out of cont. Oh, good. >> Oh, they don't really have a choice atour house. >> Right. right is so yeah you gota dosomething so pick >> um the older two did the younger two>> don't or haven't so yeah >> yeah just kind of roll back over intothe other >> yeah the older two did uh my daughterreally liked it >> it's commitment you know the waxing ofthe skis is uh >> getting in the wax room and stuff isalways an adventure Do your kids do you guys do some >> Oh, wow. >> I like way way back before we even movedto Yeah. But not recently. I think it was>> I think back when I was doing it, my problem was I had skis maybe thatweren't really a bit too rigid. So, and I was like a pretty small kid. Icouldn't really get the >> get them down into the ground. So, >> and then the other But I just showered. Good evening. The regular meeting of theIndependent School District 279 School Board is called to order at 6:10 p.m. onNovember 18th, 2025. The regular business meeting of the AIO School Boardis being conducted in the boardroom of the Educational Service Center. Themeeting can be monitored electronically by streaming online from the districtwebsite. An archived recording of tonight's meeting will also be availableon the district website. Seated in front of you this evening for my left and yourright are director Kelsey Dawson, director Erica Foster, director ThomasBrooks, myself board chair Tanya Prince, director Keith Tate, and director SarahMitchell. Also present in the boardroom is Superintendent Dr. Kim Hy, andmembers of the superintendent's cabinet. Those of you who can please stand forthe pledge of allegiance. Director Foster, will you please lead the pledge?Ice to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for itstands. One nation under God, indivisible, liberty and justice forall. >> Board members, are there any additionsto the amended agenda? Is there a motion to accept the amendedagenda as presented? So moved.>> Motion by director Foster. Is there a second?>> Second by director Brooks. Is there any discussion?>> All in favor say I. I. >> All oppose say nay. The motion passessix to zero. Our next standing agenda item is recognitions. We have norecognitions this evening, but we know we will definitely as year goes on. Wehave two presentations this evening. Uh the fiscal year end financial auditresults. We'll start with that one. John Executive Director of Finance andOperations will lead off the presentation. John. >> All right. Thank you, Chair Prince,school board members, and Superintendent Hy. Tonight, our independent auditorwill be presenting the fiscal year 2025 audited financial statements. We sharedthe preliminary financial results with the board at the September meeting andthose results have not changed. I would like to welcome Jim Ike from LB Carlsonwho will be presenting the audit report this evening. Jim, thank you, John. Again, my name is JimMike and I'm with LB Carlson CPAs. Uh I'm here this evening to present uh theuh audit results for the year ended June 30th, 2025. Um, first and foremost, uh,you might recognize I am, uh, with LB Carlson, which is a new firm. Uh, I'vebeen, I was previously with MMQR. Most of our firm is now merged with MMKR,excuse me, with LB Carlson, and we're a similar team and same people, but withgreater resources, which is exceptional for uh, the district, but nothing reallyhas changed from that standpoint. Uh my role this evening uh is to provide anpresentation of the audit results for the year ended. Uh it is the role of theauditor to provide an opinion on the the district's financial statements. Uh thedistrict is required by law by uh the state auditor's office as well as theMinnesota Department of Education to prepare an annual financial statement.The district also provides and completes what's called the annual comprehensivefinancial report um which is submitted to the association of school businessofficials for a recognition for achievement in excellence in financialreporting. Uh the the uh financial report you'll find that was issued umit's about 180 pages long. So there's a lot of information, great informationthat provides only uh information for the current year but also historicalinformation as well. It goes back to uh 10 years for in many uh financial data.Um the role of the auditor is also to to provide opinions on the district'sinternal control specifically over financial reporting. Uh as well as thestate of Minnesota is requiring us to provide an audit of your compliance withstate laws and regulations. Uh there is a list of the laws that we audit whichis provided by the office of the state auditor. So we provide their uh undertheir guidance. Uh we're also as part of our audit process required to audit thedistrict's um federal awards that you received. Uh this particular year um thewe have not issued that particular report to date. U the the reason beingis the federal government has not completed official guidance uh on thoseaudit uh practices and audit uh plans. Um there's delays in issuing those thosethat guidance. So uh unable to issue opinions at as of as of this particularmoment and when issued we will certainly provide those to the board and provideuh the results of the single audit of federal awards when available.Uh so in the audit results we did provide uh information in what's calledthe management report. Uh the management report is my document that provides theresults in a format that you could read and and understand uh the audit resultswithout actually me providing them to you. uh verbally. Uh what I'm going togo through this evening is really kind of touch on the high points of thatmanagement report