When this undertaking was first taking place, we were like sometimes we were worried about don't go too fast or uh are we doing the right thing? Is this a really heavy lift? But um this has been such a great progression. Uh, I just want to thank you and the staff for all the work they're doing. Um, once again, good things. Good things. Thank you. >> So, I too would like to just give a shout out to the team because this it in order to do this work well, it takes all hands on deck here to help. And it really was a team effort and it's been fun. and to go to the all staff meeting and talk about what the leadership was coming up with and them giving their insights. It's it's really fun work and I'm excited to see where it goes over the course of the years. So, thank you everyone for their work. >> Uh just a last shout out to our superintendent as well who has extensive experience in this area who really helped us keep that ball rolling. It wasn't a transition year. This was the year. So, thank you. >> I have one more brief comment. in your presentation, you were almost as excited as the student representatives telling about YAG. So, super fun. Thank you so much. >> Actually, I do have one more question. [laughter] Sorry. Um, I know last year we had swapped out a bunch of AP classes for college and the school's classes. Is that still in progress? >> Yeah, right now we're Are we >> We're only looking at one >> one is math, right? Within It's the second part of a current math class. you go ahead. >> Yeah. So, we're only looking at one right now and uh it's a math class where we teach all of it already, but we are the only class who only school who does this through Southwest that we only offer the first semester for the college credit, not the second semester. So, making the sh when making the shift would only encompass like us paying for those credits essentially through Southwest. Um so, it's not really like a big change. Um, on paper it's a change, but realistically it's th this year we're just looking at that one. Really, we want to make sure we're taking a really clear look at what are the courses that we're going to have, how do they fit into the bigger picture and all of that before making more changes. We made a lot last year >> um for So, yeah. And the uh again we I don't know if you recall from about this time last year talking about adding these courses and how we're going to have a little bit of a transition year between our our numbers our relatively high numbers of PSO students and paying for these college credits inhouse. We really saw a dramatic decrease in PS kids who want to stay here. They want to be involved in the athletics activities be part of the school with their friends. We've seen that we've actually gone down to eight full-time PSO students for semester 2. Yeah. >> Wow. And I I made the comment I asked this question. I think it was in a work session, but there was a lot of conversation at the MSBA delegate assembly about how do we lobby at the capital to make changes to basically I'm going to say force our students to stay here versus taking PSO classes. And we don't have that here because we just our students just want to be here and we have such great offerings. So that's amazing. So, all right. Anything else? All right. Thank you so much. Appreciate your time and the presentation. >> Well done. >> Yes. >> All right. I would actually like to move that we rearrange the agenda a little bit here so that we can get to our special guest. >> Um, so I am going to move that we move uh our state representative Tom Depal visit and our legislative priorities up to do that currently. That's all right. >> Second, Dressley. All right. Any discussion? All right. All those in favor say I. >> I. All say a nay. All right. Motion passes unanimously to move into our uh legislative priorities discussion. And so with that, I would like to welcome our state representative Tom Depal. Uh he is on both the uh education finance and education policy committees. So, we appreciate you being here this evening and taking the time to sit through all and hear about all of the amazing things we have going on in the Hastings School District for sure. Um, so we and I'll be honest with you, we had our first legislative priorities discussion at our last meeting. So, it hasn't been voted on, it hasn't been finalized, but this is our starting point. And I'm also just going to let you know, Lindy, I have I am incap my computer is incapable of loading any attachments this evening. So, I am relying on you showing it up on the big screen for me. Um, so this is what I put together uh from our conversation a few weeks ago. >> Looks good. >> Um, thank you. >> Uh, and so I will kick it off if that's all right. We'll kick it off with just kind of talking through with what we've got so far and then we'd love to hear from you on what your insights are for the capital and what you're expecting, what you think is going to happen this year. if you have any premonitions or thoughts or anything. >> I know it's unknown. Um but so first of all, we have ours sorted by the non-revenue priorities and then revenue priorities. And I know it's a non um budget year, but we have both. Uh so first, reducing mandates and restoring local control. Uh that was on there last year as a big priority. Uh, next up, new mandates that increase costs to districts or budget restrictions or sorry, reductions that impact districts must have a fiscal note and must be enacted by March 1st of the current legislative year or delay enactment until July 1st of the following school fiscal year to allow district staffing and program adjustments. I think you're well aware being in education, uh, our our our fiscal years don't line up, right? So, you're making decisions at the capital in uh May and our fiscal year starts July 1st. So, the idea is that anything that's going to negatively impact the district uh be decided upon by March 1st of that same year or delay the uh implementation by a year. Uh next [clears throat] up, we have preserved the standards for restrictive procedures outlined in 125A.0942 0942 and permit limited removal time with non-exclusionary discipline to support effective re-entry planning and maintain safe classrooms. Uh this one I don't know Director Bruns if you'd like to speak to that. >> Yeah, I can speak more clearly uh and maybe more passionately about the just not adjusting any of the components of restrictive procedures. It's it's not the tool we want to use in education. It's a tool in the toolbox and it's used in very rare moments and it's a part of the student's