South St. Paul Public Schools — Transcript
Tuesday, April 15, 2025
School Safety and Security Enhancements
City and School Board Shared Core Values
Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Approval
Minnesota State High School League Membership and Athletic Cooperative Agreements
Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook Update
Votes (9)
Approval for the South St Paul school board to approve the 2024-25 resolution for membership to the Minnesota State High School league
Moved by Director Human [00:45:00] · Seconded by Director W Felton [00:45:01]
Brady Krueger explained that this is an annual, required resolution for the district to be part of the MSHSL and abide by its rules. He clarified that section placements for athletic programs are on a two-year cycle, so there would be no changes this year based on enrollment numbers.
Approval for the South St Paul school board to approve the girls swimming Cooperative agreement with Minnehaha Academy and Christo Ray beginning for the 24-25 school year
Moved by Director W Felton [00:47:15] · Seconded by Director Claflin [00:47:16]
Brady Krueger explained the necessity of the co-op due to declining participation numbers in the girls' swim program. Minnehaha Academy and Cristo Rey were chosen to maintain an appropriate classification for competition. The agreement is for two years and will be reviewed. Krueger also mentioned that similar co-op discussions for other sports, like boys' swimming, are anticipated.
Approval for the South St Paul school board to approve the 24-25 student teaching agreement between Bemidji State University and South St Paul schools
Moved by Director Claflin [00:49:27] · Seconded by Director Human [00:49:28]
Joel Miltier presented the agreement, stating it is necessary to finalize a student teacher placement for the upcoming school year, starting September 2024. The agreement aligns with the district's student teaching policy number 437. The specific subject area of the student teacher was not yet determined.
Approval for the South St Paul school board to approve the independent contractor agreement for the time period of July 1st 2024 to June 30th 2025
Moved by Director Human [00:50:37] · Seconded by Director Weber [00:50:39]
Joel Miltier detailed the recommended changes, including a 4% base salary increase for all independent employee groups (administrators, coordinators, support staff, etc.), market adjustments for specific positions, an added step to the nutrition services assistant position, and adjustments to vacation accrual, longevity structures, 403p contributions, and administrator insurance. All proposed changes were confirmed to be within parameters established by the school board.
Approval for the South St Paul school board to approve the 24-25 students rights and responsibilities handbook
Moved by Director Human [00:52:27] (Motion to amend), then Unstated (Motion to approve amended handbook) · Seconded by Unstated (Motion to amend), then Unstated (Motion to approve amended handbook)
Dr. Burkhart presented a comprehensive update to the handbook, noting changes based on recent legislative mandates and new non-exclusionary discipline practices. Key updates include a re-emphasis on core values, a streamlined discipline system with levels, specific infractions for dangerous weapons and physical aggression, and overall statutory compliance. Director Human moved to amend the handbook to clarify 'failure to follow instructions' as a Level 2 category.
Approval for the South St Paul school board to approve the resolution establishing dates for filing Affidavit of candidacy
Moved by Director Weber [00:54:21] · Seconded by Director W Felton [00:54:22]
Chair Rash explained that this resolution sets the timeline for candidates to file their Affidavit of Candidacy for the upcoming school board election, where three seats will be available. The filing period is from July 30th to August 13th, and candidates will file with the city clerk at City Hall. Information regarding the process of serving on the board will be provided to candidates.
Approval for the South St Paul school board to approve a gifts report
Moved by Director W Felton [00:56:06] · Seconded by Director Claflin [00:56:07]
Brady Hoffman presented a list of several donations received by the school district. Notable contributions came from Bender Heating and Air Conditioning, The Boulevard Tavern, Heras Dam Charities, Capia PTA, South St Paul Education Foundation, and the South St Paul Open Foundation, among others. Many donations were specifically designated for the All-Night Senior Party, highlighting strong community support.
