StoryStudent School Board Representatives Oath of OfficeJuly 24, 2026

South St. Paul schools approves teacher grants, sports partnerships

The South St. Paul Public Schools board unanimously approved multiple initiatives on April 16 aimed at addressing teacher shortages and expanding student athletic opportunities, while also tabling two substitute employment resolutions due to incomplete attendance.

Published Jul 24, 2026

The board passed several significant agreements designed to strengthen the district's workforce and athletic programs. Eight staff members will receive tuition reimbursement through the Special Education Pipeline Grant ($230,000) to obtain special education teaching licenses, addressing a critical shortage in the district. Additionally, two employees received support through the Grow Your Own Grant, a $750,000 tri-district program that helps current staff earn bachelor's or master's degrees for teaching licensure.

On the athletics front, the board unanimously approved a boys hockey cooperative agreement with New Life Academy, a partnership created to combat declining youth hockey participation in South St. Paul. The team will maintain the Packer name and logo while competing in the Metro East Conference. The board also approved a dance cooperative sponsorship with the St. Paul Conservatory for the Performing Arts, allowing students from charter schools to participate in district activities.

The board unanimously approved a two-year School Resource Officer agreement with the City of South Paul, maintaining two officers in schools. District leaders and student representatives emphasized the positive impact on school safety and student-law enforcement relationships. The board also increased the federal micro purchase threshold from $10,000 to $25,000, streamlining procurement processes for both state and federal funds.

Two resolutions authorizing board members W.D. Felton and T. Felton to work as substitutes were tabled due to insufficient quorum. Minnesota law requires all board members present for such votes, with earnings capped at $20,000 annually. The board approved the 2024 payable 2025 proposed levy at its maximum amount, a standard annual step allowing the Minnesota Department of Education to finalize calculations. A truth and taxation hearing is scheduled for December 9 to discuss the final levy. The board also accepted donations including a cash gift from Croatian Hall for the softball program and a synthetic pitching mound from South St. Paul Youth Baseball for the high school baseball field.

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Other Topics from This Document

Teacher Pipeline Grants (Grow Your Own & Special Education)
School Resource Officer (SRO) Services Agreement
Federal Micro Purchase Threshold Increase
Proposed Levy Certification
District Updates and Community Engagement
Student Board Report

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Votes (11)

Approval of Non-Exclusive Dance Cooperative Sponsorship with St. Paul Conservatory for the Performing Arts

Passed Unanimously

Moved by Unknown [00:30:08] · Seconded by Unknown [00:30:10]

Brady Krueger explained that Minnesota State High School League bylaw 403 permits students attending charter schools that don't offer league-sponsored activities to return to their resident district to participate. This agreement allows a student from the St. Paul Conservatory for the Performing Arts to participate in dance with South St. Paul schools.

Approval of Boys Hockey Cooperative Agreement between South St. Paul Public Schools and New Life Academy

Passed Unanimously

Moved by Unknown [00:31:10] · Seconded by Unknown [00:31:12]

The agreement seeks to form a cooperative partnership in Boys Hockey between South St. Paul and New Life Academy. This initiative is a response to declining youth hockey numbers in South St. Paul, aiming to solidify the program while maintaining the Packer name and logo. The team will continue to compete in the Metro East Conference and section 4A without changes in class or section.

Approval of Special Education Pipeline Grants Tuition Reimbursement Agreements

Passed Unanimously

Moved by Unknown [00:33:55] · Seconded by Unknown [00:33:58]

These agreements stem from the Special Education Pipeline Grant, aimed at supporting staff in obtaining special education licenses. Eight staff members (Heidi Terce, Michael Wallace, Hannah Danielson, Jody Jacka, Devon Mo, Victoria Meny, Michelle Wallace) are receiving scholarship/grant awards to begin or continue their teacher preparation and expand their license areas. These agreements define the terms and conditions of their participation, addressing the district's high need for licensed special education teachers.

Approval of Grow Your Own Grant Tuition Reimbursement Agreements

Passed Unanimously

Moved by Unknown [00:37:07] · Seconded by Unknown [00:37:10]

These agreements are for Vidm Marie Pomero Torrance and Stephanie Oliva, who are receiving support through the ongoing Grow Your Own Grant. The program helps staff obtain initial bachelor's degrees or master's degrees for teaching licensure, contributing to the district's goal of developing its own teaching talent. The board expressed continued enthusiasm for this 'remarkable program'.

Resolution Authorizing Employment of Board Member W. D. Felton as Substitute

Tabled (Unanimous)

Moved by Unknown [00:39:26] · Seconded by Unknown [00:39:28]

Due to the absence of a full quorum, the board could not vote on this resolution. The resolution, per Minnesota Statute 123 b195, would allow a board member to be employed as a substitute within the district, provided earnings do not exceed $20,000 annually and all board members are present for the majority approval. The item was tabled to a future meeting when a full quorum is present.