plan and families and guardians are aware of that. Um, but without an off-ramp and probably the necessary funding to make it possible, uh, things like, um, and I even hate to say it all out because it sounds so heavy, but lock seclusion and then other restrictor procedures that might be used as an appropriate measure for student behavior. Uh, just we leave, um, leave that alone for now. We've already restricted it third grade and lower. um and the the talk and I know there's a seclusion working group that just kind of wrapped up their work last Wednesday, but if we can leave um the standards around that alone for now, that would be much appreciated in the line of special education. >> Thank you. Um next up we have repeal requirements that school boards negotiate e-learning days, student testing and studentto staff ratios. Then we have allow school boards by board resolution to transfer balance surpluses of non-federal funds between district operating accounts to meet financial needs without the need for additional aid or levy authority. Obviously, we're just looking for more flexibility with our funding. Um, and then we move into the funding priorities. We have repeal summerterm unemployment insurance and paid leave or fully fund both programs to cover employer premiums and substitute staff costs associated with the benefits. Um so I think one of the unintended consequences we're seeing with the unemployment insurance is that we have staff who um resign at the very end of summer after collecting unemployment all year. and it just leaves us in a very difficult spot to uh hire those before the school year starts and have a smooth start to the school year. Uh then we have repeal the contingent $250 million cut to special education cross subsidy reduction aid scheduled for the 2028 29 bienium. Uh and finally, we have strengthened the college and career readiness program to ensure financial stability, academic rigor, student support, and preparation for success after high school by allocating targeted funds to fully implement Minnesota statute section 127A 170 Minnesota P220 education partnership subdivision 2A. So, this is something that was obviously enacted previously. We're just acting that we're just asking that it be fully implemented. So, um, if you want to hit the button on your microphone, then everybody can hear you. You have comments? >> Well, I think they're all great priorities and they match I think the priorities of the upcoming session and some of the priorities that you mentioned on there uh certainly were covered in the last session, too. And I would certainly encourage anybody to come down to the capital and continue to testify on behalf of the flexible funding. For instance, we don't want to hamstring boards and school districts in the way that they know best to be able to fund their district and to teach the students and provide the necessary resources to do so. And you know, I I I want to before I go on, I just want to say uh how impressed I was by the students that were here was really incredible. Bobby and Eli and everybody else that was talked about and the uh student school board members too and the youth in government that they're in really is truly encouraging and amazing. and to to hear the um the serving side of the students too that they aren't just kind of selfishly pursuing their own good, but in the community they're really trying to reach out to whether it be other students or be a role model. Uh I I like the archery part. I'm a bow hunter, too, and I love that you have archery, and I grew up duck hunting, so the ski shooting was great. And I'm a hands-on do-it-yourselfer guy, so hearing about the technical school stuff as well. And the technical uh jobs that are available out there are numerous and are needed very much so. And we truly are entering into a different age, I think, of what education can provide for students and ready them for a changing workforce. Truly, it's it's changing quickly. And much of what I heard is a proactive approach to that, which I mean, this is just such a great school district and you guys are such a good board. um you have really really wise insight into what these students need. So thank you for that leadership and it I mean it shows like what you guys are doing here shows in the students that are here physically and the people that were getting the awards. So that was really encouraging. Um but back to the u the different items here on the list. I mean, they they functionally uh match up relatively well to the things that I've already talked to the chairs of the education policy and education finance committees. They acknowledge these things as being issues and they've continuously heard. It wasn't just some people came up to the capital and testified on an issue that they thought was important. They've continuously heard from school districts that this isn't a theoretical problem or something that we think might affect us negatively. It is affecting us negatively. And we do need to take action on that. And so I'm hopeful. I really am. And it might sound strange, but the last session everybody wondered how is this going to end because it's a tie in the house. And how are things going to get funded? and is anybody going to do anything bipartisan? And it ended up turning out quite civil actually. I think everybody knew that there's only so much that each side of the aisle could do and it sort of moderated itself within all the committees until it made its way onto the floor. And that's what I'm hopeful that will happen with these priorities because again these priorities were uh talked about over and over and continuously we've heard. I I've heard from different individuals too uh while we haven't been in session. So that's what I would say more broadly and then I'm happy to take any questions more specifically if anybody has anything. question. Uh, Representative Depel, you're just really uniquely wellprepared to be frankly honest. Uh, we're to help education being on both the policy and the finance committees. So, uh, understanding that, um, do you have the bandwidth to author or to to shepherd, you know, one or two of these on on your shoulders through through both of those committees? >> Absolutely. I'm actually a member of two other committees, too. Good. >> And I really I I don't say this lightly. I ran to serve and sacrifice for our district and I take that as a great responsibility and I don't believe in just authoring a bill to tell somebody I authored the bill for you. You have to you have to work hard and you have to get people together. You have to help