I would like to call this meeting of the Robbinsdale Area School Board to order. It is Monday, August 4th, 2025 and 700 p.m. We are in the the uh education service center boardroom. Will our clerk please call the role? >> With pleasure. Uh director Basset >> here. >> Director Bowman is here. Chair Evans Becker >> here. >> Director Hillbrand >> here. >> Director Holmes >> here. >> Director Long >> here. >> Director Wu >> here. >> And Dr. Salo >> here. >> All righty then. We definitely have a quorum. Next thing on our agenda is approval of the agenda. Do I have a mo motion to approve the agenda? >> Move approval. >> Moved by Director Bowman. Seconded by >> I'll second. >> Director Holmes. Um all in we're going to vote on approving the agenda. All in favor, please say I. >> I. Oppose say nay. >> Okay, we have an agenda. First thing, the next thing is the consent agenda. Consent agenda items are considered routine in nature and will be enacted by one motion. There'll be no separate discussion of these items unless a board member so requests. In that case, the item will be removed from being a consent agenda item and uh and addressed consent agenda items will include uh administrative personnel matters and financial matters. So, do I have a motion to accept the cons? Do Yes. Can I pull the non-licensed staff, please? >> Okay. >> I'll move the consent agenda. I don't think it was moved yet. >> No, she Okay. She wants to approve. So, you're moving it. Yes. Minus that. >> Well, I'm Exactly. But move it and doesn't have a second, so let you deal with that. >> Is there a second chair? >> Yes. >> I also have questions. Um, and I apologize in advance um because I just refreshed for the third time the minutes of the business meeting and so I caught um we need to pull the July 21st business. >> They are pulled. >> They are. Is that the one that's gone? >> Okay. >> We had to pull them. There's some errors in there that we need to have we need to fix. >> Okay. And so I'm hoping we're looking at how we're recording abstensions, too. Is that on the list? >> Yes, definitely. Because they are incorrect. >> Thank you. Okay. So, we have a move to approve the agenda minus the non-licensed staff. Do I do I have a second? >> Second. >> Seconded by director WH and >> chair. I just wanted to mention u to that the minutes that are there for the close session. So, that might be what you see. Thank you. >> They pulled the other one. >> Right. We have minutes for the close session that state we went into close session, but the minutes from the last meeting are going to be reviewed and corrected. All right. Um, seeing no discussion, let's this is a roll call vote because it's has to do with money. So, we're going to be voting on the consent agenda. Uh, Director Bowman, >> I'm ready. >> Okay. >> Director Basset, >> yes. >> Director Bowman votes yes. Uh, Chair Evans Becker, >> yes. >> Director Hillbrand, >> yes. >> Director Holmes, >> yes. >> Director Long, >> no. and director Wuto. >> Yes. >> Okay. So, we have uh six in favor, one opposed. The consent agenda carries minus the non-licensed staff. So, is there a move to accept the non-licensed staff on consent agenda? >> So, moved. >> We have a move. >> Yes. >> Discuss it after that. It's been moved and seconded to approve the non-licensed staff portion of the consent agenda, which was removed. I see any hands. >> Can we just get clarification on some of the health positions that are starting on the day of school and training um since that's a shift in how our health services are going to be handled that's come across in the last couple um and we've changed positions and LSN's all of that's been topics of discussion before at this table. So I'm curious how we're going to be bringing in numerous health EAS and starting if you can clarify where when their training will be. >> So the the week before school starts all EAS have in their contract up to 16 hours of professional development that they can come in for. And so that is what we will be using to train those as well as special ed has additional 6.5 hours of training workshop week. So within those hours they will be bringing those people in to do the training for health services. >> And what those were 16 hours and can you repeat the first one? >> 16 hours all EAS have in their contract and then special ed has an additional 6.5 hours for workshop week. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Welcome. I don't see any more hands up. So, let's take a roll call vote on the non-licensed staff portion of the consent agenda. >> Great. Thank you. Director Basset, >> yes. >> Director Bowman votes yes. Chair Evans Becker, >> yes. >> Director Hillbrand, >> yes. >> Director Holmes, >> no. >> Director Long, >> no. >> Uh, Director Wuto, >> yes. >> Motion carries five to two. Okay, moving on. Uh, we have no unfinished business. Yay. Us. Okay. New business. Um, the resolution accepting donations. Actually, it's very small amount. I mean, it's just one set of donations this time. So, we have a motion to approve it. >> So, moved. >> Is there a second? I'll second. Moved and seconded. And it's money. So, please take a roll call vote. >> I am ready. Uh, Director Basset, >> yes. >> Director Bowman votes yes. Chair Evans Becker, >> yes. >> Director Hillbrand, >> yes. Director Holmes, >> yes. >> Director Long, >> yes. >> Director Wuto, >> yes. >> 70. >> Motion uh resolution carries. Okay. Um item B, action on meal pricing. Uh Chief Financial Officer Hohheisle. >> Good evening, Chair Evans Becker. >> Good evening, >> director. Superintendent Stalo. Um before you is proposed 2025 2026 meal price increase. This is specific to second meals. So there is still the state still funds um a free breakfast and a free lunch for our students. Um some of our our uh older kids uh need a little bit more food than a type A lunch typically provides. And so this is um asking for an adjustment to those meal prices. What we do need to follow um is the minimum USDA price. Unfortunately, USDA is never typically as timely as school districts are. And so we have to go off of their 20 uh 2024 2025 pricing of which USD a minimum is $2.40 40 cents for a breakfast and $5 uh for a lunch. So that is what our pricing is based off of. You were provided some comparisons. One thing that I would like to identify is even before the state started contributing um to meal prices in its totality there we're following the same procedure that had existed before co um where second meals