Welcome everybody. I would like to call this regular meeting of the Hopkins School Board to order at 7:00 p.m. on June 23rd, 2026. Thank you all for being here and present. And if you're tuning in online, we appreciate that as well. Um our first order of business is open agenda. We have public comment at the beginning and end of every meeting if needed. Um did we get any voicemails? No voicemails and there are no people with us this evening to make public comments. So, we will then move to our superintendent report. Dr. Mary Perry Reed. >> Thank you, Chair Andresen, and good evening to everyone, board members, colleagues in the audience, and community members. Um so, I have a very brief report. Um and as Natalia gets ready to present it, um first I just want to congratulate the class of 26. >> Yay. >> Uh 26 earned an average of 3.29 GPA. They um collectively applied to uh 2,023 colleges and universities with a 79% admission rate, which I thought was very exciting, um completing an average of five AP and or CIS or honors courses per student, which I thought was also fascinating. And within this class, there were 59 AVID or um Advancement Via Individual Determination Scholars. These are first-generation college goers, and they had a 100% college acceptance rate. So, really successful class and we wish them well as they transition from Hopkins High School student learning and achievement. And so, we wanted to share with you all of the great communications and marketing department. So, NSPRA is the National School Public Relations Association and NSPRA awarded our comms department with three national awards. So, they won the annual report award of excellence and that was for annual report called Securing Our Future Together that was sent to our community last year. The team also won the special purpose publication award of excellence and that was for the referendum materials that we sent that we created and sent to our community and then the team also won the video series award of excellence for two referendum videos. So, um wonderful work communications and marketing team under the leadership of Jolene Goldader and now interim director uh Toya Stewart Downey and we did make an offer today to a new director of communications and marketing and um soon that will become public and we're so very excited for the success of this team. Um next, so I wanted to make sure that our school board members and also our community is aware of a um legislative proposal. So, you may have heard about the permanent school fund and this is an education savings account for public schools. Um essentially, the permanent school fund was created when Minnesota became a state and is funded by money earned from state school trust lands including timber, mining, and leases. >> [snorts] >> And the proposal on the table is for Minnesota voters to approve a constitutional amendment that would result in public schools receiving 4.5% of the funds annual earnings. And so the the total value of this fund currently is $2.3 billion. Um And um there'll be a lot of information coming out from the Association of Metropolitan School Districts, from the Minnesota School Board Association, and it'll be important for our board members, and also our educators here in Hopkins to educate our public and make sure that voters approve this constitutional amendment because there are no new taxes involved, and schools would have local control if this amendment was approved. They would have local control over how these dollars are spent. And then, lastly, I do want to just acknowledge uh my time here in Hopkins. I have served as superintendent for 9 years here in Hopkins Public Schools, and in just a few days I'll be passing the torch to Dr. Michael Thomas. And as you know, creating opportunities for students is not a single person's work. It takes all of us. And so everything that we have achieved for the last 9 years on behalf of all of our students to advance the learning and achievement of our students and ensure that our schools are safe, and ensure that improvements are made to the experiences of staff and students and families every day, all of that is as is a the of all of us working together. So I just want to thank you for the opportunity. >> [snorts] >> I did a little bit of quantifying here. So, 9 years is equivalent to 108 months. And at two meeting two board meetings per month, that's about 162 board meetings. And at a weekly 3-hour cabinet meeting, uh that's 360 3-hour cabinet meetings. I have cabinet colleagues in the back. They're going to miss me. >> [laughter] >> Um so, I just want to um truly thank all of you for this honor. >> Thank you for mentioning the transition. Um I have been willfully ignoring it. And um I don't think I'm alone um when I express deep gratitude for your years of service. And also for the care with which you have held each student in this district. Um as a parent, that has been felt by all of us. So, I'm going to pass it to other people because I'll just keep crying. >> Thank you. >> Uh Dr. Mary Perry Reed, thank you so much for your service to the district. We are certainly going to miss you a lot. I appreciate learning a lot from you and your elegance and just the way that you carry your leadership. Um everyone that I speak to in the community have very, very good things to say about you, including the Freedom School staff, who I just literally was at their parent meeting and they were talking about coming back to Hopkins. They were like, "Man, I'm so sad that Rhoda's leaving." And so, like I think a lot of folks really do appreciate like how you um the the uh the gift that you have brought over to the Hopkins School District. So, um this is not goodbye. This is a see you later. Come pretty sure I will see you around somewhere um just doing all the great things that you know how to do. So, thank you for your service. >> Thank you. You'll see me around. I'll be at the high school. >> Yes. >> [laughter] >> With my kid. Well, thank you. >> What else? >> Thank you. Um, that then takes us to um, approval of tonight's agenda. I would look for a motion. >> Uh, I think Sarah wants to say something. >> Oh. Sorry. It's like being so So, I'm I'm new here or newer here and uh, you know this, but my family moved here because I'd been paying attention to the work that was happening in this district and as a person who's deeply committed both to public education and to equity and to wanting to ensure that every little kid, no matter what their background or their family of origin or generational trauma or whatever they've experienced, that education should be a pathway for all of us to be members of a democracy that's for everybody. And that's why my family moved here. And so, just thank you for your work and legacy and uh, you know intimately that the work of a superintendent is not an easy job and so, we just thank you for your service to this community and uh, look forward to continuing on good work as we do that together. So, thank you and may you also just be surrounded in restful space and where you can be like, "Look at now that I don't have to go to those 363 hours of meetings [laughter] or whatever it may be." So, just thank you so much. >> You know, some of the the new curriculum, you know, the the read uh, read act investments um, and you know, just maintaining a a good fund balance. Um, you know, it was it's difficult. You got us through COVID. It's it's been a lot of challenges and you've done it and uh, you've made, you know uh, taken the district where it needs to go and I'm very excited for the next uh uh milestone. But you you got us there so I deeply appreciate it and you know personally you know you you trained at least me in what board governance is and you know I think I I think I've learned a lot about that so I appreciate. >> Um any discussion? Seeing none all those [clears throat] in favor please say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? The chair votes I and tonight's agenda is approved. Next is the consent calendar. The purpose of this these items is to provide the board with information considered to be more routine in nature. If the board deems an item to be necessary for additional discussion a motion will be made to move the item to new business. Do I have a motion to approve the consent calendar? >> So moved. >> I have a motion is there a second? >> Second. >> I have a motion and a second any discussion? Seeing none all those in favor please say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? The chair votes I and the consent calendar is approved. And that takes us to our treasurer's report. >> Chair Endresen sorry to interrupt but it says roll call in item H is that do we need a roll call for that or for the Hopkins census resolution? >> Oh yeah I see that. Thanks Mark. >> I don't know. >> We do not have um Assistant Superintendent Lightfoot so [clears throat] in an abundance of caution clerk please call the roll. Thank you Director Shaw. >> Uh roll call. It's Shannon Andreason. I. Rachel Heartland. I. Johanna Heiman. I. Brooke Roper. I. Kai Thompson. I. Sarah Welham Garbers. I. Shuming Zhao. I. All have voted I. Thank you. Clerk. WG. Um, and just for our communities um edification, that was a roll call vote certifying the population um estimate for the 2026 payable uh 2027 levy of Independent School District 270. Um it is an updated population estimate. So, that is what we called the roll for. And um