Hello everyone. I'm David Law,superintendent of Minnotonka Public Schools.>> And I'm Patrick Leo Howerin, Minnetonka School Board Chair.>> We're glad you're able to join us for our school board recognition program.It's important to take the time to acknowledge and celebrate theoutstanding accomplishments of our students, staff, and community members.>> We begin most of our regular board meetings with recognitions to highlightthe positive impact that so many different people make in our district.Today we're recognizing district service center honored artistsfrom our elementary schools, fall sport state qualifiers,newly named AP scholars with honor from the 2425 school year, and the leadersand site coordinators for our annual employee giving charitable campaign.>> We will now recognize a group of our elementary student artists. Each year,our art teachers select pieces to display at the Minnetonka SchoolDistrict Service Center. This is one way we celebrate the work of our studentsand our commitment to fine arts education.The works on display now are from students at Minnetonka's six elementaryschools. These pieces will be on display through early January. Student artists,thank you for sharing your work with us. Your artistic talent and creativitybrightens the district service center. We would also like to thank andrecognize our elementary art teachers for their work to encourage and inspireour community. Minnetonka's elementary art teachers will be introducing thehonored artists this evening. They include Christy Nent from Clear Springs,Reed Anderson from Deep Haven, Joanna Pediconi from Excelsier, Jane Meyer fromGroveland, Melanie Mazingo from Minowashta, andJennifer Ben from Scenic Heights. Our art teachers will now read the names ofeach student artist as their works are displayed.>> Hello, I'm Jane Meyer, art teacher at Groveland Elementary. Hello to theMinnotonka School Board, school community, and especially to our studentartists and their families who are watching. We are so incredibly proud ofyou and we're excited to celebrate you along with the beautiful artwork you'vecreated. From painting and mixed media collage to drawing and sculpture, you'veused a wide variety of techniques and media to add beauty to our schools.Thank you for all the effort, joy, persistence, collaboration, andcreativity you show every day. We will celebrate now by showing imagesof your artwork as we read your names. Your names will be read by your artteachers. Ms. Nent from Clear Springs Elementary will get us started.>> Hi, my name is Christy Nent and I teach art at Clear Springs Elementary. Thehonored artists are Erikson Banks, Vera Bellis,Rebecca Dela, Caprit, Kaylee Easanor Florent,Farah Jensen, Maya Moreno Jacobson,Fitzgerald Murphy, Reese Patterson,Santiago Rura, Thomas Ser,and Victoria Zaragoza. I'm Reed Anderson, art teacher at DeepHaven Elementary. Uh, Deep Haven's honored artists includeBerkeley Cartwright, Isabelle Chin,Eleanor Cunningham, William Franson Weinberger,Grayson Guard, Jax Hulahan,Miles Keller, Aaliyah Maronga,Farooqurov, Zoe Roy,Anna Stark and Parker Trollson. >> I am Jordan Pakod and I am the artteacher at Excelsier Elementary. Our honored artists include SloanEggenburgger, Ena Jagwin, Preston Jenkee, Quinn Malberg, and Lexi Revard.The honored artists from Groveland Elementaryare Arthur Athetherton, Amelia Butterfield,Brady Finger, Orion Hagerty,Autton Kazzy, CharlieCanudson, Hart Lewis,Hetty Lzer, Nielsen, Adria Mim,and Sylvie Walton. Melanie Mosingo is the art teacher at MininoashtaElementary. The honored artists from Mininoashta areEverly Bisance, Sophia Borrison,Arabella Ber, Hannah Chu Hunova,Aviva Dson, Sage Deare,Leaf Butter, Lucy Hansen,Hope Hedrickk, Andelia Isbel,Louie Marert, Connor McDaniel,Seriana Moxus Bowman, Brooks Nonig,Miles Rodbold, Gordon Van Hec,and Leticia Western. I'm Jennifer Bend, art teacher at ScenixHeights Elementary. Our honored artists are Sanvi Aguual, Ella Budser,Bridget Gutenoff, Olivia Heinancing, Victor Impala,Adah Jeepson, Zara Karim,Hazel Kerr, Laura Lee,Joanne Lio, Henry Meyer,Noah Peterson, Ryder Peterson,Lydia Speedley, and Cecilia Wagner. Artists, congratulationsone more time on being selected for this art show. You are amazing. Keepcreating, keep being curious, and keep sharingyour artwork through the visual arts. What you do makes a difference. Thankyou again to all of our student artists for sharing your talent, hard work, andinspiration with us. >> Next, we will recognize state qualifiersfrom our fall sports teams. >> It's been a strong season for theSkippers with many teams qualifying to compete in state competition and severalathletes earning top level awards at state tournaments. The varsity boyscross country team took seventh at the Minnesota State High School League statemeet this year. Individually, Sha Fes finished first overall, setting a newcourse record in the process. >> The team is led by head coach JeffRenland and assistant coaches Jacob Peterson and Titus Wenders. Before werecognize each athlete by name, let's hear more about the team season.>> Hi, I am the boys head cross country coach at Minnitankka High School, JeffRenlands, and I'm so proud of this year's team. We finished a strong runnerup in the Lake Conference. were section two AAA champions again, advancing tothe state meet for the sixth consecutive year where they finished a hard-foughtseventh place. We had our top runner Sean Fes winning the state individualchampionship and of course record time at the University of Minnesota andadvancing to the nationals. It has been a very fun season and a privilege tocoach you guys. Go skippers. >> Congratulations to the following stateteam members and alternates. Ishach Algapen,Christian Bach, Charles Cummings,Steel Etne, Sha Fes,Benjamin Krauss, Casey Nordstrom,Sawyer Schulz, Zachary Unger.The varsity girls cross country team had one athlete qualify for the MinnesotaState High School League state meet. Congratulations,Evie Malik, who finished 13th overall. >> The team was led by head coach RebeccaWesley and assistant coaches Bethany Brson, Cassie Klene, Heidi Leighton, andAmanda Mont Pleasure. >> Congratulations.The next team we will be recognizing is varsity girls tennis. The team qualifiedfor state and placed second overall in the class 3A tournament.Four skippers also qualify to compete in the individual state tournament. JuniorBella Starkman and senior Tessa Travetti in the singles division and team ofjunior Arya Hook and senior Martina Francisco in the doubles division. Theteam is led by head coach Jessa Richards Boyi and assistant coaches Dan Richardsand Greg Vanhist. Let's hear more about their season. Hieveryone, I'm Emily Levton and I'm a seventh grader at MMW. I was reallyexcited to make the girls varsity tennis team this year and I had a great seasonwith an 18-2 record at four singles. Our team had an amazing accomplishment bygetting second in state. We practiced really hard and we made every practicecount. I was a little nervous at the start because I was the youngest on myteam, but the girls made me feel really supported and like I was always on theteam and a part of their family. I had such a great group of girls. I don'tthink I could have asked for better. >> Congratulations again to the followingathletes. Allison Britzius, Tatum Engson, MartinaFrancisco, Arya Hook, Alyssa Evenoff, Sophia Jalil,Jana Latz, Emily Levitton, Hangi Ping, Ava Pranzinski, Lucy Pranzinski, SanaRamrage, Alyssa Ren, Emma Sen, Isabella Starkman Sen,Tessa Trevetti and Lauren Wenin. The final athletes we'll be recognizing thisevening are the state qualifiers from our middle school and high schoolmountain biking team. At state this year, the middle school team took firstoverall and the high school team took second.The team is coached by Jake Seart and Leam Malik. Let's hear more about theirseason. >> Hello Minnitonka families. My name isJake Seart and I'm the head coach for the Minnitonka mountain bike race team.On behalf of more than 100 riders and their families, we're honored to berecognized by the school award for a 2025 season that wrapped up in October.Highlights of the season included taking second place overall in the state highschool team score, taking first place overall in the state middle school teamscore, and a focus on girls specific programming led by coach Sally Wood witha goal of getting more girls on bikes. Finally, I'd like to thank the 60coaches and Ry leads who participate in our program every week. We wouldn't beable to have a team without all of you, and we're looking forward to seeingeveryone again in 2026. Thank you. >> Hi, my name is Evoli. I'm a seventhgrader at EM, and I was part of the state mountain bike team. At the startof the season, I had a broken collar bone. I pushed through it all from theencouragement I got from my teammates and family members. It was a greatexperience seeing all my teammates doing so well in all their races.>> Congratulations again to the following athletes. Levi Anderson, Owen Dalan,Henrik Colemmyer, Jackson Runk, Bennett Schmidt,Reed Thurbush, Everett Wilkkey, Axel Wood, and CharlesWell, Adeline Malik, Quinn Miller, Alice Seawart, Claire Stro, Stella Swanson,Vivian Wood. Great work all. We will recognize our remaining fall sport statequalifiers in our January schoolboard recognitions program.>> Our next recognition group is the new AP Scholars with Honor from the 202425school year. >> The AP Scholars with Honor designationis granted by the College Board to students who receive an average score ofat least 3.25 on all AP exams taken and who receive scores of three or higher onfour or more of these exams. The students we will recognize tonightachieved the AP Scholar with honor recognition for the first time based ontheir AP exam scores from the 202425 school year. Earning this award requiresan incredible amount of hard work and dedication and we are proud of eachstudent for this achievement. We asked our AP scholars with honor toshare about a class at MHS that has inspired them and has made an impact ontheir academic journey. Here's what they shared with us. Hi, my name is GeorgiaBaker and I'm a senior this year. My favorite AP classes that I have takenover the course of high school have definitely been AP Chinese and APpsychology. I have loved being pushed to think unconventionally and beyond mycomfort zone in these courses. And because I've loved them so much, I hopeto minor in Chinese and major in speech, language, and hearing sciences nextyear. Thanks. Our student honores from the class of 2025 include Aaliyah Agri,Alexander Balbach, Maria Clara Baros, Fontes, Duza, Ryan Bontthus, AudreyBhin, Rexton Breitbach, Khloe Chot, Davis Colbeck,Hudson Craft, Nathan Extrand, Amelia Foundre, Tyler Friday, ElizabethGoodier, Jackson Hemple, Elliot Jones, Amriita Core, Rose Liry, Tyson Mahadi,Nicholas Martinez Gonzalez, Elizabeth McKini, Meline Men, Hugo Melany,Evelyn Noah, Emma Peters,John Rafferty, Devin Ryell,Nora Reard, Addison Rothschild,Parker Simmer, Kelvin Schoberg,Cody Steelug, Maline Swigert, Emily Travis, Maline Vasc,Romney Warner, Annabelle Wel, and Sydney Whiteside.AP scholars with honor from the class of 2026 include Aisha Adam,Oscar Anderson, Georgia Baker,Blake Bisson, Mia Bissell,Cade Budri, Jack Brillinthon,Joseph Broadbent, Matteline Brown,Ally Cannon, >> John Cantu, Paige Christensen,Brady Coyle, Cameron Deno,Jack Elvrog, Alex Fernandez,Alexander Frank, Samuel Fryberg,Claudia Garcia Arce, Evan Ginter, Isaac Godfrey, Julia Hayes,Greta Yella, Elyssa Ivangh,Peter Jwitt, Henry Jones,Wyatt Jones, Scout Katsenberger,Kira Kilgard, Camille Kilmer,Alexandra Kitine, Miles Laskin,Daniel Lebanon, Aaron Lowe, Griffin Macintosh,William McKini, Anders McNeel,Sophie Milstein, Isa Mojit, Matteline Morgan, DelaneNavorska, Kaden Pelstring,Braden Puit, Sadana Ramrage, Matteo Rebman, IsaacRose, Cole Rowan,Samuel Schmaltz, Scarlett Schmidline,Zoe Cybart, Alexander Severs Williams, Jack Ston,Madison Tron, Graham Tyler, Lou Verhelst, Samuel Walker, BirdieWalsh, Anna Wisnant,Caitlyn Woodford, Victoria Wyatt, Rissy Yei, and Sophia Jean. Our studenthonores from the class of 2027 include Asha Alam,Daniel B, Payton Barker, Lane Barton, AveryBeerley, Sophie Blesser, Maria Bondar, Maline Botton, Maline Brahma,William Braimemer, Henry Cheetum,Haron Choy, William Dornick, Abigail Edstrom,Aransa Escua Mendoza, Connell Fleming, Cole Frick,Neil Gotti, Ritvak Gapanoth, Lucas Grassel, Oleta Gross, Micah Herman, BrettHitchcock, Mason HisGrace Ingberg, Tyler Jabs, Annalie James,Payton Juel, Keegan Johansson,Colin Johnson, Akash Carician, Lily King, James Lefontaine,David Lozano, Matteo Mullet Harvey,Paisley Miller, Zayn Nashawati, Stefan Olri, BrookeOlsen, McKenzie Austinorf,Andrew Ray Maker, Soleie Ron Hell, Ellison Sulk, PenelopeySassic, James Savage, Ava Schlapco,Casey Schllo, Ree Schroeder,Henry Schuler, Aaron Septton,Mucklumar, Abigail Seio, Liam Shaughnessy,Eric Scarlet, Blake Somerfeld,Zachary Stealthflug, Ian