were uh charged whether whether a student um was benefit eligible or not they would get the free first lunch and then they wouldn't they'd have to pay if they were to get an alloc cart item. or something like that. So, this isn't any new practice for us. Uh, it has existed for quite some time and we're just making sure that we're following the USDA DA pricing guidelines. >> Great. Do I have a move to accept the proposed meal pricing for the 202526 school year? >> I'll move it and I have a question. >> Okay. >> I'll second. >> Moved by Director Basset, seconded by Director Holmes. And your question? >> Thank you, uh, Director Hohisel. So um you know my question is kind of had to do because I I don't think I can recall a discussion about second meals. So, um I wondered cuz as you may know we had a big ticket liability for meals uh his for years several years and so I guess I just didn't understand if we were if part of that included second meal costs >> I I I am aware um and I can say even part of you know I'm looking even at the adults even when we have staff members um we've we have actually changed with staff staff members how we've allowed them to purchase a meal. We used to allow staff to go deficit. Um a and believe it or not, we ha we have a negative balance there. We still have staff that that do owe on on their um meal prices. When it comes to the students, oh, I it's a big number that like has existed out there and has carried forward. So that that still I mean what you're saying resonates because I don't want to say it publicly. I believe it's a pretty significant number and I'm not I I can't be certain of the number so I don't want to say it but it's significant um of that deficit that rolls forward. >> So chair just a followup. So really it's it's more about um just understanding how we you know the acquire the debt and it's actually been talked about and named in terms of I think it's like $600,000. I mean, so for a while, uh, and I just didn't know if we had a practice where we were charging for second meals, if if that was exacerbating the accumulation of the those costs along with some of the things you just talked about. So, that was not not clear and was not articulated in that way. >> I'm I'm actually glad you threw out the 700,000 number because I would have said it was 300,000. >> Oh, no. 600 something,000. >> Yeah. And I and I think we're in the 300,000 negative range. Um somewhere along the way progress was made but yes we have always I believe charged or not allowed for you know like again all a cart second meal type of things that are free. We don't get reimbursed for them. So >> thank you. >> Okay so remind me we had the did we we had the motion that's why we have the discussion. Okay seeing no more hands. Uh, this has to do with money also. So, could we take a roll call vote on the school meal pricing for the seconds? >> Uh, with pleasure. Uh, Director Basset, >> yes. >> Director Bowman votes yes. Chair Evans Becker, >> yes. >> Director Hillbrand, >> yes. >> Director Holmes, >> yes. >> Director Long, >> yes. >> Director Wuto, >> yes. >> It's unanimous. Meal pricing carries. >> Okay. Thank you. The next item on our agenda is a resolution uh by the school board supporting the land acknowledgement and tribal flags display. And I would like to read the resolution. Just let me let me enlarge it a little for my eyes. There we go. Whereas the Robbinsdale Area Public School Board acknowledges that our schools reside on the traditional and ancestral homelands of the Dakota and Ajiway people and that indigenous peoples have lived on and cared for this land since time immemorial. And whereas the Robbinsdale Area Public Schools ISD281, American Indian Parent Advisory Committee, Apac, in accordance with its role under the Minnesota Statute 124D.78, has formally expressed its support for the public reading of a land acknowledgement and the visible display of tribal flags within the district. And whereas the reading of a land acknowledgement is a meaningful act of recognition and respect honoring the enduring relationship between indigenous peoples and their homelands. land. Whereas the display of the flags of the 11 federally recognized tribal nation tribal nations in Minnesota is a v visible and respectful way to recognize the sovereignty and the cultural identity of native nations and to affirm the district's commitment to equity and inclusion. Now therefore, be it resolved that the Robbinsdale Area School Board supports and authorizes the regular reading of a land acknowledgement at schoolboard meetings by the board chair or a board director and read also at other appropriate district events. And be it further resolved that the Robbinsdale Area School Board supports the public display of the flags of the 11 federally recognized tribal nations in Minnesota at the Education Service Center boardroom with the goal of implementation beginning at the August 18th, 2015 schoolboard meeting contingent on approval of this resolution on August 4th, 2025. I move this >> second. Moved and seconded. >> Who moved it? I did. Seconded by Director Holmes. All right. This is a roll call vote. I do not see any hands, so let's do a roll call vote. >> Director Basset, >> yes. >> Director Bowman votes yes. Chair Evans Becker, >> yes. >> Director Hillbrand, >> yes. >> Director Holmes, >> yes. >> Director Long, >> yes. >> Director Wuto, >> yes. >> 70. >> We are unanimous. And now, vice vice chair Long, will you read it, please? >> Yes. Um, land acknowledgement. We acknowledge Robinsdale Area Schools is located on the homelands of the Dakota and Ojiway people. We recognize the painful history of genocide and forced assimilation of the indigenous inhabitants of this land. We honor and respect the many indigenous people who live on and hold sacred these lands and we stand with members of these nations to fight injustice in all of its forms. We uphold the preservation of Dakota and Ojiway languages, landbased education, and tribal sovereignty. >> Thank you. And we look forward to having the flags up here at our very next meeting. All righty. Number seven on our agenda, policy um a second read action on policy 533. Uh Director Bowman, you want to take that? >> Uh yes. Uh we I am going to make a motion to send this policy back to the committee because we have we uh under item two, section F, there's a statement that's incomplete and needs fixing. And uh we also need to finalize the use of the terms parent, guardian, and