that now we go to the treasurer's report, Treasurer Heartland. Certainly. Um, good [clears throat] evening. I'll be brief since we're about to hear quite a bit of financial information. Um, tonight's check register covers a longer period than normal. It's May 1st to May 31st and contains one very large expense. And that was $5,295,500 to SiteLogiq for planning, project management, civil management such as getting permits and necessary testing and documentation. This invoice was paid for out of fund six, which is our capital projects fund. Um, the source of the funds in that account is primarily bond sales. And there is, of course, an invoice affiliated with this line item and I can forward it to the board if there's interest in seeing it. It's broken out into 16 major projects and then 11 smaller projects and there's kind of a tracker for each that shows the percentage of work that has been completed against a total charge for that project. And so, we are, of course, moving many projects forward at once and this $5.295 million check was to cover the portion of work that has been completed on each of those. So, you can let me know if you want to see that invoice. You can email me. Um and we will be seeing similar bills in the future that we can compare to this previous one to see their tracker move forward. Um something that is unique on the check register is there were multiple checks made out to either students or colleges from fund eight. That's our trust and agency fund. Um and that fund is uh receives money by donations from either individuals or organizations to the Hopkins Public Schools District for the purpose of awarding these scholarships that um are awarded on our our scholarship night. We saw a lot of payments made to non-public schools in our boundary that have descriptions that say like four students at $210 or similar, and that's our district reimbursing non-public schools for the standardized transportation reimbursement amounts. It's set by the state of Minnesota under their non-public pupil transportation rules. Um so, we see that at the end of every year. Um several departments or vendors did a push to settle up invoices before the end of the year. Uh Advanced Imaging Solutions is one of those. The total of all of those invoices was $12,502.53. Um we paid Apple $202,056 for leases for staff devices paid for from fund 16, our capital leases fund. Um a lot of staff submitted March, April, and May mileage reimbursement requests since we were coming to the end of the year, so you see those. Um $23,091.78 went to Blake School for various um program and um curriculum reimbursements including transportation and then $49,777.65 went to BREC. We paid $1,744.56 for the Ford NGL April Community Convening and that was paid out of fund 19, which is our local grants fund. So, we did have a grant that paid for that. Um, Intermediate District 287 was paid $104,973.03 under that same pre-bill description that Director Thompson had asked [clears throat] about in the last meeting. And I I did look into that further and it's one of 12 equal payments for the base cost of our share of services from District 287 that for the year, the school year it totaled $1.259 million um, and includes the base cost for a variety of services, the lease of space and then also kind of a per student fee that's $15.05 per student. And then separately for other services we um, see bills throughout the year, but this pre-bill is the kind of this base amount. Um, Kelly Services, the provider of a lot of our substitute teaching services was paid $88,392.45. We paid Lake Country $234,124.60 for all kinds of trips that occurred in March, April, and May and were paid in the month of May. We paid $3,034.20 to McDowell Agency for background checks for new staff hires and also all of the staff that teaches our dozens and dozens of Royal Zone and Freedom School and Community Ed classes over the summer. Uh, we settled a lot of Modern Heating and Air invoices for a total of $58,147.50. Um, for PSEO, which is the program through which our students can attend local college classes and earn college credit. We paid $148,013.94 from our general fund to Normandale and North Hennepin Community Colleges. And with that, I move that we approve total disbursements in the amount of 7,699,325.37 cents for the period of May 1st to May 31st, 2026. >> I have a motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> I have a motion and a second. Any discussion? Okay. >> Aye. >> Aye. >> Any opposed? The chair votes aye and the treasurer's report is accepted. And I want to thank you, Treasurer Heartland, for a very informative year. The ways in which your report has grown and um, been more inclusive and transparent is notable. Um, I also have been impressed with the way that you handled the transition or the non-transition um, of our financials between systems. You were patient, you were diligent, and you made sure that the board got really transparent updates through that entire process. So, thank you. I appreciate it. Very good year. >> Chair Andresen. >> Yes. >> I also want to say, Treasurer Heartland, that I love how you very thoughtfully and strategically select certain items so that our community >> I would like to invite our presenters up to the table and turn it over to Dr. Mary Pirie Reed. >> Thank you, Chair Andresen. Well, um, welcome Andy Gryce from KDV and Jessica Olson, who is our interim CFO and also works with CISO and with us and we're very grateful for the work that both of you have done for our district. I do want to acknowledge that this audit process has taken much longer than anyone would have liked, but we're elated that we have reached this completion point and I want to thank all of our business services professionals under the guidance of Jessica Olson. I want to thank our CLA partners and also KDV for their patience and persistence through this process. What you will hear about is not a completely unblemished audit. However, the findings are consistent with those identified in FY24 around procurement, purchasing practices and needing much tighter and more explicit internal controls and these are things that we have been working on in our business services office and so I'm very grateful to them and we have been setting up our systems and processes so that we can be on time with FY26 and all subsequent audits. So that will be very important for the district to achieve those goals and with that I'll turn it over to Andy from KDV. Thanks for being here. >> All right, thank you so much for having me here tonight. Here to present the audit results for the year ended June 30th, 2025. We do have our independent auditors report included in the district's financial statements and just wanted to remind everyone what that means in terms of what we're reporting on there and our role as your auditors to provide assurance through our audit opinion as to whether we believe your financial statements to present fairly in all material respects, but the ultimate responsibility for the financial statements lies with management. Uh we are providing a clean unmodified opinion, which is the best that we can give as your auditor, so congratulations on receiving that again here for the year ended again June 30th, 2025. Uh the I did want to highlight a couple other reports as well. Uh we did have a report on government auditing standards as well as a report on Minnesota legal compliance. Um did want to highlight that we are issuing our single audit report anticipated in July, so there are some components of that test work that were pending at the time of this issuance, but that is expected to be communicated in July. The government auditing standards report talks about our consideration of internal control over financial reporting when performing our financial statement audit, and so we are required by audit standards to communicate in writing any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses that come to our attention as part of that audit. Uh and as was mentioned, many of these findings are the same that were reported in 2024 given that the conditions were present in both periods given that we did issue that report, you know, after the June 30th, 2025 period had ended. Uh one new finding that we reported this year and that was a deficiency in the budget reporting process. We noted a component of the overall budget for revenue excluded a piece of the levy there, so just wanted to be sure you know, that we're recommending some improvements to that process to be sure that can those types of um errors can be identified timely. And then the compliance finding relates to again having a system that was not yet approved by the MDE in place during 2025, so that continued to be present here for for this reporting period. Um same on the Minnesota legal compliance report, all of these were were the same back in 2024, but the district is is getting things in order to be sure that those are just for 2026. And then the last component of our reporting is our communications letter, which will highlight some charts and graphs from here next. Um to start, I wanted to take a look at enrollments. Given that state sources of revenue represent the majority of general fund revenues, the most significant component of that state source is general education aid, which is based on enrollment as well as the formula allowance that's established by the state. I wanted to start by looking at