to give you some sort of sense as to the audit results for theyear. Uh so first and foremost, when you look at the audit results, um we wereable to issue unmodified opinions on the basic financial statements on that uhannual report that I referenced. An unmodified opinion is a clean opinion.It was a good opinion, the opinion you were looking for from a positive naturecoming into this process. Uh the audit opinion does uh highlight there was animplementation of a governmental accounting standard, a GASBY. Uh this isprobably the third if not fourth year that you've had to implement uhgovernment accounting standards or new ones. Uh and certainly uh that ishighlighted in your opinion that that was a success and has been recognized inthe report uh accurately. Uh I mentioned the internal controls. Uhwe did not have any finaster report in that area uh this year. And then Imentioned the Minnesota legal compliance audit. There were no instances ofnon-compliance uh this year to be reported. So all in all uh there were nofindings to report in the audit this year which is exactly the result thatyou would hope for as part of the audit process.Uh my manage report goes through a number of other areas. Um it isimportant to understand in an audit of this nature that uh there were estimatesused in the process estimates u that come from the Minnesota Department ofEducation which are subject to audit on their part uh um and certainly the staffand and team here u would would report if there were any changes in thoseestimates used. I also like to report there weren't any challenges in theaudit process this year. We did not have any difficulties. Things went verysmooth as they typically do. Um in my in my audit report, we doprovide some comparative information on financial results for the year, uhinformation on um uh statewide data, uh some trend information, some statewideinformation on revenues and expenditures, and we also get intofinancial trends specific to the district, uh which is this graph you'llsee here. Um this graph shows the the district's uh general fund for theyear's financial position. Uh references cash and fund balance as a as arepresentation of the district's equity position, its financial well-being. Andthe green line is a graph of the expenditures which is provided to give asense for how how much the district is growing and how much it's increasing itsoverall volume of activity. And as you can see in that particular presentation,the district uh is showing u an increase in fund balance uh for the year. Um thethe results um for the year um show an increase in fund balance as you can seein that particular uh graphical presentation. Um um also thepresentation does show some stability significant stability in the district.You can see that that particular yellow which is the financial position uh ofthe district is very uh similar for the last 10 years and shows very uh stableuh financial results year after year after year which is certainly ourexperience in working with the district. Um we do provide individual informationon the individual fund balances. This is information that's in my report. Um uhthis particular presentation does show some information on fund balances as apercentage of expenditures. Uh that particular ratio is widely used as arepresentative of financial well-being uh in your general fund. Uh the districthas a fund balance policy that has a uh strives to maintain a minimum of fundbalance at a certain level. Uh uh this particular financial results do showadherence to that fund balance polic. that you have that you have in place.Uh, one item of note that you should note on that particular presentationthat stands out to me anyway. Um, there is a part of the fund balance that hasbeen assigned this year. You can see that it the assigned number did increasesignificantly to probably about $23 million number. What that increase isabout is is you're assigning fund balances for next year's budget. Umthere was an adopted budget for next year that does report a deficit in thefund balance spend and that particular amount has been set aside. It is anassigned fund balance in that in that presentation.Uh my my audit result does show my audit results do show some other informationon revenues and expenditures. Uh these graphical presentations do provide someinformation on budget to action results um and really growth in various areas.Uh I'm not going to get into a ton of details on these particular uh graphicalpresentations, but I will state this. Um we as an auditor or I as an auditor lookfor adherence to the budget. How did the financial results mimic what the budgetprojected at the time it was issued? And certainly the audit results do providethat information. Um a sense for that. Um the the overall revenues in thegeneral fund were projected to be about 367 million which is significant uhoperation and final results were about uh 1.3 million less than that oractually in this case over that which is about 4.4% of the overall volume ofactivity which is exceptional. Frankly, from when you look at the amount ofprojecting that's going into how much revenue you're going to have, uh why Ibring this up, what that why is that meaningful? Um well, the board is makingdecisions on on a constant basis based on that budget that you're receiving.You're making financial decisions, the administration is making decisions, andif the audit doesn't hold true to that particular budget, it's reallychallenging for the district. So uh I stand here to state that this year thisyear's audit results held true to that uh those results held true to thatbudget that was put forth in front of