caretaker on a consistent level through the document. Um it's sometimes referred to as legal guardian, sometimes they leave out caretaker. So we want to make sure that we go through and make that language clear. So I am going to recommend we send it back to the committee for a little tweaking. >> Okay. Do I have a second for that? >> Second. >> Been moved and seconded. to send policy 533 wellness back to the committee. Uh Dr. Holmes. >> Yeah. And before that motion, I actually had a question. So I don't know if you want it since it's going back. Um I was looking for clarification on how this applies to individual schools and their celebrations um fall parties, families bringing in stuff. I found the language of encouraging families. Um but I know those are some situations we've run into before. So, I don't know if you think there's a part in this policy that speaks to that. So, maybe when it goes back, that's one of the questions I had for this evening. >> We can be aware of that. And also, if you have uh uh language suggestions to make, just send them to Kenneth. >> Thank you. Okay. So, the move is to send policy 533 back to the committee. All in favor, please say I. >> I say nay. >> Okay. It's on its way back. Letter B, first reads for policies um policy 102.1 506 and 534. Who who's got this? Yeah. So we we met July 30th and uh a lot of the changes in these policies were very minor recommendations from MSBA and looking at some of the wage. Uh so there wasn't any major changes done. So, we uh will hopefully be able to move that to second read fairly quickly. >> Okay. Does anyone have any questions about it right now? Uh, Director Basset, then Director Holmes. >> Yeah. Well, first of all, thank you for the work and for getting these policies up and coming forward. Uh, the one that I had about the U equity policy is that one of the things I've noticed in um some of the other policies is that there is a uh how the communication of the policy will occur. communicating the policy and I saw that in some of the policies but not in this one. Uh and I think that that's a good thing to have in them. Uh because then we know h how does it get out? How do people know about it? Um and I thought about that and I know in some of our policies we have uh definitions and I like the section on this policy that um on section three that uh fulfilling the unified district mission through equity advancing equity through the district priorities. I I think that language is good but I just wondered because the question of definition of equity comes up a lot among a lot of people and so what definition we're using matters. So I just this is the first read so I just raised that for the consideration of the committee and uh for some thought about it discussion whatever and so discussions and then the communications and I guess I will just say that the flow of these policies as they've been coming forward is has a real good cadence. So but if to the extent that they can be consistent and how they're mapped out if there is no need for definition or if there need is no need for communication there is none. But, uh, I do think that for most things there usually is because they're usually targeted toward the students, staff, or the community needs to know, parents. So, that's just some feedback for the committee. >> Okay, we'll take that up. >> Uh, Director Holmes. >> Yeah, I um I'm looking at policy 501, the school weapons policy, and this one has >> six. It's 501. >> 501 is just a typo here. 501. It's 501. Thank you. >> Same page. >> Same page. >> Okay. Um and this has come up a number of times in discussion and I know I recognize your notes um with just the the school, why it was being brought to the table now, but um it's here. And I don't want to go without saying that um I think the board has some work to do on this in a work session just based on um previous incidents you know that dated back to right prior to us coming on this board when this policy I think first came to fruition from an emergency meeting um with an incident at one of our schools. There's been substantial community concerns about events happening in our schools. Um, and then also the previous work done by the safety and security ad hoc committee and why we had gone towards that threshold document. Um, and I don't think the board has ever gotten to discuss that. So, I'm moving to send this policy 501 to the August 18th work session for board discussion because this is not the place where I should go into all of my comments um and provide further context to those points. Um, but specifically when we're dealing with, let's see, it's on page I know you guys don't have the board packet. So, it would be four, no, I'm sorry, five under 5C, administrative discretion. That is um pretty prominent for us to pay attention to, especially when internal investigations are occurring. um because I think it has some implications to other points in this policy where it says the school board may modify this on a case-byase basis or um the school board has authority for staff discipline or intervention and I think with one of our most recent incidents um there was an internal investigation but the board was never privy to any of that um and so this really speaks to the board's oversight and accountability factors Um, so I think there's just some language between here and our policy. Um, we have a it's actually an AP for um, what do they call it? 40 policy 403 I'm sorry AD 403 discipline suspension and dismissal of school district employees and that ties to this. So, I think there's some time that we need to focus to really come together as a board to figure out what we want that policy to say and how that's impacting because we we list in this policy all persons and so really just to come together as a board and make sure that this policy is reading the way we want it to be um and it reflects the role of the board in it. So again, my motion is to move this policy to the work session on August 18th for board discussion. Yes, I I don't know where it falls and we've talked about this for going on two years and the um ad hoc committee has done some some substantial work around it or at least discussions and they never got legs anywhere. Um, so it does apply to policy 501 and I don't want to say we just approved this when concerns come up because it's it's a I' I'd identify this as pretty substantial and making sure we get stakeholders concerns addressed in the ad hoc