Agenda Approval
Approved Unanimously
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [Opening] · Seconded by Unknown [Opening]
Chair Gabler called the meeting to order and requested motion to approve the agenda. The agenda included Excellence in Action presentation, consent agenda items, social studies curriculum adoption, budget parameters, policy reviews, and multiple action items.
Excellence in Action: STEAM Education and Coding at Normandale Media Center
Information/Presentation Only
Dissent: None
Moved by N/A · Seconded by N/A
Lana West, Normandale media specialist, presented LEGO robotics and coding projects with second and third-grade student participants (Vivian Putz, Alicia Vermani, Max Dixon, Wilder Laase, Jack Papa John, Mercy). The presentation emphasized design thinking, computational thinking, and the connection between LEGO building, coding, and literacy development. Students demonstrated how coding blocks work and discussed their creative processes. Board member Ellenberg shared that her daughter participated in similar robotics programs and is now on a high school robotics team.
Consent Agenda Approval
Approved Unanimously
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [Consent Agenda] · Seconded by Unknown [Consent Agenda]
Chair Gabler asked if any board members wished to remove items from the consent agenda. No items were removed. The consent agenda included social studies curriculum adoption discussion, budget parameters, and several policies for review.
K-12 Social Studies Curriculum Adoption
Discussion Only - Action Deferred to Next Month
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [Discussion Item] · Seconded by Unknown [Discussion Item]
Bethany van Ael and Jamie Hackinson presented the K-12 social studies curriculum adoption recommendation. The design team process began in 2022 and involved comprehensive review of resources aligned to both current 2021 standards and legacy 2012 standards. For K-5, Studies Weekly was recommended for adoption, featuring print and online components with Spanish and French language overlays. The team emphasized that resources align with the district's strategic plan (personalized learning and educational excellence) and implementation science processes. Early implementation for K-5 is planned for 2026-2027 with a small group of teachers, while secondary grades (7-8) will have eight teachers implementing together. The presentation included discussion of potential legislative changes to standards and confirmation that recommended resources would remain aligned regardless of standard reversion.
Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget Revisions and FY 2027-2028 Budget Parameters
Discussion Only - Action Deferred to Next Regular Meeting
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [Discussion Item] · Seconded by Unknown [Discussion Item]
Director of Finance and Operations Mert Wooder presented budget revisions across five main operating funds. General Fund: enrollment higher than projected (8,670 vs. 8,630 ADM) adds $540,000 revenue; school-term unemployment aid reimbursement adds $312,000; READ Act funding adds $654,000; 2024A bond proceeds for bus purchases add $1.5 million to Capital Fund. Special education revenue reduced by 5% due to state proration but district's conservative budgeting mitigates impact. Total additional revenue: $3.6 million; additional expenditures: $2.6 million (including used diesel bus purchases, licensed salary adjustments, collective bargaining agreements for custodians, bus drivers, PA professionals, and principals). Food Service Fund: participation in universal free meals increased, adding $830,000 revenue and $690,000 expenditures, with $228,000 added to fund balance. Building and Construction Fund: $6.6 million in bonded debt for deferred maintenance; $100 million refinancing of 2014A and 2015A bonds at lower interest rates. Overall fund balance increase: $1 million. District maintains conservative fiscal approach with budget reductions anticipated in FY 2027-2028.
Policy Review: Policy 534 (Emergency Health Situations and District Insurance Limitations)
Discussion Only - Action Deferred to Next Month
Dissent: None
Moved by N/A · Seconded by N/A
Board Member Ellenberg, as Policy Committee chair, presented Policy 534. No substantive changes were proposed; only the correct supervisor was updated. The policy addresses non-personnel injury or liability on school district premises, establishing that injured parties' insurance is primary unless the district is proven negligent.
Policy Review: Policy 535 (Education of Homeless Children)
Discussion Only - Action Deferred to Next Month
Dissent: None
Moved by N/A · Seconded by N/A
Board Member Ellenberg presented Policy 535, which mirrors federal statute. No substantive changes were proposed. Director of Student Support Services Jody Remsing confirmed that Joanne Kach, Assistant Director in the Student Support Services office, serves as the district's homeless liaison. Discussion included how families experiencing homelessness are referred to building social workers, who then connect them to the liaison. Board members asked about public awareness of the liaison and whether the district would be required to revise policy if federal standards change. Director Remsing confirmed that federal law supersedes district policy.
Policy Review: Policy 517 (Student Recruiting)
Discussion Only - Action Deferred to Next Month
Dissent: None
Moved by N/A · Seconded by N/A
Board Member Ellenberg presented Policy 517, which mirrors Minnesota High School League language and MSBA model policy. The policy addresses recruiting of student athletes and participants. Discussion focused on whether the policy should be retained given that it does not measurably impact district operations. The committee decided to retain the policy for community clarification and to send a message that recruiting is taken seriously. Changes included elimination of redundant language about 'capacity of programs and classes.' Board members discussed whether the policy applies to private schools and charters (confirmed: any school) and whether it extends beyond athletics to other student recruitment (e.g., marketing successful programs like the robotics team). Director of Communications Staffan Edwards confirmed that the policy is most often applied in conversations with Athletics Director Troy Stein but is broader in scope.
Policy Review: Policy 519 (Student Interviews by Outside Agencies)
Discussion Only - Action Deferred to Next Month
Dissent: None
Moved by N/A · Seconded by N/A
Board Member Ellenberg presented Policy 519, which was reviewed by Assistant Superintendent Nate Swenson and building leadership. The substantive change added language addressing exigent circumstances that would supersede standard protocol. Example: law enforcement responding to a suspected threat with imminent danger would be allowed to intervene without following standard procedures. Additional updates aligned the policy with the Maltreatment of Minors Act. The policy was part of the normal annual review cycle, not a reaction to a specific incident.