me at that time. We also provide someinformation on general fund operating account expenditures. Uh expendituresdid uh uh uh complete the year about 8 million less than than final budgetedamounts. Uh there was some open positions uh as well as unused uh budgetcapacity that relates to of that um under budget amount. Um there was someunderbudgeted amounts other areas like transportation and curriculum those kindof things. Uh but all in all the the financial results didn't as I mentionedadhere to the budget percent. Uh the district has a number of otherfunds uh in presented in this report. There is a food service fund. There's acapital account as you can see on my presentation. uh a food service revenue,community service fund. Again, all of these uh funds are are showing uh goodfinancial results, stable environments, uh and monies available to be used forfuture budget projections and future budget spending. Um the district withoutI don't have a presentation on this. The district has also uh uh provided andestablished a couple of other funds in in represented in internal service funsthat are that money where money is set aside to pay for future retirementincentives and for other post-employment benefit funds. All of those funds areare are in solid financial condition and are really looking out for the future ofthe district to pay for and set aside funds for those future obligations ofthe district uh in a in a meaningful and strategic manner.Uh um I'll move on from the financial results. Certainly the as I mentioned sofar the the the the audit results were exceptional. No findings to report. Uhfinancial results were also exceptional as well. Uh I do report in my reportthat there are are continues there is and continues to be more governmentalaccounting standards changes. I do highlight that in my report um thefinance staff and the team here at the district is well aware of some of thesechanges and we'll see those again next year.I think that's the end of my presentation. So the in September I wasable to issue a clean opinion on those financial statements. As I mentioned, wedid not have any findings to report. Uh I will follow up with you on thefinancial results of of the single audit of federal awards at a future date whenavailable. I mentioned some of the changes in fund balances as well asadherence to the general fund pal fund balance policy that you have. Uh therewere uh other operating fund balances which are also very uh stable uh in goodplace. We also implemented new accounting standards which are alsorequired. But lastly, I wanted to say this uh and this is very important. Thedistrict is and has always been committed to the audit process and thesuccess of this particular process. Um um they're always ahead of the curvewhen it comes to meeting my demands and my needs as an audit process. And withthat comes successful audit results like this. Uh it might sound obvious or orsimple, but it doesn't always look like that. So, I commend the district fortheir commitment to this process as well as the results of this evening. So, withthat, I'll turn it over to you for questions that you might have for me. >> So, um we'rein a very uh beneficial position here. Of course, we have regular updates onour financial um from our finance team. Of note, umduring the course of your presentation, I heard these words repeatedly,excellent, exceptional, commitment, results, and success. Um so, thank youfor you and your team's work. Thank you to our financial leadership and all ofour leaders who make the decisions in partnership with finance that result inthese outcomes for our district. You know, many of our finance leaders are uhleaders themselves in their profession and professional organizations as wellas our cabinet members. So, thank you for the excellence that you bring tothis process that results in. Thank you very much. The next presentation is the Aspen RidgeElementary School logo mascot presented by Gabe Kalilla, executive director ofcommunity relations. for the opportunity to share our nextfun step with uh Aspen Ridge Elementary School tonight, the logo and mascot. Uhin our last conversation, we talked about our future Aspen Ridge um studentsand families having a part in this logo and mascot process. So tonight I'll betalking about how that went and then be sharing the new logo. We'll be doing alittle unveiling tonight. So a little bit about the overall process. Studentsand families were first welcome to share their ideas with our district teamdigitally. We did this through a thought exchange that was emailed and textedout. A few weeks after this was out, we connected with a team at FernbrookElementary and they helped gather a few students that would potentially be goingto Aspen Ridge based on their address. And in that group, we had two studentsfrom each grade level, kindergarten through fifth grade, so a group of 12.They too shared their ideas with principal Smith and myself. This wasdone through two meetings at Fernbrook. Once the second process concluded,district leadership approved a final direction which included superintendenthy assistant superintendent and our community relations and publicationteams. All the student and family shared how to determine students. So before I start talkingabout our work with students, I want to point out a few of these wonderfulhelpers in the crowd tonight. So let's uh talk a little more about ourwork with students. In our first meeting with students, we talked about what alogo and how it becomes recogniz which many of the logos on here wererecognized by students and had a positive reaction to them.We also spent some time going over our existing elementaryand landed on the fact that many are animals and a goodon that animal. Then we spent some time uh on just whatit meant by the school names. We talked a bit about that which I know we talkedto about that regard as we showed some of thesepictures and the reasoning behind that final colorto the school forward.So the first meeting students had an openWe were drawn on sheets of paper. For the second meeting, the top threestudent and family ideas were shared with some possible directions. Thosethree ideas were an owl, a bear, and a coyote.CCX spent some time with us on our second. So, we have a little video here. elementary school students.