Welcome and good evening. I would like to call the Monday, February 23rd, 2026 school board meeting to order. >> Lisa, will you please call the role? >> Director T. Felton >> here. >> Duffy >> here. >> Weber >> here. >> W. Felton >> here. >> Claflin >> here. Cummings >> y >> and chair human >> here. >> That's seven present. >> All right. I'm going to ask all who are able to please stand up for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> All right. This time I'd like to welcome everyone in attendance this evening and everyone watching on Town Square television or online and all the places. Um first up approval for our meeting agenda and minutes. I am looking for a motion to approve the regular board meeting agenda for this evening as well as the minutes for January 26, 2026 work session, January 26, 2026 regular session and the February 9th 2026 work session. Do I have a motion? So moved. >> Second. >> Thank you. Any discussion? All those in favor, please say I. >> I. Opposed. >> Motion carries 70. Thank you. All right. Now we move to quality and action. And I I'm like from the other side of the room. Yeah. Um I would like to ask our student school board reps up to present on what's happening. >> A longer walk. [laughter] Okay, I'm Chloe for starters, but um starting off strong, we have dance. They just recently competed in state. And it's kind of funny because 10 years ago, they placed exactly how they did in sections. They took first place in jazz and third place in kick. And then in state, they placed 11th overall. No, I'm good. And then boys wrestling, they sent five to state. Um, if [clears throat] you've seen a group of bleachaired boys, it's them because they [laughter] are celebrating their very, very impressive victory. And state was just this last weekend. I' I've yet to hear how they did, but I'm sure they did great. Sounds like >> So, they have state coming up this weekend. >> Oh, never mind. It's this weekend. >> Like team versus individual. >> So, the team will be on uh February 25th at 4. Yep. >> Oh, yeah. >> For girls uh wrestling, nine individuals placed first and fifth in section 4A and two individuals, two seniors uh Vivian and Leela are going to state for it. >> What's this? >> My dear friend Sarah Willie was this year's Athena Award winner. Um, she competes in both soccer and track and is definitely a multi- multi-time letter winner and allconerence athlete. She was also a team captain these past years in both soccer and will be this upcoming track season in the spring. >> I want to give a quick shout out to our knowledgeable team. We had a team uh compete at the subregional meet at Prior Lake. Uh they finished in the top half which was pretty good even though they were just a few spots out of qualifying. Our next meet is going to be the Norlander regional meet at Tartan. Uh and it's on Thursday. So if the top five make it to state, so we're heading to state. >> All right. [snorts] >> This week is BO spirit week for Black History Month. Today was pajama day. Uh tomorrow's twin day, Wednesday's wannabe celebrity, sorry, and Thursday is throwback Thursday and Friday's blackout. We've also got Sprawic Week coming up um that on uh March the 7th I believe we have the pepfest and then you got that dodgeball tournament as well. So yeah. >> Anybody? >> And this picture was last year's reigning champs business as usual. Somehow they beat the softball team, but we're [laughter] we're coming back for vengeance. >> And that's all for this week. >> Thank you guys. All right. Well, tough act to follow, but I'd like to uh call Principal Oaki up and whoever his special guests are. >> That is a incredibly hard act to follow. So, uh, Superintendent Zambbrino, Chair, uh, Hume, school board members, thank you very much for letting me, uh, have the mic for a little bit today to talk about, um, some new high school courses and then give a quick update about stuff at the high school. So, in November, I was here asking you to approve uh, some new courses. It's the second time that we've done that. And you, someone on the board, I can't remember who it was, was like, "Hey, didn't we approve courses last year?" year and said, "Yeah, there were 11 courses that you approved last year." And it was, "Well, we would like to hear from students, teachers about those courses, and that's what we're going to do." So, today though, we're just going to really quick, I'm going to fly by really rapidly, Lisa. Uh, just some of the things that we asked the teachers to do. We asked them, "Do you have a an idea?" And if you do, there's a 23 question survey that you have to fill out in order to propose that. We had 11 courses proposed. Nine of the 11 ran real history, uh, aerobics and fitness, play production, immediate, uh, guitar, personal finance, mathematics for the trades, culinary, uh, the two culinary courses did not run, mobile apps and social media marketing, plus our new tri district course. So, uh, some things that you I want you guys to know like we were super excited about this because it was the first time in four years that we had actually proposed new courses. But enough of me. Let's hear from the teachers about how those courses are going. So, I'm going to call Mr. Anderson up and he's going to talk about real history. Good evening. Uh, thanks for having me here to give you a little update about the the course we had this year. So, I know Luke Olsen thinks that history teachers just hit play all the time and we just watch [laughter] movies, but um so no, I know. But uh but a few years ago I was working with my IB history students and we were doing an in-depth study of the Holocaust and I asked the students I said how many of you have seen the movie Schindler's List and there were 30 kids in the class and not a single hand went up in the air and I thought there's something fundamentally wrong with this and so we need to maybe fix that. And so uh once the course got approved what I I wanted to do do this c do something a little different with this course and I wanted to be all student driven. And so I um uh we started with the study of the Holocaust and Schindler's List. And for every unit there was background information kind of establish establishing historical context there'd be something they had to do while watching the film. Uh if it was a viewing guide or doing something else uh with the with the film and then at the end they would do a project. And so during the summer writing time, I um I one thing that I did was I created 20 projects that would work with any film. Um and then the students would get to pick their own assessment on how they wanted to be assessed for for each project. They couldn't repeat a project. They could do some projects with a partner or they could do it individually. Um and then I also created a a series of uh groups of films. So, um, the students got to choose after we studied the Holocaust, what were the other content areas we were going to study. Um, they had choices from World War II, genocide studies, ethnic studies, gender studies, civil rights, uh, Cold War, 70s and 80s, uh, the 90s and 2000s. And, um, I let them pick the categories and then after the categories were picked, I gave them a list of films and then they would choose the film that we would watch. And so, it was all student driven. And it could be different every except for the study of the Holocaust for the first few weeks. The course could be different every time I teach it. Um, which I think makes it uh kind of interesting uh for me as well. So this year we we uh the students wanted to study civil rights. We watched the film Mississippi Burning. Um we [clears throat] want they do wanted to do Cold War and so we watched Bridge of Spies, World War II, we watched Saving Private Ryan. Uh we also looked at um we we watched Forest Gump where you can learn a lot about uh different activ uh things that happened in the 60s, 70s and 80s. Um and then we watched Unbroken um the story about Louis Zampirini and so the kids got a really good um kind of a a diverse set of films but they learned quite a bit and so um and they had to do quite a bit of work too uh completing projects for each of the films. So >> yeah. >> Okay. >> So thank you for him. Yeah, >> I'm curious if any of the students here have taken this class. No, [clears throat] >> I was like, that sounds like right up my alley. [laughter] >> It was actually it was incredible and and uh I would hear kids talking about it because one of one of the months I was up on the third floor and kids would be walking in talking about like this is what we're going to do today. Totally student driven. I mean that how exciting is that? Uh next I'm going to ask Mr. Olsen to come up and talk about mathematics for the trades. Hi everybody. Thanks for having us here tonight. Uh and you know, thanks for a year ago uh approving this course. So a year ago, so this we we uh added co college algebra the year before last and that's a dual enrollment course. And that was that's been a great course, but it there was a cohort of kids who that wasn't the right course for and so they weren't successful in it. So, you know, Chuck and I talked and we needed a math for the trades class. It was something I taught 30 some years ago, then it went away and we needed back. So, it's been phenomenal. We've we've got the kids in there are learning uh applications and I'm trying to as much as possible and and I don't know every trade and every math that's done in every trade, but I've tried to continue to learn and so forth. [clears throat] Okay, here's this type of math. How are we going to use this? And if you are going to go in the electrician, how are we going to use this? if you're going to go into being uh uh carpenter, how does this use? So, it's been really good. And you know, the the the area that I want to continue to develop is applica the applications. I I want to continue to learn more about how so I can pass it on to the kids. But it's been phenomenal. The kids are having a I think they're having a good time. [laughter] Uh, and so thank you for approving it because