[4:26] evening everyone it is March Monday March 4th and we have a quorum so I will call this meeting to order um our first [4:33] agenda item is approval of our agenda do I have a motion to approve tonight's agenda so moved do I have a second [4:40] second all those in favor of approving tonight's agenda say I I anyone [4:45] opposed tonight's agenda is approved um our um Dr Stanley would you please [4:51] review tonight's agenda for us yes I will so um we are going to acknowledge [4:57] some individuals who are representing Excellence we're going to hear from the public you have your consent agenda for [5:04] discussion we have international travel uh our unified transition project search [5:11] um an update around our cpss efforts uh specifically [5:16] Dei um for action oh and then we have some policies for Action we have our [5:23] American Indian resolution we have our FY 2025 cost [5:29] containment recommendations people Transportation vehicle purchase and [5:35] policies for approval we will have leadership and committee updates and my [5:41] updates thank you Dr Stanley um now for excellence in action I'm going to turn [5:47] it back over to Dr Stanley yes so we just want to acknowledge some individuals there demonstrating [5:53] excellence in our system this comes from a parent from Southview Middle School [5:59] she says hi Dr Stanley I want to let you know that our son is truly thriving at [6:04] Southview middle school he seems to really have found his people the administrators are incredible and we [6:11] truly feel like we've gotten our son back he's excited to get to school every day and is bouncing off the walls when [6:17] he comes home particularly Julie cron who is the administrative Dean there is [6:24] one of the incredible administrators there and anytime we need information records [6:30] just someone to check in she has made herself available in the spirit of allowing the winds to be as loud as the [6:37] challenges I want to celebrate the school and Julie thanks for all you're doing in the district Southview Middle [6:44] School Parent I know let's clap for snaps for [6:51] J and then this comes from a creek Valley Parent hello I wanted to send a [6:56] quick note of appreciation my second grade has really enjoyed recess this year he [7:02] plays football with a with a group of kids and like most elementary kids playing together organizing football can [7:09] sometimes come with small disagreements and from time to time small disagreements from time to [7:16] time but uh our child talks about Andre the [7:23] recess supervisor so Andre works for Community Education he says that Andre helps [7:29] things run smoothly and that Andre even plays with the kids sometimes our family is grateful for Andre and the work he [7:36] does each day at Creek Valley please extend our gratitude for his service recess and play is important and Andre [7:44] is helping to make that happen each day on the playground thanks Creek Valley [7:51] Parent snaps for Andre and that's what I have this week [7:58] thank you very much Dr Stanley we're now going to move to hearings for members of the public um and before we get started [8:05] um I just wanted to welcome people for being here tonight um in order for our community comment agenda items to serve [8:11] all including the public that is here to speak it import it's important that individuals understand the process [8:17] tonight and our expectation of those at the podium and in the audience when you [8:22] signed in and ask to speak you acknowledge an understanding and adherence to board policy 206 which our [8:28] community comment guidelines pursuant to this policy each speaker has a maximum of 3 minutes to speak when those 3 [8:35] minutes are up you must conclude your remarks if you do not wrap up quickly I will ask you to stop if you continue to [8:42] speak you will be ruled out of order and potentially asked to leave the boardroom this time is not designated to address [8:48] items of specific of concern about specific staff or students and personal [8:53] attacks by anyone at the podium are unacceptable if this happens you will be warned and if you persist you will will [8:59] no longer be able to continue your remarks any feedback about District employees needs to go to their [9:05] respective site level leader the superintendent or be submitted to the board in writing we ask that audience [9:10] members listen attentively but do not interrupt applaud or disrupt the meeting in any way it is important to us that [9:17] this space continues to be one of order inclusion and respect and we are all responsible for doing our part to [9:23] maintain that environment while the public comment period during our board meetings is an [9:29] important function and serves as a vehicle for our board and Community to hear stakeholders concerns our board is [9:35] also here to accomplish the important work of our district board policy 203 provides guidance for how our board [9:42] meetings will operate and states that a regular board meetings must end by 10 p.m. as such as announced to the public [9:49] in January public comment period will be limited to 15 individuals per our [9:54] updated protocols the school board will give first priority to Edina Public School student students individuals who [10:00] have children attending the district or individuals who are employed by the district the school board will [10:06] give second priority to individuals who wish to address a specific item that is on the agenda for that meeting if your [10:13] form that was not filled out completely you are not eligible to be called to speak all efforts have been made to [10:20] ensure multiple viewpoints are expressed multiple individuals expressing the same Viewpoint or multiple people from the [10:26] same organization should consider consolidating their remarks if you are not chosen to speak your voice is not [10:33] any less important to us so please consider sending us an email at Schoolboard edos schools.org or coming [10:40] to the next um Regular board meeting finally during the public comment period [10:45] our role as a board is to listen but this is not the place for the board to resolve any concerns and as such no [10:51] comments will be made from the board issues will potentially be referred to the superintendent for appropriate [10:57] followup Thank you very much for your cooperation um our first uh speaker [11:03] tonight is Michelle [11:22] shanes sorry microphone on the M hello um as a parent of three students [11:30] in the D School District I just wanted to express my support for the Specialists Paris special ed and talent [11:38] development staff that plays such an important role for our students I thank [11:43] the board for your work and will yield back my time thank you very [11:50] much our next um speaker is Emily [11:57] Beerman is Emily Beerman here [12:02] okay um our next speaker is U mun [12:19] wasw hello um is this loud enough um I'm here for one simple reason and I think [12:25] judging by the audience you know why I'm here I'm here to ask staff when are you [12:30] going to apologize we have showed up to every single meeting I know that we've [12:35] called and I know that we've emailed and we have yet to seen a single apology for the suspension of students simply [12:42] practicing their freedom of speech so I am here today to not beat around the bush we are going to keep showing up [12:49] until you say something you can look at me and you can have condescension but we don't care because we are not going to [12:55] stop how dare you allow your students to not only be harassed by the staff but be [13:01] harassed by the students you have refused to investigate your own staff you have refused to say anything how [13:09] dare you you think you can hide behind this Podium and look down on us but you [13:14] cannot silence us we are here because I'm not here to [13:20] convince you to be Pro Palestinian even though this genocide is going on I am here to say that freedom of speech [13:26] prevails and from the river to the Sea is not hate speech it is not hate speech [13:32] it is calling for the liberation of my people we should all be standing for Liberation how dare you bring up native [13:39] lives and the the land that was stolen when you continue to punish those who do [13:44] not want history to be repeated how dare you what more is it going to take please [13:50] tell me what do you want our people to do we have showed up we wear our flags [13:56] and we have banners and we call and we email well guess what you're not listening so just tell me what more do [14:04] you want that is all I'm asking that is all I'm asking please tell me Erica do [14:11] you want to tell me Miss Erica Karen Stacy Elliot what do you want from us we have [14:17] Aina alumni here who have also attended the school and I know for a fact that in [14:23] your classes you teach about Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr people who stood Against Racism yet here you