>> I think it's your third page. >> I have a good idea.>> Most of these fronts will attend the new elementary school next year. anelementary. Do you not like that idea? Is it okay or do you really like thatidea? >> It's fun to go through this process.>> For the school's new principal, this group activity is historic. There's nowords that can describe the excitement for it. When you think about building aschool from scratch, uh the identity of the school is essential for ourcommunity and for our district. >> Aspen Ridge principal Patrick Smith saysthis will be the first new school in the district in 20 years.>> It's super exciting. Um it's it's it's a lot of work and the more we can getinput from our community and most importantly from our students, um that'swhat's going to make it really genuine and and a great startup for a brand newschool. >> So, what do students like the best?Second grader Blair Herbert prefers the owl.>> It just like sits on a tree and stuff like that.>> As for the school colors, >> I kind of like like the reds and thenlike the blues and browns kind of. >> Fifth grader Dylan Oppovven has areason. >> I feel like they kind of like go withlike outdoors kind of like and then like with the owls and then like the trees>> and a good feeling to know she's playing a role in school history.>> It's pretty cool. in Maple Grove. Corey Borg, CCX News. >> CCX. [clears throat]>> All right, so this is the the group that helped out. Um, we had a really greattime together. And now for the drum roll. Here is a new logo. It's a bear. Um the bear is standing in front of anaspen tree. We talked a lot about um being outdoors and that green really umgets at that as well. Um and definitely the bear was the favorite amongst ourfamily and our students as well. So um this is the new logo. Um you can kind ofsee as we've been uh working with our signage, you can see it starting to cometo life. Um, and then more updates of course are coming and they're going tobe on digital and all the print materials that we're creating. Um, thenonce the school year kicks off, students are going to work together to help namethe bear. Uh, thank you for the opportunity toshare this next exciting step with building a better future in our newelementary school, Aspen Ridge. And I'm happy to answer any questions you mayhave at this time. But more importantly, thank you forincluding our students in the decision and um finding creative ways to gettheir yeahthank you >> and thank you students for stepping up.So fun that you got to be part of this and um be part of our new school. Ithink it's such an exciting chapter for our district.>> I just think it's been it's been such a fun process to watch um and to beincluded in and we have a lot of decisions to make as a board and some ofsuper fun. But this is like a bright light for sure. This is so exciting. AndI see a principal Smith back there too. So this is Yeah. will be fun.>> Can they come back and help us with budget? [laughter] >> Yeah. Uh wonderful. We love it. Thankyou students. Um, thank you K for your leadership and um, for everybody whoparticipated in the process. It's great. >> Thank you. [applause] >> Thank you for coming. Okay, the next agenda item is audienceopportunity to address the board. Um, tonight we don't have anybody who is umfilled out a speaker card, but I do want to recognize that we have many teachersand staff and union members in the room. So, I just want to express umappreciation for being here and for um communicating and representing yourinterests here tonight. So, thank you for being here. Our next agenda item isuh the superintendence report. Dr. Hy. >> All right. Thank you. Good evening,Chair Prince, Vice Chair Brooks, board members, and our stakeholders and ourteachers and staff in the audience today. Over the last few months, we haveheld several meaningful opportunities to engage with our community. Each onereinforcing our commitment to ensuring that every person in our area schoolsfeels valued, heard, and seen. So, this weekend's information was an excellentexample of that commitment in action. All of our school sites and departmentswere represented providing current families as well as prospective familiesthe chance to learn more about our programs, our services, and all theopportunities available across Ocio area schools. It was really energizinguh to see our staff engaging with so so deeply with parents and our caregiversand community members and witness firsthand the pride that they have inthe work that happening in our buildings and in our district.This past several months, we also held a community conversation session wherestakeholders and schoolboard members along with facilitation from districtstaff came together and shared space to listen and learn from one another.Participants reflected on what is going well in our district as well as offeredto us some thoughtful insights into where we can continue to strengthen oursystems, our culture, and our supports. So, I do want to thank everyone who tookthe time to participate and once again, your voices are essential as they guideour continuous improvement of what we need to do in our district.Additionally, we're working closely with our scholars across all grade levels tohelp co-develop a new student survey. This effort ensures that we're notmerely collecting the data, but truly listening and creating a tool shaped byour students themselves so we better understand their needs, theirexperiences, and aspirations. So, their leadership in this process has beenimpressive and inspiring. And our first one will be at Cedar Island tomorrowwhere we'll have over 60 students working with us and helping to developthose questions. Grades K through five. K through five. Dr.