Sed,Talia Tobin, Alio Torano, Blake Viger, Elelliana Weiss,and Eve Zulland. AP scholars with honor from the class of 2028 include AaronBurroughs, Gavin Flam, Alden Go, Asher Givvanathon,Bennett Lang, Wyatt Marcus, Margaret Nielsen, and Ally Stockman.Congratulations again to all of our AP scholars with honors. Our last group forrecognitions this evening is a set of staff members who gave extra time andeffort during the month of October to facilitate the Minnotonka schoolsemployee charitable giving campaign. For the past 25 years, Minnitanka staff haveparticipated in an annual charitable giving campaign, altogether raising morethan $1 million throughout the years to support nonprofit organizations thatassist those in great need. >> This year, our staff pledged together toraise an incredible $72,300. The donations will go to support one ofthree nonprofit federations, Creating Healthier Communities, Open Your Heartto the Hungry and Homeless, and Greater Twin Cities United Way. Or they willfund programs at designated charities that were selected by our employees. Ateach of our buildings in the district, we had campaign site coordinators whoarranged activities and outreach efforts for their staff and their buildings topromote engagement for the giving campaign. I'm grateful to each of them.The donations our staff raised are desperately needed by many people whoare struggling this year. Tonight, we'll honor each site coordinator for theiramazing contributions in bringing staff together to accomplish this wonderfulfundraising effort. The following staff members led the annual employee givingcampaign for their buildings. >> From Clear Springs Elementary, KurtCarpenter, Courtney Davis, and Elizabeth Johnson.from Deep Haven Elementary. Mallerie Brockamp from Excelsier Elementary.Michael Savage >> from Groveland Elementary. AndrewGilbertson and Sarah Klitsky >> from Minawashta Elementary. CindyAndress, Lisa McHugh, and Jenny Venolsburg>> from Scenic Heights Elementary. Nicole Snedden and Jared Vanellsburg>> from Minnitankka Middle School East. Charlie Dorne>> from Minnitankka Middle School West. Jacob Westman>> from Minnitankka High School. Jennifer Benbach, Sarah Martinson, and EmilyRosenrren >> from the Minnitonka Community EducationCenter. Kim Carlson, Jenny Bedurka, Molly Banaman, Angie Kleinedler, andLouise Weir >> from the District Service Center andTech Center. Christine Breen, Harry Filowski, Beth Ericson, KristenLaughlin, Shana Lesey, and Anelise Petersonfrom Sale, Aaron Valenta. >> And finally, I'd like to give a hugethank you to our district-wide campaign chair, executive director ofcommunications, Dr. Jackie Getty. We are grateful for each of you and for eachstaff member who contributed to the giving campaign by giving so generously.You have all truly made an impact on our community.That concludes our recognition program for this evening. Thank you again forcelebrating with us. The school board meeting will begin shortly. All right. I'll now call the uh December11th, 2025 meeting of the Minnitankka School Board to order.>> Let's rise and say the pledge to the flag.>> Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to therepublic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty andjustice for all. >> Don't forget to welcome our new boardmembers. Of course. >> All right. Um before I proceed, I wantto welcome our student board members for the evening. We have Zayn Cassim andAlly Stockman joining us. And uh we will uh next item, we'll I'd like a motion toadopt the agenda, please. So moved.>> Dan, may I have a second? >> Second.>> Mike, any discussion?All right, there's a motion, a second. All those in favor, please say I.>> I. Any opposed? >> Motion carries. Uh, first item on ouragenda is now the school report from sale superintendent law.>> Mr. Chair, members of the board, one of the highlights of every first boardmeeting of the month is a chance to hear from our school leaders aboutprogramming happening at schools. Tonight, we will get an update on ourrelatively new program called sales students achieving independent life.Tonight's presenters will be executive director of student services ChristineBreen and team Dr. Breen. >> Thank you, Superintendent Law, Mr.Chair, members of the board. Um, we are super excited to be here tonight,especially this week is inclusive schools week. So, thank you toSuperintendent Law and our amazing communications team for sharing that onour social media platforms. We're super proud of sale and we're here tonight tohighlight all the amazing things happening there. You'll notice ourstudent Sue Sienna Miguel is ill, so she is unable to be with us, but she ishighlighted in one of the videos that we'll show shortly.So, it is so hard to believe, Superintendent Lodge said, relativelynew program. It is so hard to believe we are in our fifth year. we will graduateour fifth group of graduates um this this June. So um continuing to seegrowth in resident students and students attending through open enrollment andI'll highlight those differences on the next slide. Um the team will also talkabout the sale businesses and what our students do to create, make, and sellunique items to the community. Our business partnerships over the past fiveyears have grown as well, expanding throughout our community. differenttypes of jobs, different types of partnerships based on what our studentsinterests are. So our team will also highlight that. And then one of the mostimportant pieces of sale is the belonging. We brought sale to Minnotonkato create a sense of belonging here in our community. Most of our students areour residents in this community and after they graduate from us and leaveus, they will remain here. So it was extremely important for us to bring salehome to have our students build that sense of belonging in the community theywill reside in. So this is the enrollment through theyears. We started in our inaugural year in 2021 with 26 students. We had 25residents and we had our first open enrolled student attending purely forsale. In 2022, you'll see we had 29 students. 24 were our residents and fiveopen enrolled specifically for sale. Um in 2023 33 with 24 resident and nineopen enrolled. Sorry. The percentages are the percent of open enrolledstudents coming just for sale. So 100% that one was coming just for sale. 80%of the five that were open enrolled came just for sale. 78% in 2023and then 90% for the last two years. Students are coming after their highschool career to join sale. It's something we're super proud of. It's oneof the reasons we knew we could continue to grow this program. Um and so ourhighest year was last year um with 42 students and we have 30 37 students thisyear. And to Megan's point in the the previous um presentation, the studentswho move on to sale are not counted in the high school graduation rates becausewe have the ability and the opportunity to continue to educate them. And so weare super excited for them to stay with with us as long as they need to throughor up to their age of 22. Um I took the next slides from supersuperintendent. He's going to love that I said that. Jeff Ericson, headprincipal at the high school. Um he presented to you in the fall boardretreat around um the quality programming at the high school. And whatwe want to highlight today is that sale continues to be an expansion and anextension of the amazing programming at Minnitankka High School. And so this isthe AASA promise that he showed you that you're probably familiar with. um highquality education results in students seeing all the possibilities before themexploring those possibilities, setting goals, and making informed decisionbased on their interests, skills, and aspirations. This promise is nodifferent for our students who continue on at Sale. This promise starts in ourkindergarten settings and continues through our educational career here inMinnetonka through Sale. So that AASA promise again sayseffectively to effectively prepare students for the future work workforceand real life we must utilize all we know about how individuals learn growand adapt over time we have the luxury of using the I and IEP team to do justthat and that is what sale does. We have maker spaces that change year-over-yearbased on student interest and engagement and needs. we get to do the eye. Um, soparticularly at sale and and the team will highlight that shortly as well.This is Jeff's profile of a graduate and again this opportunity for our studentswho continue to need services just continues for a few more years. Enrollin an exper experiential learning course and work collaboratively with an outsideaudience and mentor in an area of passion in an authentic setting. This ishighlighted at sale through our community partnerships, our businesspartnerships, our outings. We are doing this exact thing. It's done at Vantage.It's done in momentum. It's done at sale in a different and unique way. Reallyindividualizing on that student's needs. And then participate in clubs,athletics, and arts to develop and their leadership skills to serve the greatergood and community. If you ever need a pickme up, those of us in this buildingwho miss students, one of the buildings we go to to get a smile on our face orjust have student engagement is sale. Aaron will invite you at the very end ofthe presentation to come visit and tour. So again, this sense of belonging is oneof the really one of the pillars of sale. It's why we do what we do. Um Itook a a quote from the belonging goal. The district will continue to foster andpromote positive student well-being, connection, and belonging efforts, andwill identify and remove barriers that have detrimental effect on studentswell-being, connection, and a sense of belonging. I would like to highlightAaron as the director of sale and secondary programming. She does justthat every single day. We have colleagues, I have colleagues from otherdistricts, other superintendents touring sale. They want to see what Sale is andwhat they can do in their communities to build their own transition programs. Alot of our neighboring districts don't have their own transition program. Theyrely on intermediate districts. And while that is amazing programming,they're starting to see what we value in SAW in bringing sale um into ourcommunity. So kudos to Aaron and the team for highlighting what sale is andwhat can be to prospective parents, current parents, and other educators inthe community. Aaron and the team will talk about the three pillars oftransition. Independent living, post-secary education and training andemployment. That is what we focus on at Sale. So I'm going to turn it over toSteve and you can continue. >> Thanks.So we have sale business that we practice every day at school. And atSale, we prepare students for multiple avenues of success. In the appointmentsector, this means not only learning how to work for someone else's business, buthow to run your own. In the sale of business seminar, students workcollaboratively to make dog treats and fire starters with all profits returningto their programming in the forms of outings, um, incentive parties, andbusiness supplies. The result is a self- sustaining model in which the entireprocess from conceptualization through creation and eventually to marketing,selling, and taking inventory of the products is realized in practice. Todate, our students have generated over $6,000 doing this. So, next we're going to focus on a videothat highlights our incredible work sites that sales students access >> new perspective.>> Goodwill. >> Goodwill.>> Goodwill. Northern >> Bean Haven Country>> Country Club Planes >> Walgreens. >> It's a lot of enthusiasm.Um, our work experience program is unique in that is integrated into thecommunity to which our students live. These placements allow students to learnthe soft skills of competitive employment in a safe and supportivemanner under the guidance of trained job coaches. When paired with our inschoolemployment seminar, the result is a wraparound model that encouragesbelonging, skill building, and increased confidence. We just like to say thankyou so much for uh our community businesses partners and their support. Additionally, sale continues to beactive in the community. Our weekly community resources course directlysupports the schoolboard's goal of belonging and action by fosteringmeaningful connections between our sale students and their community. Throughthis act of participation, students engage with our local businesses andservices. Students have been to many locations, including our libraries,bowling alleys, post offices, retail stores, parks, restaurants, and medicalservices. These experiences help students build confidence and developpractical life skills. By creating opportunities for students to interactin real world settings, we ensure that belonging is not just a concept, but anactionable practice at Sale that prepares students for independence andstrengthen theirs tie to the community. They also have a lot of fun learningand we would um would love to welcome you guys anytime if you'd like to have avisit or a tour. Thank you.