South St. Paul Public Schools — Transcript
Tuesday, April 15, 2025
Story
South St. Paul schools approves teacher grants, sports partnerships
Teacher Pipeline Grants (Grow Your Own & Special Education)
School Resource Officer (SRO) Services Agreement
Federal Micro Purchase Threshold Increase
Proposed Levy Certification
District Updates and Community Engagement
Student Board Report
Votes (11)
Approval of Non-Exclusive Dance Cooperative Sponsorship with St. Paul Conservatory for the Performing Arts
Moved by Unknown [00:30:08] · Seconded by Unknown [00:30:10]
Brady Krueger explained that Minnesota State High School League bylaw 403 permits students attending charter schools that don't offer league-sponsored activities to return to their resident district to participate. This agreement allows a student from the St. Paul Conservatory for the Performing Arts to participate in dance with South St. Paul schools.
Approval of Boys Hockey Cooperative Agreement between South St. Paul Public Schools and New Life Academy
Moved by Unknown [00:31:10] · Seconded by Unknown [00:31:12]
The agreement seeks to form a cooperative partnership in Boys Hockey between South St. Paul and New Life Academy. This initiative is a response to declining youth hockey numbers in South St. Paul, aiming to solidify the program while maintaining the Packer name and logo. The team will continue to compete in the Metro East Conference and section 4A without changes in class or section.
Approval of Special Education Pipeline Grants Tuition Reimbursement Agreements
Moved by Unknown [00:33:55] · Seconded by Unknown [00:33:58]
These agreements stem from the Special Education Pipeline Grant, aimed at supporting staff in obtaining special education licenses. Eight staff members (Heidi Terce, Michael Wallace, Hannah Danielson, Jody Jacka, Devon Mo, Victoria Meny, Michelle Wallace) are receiving scholarship/grant awards to begin or continue their teacher preparation and expand their license areas. These agreements define the terms and conditions of their participation, addressing the district's high need for licensed special education teachers.
Approval of Grow Your Own Grant Tuition Reimbursement Agreements
Moved by Unknown [00:37:07] · Seconded by Unknown [00:37:10]
These agreements are for Vidm Marie Pomero Torrance and Stephanie Oliva, who are receiving support through the ongoing Grow Your Own Grant. The program helps staff obtain initial bachelor's degrees or master's degrees for teaching licensure, contributing to the district's goal of developing its own teaching talent. The board expressed continued enthusiasm for this 'remarkable program'.
Resolution Authorizing Employment of Board Member W. D. Felton as Substitute
Moved by Unknown [00:39:26] · Seconded by Unknown [00:39:28]
Due to the absence of a full quorum, the board could not vote on this resolution. The resolution, per Minnesota Statute 123 b195, would allow a board member to be employed as a substitute within the district, provided earnings do not exceed $20,000 annually and all board members are present for the majority approval. The item was tabled to a future meeting when a full quorum is present.
Resolution Authorizing Employment of Board Member T. Felton as Substitute
Moved by Unknown [00:40:20] · Seconded by Unknown [00:40:22]
Similar to the previous item, this resolution would approve Tim Felton's employment as a substitute. The item was tabled due to the lack of a full quorum necessary for a compliant vote under Minnesota Statute 123 b195, as specific attendance and majority approval are required.
Approval of September 1st, 2024 to June 30th, 2026 Agreement for School Resource Officer Services
Moved by Unknown [00:41:09] · Seconded by Unknown [00:41:11]
Dr. Zambino highlighted the positive working relationship with South St. Paul local law enforcement and the benefits of maintaining two SROs. The SROs contribute to school safety and help students build positive relationships with law enforcement, serving as a trusted resource for students and families. Student representatives confirmed the positive impact of SROs on school safety and student interaction.
Approval of Resolution for Increasing the Federal Micro Purchase Threshold
Moved by Unknown [00:45:30] · Seconded by Unknown [00:45:32]
Brady Krueger explained that the resolution increases the federal micro purchase threshold from $10,000 to $25,000. This action aligns federal purchasing rules with Minnesota State Statute 471 345 subdivision 5, simplifying processes and ensuring consistency whether state or federal funds are used for acquisitions. The board expressed support for creating efficiencies.
Approval of the 2024 Payable 2025 Proposed Levy
Moved by Unknown [00:49:03] · Seconded by Unknown [00:49:05]
Brady Hoffman explained that school boards must certify their proposed levy by the end of September. The recommendation is to certify the maximum amount to account for potential shifts in calculations by the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE). A truth and taxation hearing is scheduled for December 9th, where the final levy will be discussed and then certified.