>> Four. I got that wrong. Four. Okay. So, our next opportunity we're exploring isfor our high school students, which came as a request from some of our scholarswho presented at our school board meeting. So, they are asking for thecreation of a process through which our scholars can earn a high school letterfor community service. So this initiative not only elevates theimportance of service and leadership but also reinforces our district belief thatcontributions to the community are just as important and meaningful ascontributions to the classroom or on the field. So as we move forward I just wantto reassure the board and our entire community that our work will continuewith purpose. We remain focused on becoming the best place to work and tolearn and everyone input does truly matter. Everyone's voice helps us growand together we'll continue building that strong inclusive and supportingculture our scholars and our staff deserve. So thank you for that. So thisevening, every evening we do have points of pride at our board uh meeting. So bysharing our points of pride we're taking time to recognize and celebrate ourscholars, our staff and our community members who are contributing to themission of our district. So I have members of our district cabinet here toassist us in sharing some of those examples from last month.>> All right. Thank you, Dr. Hy. In the area of achieving dreams, last weekend,the Park Center Pirates uh physically impaired adapted soccer team took homethe state championship uh in the Minnesota State High School Leagueadapted soccer tournament. This team is a is comprised of athletes from alldistrict high schools. Huge congratulations to the Pirates on theiramazing season and state tournament win. [applause] At next month's meeting, we will hearand learn more about how all of our fall sports from across the district did intheir state competitions. Last month, the District 279 Foundationheld the 15th annual Reading is Fun 5K. The familyfriendly brought in $10,000 indonations to support media centers in AIO area schools. Participants enjoyedwarm-ups before the 1K and 5K led by jazzer size instructors, a mascot race,a 1K race around the track, and cheers from Park Center Senior High School'scheerleaders at the start and finish line.In the area of contributing to community, a number of communitybusinesses and organizations joined forces recently to lead donation drivesthat brought in nearly 1,800 winter jackets and 800 pairs of snowpants for students in need across AIO area schools. These businesses andorganizations have joined together to run this donation drive for the past 10years. And this year they donated almost 1,800 winter jackets. I just said that.And 800 pairs of snow pants. With all years combined, the organizations havedonated just under 10,000 jackets and just under 5,000 pairs of snow pants. The last week of October, students andstaff at OIO Middle School participated in a non-p perishable food drive andspirit week that collected a total of 3,127food items for the cross food shelf as well as a $3,523donation. Dress up days included spirit week, twin day, neon out, dress yourbest day, and costume day. In the area of lifelong learning, AIOarea schools celebrated Veterans Day across the district on November 11th.Veterans, current service members, and their families were invited to attendBasswood Elementary School's all school assembly. The fifth grade chorus, led bymusic teacher Cindy Sterns, sang songs such as Star Spangled Banner and You'rea Grand Old Flag. students, staff, and visitors heard from Master SergeantJeremy Melchow and the assistant coordinator of facilities for thedistrict about his experience serving. The AIO Maple Grove American Legionpresented the color guard, accompanied by the Minnesota Firefighters, Pipes andDrums. Maple Grove Middle School social studies teacher Shelby Weber invitedveterans into her classroom on Veterans Day to share about their experiencesserving in the United States military and answer student questions about theirservice. Oakview Elementary School parent Gino Farachi, a ver a veteranfrom the United States Army, came to the school and visited several classroomsduring Veterans Day. Dressed in his army fatigues, he told his story of decidingto join the army after the events of September 11th, 2001, and shared abouthis military experience with students. At AIO Middle School, students soldflags, donating the proceeds to the local VFW. Students also spent themorning and afternoon of Veterans Day in front of the school building wavingflags and holding up signs thanking veterans. Second graders in Angela Kentner's classat Rush Creek Elementary School recently headed outside to enjoy outdoor learningon a beautiful fall day at their new outdoor classroom built during thesummer's Building a Better Future construction phase. Students practicescience and