School board approves principal contract, eyes November bond vote
The Robbinsdale Area Schools board unanimously approved a new principal contract on Tuesday and heard details about a $413 million bond referendum scheduled for November that would reshape school facilities across the district.
The board voted 7-0 to approve a tentative agreement covering principals' contracts for 2025-2027. The deal includes a 2.5% salary increase for the first year, a new longevity stipend, an additional personal leave day, and updated language for disability and family leave benefits. A significant change eliminates sabbatical leave, which Executive Director O'Hearn said reduces the district's potential financial liability—the district currently has 37 principals who could have claimed sabbaticals.
The meeting's centerpiece was Superintendent Dr. Stalo's presentation of the upcoming bond referendum, which voters will decide on November 3rd. The proposal asks for $413 million across three ballot questions to address declining enrollment and aging buildings. If approved, the average homeowner would pay about $25 more per month in property taxes. The bond would consolidate high schools, upgrade middle school facilities including pools and auditoriums, and build a new elementary school.
Board members pressed Dr. Stalo on specifics, including the future location of the Education Service Center, how the district would use existing facilities like Plymouth Middle School's pool, and what would happen if the bond fails. Dr. Stalo was direct: "Without a bond referendum, the district will need to make hard decisions and cuts that will impact programming, transportation activities, and staffing."
The board also discussed draft goals for the superintendent's performance next year, which focus on the bond campaign, financial stability, and community engagement. Board members requested more specific, measurable targets before voting on the goals at their next meeting. The board unanimously approved accepting $161,462 in community donations.
The superintendent emphasized the district's role is to provide "factual information, awareness, and education" about the bond rather than advocacy. The board will vote on the superintendent's final goals at its next meeting.
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Votes (4)
Bond Referendum Presentation
Dr. Stalo presented the bond referendum, emphasizing factual information and community education. Questions from the board included clarity on question specifics, ESC's future location, the 'reasonable amount' for expenditures, the financial delta between questions 1 and 2, utilization rates of existing facilities (e.g., Plymouth Middle pool), the district's legal role in leading the campaign, and contingency plans if the bond fails. The presentation outlined the current reality of declining enrollment and aging buildings, and the planned investments to create a sustainable future, improve learning spaces, and ensure financial stability. The potential impact of the bond's failure on programming and staffing was also detailed.
Tenative Agreement with 25-27 Principal Contract
Moved by Director Bowman [1:00:30] · Seconded by Director Hillbrand [1:00:40]
Director Long requested this item be pulled from the consent agenda for individual discussion. Executive Director O'Hearn outlined the specifics: 2.5% salary increase for 25-26, 85% (likely a misstatement for 0.85% or similar small percentage, given context) for 26-27, new longevity stipend, increased personal leave, elimination of sabbatical leave (reducing district financial exposure), and updated language for long-term disability, Minnesota paid family leave, and seniority determination. Board members questioned the clarity of document changes in black-and-white printouts and requested total cost figures for the package.
Review Draft of Superintendent Goals for 26-27
The Superintendent presented draft goals derived from board input, focusing on the bond referendum campaign, fiscal stability (SOD implementation), district improvement, and community engagement, aligned with MSBA standards. Board members engaged in a lengthy discussion about the need for more measurable, 'smart' goals, with both qualitative and quantitative metrics. Director Basset suggested looking at a document from the City of New Hope for goal-setting models, leading to a debate about adhering to MSBA standards versus exploring other public agency models. Concerns were raised about the subjective nature of some goal language and the Superintendent's use of 'lead' in relation to the bond campaign. The discussion highlighted a desire for clearer, more specific performance indicators and the importance of board support for the Superintendent's success.
Resolution Accepting Donations
Moved by Director Bowman [1:44:30] · Seconded by Director Hillenbrand [1:44:40]
A resolution was presented to formally accept community donations. The total amount of donations was $161,462.
Notable Quotes (10)
As a district, our responsibility is to ensure that we have a strong referendum communication campaign to provide factual information, awareness, and education to our community.
Ultimately, our purpose as a school district, the reason we exist, and the outcomes we seek each day are to engage in the most critical work that will allow our school district mission, which is to inspire and educate all learners to develop their unique potential and positively contribute to their community come to life for each and every one of our students.
Alternatively, without a bond referendum, the district will need to make hard decisions and cuts that will impact programming, transportation activities, and staffing. Budget decisions will be guided purely by efficiencies.
So what we what's currently happening at the at our pools is we do have we we use them for rentals. So three things we have our swim teams you know Cooper Armstrong swim teams um we use them for rentals community rentals and then we offer community education swim lessons. So our pools are used regularly regularly uh Monday through Friday um typically from 400 pm to almost 900 p.m. daily.
The salary increase for 2526 will be 2.5%. The salary increase for 2627 is 85%.
we have removed 6-1 leaves of absence with pay for sbatical... So that financial component that was a um a um what is a cost within that contract? So it is um oh exposure. So our financial exposure to that sbatical, so we have 37 principles in our district. Our exposure is for 37 sbaticals potentially that we could be open to.
this contract was settled within the board approved parameters.
how you envision in the next 12 months. Um how you would expect me to allocate the bulk of my time getting given the context of the district.
I am unwilling to get into the middle of this and then just sort of decide nah, let's have something else because then we never get anywhere.
I hope the goal is that you want to support me to be wildly successful so that this school district can be. And at the point that that isn't the goal, let me know, please.
Ordinances & Resolutions (11)
Proposed investment to rightsize buildings, improve learning spaces, and ensure financial stability for the school district.
Approved wording for the bond referendum questions to be presented to voters.
District's long-term plan with four strategies, outcomes of which are part of Superintendent goals.
Recently completed study to ensure accuracy with enrollment projections.
Completed assessment to understand building needs.
Collective bargaining agreement outlining terms and conditions for school principals for fiscal years 2025-2027.
Official action to formally accept monetary donations to the school district.
Draft objectives for the Superintendent's performance aligned with district priorities and MSBA standards.
Framework adopted by the board for superintendent goal alignment and evaluation.
A document from the City of New Hope referenced by Director Basset as a potential model for board and superintendent goal metrics.
Financial documents outlining the district's statutory operating debt and related fiscal challenges.
Source document
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Other Topics from This Document
Principal Contract Tenative Agreement
Superintendent Goals 2026-2027
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