South St. Paul Public Schools — Transcript
Monday, December 8, 2025
Fall Athletics and Activities Review
Bonding Request Planning and Facilities Needs
Superintendent's District Updates
Votes (6)
Approval of Policies 516 and 208
Dissent: None
Moved by Director Weber [0:44:59] · Seconded by W. Felton [0:45:04]
The board considered and approved two policies on their third and final reading: Policy 516 concerning student medication and telehealth, and Policy 208 on the development, adoption, and implementation of policies. These policies had previously undergone review by the policy committee and a second reading at earlier board meetings.
Certification of Payable 2026 Tax Levy and Truth in Taxation Hearing
Dissent: None
Moved by Director Weber [0:45:50] · Seconded by W. Felton [0:45:52]
Finance and Operations Executive Director Raj Hoth presented the district's proposed 2026 tax levy, fulfilling the state's 'Truth in Taxation' public hearing requirements. The presentation detailed school funding complexities, highlighting a significant $3 million cross-subsidy from the state for special education and that state funding formulas have not kept pace with inflation. The proposed levy for 2026 represents a 0.4% ($63,000) decrease from 2025. No public comments were received, and board members acknowledged the intricate nature of school finance.
Acceptance of Gifts Report
Dissent: None
Moved by Director Weber [1:03:51] · Seconded by W. Felton [1:03:54]
Executive Director Raj Hoth presented the gifts report, acknowledging a significant donation from Wakakota Credit Union designated for entrepreneurship students and thanking anonymous donors. Board members praised the partnership with Wakakota Credit Union, with Chair Hume personally advocating for and supporting the financial institution.
Approval of Boys and Girls Nordic Skiing Cooperative Agreement
Dissent: None
Moved by Director Weber [1:06:05] · Seconded by W. Felton [1:06:07]
The board approved a cooperative agreement for Nordic skiing with Two Rivers and Simley schools, effective for the 2025-26 school year. Activities Director Brady Krueger explained the agreement's purpose: to combine resources and provide opportunities for students to compete as a unified team, addressing limited participation and coaching resources in individual districts, especially as South St. Paul currently has minimal student interest in the sport.
Approval of 2026-2027 District Calendar
Dissent: None
Moved by Director Weber [1:08:03] · Seconded by W. Felton [1:08:06]
Educational Services Executive Director Amy Winter presented the proposed 2026-2027 district calendar, detailing a comprehensive development process involving stakeholder feedback, especially from the family advisory committee. Key features include starting school before Labor Day, aligning spring break with tri-district partners, and ensuring consistent days off for both elementary and high school students to better support families.
Approval of ESP Contract Agreement (2025-2027)
Dissent: None
Moved by Director Weber [1:12:59] · Seconded by W. Felton [1:13:04]
Executive Director of Human Resources Charlie Cook presented a tentative agreement with the South St. Paul Educational Support Professionals (ESP) Local 7312 for the contract period of July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2027. The agreement, which was ratified by the ESP unit, includes a 2% salary schedule increase for each year and a significant focus on professional development. Board members praised the collaborative negotiation process and the inclusion of professional development opportunities for ESP staff.
Notable Quotes (7)
Even that, the Gen 8 formal allowance has not kept up with inflation for the last 22 years going back to 2003.
Our cross subsidy for South St. Paul Public Schools is roughly about $3 million here. That means that even we go on in the next couple years here, the state's going to still be underfunded in totality by $524 million statewide. Our portion will be roughly around $3 million...
Our proposed final payable 26 tax levy, excuse me, is a decrease from 2025 of approximately in dollars term $63,000 or.4%.
the money this year is going to our entrepreneurship students and they have exciting big plans and, uh, I actually was at Wakakota this afternoon and opened up an account because I would like to further support this partnership and our schools and it was super easy.
So this is uh an opportunity that would give kids in South St. Paul that are interested in Nordic skiing an opportunity to compete with a program um that has a steady uh stream of coaches um healthy number of kids and so on.
One of the big asks I heard from our family advisory committee was aligning our days off. So it was really hard on families when um our elementary was out of school but our high school was in school and so the ask was really to align our days off for our families.
love that we're able to build some more professional development time in for our ESPs because they often are just when the students are there and don't always get developed in the way they deserve.
Ordinances & Resolutions (6)
District policy regarding student medication and telehealth.
District policy outlining the development, adoption, and implementation of policies.
The proposed property tax levy for the school district payable in 2026.
A publication detailing various offerings from the district's community education program.
The official academic calendar for the South St. Paul School District for the 2026-2027 school year.
The agreement between the school district and its Educational Support Professionals unit for the 2025-2027 contract period.