them get their testimonies together to come and testify effectively. uh you get to talk to the chairs of the committee and the and the vice chairs and really make sure that you have a push behind it. And that's what I promised to our constituents. That's what I'm trying to do on many different levels. And if there is something that you want me to carry here that isn't already authored, there's a high likelihood it's already been authored. I mean, there's so many bills that have been authored. Um, but if you want me to push harder on something, >> well, I'm happy to. >> I I I I was uh really hoping for your support on one that I think it's time has come. I mean the the absurdity of the fact that we don't find out how much money we have until our fiscal year has already started for the for the operating school year ahead of us and we have to make staffing decisions in April, some in you know March. It it's just absurd the way that that schools are funded late. [snorts] And I think that the agenda item that that we have about having information about the it having either it written in time for us to enact it. I think it was March 1st was the date. And you're going to see that come through Minnesota School Board Association as well as and and AMSD as as you know strong uh efforts on their part. But I I just think that that's one of those that it's time has come and it's absurd that it's been this long and the problems existed. And we're not, you know, this isn't one where we're asking for more money. We're just saying if if the legislation can't if the legislators can't figure it out in time, then put it off for a year and it just makes sense. >> Um, so I I guess I I would just challenge you on that. If if you have the bandwidth for it, I would really appreciate it and I think that that we'd all appreciate you asserting some effort to that. >> I'd be happy to do that. And what I would highly recommend is you send me an email that's very specific and say that we spoke about this and I would be happy to get that bill authored and >> and we have testifiers in district that would be happy to join you. >> Terrific. Yeah, I I would love to do that and I'd be happy to uh do everything that I can to get a hearing on it and we should do that quickly. >> Yeah, I agree. If if you want a hearing and anything is going to happen at all, we should do that as soon as possible. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. Yeah. For sure. And I can sympathize with you too as the board chair and founder of a school, >> right? >> It's crazy that you'd have to try to manage a budget and a whole bunch of changes so late into the year. So, I can certainly sympathize with you there. >> I appreciate that. Thank you. >> Yeah. Um, other comments [clears throat] on any of these or Director Subert, Director Moen, if there's anything you'd like to contribute with your experiences with any of this too, that'd be appreciated. >> Great. Can I? >> Yeah, absolutely. >> So, thank you for coming tonight. We appreciate that you're here. Um, I'd like to kind of echo what um, Director Zuzac said. We're we would be happy to testify if you need that. We'll communicate with you. That's very important. I want to also reiterate the idea of letting us decide how to manage our own money based on our student needs. Um the idea with of all the restrictions that go into um if they're going to give you new dollars, they restrict it in some fashion. Um it doesn't feel good. It doesn't feel like you're trusted. And I can say you saw our kids. We do what's best for our kids here in this district. and we'd love to carry that message down to the capital to say, you know, you have to uh give us the trust that we deserve. These are elected officials. They're speaking for their community. Um I'm hired to do [clears throat] that. So that I just can't express that enough as well. Thank you. >> I second that. >> And I think just one one thing I'd like to add, one of my and I've been very vocal about this ever since I've been on the board. One of my biggest concerns is the fiscal stability of the district moving forward. We are a declining enrollment district. We are doing our best at this board in this district to try to to flip that. Um but I think that just the stability issue um in itself with unfunded mandates that have been handed down with I mean some of these things are killers right for us and we're looking at a quarter of a million dollars for example and some of these and and that's that's not small change right so um so just appreciate any and all efforts that you can put forth to ensure uh financial stability for school districts moving forward >> so Yeah, >> you have my word on that. >> Thank you. >> Can I add one more thing? >> There's a It's just a language issue. So, I'll just comment on this. >> I think that it's bothersome. It's it's nearing offensive actually to me to to have it stated that we're going to lose $250 million in in cross subsidy for special ed if we can't figure out some magic way to save $250,000 $250 million prior to a a date. I mean, if if this was easy work, it would have already been done, not not only by us, but it would have been done by the legislature as well. And so, I know that one of the things that we will continue to hear is that this isn't a funding year, and I fully understand that, but it's also not a cutting year. You know, this isn't a year for reductions. Th this this should be steady as she goes. Um, so that language is really important and and talking about it as as anything other than a cut is uh it it's disingenuous. >> So when you're in committees, when you hear that, if your ears perk, I'll be appreciative. So thank you. Understood. >> All right. Any other questions, comments? >> No. All right. Well, thank you so much for your time. My pleasure. Truly. >> And thanks for all you do at the capital. >> Thank you for all you all are doing, too. >> Thank you. >> Thanks. >> All right. Next up, we have our building construction fund project update with Miss Subert. >> Thank you. So, the building construction fund accounts for the money the district received from the voter approved bonds, and we're using it for school renovations and improvements. We currently have a balance of approximately $564,000 in the account. Um 400,000 uh $46,000 is unallocated. So um we are using planning to use that money to pay the arbitrage payment and we have recently talked about some upcoming potential projects to add to this account. So more details will come on that later, but that's the update for this month. Thank you. >> All right, any questions? All