committee. >> Wow. Second. >> Oh, okay. It's been seconded. And so then director Bowman wants to Okay. Um, I just want to clarify that uh for this exercise this evening, it's important for us to get uh these policies approved for the um compliance to the updated state regulatory stuff. And that's really what this goround is, is to just bring it up to date and bring it into compliant with state regulations. Um I know that this is a policy that we have talked about a lot. Whether or not it should come back on the dis on the August 18th meeting or not is really a question for the superintendent and the board chair from a scheduling perspective. A and it's also from a perspective of uh let's be prepared to discuss it properly. Uh let's get issues out prior to so that people can come prepared. So that's my concern with pushing it off to the 18th because um um this is just a standard operating procedure to bring it into compliance with the state. Uh all the other stuff that you're talking about is a whole bunch of baggage that needs to be unpacked around this that won't be unpacked singularly by the policy committee. So I recommend that what we do is we approve it so that we're in compliance with the state and then Dr. Stallow and Doc and Dr. Evans Becker will uh get it onto a calendar uh during an agenda setting meeting. That would be my recommendation. Thank you. >> Point of clarification. This is the first read, correct? >> So, yeah. So, we'll we will be talking about it again, board member. So it wouldn't seem like a jump to have to talk about it during our next meeting because that would be a work session, study session meeting and then our business meeting wouldn't be until September >> point of clarification questions. >> We have a brief business meeting and and then >> session. >> Yeah. Basset. >> Um so, um if if I'm understanding you correctly, um we had a policy on the books and so this is a revision of some things to update and so I only see a couple of strikethroughs and other than that uh it looks pretty much the same cuz usually you would have the strikethroughs and the red language and all of that uh you know it was going to be new. So since it's not new, I guess uh my thought was I I agree with Director Long. It does no harm to have it on the work session to discuss, you know, and if we're not if if it's not a remarkable thing that's holding we essentially are in compliance now almost, you know, it's just a few language things that we need to do and I, you know, think the committee has done due diligence to trying to figure that out that out. So talking about it, I think is important. I will also say that, you know, this board had a meeting with uh some of well some of our board members had a meeting with the chiefs and this is not related to that necessarily, but public safety in our buildings is of concern to this board. uh and incidents when they happen and we've things have been relatively quiet uh after a few years of a lot of incidents to have a little conversation about this does not hurt uh in my opinion to have it at a work session uh because it seems to me that there's nothing controversial. Director Hillbrand. Oh, >> I was just going to point out that the major change is in the last very last section because by state law there was a change to add active shooter incidents. And so that language is pretty much the main change. And the other thing I just want to say is I think that um we have to be careful not to conflate the policy with the handbook or the operation of implementing the policy, right? And so those are two separate things. And it sounds I I and I'm fine with disc but I I think that the policy itself is pretty prescriptive if you look at all of the legal references and I just wonder if really the discussion should be that you're looking for might not be about the policy itself but more about the implementation or the student handbook or something else. And so to me they seem like separate things and maybe I'm misunderstanding which is why I'm bringing it up but the policy like I said is prescriptive um because of all the legal references and requirements um that are part of it. >> Thank you. Uh Director Bowman and then Director Holmes. >> Uh I yield at this time I may come. >> Okay. Director Hol. Um, no, from my interpretation, not two separate things based on the language in some of these. And again, I can get into depth because it ties to state statute, the role of the board, what we are supposed to approve and not approve, and it really ties to our oversight and accountability for the overall operation of the district, including personnel matters. Um, and when internal investigations are occurring that require discipline, we ultimately are supposed to that require I mean when you get into suspension or certain levels. So, it's different across the board and I'm talking in generalities here, but there are incidents that have come up that tie to the specific language in here and rather than going point by point tonight, um, I've made my notes and I'm prepared to talk about them. Um, and again, it's just a work session thing. And I do recognize the the language that was added. So, that's why I'm suggesting the work session because it may gain legs, it may not. Um, but again, I know we've had this board has done things where we made a modification and then if a question comes up, we'll say, "Well, we just approved that." And I don't want to fall into that um slide at that point. So again, it's I don't know how long of a discussion it is. Um but I have specifics and it's obviously not appropriate here, but that's why I'm moving to have it at the work session where we can discuss. Okay. I would like to just clarify for sure whatever is here is what's been recommended by MSBA and and this is what's supposed to be in our policy to fit with state law. >> Correct. >> Thank you. Okay. Okay. So the move is to move this to a work session. It's been moved and seconded. All in favor of moving it to a work session. Policy 501, please say I. >> I. >> Opposed, say nay. >> I better uh >> division of the house has been called. When you're ready. >> Yep. Uh can you repeat what we're voting on? We are voting on moving policy 501 school weapons to the work session on August 18th. >> Great. Director Basset, >> yes. >> Director Bowman votes no. Dire uh Chair Evans Becker, >> no. >> Director Hillbrand, >> yes. >> Director Holmes, >> yes. >> Director Long, >> yes. >> Director Wuto, >> no. >> Motion carries. >> We