are [14:29] doing the opposite of what they stood for how dare you bring up what happened to the natives on this land yet you [14:36] punish those who simply wanted to speak out for my people that is what we're [14:41] here for and if you're going to turn me away and read off some lousy rule sheet and [14:48] some condescending sheet about listen to this and listen to that but don't say this but don't say that well guess what [14:54] it's very clear that you've all become cowards you've become cowards you've become cowards all of you in this room [15:00] can sit back when this is done and have a coffee and laugh and say look at that angry Arab girl well I don't care I'm [15:07] going to say it once and I'll say it again from the river to the Sea Palestine will be [15:14] [Music] [15:22] [Applause] free can you please [15:30] apolog schol you you [15:35] apologize [15:48] schiz apolog you better [15:57] apologize [16:03] [Music] [16:27] Rec [43:47] we were here he knows we're peaceful that's why he ain't doing [43:55] anything [45:11] comment do you want to hear my [45:24] comments [45:38] hold on look folks this is the thing we are now in active [45:47] litigation we have an OCR suit we no longer can say anything [45:56] until we are out of active [46:02] litigation AC litigation we're going to be here every meeting and you're not going to have your meeting till we get a [46:08] conclusion just drop the suspension ma'am I called your number I know Stacy sty superintendent I've called you [46:14] you've not picked up a single voice message I probably called over aund times where was your call back I know it [46:20] was ignoring all of your staff from Erica to Stacy to John to Jim all of you have been called there's been no public [46:27] comment so honestly save it just save it yes [46:32] [Applause] drop so we are about to come out and we are really hoping that you're [46:40] going to be peaceful drop and you are going that's great okay we are hoping [46:48] that you're not going to be disruptive and be silent so that we can [46:55] move forward W with our meeting yeah can on can I say something that's [47:02] exactly what we did two months I was just telling everyone I sat and again we [47:08] are in active litigation and we cannot do anything anything as related to any [47:15] of your demands until we are finished with [47:21] litigation can can I finish I let let youall talk I let yall talk I'm going to [47:28] finish thank you we did everything you guys are asking us to do you said hold [47:33] on you said don't disrupt okay listen I can do you want me to show you my phone logs we all called we emailed I sat at [47:40] this desk right here and I gave you guys a speech two months ago before the litigation was opened up so don't even [47:46] give me this that oh it's about litigation because way before y'all had months this been going on since October [47:51] we've been calling for months we've showed up in this room for months okay we' we have emailed four months she's [47:59] saying two months but we actually came from November second one second so this excuse that it's about litigation y'all [48:05] the litigation only got opened up within this last month so that's not even the excuse here and hold on hold on we gave [48:11] y'all an opportunity all we asked very simple it's right up here erase the [48:16] suspension from the students discipline the students who assaulted assaulted [48:21] with metal water bottles as my uncle just said it was I don't care if it's a pro-israel student Pro China Pro Iran [48:28] whatever it is if I hear that a child had a metal water bottle thrown at their head the very least you could do my mom [48:35] works in a school my mom works in a school I worked in a school before the very least you can do is check your [48:40] cameras check your damn cameras that's all we're asking well this is what I will say nope I did allow you to speak [48:46] no no no I let you finish you didn't let me finish those cameras exist for a reason okay y'all are saying you want a [48:52] dialogue I'm giving youall dialog right now no we never said that on we didn't say dialogue I said that I was going to [48:58] make a statement and I made the statement we are in litigation and any information [49:05] about our students about their records anything that will never be made public [49:11] that will only that will only go to [49:16] families and so [49:24] you [2:53:44] thank you than you everyone for your patience we are going to re return from Recess um because of the delay in [2:53:52] returning from recess and our long recess um I would like to um see if [2:53:59] someone would like to make a motion to amend our agenda to remove our discussion items so moved is there a second second [2:54:07] all those in favor of amending our agenda to remove our discussion item say I I anyone opposed the motion carries um [2:54:15] would um is there a motion to extend our board meeting um to 10:30 so moved [2:54:23] second all those in favor extending of our board meeting till 10:30 say I I anyone opposed the motion carries um we [2:54:31] are going to continue with our community comments um I would like to call up um [2:54:36] Ashley cron if she is still here thank you um I would like to call up Victoria [2:54:47] Linton oh right there never done this before you're all [2:54:54] stand you can sit thank you um so I'm here because of my daughter Zoe uh Zoe [2:55:01] is 12 years old she has been in Ed of public schools for um her entire life [2:55:09] and she's thriving because of it she is like the most amazing child in the world [2:55:15] and um we even sat through the whole um Palestinian in the the protest to just [2:55:23] say that um we wanted our three minutes to talk about nursing care and how [2:55:31] wonderful the schools are how great they've been with soe soe needs 247 care [2:55:38] it's she needs gtube she has to be cathed [2:55:45] she is nonverbal she can't feel pain and she thrives and you done in public [2:55:52] schools she needs those nurses she needs those Paras she needs everyone there [2:55:59] that the Adina unified program is unbelievable they're so great with her [2:56:06] they they they I should up at the red carpet event and they said let me just [2:56:11] take Zoe and I was like who are you I was like one of the students I'm like [2:56:17] seriously you're going to take my daughter okay go ahead take her and they all love her and so they're all learning [2:56:23] so much from this population of children who are disabled and so he's thriving [2:56:29] because of it I couldn't send her anywhere else if I couldn't take care of her myself CU my husband is able to work [2:56:35] and I get to stay home like I have that luxury I am able to take care of her but [2:56:40] she needs nursing care and we've got 85 100 kids that are that are in this [2:56:46] school district and what the you know we went through covid with these people [2:56:52] these men and women who are helping our children to thrive and stay alive you [2:56:59] know what they have to go through every day they you know I mean they'll call me in a second Zoe's got 100 degree fever [2:57:07] I'm like don't mess with me she can come home right now you know why because I [2:57:12] know my rights I'm like it's an R she gets 100 degree fever she you know and [2:57:18] she if she's throwing up or if she broke something that's fine but they know you [2:57:23] know they just call you know because they can't handle the capacity of children that they're dealing with on a [2:57:30] daily basis in school and Zoe is like the hardest one but we're dealing [2:57:36] with 8500 students and we want to take away their nursing care no I think [2:57:43] that's wrong with everything that we've gone through with covid these these people are beloved in our community and [2:57:51] we need more of that in addition you know keep our Paris there they do so [2:57:57] much the unified program does so much and I appreciate everyone's time and [2:58:03] their commitment to our schools and our community um Miss Linton can you wrap up [2:58:08] your comments thank you thank you very much thank you thank you for coming Zoe [2:58:13] yes is um Laura lucens here excuse me oh I was calling someone [2:58:21] else up oh I'm sorry I thought you I'm like no no let me move from [2:58:26] here you're all good thank you um is uh [2:58:32] Ben [2:58:42] wellborne thank you for your time time I really appreciate everyone staying here [2:58:47] so my name is Ben walbourne I'm a proud graduate from the class of 2020 I have a disability what does that mean it means [2:58:54] there are some portions of my life where I need guidance to accomplish what most of you could do without help imagine what that feels like [2:59:01] imagine a fear of entering School daily wondering what would be asked of you and what the other kids think of you who is [2:59:08] your Advocate who is there to help you navigate challenges I have never let me let my [2:59:14] dis ability Define who I am I use it as motivation