Wayzata Public Schools — Transcript
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Board Officer Elections
Student Council Report & Superintendent Search Input
Employee & Retiree Recognitions
Birch View Elementary Extracurricular Activities
iPad Technology Use and Screen Time in Schools
Preschool Age Guidelines and Redshirting
Financial Report - November 2025
Board Committee Structure Approval
Board Appointments to External Organizations
Board Member Compensation Adjustment
School Board Handbook Adoption
Votes (8)
Election of Board Chair for 2026
Dissent: Heidi Kedar, Alicia Little, Sheila Prior voted against Milan Sahony.
Moved by Not applicable · Seconded by Not applicable
Heidi Kedar and Milan Sahony were nominated. Both presented statements regarding their qualifications and vision for the chair role. Heidi Kedar highlighted her experience as Vice Chair and commitment to succession planning. Milan Sahony emphasized continuity during a critical year with a superintendent search and bond referendum.
Election of Board Vice Chair for 2026
Dissent: None
Moved by Not explicitly stated [29:56] · Seconded by Not explicitly stated
Sheila Prior was nominated for the position of Vice Chair. No other nominations were put forward.
Election of Board Treasurer for 2026
Dissent: Milan Sahony, Dan Janestra, Alicia Little voted against Heidi Kedar.
Moved by Not applicable · Seconded by Not applicable
Dan Janestra nominated himself, and Heidi Kedar also nominated herself for the Treasurer position, leading to a ballot vote.
Election of Board Clerk for 2026
Dissent: Heidi Kedar and Alicia Little voted against Dan Janestra.
Moved by Not applicable · Seconded by Not applicable
Dan Janestra and Paras Bendy were nominated for the Clerk position, necessitating a ballot vote.
Approval of Board Committee Structure for 2026
Dissent: None
Moved by Sheila Prior [1:16:11] · Seconded by Alicia Little [1:16:12]
The board reviewed and discussed the proposed assignments for various standing and ad hoc committees. A point of clarification was made regarding the handling of alternate committee members, with the administration opting for an 'as needed' approach due to low historical usage of pre-assigned alternates.
Approval of Board Committee Appointments for 2026
Dissent: None
Moved by Alicia Little [1:18:59] · Seconded by Paris Bendi [1:19:00]
The board confirmed the proposed list of members appointed to represent the school board in various community and professional organizations for the upcoming year.
Approval of Schoolboard Compensation Increase
Dissent: None
Moved by Heidi Kedar [1:20:30] · Seconded by Sheila Prior [1:20:31]
The board discussed the proposed 2.74% increase in compensation for board members. Heidi Kedar explained that this was the first raise in approximately eight years and aligned with the district's funding formula increase. Sheila Prior emphasized that the adjustment aims to make board service more accessible by covering incidental costs, not for personal gain.
Approval of the Schoolboard Handbook
Dissent: Valentina Ays and Milan Sahonyi voted against approval.
Moved by Paris Bendi [1:28:44] · Seconded by Sheila Prior [1:28:45]
Valentina Ays and Milan Sahonyi expressed concerns that the handbook was not a 'finished product,' citing missing acronyms, non-working hyperlinks, and lack of statutory references. The administrative assistant acknowledged some omissions and committed to corrections, confirming it is a 'living document.' After a discussion about whether to postpone or approve with immediate revision plans, the board proceeded to a vote.
Notable Quotes (8)
I've sat as vice chair for two years, which is our typical cadence of our officer roles. Um, and it's our good faith practice amongst board colleagues that our roles will last for two years. I am prepared. I am practiced. I have incredibly strong relationships that I've developed over the past four years. I'm unapologetically committed to strong leadership and along with that goes strong succession planning.
The year ahead is especially consequential. We are navigating a superintendent search, a bond referendum, and other initiatives already underway. This is a moment that calls for steadiness, preparation, and care in how we lead. In times of times like these, continuity matters.
just to note as well on every committee there is an administrator who sits on the committee alongside with us.
the administration has discussed the alternate situation. I did email the school board with regard to alternates and haven't heard from many yet. But um I think that we we can discuss this further, but I think we're going to move to a alternate as needed basis.
we had not had any raises or changes in compensation for many years. I think it was about eight years that we didn't do that and there's a certain point where you have to start keeping up. We aligned the 2.74 number. that percentage is in alignment with um what our uh the funding formula increase was.
the amount that we get none of us are really in this for the money but to we want to make being a schoolboard member um you know available to people in the community and if you have to get babysitting or if you have any other incidental costs associated with coming to board meetings um this the compensation can be important for you know providing opportunity for more people to participate
My major concern is to be honest that it it took so long on some items. I don't want um things to be taken that long each and every I um put some items like to be honest it was a um superintendent um timeline uh comes to my mind then I remember both of us at the time also requested um to include acronyms because uh many people um it's for any school board member Not all school board members um in education.
I just want to make sure Valentina, you are absolutely correct that the acronyms were discussed. That was lost in lots of things that I was doing when I was reviewing the organizational meeting. So, I do apologize because that was just a complete miss on my part. I think that's something that could still be added because the board did already agree to have those acronyms. So, I think as long as you're okay with me adding that after you vote, I think I can do that and I will absolutely check the hyperlinks.
Ordinances & Resolutions (4)
Requires the board to elect its officers at the organizational meeting.
Board member compensation and expense policy, under which the annual compensation plan is recommended.
Newly adopted handbook for the school board, reviewed and approved for implementation.
District's guiding plan referenced by Milan Sahony as the focus for his chair duties.