there's again a cohort of kids that are really being served better than they have been. Do you guys have questions? >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Thanks. >> Can I ask what what does it replace for them, Luke? >> Does it replace a specific content or is it just covers their requirements? >> It it doesn't replace any. That's that's the amazing thing about this. It's there's a couple juniors in there, but it's almost all seniors, and it's kids that would not have to take a math class. They have completed their other math requirements through advanced algebra, and they're saying, "I want to have some more in my targeted area." So, that's the And the same with the college algebra class. Those are almost all seniors who are taking a class they wouldn't have to take. So, that's Thank you for asking that. >> Yeah, just a rethinking of how we do math a little bit. >> Yeah. And there might be almost a direct onetoone correlation to our kids in the trades program, transportation and trades and those kids that are taking this class. So the next one is play production with Mr. Holen. And I've actually had the opportunity to see this in a couple of different uh varieties or different ways and uh it's it's been exciting to watch. So Mr. Holen. >> All right. Well, and just like uh my two colleagues before me, thank you for approving this class. Um, I've been eager to t teach a theater class in South St. Paul ever since I got here uh and really happy to do it. So, the class um very much like uh Mr. Anderson's class is very uh student driven uh to the point where when the class starts I'm like I don't know what we're going to do because the kids are going to decide that. Uh and so we go through a process where I'm I'm more of a facilitator. Uh I say okay what we need to have a performance at the end of the trimester. Who we going to perform for? what kind of play are we doing? Um, and the class decides that. First trimester, the the decision from the class was that they wanted to they really wanted to perform in front of younger kids. So, we brought a couple of plays uh to both Caposia and Lincoln and performed uh the students wrote these plays. Uh they were 10-minute plays. So, we did two 10-minute plays, The Boy Who Called Wolf and The Mouse and the Lion. You might be familiar with those stories. Uh they're both Asop's fables. Um, and we performed we took we took uh we took a sound system and a and a lighting system to um to the two schools and performed there uh for the younger kids. And then uh this trimester, oh I'm sorry, still back on last trimester, all the kids wrote a 10-minute play. They chose two to perform. two others of them that we didn't end up performing at Kosia and Lincoln, they also submitted those to the one act play competition and those two plays got performed at one acts and that was The Boy Who Tried to Fly and Puss and Boots. So, four of the plays that we wrote actually ended up being performed uh in one way or another. Um the students decide, you know, who's going to act, who's going to direct, who's going to choreograph, who's going to do tech, sound cues, light cues, um all that, costumeuming sets, and so on. Uh this trimester's class is going to be performing a play that they wrote called Tell Death Do Us Part. Um this this this trimester's group decided they wanted to do a more general audience and so we're going to perform uh actually at the high school and that'll be on uh Wednesday, March 4th at 7 p.m. Uh we're we're for um we're asking folks to bring donations to neighbors uh for that performance. Um, but they they decided they wanted to write a murder mystery. So, it's a murder mystery set at a wedding till death do his part. And then if you ask me what we're doing third trimester, I do not know yet because we haven't started meeting and we will figure that out when the kids get there. So, >> yeah. Questions? >> Are these the same students throughout the whole year or do you have different students each trimester? >> It's different students each trimester although some um some students are repeating it. Uh so some students will take it more than one trimester. Um I've got one student who's doing all three trimesters, one who's doing a couple of them. [laughter] Most of the students though are just one trimester and then they can come back to it again next year if they want or whatever unless they're seniors of course. >> Yeah. >> What an incredible way to get just more people involved. I think when the class was first proposed, it was proposed as a year I thought class. Yeah. Um, and so the fact that you've been able to divide it up then I think can just with all the busy schedules and things, but people can at least take it one trimester or so. And >> yeah, that certainly allowed more people to be able to take it and to take it flexibly if if they really want to dig in and spend a year on it. The kids who come back for a second or third trimester, they do projects that dig a little deeper. Mhm. >> So, I know one kid I've got um as a senior this year, Jordan Danich, when he's taking his third iteration of this class, he's going to be he's been an actor for us and if you've seen the plays, you've seen him because he gets big roles. Um but he wants to do septic design in third trimester. So, he's going to be digging into something that's going to be pretty new to him actually. So, >> yeah. >> Oh, Eric, >> I just want to thank you for for doing those plays in the elementary buildings. I think that's was a wonderful thing to do. >> Yeah, it was fun. >> Not only that, it's a real good inspiration for those students at Lincoln and Caposia to think, "Oh my gosh, when I get to the high school, I can be with him again and be in those plays." >> Yeah, >> that's a great Thank you for doing that. >> Yep. Choir, show choir and Yeah. All that. >> That was great. >> Yeah. >> All right. Cool. >> Awesome. Thank you. >> Thank you. Like I said, I got to see it in uh I in observations and one of the observations were the kids planning it. Uh they were doing the I don't even remember what it's called the the last run of it uh before they took it to Caposian Lincoln and it was really I mean Eric was sitting back and the kids were doing all of it and then I got to sit in and watch um as they were writing the play and it was really interesting to watch them work through that. So, uh, aerobics and fitness, Miss Lenard couldn't be here, uh, but really what she wanted to talk about with this class is, uh, it's individually based, uh, student driven. So, what she was really liked about this is the kids are only competing against themselves. And so, they did a baseline test at the beginning, they'll do a baseline, they'll do a a a test at the end just to see where where their fitness levels grew. But she has said it's been really uh a class where every kid is accepted for who they are uh and what they can do because of the individual basis of it. And then the last one I'm going to talk about uh Mr. Hart couldn't be here but personal finance. And uh I just I hear a lot about personal finance uh from parents who want this class. Uh and I might be getting advice every night when I drive home with a certain kid in my car asking me all of these questions because he's currently in it. ask me why I don't have a high yield savings account [laughter] and what is my rate of return on my investments and how will I know that I'm ready to be uh ret be ready to retire. Uh so I'm going to tell you that this is not only building financial literacy and it's covering budgets. Uh I'm really excited because he wants to get a new car and I noticed that they're going to talk about car loans this week. So it is really practical for our kids uh to learn all just a ton of stuff that they didn't really understand prior to. So uh for those classes I really want to say thank you for allowing us to do that. Questions that you have about the courses. >> Uh it's not a question. I hope that this uh trend continues and next year we get to hear about everything that we just approved this past year. >> Okay. I'm going to write that down. Kim was the [laughter] one who mentioned it. >> Did you guys come back? >> All right. >> Are these classes coming back next year? >> They are. Yes. Yes. And word of mouth has been very successful. I mean, kids are saying you got to take real history. It's, you know, uh, and personal finance and, you know, uh, play production. And it's, yeah, it's been really, um, really fun to watch word of mouth work. It's magic. So, the next thing I just want to do is give a brief update and our um student board members will understand that I say this every time and every announcement and every tick- tockie with OAKI, right? There are some things about South St. Paul High School that you need to know. One is that we're a learning community that we're here to learn from each other and with each other. And we have Packer pride, which is pride in ourselves, pride in the work that we do, and pride in the greater school community. And we as a school, we're here to teach. So kids are here to learn and we're here to teach them. Uh high school is not their final destination and we as a school are preparing them for that next step. So these are three slides right every Monday and every Tuesday with Tik Tock with Oaki that they hear like this is what we're doing. This is what we're about. And so I want to just take I have some points of pride that I want to share with you because I know Dr. Zambbrino gave you a big overview of how things were going. But the focus for the high school this year has been we want to increase the percentage of students grade 12, grade 9 through 12 who are on track to graduate. And we want to uh improve our attendance rates. And really as a high school staff, we wanted to focus on tardies because tardies are a culture killer, right? When the teachers trying to get stuff going and kids are coming in late, uh it is a culture killer. And so we have put in a bunch of different programs and ideas and used the kids' ideas and teachers ideas to actually improve uh how