to achieve my goals I am [2:59:19] successful because I refuse to fail and do not use excuses just because something is hard I will graduate on [2:59:25] time in May with a bachelor's degree having attended Rock Cher Institute of Technology in New York and the [2:59:31] University of Minnesota where I currently play trumpet in a marching in pet band I graduate with distinction having [2:59:37] earned a 3.75 GPA I weighed 1.7 PBS at Birth am heart [2:59:42] of hearing and am neur diverse why am I successful I had the benefit of be D at step and heart [2:59:49] hearing professionals they stood in front of me beside me and finally beside me for 10 [2:59:55] years they taught me how to navigate education the world and life in general they supported me they did not let me [3:00:01] make excusive for myself they taught me how to advocate for myself they taught me how to achieve their value cannot be [3:00:07] measured at a line on him in a budget you must walk in my shoes to truly understand most of you will never have [3:00:14] to please do not cut or reduce this program in any way it is why I am [3:00:20] successful who I am today and what put me on the path to where I will go next I am here today to stand up for the [3:00:26] students like me who will have the services diminished I am standing up for those who have not yet but will walk [3:00:31] into a din schools and face of fears I have already conquered when it comes to your budget I ask no more of you than I [3:00:36] asked of myself do not fail do not make excuses because something is hard use as [3:00:42] motivation to do what you know to be right vote for option A1 thank [3:00:47] you thank you um Melanie [3:00:56] [Music] puser okay hi [3:01:03] everybody my name is Melanie piter and I am a parent of three children two [3:01:09] graduates recent graduates and one eighth grader at South View um I'm also a Community member and um also a 30-year [3:01:17] teacher oh Edie D high school I'm here to just discuss my passion for my job in [3:01:23] students at Idina High School in particular with Developmental and adapted physical [3:01:30] education um yay sorry um we recently I just wanted to share [3:01:37] that I know that you're voting on reductions and um as a physical [3:01:43] education teacher te and somebody who teaches unified physical education in the district I think it is a critical [3:01:49] course in developmental adaptive physical education teachers are amazing in our district we currently don't have [3:01:56] any openings in a job so if we're making Cuts we're actually cutting staff and [3:02:02] I'm afraid of services being cut for students um we've just celebrated South [3:02:08] viws unified program last week and I teach three classes of unified PE with [3:02:13] our adapted physical education teacher and I see amazing things with our students and connections that are [3:02:21] made me too thank you um I wanted to share at the end of the semester I've [3:02:28] taught this class for five years and at the end of the semester I give um course um Reflections to students and [3:02:36] just a couple students Reflections come back to this class has been very impactful for me it's changed my my my [3:02:43] viewpoint of the world and how I feel unified PE everyone in this course [3:02:49] comes out better more kind patient and encouraging of each other and another [3:02:55] student says it built friendships that without this class we would have never had all I'm asking you tonight is to [3:03:02] really think about when you're making these Cuts we don't have a current opening I believe the programming of our [3:03:09] district in developmental adapted physical education is amazing and I just want to continue to see our students [3:03:16] Thrive your job is very difficult I don't envy the decisions you're going to make be making but I just ask you to [3:03:23] really consider all students and um those connections that are made [3:03:29] especially in unified PE or adapted physical education sidebar I'm a parent and uh [3:03:36] the media specialist have been amazing for my students growing up in Idina so thank you to all these people that are [3:03:42] here tonight and thank you for serving because I know this is an easy job thank you thank you very [3:03:49] much uh John [3:03:57] wellborne thank you um not going to do my speech um I filled up your inboxes [3:04:03] for the last two weeks you know where I stand um the last work session that you [3:04:09] all had it was very clear to anyone watching that none of you are comfortable with the options on the [3:04:14] table that you have to decide they are horrific life-changing decisions for students for teachers for yourselves for [3:04:22] parents all of it and we get it and we see it but I want to give you a thought [3:04:27] I want you to think about that option A1 is the one option that buys you [3:04:34] time but what you do with that time is what's important I would like you all to [3:04:40] select A1 but I would also like like you to pledge tonight that you will form a [3:04:47] board level committee with students teachers [3:04:54] administrators parents the union and spend the 24 months that [3:05:00] you're buying by selecting A1 to study the [3:05:06] district look for the efficiencies look for the ways to enhance Revenue make make sure that if [3:05:14] you have to make Cuts they are the right cuts and most importantly what you do [3:05:21] not have today if you select option A is a plan to mitigate the risk of [3:05:29] those cuts you don't have a plan and that's scary that you could [3:05:36] take away Services when all you have is possibilities so buy yourself the time [3:05:43] but then use the time to figure out the right way to do it and you're going to give yourself 24 [3:05:50] months to do that thank you thank you Mr wellborne um that [3:05:56] concludes our um respect request to speak tonight um we are going to now [3:06:02] move on to our consent agenda is there anything anyone would like to remove from the consent agenda uh do I have a motion to approve [3:06:09] the consent agenda so move is a second second we [3:06:15] will now vote to approve the consent agenda all those in favor say I I anyone [3:06:20] opposed um the consent agenda has been approved um as noted earlier we're going [3:06:25] to um not do our discussion items for tonight um and I forgot to put this as [3:06:33] part of our motion um but we do not have the Community member here to talk about [3:06:38] our American Indian education program so that is going to um have to be removed from from the agenda tonight so my [3:06:44] apologies for forgetting to put this as part of the um of part of what is going to be [3:06:51] removed from the agenda tonight um we are going to move on to discussing our [3:06:57] Cost Containment recommendations um normally if people have seen our um board meetings we do a motion to approve [3:07:04] something and then we discuss it um however because we have [Music] [3:07:11] um because we have um we don't have a very specific item that we're voting on [3:07:17] um we are going to have a discussion first and then we're going to make a [3:07:22] motion um once we have um once board members are able to ask questions and [3:07:29] seek whatever information they feel they need to make a final decision um when it's clear what direction the majority [3:07:35] of board is um comfortable voting on then I will ask for a motion for the specific Cost Containment recommendation [3:07:42] um that we will be voting on um before we move on to um board members um Dr [3:07:49] Stanley um do you have anything you would like to [3:07:56] say yes you know I want to say that I realize that the board [3:08:03] has really tough choices um in front of them tonight and I want the community to [3:08:10] know as a superintendent and as a Cabinet team we struggled very [3:08:16] hard looked at everything that we could in [3:08:22] order to find areas as we developed the administrative [3:08:28] proposal we sought to have the bulk of the containment as much as we [3:08:33] could fall within non promatic area programmatic [3:08:39] areas and we did our best at meeting that and at about 60% of the recommended [3:08:45] $3.62 million that 60% level is under each [3:08:53] option that is before you today districts around the state are struggling with budgetary [3:09:00] restrictions and concerns and today the association for metropolitan school districts or amsd announced that more [3:09:08] than 70% of the amsd districts have a projected budget short fall for the 24 [3:09:16] 25 school year totaling more than $300 million [3:09:21] collectively and this includes many of our neighboring districts as [3:09:28] well this is not intended to be a misery loves company [3:09:34] introduction it is just intended to continue to help increase an [3:09:39] understanding of where we are situated at with funding in the greater metro area and in the [3:09:46] context of the state with finances for school [3:09:55] districts I'll leave it