will What? >> It doesn't carry. >> Yeah, it prevails. >> It prevails. Yep. >> We had one, two, three. >> It was four to three. >> Yes. >> So, this will be discussed at a work session August 18th. >> All right. >> Wait, I had one more thing. >> Oh, Director Long. >> Um, if we could go back to the um equity policy. I just have a question about that. I'm wondering where are we in the process of trying to get some um input from the um impacted communities around that equity policy because I feel like we're missing out on some things there and we're not talking to the impacted communities that this policy would affect. >> I think oops >> director go ahead. One of the things that we are discussing is how do we create an entrance for policy changes or new policies to get to the committee. And so when that time comes hopefully soon the community is at liberty to send suggestions, questions or concerns to the appropriate person to make sure that we are discussing those at a committee meeting and also bringing that in front of the board. and including the community. >> Of course, >> Director Holmes. >> Um, and Director Long, this is what that chart was referencing that we discussed at last work session and that is new and that everybody needs to take a look at for the board and how that is brought forward. And I have reached out to um our counterp counterparts in St. Paul to get some of their documents like I've mentioned. Um, so hopefully that'll I can get my arms around that and bring it forward. But it's a it's a whole process and there are some districts out there with some really good tools that we could benefit from. >> Director Basset. >> Well, since we're back talking about policy, um I for that was one thing I wanted to mention and that was the me how do we how are we going to and I'll ask the committee to think about this because one thing about policies they're living documents and I don't think we have a habit of going back over and over and over again once a policy has been passed. However, uh it been it's been some time since a lot of work was done on a lot of these policies. And so if things come to light, then they can be addressed or should be addressed. But I do wonder about this and I'll ask the committee to think about this. Uh how do we measure progress and f fidelity with regard to equity? How do we know that uh our equity policy is making a difference? Where's it landing? What's the point? Uh what are the measures? And uh uh so and that would be something that I would ask the committee to consult with the administration about because we're not going to create them. But I but I do think that there should be some measures and I think they should be tied to the goals of that we we have for equity and how do we know that we're adhering to it with fidelity and that's just words on a page. >> Dr. Bowman. >> Yeah. Yeah. And I would like to remind the board at this time that the workings of the policy committee at this point is to in startup mode again. It keeps being it has been in startup mode for two years. We did get a few things done but you know there were some there was some gaps along the way. So what we're doing the current work of this committee at this point is to bring us up into compliance with state and federal uh legislation. That's our number one focus. We at the committee have talked and I think my colleagues will agree with me that we do have uh policies out there that are going to require much more consideration and discussion than what occurs at a policy committee meeting. So um uh you know we have we really have the tools in place to bring a new policy forth if we want to. No one's brought one forth, but we do have that in place because we can just do it. We We're not as limping and in the water as some may state that we are. The reality of it is is the main focus is to bring us into compliance with state and federal laws with these first gorounds. Identify those uh items that we know are going to uh uh require more discussion. Again those more discussions though so that the community understands are not really driven by the board but they are driven by the administration such as the discipline uh manual their student manual those are documents that are uh created by administration and if there are problems within uh those documents and they feel that a policy needs to be changed then that would come back to the policy committee. the policy committee is is not going to be working solely on those docu I mean working in a vacuum on those documents where it's already designated the community input is required and I know we have many of them discipline policy is kind of one of them the student handbook is one of them and so we need to get our hands around that through the administration and through our lawyers as to which ones we really need to target and and that would be helpful from our colleagues here if there are particular policies that you believe we know we're going to let's get those on the tables now so that we can start uh to plan. But I just want to remind people that our focus right here, right now is to bring this up into compliance with current state and federal uh laws and legislation. So thank you. >> Thank you. Uh direct uh Superintendent Salo. Um I just wanted to add one clarification to what director um moment said is that um yep the three things that we're looking at in the policy and in the board working document this is under this is the work under your role of um policy is first of all what are those policies that need annual review and I believe some of these are those annual review so every year we have to take a look at those right so hopefully those are just some of those smaller changes that we see tonight. The second piece is after every legislative session, we have to go through and MSBA supports us and helps school districts with this making sure that the policies that need changes based on the legislative uh sessions that happens. And then the third thing that we are working to do is to ensure that we have a three-year cycle for all policies. That's best practice for school board review. Um, so thinking about policies that haven't been reviewed for a number of years, some that have, that is our goal is that we can get on that cadence. Annual review usually happens in August. Legislative also happens over the summer and then we can get on that cadence of a a three. I know that's what the policy committee is working on. >> Well, thank you, Superintendent