we're doing. And one of the points of pride is right our kids um 85% of them 86% of them are on track to graduate after trimester 1. And one of the things that we're really super proud of is our number of of 89% of our ninth graders are on track to graduate after trimester 1 is phenomenal because it's typically nationwide at about 75%. Like that is a very hard cla grade um to to get through. But our nth grade teachers have worked really hard together and in fact all of teachers and all of staff have worked really hard to make sure that our kids are on track to graduate. Uh so I'm super proud of that. That is a those are fantastic numbers. The other one I want to talk about though is also the we decreased the number of tardies in trimester 1 by 10%. >> And if you are in South St. Paul High School and the bell rings and those that have been in there are hanging out with me, there's a two-minute bell and then there's Mr. Oakis's two-minute bell, right? Uh two minutes do menu, right? To get to class and then there's a one minute countdown. the bell rings for class and kids are in class and it is pretty amazing to see that but to see the number of it actually um show was really exciting for us. The other uh part of points of pride I want to talk about obviously um they talked about the the boys team uh going to state. We have some girls who are going to state in wrestling. Uh super cool, right? Every one of those boys also received a medal. We have five uh individuals who are representing us in state. Seven wrestlers overall which is exciting. Uh but we also had the coach of the year uh for our section 4A. Don Nihart was named coach of the year and Shad was named the assistant coach which is exciting. But what I am most proud of is 13 of our kids were academic all section. 13 of our wrestlers were academic all section which means they had a 3.2 GPA or higher. um showing that you can be a student athlete. And it was really cool to see that picture come across as our kids were lining up cuz this was at sections. Uh just to be like, hey, you know what, South St. Paul, you are a student and you are an athlete and you can be really successful. Our boys team all going to state, but of this group of 13, six of them are also individual wrestlers representing us in the individual tournament. Right. So really kind of exciting for us to see the number of our students who are academic and athletic at the same time. So that is uh just shows us that SSP is moving in the right direction. SSP high school is moving in the right direction. Uh and I am really excited about the next couple of years to come. Questions? >> Any questions about the high school or for principal in general? Now's your chance, guys. He's on camera. >> [laughter] >> Are are you going to be dressing up as a celebrity for Black Student Pride week? >> Uh I have not yet looked at in my um celebrity outfit, but yes, I'll have to look. uh if you are in school today um so one of our tardy incentives if you um [laughter] if you are selected so we draw 20 names every week for kids who had zero tardies the week before and you can get a free homework pass you can skip to the front of the line of for breakfast or lunch you can get into an activity for free or you can pick [clears throat] out my earrings for the day [laughter] and if you had been in school today you would have seen that I had piratesized hoops >> [laughter] >> were very heavy and once the day ended I took them out so I didn't have to have them on camera. [laughter] So if ever you're at the high school and I'm wearing earrings you know that some student selected it. >> Yeah. >> I hope that we get to see the end of your slideshow of all of them. [laughter] >> Yeah. >> Yes. They are beautiful let me tell you. So, >> I I just wanted to say that um the numbers for being on track for graduation just look phenomenal. Uh it I know it's a huge achievement and I know that that is a multifactored thing that deals with a number of things that are happening both with our students and our faculty and our staff and certainly the leaders of the administration. So, I wanted to say thank you and you know uh keep that up. you know, this is something that we are greatly appreciative of. Um, we are continuing to push on our superintendent about um various things related to student success and obviously there's a lot of success happening. So, >> thank you for that and um >> and uh it was also great to see the the tardies and but you know that is uh >> but I know that that is just one factor that goes into ensuring that you know students can be successful. So, thank you. Yeah, it feels it feels right coming out of co for so long. It felt like schools weren't I don't know. We were didn't feel like a school. Feels like a school. Kids are learning. They're taking really cool classes. They're getting, you know, I mean that's and they have a lot of voice. So, I'm excited about it. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thanks, Chuck. >> Okay. Now, we'll shift to the uh reports listed on the agenda. First, we start with stakeholder comments to the board highlights. As a reminder to the community, there are two ways to make comment to the board. You may either submit an online form or appear before the board in person. If you'd like to speak in person, the board has set aside time on our second Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. during our regular extended work session meetings. During our stakeholder comments to the board session on Monday, February 9th, we had two distinct groups attend to speak. First, we heard from a family expressing concerns about their daughter's well-being and the frustration they've experienced trying to work with administrators within our current policy structures. Second, a group of students from our CDLU and BO affinity groups al attended along with their adviserss. Seven of the students spoke to the board and shared firsthand perspectives and concerns related to the immigration enforcement activity occurring in and around the community and the district's planning and response efforts. I want to thank our families and our students who come and to speak and make comment to the board. It's so important to us to be able to hear from you directly so that we can understand how to better serve you, our students, and our community. Our next public listening session is March 9th at 6:30 p.m. I will now hand things over to Vice Chair Claflin for an update on our work session. >> Thank you. Uh at the work session that we had just prior to our business [clears throat] meeting tonight, uh we prepared for a few of the items on our agenda tonight. There are two um international field trips coming up over spring break and those come to the school board to be um approved at multiple points along the way for planning. But we did um recommend that we'll approve the French and Spanish trips. This sounds like a fantastic opportunity for our students to travel and practice their languages and um participate in some once in a-lifetime trips with their friends, learning about other cultures. We spent some time discussing a resolution on district practices and this would be um reinstating our current practices around working with any type of law enforcement that comes to the schools. and [clears throat] uh we need to have some further discussion on the policies and some clarity on some of the legal questions within it. Um that we are uh going to continue that discussion at our next work session. Then we discussed with our student reps the plans for uh next year's student representatives and how we will um incorporate student voice into the work of the school board. what we can do better, what they have learned, their recommendations for us. And um we'd really like to get uh a junior, a senior, two two great students from the high school to participate so that we can um help understand what's important to students and incorporate that voice in the work that we do, which can sometimes seem very disconnected from how it actually impacts students. Aside from approving things like the real history course and field trips, uh we do a lot of work that we want to be able to relate to the everyday experience. And that brings us up to the meeting now. [cough and clears throat] >> Thank you. Okay. Uh Dr. Zenbrino, I will hand it over to you. Give us your superintendent update. >> All right. Thank you, Chair Humeman. Well, what a fun night just to hear all the great things going on around the district. And so, um, just want to say thank you to our students. They're just amazing every single day. I always say our kids are the best. Even on their worst day, our kids are the best. Our staff are incredible and the things that are happening are are really great. Uh, we did um a nice walkthrough on our district scorecard where we set out seven goals for the year and I was able to share the the great things that are happening to get there. And um we had a little bit of a maybe set back on attendance with some of the ICE enforcement, but we're seeing that really bounce back already. And so um just super excited. I when Chuck uh when principal Chaki said that it feels like school again, it really has been great to really be digging into the work. Uh we have curriculum review going on so our teachers are digging into standards and getting better instructional materials. Uh we again with those goals we're very transparent in the things we're trying to accomplish and um it's really focused our work and our meeting times together when we're uh working with our teachers whether that's at the school's builts or in PLC's and then the work that goes all the way up here to the to the board. Um so just really exciting hard to believe um you know it's almost March and that means we are almost twothirds of the way through the year. So try two will end a week from Friday. So, uh, it already feels like it went fast and I kind of joke around here in South St. Paul public schools, it's kind of a spring extravaganza. We have so many amazing things going on. Um, the culminating thing being our uh, educational