resident ADM. These are the students that are within the district boundaries that are available to be served. And taking a look at this data here for 2025, we did see about a 3 and 1/2% increase from 7,298 to 7,552. We then take a look at the conversion to pupil unit numbers. And this takes into account the waiting here. I think I have a chart here with the waiting. I get a 20% premium there for secondary students, so that gets taken into account as part of that. And then it also takes into account the open enrollment process. So any students that are going elsewhere for educational opportunities or any non-residents coming into the district. And with that increase in overall resident ADM, there was an increase in residents resident students that were being served. And so that was a 3.4% increase. There was an increase in in pupil units going elsewhere. That increased by 174. And that was offset by an increase of about 37 of non-residents coming in. And that netted to about 137 pupil unit increase or about 1.8% here for 2025. We do have a chart that highlights the rate of change for each of the years presented. And so here in 2025, we do see the largest growth in both ADM and pupil units served with a again 3 and 1/2% increase in ADM and then a 1.8% increase in pupil units served. The next chart highlights the formula allowance over the years. And so for this reporting period of 2025, there was a 2% increase in that formula allowance, and that increased to 2.7% going into 2026. And that leads us into a highlighting the general fund sources of revenue here over the last 5 years. Uh as you can see here, um we did see an increase overall from 100 about 140.9 million to 150 almost 153 million dollars, with the most significant increase occurring in that state sources line. So, that increased from 78.4 million to 86.6 million. Uh and that was mainly driven by that increase in students, the increase in the formula allowance, as well as some additional special education funding, which is based on costs. We did see an offsetting decrease there in that other category, which decreased from a high point in the 5 years presented at 12.4 million down to about 10.9 million dollars. That category includes federal sources, and so with a majority of the COVID-19 dollars being spent in those previous 3 years, we're seeing that coming coming back to to lower lower levels here in 2025. And then local property taxes did see an increase from 50.1 million to 55.5 million with an increase in levy. Uh the next chart I wanted to highlight is the budget to actual results. So, the budget that was approved by the board was for 128 million dollars in revenue, 128 million dollars in expenditures, and anticipated no change in fund balance for the year. Uh taking a look at actual revenues, actual revenues came in at 100 about 153 million dollars. So, that was about 25 million dollars better than anticipated. And the majority of that variance occurred in that local property taxes line, coming in 14 million dollars better than anticipated. And again, that relates to a component of of the levy that was excluded from the budget once that when that was originally approved. And then the state sources line came in better than anticipated, really driven by more special education aid than anticipated. More federal sources were utilized and and that came in more than anticipated and then that other local and county revenues line was $4.2 million better than anticipated and that's where investment income is and again that's budgeted conservatively so that did come in better than budgeted. On the expenditure side that came in at $137.7 million which was $9.7 million more than anticipated overall. There was a significant variance between administration and regular instruction. There were certain positions that were budgeted in in administration that are required to be reported in another category and so those are reclassified so you do see do see an offsetting variance when it comes to regular instruction. And then we did see special education come in over budget by about $5.7 million just based on those special education needs and then the sites and buildings category was over budget just based on the timing of certain projects. That did result in a surplus for the year of about 15.2 15.2 million dollars. And then after other other financing sources and uses, mainly transfers out to other funds, fund balance increased for the year by about $7 million. The next chart highlights revenues per ADM served just to give some further perspective on how the district has compared to prior years in terms of that number as well as comparison to other districts similar size districts and and and statewide averages. Historically the district has been above those statewide averages as well as higher than similar size schools and there's a a lot of variables there that go into that just based on the funding sources and the demographics and makeup of the different property tax bases and such and so just just to kind of be aware and have that information available for for discussion purposes did see that number come down here for 2025 from 20,269 per pupil or ADM served down to 20,003 and that was mainly driven by that federal aid which continued to drop which was, you know, again higher back in that 22 time frame when a lot of that COVID-19 funding was available and and dropping to about 637 was which is a bit closer to that 2021 time frame. We also have the same information in terms of expenditures per ADM served so seeing how that's changed here over the last 5 years. It was at a high point back in 2024 with the remaining spending of those COVID-19 dollars but did see that increase to 26,149 for all funds for 2025. And then also wanted to highlight just the makeup of general fund expenditures and how expenditures are allocated by program between the two years. So majority of funds are going to those instructional categories. The only areas that we saw a shift were in that administration and regular instruction category just due to a due to a change in coding and then an increase in special education with a with an increase in the special education needs in that program. The next slide highlights the overall general fund operations here over the last 5 years as well as the different components of fund balance with the 7 million dollar increase in overall fund balance. We did want to highlight kind of where that ended up in terms of the restricted assigned and unassigned portion of fund balance. And so the unassigned portion of fund balance actually decreased even though there was an overall increase in fund balance. It went from 16.3 million down to 14.4 million and that's due to a majority of the surplus being tied to restricted sources of revenue that were unspent at the end of the year. So capital projects levy did see an increase from 5.5 million to about 9.2 million and then long long-term facility maintenance dollars increased from 126,000 to 4.8 million dollars. So uh those are kind of the uh the major shifts in those different categories. Uh to take a look at financial health, um we also wanted to highlight um unrestricted fund balance as a percentage of unrestricted percent unrestricted expenditures. And so, with uh unassigned fund balance uh mainly going down, uh whereas expenditures remained fairly flat, we did see a decrease in that percentage from 17.3% down to 14.7%. Um the district does have a policy in place to maintain no less than 6% of the annual budget uh in fund balance or in that unassigned fund balance category. Uh and for 2025, um that ratio was 10.5%. So, uh well within um that that policy range. Uh last, just wanted to highlight a couple of the um special revenue funds. One being the food service fund, did see uh did see the expenditures in that um fund increase just based on uh increasing costs. And and that did result in a deficit for the year of about $290,000, which did bring fund balance down uh to $812,000 at the end of the year. And then the community service fund um continued to see um surpluses uh each of the years presented a bit smaller here for 2025, uh but revenues are at 13 million, expenditures at 12.2 million. And with that um $767,000 increase, did end the year at the highest point in the years presented at about $6.7 million. dollars. Um that's a high level level look at the audit results as well as um some of the select financial data. And want to again appreciate all the district's work working through the audit process again this year. Uh next, we'll select open up for any questions. >> Thank you. Appreciate it. And also all the work that went into getting these revised numbers. Um and would open it up to my board colleagues for questions. >> Chair Andresen. >> Yes, Director Zhao. >> Hi. Well, I do have a comment and then a question. So, first of all, thanks for the audit and the results. I think I've kind of joked that unmodified or you know, is is as good as it gets and that's actually really good news. So, that's awesome. I think just for the public to know, one of the things that I worry about and gives me a gray hair or two is making sure that there's no surprises, right? Especially with some of the financial things that happen in surrounding districts. You know, basically that that can't happen here because it's very disruptive and you know, it undermines trust and you know, operations. So, that's not happening. So, I just wanted to