[snorts] >> Thank you very much for that report. Umdo we have any questions or comments from the board?>> Yes, Camarine. >> Thank you for that. That was a greatreport and I will vouch for if you need a smile, it's a great place to stop inDr. Alon. I've done that and it's been a great place. But and my dog loves thedog treats. I >> was going to say you're you're a greatcustomer. [laughter] >> Repeat offender. Um a question is on thebusiness slide if anybody needs [laughter] it.>> A question that I did have is you mentioned neighboring districts withtransitional programs and do you off the top of your head know those around us?>> Um the ones that have transition programs or you want to know that do?Um, well, I think all of our neighboring districts have them in some form. Somehave smaller ones that are built onto their high school. Like we have ahandful of students that come from Waconia. They drive all the way togetherin the morning and open enroll with us because they don't have a separatetransition program that's as robust. We have a student that comes from AIObecause again there it just isn't as big. I think they access a transitionprogram that way. We have a student from Eden Prairie. Um, and then we have astudent from Mound. So, as for robust, you know, it it really is is different.Eastern Carver has a a bigger one. Um, and like I said, Wakoneia has a asmaller one. So, >> thank you. Great work.>> Yeah. >> Thank you very much. Anyone else?>> Thank you. >> Thanks for your Thanks for the report.>> All right. We have reached the time on our agenda for community comments.Community comments is an opportunity for the public to address the school boardon an item included on this agenda in accordance with the guidelines printedon the reverse. Do we have anybody here who wishes to address the board? No.Next item on the agenda is approval of new course proposals. SuperintendentLaw. >> Mr. chair, members of the board, um atthe work session or the study session in November, you saw a preview of all thesenew courses that have been vetted by our uh student teaching and learningadvisory committee or community teaching and learning advisory committee andpreviewed by the board. I will share that as I was prepping our students tocome to the board meeting tonight, one of the first questions was theexcitement from a student who was aware of this and said, "Will all of thosecourses be prop or be approved by the board?" And I said, "It's pretty likelythat that'll happen." And there was there was much satisfaction in the room.So, I'm excited to call up our um director of instruction, Elida King, topresent. >> Thank you, Superintendent Law. Mr.Chair, members of the board. As Superintendent Law mentioned, we werehere on November 20th for the study session. Um and that evening, myself andassistant principal Emily Rosenrren brought forward seven new courses. Someof those courses um were legislative and standard adjustments as well as somethings brought forward due to teacher and student initiative. We had twocourses with name changes and a slate of courses that we sunseted due to nothaving um subsequent years of student enrollment. So tonight, we're here toseek um final support and approval so that we may place those courses in theskipper log so that come registration time, late winter, early spring, ourstudents are able to register for those courses starting SY 2627. So if there'sany questions or comments, I would welcome those at this time.>> Thank you. Why don't we move it so that we have something to talk about? So Iwould entertain a motion to approve the new course proposals, changes, anddeletions. >> So moved.>> Megan second. >> Second,>> Mike. All right. Questions, discussions, comments. All right, we've got a motion and asecond. All those in favor, please say I. I.>> I. >> Any opposed? The motion carries. Thankyou very much. Thank you. >> Next up, we have a uh communityeducation update and approval of MCE fees. Superintendent Law.>> Mr. Chair, members of the board, on an annual basis, our community educationdepartment reviews revenue and expenditures and various programs andmakes recommendations to ensure that they are since they are feedrivenprogram that they are going to be financially viable uh for the upcomingyear. And this has to be done ahead of the enrollment process that's coming up.So tonight, executive director of community education Kim Carlson and herteam will uh share those fee proposals and an update from community education.>> Good evening. Yeah, I know. I'm not sure I can do itor not. I've had a cold for five days now. [clears throat and cough] So, we'regoing to have me talk as little as possible. Um I'll have Jenny and Mollycome up. Jenny Molly's gonna talk first and I'm just gonna throw it over to her.>> [laughter] >> That was unex.Good evening, Mr. Chair, Superintendent Law, members of the board. It's nice tosee you all again. Uh, we're going to talk about fee proposals for thisupcoming school year. First, just a couple highlights aboutwhat's happening in my building. I like to also brag if you want to go somewhereto fill your bucket. I've got the cute ones. They're>> um some highlights for us this year. Right. Last year I was uh spoke to youabout a new program called parent education plus which is a program whereI'm combining a mental health practitioner with a parent educator tooffer more in-depth group experience. Um it's going awesome. Our better togetherwhich is the one we're offering for ECF ECSE families has now it's in its fifthsession. Um and the groups are cohesive and it's just amazing. So, we've addedsomething to that called social butterflies so that we're giving thekids an opportunity to have some time with an early childhood educator aswell, and it's going um really well. So, we're adding something called Dad Lab.So, I'm really talking about this because we don't have enough enrollmentsright now, but >> Dad Lab is designed to really um providea place for we have a lot of dads that come to ECF and talk about feeling, youknow, they'll go to the DMV and someone's like, "Oh, you're watchingyour kid." And he's like, "Yeah, dad, that's my job." So kind of helping dadsto find a place where they can, you know, talk about what it is to be aprimary parent and all the same things that we've always offered to mothers andwe want to call it out that dads are doing the same work. So we haveincreased enrollment this year. Um we did some cool shifting of ourprogramming. We now have three different types of programming. So the initialprogramming is for new parents that are walking through the path the first time.We had a lot of parents that are on their third or fourth kid that are like,I don't want to do that again. can I have something more? So, we got sometopics from them and then are now running sessions that allow for them tocome in and talk about more topic based learning. And then we're continuing oursession of picking books that we often um recommend to families and say, "Hey,you don't have to do a book study. You don't have to do a book club, but let'stalk about the concepts in these books and how you can apply it to your life."And then our free Fridays are always available and I just they're the bestway for people to come and see what we're about. They're free to anyone. Um,we have literacy, science, and playtime. So,um, our census data this year will indicate that we'll have a little bit ofa bump in our ECF levy, which is nice. Um, every year I bring to you the datathat shows how people are utilizing our sliding fee scale. Um, we're about thesame as we've been are over people who pay the full price for the class andpeople who don't pay at all are about the same right now, which is great. Um,it means we're reaching everyone in our community equally.So, I'm asking for a 0% increase. I know it's a really hard one to [laughter] gofor. So, I'll pause here seeking approval for a 0% increase to oursliding fee scale. >> All right. Any questions about whatwe've heard so far? If not, I'll entertain a motion for a 0% fee increaseproposal for Mitaki ECF for 2026. Uh, Sally, may I have a second?>> Second. >> Oh, wait. Who was the first?>> Oh, I was I think [laughter] >> I was the first.>> Okay, Sally. Then we need a second. Somebody else. All right. Camry. Sallyand Camry. >> So much work to get 0%. Okay. [laughter]>> All right. >> Thank you.>> Any further discussion? Hearing none. All All those in favor,please say I. I. >> I. I>> opposed. The motion carries. Superintendent.>> Okay, moving on to preschool. Um, we always do our general plug that our uhpreschool open house will be on Saturday, January 31st from 9:30 to11:30. It's a free event at Minnetonka Community Education Center. It's a greatplace to just come find out more about our program, meet other parents, and seeour teachers and get your face painted, you know, the good stuff.Um, so we've had some interesting enrollment kind of changes this year.Um, for the 24 25 school year and the 23 24school year, we had an increase in students who were utilizing our ECSEservices. And as we projected for our enrollment for this year, we realized weweren't going to need as many seats for those students. And so we were able toreduce the number of seats that were purchased because we just didn't havethe kids in the pipeline. Um, additionally, I had a couple sectionsthat ran pretty they were thin margins and so I was able to reduce the numberof sections that I was offering but still serve as many students as I hadserved before. So in that enrollment number, it always includes the seatsthat are purchased for ECSC whether or not those seat seats are used. So wewant to make sure that we're being good stewards of those dollars and reallyonly purchasing the seats for the students that we see coming and knowingthat we're going to have seats that we can provide later. but so that we'rereally, you know, dollar in dollar out want to make sure that we're as balancedas possible. So, we're at an 88% enrollment this year and our buildingfeels great. Kids are happy and it's wonderful.We always look at how our open enrollment comparison compares to thedistrict open enrollment comparison. Um, so I like to provide you with that data.Little bits of changes here and there each year. So when we compare our program to otherprograms, I always say it's apples and oranges because everybody does itdifferently. Now that the state has legislated that all teachers need to belicensed teachers by a certain date, this might get a little easier as we go,but we've had licensed teachers in our classroom for a very long time. Um, sowhat makes us unique and what we compare is the licensed teachers that we are afour-star parent aware program both in Minnitankka preschool and juniorexplorers. Um, we look at what an averagely average hourly rate is fortuition and then the length of classes that people have, how long is theirschool year, how many days do they meet a week. It's we make up a lot of math totry to get it to balance out to the same.So, based on what we know for our teacher contract that came through thisyear, are going to propose a 5% increase to our preschool tuition just to keepeverything going along smoothly. So, we'll pause here for that approval.>> All right. I'd entertain a motion to approve the 5% fee increase forMinnetonka Preschool for 2026 27. >> So moved.>> Mike, we have a second. >> Second,>> Dan. All right. Any discussion?Megan. >> Um, I just had a question. I know thatwhen I was on ECF and preschool um for the when they had the meeting andthey talked about this with the parents, there was support for a prior increase.I'm assuming that that was discussed again with that group and was was theresupport within that group? >> Yep. So before I bring the increases toyou, I have a conversation with anyone that holds a position on my PTO board.So this year it was I think eight people. pretty large PTO>> and we go through the different scenarios and talk about why theincreases are. I'm pretty transparent with the finances for everyone in mysorry in my program because it can be so confusing and it is a program that'sfunded by participation. So, I really need to show how and we use the moneyand where it goes. So, yeah. >> Thank you.>> Yeah. >> Thank you. Any other questions ordiscussion? Okay, we have a motion and a second. Allthose in favor, please say I. >> I. Okay.>> Any opposed? The motion carries. >> Thank you. I think I'm passing it toJenny. >> Are you going to try again?>> I'm gonna give it a try. >> Okay.