math skills while examining and measuring various plants and theirroots, creating leaf rubbings with leaves they found on the ground, andreading books from the library. Fourth grade students at ZaynwoodCommunity, a steam school, got to try their hand at archery recently when thecommunity partners from Three Rivers Park District came in to give lessons tostudents in small groups. The students received training and safetyinstructions before each got to take several turns at the target.In the area of missiondriven employees at Fernbrook Elementary School, specialeducation teacher Sarah Fes has worked with students for three and a half yearscreating a supportive learning environment with individualizedinstruction to help her students succeed. Freeze said, "It's alwayssomething different. I have different kids in my case load and I'm alwaysworking with different kids. It's always something that is unique and asindividualized and different for every student. It is fun to see how much theygrow as they start getting that support or figure out something that they areinterested in. Check out our latest staff spotlight on the district website.So, we have a few final notes and reminders for tonight. There will be noschool for students November 26 through 28 and that also includes our buildingstaff. It's okay to do this. Um, as mentioned earlier, we also held ourfirst community conversation on November 5th. Schoolboard members along withby district uh leaders will host two more of those community conversationsthis school year which will be on February 3rd and May 12th. So all arewelcome to attend. So to learn more about this visitschools.orgcommunity conversations. So once again wrapping up as usual we always thank ourhearing and guardians for allowing us opportunity to teach their children andthank you to our teachers for being available to teach our scholars. Thankyou. Thank you, Dr.O. Our next agenda item is schoolboard reports. Director Dawson, do you have areport or update? >> I have a couple. Um, I attended thetribal nations education committee all day professional development conferencewith district leadership including our Indian ed team and APEC members. Andreally the purpose was to hear from other districts um their learnings andjust different strategies to overcoming different challenges um and just reallybuilding meaningful partnerships and what that looks like with our umAmerican Indian students and our APEC members. Um I think one of the thingsthat really stuck out to me was that they're starting to look really at theintersection between academics behavior and attendance. And so I'm reallylooking forward to what comes of that and what that looks like for us and ourdistrict. Um and then our rise committee met last week or excuse me last month,sorry. Um and that's radically investing scholars excellence. We um really focuson our culture and climate and identity and belonging and what that looks like.Um and you know really what our goals of are for this year and then um you knowwhat practices can strengthen that and then how to encourage and increase ourmembership. Um so for all of you watching or listening to this or in theaudience um our next meeting is this Thursday at Park Center at 5:30. So allare welcome and we really um would love um even more people to attend that. Andthen finally, the metro uh AMSD um they had a conference uh focusing on juststronger outcomes and what that looks like. And there was a lot of breakoutsaround um mental health challenges in our schools, arts, education, literacy,data implementation. Um and then just again a lot of learnings from otherdistricts um and leaders in education across the state.>> Director Foster, do you have a reporter update?>> I do. Um, I did want to give a shout out to all the teachers that are here. It'sso fun to see familiar faces. Um, and just the connection tonight. It's reallycool. So, thanks for being here. Um, I had a policy uh committee meeting onOctober 7th and we went over a batch of um, policies as well as our plan forwardthis year. Um, I'm part of DPAC and we met last week, I believe. Yes. Beforework session. Um and we were presented a budget review by Kelly Bonusa and thenalso um an overview of school-based public health clinic that was that's inthe plans. Um and the group began discussing plans for um what they wantthe recommendation to be. And then we also talked about what would be the bestway to leverage that group um and what they think from an internal perspectiveas a committee. >> Great. Thank you. Director Brooks, doyou have a reporter update? >> Yes. Uh so I attended uh my first 279foundation meeting. Um and so that was a good opportunity to get to know that theboard of trustees um and some of the staff that support Foundation. Um I knowI received a question at the last meeting just wanting to know more abouta night out. Um so I do have that information for you. Um, so A Night Out,um, is being held on February 6th. Um, the theme is, um, in a winterwonderland. Um, so it has a new location this year, um, at the Mississippi Gardenoff of two two and 610. Um, so the winter wonderland, the themeis sort of like diamonds, ice, snowflakes, sparkles,winter glam is what it sounds like. little little different from the countrywestern theme west. >> Um so and then a limited number oftickets are supposed to be available uh December 1st. Um so of course uh all arewelcome um to attend that event. Um they are starting to work on uh just puttingthe pieces together to make that event happen for us. um you know 279Foundation does a lot of work to support our scholars um by funding programs andopportunities that we're not able to cover through our budget. Um soappreciative of the work that they do and I'm excited for uh this opportunityto raise some funds for the foundation. >> Thank you. Director Tate, do you have areporter update? >> Uh no reports tonight.