South St. Paul Public Schools — Transcript
Tuesday, April 15, 2025
Elementary School Science Curriculum and Specialist
Lincoln Center's Positive School Culture and PBIS Implementation
District-wide Accountability Measures and Academic Performance
Public Listening Session Feedback
Superintendent's District Highlights
Votes (9)
Approval of Resolution Supporting MSHSL Foundation Grant Application
Dissent: None
Moved by W Felton [0:45:26] · Seconded by T Felton [0:45:30]
The district is applying for a grant from the Minnesota State High School League Foundation to provide financial assistance to students with needs, enabling their participation in athletics and activities. This grant will supplement the existing 'Stride for Packer Pride' scholarship program.
Approval of Boys Swimming Cooperative Agreement with Two Rivers
Dissent: None
Moved by W Felton [0:47:19] · Seconded by T Felton [0:47:20]
Due to a decline in participation, the district's boys' swimming program is no longer able to operate independently. A cooperative agreement with Two Rivers High School will allow South St Paul students to continue participating in swimming, ensuring diverse athletic opportunities.
Approval to Schedule Special Board Meeting to Canvas Election Results
Dissent: None
Moved by W Felton [0:49:07] · Seconded by T Felton [0:49:10]
A special board meeting is required to be scheduled on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, at 5:00 PM to canvas the upcoming election results, fulfilling a statutory requirement to certify results within 3 to 10 days post-election. The meeting is on a Tuesday due to Veterans Day.
Approval of Gifts Report
Dissent: None
Moved by W Felton [0:50:57] · Seconded by T Felton [0:50:58]
The board acknowledged and approved a report detailing recent donations. Gifts included funds from South St Paul Lions for middle school planners, a donation from Wausau Company for Lincoln safety patrols, and a contribution from Woodbury Lutheran Church for the Kosia family fund night.
Approval of June 30, 2024 Audit Report
Dissent: None
Moved by W Felton [0:52:13] · Seconded by T Felton [0:52:14]
Aaron Nielsen of MMKR presented the annual audit, which resulted in an unmodified ('clean') opinion on the financial statements. The audit identified a minor issue with limited segregation of duties and one instance of untimely invoice payment but reported no findings in the single federal audit. The district maintained a stable financial position, meeting its fund balance policy goals.
Approval of Revised TDE Agreement (Alternative Teacher Professional Pay System and Teacher Growth Development and Evaluation Plan)
Dissent: None
Moved by W Felton [0:57:11] · Seconded by T Felton [0:57:12]
Amy Winter requested approval to adjust the calendar timeline within the Alternative Teacher Professional Pay System (ATPS) and Teacher Growth Development and Evaluation (TDE) plan. This revision, specifically impacting the month of March, aims to better align the plan's communication and implementation practices based on feedback received during its first year.
Approval of Resolution Authorizing Employment of Board Member Wendy Felton as a Substitute
Dissent: None
Moved by W Felton [0:59:32] · Seconded by T Felton [0:59:34]
In compliance with Minnesota statute 123b.195, the board considered and approved a resolution allowing Board Member Wendy Felton to be employed as a substitute in a classified position. This approval adheres to the state's requirement for majority board vote and limits on earned income for board members who are also district employees.
Approval of Resolution Authorizing Employment of Board Member Kim Human as a Substitute
Dissent: None
Moved by W Felton [1:01:21] · Seconded by T Felton [1:01:23]
The board approved a resolution authorizing the employment of Board Member Kim Human as a substitute in a classified position, consistent with Minnesota statute 123b.195. This is a continuation of previous substitute employment, subject to the statutory limits and board approval.
Approval of Resolution Authorizing Employment of Board Member Tim Felton as a Substitute
Dissent: None
Moved by W Felton [1:02:29] · Seconded by T Felton [1:02:30]
A resolution was approved allowing Board Member Tim Felton to be employed as a substitute in a classified position within the school district. This action aligns with Minnesota statute 123b.195, permitting such employment under specified conditions and requiring majority board approval.
Notable Quotes (9)
We are applying for a grant and they we are encouraged to use these grants to encourage students that may have a financial need to participate in our Athletics and I activities programs.
our boys swim program has just simply been on the decline to the point where we we aren't able to run the program independently ourselves and so I have been working to try to find a Cooperative partner.
we just need to canvas the election results within three and 10 days of the election and with the next Schoolboard meeting after that is not until the end of November so we need to have a special meeting just to Canvas those election results.
we have three donations this evening the first one is from the sou St Paul lions for middle school planners we have a donation from the wus company for the Lincoln safety patrols and then we have a donation from Woodbury Lutheran Church for the kosia family fund night.
we have issued what is known as an unmodified or a clean opinion that the financial statements as of June 30th and for the year then ended are fairly stated.
the district has again continued to meet your fund balance policy goal of that unassigned fund balance level that you have shared that you want to maintain.
we are in year one of implementation with this new plan and what we realized as we got into the plan we needed to adjust the calendar a little bit... to make that adjustment to that plan.
we really appreciate that you are listening to the feedback from the teachers and the leaders that this is a change that will benefit and make this a better plan.
According to Minnesota statute 123b 195 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.
Ordinances & Resolutions (19)
New curriculum being implemented in elementary schools, aligned with new science standards.
Newly implemented state standards that the science curriculum is aligning with.
Lincoln Center's recognition for implementing Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports.
An initiative at Lincoln Center to reward students for safe, respectful, and responsible behavior.
A guide book under creation to standardize attendance approaches.
Policy related to attendance that is currently under revision.
Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments, state standardized tests in reading, math, and science.
Minnesota Test of Academic Skills, another state assessment.
An instructional evaluation framework implemented for teacher practice improvement.
A reading curriculum in its second year of implementation.
A reading curriculum (likely UFLI) in its second year of implementation.
Curriculum receiving public feedback, specifically concerning its presentation of gender.
Annual financial audit report for the district for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024.
Program covering district goals for school readiness, literacy, achievement gaps, career/college readiness, and graduation.
Report detailing the district's plan for achievement and integration.
District-wide strategic plan currently under development with community input.
Metrics to be developed for transparently measuring and holding the district accountable to the strategic plan goals.
Alternative Teacher Professional Pay System and Teacher Growth Development and Evaluation Plan agreement, which had its calendar timeline revised.
Statute governing the employment of school board members by the district.