[clears throat] >> One of my favorite pictures is this oneof these toddlers really going to work and it makes me smile because I wish wecould hear what they were thinking. But great, great slide of kids. Um, so yeah,we're going to talk about explorers. I might turn it over to Jenny sooner thanlater again, but um [clears throat] I want to talk to you about a couplethings we've been doing uh with explorers and one of them was a safetyaudit and we heard back um you know at the beginning of the school year[clears throat] given the uh uh incident at annunciationit brought to everyone's heart and attention the safety of our students andespecially after school care. Um we started getting phone calls and emailsand conversations with principles. So, um, Scott Gericker and I met with DavidLaw and had a discussion around what we should do about it. We decided to do asafety audit of our programs. So, Jenny and I and Scott went around to eachsite, talked to principles, um, looked at the outlay of the buildingspossibilities there, um, looked at other school districts, what they're doing outin their after schools. Um and ultimatelyum last month we came uh to uh David with a recommendation that we thought wewould have two pilot sites that would have a building supervisor at the door.We'd lock the doors after school. We pick Minawasha and Scenic Heights andwe'll have a building supervisor and they will greet families and let peoplein and out as they come. And at six o'clock then we'll open the doors forevening activities. So, we're going to start doing that. Um, if uh Jenny willpost and hopefully we'll get some interest in working after school in umin a building supervisor role there is maybe working. Um we've also had atask force um of families. We put out a uh application for folks interested inbeing a part of a task force to examine um our uh registration process. As youprobably know, we did not uh we were not able to accept all the contracts ofstudents of families that were interested in our explorers program. Andso um we started this task force. It's it was great. We met four times, gotreally indepth, had some great conversations. Um we in September wesurveyed our all of our explorers uh families. So we use that input alongwith our task force information. Um that's a picture of some of the peopleon our last day. Some people couldn't make it but great group, greatquestions, just very con, you know, trying to be helpful. Um bringing lotsof good things to our attention. Our decision was um that for 2627um we're going to be first come first serve again but modified. So we're goingto take what we learned from the task force and uh conversations that we hadand we're going to do some improvements if you will making an eveningregistration. We heard from the surveys and from the task force that that 8 a.m.start just isn't working. Um as well and we're also going to stagger uhregistration dates. We used to have all the registration in one day. We're goingto make the like three schools and three schools and have them have differenttimes. Um, however, the group very strongly was interested inprioritization, but we also felt as a team um and our technology wereconsidering going to a different um from LEO to a different registration system.So, we're exploring that as well. We just didn't feel like we'd have the timeand um to do it properly and put it in order. So for 2728 we're looking athaving that goal of implementing a prioritized registration system and ourtask force did kind of determine along with those parents and our conversationswhat that might look like as well. So we're ready to roll um forward this yearum registration it starts in February for juniors and um>> February for summer explorers and then March for K5 for the 26 27th schoolyear. >> Okay. And then um so this has beencommunicated to our task force. Um and we so far I haven't received a lot ofemails yet. Um it was just sent out this afternoon before we came, but the one Idid receive was very appreciative of the time and we did have some really goodfeedback from our group just saying they felt heard, they appreciated the changeswe were going to bring to the first come first serve and um it was a greatlearning opportunity for them as well. I think they'll come back as champions forour programs and help people understand um just everything that it takes to umget someone hired and just all the intricacies of the group. So, I'm goingto let Jenny speak now so you can talk a little bit about it.>> All right. Thank you so much. Um one of the things that is really important tous is to hear from our explorers families how things are going, whatopportunities we have to improve and what's going well. So, uh, we surveythem at least three times a year. Uh, and these results are from our fallsurvey. So, really strong, um, feedback about their overall experience, abouttheir our staff, and about the communication that we provide in theprogram. And we'll talk a little bit more aboutthe weight list. Um, our goal is certainly to serve all families. Um andwe are challenged as is our greater state in uh country around um havingenough capacity to support all the students that would like to have childcare. So at this time last year when we presented to you we had 289 students onour weight list. Um our update as of Tuesday for this year's weight list is85. So we're feeling really good about that. Um and we have moved 319 studentsoff the weight list. So that's not necessarily into the program. Some havefound another care plan and don't need to come and and many have come into theprogram. So um really been able to do that thanks to our team who has beenworking really hard on our hiring. So so appreciative to them. Um we havecontinued to partner with um a recruitment company that helps ussupport being able to get the word out and help some of the process ofrecruitment. We continue to partner with principles at elementary schools. Um,and we do have many paras that work with us after school, which is such a niceconnection to bridge the day. Um, and so we're really super excited to sharewe've hired over 50 um, Explorer staff since the start of the school year. Soreally brought a lot of great new uh, team members on and have been able tobring more students into the program. So, as we do with most of our programs,we kind of do look at what our open enrollment is. And it's um might be hardto see, but 38% of students we serve in Explorers are open enrolledfrom varying districts. Um and this is just a sort of a 10-year look atenrollment. So, um the darker blue color is our before and after school duringthe school year. So, you can see a nice jump um from the last number of years,higher than we've been. Um, juniors has been very consistent. That's the tealcolor. And then we we will see what happens with our upcoming summernumbers, but enrollment's going well. Uh, so as we looked at fee increases forexplorers for the upcoming school year, we're going to differentiate a littlebit between our K through five program, which we're proposing a 5% increase. Um,and then we're looking at a 10% increase for juniors. Um that program throughoutthe year runs as a full day care program open from 6:30 to 6. Uh we often haveadditional staffing needs as well for our younger students. Um and for our Kthrough five program we do receive levy funding through the state to support umour staff that support students with additional needs. And we are not able toum use that funding for our junior program. So, we're recommending 10% forjuniors and 5% for K through five. So, I will leave that for you guys to chatabout. >> Thank you very much. Uhboard members, any questions for the presenter? All right, we'll kick it off with amotion. Dan wants us to make a motion. >> Uh says so moved.>> All right. And that motion was to approve the proposed 2026 27 feeincreases of 5% for K through 5 and 10% for junior explorers. May we have asecond? >> Second,>> Megan. All right. Any discussion or questions? Dan,I just have one quick question about the registration fees. Do those fees if ifthe students enroll go toward their enrollment or are they just likeplaceholders? Uh, two answers. For K5, they just go towards um their enrollmentand our processing of that. With the juniors, they pay a little bit of ahigher fee. Um, 100 of it stays as a registration fee. The other $100 doesget applied to their first month's invoice when once they start theprogram. >> And there's is there help for parents ifthat's like an economic barrier for them?>> Yeah. So, um, county assistance is an option for families who qualify to havetheir child care, um, supported and so, um, that we do work with the county toaccept fees for payment for childare. >> Thank you.>> Yep. >> Any other discussion or questions? Wehave a motion in a second. All those in favor, please say I. I.>> Any opposed? The motion carries. Thank you.>> All right. Well, that concludes our presentation for the night. So, thanksso much. Thank you very much. Uh, next up we have approval of policy.Superintendent Law. >> Mr. Chair, members of the board, eachyear or each board meeting, excuse me, uh, policies may come forward for avariety of reasons, whether it be just a time for a timely review or statutorychange or feedback from within our system. Tonight, general counsel andexecutive director of human resources, Angie Flowers will run through policiesthat you've seen at the study session in November, but for a second reading andapproval. Miss Flowers. >> And board members, please note there isa carrying item on uh policy 429. So, make sure you refer to the right one.>> Thank you. >> Thank you, Superintendent Law. Goodevening, Mr. Chair and board members. The first policy you have before you ispolicy 719, nutrition services. And as discussed in the study session, thispolicy really reflects the changes that constitute that we provide freebreakfast and free lunch to our students. So we revised that language toshow meals instead of just lunch. And it also shows that that eligibility isstill in place even if the students have a balance on their account.So pretty minimal changes, but we did want to make those corrections and havethat transparency for families. >> Any questions?>> No. Should we take these one at a time? All right. Let's uh uh we'll have amotion to approve the revisions to policy 719.>> So moved. Camarie, we have a second. >> Second,>> Mike. Any discussion or questions?Oh, we have a motion and a second. All those in favor, please say I.>> I. I. >> Any opposed?>> And the motion carries. Miss Flowers. >> Thank you. The next policy 535assignment to schools. In this policy, we did quite a bit of language cleanup.Starting with the purpose. We revised that just to align more with our otherpolicy purpose statements that we have. We also went through and delineatedauthority of superintendent versus administrators to make that clearerum as it relates to school assignments. We clarified current practice aboutwhich middle school students will attend based on their homeschool and elementarypathway. We also added Tonka online as a school that students may be assigned tobecause it wasn't in existence when this policy was created.There's also some language added that reassignments may occur due toeducational or safety reasons. Again, getting some clarity there to reflectour current practice. And lastly, voluntary open enrollment.That language is stricken because it's outdated and we have the open enrollmentstatute. Any questions? >> All right. I'll uh entertain a motion toapprove the changes to policy 535 on assignment to schools.>> So moved. >> Sally. May I have a second?>> Second. >> Mike, any discussion or questions?Hearing none. We have a motion to second. All those in favor, please sayI. >> I. I any opposed? And that motioncarries. Miss Flowers. >> Thank you.The next policy is our conflict of interest policy 210. We are proposing tosunset um or of complete strikeout of the current policy and incorporate therevisions in policy 210 and sunset the nepotism policy because we incorporatednepotism into this conflict of interest policy. You'll see that this policy ismore comprehensive than our previous one. Um, it clearly provides districtpersonnel expectations for financial conflicts, gifts acting in the publicinterest, um, and more, including perceived conflicts of interest.we did retain the purchasing authority and vendor conflicts that were in theprevious version of this policy. So that we didn't want to lose that um criticalinformation. And we also noted the process forreporting conflicts to the Minnesota Department of Education which isrequired for school districts to have in their policy.Any questions on conflict of interest? I guess we'll entertain a motion toaccept the changes to policy 210 conflict of interest as along with theuh corresponding sunset of the nepism policy number 433.>> So moved. >> Dan, may I have a second?>> Second. >> Mike, any discussion or questions?There's a motion and a second. All those in favor, please say I. I.>> Any opposed? That motion carries. And that leaves policy 429.