>> Director Mitchell, do you have a reporter update? Yes, we had the CPACcommittee meeting here um November 13th kind went over an annual report and alsoan overview of our four-year-old um program offerings. And there's such avariety. Kind of fun fact, I thought this was great that 90% of the studentsthat attend the four-year-old prek um end up attending kindergarten in ourdistrict. So, that's very positive. There's a little bit of a wait listthere. So, all those things are very positive. We also talked about discussedadding youth on board um adding some student voice to the um CPAC committeeand kind of like Kelsey said, we u we'd love more voices and perspective. So ifanyone wants to join us on a Thursday night for CPAC, you're welcome to come.>> Thank you. Um and I do not have any report or updates this evening. The nextagenda item is the consent agenda. Board members, our consent agenda items thisevening include meeting minutes, financial reports, fundraisers, extendededucational trips, personnel items, grants, a partnership agreement, uhMinnesota State High School League resolution for Park Center Senior HighSchool, outdoor classroom bid awards for three elementary schools, and an openenrollment resolution. Are there any items that you would like to remove forseparate consideration? Okay, seeing none, is there a motion toapprove the consent agenda as printed? >> Moved by director Mitchell. Is there asecond? >> Second.>> Second by director Brooks. Is there any discussion?Uh so for the discussion, I'll point out that the resolution um about openenrollment, we had a discussion on at the last work session. Uh a good robustdiscussion about that. Um and what it means is um we are continuing uh our uhour closure of open enrollment at some of our schools that are at capacity andwe are also uh closing an open enrollment um to the new elementaryschool. And the reason why that we have to have that closure is because we havea freeze on um our district boundary changes resulting from district boundarychange. We have a freeze on interd district transfers. So, if we don'tclose open enrollment, that would mean that um those outside of our districtwould have uh the ability to attend this uh the new school but not our own uhcommunity within district transfer. So, um just want to mention that if there'sany um you can see that it's in the in the packet. Um and you can see the lastwork session where we discussed that as well.Uh okay, any other discussion? Okay. All in favor say I.>> I oppose. Nay. The motion passes six to zero.We're going to move on to our action items. The first action item is theacceptance of the fiscal year 2025 audit report. Information will be shared byJohn Morstead, executive director of finance and operations.>> Thank you, Chair Prince. Um, we uh were already blessed with the presentationfrom Mr. Iikton about the audit report and the state does require that theschool board take action to accept uh the findings of the audit report. So, wewould just ask you to take action on that at this time. Is there a motion to accept the fiscalyear 2025 audit report which includes the fisc year 2025 financial managementreport, the fiscal year 2025 annual comprehensive financial report and thefiscal year 2025 special purpose report. >> So move.>> Moved by director Brooks. Is there a second?>> Second. Second by director Dawson. Is there any discussion?>> No discussion. And just again thank you staff uh for making making this happenonce again especially the finance staff. >> Okay. All in favor say I.>> I oppose. Nay. >> Motion passes six to zero.Our next action item is the recommendation for approval of theagreement on the terms and conditions of employment between the ISD279 schoolboard and OIO principles association. information will be shared by YvonSchwarzland, executive director of human resources. Yvon,>> thank you, Vice uh Chair Prince. Um as you indicated, we're here to umrecommend uh approval for the principal's contract um for um fiscalyear 2026 through 2027. Um I want to thank uh the bargainingteams led by um uh Lisa Bostik, uh Dr. Harris and OPA's council and um thebargaining teams on reaching a settlement um an agreement. Um so theprincipal group is comprised of 48 employees of elementary and secondaryprinciples. They're comprised of lead principles and also um assistantprinciples. Um in terms of uh and you all um uh have of course the materialsin the board um packet which includes the memo and um the track changescontract. Um in terms of compensation in year 1 there is a 2.15 increase to basesalary. Uh year two 2.0 increase to base salary. language. Um certainly languagechanges uh which includes uh language changes around salary ranges um andmaximums uh maximums. Um in terms of group health insurance uh districtcontributions uh were increased with the exception of the high plan. there was anincrease to the 403b match district contribution and a decrease inprofessional development funding. Um over the term of the 2-year contract,the total financial investment is $557,52 and it represents a 3.55 total packageincrease. With the ratification of the contract, human resources and payrollwould begin implementation. >> Thank you.Is there a motion to approve the agreement on the terms and conditions ofemployment between the Independent School District 279 School Board and OIOPrinciples Association July 1st, 2025 through June 30th, 2027?Motion by Director Brooks. Is there a second? Second by Director Tate. Isthere any discussion? Again, uh thank you to everyone who isinvolved in the process um in getting us to this point.All in favor say I. I oppose. Nay. Motion carries six to zero. Our lastaction item is gifts to the district. Um today uh this time we have giftstotaling $62,142.50 and those are outlined in detail andthat includes uh even inind donations. So the snow pants and all of thewonderful um ways that the community um helps uh our district and our students.Is there a motion to approve gifts to the district totaling $62,15250? >> So moved.