put that out there. And to Dr. Mary Pierre Reed's point about it being late, this is actually quicker, if you want to believe that or not, than last year's, which was about a year late. This is about 6 months late. So, we're we're accelerating, which is awesome. And my expectation or my you know, yeah, my expectation is that this 2026 one is going to be on time. And maybe this is a question for Jessica. How how's that looking? Is that likely? Can we hit that? >> Yes, we can. So, we're doing work right now to do a lot of cleanup with account codes and just reconciling what we can before the year end. And then as soon as July hits, we'll start the audit process. Emily and I are meeting the first week of July to assign audit tasks and go through that and our goal is to have everything ready 2 weeks prior to when it gets handed off to KTV so that there's no delays from the district side. >> That is very good news. Thank you. Appreciate it. Chair Andresen. >> Yes, Director Thompson. >> Thank you for that question, Director Zhao, and thank you for the um assurances or, you know, the confidence that you're instilling in us that, you know, it's great to see 12 months, 6 months on time. So, that seems [clears throat] logical. So, I appreciate that. So, now to those material weaknesses that we saw in 2024 and again in 2025, what is sort of your gut instinct as far as like will we see those again for 2026 or are we able to get on top of those or were we able to, I suppose? >> So, we have been working on those the last 6 months since the '24 audit findings came out or when we came aware of what they were going to be. So, we have been doing stuff to correct them. Our goal is to have as many corrected before June 30th of this year as possible and we'll continue to work through those that still continue to show up that need more time to fix. >> Great. Thank you. >> Yeah, yeah, Director Hyman. Go. Um So, thank you. I uh agree with everyone that has um uh spoken tonight and and shared we share um you know, our appreciation for everything you've done um to get this done by our last meeting tonight. Um I do have a question. I know we we had a good surprise, right? Um where we received more funds from the state and different programs than we anticipated receiving. Um my question is moving forward, how do we or is there a plan in place to um more accurately uh predict or calculate what those funds will be so we can forward looking perhaps budget in a more effective way, knowing really all the resources that we will have. >> So, speaking to what we did with the revised budget for FY26, we looked at the enrollment, we looked at where the projections were, and we did updates based on that. For FY27, which we'll talk about next, um we did the similar thing. So, we use where enrollments are, looking at the trends, and making sure that what we know is within the budget. Yes, there will be stuff that gets adjusted in the revised, but what we know today is what's in the budget. So, yes, it is something we're accounting for. >> Great, thank you. >> Chair Anderson. >> Yes, Clerk Wilhelm Garbers. >> Thank you. I echo my colleagues' thanks for your work on bringing this to us, and just wanted to note of a couple things for our community. Uh as a person who's also new on the board and to this work, I think one of them is just uh in this current moment as national politics impact funding, uh just want to highlight uh to our community and to those who are advocating at the state level and beyond the investment and the amount of students, the number of special education dollars represents. Like, those are real students who have needs and uh need educational supports, and so just want to highlight that that's a significant bud- part of our budget, and that means that's part of our community. And so, um just to encourage those who are advocating and to our elected officials, also as well, everything we can do to advocate for funding and resources for all of our students is vital. The second thing that I I I just wanted to note as well as a person who currently pays out of pocket for the full cost of my child's early childhood education is um the investment that we as a district do put in to every single student. And you know, it does take an entire community and state and federal support for us to be able to support our educators in the whole process. And it is you know, $20,000 about a year for us to if if I'm reading the financial report correctly. And that's significant. And I mean it's an important investment as well that we make as a community. So just thanks to our leaders and to all of our community members for the ways in which we take seriously your investment in public education and want to steward that well in a way that helps to uplift all of our community members. And I'll cede the floor. Thank you. >> Jan Richardson. >> Yes, Treasure Heartland. Thank you very much for your work as everyone has stated. Um now that we are on a more timely process, are there things either the board should be checking in on? Like we have not had a normal cycle for some time. And so I was wondering if perhaps you could remind us what we'll see once the fall starts. What's a typical review cycle and what can and should the board either ask or how can we help or what should we expect? >> Regarding the audit? >> Yes. >> So typically with the audit, the work starts in July. So we'll start all the preliminary stuff. August will really start ramping up because we have all the stuff that we're have come in in July that need to be booked back to the prior year or receivables and that stuff. Um typically come September, the audit should be pretty close to being wrapped up. The audit this year is scheduled um on October 19th, the week of. So we will have all of our district side financial the done the first week of October to be ready to be handed off. So, any conversations that you guys have or wanting to know updates, we can give an update probably September to the board of how the audit is going along. And then November, we'll have an audit presentation from Andy here from KDV that'll go through the 26 audit and it'll be submitted to the state at that point. >> Wonderful. I'm excited. Thank you. Thank you, everybody. Um I just had a question about a couple of things I heard in the presentation and want to make sure that I I got it down correctly. It is a little bit um dis- discombobulating to be looking at numbers from 2025 and so I just want to make sure I have it correct. Um I believe that in this report we saw that our ADM increased in 2025 by over 100 pupils. Did I see that correctly? >> Yes. >> Okay. Um so I just want to make sure that um but in a different manner. Um and I am wondering because of the way I I heard that a lot of those funds were um capital projects levies and so were brought back into that that fund balance, but I'm wondering um as I'm looking at these slides and the numbers, I believe that left about 7 million in kind of am I correct in assuming general operating funds? >> So, the net increase in overall fund balance was set was $7 million, but a majority of that surplus were unspent restricted dollars for capital projects levy and long-term facility maintenance. So, after accounting for those significant increases, it was actually a decrease to the unassigned fund balance category, which is free to be spent for anything. So, >> That helps because I was wondering why our unrestricted fund balance went >> Sure. >> Um so, you have answered that question. So, thank you. So, there Thanks. That was what I wanted to clarify. I appreciate that. Um and then Yeah, those were those were my questions. So, thank you very much. >> Thanks for having me. >> Anyone else? Nope. Then, um is there I believe we have to um approve the fiscal year 25 audit. So, I I would like um to give someone the honor of making this very um auspicious motion that we approve the fiscal year 25 audit. >> So moved. >> I have a motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> I have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor, please say aye. >> Aye. >> Aye. >> Any opposed? The chair votes aye, and the fiscal year 25 audit is approved. Thank you. >> Thank you, Andy. >> Thank you. >> Oh, she's calm, and she's very direct and very specific about what we need to do as an organization. And so, I have just um very much appreciated um your attention to detail and always keeping us updated. Thank you for your work and for getting us to this point. Moved back into Skyward, then we uh met with our school leaders and department leaders on a bi-weekly basis to discuss our instructionalized budget reductions and then reinvested about 1 million back into protecting the student experience in our schools. And we have updated the school board throughout that process. So at this point we have operationalized many of those reductions so that they can be realized next year. And I think we're ready to share more details about the FY27 budget and it will need board approval. So I'll turn it over to you Jessica for that report. Thank you. >> Let's dive in. So I just wanted to reiterate some of the priorities that we had looking at the FY27 budget. It was really around sustaining the classroom and making sure that the students have adequate classrooms as far as teacher to student ratios, making sure we're following a MOU as well. And just really aligning that student support with our students. The