at that thank you Dr Stanley um director [3:10:01] Woodard are you going to join [3:10:10] us and do you have information that you would like to go through before um the board [3:10:18] discusses good evening Madam chair members of the school board um no further information to add just um a [3:10:24] little bit of clarity for those who still may be watching um the administration ATS December 11th regular [3:10:29] meeting um notified the school board that it was facing a about a $3.62 million budget gap for next school year [3:10:35] which would leave us below the board minimum unassigned fund balance of 6% um despite the fact that the district [3:10:41] received historic funding at the 2023 legislative session um nearly all of those funds were deployed immediately to [3:10:48] salaries and benefits for um staff throughout the district this school year causing the gap for next school year and [3:10:53] each subsequent school year um we engaged our budget reduction reallocation Revenue generation process [3:10:59] which involved um seven different Community meetings six board meetings um several different surveys um which we [3:11:05] used to gather feedback and and guide our um recommendations that have been made to the school board three options [3:11:12] um had been presented we're down to two tonight the district's recommendation remains option A and it has since the [3:11:18] beginning and now option A1 is also before you for consideration which um rose out of the February 20th work [3:11:24] session um with that the I guess the recommended action is before you thank [3:11:30] you director Woodard um the first thing I'll ask board members if is um what questions or clarifying information that [3:11:37] they need before we move into discussion about um the agenda items so an [3:11:45] opportunity to ask any additional questions you might have um or if you need any clarification on anything [3:11:51] before we Dr gabler sure [3:11:57] um I am still having a little bit [3:12:02] of ambiguity on some of the specifics on this um some of the items that are still [3:12:09] well if we look at A1 um and so I'm wondering [3:12:14] if when we look at A1 if when the remaining [3:12:22] $150,000 of the student Support Services budget um if I go back to our board [3:12:29] packet and we see that it [3:12:34] says uh I believe we learned at our work session last week that um with the 150 [3:12:43] the dhh teacher and the 504 coordinator come off of that list but is is that [3:12:50] correct uh that's correct I would also like to point out that that 504 coordinator position is currently um [3:12:55] almost virtually unfilled so okay um when I look at the remaining [3:13:02] items on the list occupational therapy psychology developmental adaptive [3:13:07] physical education um can you give me an idea [3:13:13] of what that will look like because as a board member um we have a strategic plan [3:13:19] that we're trying to fulfill and if I am voting on Cuts tonight I would like to [3:13:27] better understand what that looks like in the services that we're providing for [3:13:33] our students so if if there's any clarity thank you doc director ring yeah so um the0 five school psychologist [3:13:40] position was one that we were unable to fulfill this year and so we currently do not have anyone working in that role so [3:13:46] um what that would look like for next year is we would um we currently have a 1.0 school psychologist that is helping [3:13:52] out at Early Childhood um and we have other people that help out and so what we would do is it would just be 05 [3:13:57] probably non-public .5 Early Childhood so we're getting the work done this year we would continue to get the work done [3:14:04] without it no one's in that position no one would be let go okay and then we [3:14:09] have a um a0 five um posting that went up for adaptive fied um this fall we [3:14:15] were unable to fill that position um and so we had teachers that were working through their prep getting additional [3:14:21] pay things like that this um we've been able to recently fill that position we hired for a 04 instead of a 0.5 and so [3:14:29] the 0.1 would just remain unfilled and go towards a budget reduction so that position would be a [3:14:36] 0.1 a 0.1 yes yep and then um the OT [3:14:41] position we had been occupational therapist who um took a leave um and [3:14:47] returned and no longer desired to be full-time and so this person has been working at a08 and does not desire that 02 portion [3:14:55] of their employment back and they're able to complete their work and so that is the way those positions um would be [3:15:02] that's what they would look like next year thank you that is really helpful for me to better understand what that [3:15:08] would look like um so point one for adap ified 02 for OT and 0.5 for [3:15:18] psychologist that's what's still on the table okay um thank you for that clarification um if I may ask a similar [3:15:26] question and this would not be for you um the licensed media specialist in option A1 it's a [3:15:34] 1.5 and in option A it's a 4.5 um Can similar to the question that [3:15:41] director REM just answered can you explain what that would look [3:15:51] like director Monas daily are you able to come into the [3:16:11] boardroom I can I ask a follow-up question to [3:16:17] director reming sorry Jody that you left but you don't have to come up it's just I don't know in general it's just um how [3:16:23] does the current Staffing compared to like previous years are we running light [3:16:30] now or are we at what historic levels have been or um that type of thing to [3:16:36] the positions the school psychologist occupational th our numbers in special education especially in early childhood [3:16:43] they're they're historical numbers we do have high numbers in early childhood of students that are being evaluated it's [3:16:49] been a trend that's been existing ever since Co and so that continues thank [3:16:58] you thank you for joining us a little winded that seems to be the theme we've [3:17:04] had a couple winded people speak to us this evening um thank you director monest daily um so one of my questions [3:17:11] that I had was when it came was looking at the licensed media specialist and in [3:17:16] option A there is a recommendation to to [3:17:21] reduce 4.5 full-time Educators correct in option A1 the option is to reduce by 1.5 [3:17:32] FTE can you kind of help me understand kind of what some of the thought process [3:17:38] is of what that would look like like what does 4.5 look like what does 1.5 [3:17:43] look like um yeah I can do my best I think it's a tough DEC a tough thing to [3:17:49] Envision right because we've been working through these potential scenarios and what they might look like and it's been pretty fluid um what we do [3:17:56] know with um 4.5 I think we can presumably say that that would be a shared um situation shared buildings who [3:18:04] would be at what building that I can't answer at this point or what that exactly look like but if you think 4.5 [3:18:09] that would presumably be shared um if we look at 7.5 um so cutting reducing by 1.5 um if [3:18:17] I'm being real honest with you I don't know what that would look like um I think what we would need to do if that is the recommendation of the board is to [3:18:24] sit down and figure out how do we best maximize that support and coverage across the district so that we can [3:18:29] ensure that students are getting um media programming the best way possible may I ask a clarifying question so [3:18:37] instead of it being specific to a 1.5 FTE meaning it's actually the people [3:18:42] if you take the dollar amount that 1.5 represents which is what we're trying to do in terms of the reduction in cost [3:18:49] could you envision a scenario as you go to figure that out that the actual number of Staff might look different [3:18:54] than just 1.5 a loss of 1.5 it could be spread over the entire team it could be [3:19:00] a number of different Avenues rather than it being specifically 1.5 human beings that are [3:19:06] actually cut from the the the program yeah there are certainly different scenarios that are possible of that what [3:19:12] we know is that right we're getting to that dollar Mal that equals 7.5 and what [3:19:17] how do we disperse that across the buildings is something we'd have to sit down and look out yeah I just want to make sure it wasn't arbitrary like we [3:19:23] weren't arbitrarily saying You must cut 1.5 people it's this is the dollar amount that we're reducing this particular budget item for and then [3:19:30] figure out through the process how to make how to meet that yeah and I mean it certainly comes with its own challenges [3:19:36] to figure out what that looks like and you know who wants what what point of a position at that point um and 7.5 is a [3:19:43] different number than obviously 4.5 so we'd have to spend some time looking at that en visioning that out through the spring great thank [3:19:50] you