Stale. the policy committee's been working under that very same um concept uh for last two years uh and so um they were working on that and doing a great job you know director Bowman and others so that's been going and it was that was exactly the charge that they were given so that's exactly what they've been doing so there's no quarrel or question about that so I guess um what I believe is that in terms of policy since that's the main work of the school board is setting policy and then it is implemented by the administration. In that vein, I think that it's I like to when something comes up and I just missed it the first time around to mention things because the policy committee is doing a great job. All I'm I'm talking about formatting the consistency and the kind of you know and the way the way we bring them forward and if we're talking about the communications, if we're talking about definitions. So just asking the the committee to contemplate that. That's all I ask. and uh you know uh and I think that's reasonable and so um that doesn't do anything to the cadence you any of that you know it's just something to be mindful of and that's was my comments went to that so >> thank you director Basset uh director Bowman >> I just want to assure you director Basset that that's exactly the type of thing that the committee is working on uh adding things like uh uh glossery standardizing that language so that when we use the term parent or caregiver We consistently use what the nomenclature is in the year 2025 to be most kind and gracious in our policies. So um all of that at this point is is being looked at because many of these policies are 11 years beyond being reviewed and the language changes a great deal. Meanings to words change a great deal. So uh we are rest assured that's exactly and you will see what you will begin to see in the future is uh a a catalog of these things that >> so that we so that when we run into it in one policy how to use parent caretaker or caregiver we will consistently use whatever term we select in our glossery and then we'll stretch it out across all nine uh policy things. And that's really the goal in that cleanup of language so that >> it becomes easy to understand these policies. So, thank you for your comments. So, we uh rest assured we're doing it. >> Thank you. That makes a lot of sense. Um I just wanted to because I served on >> Director Basset. >> Thank you. Because I actually served on the original equity policy committee when we established it for this district some years ago. I you know I just happened to notice that um and I have a little affinity for it uh you know of course and so uh in looking at that I just noticed the comment I made about um the fidelity and how do we measure and so those were comments I wanted the the committee to have. So whatever it is that you do with that and how you work with the superintendent super those are just comments that are timely right now in my opinion. >> Thank you. Okay. Um, next item is uh policy committee report. So is that you director WHO? >> Yeah, I think a lot has already been said. Uh, however, our meetings are now moved to every third Thursday and we will be meeting for two hours, every third Wednesday. Sorry. And we will be meeting for two hours going forward. Okay. Anything else from policy committee? All right. That moves us right along to administrative reports. Superintendent Stall, >> thank you very much. Uh, good evening. Thank you, Chair Evans Becker and school board directors. Uh, our mission at Robinsdale Area School, our mission is to inspire and educate all learners to develop their unique potential and to positively contribute to their community. Our collective work is focused on that mission. And tonight, I'd like to share some of the work in which we've been enga engaged to ensure that that happens. In the strategic theme of academic achievement, on July 23rd, a hundred of our Freedom School scholars took their learning beyond the classroom all the way to the steps of the Minnesota State Capital as part of the National Day of Social Action. They marched alongside students from 11 other freedom schools across the state to affirm a powerful truth that public education is a public good. It's not just something we provide. It's something we protect, advocate for, and continue to strengthen. Our scholars began their march in St. Paul College and made their way to the upper mall of the Capitol where they participated in Harami and engaged directly with state lawmakers in the public Q&A. The questions they asked were thoughtful, bold, and deeply grounded in the issues that matter to them, from access to resources to equity education. This event wasn't just symbolic. It was a civic learning and action. It showed our students that their voices matter, that they can speak truth to power, and they are already leaders in shaping the future. It's exactly the kind of experience that reflects our commitment to academic achievement, student voice, and preparing young people to thrive in and contribute to a just and democra democratic society. Another incredible opportunity that our students had at Freedom School uh to connect with state leadership in a meaningful way was on July 7th when we were honored to welcome Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanigan to join our Freedom Schools program as a special guest during Harambe. The joyful high energy morning gathering that kicks off each day. Harami which means all pull together in Swuahili truly captures the spirit of community and collaboration we want to cultivate across our district. It's a space where our students lift each other up with singing, dancing, cheering and most importantly with the belief that their voices matter. Lieutenant Governor Flanigan read Change Sings by Amanda Gorman, a powerful message of hope, agency, and justice. She also took time to answer questions from our scholars and it was moving reminder to the power of visibility, representation and authentic connection. Moments like these reinforce our commitment to academic achievement not just through curriculum but through experiences that inspire students to believe in themselves and the change that they can create. In the strategic theme of community engagement, we know that strong schools are rooted in strong communities. And that means showing up, listening, and building relationships beyond the walls of schools. This summer, our staff and schoolboard members have