other area is the fund balance stability. So making sure that we're setting up today so that in future we are 0.8 million, community services 13.1, construction fund 258,000, debt service 19.6, internal service funds 18.2 and then the OPEB trust is 900 for a total revenue budget of 207 million dollars. And we'll go through the total expenditures is 241 million and we'll go through how that large spike is from FY26 to FY27 here in the next couple slides. So then just looking over the general fund, what we're looking is we're projecting a surplus of 1.5 million. It will be higher than that because we are spending down some fund balances to support this budget. So one of those that we're spending down is safe schools. It's helping to support some of our paras and making sure that we have the correct staff on for our students. Um, so that will be closer to that $2 million mark when we get to the fund balance fund down. We don't account for a revenue side when we spend down fund balance because we already have those funds on hand. We have just account for the expenditures that go along with it. So from a revenue breakdown this chart, I won't read it word for word, just breaks down how our revenue funding comes in with our visit basic revenue allowance being the largest portion of our funding along with special ed. Next we'll look at the general fund expenditures. So this is everything outside of the schools that the district supports. So governance and management is $724,000. The building support is 2.8. Uh, the next category is staff development, Q comp, IDL, American Indian education and literacy incentive for 4.2. And then we have our other category at 7.3. Within the other category that's going to include um, different programming that goes along with it. Um, and with that, uh, it's going to be the rack, severance, student activities, targeted staffing, safe schools, substitutes, kind of that catch-all piece of the budget. So the total of operating budget outside of the schools is 63.5 million. Next is a breakdown of each location and what their budget is for the year. Overall, all the school buildings come to an $85 million budget. Uh, and then you can see on here Alice Smith is at a 5.9, Eisenhower is at a 9.3, Glen Lake 6.4 million, Gatewood 6.5, Meadowbrook is 8.9, Tanglen 7, North Middle is 11 million, West Middle is 8.4, the high school is 19.2, and then Vedu is 2.1 million. Draining that fund balance. So, if it's at 800,000 for FY25, if we reduce another two um 150, that's going to get it down to a little over 500,000, and we really want to make sure that they have something if something major were to need to be replaced, um and just have that cushion there. So, we're looking to reduce some costs um and how we can specialize and really prioritize our food purchasing. So, you'll see some stuff around there. Um the quality and the delivery is all expected to stay the same. We're just looking at how to be more effective. Next we have is community education. So, we have a slight increase in revenue of 299,000. There's a large increase of expenditures. So, we're increasing expenditures from 13.2 to 14.2 million. Um one of the things that they're looking at doing is adding some programming for Chinese immersion for a preschool program. So, that will be coming in some other programming stuff. So, they're really trying to utilize that fund balance and deliver more to the community. All right. So, the next one that I want to talk about is construction. So, within construction, we have a budget of 250,000. This is an estimate for interest. We will have a bond sale in FY27. The reason why this is not included in the original budget is we don't know how much we're bonding for yet. So, as we've reconciled FY25 and we're reconciling FY26, that's going to determine how much the LTFM bond recommendation that will come to the board for approval will be. So, once we know that, we do have a small deficit spend. So, the um state allows you to have so much in your fund balance, and then once you get to a little bit higher, when you they'll start taking away some of that, so you spend down your fund balance. So, that's kind of where you're seeing that, so you don't have this huge fund balance in your debt service. >> Q. >> Any questions or comments? >> Chair Andresen. >> Yes, Director Thompson. >> Just to understand what you're talking about in the construction fund table. So, it says adapted budget 26-27 250,000, but then, you know, a massive expenditure. And so, what you're saying is because we're going to be selling bonds this coming year, when you bring us the revised budget, that revenue of 250,000 is going to jump up to something, but we don't know what it is yet, so that's why we don't see it. >> Correct. >> Okay. >> Yeah. And it's going to be for the LTFM long-term facilities portion for that revenue to support the 10-year plan that was approved. >> Okay. W- And And when abouts will we see that revised >> It'll be brought to you in August. >> All right. Okay. Great. Thank you. >> Chair Andresen. >> Yes, Vice Chair Roper. >> Can I ask a quick [clears throat] question? Thank you. Thank you again for um uh presenting on the budget. I really appreciate it. I just have a very quick question just for my curiosity. As we're looking at the um general fund revenue, and it says federal grants at 1.7%. Um about how how much dollars is that like um for our district? So, just like just in case like we get a federal grant, you know, like taken away from our district or something, like how much? >> Rough estimate is 3.5 million as what it's for. >> Okay. FY '26. >> The question is on slide 11, which includes the internal service fund. The revenue is at just over 19 million, and expenditures at uh and 1/2. Can you say a little bit more about on the revenue side, what what all goes into making for that as a part of the budget? >> So, that makes up three parts. So, the health insurance and dental. So, there's premiums that the district collects through payroll that helps pay for those claims that come through. Um so, right now we're projected to have a surplus in there to cover that and continue to have that healthy fund balance so that if there are larger claims that come in, it can support that. Uh the other one is the severance fund. So, we have around 2.7 million budgeted to have for revenue to put in there and about 1.8 million for expenditures. So, there is a surplus there as well. Um OPEB, the revenue that's coming in is strictly interest revenue and the expenditures is managing cuz the district will be paying for OPEB out of pocket, which is part of the budget that we built. >> Thank you. And then uh comment which I would love for you to comment further on as we go to slide eight. And just looking at the differences, particularly at the elementary school levels, but we see that also in North and West, uh that is on account of enrollment at the schools, correct? >> Correct. So, for the elementary, it's based on class size. So, how many students for each grade level broken up by their class. When you look at the middle school and high school, it's also doing enrollment, but it's also looking at registrations for classes and breaking it up that way. >> Great. And then I guess finally I would just reiterate what you've said and Director Thompson you pointed toward as well, which in case anyone heard the jump from 8 million to 35 million on construction, uh again, that wasn't just we didn't make that up. We all voted to approve that work and this is what's going to be happening this next year. So, um cuz yeah, that would be shocking if you had forgotten that important detail. So, thank you. >> Director Johnson. >> Yes, Director Johnson. >> Yes, thank you. Just a quick comment. I think I really appreciate the way you've take gotten on board and really I think this budget cycle has a marked difference than previous ones as far as stress for me. And and community, but mostly for me. So, I really appreciate that and you know, I think that's um I think financial stability is one you know, a a key component to having a good school is teachers are not worried about as much about layoffs or this and that and class sizes are manageable. So, I really appreciate all the legwork you've done with the audit and then now this. I think we're on a good trajectory. So, I I really appreciate you. Thank you. >> Um I echo that gratitude. Um I also appreciate just the way it's presented. It feels I can follow it. It feels clear and it it generates thoughts and then um um questions that I think are important for our community to um to realize and um going back to I I know that we talked about food and nutrition and you talked about they were looking at cost savings mainly through procurement. Um but is there also um any thoughts around more like all a cart like kind of revenue generating things that they're thinking of doing? I know that the the free school meals created a real shift in in how we we do nutrition services at schools. So, just wondering if there's >> Yes, they are looking to expand some of the a la carte options and then >> Great. >> um some of the costs that go with it, you'll see a little bit of a price increase as well, though, so helps support that as well. >> Great. Thank you for that. Um I am also wondering, I know at the beginning you said that the bulk of um the the reductions in cost um efficiencies were were more at this this district-wide and