Elementary Literacy Curriculum Adoption: Benchmark Advance
Approved Unanimously
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [Action Item] · Seconded by Unknown [Action Item]
The board voted to approve the adoption of Benchmark Advance as the elementary literacy curriculum, replacing Making Meaning, Being a Reader, and Being a Writer. Assistant Director of Teaching and Learning Bethany van Ael presented the three-year selection process involving six programs reviewed using the Reading League rubric and culture proficiency tools. Benchmark was chosen unanimously by staff for its comprehensive approach to the science of reading, integration of STEAM components, and strong early implementation results. The curriculum includes Spanish dual-language support through the Adelante companion program. French immersion implementation requires further planning. Early implementation data shows strong student engagement and writing development. The total cost is in the hundreds of thousands of dollars over 8 years, paid annually as a license for consumables and materials. Board members emphasized the importance of Benchmark's approval by the Minnesota Department of Education (partial approval on the second tier) and the distinction between tier one (classroom instruction) and intervention (Sunday 1 and 2 remain unchanged).
Academic Calendars for 2025-2026, 2026-2027, and 2027-2028
Approved Unanimously
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [Action Item] · Seconded by Unknown [Action Item]
The board approved proposed academic calendars with modifications to the 2025-2026 calendar. Assistant Superintendent Nate Swenson and Executive Director of Human Resources Sonia Sailor presented the calendars. Changes to 2025-2026 include moving elementary Connect and Assess days from Monday-Tuesday of the first week of school to Friday (August 22) and Monday (August 25), with Tuesday reserved for elementary teachers to review assessment data before students arrive Wednesday. A clerical error (September 30 appearing on both September and October calendars) was corrected, moving the last student day to Friday, May 29, 2026, and the last teacher data day to Monday, June 1, 2026. The district continues to start before Labor Day due to construction projects exceeding the $400,000 threshold required by Minnesota statute. Board members thanked the calendar committee for balancing stakeholder needs.
Achievement and Integration Fiscal Year 2026 Budget
Approved Unanimously
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [Action Item] · Seconded by Unknown [Action Item]
Dr. Franny Beair, Director of Achievement, Equity, and Multilingual Learning Programming, presented the FY 2026 Achievement and Integration budget. No substantive changes were made from previous presentations. The budget was reformatted to comply with Minnesota Department of Education submission requirements (moving from spreadsheet to MDE form with multiple tabs). A small budget update was made based on refined estimates from January. Board members appreciated the intentional alignment between the budget plan and the district's metrics plan for measuring student success.
American Indian Education Program: Vote of Concurrence
Approved Unanimously
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [Action Item] · Seconded by Unknown [Action Item]
The board approved a vote of concurrence for the American Indian Education Program, moving from the previous year's non-concurrent vote. Dr. Erica Piper presented the report. The American Indian Parent Advisory Committee (APAC) voted concurrent, acknowledging significant progress on the 15 recommendations from the prior year. Key achievements include the hiring of Dwayne as a full-time American Indian Culture Liaison, who developed robust elementary and middle school programming. High school programming was newly established this year. The committee is in a rebuilding phase and seeking new members. Board members emphasized continued commitment to the program and asked about progress measurement on specific goals (e.g., 80% FastBridge benchmark). Dr. Piper noted that an article about Dwayne was published in the Edina Sun Current, written by a non-native student inspired by his presentation to her English language arts class. The article highlighted the depth and authenticity of the programming.
Policy Approval: Eight Policies for Action (513, 521, 524, 604, 617, 619, 623, 632)
Approved Unanimously
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [Action Item] · Seconded by Unknown [Action Item]
Board Member Ellenberg presented eight policies for approval: Policy 513 (Student Promotion, Acceleration, Retention, and Early Childhood Admission) - updated with current administrator names; Policy 521 (Student Disability Non-Discrimination) - name change only; Policy 524 (Electronic Technology Acceptable Use) - updated with current cell phone and electronic device use parameters by grade level; Policy 604 (Grade Level Configuration and Enrollment at School Sites) - updated to include Spanish dual-language programming; Policy 617 (Class Size and Staffing) - updated with current procedures and class size parameters; Policy 619 (Student Assignments to Teachers and Classes) - no significant changes; Policy 623 (Summer School Instruction) - updated to align with current practice; Policy 632 (Chemical Use and Abuse) - updated with current practices and procedures. No board members raised questions or concerns.
Board Leadership and Committee Updates
Information/Updates Only
Dissent: None
Moved by N/A · Seconded by N/A
Board members provided updates on upcoming events and initiatives. Board Member Arum announced Day at the Capital on March 24, 2025, inviting community members to advocate for public education. The Legislative Affairs Committee will have students, staff, and community members present. Chair Gabler announced that the interim superintendent search process includes finalist interviews scheduled for Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at 5:00 PM in Room 350 (open to public and live-streamed). Superintendent Stanley acknowledged the girls' hockey team's performance in a recent game that went to double overtime, highlighting the quality of athletic programming. She also mentioned ongoing swimming and boys' hockey programs (boys' hockey tickets sold out). Stanley noted the second and final day of the budget community task force meeting scheduled for the following evening, with 65 task force members reviewing comparable districts. She highlighted Southview Middle School art teachers (Samantha Jacobson, Michaela Herer, Dylan Welch, Samuel Sule) displaying student artwork in visual and media arts, including sixth-grade narrative paintings, seventh-grade mixed media, and eighth-grade photography and pottery. Stanley encouraged attendance at the library art show in May.
Meeting Adjournment
Approved Unanimously
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [Adjournment] · Seconded by Unknown [Adjournment]
Chair Gabler called for a motion to adjourn the meeting.