>> Thank you. Policy 429 leaves of absence. The firstchange you'll notice um that is different from the study session thatcame after some discussion is that we've stricken the title um the words in thetitle without pay authority to act. The without pay was causing some confusion.So, we wanted to clarify um so that our employees know that this is a leave ofabsence policy regardless if you're using your vacation time or sick time orbasic leave. So, just for clarity, you'll see that it the policy is nowleaves of absence. And throughout the body of the policy, without pay isstricken. Doesn't mean you can't take a leave of absence without pay, but wejust don't want to give the impression that that's the only type of leave.Another change you'll notice is that we struck out master agreement throughoutthis policy and replaced it with collective bargaining agreement. That'sa change that we made with all of our union partners. So that's a a correctionto reflect that. Moving on to concurrent leave. Um, wediscussed that at the study session that paid family and medical leave andMinnesota parenting and pregnancy leave along with FMLA that those things willrun concurrently as it is allowed in the statute.And many of these changes are a result of the new statute paid family leavethat is going into effect on January 1st of 2026. If you look at factors to be consideredin acting on a leave of absence, again following the statute, leave requestsfor paid family leave must be provided 30 days in advance if that isforeseeable. And for employee sick and safe time, notice must be provided atleast 7 days in advance if foreseeable. On the next page, you'll see that we umhave that we would like to have notification from employees if theirleave is intended for use to work for another employer or to pause employmentwith a district to go work elsewhere. We would like employees to notify us ofthat and have that discussion. And lastly, intermittent leave. Thatlanguage was proposed at the study session. You will not see that proposalin this policy and what that is is setting a limit on the minimum number ofhours that we would want employees to take for intermittent leave and we hadproposed 8 hours. Um given some confusion about what intermittent leaveis, we've been talking with all of our union partners and working with them tocome up with some language around that throughus. Any questions on leaves of absence?>> Board members, any questions? We'll get there. Um let's have a motionto approve the changes to policy 429. So moved.>> Megan, may I have a second?>> Second. >> Camry,any further discussion? Sally,>> I I just wanted to comment. Thank you very much for the additional work onthis and for reaching out to our union partners on on this to get theclarification. Um, really helpful. >> Thank you,>> Megan. Megan, >> um, I would just also like to add thatwe did talk about all these policies. um at the study session and we had most ofour questions and discussions there. So um so if you are talking aboutintermittent leave with the different bargaining units, does that mean it willcome back to us or is that going to be separate because it'll be encompassed bythe agreements? >> Yes, it'll be separate. It won't be inboard policy. It'll be individual agreements that we have with thebargaining units. And I'm taking from the comments that uhthat approach was was uh welcome and acceptable to the union partners.>> Yes. Yep. Lots of positive feedback on that.>> Okay. All right. Any further discussion? We have a motion and a second. All thosein favor, please say I. >> I.>> Any opposed? >> That motion carries.Thank you very much. >> Thank you.>> All right. Next item we have is uh authorization of sale of 2026A generalobligation school building bonds superintendent law.Mr. Chair, members of the board, here we go. The vote is approved. Our uh abilityto start some significant facility improvements tonight. That one of themajor steps in the process is to bond the money so we can start the process.Executive Director of Finance and Operations Paul Bourgeois will prop makethe first proposal to get that first trunch of money. Mr. Bourgeoa.Thank you, Superintendent Law Chair Leo Hatler and members of the board. Um,after the uh bond issue was approved, we put together a list of things that wewanted to check twice to see if there are things we could do to make them alittle more nice. And if you approve this, we'll have a little more interestcoming to town. Um, so the the uh what we did is we looked over I asked Bear tolook at uh our our bond design and we were able to come up with a kind of amodified bond design that actually achieves the same goals. I have a oneslide uh uh presentation that looks should look very familiar. It's the samepattern, the same layout, but by instead of doing a $5 million trunch and then a$50 million trunch in June, if we do them now, we'll actually earn anadditional $550,000 of interest earnings that can go towards construction.Uh, but it will not impact uh the the actual payment structure that wepresented to the pop to the public and uh maintain that zero no net taxincrease on our general obligation bonds. So, um the the bond uh off um thebond resolution before you uh actually replaces the the one from November uh13th where we were looking at doing that first 5 million. But again, we like Isaid, we looked it over and improved it. So, we'd ask you to approve thisresolution to allow us to uh actually issue $55 million worth of bonds in inthe single trunch with no no in no change to the tax impact as we um toldthe public would be the case. All right. I'll entertain a motion toapprove the authorizing resolution as prepared by Dorsy and Whitney.>> So moved. >> Mike, may I have a second?>> Second. >> Any discussion or questions?All right, we have a motion and a second. All those in favor, please sayI. >> I.>> Any opposed? That motion carries. >> Thank you.Next item up on our agenda is the adoption of 2025 payable 20 26 propertytax levy. Superintendent law. >> Mr. Chair, members of the board, at thestart of this meeting, we had a truth and taxation meeting uh where thedistrict's proposed property taxes for 2026 were shared and we entertained anycommunity members for public comment of which we had none. This is uh yourformal opportunity to approve this levy. Executive Director of Finance andOperations, Mr. Bishwa, will provide a summary.>> Uh, thank you, Superintendent Law, Chair Leo Howerin, members of the board. Uh,we are asking uh you to approve a final levy of 73,736,113.36 for the 25 pay 26 levy, which will helpfund fiscal year 27. Uh, this is a 5.09% 09% increase 3 or3,572,498.31 over the prior year amount of70,163,615. We've looked over this levy as part ofsetting the preliminary levy uh in um in study sessions and then in action andthen we've also uh reviewed this uh on on the updated levies with you. the umum upon approval of this, we have to uh notify Henipin County auditor and theCarver County Auditor and Minnesota Department of Education of the levy andthen they will take care of uh getting, you know, the uh tax bills out to thepopulace. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Bourgeoa. I wouldentertain uh someone making the recommended motion in your packet tocertify the 2025 payable 2026 levy in the amount of 73,736,113.36. >> So moved.>> Mike, may I have a [clears throat] second?>> Second. >> Dan,any discussion or questions? >> Hearing none, we have a motion tosecond. All those in favor, please say I. I.>> Any opposed? That motion carries. Superintendent Law. Our next item wehave approval of fiscal year 26 amended budget. Superintendent Law.>> Mr. Chair, members of the board, each June, public school districts in thestate of Minnesota must propose a budget for the upcoming school year. From Juneuntil October, November, there's a variety of adjustments that happen,whether it be related to pupil enrollment or state reimbursements orother state budgets. After that time, it's common for schooldistricts to propose an amended budget which will forecast future budget uhprocesses so we can be ready for next June's budget presentation. So tonight,executive director of finance and operations Paul Miris will propose,summarize, and propose approval of the amended budget. Mr. Bouris,>> thank you. Superintendent La Chair Leo Hard and members of the board. We'vegone over uh the amended budget with you for all the funds in detail. um I use aterm that we ground through them uh at our last study session. Uh but there area few people I checked and there are a few people streaming tonight. Uh so justa quick review of of the the key points of the general fund which is our largestfund. Um, I also just always have a slide in here just to note that it's the10th year of our additional operating referendum dollars and we don't have umany f we have well we've extended that level of of funding through 2020 uhthrough fiscal year 36 but uh we don't have the ability to raise more and we'vebeen trying for about 10 years. So um we will keep at that. Um, I'm going toactually just go through our our general operating fund.The general uh fund operating fund actually uh has our our generaleducation revenue is about 56 million I'm sorry $93 million and uh that isum excuse me that is the bulk of our funding. It's about 52% of our funding.the operating referendum for our pupils. Uh locally, uh it's just under $2,300per pupil, but it's about $28.5 million. We also have a $724 levy for localoptional revenue of $9 million. And then there's some federal very a very smallamount of federal of about 3.2 million and miscellaneous revenue about 5.6million. We have $38 million worth of categorical of which approximatelytwothirds of that is actually special education. And those are the percentagesthat you see there. again 53% for general operating uh general educationrevenue and 16 critical uh percent for the operating referendum and 5% forlocal optional revenue. Uh our amended budget for generaloperating fund expenditures are teacher salaries of uh 2002 126,157,000uh and then pair professional salaries of about 12,800,000.All other salaries and benefits are about 22.8 8 million. We have about $7.5million in purchase services, about um $6 million of supplies, $7.9 million intransportation, and uh small transfer to the arts center for their uh theoperation fund funds for that uh entity. Uh our teacher salaries are about 67% ofof all of our expenditures, and that's the way it should be. Uh we're here toteach students. And then pair professionals are about 7 and a half. Sowe're at about 74 to 75% every year of all of our general operating fundrevenues goes towards the personnel that spend the most time and they have themost direct contact with students. Then all other salaries and benefits areabout 13%. So we're about approximately 88% salaries and benefits. Um and sothere's um you we we run a very very tight ship so to speak.Uh this is a a a quick chart of of where we're looking at our general operatingfund long range projection revenues to extend expenditures. Uh there's a um forfiscal year 26 uh we are projecting $178.4 million in revenues, $174.5million of expenditures. That's about a $3.9 million surplus compared to theadopted budget. Uh we are up primarily because of some additional funding fromspecial education for this year higher than what was estimated.Uh then for fiscal year 27 uh we are looking at having a $3.6 million surplusbecause of additional students again and uh special education. Fiscal year 28which is the next bianium uh things start getting a little tighter. So wehave work to do. You can never solve a district's financial uh situation forthe long term. You always have to keep working it. But you keep um just keepkeep looking ahead and keep planning ahead and try to make those negativenumbers go away through careful planning and uh maybe with a little help from thelegislature having uh about additional revenue at some point in time [snorts]and uh um this is just a a variation of that and um uh showing uh uh where we'regoing to be at out for for the long term. So we do have some work to do in2829. Uh that's really all that I wanted to do as a summary. And so um uh withthat, um I'd like to ask you to consider approving the amended budget for fiscalyear 26. Uh and um then we will go forward and implement that and startgetting ready for fiscal 27. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Bourgeoa. I'd entertaina a motion to adopt the fiscal year 2026 uh general operating fund amended budgetand fiscal year 27 projected general operating fund budget.>> So moved. >> Uh Dan, may I have a second?>> Second. >> Murray.Any questions or discussion? We have heard quite a lot about these.Yes, Dan. >> Um yeah, Paul, thank you very much forthis. This is fantastic. Good news in the short term for 26 and 27. That givesus a little breathing room. And um like Paul mentioned, folks, uh this is anelection year coming up with our state senators and state representatives. Andlet's just make sure we let them know that public education needs to be fundedlike the priority it should be. You're here.Any other questions or discussion? All right, we have a motion and asecond. All those in favor, please say I. I.