right, thank you. Next up, we have our legal data request update from Miss Mowen. >> Good evening. Uh, since I reported last time, we have had three new data requests come in. Right now, we have six data requests pending processing, and the legal bills this month did not include any costs related to data requests. >> Thank you. >> Uh, all right. Next up, we have our MSBA leadership conference recap. And unfortunately, I was unable to attend, but would love to hear from each of the board members on one or two highlights that you got from the session. And I would like to thank Director Zuzac for going around and getting me a bag of [laughter] stuff. >> I appreciate that. >> That leads very well into my first comment if you don't mind. you know, and I know that there's it's kind of a running joke that I pick up some swag at the conference, and I'm perfectly fine with that because it goes to to a good cause. Um, and I what I wanted to say was spending time in that vendor fair area is really critical to me because I want to know why are we, you know, we had a nice conversation with site logic people last week at the at the conference and now this week we're meeting with them in district, you know, and and understanding how different vendors do different things and how they're all interrelated is critical. And so I I really appreciate the vendor fair and you know slowing down and I was with lots of you guys talking to to vendors just slowing down and having conversations with them about what what is it that you do and you know half the time I'm asking do you help past Hastings because I I don't know which vendors you know in some total we we hire. So, um that one and then uh there was a a great session on um uh on the way that we talked to each other after the this was on it was the lunch and learn session. Yeah. And it was really good. It I'm glad that I chose that one. Um, and and it just it had to do with the way that we talked to each other uh in in a professional setting and um and and how we bring the community along and that was good. And maybe the last thing I'll say is I really appreciate that we get that little while to get together with our delegate assembly um district area people because we can put some names on faces and talk to neighboring districts about how they're solving their problems because I I always say that every school district has the same problems and solves them differently. >> All right. Thank you. And to your first point, I mean, the whole reason we have an anatomage table here is because a few of us were walk were walking around and saw this super cool thing, right? >> So, yeah, >> I agree. All right. >> One more comment on the on the conference. Um, a lot of us sat in on the the lunch and learn that Mark was talking about and one takeaway and I feel like it impacted me and I know I've talked to a couple other people about it too was talking about how to um speak neighbor to neighbor and how to get more community um collaboration and uh I will say that uh you know neighbor to neighbor versus top down board and um people you know constituents down here like the the form of communication and how we and engage the community in different ways. And what I loved about the sit the session more than anything else is it's not a Hastings unique situation that's going on. It's it's statewide probably countrywide and everybody's trying to figure out how to best communicate with their community and how to engage the community and um I think all of us took it really deeply to heart and it has translated to conversations in our committee. So >> awesome. Thank you. All right, Dr. Milner. Well, you guys kind of already talked about mine, but I was going to mention how um in past years, uh I would often do the vendor booths walking around with Jenny Weerhalt Pine. So, walking around with you was very different, Director Zuzac. Um because you actually said slow down and talk. Well, you know, Jenny didn't slow down. like it was [laughter] um except for at the anatomage table. And yes, that was one thing that just came to heart as I was walking through that, wow, we have this now in our district because we were drawn in and we were playing with that table. And I mean, it was just amazing. And to see that come to fruition, I mean, it makes me really proud. I think our students have an amazing opportunity to have that table here. And I didn't even think to ask if did any of you are we still the only high school? >> No. >> Okay. >> There are a couple more >> couple more but still I mean to be less than a handful of schools that have that capability that's really really cool. So um so yeah and then of course with Jenny's year date of passing coming quickly. Um there there was a few moments at the at the conference that just brought me right back. We miss her. >> Um and then the other thing I was going to say too is Mark was cracking me up >> with getting all the freebies. >> He knows how to get the coolest things [laughter] from the vendors. So I trailed him for a little bit. Um, but talking to the vendors, that was one thing that in past years, the first year going, I was overwhelmed because I didn't know any of the vendors we use in Hastings. So, I was kind of nervous to walk up and start talking to people. Um, and then last year, you know, it was kind of like that mix in between. And then stopping and slowing down and and having the conversations this year, I found that really helpful. I really enjoyed that. Um, and lastly, I'll say Renie Curran was the closing speaker. Um, and my family knows this well because my husband eats, sleeps, and breathes football. I still have a college boy, you know, he's playing football. Like, we there's a lot of football in my world. And by this time of the year, I'm so sick of football. I will I just say it. I'm so sick of it. Fantasy football. I'm sick of it. Um, and he's a he's a past NFL football player. So, I thought, "Oh, good grief. I can't get away from it." But he was really good. I really enjoyed him. He had one of those stories where he walked into a stadium because it sounded like kind of a Goodwill neighbor took him to a football game when he was 10 years old and his dream was born to play in that stadium. So, it was George Bulldogs if I remember right. Um, and then that dream came true even though he was undersized, he was smaller, he was, you know, not as big, not as tall. Um, so it was his success story of never giving up, perseverance, determination, all of those things. and we can't hear enough of those stories. And it's so cool to hear our own students stories and all