foundation scholarship banquet, over $600,000 again this year. So, just um, lots of great things already happened, lots of great things to come. So, thank you to our families, our staff, our uh, students, and of course the broader community for your support. Uh, speaking of community support, the board did move forward uh to approve a special election on May 12th. And so, we've shared this before, but I'll make sure to be touching on it every time we're here on camera because I know uh a lot of people tune in and try to get some good information from us. And so, what we are looking at doing is um a bonding initiative as well as renewing our capital projects levy. Um because it's the only thing on the ballot, we will be doing a combined polling location just right across the street here at the museum, right across from city hall. Um and they'll we will be sharing all this at home. So if you're not getting it, don't worry. We're going to have mailers that come out that uh make sure everyone knows where the polling location is, the dates, all those things. Absentee voting of course starts a little sooner. So coming up on March 27th, they'll be able to do that. But really, we're looking at two things. um the the building bond. Think of bonds for buildings. Uh the ask was a $50 million ask. What's really great about the timing we have right now is that we actually have $30 million of tax potential that's going to be um leveraged. So we have some bonds being paid off. So we are able to come forward with an ask from the community for uh $50 million to the tune of just around $12 per month on the average home. And we certainly acknowledge that any dollars are real, but we're hoping that that's a very pragmatic and approachable number to really be able to do some great things to maintain the the legacy we have here and and keep our our buildings as strong as our minds are here. Uh and then the capital projects levy actually doesn't expire until 2029. That's really if you think about safety, security, technology, cyber security, um that is in place again until 2029, but we wanted to bring that forward here in May so that then the school district is not needing to come back to our taxpayers anytime soon. And so um lots of information on our website. I've been out uh presenting wherever I can and we'll certainly if somebody has an idea of a space where it would be helpful, let us know. We'll be glad to come and share uh more about that initiative. Uh this is that time of year though. We're really gearing up for next year. And so it's a super exciting time to be thinking about enrolling our our learners for next year, especially our littlest learners. Look, that picture, if that doesn't melt your heart, I don't know. But the the little South St. Paul Packers, they it's really fun when the kids get the shirts. I should the that in our our meeting this fall. But fun to see our our little Packers coming in. Uh but we do want to support our families and and making good choices and being well informed. And so, um, you can go online to find, uh, our enrollment paperwork anytime, but if you want to go in person, Central Square, uh, is staffed at our our community center, and so people there can help answer questions around enrollment. Of course, you can always reach out to your, uh, students future school. Um, they're offering in-person tours and some open houses. You can see kindergarteners. Uh, we did do a kindergarten registration night, but we're going to have some open houses coming up here um, in April. So the 14th at Caposia, 15th at Lincoln. Honestly, what I love about being superintendent here is you have only two elementary schools and they're both awesome. And so realistically, um it doesn't matter where you end up, those are driven by where uh you live. It's an attendance area. And both schools have just amazing instruction going on. Our teachers are all trained in the science of reading, um implementing uh deep literacy work, digging into math, and uh the results are coming. and we've talked about it several times here. Math scores are up, reading scores are up, and that's a shout out to our staff and our students at the schools. Uh, middle school, I know that's the scary one for a lot of people, but it's not scary. I promise. I was a middle school principal for eight years. I'm married to a middle school teacher. My mom was a middle school teacher, so I can promise you it's not scary. Um, it's wonderful. In fact, talking to the middle schoolers when they make that transition, they just love they love their elementary teachers, but they're really excited about moving class to class and having a little freedom uh within their day. But again, everything's on our website. So, anything you need to find out, any questions, you can start there. And then if that doesn't uh work out for you, just reach out to your child's school. And then I mentioned the middle school is doing some family tours. And so the dates here you can see uh March 9th at 10:00 a.m. and then March 12th at 5:00 trying to principal Borg trying to find some times that um work for families and then on April 8th at 5 and Espanol Tambien. So um espanol that you can come and and get that tour on the 8th. Uh but again it's a great school and other it's our only middle school but luckily it's a wonderful place and our kids really have a lot of fun when they're there. talked a little bit already about staff excellence and I love this award. So we are now um the foundation is accepting nominations for the 2026 Roxan Bliss Silver Apple Award. Uh so each year students and this is what I love about it. We heard Principal Chaki talk about student empowerment. Here's another opportunity where students nominate a staff member who's made a positive impact on their life. A lot of times as a teacher, it's not always. We believe all of the adults play an essential role in uh educating our kids, feeding our kids, making sure that their buildings are safe and clean. So, any staff member can be nominated by a student um just between now and April 1st, get that in. But it's really, really fun to go and hand out those awards and just see how much that means to our amazing uh dedicated staff. You can um see um a young man here who was very proud. It was fun watching him read the note. That's actually the coolest part. the students read the application letter that they sent with the staff member. So, you can see um just the impact that's having on Miss Wine Fertner there as Tomas is is calling her out for her excellence. So, please get in some nominations for our amazing staff. We had a little conversation here with Mr. Holen, but here we go again. Spring plays coming up. So, the high school theater is performing Mc Beth this spring. So, they start the performances March 20th through the 22nd. So, couple evening slots, a couple of matineese. Um, to find out more information, you can go to our activities and athletics web page. Uh, you can see the website there, but that's a great spot to always get any information on all the great things going on. I know they won't disappoint because they never do. So, looking forward to seeing that. This month, we did talk about being um African-American or Black History Month, and within that, we have National African-American parent involvement day. So, we invited all families to come into the schools. I had the chance to visit all the sites and each one has its own kind of flare, but really fun at the elementary just um come in, read, spend some time together and community. Uh had a chance to connect with a lot of families and it just very well attended. At the secondary, they do a little more focused like conversations and performances and things. So, a little bit of a different flare as you go from the elementary uh into the secondary, which kind of reflects where the students are at a little bit as well. Um, and so again, breakfast, books, guest speakers, uh, performances. Um, we struggle sometimes when you do one event, it's never enough to honor a whole group of people. And so, um, but it is fun to to see people come in and in, uh, partnership and in community in our schools within our, uh, mission to educate. We um love educating with inclusiveness. And so uh this is a really neat thing that so we have for those who don't know we partner with intermediate district 917 and that is a a district that provides um really specialized um special education in services that we couldn't for our size. So think about students with severe uh potential physical disabilities or cognitive disabilities that just go beyond what a small district could serve. We partner with 917. I see um Director Weber over there nodding because she represents our board on that board. But they came up with a really neat thing which is to create these inclusive educator awards where they pause and and really call out the staff for the excellent things. And again, it's not just teachers. So you can see here Patrick uh one of our ESPs got the award as well as Miss Gross uh Mr. Nap Basquez and Miss Olsen. And so again, these are super fun. Uh when you go to the classrooms and they get to hear why they were nominated and uh one of our teachers that I was with last year, Mr. Johnson, got the award and the message was how uh inclusive and welcoming his classroom was. And I'll never forget it because he looked at his kids and he said, "This award is for you. You are the ones who make it so inclusive." And so I love that it's not just our staff who are cognizant of that, but the kids are part of making our our schools welcoming for all learners regardless of ability. Um, everybody belongs here. And so nice that we can partner with 917 to meet some needs uh of our kids. And just further with that, we have the deaf heart of hearing or DHH program. That is actually a 917 program, but it's housed in our building. So you'll see kids coming from different districts there. But Lincoln Center does this amazing job of including them in the overall school community, but then some of our kids might go off to other member districts for other services. And so, uh, really