Osseo Area Schools — Transcript
Tuesday, September 29, 2026
Introduction of Student School Board Representatives (2026-2027)
Student and Team Accomplishment Recognitions
Fiscal Year 2026 Financials Presentation
Brooklyn Bridge Alliance for Youth Partnership Update
Audience Opportunity: District Blind Spots and Policy Concerns
Superintendent Report and Points of Pride
School Board Committee Reports
Constitutional Amendment and Construction Project Updates
Votes (3)
Preliminary 2027 Levy Approval
Dissent: None
Moved by Director Keith Tate [1:09:27] · Seconded by Director Thomas Brooks [1:09:30]
The Executive Director of Finance and Operations, John Morstead, presented the preliminary 2026 pay 2027 levy for approval. The proposed levy totals approximately $156 million, with an estimated increase of 4.75% (expected to reduce to about 4.5% due to MDE calculation adjustments). Key drivers include increases in the operating referendum portion of the general fund and planned debt service for construction projects. The approval was at the maximum allowable level to maintain flexibility, with the final amount to be set in December after further review and public comment.
Second Reading of Policies
Dissent: None
Moved by Chair Tanya Prince [1:13:21] · Seconded by Director Erica Foster [1:13:39]
General Counsel Amy Moore presented nine policies and procedures for their second reading and final approval. Notably, the attendance policy (Policy 503) incorporated feedback from students who appreciated its clarity and intervention strategies but advocated for more positive, less punitive interactions and consistent implementation across schools. The board praised the engagement with students in the policy development process.
Gifts to the District
Dissent: None
Moved by Director Sarah Mitchell [1:14:26] · Seconded by Director Thomas Brooks [1:14:31]
The board considered and approved a total of $78,995.72 in gifts to the district. Chair Prince acknowledged and thanked all individuals and organizations contributing to the district, emphasizing the collective impact of all donations, including those from teachers.
Notable Quotes (4)
I don't have a question. Um you already said 4 and a half%. That's where we end up um is at the lower end of tax districts. And so I think the only comment that I have is that um even though that is fairly low compared to what we've been seeing among cities and counties um it's still a significant ask when you put it all together. And so for me it's just recognizing that we are fortunate to have a community that has been willing to invest in our schools. Um and um I I don't take four and a half% lightly. Um, and so I just wanted to put that out there that I'm glad it's on the lower end, but um, it's still it still adds up.
Um, their feedback focused mostly on the implementation of the policy and the procedure. Wanting to focus on uh positive um interactions with students rather than punitive interactions, wanting uh to uh for our uh schools to think about the implementation being potentially inconsistent the bigger a school you have as you got more teachers that are taking attendance and such. Um but there was a lot that they also appreciated. They appreciated that um you know that there were inter interventions when it came to tardies. Um had some ideas about different interventions like utilizing peers and such. Um but overall um really appreciated the policy and procedure.
I just want to thank you um general counsel more for um taking the time to talk to the students. I think it's so important especially, you know, so many of our policies impact them. Um and so to hear kind of from their perspective and um it's kind of the why piece, you know, um and so I just wanted to say thank you for for doing that.
And as always, thank you to everybody who supports the district in this way. And um I always say it's it's a conglomeration of every single thing, every single item to every school and uh and our teachers uh also provide a lot in donations to our schools as well. So thank you for that.
Ordinances & Resolutions (17)
The resolution from which the Rise committee (Radically Investing in Scholars Excellence) was formed to address systemic racism.
Biennial surveys conducted by the Brooklyn Bridge Alliance for Youth to gather data from young people on their aspirations, needs, and well-being.
Preliminary year-end financial results presented to the school board, summarizing district revenues and expenditures.
A high-level visual organizer of the district's financial forecast, outlining projected revenues, expenditures, and fund balances through FY2031.
District policy setting the minimum required fund balance for financial stability.
District plan for construction projects and facility improvements, funded by voter-approved bonds.
An agreement formally establishing the partnership between the district and the Brooklyn Bridge Alliance for Youth, approved as part of the consent agenda.
District policy presented for second reading and approval.
District policy presented for second reading and approval.
District policy presented for second reading and approval, which received student input.
District policy presented for second reading and approval.
District policy presented for second reading and approval.
District policy presented for second reading and approval.
District policy presented for second reading and approval.
District policy presented for second reading and approval.
District policy presented for second reading and approval.
The statute pursuant to which the board recessed for a closed session to discuss labor negotiation strategies.