and to follow up with that for my understanding um are those discussions [3:19:57] that take place after this evening are those like to director Birdman's comment [3:20:02] of 200 thou or what are we now cutting for that 200,000 in the licensed nurse [3:20:07] or in the media specialist um 17 thank you um would that be a conversation that [3:20:15] would happen solely at the cabinet Administration level or would that be a [3:20:22] conversation that we would bring in the media Specialists and have that conversation of like okay [3:20:29] we've got $200,000 where are some of those cuts and maybe it is 1.5 people but maybe [3:20:35] it's we're restructuring things for the process uh well so what I [3:20:42] can say um is if we're going to whatever the cut is at the end of the day or whatever the reduction is at the end of [3:20:47] the day we will certainly be in conversation with our media specialist for what that looks like to Vision that program moving forward um and to plan [3:20:54] and prepare for the next school year are there questions or information [3:21:03] that board members need no like if you have more questions [3:21:09] you can ask them um so I would ask board members to um [3:21:15] provide um feedback on um what they are interested in doing from a Cost [3:21:21] Containment perspective um and so we can come to some sort of consensus or at [3:21:28] least a um majority of the board can come to a consensus um so then we can um [3:21:35] reach a specific uh um item that we can vote on um and [3:21:41] whoever wants to go first can I'm sure no one actually wants to but um I would ask someone um to lead us lead us off [3:21:48] into a discussion about um their feelings from a Cost Containment [3:21:57] perspective alphabetical director arum um from my [3:22:03] standpoint um I I can't support um a at [3:22:08] this option A at this time I think that I would like to look at A1 as the my preferred um uh option I think that I [3:22:17] would think that um although I don't like the um Capital note option I know [3:22:23] it's an option and I feel that that is a reasonable option for us to kind of go and um use that time window that um one [3:22:30] of the community members said about buying time um it will help us with some of the other additional pieces I feel [3:22:35] that um there are areas that we can look at in terms of I still am not clear on [3:22:42] the the allocation of tech Levy versus um versus Media specialty pieces of it [3:22:49] and what that front-end piece of um services that might be a difference [3:22:54] between the current media specialist role and and whatnot so I those types of [3:22:59] things I think are are kind of due process in terms of um the uh potential [3:23:05] changes and reductions in programming that we had talked about um just now so that's where I feel that that that's [3:23:11] there I'm a little concerned with the cuts to student support um pieces of it [3:23:16] just because of the increasing numbers of um special education resources that the district has but um again I I trust [3:23:23] in the um cabinet Administration that um they would find a a reasonable way to address those situations and feel that [3:23:30] A1 gives us that time to kind of meet that as well thank you director [3:23:37] arum did we just go right down the line sure or alphabetical I think you [3:23:44] anyway um I am also leaning towards a one um [3:23:51] even though in two years it's possible we are right back here making Cuts [3:23:57] because that seems to be the annual thing that we do in the world of public [3:24:02] school financing is as make cuts um I think that the two years that it would [3:24:09] buy us of having our kids receive these resources and services are [3:24:16] invaluable um so I would like to have that time to um Advocate um I would really love [3:24:25] for everyone who sent us emails and we read those emails to share their stories [3:24:31] with our legislators and our state senators and our federal legislators as well as we talk about the cross subsidy [3:24:36] and um the nursing issues if you've got a child who needs nursing care to participate in [3:24:44] a free and appropriate public education then they need to hear about that too um so we [3:24:49] need a lot more people to get on board with um getting loud for advocating for [3:24:55] our resources um [3:25:00] and also use the time to explore we talked about busing as a possible Revenue Source um I would like to think [3:25:07] that through thoroughly before we um [3:25:12] would explore any any deeper [3:25:20] Cuts director caer um thank you I want to thank our [3:25:29] cabinet members and our um for walking us through this for the last several [3:25:35] meetings and working with us on this um I know this is not easy for you either [3:25:41] um um I like my previous two colleagues am uh in favor of A1 I understand the [3:25:52] state funding I understand the funding needs of our district um I understand the capital [3:25:58] notes I repeat what director arum said in terms of I need to better understand [3:26:05] that the capital Levy what we call the tech Levy um I have a person personal [3:26:11] connection to that one because I was one of the co-chairs of it and I I have I [3:26:18] feel like I need to better understand how we're funding our um [3:26:24] media Specialists through that so um I also agree with director Barry that [3:26:32] we have it is very obvious that this community cares for their schools um we [3:26:39] have received so many well-crafted emails and um I I hope our teachers have [3:26:46] received some of those emails because the stories that we've had the opportunity to hear about you and how [3:26:52] you are shaping lives every day it's really something and so I agree [3:26:59] with director Barry please don't stop with us we are confined by the money that we receive from the state we need [3:27:05] you to go keep going further talk to your legislators request that they are [3:27:11] demand that they are funding at a full level um director Woodard has a graph that he shows often it's on our website [3:27:18] and it shows the big gap between uh inflation and funding for schools and so [3:27:24] we are we're going to continue to have this problem if we don't fix public education [3:27:30] funding um and I think I will stop [3:27:35] there thank you director gaer um I I um I support option A1 I think [3:27:45] that it allows us to accomplish what we need to mostly [3:27:50] from a Cost Containment perspective but allows us time to explore other possibilities from a revenue generation [3:27:57] perspective it allows us to um evaluate other Cost Containment [3:28:02] strategies um and other Financial levers that could potentially be available in the future that aren't available to us [3:28:09] right now um I want to acknowledge our administrators [3:28:16] um as Karen with do director gaer said this is not easy um and I appreciate [3:28:21] everything that you guys have done um it's super important work I also want to acknowledge staff that is affected by [3:28:28] this um it's not pleasant for any any of [3:28:34] us um I in supporting Awan I think it's [3:28:40] very very important for the community to understand that if this is approved it [3:28:46] does not mean that we don't have to make Cuts or do Cost Containment this is [3:28:51] allowing us more time to do evaluation and still ensure the fiscal Integrity of [3:28:58] our district and that we're able to keep our fund balance we are still being left with an [3:29:04] operating um model and operating costs that are more than we can afford um so I [3:29:12] just want to make the community aware that um this is not a silver bullet to [3:29:18] [Music] um uh continue with expenses this is [3:29:23] giving us evaluation time um which is more work on all of us but I think it's [3:29:30] important work and so I um I I just think I would be remiss if I did not um [3:29:37] mention that um but um in in conclusion to not being [3:29:43] long-winded I do um support option [3:29:50] A1 um well I guess I'm going to be a little bit long-winded if that's okay but if you'll indulge me a little bit um [3:29:56] what's five more minutes um in option A we are dealing with a revenue problem we [3:30:02] do not have the revenue to match what we can and want to deliver as a school district we've tried our best over several years to maintain Staffing [3:30:08] ratios particularly in our school nursing staff and media specialist staff that schools around us have already had to modify in our current sta situation [3:30:15] our staffing ratios aren't sustainable with our budget I contacted several districts around us to see what their Staffing ratios look like and see what [3:30:21] the marketpl place looks like many have already made these difficult decisions before us I say that not as a this is a [3:30:27] good thing forward look we look what we can do um but it's an example of this is the harsh reality of public education in [3:30:33] 2024 I wish and I know all of