cool thing to see how we can wrap around and support our kids and families there. Um, educating through hands-on learning. So, uh, I love good inquiry based learning. You can see some, uh, I think there's a little competition going on here. So, the high school physics students uh got to make that mouse car mouseetp car where they set the trap and they use just the force of the trap closing to see how far and how fast they can make a car travel. So, they have to think through ratios and math and different things to to leverage that one little um force that's sitting there, that stored energy, and turn that into motion. So, a pretty cool hands-on way to engage with physics concepts, but have some fun. And you know what? We like a good competition here in South St. Paul. We did hear a little bit about Sarah, but very excited to see uh Sarah being recognized as our Athena winner this year. So, congratulations to uh Sarah Willie. She is our recipient. So, each year the Athena Award is given to one female senior athlete and that's at each private and public high school in the Twin Cities. Um and I've gotten to go to the banquet the last few years and the list of accomplishments of these young ladies is unbelievable. And you can see Sarah here. So, soccer captain and three varsity letters, track captain with five varsity letters, two varsity weightlifting letters, allconerence soccer, two allconerence track, three allconerence honorable mention track, and then student council cuz, you know, she needed something else to keep her busy, I guess. I also know she's engaged in our tri- district caps healthcare careers. And so, just a neat kid that I've gotten to know over the years and and very deserving that award. So, congratulations, Sarah. And then just some important dates coming up. March 9th and 10th, no school. We've got some conferences and things going on. And then, yes, spring break, like I said, we're kind of rolling here into the spring. And that's March 30th to April 3rd. Um, the POSA PTA meets on the 3rd at 6, Lincoln at uh 7 on the 9th, and I mentioned the conferences on the 9th and 10th. Uh, at the secondary, we have non- studentent day for grades 9, 10, and 12 on March 12th. the uh 11th graders will be doing the um ACT test. So, this is a really big deal. The whole school basically shuts down so we can wrap around our 11th graders and make sure they have a really great experience on that ACT and show the world what they're able to do, which we know is a lot. And then athletics and activities, we have opening day on March 9th for softball, uh girls and boys track and field. And Isabella, happy birthday on that day. And then um March 16th, opening day for baseball. I think someone up here is pretty excited about that. And then uh girls and boys golf. I mentioned the McBTH performance coming up March 20th through 22nd. And then boys tennis on March 23rd. So tons and tons of great stuff going on. Too much to list. I feel like I was talking a lot, but I could go on all night long if it was to just talk about the great things going on in our district. >> Thank you, >> Dr. Zambino. You're welcome. >> Yes. Thank you. Good information. All right. Uh, next up, I'm looking for a motion to approve the consent items on [clears throat] tonight's agenda, which include the financial claims, bills payable, and staffing as presented. Do I have a motion? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Thank you. Um, all any discussion? All those in favor, please say I. >> I. Opposed. >> Motion carries. 70. And moving on to policies. This evening we have 11 policies on our agenda for approval. These policies were initially reviewed by the board policy committee on February 18th. They are policy 513 student promotion retention program design policy 601 student district curriculum and instructional goals. Policy 625 IB language policy. Policy 626 IB assessment policy. Policy 212 schoolboard member development. Policy 213, schoolboard committees. Policy 214, outofstate travel by school board members. Policy 216, school board vacancies and procedures for filling of vacancies. Policy 501, school weapons policy. Policy 502, search of student lockers, desks, personal possessions, and students person. Policy 515, distribution of non-school sponsored materials on school premises by students and employees. >> Uh, do I have a motion to approve? >> Oh, it says 505, not 515. >> Oh, did I say the wrong number? >> Oh, that's what you have on yours, but it says 505. >> 505. Thank you for the correction, Director Felton. >> No problem. >> Policy 505. Distribution of non-school sponsored materials on school premises by students and employees. Perfect. Um, at this time I'm seeking a motion to approve these policies listed on our agenda this evening. Do I have a motion? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Thank you. Um, so any discussion? And just to remind everyone that district policies are posted on our website under the about us tab located within the schoolboard section under SSPPS policies and district policies are the uh governance work that the board does. Um, all 11 of these policies were reviewed by the committee and they experienced little to no change since they were last presented to the board. A handful of these just get reviewed every year annually. So, the committee had recommended a single reading for these. Um, is there any discussion or questions at this time? Then all those in favor, please say I. >> I opposed. Um, motion carries 70. Moving on to our business items. We have five business items this evening. First, I am looking for a motion for the South St. Paul School Board to approve the final trip, final field trip request for the high school French class to travel to France and Monaco during spring break 2026. Do I have a motion? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Thank you. And I will invite our educational services director, Amy Winter, to talk to us. Good evening. Um I am here uh asking for a final approval for two international trips. Uh one is to France and the other one is to Costa Rica RA. Um just to kind of give everyone a heads up, we partner with Education First Tours and the France tour is leaving on March 25th, returning on April 3rd. And then the Costa Rica trip is leaving on March 27th, returning on April 5th. >> [snorts] >> Are there any questions or further discussion? >> Yeah, I just always highly recommend these vacations for students because 52 years ago, [laughter] 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 [laughter] say that I had done that. So it is something that obviously you never forget your entire life. This opportunity is wonderful. Thank you. >> Yeah, I am excited to hear the stories as the kids come back from these opportunities because I do believe they're once in a lifetime. Um just to have that hands-on learning. I agree. I just have a brief question. We talked about this a little bit earlier. When it comes to like passports and other documentation like does the school like do you get do you make have you seen all the kids passports? Do you make photo copies of them? Like what steps go through to make sure that like we take them out of the country and get them back into the country [laughter] >> safely? Yeah. And actually I have principal Chaki back here. 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. So we have they've done presentations talking about what kids need to pack, you know, all of kind of the the process on that. And so, um, both, uh, principal AKI and myself feel confident that the they'll focus on the learning and the fun experiences and not on hopefully any logistical things that we can prevent as much as possible. All right. So, right now, we're going to be voting to approve the French trip. So, all those in favor, please say I. >> I. >> Opposed. Uh, motion carries. 70. Now, I'm looking for a motion for the South St. school board to approve the final field trip request for the high school Spanish class to travel to Costa Rica during spring break 2026. Do I have a motion? >> I motion. >> Thank you. >> Second. >> Thank you. All right. Are there any additional questions regarding this trip for Amy? And if not, then I will just move us along to vote. Excellent. All those in favor of approving the Spanish trip, please say I. I. >> I. Opposed. >> Motion carries. 70. Thank you. >> Thank you so much. >> All right. Well, another exciting thing to hear and have business about. I'm looking for a motion for the South St. Paul School Board to approve the Lincoln Center Ship Grant. Do I have a motion? >> So moved. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. And I'd like to invite uh Principal Bossardov to speak with us. >> Good evening everyone. Thank you for having me to represent my community here um of Lincoln Center. 