administration area and uh I also appreciate deeply the ways in which our administrative staff are doing really important work um with very little resources. And um I think we can see that on the faces of the people who join us at the back of the room. Um I know I can I feel that when I bring questions about things to to staff and I I I thank you for joining us in this effort and um realize that we are asking a lot of our admin um with with less and less help and resources at their disposal. So, I appreciate that. Um and I am also wondering about something you mentioned um for the safe >> of it. >> Okay. So, that's something we might be looking at next year. >> Depending on where things come in. >> Okay. >> Brooke, I don't know if you want to elaborate. >> Well, just um there's specifically our school safety paras, so not just any paras, but the safety paras that we have at our three secondary schools. >> Okay, so that's what I was wondering. So, secondary paras. >> Mhm. >> Okay, thank you. And I do know too that those are often um the people that are our most vulnerable students develop close relationships with, so they're critical staff. So, thank you for finding a way to keep them with us at least one more year. I don't have any further questions. Anyone else? >> Chairwoman Andresen. >> Yes, Treasurer Heartland. >> Um I would like to comment on that and I know you had talked about our administrative staff really feeling the pinch and wanted to also echo my thanks there and then I want to kind of call the board's attention back to at this time last year when we were looking at approving the fiscal year 26 budget and we got these kind of building by building breakdowns. Um and then when you compare that with this year at this time our building by building breakdowns, the number of staffed classroom teachers went up for absolutely every classroom. So, like for example, Alice Smith on the building by building breakdown last year um had allocated 15 classroom teachers and this year it's 18. And last year approving 31. And last year at Meadowbrook it was 26 and this year it's 30. Last year at North Middle School 31, this year it's 43. And so I actually feel kind of like emotional about that. Like real investment and so I know that that comes on the backs of some you know, administrative work and some programs have to shift and we always have to do more with less, but I every single program has an increase in classroom teacher allocations. And so I want the community to know that. I want the board to know that and thank you for that work. It's not easy to make all those decisions. Thank you. Right. Well, on that um positive note, I would look for a motion to approve the final fiscal year '27 budget. >> So moved. >> I have a motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> I have a motion and a second. Any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor, please say I. >> I. >> I. >> Any opposed? The chair votes I, and the final fiscal year '27 budget is approved. Thank you so much for being with us and for all your work. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you so much, Jessica. >> And have fun with audit '26. >> [laughter] >> She said yes. Okay. Well, that um takes us to our board member reports. And I told myself I was going to remember who started, and um I don't. So, Vice Chair Roper, would you like to get us started going around the table [clears throat] with an introduction and a report, if you have one? >> Um I would just like to first and foremost say happy belated Father's Day to um Director Thompson and Director Zhao. I, you know, made my point to say Mother's Day to all of the women on our board, so I want to make sure you all get your flowers as well. Um Well, I don't Here's your flowers. Like, there they go. Um >> [laughter] >> Not literal. Not literal. >> Yeah, not literal. And then also, um happy belated Juneteenth to our wonderful district. I would love to um see our district actually partner next year with some organizations to maybe um bring some Juneteenth festivities over to uh the Hopkins area. But nonetheless, um it's a celebration of uh black folks, and so we going to continue to love on them every day. Um, I would say that uh I attended the Black Men Teach um gala this Saturday alongside Lady Dr. Mary Perry Reed and Paris Timmons who had me as her guest and Dr. Stanley Brown was there and it was an amazing gala. Um, Black Men Teach is doing some incredible work to bring um um to increase black male educators in our classrooms. So, I really appreciate their partnership with our district and the work that um is being done by their team. Um, I'm looking forward to the impact of their organization and what they have um in store for the future. Um, also I would say that uh I had a chance to go to American Indian graduation a few weeks ago. It was an amazing graduation. I learned so much about um, you know, their their culture and just like how they embrace their students. And so, I really appreciated learning. Um, let's see what else do I have? Of course, we were at the Hopkins graduation and again congratulations to all of our 2026 graduates. It was um a great time there and a great experience. Um And then, let's see. I Freedom School started yester on Monday. Was that yesterday? Yeah, that was yesterday. Um, I'm so excited for Freedom School. I think you all hear me talk about Freedom School a lot. It is an asset for our students and to our district. Um, Shannon was actually this probably part of her board report, but she was a guest reader yesterday. Um, and I am going to be a guest reader next week and I know a few other board members are signed up to be guest readers, but um if you have not signed up, I really encourage you to do so. It's a very liberating experience reading to the students and just like doing Harambee and just listening to all the songs. I swear it will be stuck in your head all day. Um I love Freedom School. Thank you so much for all the folks who did incredibly hard work to bring it to Hopkins School District. Um and uh I think that's it. Oh, I had an an amazing meeting with a student today from Minnetonka High School. He Well, he graduated last year, but um he has a He created a program called a career readiness program for students called Opportunes. Um but thank you, Evan, for all the work you're doing. He's doing incredible coding work there. And I believe that is all that I have for um for my board report. And uh I hope everyone have a great summer and find time to relax and rejuvenate and prepare ourselves for the arrival of Dr. Thomas and um to prepare for next school year. So, thank you, everyone, for incredible work we have done this year together. >> Dr. Joe. >> Oh, yeah. Uh hi, everybody. This is uh Director Jiming Joe. Uh this is my third year on the school board. I've got a rising uh middle schooler and uh another another milestone. Uh and then a uh rising third grader. Um I did uh want uh to to talk to about our um student board reps. Uh we had three uh wonderful seniors uh that are graduating. Uh Claire Fischer, Asha Osman, and Zane uh Tizik Tizak. Um and if if you indulge me, maybe I'll just uh and they maybe can read uh listen to this uh after, but um wanted to say just a few words to them and uh just our our the school uh school board uh student school board members, as well. So. Um so, to Claire, Asha, and Zane, uh, I just wanted to take a moment to spotlight, uh, that you're graduating. Um, when you volunteered to be on this student school board, uh, you weren't just taking the title or adding a line to your college resume. Uh, you were taking a massive responsibility. You became, um, the literal voice for hundreds and thousands of your peers. Uh, it really is not easy to sit at a table full of adults. Um, there's a lot of complex operations, a lot of, uh, for lack of a better word, politics involved, and, um, you have always advocated for us fearlessly for your fellow student balance. Um, both, uh, feelings and needs, and, uh, and what teachers want, what the school board wants, what parents want, and what students want. And so, um, you kept us grounded. You kept us shape the policy that struck struck a good balance, um, that works for students and teachers alike. So, um, you you folks also were very diligent in all the policy committees you sat on and advised us on many things that had, uh, that had, uh, student impact. And so, you you've always kept us um, in an equitable and forward-thinking place, and, uh, we really appreciate that about you all. Um, and lastly, I think maybe even most importantly, is that you helped us select a new superintendent. Um, you know, this is definitely the the biggest responsibility that a school board has, uh, let alone a student school board, and, um, you sat through all the presentations, you, uh, looked at resume, helped us look at resumes, uh, you looked at their backgrounds, um, things like that. And then, um, uh, and then you had a voice, and you had feedback that we gathered, and I think we all, um, made, uh, a good choice, I think. We're very excited, and, uh, I thank everybody for for all the work that they've had with us. So, I think lastly, you know, I think one of the important things about life is that um you show up and that you volunteer and that you demand a seat at the table. And so, don't as you go off into the world, always carry that forward. You know, take a little bit of Hopkins with