School board swears in new members, elects leadership unanimously
The Brooklyn Park City Council's school board held its organizational meeting on January 7, formally welcoming three newly elected members and unanimously selecting its leadership team for 2025. The meeting established the board's structure and approved compensation and committee assignments for the year ahead.
Three newly elected board members—Erica Foster, Kelsey Dawson, and Keith Tate—were sworn in at the start of the meeting held at the Educational Service Center. Before taking the oath, board members heard a statement from the Minnesota Schoolboard Association emphasizing their legal and moral responsibility to ensure "equitable quality education of every student in our district."
The board then unanimously elected its officers for 2025. Tanya Prince was elected chairperson in a 6-0 vote, with Director Brooks noting her collaborative work with previous leadership and commitment to the district's mission. Prince pledged to "ensure all board member voices are heard and that we continue to make decisions in the best interest of our district." Thomas Brooks was elected vice chair, also unanimously, with Prince praising him as a senior board member who "exemplifies" the board's values of collaboration and inclusion. Keith Tate was elected clerk and Sarah Mitchell was elected treasurer, both by unanimous votes.
The board approved compensation levels for 2025, maintaining the same rates as 2024: $1,350 per month for the board chair and $1,250 per month for all other members. These amounts include a $50 monthly reimbursement for in-district mileage and incidental expenses. The board also unanimously approved the roster of representatives for various school board committees and joint boards for 2025. Newly elected Chair Prince acknowledged the substantial commitment required, noting that every board member serves on at least two committees.
The board reviewed its operating protocols—including resolution and agenda-setting procedures—as informational items requiring no action. Following the organizational meeting, the board held a public work session in the Forum room at the Educational Service Center.
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Votes (7)
Swearing In of Elected Members and Oath of Office
The newly elected board members Erica Foster, Kelsey Dawson, and Keith Tate were sworn in. A statement emphasizing the profound moral and legal responsibility of board members, guided by the Minnesota Legislature, to ensure equitable and quality education for all students in the district was read prior to the oath.
Election of Board Chairperson
Moved by Director Brooks [10:08]
Director Tanya Prince was nominated for Chairperson. The nominator highlighted her collaborative work with previous leadership and commitment to the district's mission. Director Prince accepted the nomination, expressing her dedication to collaboration and ensuring all board member voices are heard.
Election of Board Vice Chair
Moved by Tanya Prince [12:37]
Director Thomas Brooks was nominated for Vice Chair. His nominator praised his experience as a senior board member, his openness to collaboration, and his embodiment of the board's values. Director Brooks accepted the nomination, expressing gratitude for his past service and readiness to lead.
Election of Board Clerk
Moved by Director Foster [15:30]
Director Keith Tate was nominated for Board Clerk. The nominator welcomed him to the board and acknowledged his willingness to serve. Director Tate accepted, expressing his anticipation for the role.
Election of Board Treasurer
Moved by Director Dawson [17:27]
Director Sarah Mitchell was nominated for Board Treasurer. The nominator expressed confidence in Director Mitchell's integrity and steady leadership for the role. Director Mitchell accepted the nomination.
Establish Compensation for Schoolboard members for 2025
Moved by Director Brooks [19:34] · Seconded by Director Mitchell [19:40]
The board considered and approved the compensation levels for school board members for the year 2025. The compensation rates were set at $1,350 per month for the board chair and $1,250 per month for all other members, consistent with the 2024 rates. These amounts include a $50 monthly reimbursement for in-district mileage and incidental expenses.
Approve School board committee and Joint board representatives for 2025
Moved by Director Mitchell [20:59] · Seconded by Director Brooks [21:06]
The school board approved the roster of representatives for various committees and joint boards for 2025, as outlined in a prepared document. The Chair acknowledged the substantial commitment and effort required from board members who serve on multiple committees.
Notable Quotes (10)
it is an honor that you are elected to guide the education of our community's students as you recite the oath of office you assume a tremendous responsibility as a director of our school district with the duties empowered by the Minnesota Legislature this power puts you and the other members of our school board in the position of both being morally and legally responsible for Equitable quality education of every student in our district
over the last couple of years director Prince Vice chair Prince has worked really closely with uh former chair msca Jones and superintendent Hy um to make sure that the board continues to run um and that we all continue to meet um or work toward our mission
I look forward to continuing to collaborate and ensure all board member voices are heard and that we continue to make decisions in the best interest of our district
director Thomas Brooks is one of our more senior board members...director Brooks is always open to collaboration always open to ensuring that all voices are heard when I think of our concepts of holding space and I look at our values director Thomas Brooks exemplifies that
I have loved uh the last 4 years serving on this board... I am grateful for this opportunity and look forward to Leading and helping out the board in any way that I can over the next next term
director uh Tate welcome to the board thank you for your willingness to serve in this capacity and I look forward to um your beginning and continued growth on the board
I'm looking forward to it Sherry's uh got everything locked down so we'll be good
I believe Dr or director Mitchell would lead with integrity and would fulfill this role with a steady hand
I accept that nomination
Thank you everyone for your commitment to serve um it's a lot of work there's a lot of committees and I know um everybody's got uh at a minimum two and and some more so thank you so much for that time of investment
Ordinances & Resolutions (5)
Statement read regarding the importance and responsibilities of an elected board position.
Informational item consisting of resolution and agenda setting protocols, presented for review.
Specific protocol part of the Schoolboard operating protocols.
Specific protocol part of the Schoolboard operating protocols.
Document listing the approved representatives for committees and joint boards for the year 2025.
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Other Topics from This Document
Board Officer Elections
Board Operations & Governance
Board Operations & Information
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