us on the board wish we could keep all of our staff our media specialist staff our [3:30:40] nursing staff ratios completely unchanged and not make any Cuts unfortunately that is the real not the reality before us we have to cut our [3:30:46] budget and we need to be crystal clear and honest about that the school industry has changed I think media [3:30:52] Specialists and School nurses are incred incredibly important parts of a positive School culture we have media Specialists [3:30:57] who stayed through this whole meeting already um these proposed Cuts in no way should diminish or demean the importance [3:31:03] of your work with our students and our children I've known some of these people in this impacted groups in these impacted groups for decades they're not [3:31:10] numbers on a spreadsheet to us these are faces that we know people with who we share our memories Educators who have [3:31:15] helped our children I know we all feel horrible looking at these Cuts but we can't sit here and misrepresent our budget situation I think we owe that to [3:31:22] you all um looking at A1 I think it's really it's clear to [3:31:29] note that this method was not recommended by our recommend by our Administration and it's been proposed as a way to give us a path ahead with [3:31:35] smaller Cuts now potentially to provide us with an on-ramp for two years to discover inefficiencies new revenue [3:31:40] streams or hope for another round of educational investment from the state legislature if we are unable to find a [3:31:46] solution in those terms we will return to this table in two years and not only make the same Cuts but potentially much deeper ones I personally do not believe [3:31:52] we'll be able to solve those those problems in two years going the road of the capital note could very well result in deeper Cuts in two years these Cuts [3:31:59] we are looking at now already came after a full year of review research and discussion so if we go the A1 route okay [3:32:06] let's talk about fees revenue and state funding I think it's important to State I don't think we can fee our way out of this [3:32:11] in A1 there's an $800,000 shortfall we need to cover with the capital note so let's use a recent example as a board we [3:32:17] briefly discussed uh new transportation fee model in which every child in the district would be charged $350 to ride [3:32:23] the school bus now some school districts charge families who live a couple blocks away a fee if they want to take a bus [3:32:28] this model we discussed would charge everyone within two miles away from their school the number floated looked [3:32:33] very similar to that $800,000 figure but once we kind of carved away it didn't even come close to maybe a quarter of [3:32:40] what we needed it didn't include students on free introduced lunch it didn't have a family cap it didn't forecast possible opt outs it didn't [3:32:47] discuss negative outcomes for students and families and last of all it failed to deliver any context to the public school environment that fee structure We [3:32:53] Believe would be the highest in the state for school for student busing for example minaka Public Schools [3:32:59] is one of the few around us that charges students they charge $100 per Rider with a $200 family cap if we apply just that [3:33:04] $100 fee to D to our originally floated number that we're talking about without a family cap without talk taking into [3:33:09] account those other factors the figure had already dropped to $273,000 it would go down another 20% right off the top if we include our free [3:33:16] introduced lunch students a family cap and opt outs would surely drop it again this model could cause undue issues in [3:33:22] terms of equity and school efficiency and like I said it wouldn't fill even a quarter of what we would need and this would be a pretty big new fee that we [3:33:29] could bring in um in doing that homework I spoke to officials from minono public schools and their most most recent year [3:33:34] of data and they're a bigger District than us they counted revenue of $240,000 the biggest efficiency in their pay [3:33:39] model and their words was not even necessarily from the revenue generated it was from not having as many bus routes due to opt outs so if we simplify [3:33:46] that the efficiency was from cutting buff bus routes it wasn't from revenue it was from cutting now in terms of [3:33:52] finding we heard a lot about how we could find donations to subsidize programming in our emails and different [3:33:58] comments and we can't rely on one-time donations for annual salary costs dumping more responsibility on groups [3:34:04] like The education fund is not only not realistic it's disrespect disrespectful to the incredible donations and the [3:34:09] impact they already make in our district they donate about half a million dollars already to our district and I know people said the public would be willing [3:34:15] to donate more but we knowingly had Cuts coming for a year and donations did not increase I bring all this up to say our [3:34:22] District administration here now and before all of us were here have been looking for efficiencies for more than a [3:34:27] decade I have been following researching investigating school districts myself and the state legislature for more than 15 years and these are sadly not new [3:34:34] conversations many of you have had these same conversations as well since we open the door to A1 on the capital note I'm [3:34:40] willing to ENT entertain that option and I want to be hopeful but only under the clear implication that in two years we [3:34:45] will likely be making deeper more impactful budget cuts I'm hopeful we can find Solutions but this is history [3:34:51] repeating itself a bit we are lucky and that we are currently rep represented by state legislatur state legislators who [3:34:58] understand the value of public school funding and support it with their votes in St Paul unfortunately the legislature has just about as many officials who do [3:35:04] not feel that way I'm not willing to bet another large jump in state funding in these next two years represent [3:35:10] referencing director Woodard the graph we need sustained years of consistent funding I'm not willing to bet on a [3:35:15] revenue Source popping up in two years that the entire Public School industry is not yet discovered I'm dubious that [3:35:20] we can charge additional fees to our school population that we're already raising this through this round to cover the shortfall particularly when we're [3:35:27] already asking these same families to donate to their PTO pro programs their Sports and music programs and pay our [3:35:32] voter approved levies the best option forward in respect to A1 in my humble opinion would be to also at some point [3:35:38] increase our Capital Le Levy and potentially correct some issues that might have been made last time in terms of making statements about who and what [3:35:43] could be covered in that Levy which also came up at at certain times I can support A1 but only if we as a board are [3:35:49] truly honest with our teachers our parents and our greater community that by doing so we will likely have larger cuts down the road I don't want to give [3:35:55] false hope we can take two more two more years but we just took a year and we ended up here as a district we have been [3:36:01] having these discussions for more than a decade finding inefficiencies generally means making Staffing Cuts we need to be [3:36:07] crystal clear about the great potential for future Cuts we owe that at the very least to our staff in that case if we [3:36:13] recognize these issues before us and the possible impact I can support A1 but thanks for listening and for me epic for [3:36:19] that long but so thank you for your commentary I guess I'm not necessarily convinced that [3:36:26] this may means larger cuts it means different cuts and I think that your [3:36:35] note about the capital Levy those are mechanisms that we [3:36:41] that's the exact idea of a mechanism to utilize to avoid some of those cuts I [3:36:47] mean that's a huge thing that we can leverage along with our ability to increase our local [3:36:54] Levy that need to be explored so I don't think that I actually think it would be [3:37:01] disingenuous to say doing A1 is a path to larger [3:37:07] Cuts can respond of course I I would just say that's why we're here well director Woodard each year as our our [3:37:15] expenses go up correct or is that wrong so every year we keep that same budget [3:37:22] it's going to keep continuing to go up but if can I ask you if [3:37:28] we go with A1 would our Cuts conceivably increase if we were unable to find [3:37:35] Funding Solutions for that $800,000 yeah so director man you're correct uh um the historically and [3:37:43] presently the way uh revenues grow in the state of Minnesota um it lags behind expenditure growth there's there's no [3:37:49] other way to to to to to speak about that phenomenon it's ongoing