you. Um and we really appreciate what you've done and thank you so much. >> Thank you. >> Good evening. My name is Johanna Hyman. This is my first year on the school board. Uh I have a kindergartener, soon to be first grader, and a third grader, soon to be fourth grader um at Meadowbrook Elementary. And speaking of Meadowbrook, I attended the senior walks the day prior to graduation at Meadowbrook. And it's just very emotional seeing, you know, little tiny kindergarteners standing in the hall cheering and they had all made signs, congratulations, great job. Um and then these big big kids walking through and just thinking about the progression of how kids come to us as these little impressionable people and are hopefully leaving us and I know many are leaving us um knowing incredible things and being prepared for the world and whatever way they're going out into the world these seniors, these graduating seniors, and I think we saw this at graduation, too. Are so confident and have so much poise and are so well spoken and are just generally well-rounded humans. And I just wanted to acknowledge that that no matter where our graduates are going, they're leaving Hopkins really with a great perspective on the world and leaving here with skills that they will be able to use no matter what and where what they do and where they go. Um I had a was fortunate to have a meeting uh last week or 2 weeks ago with um one of our amazing Minnesota state reps, Patty Acomb um from Minnetonka and um I want to just let other, you know uh local government officials know that um we can be the best partners in this as possible. Uh I also want to just pre-thank all the administration that's going to be working tirelessly over the summer. Most of well, not most of the work, but a lot of work gets done in a compacted period of time, so everyone's ready to go uh at the start of the year for 2026. So, um thank you in advance for working really hard over the summer so we have a great start to uh the fall in 2026. That's my board report. >> Thank you. >> Thanks. I'm Sarah Welham Garber, she/they, and I'm the parent of a soon-to-be preschooler, officially pre-K, um in the fall, and a few updates. Uh had the opportunity to meet with both uh Iris who is our student rep who's on um Skip and also with our staff all the, you know, wonder and brilliance of our students and scholars and it was a a real delight. It got a little heated uh which is no pun on many of their projects related to climate change um but this was about uh turtles. Uh there was a couple different turtle projects, big fight. Not really, it was a non-violent fight just to be very clear. Um and uh then this last week I got my windows washed and that is important just because um I as a school board member um felt obliged to pay the the uh high school student um from Hopkins who stopped by with his friend and offered to wash my windows for money. So, I will not tell anyone else where I live because I will probably buy whatever you come by with if you're a Hopkins student. Um so, thank you George, my windows look lovely. The time and throughout this whole month of pride, that's what we basically walk around saying all of the time. And it's a lovely queer family uh who celebrates black pride in Washington, D.C. as part of a pride parade and so, looking forward to that. And then I will make sure to visit and if you uh and any of your people go to Twin Cities Pride this weekend, make sure to stop by the Hopkins booth there representing at Twin Cities Pride in Loring Park. And then also many of our um educators and community members will be in the parade. I will be a participant who will be there supporting and um wearing some Hopkins gear. Uh uh Director Jaime and myself have our final onboarding um [laughter] for So, anything we didn't know, oh well, sorry, we'll know for next we'll know for the fall. Um just kidding, life you always continue to learn which is important. Looking forward to that. And then again with this um have some also have some meetings on the calendar with some local elected officials and other community leaders so we can continue to work on what does it look like to be partners and advocates and hear from our many uh different and diverse communities that make up the wonderful Hopkins School District. I'm also looking forward to and hoping to be a part of the ongoing work of the monitoring committee related to the racial bias policy um of anti-harassment, safe learning, and then I'm grateful for the work that has been done and will be continued on the protected class harm handbook. And uh I wanted to end here by just echoing the affirmation of the beauty of graduation and all the different ceremonies and moments um and what it represents in terms of each student and their families and all those who come alongside of them. Uh it truly is an honor to be able to be a part of this community with all of you and to be able to celebrate the wonder that is every single person who is a part of this community. So just so much thanks and gratitude especially to all of our educators um who invest so much to make those moments possible. Um and with that I'll end my report. >> Thank you. >> Hello, I'm Kai Thompson. I'm in my third year on the board and next year I I'd say what I've been up to recently is just kind of winding down um this elementary parent experience and just sort of reflecting on you know, the past you know, what has been 8, 9 years of of being a a Hopkins Elementary parent. So to that end, you know, went to the Run Meadowbrook Run and got to watch uh my kid help play the Star Spangled Banner for that. That was very great. Went to um music class hosted parents to come in and see that and it was just great to be in the school and see what they're doing with you know instilling some music skills in in this um wider range of of students in in fifth grade. That was really special to see as well. Um and unfortunately it work commitments kept me from commencement but enjoyed seeing the pictures and um really proud of the graduates for that. So um that wraps up my board report. >> Um good evening. I'm Rachel Hartland serving as the treasurer. Use she/her pronouns. Dropping things on the floor. Um I have three children so now I have two high schoolers and a middle schooler which is very exciting and I kind of miss my elementary school days. This was my first year not being a parent at Meadowbrook in you know a decade and and that it was a big transition. Um in addition to graduation being like this time of beauty and celebration it also I'm sure there's a great many um administrators and staff members that are have a little sigh of relief that it's over and I just want to thank you for the just all of the care and the planning and the safety considerations and the cultural considerations that went into making that moment possible. Um I know it was a really big lift. I could see the work. I could see attention and security and care and love everywhere when we were there and I'm grateful that it went off the way it did perfectly. Um my family and thousands of other families and students are continuing the school year's ended but we're continuing to receive wonderful services and support from the Hopkins School District. I've got instruments rented from the school. I've got two kids in an aquatics program that our community ed um department set up. So my teens and dozens of others are getting paid to become They're in a paid apprenticeship to become swim instructors and lifeguards over the summer. Um I have kids in drone making camps. Uh robotics continues all summer. Um I'm the new mentor for the robotics team for fundraising and business services. So, we'll we'll still be there. Um reading to Freedom School, um which is a program that I'm very excited about. And I don't know, just in all kinds of ways, um you know, the school year and the district never stops serving their families and we're very acutely aware of that this year. Um I will be at Twin Cities Pride. I'll be in the parade. Uh we went to Hopkins Pride. Let's see, what else did we do? Oh, um I want to take just one moment to say that um in addition to the other staff, you know, very crucial staff, Dr. Mary Perry Reed, um leaving, we also uh the Legislative Action Coalition is about to uh see the retirement of Catherine Callahan, who's our long-time legislative liaison. So, Catherine, you're probably not watching this, but I'm deeply grateful for all that you have done, all of the legislation, all of the care that you've that you've shepherded along during your time, um changing legislation, raising awareness, um getting that she does while we try to find somebody to replace her, which will be a very difficult lift. Um there was a Board Audit Committee meeting on the virtual And um I think I think that's enough. >> Hi everyone. I'm Rhoda Mary Perry Reed signing off. This is my last board meeting. Um I don't know if I thanked our educators earlier during my comments. I try to tell staff on kickoff every year that my two children, one my oldest is 17 and my youngest is 14, she'll be at the high school, they are really amazing kids. They're really smart. They are well-balanced. They care about other people. They try to do the right thing even when people are not looking. And I always tell staff that who they are is because of not just me. Um mostly because of Hopkins educators and our teachers build great people. Um and so I I would like to thank all of our Hopkins educators for um the sacrifices that they make for all of our students. And you know, you you as board members, you have your own children in our school system and you can see the impact that our educators have on our kids. So, thank you, educators. And thank you, Catherine Callahan, because I don't know that I thanked her in previous comments. Um she she did a lot for not just for our Hopkins LAC, but for legislative action coalitions across the metro area. She was always sought after as a model for how to organize and >> Finally. >> Yeah. It'll be good. >> Uh that didn't make me feel >> But it needs a it needs someone to own it. So, if you would like to >> [laughter] >> Congratulations. >> Did I just co-own >> I did volun-told. >> I don't know. We could find a few parents. It definitely needs owners. >> Okay. Okay. >> But every every school, and the reason why we didn't feel super bad about not having it is every one of our school leaders committed to having a school-based event where all of their staff were invited. So, our staff did get to celebrate at the end of the year. >> Oh. >> Mhm. at their respective schools. >> Mhm. