South St. Paul Public Schools — Transcript
Monday, February 23, 2026
High School Course Implementation Review
High School Performance and Initiatives
District Financial Health and Future Funding Initiatives
Native American Student Support and Progress Review
International Field Trip Approvals
Elementary School Recess Program Implementation
Votes (6)
Approval of Eleven District Policies
Moved by Unknown [00:51:25] · Seconded by Unknown [00:51:26]
The board reviewed and approved eleven district policies that had been previously reviewed by the board policy committee. These policies had experienced little to no change since their last presentation, and the committee recommended a single reading for their approval. The policies cover various aspects of school operations, student conduct, and school board governance.
Approval of High School French Class Field Trip to France and Monaco
Moved by Unknown [00:52:43] · Seconded by Unknown [00:52:44]
Educational Services Director Amy Winter presented the final approval request for the high school French class trip, scheduled from March 25th to April 3rd. Director T. Felton enthusiastically endorsed international trips, sharing a personal anecdote about a high school trip to Spain decades prior and emphasizing their 'once in a lifetime' learning value. Questions were raised regarding student passports and documentation, with assurance that chaperones and partner Education First Tours are experienced in managing logistics.
Approval of High School Spanish Class Field Trip to Costa Rica
Moved by Unknown [00:56:06] · Seconded by Unknown [00:56:11]
Following the approval of the French trip, the board considered the final approval for the high school Spanish class trip to Costa Rica, scheduled from March 27th to April 5th. No additional questions were posed, indicating that the previous discussion covered the general aspects of international field trip planning and benefits.
Approval of Lincoln Center SHIP Grant for Playworks Program
Moved by Unknown [00:57:04] · Seconded by Unknown [00:57:08]
Principal Bossardov presented a request to approve a partnership with Playworks at Lincoln Center, funded by a SHIP Grant. The program aims to train recess supervisors and develop student leadership among 5th graders to lead developmentally appropriate activities for younger students during recess. The primary goals are to foster social-emotional learning, increase inclusion, and decrease behavior referrals that often stem from unstructured play. The program is designed to build leadership capacity for students and staff, with the Assistant Principal taking over training after the initial year of Playworks support. Discussion confirmed students would still have options for free play, with Playworks offering structured alternatives.
Approval of Fiscal Year 26 Budget Revision
Moved by Unknown [01:13:50] · Seconded by Unknown [01:13:51]
The Finance Director presented the Fiscal Year 26 budget revision, emphasizing the district's commitment to fiscal responsibility and educational quality. The presentation noted a clean audit opinion for FY25 and conservative projections for FY26, including a slight decrease in enrollment. The revised budget shows an increase in revenue, primarily from state aid, offset by rising expenditures in salaries, benefits, and contractual obligations. A narrow surplus of $169K is projected, with the unassigned fund balance remaining well above the policy target, providing a buffer against future challenges like declining compensatory aid and inflation. The director thanked the community for its ongoing support.
Acceptance of Native American Parent Advisory Committee (NAPAC) Concurrence
Moved by Unknown [01:14:40] · Seconded by Unknown [01:14:41]
Educational Services Director Amy Winter clarified that the board's role was to accept, not approve, the NAPAC's vote of concurrence. She read a statement from NAPAC, acknowledging its new leadership and its assessment of the district's educational offerings for American Indian students. NAPAC's vote of concurrence reflected recognition of growth in liaison support, expanded cultural programming, and increased transparency in student data. The statement also outlined five measurable goals for continued work, focusing on post-secondary preparation, academic achievement, curriculum relevance, self-image, and intercultural awareness. Director Cummings expressed appreciation for the diligence shown in supporting Native American families and students.
Notable Quotes (8)
I just always highly recommend these vacations for students because 52 years ago, I went to Spain with our high school trip with our Spanish classes. And also surprisingly I went into the Mediterranean Sea just to to be there and say that I had done that. So it is something that obviously you never forget your entire life. This opportunity is wonderful. Thank you.
both him and I had a conversation with um the chaperrons that are uh leading these trips. They both are very comfortable. They've done leadup meetings with families and with the students around those expectations. Uh the other nice thing is because we do partner with the education first tours, they also are really experienced on doing these international trips.
At Lincoln Center, we really value excellent academics, but we also believe that play has to be the foundation in social emotional learning. Um, as you know, we all get 20-minute recesses. We'd like them to be longer, but that's not an ask. I'm here to uh make tonight. I'm here to ask you to please approve a program with playworks. Um, that program really does two things. It trains our staff that are already out with our kids to really um increase social emotional learning um and to teach from five to 10 year old um activities and how to do those developmentally appropriate.
So what we're seeing is our data is really showing that um at times developmentally appropriate strategies are not happening for some of our kids. They just don't know them yet, right? It's our job to teach them. Um so we really have a lot of our behavior referrals come out of recess because it's unstructured. So we really want to decrease that number. We have a super well- behaved community. Our kids are fabulous, of course, and recess is so um free that at times it's best if we have structured games and activities to make sure we're inclusive and safe. And this is what this would do.
But uh from a strategic standpoint, we will always be fiscally responsible first and foremost. And that's part of the reason why we do these budget revision is because we want to maintain excellent educational quality and also uh keep in mind that we have strategic initiatives as well with these budget revision.
This acts as a shock absorb because when we start planning for the adopted for the forward years, we have some funding here within our unassigned to help mitigate some of the stressors that will be coming to the systems.
This vote reflects the committee's recognition of growth in the liaison support, expanded cultural programming, and increased transparency in student data.
I just wanted to thank you, Miss Winter, and your team for all of the work that went into this. I think um you've shown a diligence to try to ensure that Native American families and students um are being successful here in South St. Paul and um and then to show that that work has been um sort of uh recognized by the Native American community.
Ordinances & Resolutions (16)
Student Promotion Retention Program Design
Student District Curriculum and Instructional Goals
IB Language Policy
IB Assessment Policy
Schoolboard Member Development
Schoolboard Committees
Out-of-State Travel by School Board Members
School Board Vacancies and Procedures for Filling of Vacancies
School Weapons Policy
Search of Student Lockers, Desks, Personal Possessions, and Students Person
Distribution of Non-School Sponsored Materials on School Premises by Students and Employees
A $50 million ask for building improvements, leveraging $30 million in paid-off bonds.
Renewal of a levy that funds safety, security, technology, and cyber security, expiring in 2029 but brought forward for early renewal.
Grant funding the Playworks program at Lincoln Center to improve recess experiences and social-emotional learning.
Revised budget for FY26, projecting a narrow surplus and maintaining fund balances despite enrollment declines.
A resolution from the Native American Parent Advisory Committee (NAPAC) affirming progress in meeting the needs of American Indian students.