um for [3:37:55] example one one% increase to salaries and wages in the school district is about $1.2 million a 1% increase on the [3:38:02] general education form is about $700,000 um so the the two sides of the [3:38:07] scale are never going to be equal thanks I mean I just want I I'm fine [3:38:13] with going with they want I just want to be clear to people that in two years I don't want us I don't I don't want [3:38:19] people to have like a false hope like we saved the day and everything was great um we still have work to do I guess is [3:38:26] my that for sure Jenner [3:38:35] Michael well I have to follow Elliot um [3:38:41] well said and I have um some reservations about [3:38:49] A1 and that future me may not like present me in the future [3:38:57] um understanding that the $800,000 that's sitting there today is going to [3:39:02] grow based on what director wooded was just [3:39:08] saying and I don't think there 's a magic fix for this it's not an easy [3:39:15] solution or we'd have one I do think there are [3:39:20] some possibilities with some of the things that have been mentioned already [3:39:25] tonight and I would like the opportunity to explore those I'm in support of [3:39:33] A1 and I do want people to realize that when we talk [3:39:41] about efficiencies as it's has been said that that is not using different kind of [3:39:47] copy paper that might be a little cheaper those efficiencies typically are [3:39:53] positions or other things that are impactful [3:39:59] so I would like the time and agree that if [3:40:07] we're going to go down A1 that we need to be thoughtful [3:40:13] and not sit here for two years and then scramble but have a plan and and really [3:40:21] look at what are the options and I agree [3:40:27] revenue from fees and other things just doesn't seem like a [3:40:33] realistic path to cover everything so I I will support [3:40:39] A1 thank you director huie director [3:40:47] Birdman so the lot has been said um all of it pretty spot-on in terms of where [3:40:53] we sit today um the decisions that are before us where we sit in the structural deficits that are ongoing in public [3:41:00] education um I think that the plans that are before us are doing their best to [3:41:07] try to articulate what those challenges are and what our limited choices are given the time that we've had since the [3:41:13] budget came out from the state in the summer of [3:41:19] 23 I think that regardless of which way we go we have a fundamental challenge [3:41:24] before us to figure out how our operating model that we are so proud of [3:41:31] and has produced such wonderful results and that we have heard from our wonderful staff our wonderful parents of [3:41:37] students our wonderful parents of former students alumni um as well as our [3:41:44] Administration um that's what defines our Excellence so we've been able to find a [3:41:50] way up until now to do that what we're stressing out about is [3:41:57] we can't maintain it given the financial model that currently funds [3:42:05] us that's our reality and so I take [3:42:12] great um energy from the the community and the staff who say that we want to [3:42:18] come together and figure out how we can find a way to have our model while at [3:42:23] the same time making our finances actually balance I love it this is the most [3:42:29] engaged I've seen this community since I joined the board in January of [3:42:35] 2022 it's really terrible that we are only at this point of engagement when [3:42:40] it's coming to this type of stuff but as much as we have to stay engaged and just as much as our [3:42:46] Administration is always engaged on this it requires all of us all the [3:42:52] stakeholders to remain engaged to figure out how we're going to move forward and [3:42:57] I believe people are articulated I have all the hundred emails that show people are committed to doing that but actions [3:43:03] got to prove it we're having to take an action tonight because we have to [3:43:10] not because we want to but we need the actions of everyone involved to figure out how we're going [3:43:15] to make that happen and you at least have my commitment that I will be championing that okay we should all be [3:43:21] willing to put our money where our mouth is so everyone who's written in everyone [3:43:27] who cares about this it's not what we do tonight it's what we're going to do starting tomorrow and the day after and the month [3:43:34] after and the nine months after and the 12 months after that matter [3:43:40] so regardless of whether we turn out to be correct in this decision tonight or whether it turns out wow it didn't play [3:43:46] out the way Elliott was just saying and we actually didn't quite come up with the goods and we're going to have to even have more considerable Cost [3:43:54] Containment one thing I would warn everyone I'll go one step further we said two [3:43:59] years director Woodard mentioned when we talked about the at the special meeting on Thursday we've talked about it before [3:44:05] we're hoping that this will get us two more years I'll tell you right now I don't believe that to be [3:44:11] true I think if we're lucky we'll get 12 months we'll get the 25 budget but when [3:44:16] we get to the 26 budget I don't think you can say with 100% confidence given all the variables [3:44:23] that are in play that that something else couldn't happen and that's not because of [3:44:28] mismanagement or inefficiencies or anything like that it's just the factor of how public schools are [3:44:36] funded and so I want us to be all cognizant of we shouldn't be planing on a two-year plan we need to have a very [3:44:42] dedicated and engaged process in this next 9 to 12 months so by the time we get here next year when we have to do [3:44:48] the 26 budget we already have all the ideas and all the priorities in our mind [3:44:55] that we've mapped out and then we can execute on because what I know what I've read and what I've talked about with my [3:45:01] colleagues here I talked about with the administration I've talked about on the finance committee does everyone have the [3:45:06] exact same priorities for you of public schools and this answer is it's not a bad one [3:45:14] no some people think this is the priority some people think this is the priority some people think this is the [3:45:20] priority none of them are wrong that's their take on what the priorities are [3:45:26] our job and the administration's job is to figure out what actually are our priorities and we have to put our money [3:45:31] where our mouth is so that's where we are tonight so as [3:45:36] we move forward and make this action happen which is coming here in just a minute minute I'm happy to make the motion to do it is that I need people to [3:45:44] be grounded in that's what we're dealing with going forward and anyone who walks [3:45:49] out here tonight or watches this video or reads about this in the suncurrent or maybe never see it in the suncurrent I [3:45:54] don't know that reality is still here and so I'd ask us to keep that in mind [3:46:01] so we're fools if we go ahead with A1 and the capital notes and we do not then [3:46:07] figure out as a collective how we're going to work on our operating model to make it [3:46:16] work so that's my advice tonight I hope we follow [3:46:22] that and with that being said unless there's any other comments I would make a motion to approve option A1 [3:46:30] tonight and continue to look at how we build a further process with all [3:46:35] stakeholders as to how we're going to find our path forward Beyond [3:46:41] 2025 second um before we go to vote um I [3:46:48] actually did have a couple more comments my apologies that's okay that's okay um [3:46:54] so um I wrote them down so I apologies is for the lack of um eye contact um but [3:47:03] uh personally um I've said this multiple times this is the seventh year in a row [3:47:08] that um I've had to make budget cuts um [3:47:16] and personally it's it's not just difficult it can be [3:47:21] feel very um [3:47:28] sorry sorry I'm not even an emotional person um it can feel very defeating to [3:47:34] be faced with these Cuts year after year [3:47:41] um when you care so much about our district and the people that work [3:47:46] here and have very few tools to do much about [3:47:52] it um but if you're watching and you care as much as I do [3:47:58] which I know most of you do um I would like to urge people [3:48:05] listening to continue to communicate not just with our legisl but all state legislators and our [3:48:12] federal legislators to encourage sustainable basic education [3:48:19] funding um if you're able please consider donating to the Dina education [3:48:24] fund any DIN give and go the Idina education fund absolutely helps us from [3:48:30] a budgetary perspective it's been critical in paying for our literacy [3:48:35] training that many districts are now in a quandry trying to figure figure out how to pay for [3:48:40] it um so please consider