they're doing and achieving and you know, so it just paralleled really well with, you know, some fun things we have going on in our district. So I sucked it up and listened to more football for a little while, but it was really good. [laughter] >> Thank you, Director Dley. So this year I really enjoyed um putting faces with names and being able to connect with other schoolboard members from across the state and hear how they're dealing with some of the same things that we're dealing with. It's I think that's very valuable. >> Director Brun, >> I most certainly went to a presentation that I've been to before. Um but I really appreciate it. It just had to do with how we u develop our Native American programming. Exact same presenters, exact same presentation. I sat down. I think I've seen this one before. It's different how it hits you that time because your your depth of understanding is better. So, I've got some ideas coming out of that. Um, I talked about the profile of a learner. The other session that was really good Thursday right away in the morning like 8 a.m. they went through the federal changes that are going on. And so, tomorrow ran everybody through it. Um, with the if there's a dismantling of the Department of Education, all of its um services would be shot into different departments. So the the not the silver lining, whatever the reverse of that is, is lag time and communication between departments, loss of experts in the room to really handle things in a timely manner. It's going to slow things down. Uh the office of civil rights, there are a lot less people. So when you think about special education or education investigations, period to injustice or anything that's happened, um those are going to be a lot less frequent and which is great. When you think about the due process side of things, it's hideous. If you're a family member and you are trying to seek any kind of retribution or just um fair programming for students, they they would come with some budget reductions as well. And that's just out of the federal pot, but silver lining uh more freedom in how that money is spent. Now, it's not a majority of our budget. It's not even 20% of our budget, but the freedom within how that money is spent, it would open up quite a bit. So that was something that he was kind of hanging his head on. >> And he said, "Also monitor the Supreme Court's Ruling on a case that was heard last Thursday in St. Louis, but know that our case." So, um, what do you think about uh, trans athletes in high school sports? Ours is different than the way the law in Missouri was written, and ours is probably going to go to the Supreme Court as well, but it might inform one or the other. >> Thank you. Dr. Beerm, >> uh, I was only there for the first day. I couldn't make it the second day, but, uh, it it gives me an opportunity to be more self-aware and to just self-improvement of being in this this position. there's always things to learn and um it it just kind of opens your eyes to the importance of what we do and uh sometimes I don't think you realize it but when it just allows you to kind of an you know some self analysis and I I really had a a great day up there and I wish I could have been there the second day but uh um I couldn't make it the last year and uh I was very happy to to attend this Good. Thank you. And yeah, finally, um I did attend one of the lunch and learn sessions that was uh a district west of the metro hour and a half or so and got a whole list of resources of where they looked for grant funding to help with CTE career pathway type work. So that was I thought very nice. I've handed that off to staff person at the high school. So we need to look into these things. So that was really beneficial just to see what others are doing. I think that district has raised over the course of a few years like half a million dollars through grants. So, there's opportunities. So, we'll look into that. >> Wonderful. Thank you. >> All right. Well, thank you everybody for sharing. Um, again, sorry I was not able to be there. Uh, but thanks for taking the time to to, you know, and dedicating that time to that event. All right. Next up, we have our school board representatives and committee reports. And first up, we have District 917 with Director Zuzac. >> Yep. The uh maybe the most important thing what wasn't even on the schoolboard agenda or even on the work session. So, you've got a a two-page document here that just kind of gives you what happened at the board table, but a decision was made to do a refresh of the strategic plan. remember we were looking at that instead of doing a full uh you know um strategic plan and I think that we made the right decision for our district and 917 made the right decision for their district. Um to for them to hire you know MSBA for instance to come in and do that didn't make sense because as an intermediate they're so different from the typical local school board or school district. Um, and they've got the resources. They've got some really talented staff that have the bandwidth and the talent to um to shepherd us through it. They're following a program called uh the refresh through the three C's and it sounds a lot like um other things that you've heard, but basically it was carry forward. So, what are the things that we're doing that we want to continue? What are the things we want to close out? and what are the things that we need to create a new so it's just a it is a framework for updating whatever program it is that you're analyzing and I don't think that uh I we'll have the whole thing done by the end of June that that's the hope that we go into the new year with a new strategic plan or an updated strategic plan >> awesome good luck with that >> uh I also wanted to let to say congratulations on being vice chair >> Oh thanks Yeah. And then I did want to ask you, I saw that you have they have or 917 has an MSBA committee. I'm curious about that because we don't have that one. What you do? >> It's not really a committee. It's it's a representative and because I represent this I'm I'm I represent for MSBA and MSD for 917 and I just keep them a breast of what's going on if if they're not attending, you know, uh things that are going on. So, speaking of which, >> yeah, >> transition to the next one if you don't mind, chair tape. Uh, for the uh AMSD uh program, probably the the coolest thing that we have going right now with AMSD. There's two things in the attachment, two attachments, and one of them, the second one in in our board attachment is is the um funding, you know, looking at school funding. And