been actively engaging with families, neighbors, and community partners at events all across the district. From the Golden Valley Pride Festival and the Wing Whisbang Days Parade to Crystal Frolics and the upcoming Great Ardale Get Together, we're committed to being visible, accessible, and connected. These events are about more than handing out flyers. They're about conversations, about being present, and about demonstrating that we are partners in creating a thriv thriving inclusive future for our students. We're looking forward to continuing that outreach into September with both the Golden Valley Festival and the Robbinsdale Main Street meet and greet. These touch points are a vital part of building trust and belonging in our community and they reinforce that we're all in this together. As you know, we've also continued to engage our community and partner with them on our re-imagine Ardale vision 2030 work. The vision team met last Tuesday night and continued their study and work toward bringing forward recommendations to the school board on September 23rd. Last week, the team began to apply their knowledge about enrollment and building capacities. Uh we're excited to invite everyone to the great Ardell get together, our annual back to school community celebration. This year's event will take place on Saturday, August 9th. So that's this coming Saturday from 10 to 2 at Lake View Terrace Park in Robbinsdale. It's free for all ages with fun activities, entertainment, and chances to connect with families, staff, and community partners. We hope to see many of you there as we come together to kick off the new school year with joy and community spirit. Uh and lastly, um as we prepare for the start of the year, we've been welcoming, uh principles and uh leaders back. Um and our senior leadership team has continued to plan forward uh for the start of the year and improve systems along the way. The next few weeks will be filled with planning, meetings, supporting staff and leaders, all in service to our students who will return to school in less than a month, and we can't wait to see them. Thank you very much. Thank you. Which that takes us to board reports and I'll kick off the board reports um with something that involves the whole board. On Tuesday evening, July 22nd and all day on July 23rd, five board members were able to attend professional development. On Tuesday evening, we met with doctors Betty Webb and Nicole Demich uh focusing our discussion on the core our core business which is teaching and learning. The board members committed themselves to further work with them on becoming a better board. On Wednesday, we met with Dr. David Webb uh to learn about a system for team decisionmaking and a framework for restorative practices. We also together wrote 10 norms for us that we agreed upon for board conduct. That's my report. Director Long. >> Um, we are still waiting on a meeting date for our ad hoc safety and security meeting. It's been since what, April? Director, May, March, since we've met and we still have not seen the draft that uh the lawyer has drafted for us to review yet either. So, um, be nice to possibly meet sometime this month maybe and get that rolling. Otherwise, nothing else to report. >> Okay, let's just work our way down and then back around finishing with you with um the listening session at the end. Okay, Director Hillbrd. >> Okay, Director Bowman. Um I had the great pleasure to do four hours at Crystal Frolics and um it was a real joy to see all the little kids, all the families and for me it was especially fun to reconnect with my community over there in Crystal. Uh so it was a great day and I really understand the importance of our visibility uh in our community at the various events. So, uh, I really want to thank, uh, community education for, uh, showing up with the awnings and the chairs and the tables and the tablecloths and boxes of stuff and games to play. Uh, and it was a wonderful opportunity. There were principles there and a a nice variety of staff and uh, a a really really delightful day. Uh, I too want to echo or I want to thank um, uh, Chair Evans Becker for organizing the professional development that we had on Tuesday night and Wednesday. Uh, uh, Dr. David Webb's presentation, if you've not if you're unfamiliar with him, Google him because his um uh problem solving model that he brought to the table, the IROD, the information reaction option and decision model uh is one that I was beyond impressed with. I've seen a lot of management models in the course of my life and in my career. And what I specifically liked about the IROD model was it's easy to use and it made sense and you were never lost in the conversation because if you came to sort of a stalemate in the conversation, it was natural at that point to say, "Do we have enough information? Is this just a reaction? Have we vetted out all of our options?" So I I'm a board member who really really really looks forward for us to be able to implement that one commu decision-making model. Uh it was really enjoyable. I mean it was it was really valuable for me. And that's it. Thank you. >> Thank you Director W. >> Help us. >> Okay. Director Basset. >> Well um a couple of things I do want to highlight very quickly. Uh and of course most of us were at the professional development. So thanks for that update about it. Uh directors, um I did attend a national convening uh for local progress conference and that was a combination of local elected officials as local officials begin to discuss um how they're going to interface with the federal government. And so of course that includes schoolboard members, city council folks, county commissioners, and the like. uh and uh it was in Chicago and it was uh completely supported by the organization. I thoroughly enjoyed it and um believe that I got some some good insight from it. Uh and that's the second of two conferences I attended for professional. So this what we did makes three. Um so also uh the legal women voters had on Saturday they had a session uh actually yeah that was Saturday they had a session uh where they were kind of looking through what they're going to really address and uh work on this coming year for Golden Valley and in partnership with many of the other leagues around uh and uh so that was really enlightening and so of they'll select what the items that rise to the top are and maybe we'll hear something about it. I was interested because they had Robbinsdale