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 for example, for 5-year-olds, we work on bubbles and our spaces and for 10 year olds sometimes we have to work on respectful language and how do we share that at recess? As you know, recess is a time for fun and play and it's unstructured. Um so what this program would really do play works they would come out and train our staff that are already existent. This would not change our budget nor my allocations. Um it would simply give some tools to our staff. So this is done through empowering our recess um supervisors and having a partnership with them and we have asked for three half-day visits. Um, so what they do is they'll come out with games and curricula for them and they would train them along with our assistant principal who's really supporting um, our staff out there. The really exciting component, which is why I asked for more money and it was approved, was to get student leadership. So at Lincoln Center, we do really value inclusion as Dr. Zimbrino mentioned and we really want our students to feel empowered and including all kids. So age five all the way through 10. As I mentioned, the opportunity here is for 10year-olds to really step up and they would guide recess, which again is unstructured. And there is a curriculum that goes along with playworks to teach them how to lead games. So it could be anything from uh basketball, it could be hula hoops um or just different engagement strategies that are 10-year-olds would actually lead. Um, we have something that we already do in PE where our fourth graders help out kindergarteners. Um, and this is just another opportunity for our fifth graders to really engage. So, they would get trained in by Playworks. Um, and then we would also get visits from Playworks. So, they would come out and watch our 10year-olds really support the nine and below. And I'm asking you to approve this program, please, or this partnership. So I have a question. So they would teach like this year's fifth graders how to be those student leaders and then like next year do they then come back and train those new fifth graders or is that like modeled from watching them when they were fourth? >> That is a fabulous question. So we would actually get the material this year and they would really u meet with our assistant principal. Next year is when it would begin. So then our AP would essentially um kind of co-train the fifth graders and then we would have our AP because we would lose the funding. It only goes for one academic year. But what the good news is is you build those leadership capacities and then um assistant principal Bernard would be able to train the next group of fourth graders for the following year which would be the fifth graders. Um, we haven't honestly talked about how to partner fifth graders with fourth graders, but we have um looked in different options and it would be nicer for our fifth graders next year to get trained by Playworks and our AP to train than our fourth graders. So then they can have extra leadership opportunities and they get really excited to kind of be the adults in the space. >> Are there any other questions from the board or concerns? I guess I have another question. [laughter] Yeah. How is the recess set up that the fifth graders are going to be able to be present at each of the other grade levels time? >> Yeah, that's a great question. So, right now what we're doing for P, for example, we have a fourth grade leadership opportunity. So, it goes back to instructional minutes and master schedule. So, just a matter of making sure that we stagger it. So, what we do is and it's an opt-in with obviously peeron involvement and permission. um the fourth graders when they have their recess they then go in and lead and pee and have a leadership opportunity. So we would just be really cognizant of the fact that we need to make sure that there's parent permission and involvement and then we stagger the master schedule appropriately for the fifth graders. Um I think we'll have a lot of optins and wants. We have a whole lot of leaders at Lincoln Center. Um so that one we haven't thought through yet. Um but we will try to be as inclusive as possible of all of the fifth graders. Thank you. Yeah. Any other discussion? >> I'll just add Lisa and I got to spend some time with fourth graders, our student advisory kids, uh the superintendent student advisory council kids this morning and they said uh we need to ban soccer and football at recess. So I think they are seeing some need for some organized structure and uh play out there. So I I think you got a good crew already ready to lean in. 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. So really, it's leadership capacity for fifth graders. It's giving our staff extra tools of inclusion and making sure all of our kids are healthy and engaged. And last but not least, it would really decrease our data, which really our behavior referrals are predominantly at recess. Would kids still have the option for free play? And it's just that there are some organized things for kids who need a little more guidance. Okay. >> So, it would have a lot of voice and choice. So, what's nice about Playworks and I have a little video for it so you can see it. Kids get really excited because they still get to pick. So, we're not actually telling them you need to go to hula hoops. They get to pick. Um, so it's their activities. It's studentled and supported by the staff. So, it's still free uh play and free choice. It's just the engagement strategies are different. Yeah. And I [clears throat] have a little video for you um just so you can kind of see it in action. >> My job involves a variety of things. So I'm out here before any recess even begins. I'm bringing out a card of equipment filled with all the things we play with. And then I take at least a half an hour of my day setting things up. [screaming] >> Nobody has a break at recess. We're all playing. The teachers, the students, the coaches. One thing that we always look out for is anybody who would normally hang to the periphery or would find themselves playing solo. There's a real need to have those kids be engaged. >> Before I joined junior coach, I was really shy and I wasn't open. And after junior coach, I was really confident. I was a great leader. >> All right, get out of here. >> A lot of the games are non-competitive. We focus on having fun. We encourage them to have a game of ho shambo which is simple rock paper scissors. The winner moves forward. Everything moves forward. You don't have to get stuck in um you know conflict. >> When I was being bullied, I felt like no one can really help me. But then when I joined Playworks, I was able to communicate by getting a teacher. And then I noticed other people getting bullied. So, I was able to help them and so they can have a fun recess without people picking on them. >> Because we spend so much time on school culture and um positive language and reinforcement, they create an environment that's more inclusive. And a lot of that is also through invitation by their peers or junior coaches. [clears throat] >> So, that's really it. it just inclusion and as I mentioned depending on the grade level sometimes we are learning language of how to be kind and how to be respectful with each other and this just gives them tools so then we're avoiding um I was bullied today or so and so sat by themselves the entire recess because that unfortunately does happen as our kids are growing and they're learning the strategies of how to include >> I just want to make sure we keep seeing kids running their recess marathons I love those updates it is so motivating >> [laughter] >> Yeah. >> All right. I have a question. Yeah. How many recess sessions do we have? >> How many recess [clears throat] sessions do we have? >> Yeah. Like in a day, how many? >> Yeah. So, we um it depends on the grade level, but we do it per grade level. So, so it's developmentally appropriate. We stagger it and we start off with recess and then we move into lunch, which is what research says is best for their little bodies. So, we do 20 minutes of recess and then we stagger. Um and we always keep kinders with kinders and so on first grade with first graders. So it's a total of six. >> Okay. >> Yeah. And then um at some point if you ever want to come and have the discussion about a 25 minute or 30 minute recess or so >> um I you know I'd be interested [laughter] to know >> I'm looking at Amy and think that >> we I will say our teachers work really hard to incorporate into for example wit and wisdom is what we're working with right now which is our literacy curriculum and there are a lot of movement breaks [clears throat] in it um and they're becoming stronger and stronger and utilizing that. so we can have extra movement. Um, and we have a lot of grace with our um, K2 as well because they're just little. They need to move in order like what I started off with seal foundation is needed to get to the academic. But yes, recess maybe one of these days. >> Thank you for asking that. >> Um, if there are no further questions, so we can vote to approve accepting the ship grant. All those in favor, please say I. >> I. I >> opposed. >> Thank you. Our students appreciate that. >> Thank you. >> All right. I am now looking for a motion for the South St. Paul School Board to approve the fiscal year 26 budget revision. Do I have a motion to approve? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Thank you. And I'd like to invite our finance director up to walk us through these revisions again. [laughter] Madam Chair, Madame Vice Chair, members of the board, I just want to take time here to thank you for for welcoming me to the podium here. Um, before I start on a couple of my slides here, um, I just want to thank the community, for always supporting South St. Paul. Without the community, it's it's it's been really tough, but [clears throat] you know, as a Packer, we're going to pack through this. So for the 202526 uh budget revision, I just wanted [clears throat] to ground everybody here of why we do a budget revision and also ground the work that was from the prior fiscal year which was fiscal year 2025. During the audit, we had an unmodified clean opinion. This is the highest form of [clears throat] an opinion that an independent auditor will give us. So kudos to everybody that that worked on this to the team to to the colleagues that that was really instrumental in helping us get the unmodified opinion. I also been working closely with um our Mars coordinator as well to analyze enrollment. Even though we have a couple of headwinds with what's been going on in our community here, we we have been conservative with these budget revision. Um, also we have been analyzing budgets actuals as well. And also, you know, the job doesn't start uh stop, excuse me. Uh, even though we're we're doing the budget revision for 26, we're also planning for fiscal 27 as well. The purpose is, you know, as as the year unfold, we get more accurate information. We get our October 1st count and then we also look at the object codes, what's been spending. And through that we we extrapolate data and because we've been extrapolating data looking at the operational need it's been a key driver for us to do this budget revision. 