I just wanted to say and I wish that our kiddos were still here because this was a group of four high school students from Minnetonka that with a bunch of their peers analyzed school funding as an issue throughout the state and the way that it's so frankly inequitable and not appropriate for and not comparable for every district. Interestingly, it was Minnetonka schools. um their their problems are different than our problems and [snorts] uh particularly in the way of school funding. But they came up with their their uh their best solution is um to fund schools differently based on local bonding and and local levies, which is frankly what the legislators decided to do too. And so it's just they they talked about, you know, how it's so important to bring information to the voters. So I thought that was important. And then looking ahead, February is always a fun meeting because uh the all of the legislators uh Representative Depel um and [clears throat] all of you know uh Senator Seabourg have been invited and all of the metro area legislators are invited to hear about the platform from AMSD and so I I hope to see them there. Um and then there's also this upcoming not this Friday but next Friday there's a equity index presentation that's happening after the actual meeting and people are invited to stay after and uh Dr. Workamp Herman and I have already decided that we wanted to stay after and see that too. So >> a lot going on. >> Yeah, absolutely. You're busy. >> Oh, not me. All of us. [laughter] >> Thank you for those reports. Any questions? All right, moving on to the community collaboration meeting. Uh, and we'll have Director Milner report out on this one. So, we had the meeting um here at the middle school cafeteria on January 12th and um Dr. After work camp, Herman gave kind of the synopsis of what was happening with the school perception survey. And then there was um groups of people at tables. And then each one of us that were present as schoolboard members kind of took a table and listened and observed and watched as they um they were instructed to talk about findings they found encouraging. Um areas needing additional attention and questions or concern related to the data. And I'm not going to read everything I wrote, but um some top things were discipline, student behavior, and classroom distractions. Um and of course those kind of go hand inand. And so just at my table particularly, I can I can discuss what was talked about there. Um but part of it is that you know our hands are tied in certain circumstances. So, we talked about how it's important to talk to your legislators, to talk to, you know, send emails and send phone calls because a lot of times decisions can be made at tables, but then you don't know how that's going to affect families and and uh you know, actual real life circumstances. And so, we talked about how important it is to give feedback um so that change can happen if it needs be. Um, and then something that I thought was fun was, you know, we want to more effectively communicate positive developments within our district. So, like the shed being built through the pathways program and the trias, the the bikes that you can ride and help people get around town and still experience biking. What a cool opportunity for our students to be able to build with their hands and experience what it's like to go, you know, ground up with a new building. Um, but the funny part about that is I find ironic is that we got feedback on we're getting too much communication out and we're not giving enough communication out. So, how do we find that balance? So, um, if anybody has any ideas on how you find the right balance with that, we're we're open with that. But we got feedback on both sides of that. Um, and so, yeah, just, uh, actually I'm transitioning off of this committee, so I think there was a a meeting tonight and so I don't know if the meeting is now still the same. Is it still the same for the next one, April 1st? >> Maybe. >> Maybe. Okay. To be determined. To be determined. I'll just leave that part open. >> Thank you. Uh any questions? >> All right. Uh moving on, we have uh finance and facilities committee. Uh Director Zuzac, I know we just met this week, so there's no report for this week, but >> yeah, [laughter] >> so we'll we'll get the recap from this week. As you mentioned, we met with Site Logic. Yeah, >> they came in and did a presentation for us. So, we'll get more information in our report for next month. >> Um, and then we have uh the joint powers committee update again with director Milner, >> me again. Um, again, I won't read this all. I made it detailed for a reason. Um, the main thing was getting the facility the joint maintenance facility lease and maintenance and operation agreement nailed down. So, getting both sides to agree on all the wording and how it's all of that. So, if you're unfamiliar with that, that's the building that's to the east of the school and we have joint use of that with the city. So, um I was getting that agreement going. Um we just shared some updates from both the city and the school board on what's happening and what's coming up. And so, hockey day was mentioned. Um the next community collaboration day was mentioned. I would like to highlight the state of Hastings address will be held on April 8th from 11:30 to 1. Um I missed last year but the prior year I thought was amazing. So if anybody's interested in seeing what's happening in the district in Hastings itself um Dr. Workamp Herman present and Mayor Mary Fespender. So that event is hosted by the Chamber of Commerce if you'd like to be able to join us at that. >> Is there remote access for that? >> Oo I don't think so. I don't think so. >> Last year was available post you know like after I you could view it. Okay. >> Um, but it wasn't it wasn't live viewing. >> Good to know. Thank you, Director Zuzi. >> Uh, that was April 8th, 11:30 [snorts] to 1. Um, and is that held up at the public house again? Same location? Don't know. >> Not sure. To be determined. Um and then also just to highlight the um outdoor learning spaces that are going to be happening because of grants. Grants that seems to be a theme tonight. So um so yeah, that's exciting. So like I said, I'll let you read all the rest of it for more details. >> Thank you. All right. Then we have our NAPAC committee update with Director Bruns. >> Yes. Yes. Yes. Early January feels like uh last December feels like it's been so long. Uh but we some of the things that we were exposed to tonight we had a sneak peek into on the ETH. So when we think about some of the