Resolution Authorizing Employment of Board Member T. Felton as Substitute

Tabled (Unanimous)

Moved by Unknown [00:40:20] · Seconded by Unknown [00:40:22]

Similar to the previous item, this resolution would approve Tim Felton's employment as a substitute. The item was tabled due to the lack of a full quorum necessary for a compliant vote under Minnesota Statute 123 b195, as specific attendance and majority approval are required.

Approval of September 1st, 2024 to June 30th, 2026 Agreement for School Resource Officer Services

Passed Unanimously

Moved by Unknown [00:41:09] · Seconded by Unknown [00:41:11]

Dr. Zambino highlighted the positive working relationship with South St. Paul local law enforcement and the benefits of maintaining two SROs. The SROs contribute to school safety and help students build positive relationships with law enforcement, serving as a trusted resource for students and families. Student representatives confirmed the positive impact of SROs on school safety and student interaction.

Approval of Resolution for Increasing the Federal Micro Purchase Threshold

6-0 Approved

Moved by Unknown [00:45:30] · Seconded by Unknown [00:45:32]

Brady Krueger explained that the resolution increases the federal micro purchase threshold from $10,000 to $25,000. This action aligns federal purchasing rules with Minnesota State Statute 471 345 subdivision 5, simplifying processes and ensuring consistency whether state or federal funds are used for acquisitions. The board expressed support for creating efficiencies.

Approval of the 2024 Payable 2025 Proposed Levy

Passed Unanimously

Moved by Unknown [00:49:03] · Seconded by Unknown [00:49:05]

Brady Hoffman explained that school boards must certify their proposed levy by the end of September. The recommendation is to certify the maximum amount to account for potential shifts in calculations by the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE). A truth and taxation hearing is scheduled for December 9th, where the final levy will be discussed and then certified.

Approval of Acceptance of Gifts Resolution

6-0 Approved

Moved by Unknown [00:51:57] · Seconded by Unknown [00:52:00]

The resolution formally accepted two donations: a cash donation from the Croatian Hall for the softball program and a synthetic pitching mound from the South St. Paul Youth Baseball for the high school north baseball field. The board expressed great appreciation for these community contributions.

Approval of Community Representative on the Teacher Relicensure Committee

Passed Unanimously

Moved by Unknown [00:53:57] · Seconded by Unknown [00:53:59]

Dr. Zambino explained the committee's role in ensuring teachers meet their annual hour requirements for licensure renewal, a process that can be complicated. The board approved Beth Johnson, a retired teacher from the secondary building, to serve as the community representative on this committee, appreciating her willingness to support teachers in navigating the relicensure process.

Notable Quotes (11)

Minnesota State High School league uh has a part of their bylaws bylaw 403 for a non-exclusive uh Cooperative agreement which allows students that attend Charter Schools but don't offer Minnesota State High School league sponsored activities to return to their resident District to participate in a Minnesota State High School league activity.
— Brady Krueger [00:30:17]

Approval of Non-Exclusive Dance Cooperative Sponsorship with St. Paul Conservatory for the Performing Arts

on the South St Paul side we know that our youth hockey numbers are declining um and we're looking for something to solidify that so we can continue to offer uh Packer hockey so under this Cooperative agreement we would essentially be absorbing New Life Academy we would maintain the Packer name the Packer logo and so on which is incredibly important for our um Packer families
— Brady Krueger [00:31:27]

Approval of Boys Hockey Cooperative Agreement between South St. Paul Public Schools and New Life Academy

Tonight we are pleased to announce the eight that eight additional staff will be receiving scholarship Grant Awards to begin their teacher preparation and or continue their growth as a teacher and expand their license areas
— Joel Miler [00:34:10]

Approval of Special Education Pipeline Grants Tuition Reimbursement Agreements

about these uh this remarkable program that we're building into our district
—

Ordinances & Resolutions (15)

Minnesota State High School League Bylaw 403Other

Bylaw allowing non-exclusive cooperative agreements for charter school students to participate in resident district activities.

Non-exclusive Dance Cooperative sponsorship with St. Paul Conservatory for the Performing ArtsAgreement

Agreement allowing dance students from the St. Paul Conservatory for the Performing Arts to participate in South St. Paul district activities.

Boys Hockey Cooperative agreement between South St. Paul Public Schools and New Life AcademyAgreement

Agreement to form a cooperative partnership for Boys Hockey, with South St. Paul absorbing New Life Academy while maintaining its team identity.

Special Education Pipeline Grants tuition reimbursement agreementsAgreement

Agreements with staff members to fund their special education licensing or degrees through the Special Education Pipeline Grant.

Grow Your Own Grant tuition reimbursement agreementsAgreement

Agreements with staff members to fund their initial bachelor's or master's degrees for teaching licensure through the Grow Your Own Grant.

THE SOUTH ST PAUL RECORDER

South St. Paul schools approves teacher grants, sports partnerships

Other Topics from This Document

Teacher Pipeline Grants (Grow Your Own & Special Education)

School Resource Officer (SRO) Services Agreement

Federal Micro Purchase Threshold Increase

Proposed Levy Certification

District Updates and Community Engagement

Student Board Report

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Votes (11)

Notable Quotes (11)

Ordinances & Resolutions (15)

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