doing that um I'd like [3:48:47] to ask individuals that work for or know individuals and companies in the area [3:48:53] and I know there are a lot of you guys um that quality Public Schools [3:48:58] absolutely benefit your ability to recruit and retain employees and public schools are [3:49:04] educating your next generation of workers the male clinic just donated $10 [3:49:10] million to Rochester Public Schools to help with their budgetary for shortfall [3:49:16] help us as a public school system help you um I do before we vote want to leave [3:49:24] on a positive note um as director Birman alluded to and director gaer I believe [3:49:29] we've received so many emails over the past few weeks um addressing budget cuts and they [3:49:37] to me were great remind reminder of how amazing and outstanding our school district is and [3:49:45] why we want to keep it that way so I want to urge all of our stakeholders and residents to remember [3:49:52] some of this information when you hear rumors about the quality of Edina Public Schools [3:50:00] declining and I did get permission before saying this we heard from the lead of music education at St Ola [3:50:08] College who told us that she encourages her most capable St Olaf music education [3:50:15] graduates to consider and accept offers to teach in Edina schools because of [3:50:21] Edina school's reputation for excellence and the district's commitment to music for all students as [3:50:27] essential onlya we heard from a family who used to live in another Community who has a [3:50:33] child with a reare rare disease who said his pediatrician told them if it was their child [3:50:40] he would move to Aina he said that their the level of support they receive in Aina would Aid their child through their [3:50:46] entire experience from preschool to high school and that it would be unparalleled in the [3:50:53] state we're one of the few districts in the state that has a licensed media specialist at each [3:50:59] School these are things when we talk about whole child and a well-rounded [3:51:06] experience is the definition of Excellence I would re be remissed not to mention we [3:51:12] have 204 State athletic championships we are the only Middle [3:51:18] School in the entire state that is a certified Special Olympics Champion school and less people accuse me of not [3:51:27] caring about our academics we have been rated the best College Prep High School in the state [3:51:32] for the last 5 years or so that level of holistic Excellence does not come easily so let's celebrate [3:51:41] what we have today and I again would like to thank everybody that works in [3:51:47] our district all of our community members our Administration for helping us achieve [3:51:53] what I consider um Monumental um task of educating um our [3:52:00] kiddos and doing it in just a phenomenal way um with that being said um I Heard a [3:52:07] motion to approve Cost Containment A1 all those in favor [3:52:12] say I I anyone opposed um the co um Cost [3:52:18] Containment A1 is approved um we're now going to move on [3:52:24] to our next [3:52:29] sorry sure we're now going to move on to our next agenda item and we will be [3:52:36] discussing director Woodard I believe you are up here again we are going going to [3:52:42] discuss our people Transportation vehicle purpose [3:52:47] Purchase thank you director gabler members of the school board um as you know the district owns and operates its [3:52:53] own uh Pupil Transportation Service um particularly regular to and from Transportation um we have 64 different [3:53:01] buses that we operate ourselves um 51 of those are what we call regular school buses a number of those are um older [3:53:08] than 50 years of age some are in fact older than 20 years of age we aim for an average um age or a useful life of a [3:53:14] school bus rather of about 12 years um so we have a number of buses that need to be replaced and need to be replaced [3:53:20] um within the next um 1 to three years we have a regular cycle of replacement program that started um before my time [3:53:27] here that we're looking to continue um and that involves purchasing buses on an every other year [3:53:32] basis um so we'd like to go ahead and purchase five least return Vehicles these are buses that are no more than 3 [3:53:39] years old in great condition um so we'd like to purchase five of those um this current school year um since this action [3:53:45] is coming so late it's possible that we won't actually receive those buses until after July 1 and so then those would [3:53:51] become a budget item next school year however the funds that were um deriv from this school Year's enrollment would roll forward to next school year via the [3:53:58] fund balance um the recommended action is before you thank you director wood [3:54:04] Woodard I've somewhat regained my composure um are there any questions or comments about the um vehicle [3:54:10] transportation vehicle per purchase all those in favor of a of [3:54:16] approving the Pupil Transportation vehicle purpose I'm sorry purchase say I [3:54:21] I um anyone opposed the Pupil Transportation vehicle purchase is [3:54:26] approved um do I have a motion to approve policies 421 515 601 602 and [3:54:33] 613 so moved is there a second second second but can I have a clarification [3:54:40] absolutely is that this the right time to do that [3:54:46] yes uh director gabler did did you get that who who um director [3:54:54] gabler did a motion on the buses did anyone do a second I thought Elliot did did you I thought Elliot did [3:55:00] too okay we can take should we revote um let's revote just to make sure we have it on on record um is there a motion to [3:55:07] approve the Pupil Transportation vehicle purchase so moved is there a second [3:55:15] second all those in favor of approving of approving the Pupil Transportation vehicle per purchase say I I anyone [3:55:23] opposed the um Pupil Transportation vehicle purchases [3:55:30] approved okay uh I just wanted to clarify for the board on policy 613 [3:55:35] graduation requirements when this came to our last meeting meeting for discussion there was um particular [3:55:44] attention drawn to the incoming freshman [3:55:49] class around their social studies requirements and their elective [3:55:55] requirements and so Director D St Hubert has uh done a great job of crafting some [3:56:01] language and if you look at the end of your policy not in the [3:56:07] appendix my in the pendex sorry mine's not working right now just towards the end towards the end of the policy you'll [3:56:13] see the clarified language so I just wanted to draw your attention to that because that was a change uh that was [3:56:18] requested from the board at last month's meeting do board members have any uh [3:56:26] questions or concerns about that specific [3:56:35] update are there any questions or concerns about any of the other [3:56:41] policies okay um all those in favor of approving policies 421 515 601 602 and [3:56:48] 613 say I I anyone opposed policies 421 515 601 602 and 613 um are approved [3:56:57] thank you very much um Dr Stanley do we have any leadership [3:57:03] updates I'm really excited about tomorrow we are going down to the [3:57:08] capital with every the discussion that we've had to really advocate for additional [3:57:14] funding um to Advocate oh in just many different ways [3:57:19] but we have our Lac platform um we have many many kids who are going down with [3:57:25] us um the voice of kids is really powerful with our legislators that's [3:57:30] exciting um hey our boys swimming dive [3:57:35] just took home a championship and so we are super super excited about that [3:57:42] um gosh our girls didn't even have time to talk about the girls winning a hockey championship before the boys okay [3:57:50] they're just going to quarterfinals I know that so [3:57:56] um yeah I think that those are probably the greatest but most importantly is [3:58:02] advocacy advocacy at the capital call all legislators advocacy at [3:58:08] the capital because um like I started out by saying 70% of amsd districts have [3:58:14] a budget shortfall to uh totaling more than $300 million right now um and these are [3:58:24] our neighbors so Advocate Advocate Advocate thank you Dr Stanley um before [3:58:31] I motion to adjourn um Tonight is the last board meeting of director Mona sty [3:58:38] and and I also heard she's here but she can hear she can hear I also heard that [3:58:45] she likes to celebrate her birthday for multiple weeks so I would like to wish her happy birthday from the board and [3:58:52] hopefully she could hear us clapping because I think she deserves a round of applause for her [3:59:04] service um so thank you for your service here and we wish you well at the U um [3:59:09] and go Gophers um do I have a motion to adjourn the meeting so moved is there a second [3:59:16] second all those in favor of adjourning say I I anyone opposed um the meeting is [3:59:22] adjourned thank [3:59:37] you