>> Any opposed? >> That motion carries.>> Thank you so much. >> Thank you, Mr. Bourgeoa.Next on the agenda, we have acceptance of fiscal year 25 audit. Superintendentlaw. >> Mr. Chair, members of the board, on anannual basis, all public school districts in the state of Minnesota uhgo through a process of having an outside agency audit all of the fundingto make sure they meet a variety of uh codes and accepted practices. Tonight,executive director of finance and operations Paul Bourgeois is going toinvite up our auditor who's going to run through our audit for FY25, which wasthe previous school year. Mr. Bourgeois, >> thank you. Superintendent Law, Chair LeoHowerin, and members of the board. We have with us tonight Lenny Pophagen, whois um partner, right?>> Partner with Clifton Larson Allen. So, we have the big guns tonight, but uh uhClifton Larson Allen has been our auditor for quite some time. uh severaldecades. They were uh with the district before I got here. Uh and we continuewith them. They've done a very excellent job for for you every year because theydo the audit for you to make sure that we're doing our job. Uh but uh they do avery meticulous audit. Uh and but we want them to do that. If we if we we'renot doing something correctly, we want to find out, make sure we do it rightthe next time. So, uh, they do a really good job at that and, uh, making surethat they're looking out for our taxpayers funds and making sure that we,you know, have every all the eyes dotted, te's cross, and the debits aredebits and credits are credits. And, um, so with that, I will just turn over toLenny and, um, for the rest of the presentation. Thank you.>> All right. Thank you very much. >> I'm Craig Copenhagen. So, um, principalon your, um, audit here, just, uh, appreciate having a few minutes. um ofyour time here this evening. Um just to run through um just the high highlightsof the audit. So uh we issued a clean opinion on thefinancial statements. So basically unmodified is kind of the the accountingjargon for that. Um but basically means we had no exceptionsum within the financial statements. So numbers are you know what you told usthe numbers were is what the numbers are from uh the testing and and work that wedo. Um we had uh just one finding on um internal controls is specific to anadjustment um that we found in the food service fund. So, um I know it seems alittle bit unusual that we have to write a finding on you know food service whichis a fairly small component relative to the to the general fund. Um the reasonfor that is like each column when you look through the audit book each columnhas its own kind of materiality and scope that goes with it. So um that'sthe only reason is that there was one adjustment that was you know material tothe food service fund. Um overall um you know $179,000 adjustment on $170 youknow million budget. Um so certainly you know the house is in order. I mean iswhat I what I would say. Um otherwise um statutory compliance was good. Um fundbalances are at a healthy level. um at seven un unrestricted or unassigned fundbalance for the general fund is at um 7.99% of the general fund budget. Umbasically you came out uh on budget. Um what you said you were going to do uhfor the general fund for 2425 is what you did. So um I guess I would alsointerject um another comment that certainly as as your auditors you knowwe're kind of that independent check on you know on the on the numbers and kindof your processes and controls around those numbers but also um you as adistrict um submit your financial statements, your audit report um to theAssociation of School Business Officials um every year and Um again for thiswould be for the 2324 audit a year ago. Um you did receive their certificate ofachievement for excellence in financial reporting. So we're one opinion on that.Um ASBO is is another. So that is now um 29 years in a row. So, um the 2425 auditin front of you this evening is going to be going in for that same umkind of program and and judgment again uh from ASBO. So, um we're going to gofor 30. Um why not, right? So, um let's see. Overall, just a I can't I can'ttalk about an audit without talking about some numbers, right? So, umanyway, um your unassigned fund balance, it's something to kind of keep an eyeon, but um you have a minimum kind of a policy to maintain a minimum there of 6%of your budget. Um again, you're at about 7.99over the 5year uh previous five years here. Um you have drawn that down. So,you're getting kind of close to the to the floor um for your policy. So justsomething to kind of uh keep in in mind. Um generally you're doing a good job ofusing you know kind of those restricted um sources of funding um as they come inas well. So that does help uh certainly preserve uh unrestricted fund balance.Um enrollment wise uh for 2425 pretty steady um with the previous year umalmost 11,300 students um enrolled um over the 10 years um that's been growthof about 1,100 over the 10-year uh period. Um but the last three yearsrelatively um stable. So um if you're budgeting foran additional uh 241 for next year, I hope you see that additional 241. Umthat would be a good um let's see sojust a little bit um you know kind of mill rate on um general education aid umit was an ad of about $143 per student uh for state aid which makes up asignificant uh source of your funding. Um the mix of funding between propertytaxes, state and federal, um has been pretty consistentum over the last five years. So property taxes uh in total. This is just you knoweverything all included um for the general fund umabout um maybe a third um state funding 2/3 um federal funding about 6%. Sorelatively small portion of uh federal program funding. Um the formula goingforward is changing. So um basically your state uh mill rate um generaleducation aid is going to be indexed to inflation now. So I don't know whetherthat'll be a good thing or a bad thing. I we'll have to kind of see how thatplays out. But um index to um the CPI index uh up to a maximum of 3% annualincrease. So we'll see how that plays out um going forward.Um fund balances are pretty good. Um you did have a build in restricted uh fundbalances. So those increased um about a million dollars uh roughly doubled umover the previous year. Most of that though is um capital related. So as yourcapital uses kind of come and go uh depending on what you're budgeting foryour capital budget um you'll certainly make use of those. Otherwise uminstruction related uh restrictions you're pretty much using uh those asthey come in. Um just a couple quick notes on uh otherfunds. So the food service fund um basically had a break even year umin the previous five you know it's had either been break even or a little bitpositive. Main thing there is um that it is supporting itself. It's not taking umrequiring any subsidies from other funds like the general fund. So um you alwayslike to see the food service fund be kind of self-supporting.um the last couple years um with the um basically meals being made free um toall students um and that's through the Minnesota legislature. um the lastcouple years um the federal portion um picks up um a portion of the co of thecost of providing meals to students and then um the state of Minnesota picked upthe difference. So really there's no out of out of pocket costs um for meals tothe students um except if they get you know alle cart or purchase alle cartseparately. So, um it's been good um for the meal program. It's certainly drivenup participation. So, for example, like 5 years ago, thenumber of meals um total meals served in the food service program was 617,000.Uh the 2425 years 1.4 million. So, um pretty enormous growth there andinterest in participation, which is great to see. um community service fundmuch the same story as far as being self-supporting. So umgenerated a positive bottom line of $550,000last year um on a topline revenue of 16.7 million. So again, it is umsupporting itself um which is what you want to see also um with community edgeprograms or community service is that they're not taking funds away from theclassroom or um the general fund either. So um self-supporting not requiring anysubsidy um in that regard. So just a a couple closing commentsthen. Um if you look at total cost of say education. So, you know, when Paulwas talking about all of the funds, you know, um in the budget um discussionpreviously, if you if you look at all the all the funds in the budget and allthe costs in each of those funds, um the cost of educationum that Minnotonka Public Schools is spending on a per student basis is$21,384 per student. um if you just kind of dothe do the math on it. So just lift total expenses right out of yourfinancial statements and divide by your enrollment number. Um that's what itworks out to be. Um comparatively um all districts in the state if we didthe same thing um came in at about $21,800.So a little bit higher than yours. Um if we looked in the 7ount metro is 22,900almost 23,000. Um and then um another stat from thestatewide um enrollment uh districts with students enrolled at 4,000 or morestudents uh 22,130. Solong story short, um you're educating kids at about um $800 less cost uhrelative to kind of some of your your neighbors or other districts in thestate. Um the last thing I will just mentionum is that with the with this year's financial statements um there was a newaccounting standard that did take effect um around uh the recording ofliabilities for compensated absences. So um that liability is um you know thinkof it as vacation pay, sick leave, um severance, anything like that. So umthat was a with that accounting standard was achange in measurement. So basically you have to go you know employee by employeeand what leave is each does each employee have depending on you know arethey in a bargain bargaining unit which bargain bargaining unit are they in. Umso um you did engage an outside actuary to kind of help you with that umestimate. um but that was reflected in the financial statements this year. Sothat was kind of the change you know over the previous year's audit uh wasjust that new standard which was required a change in measurement. Sootherwise um consistent apples to apples other thanthat that one change. Uh Mr. Chair that is the extent of the comments I hadprepared to make and I'll turn it back to you. Thank you very much. Uh I'llfirst entertain a motion to uh that the school board accept the fiscal year 2025audit and direct administration to file it with the Minnesota Department ofEducation. >> So moved.>> Sally, may I have a second? >> Second.>> Mike, any questions for our presenter? Dan.First, uh thank you folks for this and for all the good work. It's nice to seea clean opinion again. I do have one question related to the unassigned fundbalance um percentage and and it's sort of a discrepancy between the amendedbudget we were looking at earlier and what's um stated here in the report. Areyou folks calculating that based on the EUAR's general fund? And so our but ourschool district policy 703 that seems to pertain to just ourgeneral operating fund budget. Is that what accounts for the discrepancy? Ijust want to make sure we're we're measuring the right 6%.>> Mr. Bourju >> in in the audit is it's alwayscalculated uh on the overall general fund. So that's with the one slide I hadwhere it's our general operating fund plus all those other sub funds that wehave slide slid in and then we talk about our operating fund for operations.That's what is in the the report that I just that we just did. So that's whereon for that particular fund it's about 13%. So we're not trying to save 6% onlike our capital projects for technology fund. We just try to keep it balancedand any other one is for example we have an operating capital fund where thatwill get down to uh less than 6% on its own. So the thing is is the um theamount that we've always managed to uh is the general fund and if thegeneral fund is the general operating fund and if the general operating fundis where it needs to be then from a UAR's basis in this audit it will beabove 6%. Right. Yeah. So, I think that's justjust a a point of clarification for the future. Maybe if if we're measuring thethe district's general fund operating budget, which we are to ju just so wesee apples to apples on that in the futureif possible. >> Sure.>> Thanks. >> Okay. Any other questions or comments?Uh Megan, >> um thank you. uh way back on page one,can you explain just what that means when it says there was an item ofnon-compliance with legal subcontractor payment or something? Yeah. So that oneum that was so with the statutory compliance um one of the elements thatwe have to look at is like if you're um bidding out on contracts forconstruction activities and um so we looked at a couple um remodelingcontract and the HVAC contract. So, one of the stipulations is umthat um there's a clause that you're required to put into your contractsum with contractors that if they go out and subcontract that they're going to umbasically um pay interest or whatever, you know,in the event that they don't get paid timely or what have you. So,but >> thank you for clarifying.