and Hopkins school districts on their list and I'm like, okay, what's that about? So, of course, I had to go there and see. Uh, and then, uh, also the city of Golden Valley had a planning session and their planning session really kind of has to do with community engagement. Uh, and so, um, that was, uh, really and that was all day on Friday. So, I I will just say that um I enjoyed uh looking at and reading your presentation, the superintendent, about the activities you've been involved in. Uh and I just want to give kudos to the community ed department because of course uh community outreach and the community connect committee. This morphed into really kind of on the shoulders of the community education department. So, I really appreciate the ongoing work that uh community education does in that endeavor because of course that brought our community to parades to all those kinds of things for a number of years and in fact I think we're probably in our maybe 10th year of doing that and so thank you for refreshing it, bringing it to a new place. Uh and uh so it's just good to see that that's continuing. It's become a staple in the community. I think people would be surprised if they didn't see Robbinsdale representing some of those things. Um, and the last thing a question I have is I'm looking at this at our public posting and I don't see the closed sessions listed on here and I know that there's a so not on my board book. I don't see them so maybe I'm missing it. >> Item 10. >> I'm sorry. >> Item 10 on our agenda, >> but it's on the business meeting agenda is because we're, you know, I'm just saying it's not listed separately. So, you know that I caught my attention. So, if we've achieved it by having it as item 10, I didn't see it down there. And so, I was looking for it, you know, because I want to make sure we're up to snuff. >> Thank you. Okay. >> And the reason that it's this way is because our legal council has instructed us it needs to be this way. >> And so, >> not a question. Just making sure it was posted. That was really my >> It is. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Not seeing any other hands. Oops. Nope. Sorry. Director Holmes. >> Yeah. Just kind of a biggie with the community input from listening hour. Um, we had four individuals reach out for a listening hour tonight. And again, um, for those of you watching, we have moved that to our first meeting of the month and it begins at 6. So that's important for people to know. It's not recorded. Um, and then we'll summarize here, but we had four. Um, our first one was from a community member who was unable to intend and submitted the form online um, and asked that comments be read in. They focused in on um when will the board be discussing potential budget revisions and the discussions around those. Um they have an interest in seeing budget line items related to referendum and levy funds. Uh an emphasis specifically on how safety and security levy funds are being put into action in our schools and being um accountable to stakeholders. Um, and then also another point, school closing notifications, if and when that's going to happen. Where will the details be about the timeline for those impacted um in the schools when community and other stakeholders can provide input? We had a second community member who came and spoke about their expectations for board meetings um and following um basic rules up here, not yelling at each other, not being angry. um was questioning how Robert's rules of order is used in meeting settings and uh made the comment that not all school districts utilize it and then provided a a resource to the boards to the board to look up if they so chose. Um so we're not relying on attorney fees to run our meetings. Um and then we had two community members speak on the importance and not cutting the family literacy program. um one who has been in the district, excuse me, forever and is a current staff member um and not wanting us unintentionally going along with the current federal administration um and um defunding marginalized groups. Um and I think a a strong sentence that resonated with me from that speaker was uh making decisions and um without input from those that are impacted and quote nothing about us without us is for us um and spoke about Mr. Rogers book and some information there. And then again um for family literacy program um speaking to the choices we make in our budget and how it aligns to our values and what we want to speak to um supporting in our district. Um and she's spoken here numerous times and emailed the board numerous times and we um do listen to her and appreciate her coming. And so that concluded our listening hour. >> Thank you. Anything else? Um, no. I I guess I will since you uh called out 52 attended. I did not. I had two family emergencies back toback and provided notification to the chair. Thank you. Thank you. Okay. This moves us to agenda item number 10. I move to go into close session for the following reasons. One, to receive confidential legal advice advice pursuant to the attorney client privilege and Minnesota statute section 13D.05 05 subdivision 3B in regard to ISD281 versus City of New Hope. Two, to receive confidential legal advice pursuant to the attorney client privilege on Minnesota statute suggest section 13D.05 subdivision 3B in regard to threatened legal litigation by a former employee and three to consider labor negotiation strategies pursuant to Minnesota statute section 13D.03 subdivision 1. The closed session will begin at 8:05 and will be held in this room. The board will return to open session after the closed sessions and reserves the right to take action in open session based on the discussion that occurs in close session. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Uh director. >> Oh, director Basset. Thank you. Seconded by director ambassador. >> Okay. All in favor of going into close session, please say I. >> I oppose say nay. >> All right. We are moved to close session. We'll be in this room, just us at 8:05. Thank you for coming everyone. >> I can find out about this. And we're back. It is now 11:28 on August 4th and we are back from our closed sessions. We met and now it is time for us to adjourn our meeting. Do I have a mo motion to adjurnn? >> So moved. >> Moved by director Basset. Second. Seconded by director Holmes. All in favor, please say I. >> I. Say nay. We are adjourned. >> Right on. If you bang that thing any harder Good night.