updates on So I let them know about a community collaboration event that are that has now since taken place. Uh our superintendent reviewed the school perception results with uh the group. Um we again supported the community event, talked about the ice protocols around the building because that was a concern of the group and then just snowed in e-learning protocols. But we got to see the new data or at least talk about the new data filter and the power that that will have in tracking interventions and getting the right support to students in time when we think about moving the needle on marginalized students and knowing exactly what to do and then also judging the effectiveness of those interventions with specific folks with specific skills. Um really cool thing coming down the pipe. It's I know it's submitted because I think on the day of this meeting it was due like 4 days later but it's the native language revitalization grant. uh director Hajes and Sign Peacock Hail, we're working on that together. And that's no small grant. That's a six-f figureure grant. And the first number isn't always a one. Sometimes it's a two. And you can use it to fund FTE. And with some of the requirements that we have now, because of the numbers of students we have identified as Native American, so we're talking 111, I think, is our count right now. That is a requirement for us to offer language courses or cultural courses. and those can occur, but we can pull the FT out of that grant if we have it. So, think about securing the funding from outside our current revenue streams to make that happen. That's a big deal. Uh Cyan is really a busy person and she's targeting her time right now as she grows into the role of our Native American education liaison really is focused on like spending a lot more time with younger but making sure our high school students are meeting the the need to graduate. but that if I can sink into the community and in with the students at a younger age, I have that attachment as I move forward. But she's in all of her work, monthly trackers for student check-ins and how they're doing. Uh collaborating with school counselors, collaborating with the MTSS team and getting those supports, the invitations and attendance at IEP meetings are really huge. So, she's just doing a really good job and I think she stepped into the role as I'm assuming a relatively young person in a job that she's probably not held before and doing it like she has been doing it for a while. Well, and by I think really leaning on other liaison and other Native American ed programs throughout the state. [snorts] Yeah. Um we uh some of the NAPAC updates coming out of the committee just their vote for concurrence non-concurrence that'll be at the February regular board meeting. So they'll be in front of us here and they talked about MIA. If you have ever have any interest in attending a really powerful um professional development sequence, go to the MIEA, so the Minnesota Indian Ed oh gosh, what's the A association? That's not right. Um but it's some of the most powerful stuff and we've had different leadership groups from our district go and get a lot out of it and it's packed. It's hard to get a seat in there. It's very busy and this year it's a lot closer than it's been in years past. So, if you can go, express interest and and try and get down there. And we're currently tracking roughly 11 seniors to graduate and be at our um ceremony in May. So, we're very excited about that. >> Awesome. Thank you. Any questions? >> All right. Uh next up, we have our student schoolboard committee update. Director Brun again. Yeah, we're tracking for a February meeting because we'll launch our applicant pool, our form to gather those in March and then we will go through those applications in April and conduct the interview process then and then be able to have all of that work done before the conclusion of the school year. For our folks that were here um our seniors, their application for the scholarship that's available to them as representatives on a school board closes March 9th. So, they've got some time to get that done. But in a change that grant program, should Shila and Avery decide next year, it ain't for me, as long as they serve in their junior or senior year and the ne following year they're going to be a full-time college student, they can apply for that scholarship as well. So some freedom and flexibility there. And I think it I think it might change in our committee work deciding that we have to stick with the seniors. I think we can open it up and everyone has to be the best candidate coming through. And I think that's a great way to just keep it competitive. And I think as long as you're doing that, you're getting the best folks at the table. >> Great. Thank you. >> All right. Next up, policy. Thanks. >> So, yep. This this month we only um we're only bringing forward one policy. There's two of them on the agenda. And the reason for the proposed new policy is because it's a full revamp of the policy. It's not just um some red line revisions. Um does anybody have any questions? I'm not going to read through. >> It's a lot. >> Yep. But if anybody has any questions, I'm more than happy to answer them. >> I only have a comment. At the MSBA uh leadership conference, Terry Muro, I was talking to him. He's like, your policy committee has some great things coming out. And I was like, yeah, proud to not be a part of that committee, but [laughter] you become a part of the crew. [laughter] Well, >> that's funny. [snorts] >> Yeah, >> I wanted to commend the crew for leaving the the opt out language for student surveys. I think we get a lot better data set with that. >> Yeah. >> Um and so I really appreciate that language stay put. >> Yeah. Thank you. Um so second and third reading we have no changes. So um if anybody has any questions otherwise I'm not going to go through those ones either. They're all included on the um summary in board book. >> Thank you. All right. Uh, now we are on to our action items of the evening. Uh, first up is the consent agenda. Could I get a motion on this, please? >> Motion to approve the consent agenda. Zuzzek, >> I get a second, please. >> Second, Michael Moulder. >> All right. Any discussion. >> All right. All those in favor of approving the consent agenda say I. >> I. All those opposed say nay. Motion passes unanimously to approve the consent agenda. Next up, we have our items for individual action. Starting with the ship grant approval. Could I get a motion on this item, please? >> Michael Boulder moves to approve the ship grant. >> Thank