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. for the last uh I believe it's eight or nine years we've been uh able to maintain um class size norm within that norm that has not changed much so that's that's been one of the key drivers of these budget revision as well to provide that excellent educational quality um we had a lot of tailwind in uh past two years uh for fiscal 24 we had two things going on you know we we had er dollars but We also had an operating referendum that really helped us with this um gap here. The solid darker green is the revenue. The lighter green there is expenditure. But as you can see through these charts, we're in an inflection point because enrollment has been decreasing but our expenditures has been increasing. So for fiscal year 26, it's been very very narrow. um revenue over expenditure we're projecting about 169K. Now we have been grateful to the state for increasing the general aid format allowance for the last 10 years but uh as you know inflation is really real out there. Um fortunately for the last two three years we've been getting around two and a half. I think next year for fiscal year 27 we're going to get 2.69 but inflation has been eclipsing the ceiling of 3%. You know we we have higher uh prices at at at the grocery stores. We've been seeing a lot of inflation headwinds out there. Another headwind that we're um trying to mitigate is enrollment ADMs. For the last 10 years, we've been declining enrollment and we're projecting that it's going to stabilize in the for years 29, 30, and 31. So for conservatism, for 25 26 budgeting, I have projected a slight decrease from the actuals of 27.86. 86 because I've been working with our Mars coordinator. I'm projecting 2712 as our ADM for as a key driver. What does this look like? As you can see, our state revenue went up by approximately 700K uh federal property tax total. It's about $1 million that we have increased our revenue adjustments. But on the flip side of that, we were also able to maintain salary negotiation within parameters. So salaries and benefits makes up 80% of our budget, but we also have contractual obligation with transportation services to service our our kids and also our declining equipments as well. So that's been factor in the budget here of approximately 800 uh Kish increase here. So revenue minus expenditure again it's that 169K. What does that look like in table form? This is what it looks like. Your far left right there is your beginning fund balance there. Um to the far end of that our unassigned it's going to go up slightly from 8.4 to 8.5. We're also still maintaining our unassigned fund balance percentage from 15.7 to 16.1. Now, our key financial metrics, again, we're still going to be in the surplus of approximately 169K. Our unassigned fund balance is 8.5 from our percentage total unassigned is 16.1. Our target, our per policy is 8%. How does that translate into dollar terms there? Our minimum unassigned balance needs to be 4.2. We're overt target by $4.3 million. 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. Now why is it necessary? Again, sometimes the state give us irregular payment. We have mandated but not enough funded programs. Sometimes, you know, we have a bad winter and we have higher utility costs um greater than expected inflation and sometimes what we're dealing with as a stressor right now in our district is the enrollment situation and also state funding. And also um just the anticipated cost of contracts settlements. You know, we've been fortunate enough to have a very great relationship with all of our unions. And so, there's a clear understanding of district finances and district wants and district needs versus the union and us coming together and collaborating for settlements. So in summary, the revised show an increased expenditure of approximately 897K offset by that million dollarish from revenue. Uh but we still have some headwind uh namely compensatory aid. Uh Dr. Zambino and I was was in a a meeting uh a couple weeks ago and we're we're looking at a slight decline and Dr. Zambino has been reaching out to the legislature for some additional assistance. um enrollment challenges again with the political situation outside uh the district here. Um and the next step is to get this approval here so I can um go back and put this into our ERP system and just let everybody know that from a strategic standpoint here, we're still seeing uh the positive here. It's going to be tough in the next couple years, but we're going to mitigate that as we get new more information. Thank you, Ra. >> Thank you. >> Any questions before this vote? >> Okay. All those in favor, please say I. >> I. >> Opposed. Motion carries. 70. Enter it into the ERP. >> Thank you, sir. >> All right. >> Uh, next up, I'm looking for a motion for the South St. Paul School Board to approve the vote from NAPAC concurrence. It's kind of awkward. Uh do I have a motion to approve? >> So moved. >> Thank you. >> So >> thank you. And we'll invite Amy Winter back up. >> Thank you. Uh so I actually um want to provide maybe just some clarity. Um, so every year the uh American Indian or more locally we do the Native American um advisory uh sets out goals um on how we support our students and then they um just from a state level we then need to kind of review our progress on that. Um the board's role around that is actually just to accept their recommendation either voting to accept concurrence or uh the vote of non-concurrence. And so I I do want to give that clarity. It's not about approving or not. It is just about accepting about what they're sharing. Um I technically do not sit on that committee. Um but I am representing them tonight. Um and I do have a written statement that they wanted me to share. Um I will tell you um that we do have a a NAPAC chair. His name is Sean uh Sukla and he is new to this position. He actually would love to connect with the board and so is going to try to plan a time to either come to a board meeting to connect with the board or invite any member who would be open to coming to uh an APAC meeting. Um so but I do want to read um what they would like me to share with the board tonight. So all right, good evening uh board chair Hume, members of the board, and Dr. Zambbrino. I am here this evening to present on behalf of the Native American parent advisory committee or we call it NAPAC. I would like to acknowledge Shaun Sucla and recognize his willingness to assume leadership and their continued commitment to our Native American students and families. This past year, Native American programming has navigated a significant transition. The committee experienced the loss of its previous board chair and has also transitioned to a new Native American liaison, which is niche. uh and an educational uh service facilitator which is Natalie. Uh despite these challenges, the committee has remained focused on its purpose and responsibilities. In accordance with the state requirements, NAPAC convenes annually before March 1st to review uh whether the district's educational offerings are meeting the needs of American Indian students. At the February 10th, 2026 meeting following discussion and review, the committee voted um to issue a resolution of concurrence. This vote reflects the committee's recognition of growth in the liaison support, expanded cultural programming, and increased transparency in student data. Administration uh recommends that the board formally accept and acknowledge NAPAC's vote of concurrence. While this vote affirms progress, the committee also identified continued priorities and measurable goals to guide the work ahead. First, supporting post-secondary preparation for American Indian students. The goal is for 90% of state identified American Indian seniors to engage in post-secary preparation activities as evidenced by participation and engagement data collected throughout the year. Support the academic achievement of American Indian pupils. The district aims to improve reading and math assessment scores for American Indian students by 5% compared to last year. Number three, make curriculum relevant to the needs, interest, and cultural heritage of American Indian students. The district will offer at least one professional development opportunity focused on Native American cultural heritage for our South St. Paul uh public school educators. provide positive reinforcement of the self-image of American Indian students. At least 75% of American Indian students will participate in cultural programming during the school day or in after school opportunities. And lastly, develop intercultural awareness among students, parents, and staff. Students at all grade levels will have the opportunity to read text by native authors at [snorts] some point during the school year. NAPEAC remains committed to addressing the persistent achievement gap and strengthening communication with families while expanding access to meaningful cultural programming. In the spring, NAPAC will update goals in each of the program areas for the coming year. We appreciate the partnership with NAPAC and remain committed to this ongoing work and the support of our Native American students and families. In conclusion, on behalf of the NAPAC, I thank you for your time and consideration and respectfully encourage the board to formally accept the vote of concurrence. Thank you for reading that statement and I want to thank our NAPAC committee and uh their new chair Sean Sukla um for extending an invitation. I definitely think that that will be something that we all look forward to. Uh, are there any questions or discussion before we accept their vote of concurrence? >> All right. >> Yes. Can >> I just >> 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. Uh obviously there's continued work to do and we and I know that you have a shared commitment to continuing that work and and I know the board wants to do everything it can to support that work. But just wanted to congratulate you and your team for the hard work and the recognition by the community. >> I appreciate you because I'll candidly say it is my team. uh that has really been um listening to