>> Moved by Director Tate. Is there a second?>> Second. >> Second by Director Foster. Anydiscussion? >> All in favor say I. I.>> All oppose. Name. Motion passes six to zero.The next agenda item isformational items. This evening will be the firstreading of the following policies. Policy 312, assignment and transfer ofprinciples. Policy 502, search of students lockers, desks, per personalprof personal possessions, and students person. Policy 507, corporal punishmentand prone restraint. Policy 512, school sponsored student publications andactivities. Policy 544, school meals. Policy 556, release time for religiousinstruction. Information will be shared by general counsel Amy Moore. Amy,>> Chair Prince, thanks for everyone for sticking around for the most excitingpart of the uh evening. So, policy 312, assignment and transfer and principles.Um, last year we did update um the procedure to for 312 to reflect kind ofwhat had been going on in the district. And in reviewing the policy for thisyear, we find that it's still relevant and it's utilized by uh the principalassociation and our human resources department. So we are recommending nochanges for that. Next is policy 502, search of studentlockers, decks, personal possessions, and students person. Um for this we didinclude um delineations of probable uh search of the different search types. Soyou see that in 2A um lockers and personal possessions within a locker andthen we included desks, personal possessions, students persons um andnoting that a violation occurs when students use these things. Um and uhthen we added definitions. Um that was missing before and we thought it wouldbe useful for everyone to be on the same page of what does contraband mean uhpersonal possessions and then what does reasonable suspicion mean u when we'redoing those searches. So we added uh definitions. Next for policy 507 corporal punishmentand prone restraint. Uh this was a policy that we updated in 2023 and 2024with all the legislative uh changes. Um there hasn't been any additional changesin legislation. Uh so we do recommend uh that there are no changes at this timeneeded uh for 2025. Next for policy 512 school sponsoredstudent publications and activities. This was a new policy last year um bylegislation uh requiring school districts to have such a policy. Umthere hasn't been any um concerns or issues that have risen up at theapplication of this policy. So at this time we recommend uh no changes for2025. And then the last policy school meals ornot the last but second to last. Um we did update this in 2023.Um and uh in consulting with our subject matter experts, they find that it's beenworking well. Again, no issues or concerns with its implementation. Uh sowe don't recommend any changes at this time. And then the last policy is release timefor religious instruction policy 556. With this, we did um remove languagethat's outdated or not really implemented. So, you'll see we talkabout um church or religious bodies incorporated under Minnesota statute.That's not something that we really look into. So, since it's um not what weutilize, we decided to take it out. And then we clarified with the last that umwhat the student is responsible for um in completing class assignments whenthey've missed something through their absence under this um policy which is umrelated to a Minnesota state statute. And that is it for the updates. Anyquestions? I'm happy to answer. >> Okay. Board members, any questions?Okay. And as always um our policy committee uh meets uh and is open to thepublic. Uh we also have on the website uh a link where if anybody wants toprovide uh feedback on these policies or any other policies that's an opportunityto do so. Um thank you Amy. Okay. At this time the board will be taking avery brief recess. We will be reconvening for a schoolboard propertycommittee meeting in the forum room. The committee meeting is open to the public.The property committee consists of all members of the school board and isadvised by the superintendent and other administrators, engineers, and legaladviserss as needed. The meeting will not be livereamed or recorded. A reportwill be shared at the December regular business meeting. At the conclusion ofthe property committee meeting, the board will hold a session that is closedto the public pursuant to Minnesota statute 13D.03 03 to consider labornegotiations with the following bargaining groups. RNs and LPNs, kidsstop instructors, educational support professionals, and OIO administrativeprofessionals. Is there a motion to recess the regular meeting uh for fiveminutes and reconvene in the forum room for the property committee meetingfollowed by close session? >> So movedby director Dawson. Uh is there a second?>> Second by director Tate. Any discussion? All in favor say I. I. Oppose. Nay.Motion passes six to zero. The meeting is recessed at 7:03 p.m. uh theschoolboard meeting will adjourn at the conclusion of the closed session. >> This is the principalcontract cover page.