>> Minor technicality there. So, if we didn't have to go look for it, wewouldn't. But, >> okay. Any other questions or comments?All right. We have a motion in a second. All those in favor, please say I.>> I. >> I.>> Any opposed? >> The motion carries.>> All right. >> Thank you very much.Next up on our agenda, we have the approval of 2026 legislative positionstatements. Superintendent Law. >> Mr. Chair, members of the board, at ourlast study session, we saw a preview of three different financialrecommendations that we might bring to the legislature this session to help usaddress that fiscal cliff that we hit in FY28 and beyond. You had a chance topreview those. Tonight, Mr. Mr. Bourgeois is going to walk through thoseand determine if this is the right time to approve those statements. Mr.Bourgeois. >> Thank you, Superintendent Law, uh, ChairLeo Howerin, and members of the board. Uh, these are the fin proposed financialplanks for, uh, the district's legislative position statements. Um,there's been years when we've had other planks that have come from other partsof the district, um, that are included overall. Uh, these are financial ones.There's always financial ones. Uh just like with AMSD or MASBO, I sit on theMASBO legislative committee and actually help write the financial planks for thatorganization. Um we also have some other policy planks there uh that arestatewide things. But um I'm just going to do a quick update on the importanceof of a couple of these planks to us as far as fiscal year 28 uh is concerned.And the reason it's so important is uh for a couple of our proposals if wedon't get legislative action in well we need to get legislative action in the2026 legislature because the proposals would need to be included in the 26 pay27 levy which funds fiscal year 28. So there's there's a little bit there'sthere's some urgency on this and we've uh had some urgency a few years ago uhand actually still do with the overall operating referendum cap and uh uh wewere unsuccessful after 10 years of lobbying trying to get that raised. Sowe have gone through a you know two years of $8 million worth of budgetreductions cumulative. So uh we're stable for the next couple of years butwe have some challenges coming up. One of the things is on December 4th, thestate actually uh issued their uh November projection for uh the rest ofthis bianium, but then also the 20 uh 829 bianium. And so I I' I read throughthat and um we actually talked about this at at uh finance advisory uh thisum uh this past week and uh uh if you recall in February they were projectingalmost a $10 billion deficit for the 2829 bianium. It's it's much better butit's still very significant. And um but I have I went back and I just trackedyou know what why the state is is looking at such a such a problem forthat bianium and um so I I pulled some numbers off of the u the management andbudget uh annual November projections one for 23 because what uh in the fiscalyear 22 23 bianium the state overall spent about 51.9billion but then for the 2425 bianium they budgeted about 69 billion which isabout 33% increase and they've been able to carry that through you recall youknow the 17 billion surplus and all and I think they've been spending some of ityou know utilizing that so they've been able to carry it through uh the uh the206 27 bianium which is what we're in right now uh but then carrying forwardthose expenditures would rise to 73.22 billion and those according to theprojection from management budget and and the revenues are are not there tosupport that level. So, uh this is a chart right out of the management andbudget uh uh presentation from December 4th and uh the the the key numbers areon the far right hand side, but you can see how they try to have some closingbalance. They try to have kind of like the equivalent of our of our unassignedfund balance. They try to have something left at the end. And so they're showinghow they're they're basically spending down some of that in fiscal year 27.uh and uh and they're still having a a projected service, but they're sayingit's about a 2.2 billion structural imbalance and then that's going tocascade and basically double to about 4.2 billion, which is kind of the wayexpenditures work if you're short one year and then it it actually doubles.Another layer comes on top of that or below that in the next year. And um sothey're looking at about a $4.5 billion uh deficit. Uh without um uh withoutinflation uh if they actually fund inflation increases, it'd be about a$5.4 billion deficit. So uh a lot better than it was in February, but still stillvery significant, still very concerning. So and the thing is is they're not goingto they are not going to just reduce to zero to have it come out at zero at theend of 208 29. They always want to keep some reserves. So, they're probablygoing to try to continue to keep funding a chunk of that reserve. So, more thanlikely the full 5.4 billion uh is is going or or 4.5 billion depending howhow they do it. Although, if they don't fund inflation, we have to cut forinflation or you know, and everybody in the state does. But, um the you know,unless the economy really would take off and generate a lot of revenue, there'sgoing to be some significant budget reductions. uh they already have uh inin the last legislative session, the legislature uh set up a com uh acommittee to study special education and their target was to come up with $250million of savings for the 2829 bienium. And but if they were unable to come upwith those savings, then uh an automatic uh reduction of $250 million in the uhspecial education cross subsidy revenue was going to take effect. And for us,that would be about 1.6 6 million per year, 3.2 million over the bianium, ourshare of the 250 million. So, uh there's there's some uh there's some stormclouds on the horizon in that regard. I I use a metaphor. It's kind of like ifyou can be on the beach in Florida on a nice day, but the hurricane is out tosea, but it's heading that way. So, you have a good day at the beach, but youhave to be ready. Um a little bit of background on our school district,though, because uh it kind of goes to uh how uh uh Mr. Poppenhagen mentionedabout how we're spending less than other school districts and overall we'respending less when you include all the capital accounts, but when you includejust the operating accounts, it's actually even uh even more strident uhin terms of the different uh the difference. The average Minnesota schooldistrict gets $2,194 more per pupil in state aid thanMinnotonka. 21% more. And uh so the average Minnesota district on the latestcomparative data, which is fiscal 24 because fiscal 25 just is getting closedand they haven't calculated all this yet, but it was $12,448per pupil for the average Minnesota district and we were at 10,254.If you took all the school districts and stack them up uh with the one gettingthe most 80 per pupil at the top is number one and the one with the least is329, we're 320th out of 29. So, we are down down at the bottom. And that gaphas been growing. A decade ago, um the the average Minnesota school districtreceived $1,287 more per pupil than us, about 16%. Backthen, it was $9,114 per pupil and uh $7,827 for Minnetonka ISD276. So, we'vebeen below and and it's a significant gap, but that gap is is um is reallyit's significant. you know, $2,194 per pupil is equivalent about $27 million.And so our proposals are asking not for $27 million, but they're asking to letus handle locally uh at least a portion of that so that wecan keep breaking even going forward. So, the first proposed plank um we'veactually uh we had a we had a rough draft at the September finance advisorycommittee meeting and we had an review of a a second draft at the October VI uhfinance advisory committee meeting. Um so, uh would be to increase localoptional revenue by $255 per pupil. And um the funding on this has been frozenfor a decade. It would benefit all districts. An interesting aspect aboutthis is our district, we were the first ones to propose this and then it waspicked up and AMD AMSD has really carried the torch and we've gotten Mazboto also carry the torch, but we were the first district to actually hone in onthis one and put it into our plank. Uh, and that that generated a lot of buzz umwhen we did that and other districts have picked it up because it just seemsto make a lot of sense. Uh, we just hasn't got gotten through thelegislature yet. Uh the proposal for this would be a third tier with no stateequalization, so local control. A local entity could decide to levy it or decidenot. If this would go through, uh we would pick up about $3.2 millionannually. Uh and that would go a long way towards balancing the next couple oftwo to three years. The second proposal is to restore $300per pupil and operate operating referum cap that was taken away from MinnotonkaISD 276 and a handful of other districts in 2019.uh back other school districts in 2019 received $300 of new money fromsomething called local op from local optional revenue which is actually atwo-tiered formula and the two-tiered formulauh the second tier was $300 in 2019 and forus they took money off of our operating referendum and they put it in this othercategory and they said and well you don't have to and it's a permanentdollar amount but they're saying and so you so like the benefit is well youdon't have to go back to the voter for that. Well, our voters would wouldprobably support it, but the thing is is uh neither does any other district, butother almost every other district got $300 per pupil of new money and we gotzero. Now, and what was unique about that was when they did the initial $424.They did the same shifting like that, but they left the operating firm cap$424 higher. This was in 2014 on the original chunk of local optionalrevenue. and we were able to go back to the voters for the for and ask them forthe additional dollars in 2015. And so we actually still had to ask, but we gotadditional dollars out of that one as a result. But the second time we we got wegot zero. Uh and so actually if we were able to have the operating referendumcap increased um the you know the amount that was taken away in 2019, if theywould just put that back on and let us ask that would be about $3.8 millionannually. And then the last one we have here is um uh we've we've been askingfor a number of years and so have other districts just trying to increase aspecial education cross subsidy. Uh it has gone up uh uh as part uh for thelast several years actually. And so it is scheduled to go up by uh by 6% to50%. Uh this would just be an ask of an additional 4% to 54. Uh so you know anadditional 10% increase. That additional 4% would be about $500,000 annually.But uh um so these are proposed planks for uh for for the financial aspects ofthe district and um so we if if these are approved as to be part of theplatform uh we then you know work with case to go lobby on that. Uh the otherthing I I want to make a mention of is uh typically um and my area has has beenres responsible for suggesting because that's what we do. We suggest it's yourplatform. Um my area has been responsible to come up with uh suggesteddollar amounts out of different funding form funding formulas uh that might helpus uh and those are put forward for for discussion and and approval. Uh it at atdifferent times we've had other platform planks over the years not that often butwe've had platform planks on some policy things too. So there's been times whenthere's been other things other aspects of it. Um the other other item I justwant to mention is this year um with this with the referendum going on um andalso a later start because it's an off year uh case has not met. So we haven'tactually met with case yet. Uh we've had discussions uh uh internally abouthaving to get that you know working on that and getting that going. Uh but thatwe have time to actually get that process going because the legislaturedoesn't start in mid January this year. It starts in midFebruary and the thereferendum is in the rearview mirror. So, uh, the, uh, uh, people who areinvolved with case, I'm sure, are getting ready to spin that up. Uh, sowith that, um, just be glad to answer any questions you may have.>> Board members, questions, comments, Sally.