South St. Paul Public Schools — Transcript
Monday, March 17, 2025
Nutrition Services Initiatives and Impact
Financial Health, Staffing, and Facilities Planning
District Achievements and Upcoming Events
Policy Review: First Reading of District Policies
Votes (3)
Approval of the Resolution for Discontinuing and Reducing Positions
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [35:50] · Seconded by Unknown [35:51]
Joel Miler, HR Director, presented the resolution, explaining that position reductions (Dean of Students at the middle school and classroom teachers) are necessary to align staffing with projected declining enrollment for the 2024-25 school year. The goal is to ensure fiscal responsibility while maintaining low class sizes for students.
Approval of the Resolution Relating to the Non-Renewal of Probationary Teachers
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [37:34] · Seconded by Unknown [37:35]
Joel Miler outlined the annual process of non-renewing probationary teachers for various reasons, including student-driven scheduling changes, enrollment fluctuations, budget reductions, curriculum changes, licensure issues, mid-year placements, and performance issues. The resolution terminates contracts for those listed at the end of the current school year (23-24) with non-renewal for the 24-25 school year.
Approval of the Acceptance of Gifts
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [39:48] · Seconded by Unknown [39:49]
Brady Hoff presented several donations from various community organizations. These gifts included contributions for the All Night Senior Party from Dakota Electric Association, Key Community Bank, Santax USA, and the South St Paul Lions Charitable Gambling. Additional donations were made by the South St Paul Open Foundation for wrestling and basketball salaries, and classroom supplies were provided by Students Achieving Volunteering Excellence.
Notable Quotes (3)
This district is proposing a resolution for the dis discontinuance of educational programs and positions to align Staffing with projected enrollment for the 2425 school year.
Each year we must release a number of probationary teachers for various reasons including student driven scheduling changes in enrollment budget reductions curriculum changes lure issues midyear placements and performance issues.
I have never seen a district who has the level of community support that we have and um very grateful for that all the time.
Ordinances & Resolutions (13)
Official board action to discontinue positions to align staffing with projected enrollment for the 2024-25 school year.
Official board action to terminate contracts of probationary teachers for the 2024-25 school year due to various reasons.
Legislation aimed at providing property tax relief for the community, which the board is advocating for.
Emergency closing for schools, updated to align with legislative requirements on staffing and payment.
Workload limits for certain special education teachers, under review as part of a three-year cycle.
Instructional services for special education, under review and renumbered for alignment with MSBA coding.
Mandated reporting, updated to further define abuse for staff training purposes.
Mandated reporting, updated to further define abuse for staff training purposes.
Basic standards testing accommodations, modifications, and exemptions for IEP Section 504 accommodation and LAP students, cleaned up to reflect current school practices.
The Read to Ensure Academic Development Act (READ Act), a new policy to make state legislation accessible for families and students.
Use of school district facilities and equipment, updated to prevent overcharging local groups and allow online posting of facility use information.
Forms families need to fill out to help secure federal funding for school meals and access other resources.
Open for comment, discussed at a local issues meeting.