Approval for the South St Paul school board to approve the long-term facilities maintenance and uh for the South St Paul Public Schools
Moved by Director Claflin [00:57:24] · Seconded by Director Human [00:57:25]
Brady Hoffman explained that the Long-Term Facilities Maintenance (LTFM) plan is a critical revenue stream for addressing deferred maintenance and repairs across district buildings. Approval of the 10-year revenue projection and expenditure plan, along with a statement of assurances, is required by the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) to access this aid and levy funding. Hoffman noted that declining enrollment is projected to decrease the annual LTFM funding from over to under $1 million.
Approval for the South St Paul school board to approve the FY 25 budget
Moved by Director W Felton [01:06:58] · Seconded by Director Human [01:06:59]
Brady Hoffman presented the comprehensive FY25 budget for the general, food service, community service, and debt service funds. Key points included a 2% increase in the basic formula aid, the cessation of COVID relief funding, and the ongoing impact of declining enrollment (projected from 2,836 to 2,699 students). He outlined that 80% of the budget is allocated to salaries and benefits. The budget maintains a balanced financial position for FY25, with an unassigned fund balance projected at 15.5%, while acknowledging future deficits due to continued enrollment decline.
Notable Quotes (14)
essentially all you're doing is that you're agreeing to uh be a part of the me Minnesota State High School league and abide by the Minnesota State High School league rules laws handbook policies and so on
our swim program on the girl side and on the boy side we've just at a point now with numbers that we're not able to sustain our own program
we were trying to find and like thread that needle to find a school that had an appropriate Siz numbers but also allowed us to stay in an appropriate classification
Administration recommends the following changes for independent employee agreements for the 2425 school year that are all within the parameters established by the school board
I'd like to make a motion to amend the section with regard um of the 2024 25 student rights and responsibilities handbook um the failure to follow instructions should be a level two category thing it was missing which category it fell under excellent is yes
some of the other key updates included a re-emphasis on our core values new level discipline system adding some specific infractions around dangerous weapons um physical aggression and ensuring that all of our other sections were updated to meet statutory complaints
this fulfills um our ability to um kind of carry on with our election we will have three available seats um that are up for election at our candidacy and the opening day is July 30 July 30th to August 13th
that's an incredible amount of support from our community
the long-term facility maintenance funding is a a revenue stream that school districts can access to help uh take care of some of the Deferred maintenance needs needs and repairs and maintenance on our buildings
but declining enrollment it is projected to get a little bit under a million
enrollment is the main driver of District revenues so most funding streams are based on the number of students rep pupil served each student generates a little over $10,000 in Revenue
at the end of the day for FY 2425 we're maintaining a pretty much a balanced budget with a unassigned fund balance of 155%
the largest piece of the pie is salaries and benefits so 80% of the dollars that we spend go towards paying for our people and the related benefits
the elephant in the room every time we have these discussions is addressing our declining enrollment and making sure we are best serving our community and also capturing as many of the students as we would potentially have within our community as well
Ordinances & Resolutions (21)
A set of standardized procedures for emergency situations (Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate, Shelter).
A structured process for reuniting students with parents after an emergency.
Anonymous reporting app for safety concerns and access to family resources.
One of several policies up for second reading.
One of several policies up for second reading.
One of several policies up for second reading.
One of several policies up for second reading.
One of several policies up for second reading.
One of several policies up for second reading.
Annual resolution required for district athletic program participation.
Two-year agreement to combine girls' swimming programs due to declining numbers.
South St Paul school policy governing student teaching placements.
Agreement to finalize a student teacher placement.
Agreement detailing salary and benefit changes for various independent employee groups.
Updated handbook reflecting legislative changes and discipline practices.
Sets the filing period for candidates seeking election to the school board.
Document filed by individuals running for school board positions.
Report detailing donations received by the school district from various community organizations and businesses.
10-year revenue projection and expenditure plan for facility repairs and maintenance.
Document signed to comply with rules for LTFM funding.
Operating budget for the school district for the 2024-2025 fiscal year.