>> Thank you very much. Um so as you mentioned we did get a chance to reviewthis um as a board at the November study session and I appreciate you startingoff by um explaining too that the proposal here really is the proposedfinancial planks because to your point we actually haven't convened the casegroup yet uh which is our community action for student education group ourlobbying group which has been so robust over you know really really growing inleaps and bounds over the last couple of years that uh given that as Dan pointedout it is an election year um given that you know there there are things loomingthat we really need to lean in on um and I think the opportunity with thatcommunity engagement growing so rapidly. I really would like for that group tohave an opportunity to consider not just the financial planks but anything elsethat we might want to bring to the legislators and and really how it's allframed. Um I think what I'm really getting at here is that our casecommittee members which numbered about a hundred last year which is remarkable.I'd like to think those are the people who are watching the live stream by theway. They're all so eager for this. um that I want them to really feel a senseof engagement with with our policy positions. And so I'm just wondering umas I was reading the board packet for tonight's meeting, it you know, thatcaught my attention again. I'm like, oh yes, you know, case should really beengaged in helping to prepare this platform. Um and so just wondering ulike to hear from other board members too their thoughts on that but justfeeling like I have no qualms with what's in this proposal um from afinancial perspective but is this our public facing um platform statement oris there opportunity for us to perhaps you know uh make it even more powerfuland engaging for both our community members and for the legislators.So, >> so that's more of a comment than it is aquestion, but >> All right. Uh, Dan,>> I um, for the most part, I concur. I think it merits running this throughcase because if we're going to try to get together with our legislators andpresent this to them. We want to get this finalized with case first and thenget them in front of get these in front of case so everyone's on the same pagewhen we go do talk and do make our ass to the legislature. And and I'm alsocurious like if there's any political appetite orrealistic possibility like the the automatic $250 milliondollars in cuts that are coming to sped that we've already priced in to 28 and29. Like is that something that we could lobby the legislature to strike fromtheir budgetary plans and make an appeal to say, "Hey, don't be cutting specialeducation funding because that doesn't just affect us." That affects uh a lotof school districts around the state in the metro. So, and then I've I've alwaysbeen curious like the way local optional revenue has lost purchasing power overtime because it remains flat. I know there's like what a dozen or more othertiny little amounts that we get that have been implemented like decades agothat have remained flat. And I'm just curious if we might like>> throw all those at them and say, "Hey, the these are these are a bunch of otherallocations you made 20 years ago that you've continued to not fund withinflation." [snorts] Just throwing it out there. >> Yeah, Megan.>> Um I have both a comment and a question. I'll start with the comment. Um I justvisually compared to previous legislative positions, I feel like thisis um very digestible. So I just wanted to commend that. Like I think thebulleted versus full sentences is easier for people to take in. I like that it'sbroken. It's like visually here's this here's the thing we want in blue. Here'swhy. And so I like the organization. So thank you for that. Um, my question is,so if the legislature is not convening until February, do we need to have thisapproved now or could we take it back to case and kind of get that input beforeapproving it? >> Superintend it would need to be approved tonight.The the these like I I hear concurrence about these are the likely financialplanks and this session will go even if it's not ready at the beginning. the thetiming of it would be early in January that the board members that lead thecase committee and we we can do some sort of gathering to put this in frontof them and see if there's any additional ideas and this couldcertainly be approved. Um the problem is it won't be approved the first meetingin January because case wouldn't have met by then and committee assignmentswouldn't have been formalized. So, it could be approved uh at the secondmeeting in January in a special session or even uh it could it could be ready togo and we could start talking about it and could be approved the first time inFebruary. Um with the understanding that we'd be talking about it and it wouldn'thave formal board approval. That's just the nothing would prevent that fromhappening. I as you know uh board member Brown sits on the AMSD legislativeplatform. These priorities have all been sort of run through AMSD and uh MASBOschool business officials. So other people will be advocating for thesethings too. We can certainly run it through our local committee and thenbring it back for approval. >> I think it makes sense to have the havecases uh weigh in. [snorts] um that that means it won't if we are deferring thisto uh a meeting in January or February, that means it won't be for me to vote onit. But I will uh I will simply remind the board and the new board members whowill be there next time that we're the only ones who are elected by ourcommunity to represent the school district. case is a fantastic committeeof volunteers and has done excellent work over the past years. But at the endof the day, it is our obligation to engage them, take their input, and makeour own determinations about what the what the right platform is goingforward. I think there's a difference between the platform we approve and howwe present that uh in legislative conversations. Um I think you know wehave planks that then we need to communicate. But um having said all ofthat, never bet against me to talk too much. But um I think uh I think it makesgood sense since we have such an engaged committee to get their get their buy inand uh their input and if we have new ideas like Dan threw out two just now.though. I think I think what I'm hearing is we might uh defer this until um maybea special meeting in middle January just to give ourselves time to work throughit and be ready. Thoughts about that? >> Um I would agree with that. I I don'tknow. Do we have to then do like a motion to do anything since it's up forapproval or can we >> There's no motion before us. we couldjust >> okay>> uh defer to just table it for the next uh session and if we're ready by specialsession or by a special meeting time in January that'd be my suggestion to giveourselves time to roll it out to legislators before the mid start ofsession >> that would be January 22nd is the dateof that proposed meeting >> okay>> I think that'd be preferable than waiting until the February meeting weyeah Sally >> yeah I just wanted to say thank you forfor all of this conversation very helpful to me. I appreciate it and umthis sounds to me like the right thing to do. I also want to thank you for allthe work that has gone into this because it certainly sounds like this is ourfoundation at any rate. Um but it feels like the evolution of a great thing thatwe're building with our committees both the finance advisory and case andfrankly our um students from Vantage Public Policy who have been weighing inon things. So it it feels like giving a little bit of time is the right thing todo. All right. So, procedurally, do we needto move to table or we just take it off of there? >> We'll just say we're deferring this forfuture action. >> Right. It it is tabled.>> Yeah. Okay. >> For future.>> Thank you. >> All right. Next on our agenda, we havethe consent agenda. May I have a motion to adopt the consent agenda?>> So moved. >> Megan, may I have a second?>> Second. >> Mike. All those in favor, please say I.>> I. >> Any opposed? The motion carries. Next,we have board reports. Any board reports?>> Dan and Paul kind of touched on finance committee already. We talked a lot aboutwe we've seen the audits and the amended budgets and a lot what we talked abouttonight, the uh legislative position statements. Um, we had some gooddiscussion about the the fund balance and what that's looking like goingforward and that we're comfortable now and we're just need to prepare forfiscal 28 and see what happens with the legislature and again that's just apitch for people to join the case committee and and advocate for publiceducation funding. Um, and uh we were looking at some of the other other fundbalances and some of our other funds and just had some good conversations aboutsome healthy balances and what might be possible there. So, [snorts]>> thank you. >> Thank you,>> uh, Key. >> Yes, for um, the Minnotonka PublicSchools Foundation, I have a couple of updates. Uh, the teacher grant programapplications are now open until February 17th. They are scheduling site visits atall of the schools to inform the educators about the opportunity andapplication process. And then, Dream Makers 2026, put this on your calendar.It's been new and improved at a different location. Um, I think it'sgoing to be really a unique event this year and it's prom through the decades.So, get out your powder blue tuxedos, Dr. Law. Um, and it's going to be at theclub at Golden Valley Country Club on February the 21st, 2026. And this isjust a really important event for everybody who's involved in thedistrict, parents, students, teachers. Um, every every dollar that is raisedgoes touches every student in the district. So, it's just a very veryimportant event. Um, let's see, $1.6 million in grants awarded since theprogram's inception. So, and then just for Minnitankka Preschool, I wanted tohighlight again what I heard tonight that there's an open house on Januarythe 31st for Minnotonka Preschool. That's it.>> Thank you. Any other board reports?>> Superintendent report, Mr. Chair. [clears throat] Uh, first ofall, I want to um let you know that our freshman student school board membersjoined us this month and they will be rotating through. We're at this point inthe year where every upper classman, sophomore, juniors, and seniors hasattended at least one board meeting. Some on their second cycle. Zayn, it'sgood to see you again. I think um I do want to say that the board me the theseattendees tonight knew this would be a very lengthy heavy uh agenda and stillchose to come. And I would offer just a minute if either of you have any anyinsights following tonight's meeting. There's not a requirement but there's anopportunity. No,>> I feel like you guys touched upon everything really well. You know, I feltreally captivated despite how long it was. So,>> thank you. >> Thank you both. Uh, we are we arekicking off winter seasons. I I I heard tonight one of our student school boardmembers traded with Zayn so he could go to the home opening basketball game.Zayn, he owes you for that. Um, but also it's concert season and uh we're just aweek away from winter break and uh some very enthusiastic students werecommunicating with me about their concerns about safety getting to andfrom school this week. appreciate those students being so concerned about theirpeers. Weather decisions are made about what the roads will be like from about6:00 until 9:00 in the morning and again from 2:00 to 5:00 at night. And we willcommunicate the minute anything comes up that would prohibit that. With that, I'mdone. >> Okay. Announcements. I have an announcement. Tonight is mylast official board meeting in front of you and on this uh platform. So I amgoing to pretend that it's announcement to thank some people for their work overthe last four years particularly uh superintendent law all of the staff atthe district service center um and all of the cabinet members a shout out to uhMr. Bourgeoa for his Christmas themed tie and Christmas themed remarksearlier. We appreciate you and all of your work and the entire cabinet's work.And I also want to especially recognize Carrie Volos who does Yman's work uh dayin day out for the district supporting superintendent law supporting the restof the staff and those of us up here. I think um you and uh superintendent havemade me a better board member and chair and I really appreciate your friendlypresence and friendship. So thank you very much Carrie. Um, and then lastly,uh, I want to thank my fellow board members and all the board members whoweren't here tonight, including board member Chris Vitali and the boardmembers I served with previously. They also did a lot to help me be a betterboard member. And I'm particularly proud that this has become a board that isknown to work together well. And uh as you saw tonight, we like to address uhtransparently and openly the issues that are before us and we might not alwaysdisagree, but uh we we try to go forward together after we hear it out. So I'mgrateful for that and I'm grateful for all of you. And with that, I wouldentertain a motion to adjurnn. >> So moved.>> Camarie, may I have a second? Second,>> Megan. All those in favor, please say I. I.>> Any opposed? We're adjourned.