our families, trying to make um our programming relevant uh and responsive. Um I was going to say the like the last um recent monthly meetings has been really focused on those cultural experiences as collectively as a family. And so they've done drumming, they've done bingo, uh they're talking about field trips. Um it it's been really exciting to kind of hear um what our families are asking for and they're showing up and and they are saying that it's making a difference. Um we also have Nij who um you know is a licensed Oji way um language teacher and is bringing that expertise to the table. It it is exciting um to continue to kind of build this programming out. >> All those in favor of acceptance, please say I. I opposed accepted 70. Thank you. >> Thank you so much. >> Well, we are reaching towards the end. So, I'll ask our um directors to share any updates on committees they serve on or highlight any uh recent educational activities or events they've participated in. And I'll start with Director Weber. >> Just like to, you know, wish everyone a we had spring. It it it arrived for a day. Um it was very exciting. I know I spent >> [clears throat] >> um the President's Day holiday sitting on my deck um basking in the sun and then it and then it was no more after that. Um but I just um wish everyone kind of a a healthy end of winter and hopefully spring will be right around the corner. Um and then again we have the spring of Palooa of all the various um events that'll be going on. Director Cummings, >> I just uh I know this last month has been hard and um and it sounds like there's so many things that are maybe getting back to normal in our school and um just wanted to thank our uh teachers and students, faculty, and staff for all they've done to support our students. >> Director Felton, >> uh nothing. Chair, thank you. >> Vice Chair Cleaflin, >> thank you. Um, at our finance, facilities, and long-term planning meeting earlier this month, we had a presentation from our director of food service, and it's always great to see them come in and tell us what's going on in the cafeterias. Um, they have some great meals that the kids apparently love. Um, and then there's also funding that they have to spend, so they're going to be working on some updates in the kitchens. and um it's exciting to see what they're planning on bringing forward. Um you don't really need to hear about the rest of the finance meeting. You already heard the budget revision. Um, but I'd also like to share that I uh was over at Caposia uh last week and got to see students preparing a celebration for one of their fellow students, a kindergartener who has been fighting cancer and is going to be moving out of the district. Um, they've been planning this the whole year and it was so wonderful to see these kids come together and celebrate a classmate, think of things that this kid would really love, put all of his favorite stuff together, and they were so helpful to each other and kind to each other as they were setting up. um and so excited to just cheer on another kid who's had a really tough year and to be a kindergartener. I think they all have a lot of empathy for what that means to be fighting cancer as a really young kid. So, they have been fighting cancer like ninja warriors for years and uh are really paying it forward to one of their classmates. It was wonderful to see and great that they have some ability to uh be empowered to have that space to do that come up with what they want to do. That's a chance that they get to be leaders. >> Thank you, >> Director Duffy. >> Uh good luck to the Sal St. Paul wrestling team. um all of our individuals who made it, but especially uh Ty Burch told Tomaso Chaki and Vivian Diaz, three kids who were little four, five, six year olds when I was coming through the program who I got the privilege to coach when I was in high school. So, good luck to everyone. Um it should be a fun weekend. So, >> thank you, Director Falton. >> Yes. Um on February 13th, I was at Caposia. I did the read across South St. Paul. I was in a first grade and I do plan on going back now in March and in April for the read across South St. Paul. And then uh the night before actually I was at Caposia also that was when the city council had their talking with town community members in the auditorium area and there were five of the of the town's um city council members there. And also, as you know, I am on the senior center board of directors. Just this last time, I was reelected to serve again. And unfortunately, we did have one one lady, Jean Wagner Crek. She decided to retire. And I had known Jean for many, many years. And I even graduated with her daughter. So, we wish her the best. She wanted to retire. But then we were fortunate to get a new member to be in attendant on our board of directors. Mr. Michael Shuno will be with us. We have nine women and two men on that board of directors. So that is good. And then the next luncheon that we'll be having at the senior center is March 12th. It'll be beef stew. So that would be a good one. So citizens that are 55 years and older are allowed to attend those events. So we look forward to that. And then also with the senior center, I also attended the Chanhassen dinner theater on that tour. And I honestly truly truly thank the bus driver that we had on that Wednesday night. That was the snowstorm night and he did a a wonderful job safely getting us home from Chanhassen. It was two three hours of traveling that we took a different total different route but totally totally [clears throat] thank him for doing being so kind and doing a good job. And then I had [clears throat] an opportunity last week, the the superintendent from Independent School District number 917, Dr. Michael Favor. I met with him for a lunchon because I had attended 917 for about nine years. So we got together and we're talking about his business, my business, and everything. And I truly invited him, which he will come to one of our board meetings to do an a discussion to talk about different things because they are starting to work on a project that possibly will assist us here in our district. It's hard to say. So, we we look forward to Dr. Favor coming to visit us. And I send out a very personal congratulations to our section 42A wrestling coaches. They were mentioned already. Don Niheart, our head coach, and Shad Bower, the assistant coach. I give them a true congratulations. It was so nice. I seen it posted on Facebook also. It was very, very nice. And then just yesterday, as you know, our school board, we we do go into the parade of Caposia Days, which is always the last weekend in June. But the Caposia Days, they are starting a fundraiser and they just did it yesterday at Luther Memorial Church. They had a bingo party there for two hours. And uh a big congratulations also to the coupe and to Angelos's cuz they both donated some gift cards that were some of the prizes at the bingo games. And and I did take some time to talk to one of the the women that are on that board of uh committees for Caposhia Days and asked her about if they knew yet because the the route on the parade possibly could be changing a little bit, but it it has not officially been determined how it's going to change yet because unfortunately Marie Avenue from 9th Avenue to 15th is going to be shut down for road construction. So, they haven't officially decided yet where where they're going to change it. And just one other thing that I've been noticing this in this Pioneer Press newspaper, there has been 10 of these. It's our pack ventilation improvement maintenance roof replacement that we have been putting out to get uh some possible, you know, estimates of what what they would charge us to do that. So, like I said, it has been in the paper 10 times this ad. So, if there's any businesses out there that want to put in a new [laughter] rough for us, please come and make an estimate so we can we can get it going. And as you know, our education foundation scholarships have already been due. So, I I assume that hopefully all of our senior students that are putting in an application because it was due 10 days ago. So looking forward to over $600,000 again to our high school students that will be getting those scholarships. So thank you. >> Thank you, Director Felton. Um the thing I wanted to share with the community is like how special South St. Paul is and the opportunities that we have available to us as a special district. um and to be uh working together. On February 10th, I had the opportunity to meet with Jean Zender organized it. She's our community ed director and she brought in her team. But we also were able to meet with um Cody Simo from Neighbors and Deb Griffith from here at the city and Sarah Connelly from the Caposia Library and everyone coming together and members from our um tri- district advisory council community members to put our heads together and think about how can we um create lowcost nocost options for our middle schoolers after school because we want to make sure kids get plugged in and find productive ways to fill their time while they're um as they're waiting after school. And it was just a really neat opportunity to have all these people come together and work together to come for a solution for our city and for our kids because we recognize that it's not one person's problem. It's an opportunity for all of us to take care of our own. Um so I just wanted to celebrate that. I know that there's still work to be done there and I'm sure I'll be talking to the rest of the board about what we can do for our part of that. But I think it's just really great that we have that chance in South St. Paul to literally all sit at the same table and have that time. Um, all right. That's what I've got. That is the agenda for this evening. I would love to entertain a motion to adjourn the Monday, February 23rd, 2026 school board meeting. >> So moved. >> Fabulous. Excellent. Any discussion on this matter? All right. All in favor, please say I. I. >> I. Opposed. Motion carries 70. School board meeting is adjourned at 7:31