you. >> Presley seconds. >> Thank you. Any discussion? >> All right. All those in favor of approving the ship grant say I. >> I. All those post say nay. Motion passes unanimously to approve the ship grant. Uh, next up we have our 2026 legislative priorities that were walked through earlier this evening. I didn't ask at the time of discussion, but maybe start out. Does anyone have any updates that they'd like to request to that document before we have a motion? Does it look good? Looks good. All right. >> All right. With that, I am asking for a motion on that item. >> Motion to approve the legislative agenda for Hastings Public Schools. >> Meer seconds. >> All right. Any discussion? All those in favor of approving the legislative agenda for Hastings Public Schools, say I. I. >> I. All those opposed, say nay. Motion passes unanimously. All right. Next up, we have a revised Taher contract. Could I get a motion on this, please? >> Motion to approve the Taher contract. >> Michael Moulder seconds. >> Any discussion? >> Quick question. How so? I didn't have the two beside each other. How did this change? So in general, what's the revision? And then another question is how do we look for next year? Do you think that we'll have a a contract with Taher again next year? >> Okay. So this contract does go through June 30th of 2027. Got it. So it's the remainder of this year and next year. >> And the difference is that we used to have a full-time chef at our district. um he had been great but he accepted a different opportunity within Taher. So we really partnered with Taher to figure out like what can the next phase of our relationship look like. Um so it's going to include monthly chef visits and it's actually going to be the same chef most of the time that we already had. Um he's already built a connection with our staff and our kids and knows you know what we've been doing and kind of can just keep things going. So [snorts] um we will have monthly chef visits. In addition, we have contracted with them for some staff development for our staff so that we can utilize their Taharu um with our leads to help kind of continue to build their skills and give them [clears throat] some new opportunities. Um, and then we are, um, hiring an internal position that will be a culinary specialist that will be kind of our day-to-day person that'll travel through the buildings and do a lot of what that chef used to do. Um, and then the Taher chef will come in for like bigger events, like monthly um, promotional type things. So it feels like a really great opportunity just to utilize our staff in a in a new way and um still keep this relationship with Taher. >> Hearing that hearing that I remember that we looked at that additional position as well. So thank you. >> Thank you. Any further discussion? All right. All those in favor of approving the Taher contract say I. >> I. >> I. All those opposed say nay. Motion passes unanimously to approve the tacker contract. And next up, we have a donations resolution, donations acceptance resolution. Um, is could I get a motion on this item? >> Motion to approve the donations um resolution and wave the reading. >> Thank you. >> Second, Michael Moulder. >> All right. Any discussion? All right. Uh once again, I just want to say thank you to our generous community for all that you do for us and your generosity. Um normally I like to read that total, but I can't get it up on my screen and that's too small. I think it's 52. That's what I remembered. Yep. Almost $53,000 in a month. That is absolutely tremendous. Um and then of course with the inkind donations as well, it is over that. So thank you so much for your support of our of our schools. Um, with that, uh, Director Milner, could you please take a roll call vote? >> Director Beer, >> I. >> Director Michael Moulder, >> I. >> Director Zuzek, >> I. >> Vice Chair Dresley, >> I. >> Chair Tate, >> I. >> Director Bruns, >> I. >> And Director Milner, I. >> Thank you. Um, and finally, we have our future meetings, which again, I have to read from the screen. If you can make that a little bit bigger for my old eyes, that'd be amazing. Thank you. Um, we have, let's see here. We have a closed board retreat coming up on February 3rd with Dr. Dave, is it Dave? Dave Webb. >> Um, and that will be at 5:00 pm. It's from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Uh, then we have on February 5th, we have our policy committee meeting at noon in the district office. And February 5th, we have our second of two closed board retreat with Dr. Dave Webb again. Um, and then we have our work session on February 11th. And I can actually see what's on there. Uh, so far on our agenda, we have a board education session with finance and HR. We will be getting hopefully a presentation from Site Logic. Have we heard they've confirmed? Okay. They will be here presenting uh kind of similar information to what was presented to the facilities committee earlier this week. We will be getting an update on our vision card and data dash board again and a presentation on the tools that they will be using. Uh we're going to discuss uh how to get additional input, public input uh following our community collaboration event and it sounds like you guys had a great discussion at the MSBA conference about that as well. And then we will be talking about uh possible adjustments or ex exceptions to our rental fees of our facilities. And then of course our uh schoolboard handbook which we had hoped to approve tonight but the policy committee didn't quite get through the whole thing. >> So and then any policies that come up as well. Um after that we have our finance committee meeting on February 19th at 11:00 a.m. in the district office followed by policy at noon same location. And then we have our February 25th regular board meeting. And at this point, as was previously mentioned, we'll have our NAPAC presentation and vote of confidence or non-confidence. Uh we'll get a fast bridge and literacy update from our teaching and learning group. Uh we'll also be getting a long-term financial plan update and enrollment data update. Um, we'll be talking about staffing ratios and hopefully the joint maintenance [clears throat] facility agreement will be up for voting at that time as was previously mentioned for the joint powers committee. All right. And that's all we've got coming for the next month. With that, I am looking for a motion to adjurnn. >> Motion to adjurnn. >> My second. >> Any discussion? All those in favor of adjournment say I. [clears throat] >> I. All those oppos say nay. Motion passes unanimously to