Approval of Acceptance of Gifts Resolution
Moved by Unknown [00:51:57] · Seconded by Unknown [00:52:00]
The resolution formally accepted two donations: a cash donation from the Croatian Hall for the softball program and a synthetic pitching mound from the South St. Paul Youth Baseball for the high school north baseball field. The board expressed great appreciation for these community contributions.
Approval of Community Representative on the Teacher Relicensure Committee
Moved by Unknown [00:53:57] · Seconded by Unknown [00:53:59]
Dr. Zambino explained the committee's role in ensuring teachers meet their annual hour requirements for licensure renewal, a process that can be complicated. The board approved Beth Johnson, a retired teacher from the secondary building, to serve as the community representative on this committee, appreciating her willingness to support teachers in navigating the relicensure process.
Notable Quotes (11)
Minnesota State High School league uh has a part of their bylaws bylaw 403 for a non-exclusive uh Cooperative agreement which allows students that attend Charter Schools but don't offer Minnesota State High School league sponsored activities to return to their resident District to participate in a Minnesota State High School league activity.
on the South St Paul side we know that our youth hockey numbers are declining um and we're looking for something to solidify that so we can continue to offer uh Packer hockey so under this Cooperative agreement we would essentially be absorbing New Life Academy we would maintain the Packer name the Packer logo and so on which is incredibly important for our um Packer families
Tonight we are pleased to announce the eight that eight additional staff will be receiving scholarship Grant Awards to begin their teacher preparation and or continue their growth as a teacher and expand their license areas
about these uh this remarkable program that we're building into our district
According to Minnesota statute 123 b195 school board members may be employed by the school district as an employee as long as the amount earned does not exceed $20,000 in a fiscal year Additionally, employment must receive majority approval at a meeting in which all board members are present
we're not looking to police our students in our schools at all we're looking for our students to build positive relationships with law enforcement so that they know that's a trusted person they can go to uh you know in our school are out in the community
I mean I'm neighbors with officer Cavalier so I already know her but she's very sweet and just meeting all the meeting all of the sro's like we see them at football games and they walk around the halls they very nice to students and if there's a serious issue to come across they handle it so love that
so all we're proposing here is that we raise it up to match State Statute so our processes can be consistent and um whether it's state or federal funds we're still using the $25,000 threshold to get those multiple quotes so that's just to try and align and streamline Federal requirements with state requirements um within the purchasing processes
by certifying the max it allows us to capture any additional tax revenue by through mde correcting those formulas and and those calculations
We have two donations tonight one of them is a cash donation from the cation hall for the softball program and then we also have a donation from the sou St Paul youth youth baseball of a synthetic pitching mound for the north uh Fields North baseball field at the high school
we are uh required to have the board approve one Community representative and excited that Beth Johnson retired teacher from our secondary building is interested in taking on that role so hoping we can uh have one of our retirees continue to support our teachers in that way
Ordinances & Resolutions (15)
Bylaw allowing non-exclusive cooperative agreements for charter school students to participate in resident district activities.
Agreement allowing dance students from the St. Paul Conservatory for the Performing Arts to participate in South St. Paul district activities.
Agreement to form a cooperative partnership for Boys Hockey, with South St. Paul absorbing New Life Academy while maintaining its team identity.
Agreements with staff members to fund their special education licensing or degrees through the Special Education Pipeline Grant.
Agreements with staff members to fund their initial bachelor's or master's degrees for teaching licensure through the Grow Your Own Grant.
Statute governing the employment of school board members by the school district under specific conditions.
Resolution to approve W. D. Felton's continued employment as a substitute, requiring majority board approval with all members present.
Resolution to approve T. Felton's continued employment as a substitute, requiring majority board approval with all members present.
Agreement between Special School District number six and the City of South St. Paul for the provision of SRO services.
Resolution to align federal purchasing thresholds with Minnesota State Statute to streamline procurement processes.
State statute outlining purchasing requirements, specifically the $25,000 threshold for obtaining multiple quotes.
Federal regulation allowing school boards to raise the micro purchase threshold for federal awards up to $50,000.
Financial document to be certified by the school board to generate tax statements for the upcoming year.
Resolution to formally accept cash and in-kind donations to the school district.
Approval of a community member to serve on the committee that reviews teacher relicensure hours and requirements.