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Um I I want to just quickly add to the appreciation for Katherine Callahan and her work over I think more than a decade with the LAC and Hopkins specifically. Um one of the things that I talk about all the time with the LAC and um about Hopkins is our amazing students. And one of the things that our students did and Katherine was instrumental in making this happen was they actually wrote a bill and got it passed through the state legislature. It is state law. It is because of Hopkins students and the connections that Katherine made to um not just lawmakers at the state that would sponsor the bill, but the the very dedicated and intelligent um uh staff at the legislature who do the research that is necessary advocacy um that they can implement for themselves is remarkable and we are incredibly grateful for everything she's done. >> Yes. >> Can I share the same sentiments? >> Yes. >> For Katherine, thank you so much. My time on the LAC, I enjoyed it even though this year was like a little scattered for me, but um just my time with the LAC uh has been incredible with Katherine. Um I really enjoy her leadership. She has taught me so much about politics at the state level um and I'm really looking forward to the work that she's going to do maybe outside of the LAC and just staying connected cuz she is such a a great resource. Um, I remember I remember going to the MSBA conference and um, a member of a different LAC gave Hopkins like the utmost credit for being one of the most credible LACs in our state. And so, um, that speaks volumes to the work that have been done over the decades. And so, thank you, Catherine, for all of your work. We will miss you and we will hopefully find someone to pass the torch to that can uphold some of your leadership qualities. >> Thank you. Um, so Hi, everybody. My name is Shannon Andresen. This is my seventh year on the school board. Um, and I just had my second child graduate from uh Hopkins Public Schools and it was an amazing day. And um, I'm excited for his future, but I just wanted to say we've all talked about how great graduation was and it's always one of my favorite things. But I really enjoyed the new venue. And I know it was a surprise and it wasn't what we were looking for, but um, Roy Wilkins was really nice. It felt much more um, intimate. I could see the students as the ceremony was progressing. I could see families in the um, audience. It felt like we were right there all together. Um, so I I'm putting in a plug for for keeping it there. It felt really good. Um, and then just quick rundown of stuff that's been going on. I got to attend the feather ceremony and I want to thank again um, APAC and our American Indian Education staff. It was a beautiful event, as always. And um, every year it becomes more welcoming and more inclusive and specific to growing connections and community. And I appreciate that event so much. It It It is one of the highlights of being at Hopkins and and the program that we have here. I hear from families all the time is um is a shining example and um of how it can be and our families feel very supported and seen and and and part of of who we are because of the groups that are run and and the way our staff implements it. So, thank you for a lovely event. And then I got to attend on June 8th the Spotlight Showcase at the State Theatre. And this was where high schools across the state came and performed just a small snippet of their their musicals that got awards through the the showcase through the spotlights um judging. They not only um grade for outstanding for performances but also tech, costumes, makeup, and even house management. Every aspect of putting on a show is judged and awarded through the Spotlight Showcase. It was so much fun. They also put on a camp for those students who have rated been rated outstanding and they get to be together for um for a week and and create performances on top of the ones they won awards for that they come and showcase. So, so much fun. I highly recommend going. Like I think this is going to be an annual thing for me. It was It was great. Just to see the amount of talent that exist in our um high schools across the state. And I too got to go to senior walk. I of course went to Alice Smith and it was just delightful. Um just a few times. Um and uh you all may know, but our um teacher of the year uh nominee from last year, finalist from last year, Ms. Woo um came back. So, cuz this was her first graduating kindergarten class. Um so, it was lovely to see her and all the kids were so excited. And then I also got to go to the GED graduation, um which we do in partnership with neighboring schools. And one of the things I was struck by every year when I go is the amount of um celebration and grit and determination that is in that room. And uh we had in that room a National Honor Society for Adult Options recipient, which is an incredible honor and a really difficult achievement to get. Um That was lovely to see. But the other thing that struck me too was there was one recipient there who was retired. And he was there because he promised his grandchildren he would do this. So, just it it it's a lovely um a lovely space to be in. And as uh Vice Chair Roper mentioned, I got to um be the first read-aloud guest at Freedom School um because the first day was yesterday and I'm so excited to go for the closing day um and to see the the that all of those um bright and beautiful students have grown over the summer in Freedom School. Um and then please join us this weekend at Pride. Um we will be in the yellow zone. I don't know what that means, but perhaps when you get there you will know what it means and you can stop by the booth. Yeah, you can stop by the booth and see us. So with that I will end my report and um not want to end this final meeting where we have Dr. Mary Pirie Reid with us. >> Chair Andresen. >> Yes. >> Um we've all been talking about graduation. I just pulled up an email. I wanted to share that Chee Moua, our emergency management and safety coordinator, sent a debrief after commencement services because we did, as you mentioned, Treasure Heartland. We put significant effort into planning for a very safe and secure um experience. And so I wanted to share that the senior director and um senior security manager for the Saint Paul River Centre was very impressed with Hopkins High School and Hopkins School District. Out of 33 graduations, we were considered number two for planning and execution and we were the only one to conduct a debrief in conjunction with >> Wow. >> Saint Paul Police Department and Roy Wilkins. So Mr. Wetter um back here, Chee Moua, um Oh, Gino Mazzali, there are a number of professionals in our district who worked together and spent many, many, many hours um with all of the planning. Just to make sure that our families could feel safe and have fun. And that's exactly what happened. So, thanks to everyone. >> Do we Do we know who number one was and why? >> [laughter] >> You're so competitive. >> know. I I I I I can't help it. I'm sorry. >> They usually don't include that. But we could ask and then we'll [clears throat] try to figure out what the secrets are. >> It's always good to be number two. >> I Hey, we we can improve things. >> I know. Exactly. I mean, that's the actually the reaction I had. Well, who's number one? >> See? >> What they did. >> See, I'm not so [laughter] crazy. >> Well, I would like to give a shout out to T. He did He did an incredible job like just debriefing us and like connecting with us and just like his overall diligence for just ensuring safety of the graduation. So, shout out to him. He was a great addition to our district and I'm excited for his leadership on safety in the future cuz he's top level. Yeah, he's top level for sure. >> I also want to say we were back in the room with the students and the way the teachers keep them like on task and where they're supposed to be, I'm I'm so impressed. I always feel like they must be like herding cats, but they had it. So, thank you to all the teachers. >> I and Dr. Mary Perry Reads final board meeting is adjourned at 8:47 p.m. >> Please um bang the gavel louder. Thank you. >> [laughter] >> Accomplished. >> Accomplished.