Uh, calling the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. This is the board of directors regular school board meeting for Monday, November 24th, 2025. Welcome to all of our visitors, guests, and media. Tonight, we're going to start with the board and administration roll calls. Mr. Felt here, Mr. Burns >> here. >> Miss Danielson >> here. >> Miss Gatskco >> here. >> Miss Nathan >> here. >> Mr. O'Neal >> here. >> Mr. Scheler >> here. >> Mr. Gertton >> here. >> Miss Okonnell >> here. >> Miss Payeyton >> here. >> Mr. Dalton >> here. >> Mr. Samansky >> here. >> Please stand for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> There have been no public comments prior or nobody signed up for public comments prior to the start of the meeting. So, we're going to move into our first uh action and discussion item, a motion to approve the attached agenda and addendums. >> So, moved. >> Second. >> Motion made by Miss Danielson, second by Miss Nton. Any other discussion? Any other questions? >> Hearing none. All those in favor say I. >> I. All oppose? Nay. Motion carries. Moving on to the consent agenda, which includes the school board minutes for the regular school board meeting on October 27th, 2025, the personnel consent agenda, and the business consent agenda. >> I'll second was that >> motion made by Mr. Burns, seconded by Miss Gatskco. Any further discussion on the consent agenda? All those in favor say I. >> All oppose, nay. Motion carries. Item four, the recognitions, presentations, and showcase. Uh we're going to start tonight with the LEA award winner uh recipients. Mr. Schuler, I don't know if you wanted to kind of kick it off from here. >> At this time, we'd like to recognize our three LEA award winners. Again, uh the leader LEA award stands for leadership and educational excellence. Um again it's um it's a annual award banquet uh put on by resource and training which is one of our partners. Um and again it gives us a great opportunity to celebrate some outstanding teachers uh in our district and uh again this year we have three outstanding teachers we'd like to recognize. They were recognized um a few weeks back um in St. Cloud. So that ceremony um already occurred as you can see by the picture. Um, but I think we'll just start by, you know, some of them aren't here, but we're still going to read their description on why they were, um, selected. So, uh, with that being said, I think Miss Okonnell, if you wouldn't mind going first, that would be great. Good evening. It is my honor to recognize Sarah Rest, who is this year's leader in excellence, leader in educational excellence award recipient from the elementary school. Sarah is deeply dedicated and knowledgeable who and she continually pursues professional growth and continues to take courses to stay current with new instructional practices. Her strong understanding of academic standards paired with her thoughtful preparation ensures she arrives each day fully prepared to support her students. What truly sets Sarah apart is how well she knows each learner. She studies data carefully, creates individualized plans, and collaborates with previous year's teachers to understand what strategies will best serve each child. She is committed to ensuring every student reaches their full potential and approaches her work with genuine respect, steady expectations, and a consistent focus on doing what is right. As a member of multiple curriculum committees, and our leadership team at the elementary, Sarah plays a vital role in strengthening our school. Colleagues describe Sarah as a calming, positive role model with a kind and dependable presence. She willingly shares ideas, supports others, and offers sound advice whenever needed. Her gentle but focused demeanor brings peace and joy to both students and staff. We are grateful for her dedication and her leadership. Congratulations to Sarah Russ. Oh, good evening everybody. Uh, this year's leadership and educational excellence award for the middle school is Jenna Olsen. Jenna serves as our student support coordinator. So, she is in that role similar to what you would see in a behavior interventionist and a counselor and a social worker all wrapped into one. um and uh is just very gifted. Couple things about Jenna that I just wanted to mention. She is a very strong advocate for our students and a champion for mental health in our building. Under Jenna's leadership, our school has successfully developed a multi-tered model for supporting the social, emotional, and behavioral needs of all of our kids. Uh because of Jenna and her work, our building, it's been transformational. I can say that personally, and I I would think our staff would agree. She's just made our school a better place to work, a better place to learn. Lastly, she's a really devoted member of our leadership team. We have eight members on our team and Jenna is just she's always the first one in to try to help provide PD. She has very high standards. She pushes continuous improvement. Just an awesome person to have in the middle school. So, congratulations to Jen Olsen. And uh tonight I'll be pinch hitting for Mr. Hennon. He is coaching basketball tonight, but uh he'd like to recognize uh Kinsey Stifter from the high school staff um as representative of the Leo award in the high school. Uh this honor is welld deserved for her work and leadership in and out of the classroom. Over the years, Kinsey has always been willing to take on new courses and teach out of her license area when needed. An example of this is engineering. She has taken that class and worked on very hard to make sure um that the kids get enjoy many hands-on experiences. Kinsey has also been teaching CIS classes. She coaches three sports, cross country, basketball, and softball, and gives up much of her time helping our student athletes. Kinsey developed such strong relationships with all students. Congratulations to Kinsey. >> And then moving along to our ESS recipients, which is the educational support staff recipients. Mr. >> Yeah. Again, um this is another honor at resource and training, uh sponsored by resource and training, our educational support specialists. These are folks in our buildings that are um from admin assistants to pair professionals to custodians. U wide range of uh folks that make a difference every day for students. Um tonight, uh again leading off, we'll start with Miss Okonnell at the elementary. >> You can come up with me. So, it's my pleasure to introduce Ann Nelson, who is one of our special education paras, who's here tonight and is our educational support staff award recipient from the elementary. Anne consistently goes above and beyond for students, connecting with children. She works with directly and those she simply sees in need. She balances fun and encouragement with accountability. She helps students to stay engaged and successful in their work. Anne brings an understanding of social emotional learning and uses that knowledge to help students regulate, stay calm, and remain in the green zone, as we call it. She anticipates student needs with remarkable intuition and provides steady, compassionate guidance. Her impact is especially strong with students in our bridge program, which Amy Frank is here tonight, too. She's our teacher from that program where she has become a trusted and beloved pair professional for many. Anne is caring, dependable, and deeply committed to ensuring every student feels supported. Her presence strengthens our school community in countless ways. Congratulations, Ann. Yay. >> To your right. >> Oh, perfect. >> There you are. Thank you. A >> a >> Well, that's why they like her so much. >> Yeah. Right. >> All right. From the middle school, this year's educational support staff recipient is Rana Ritter. Ra serves as a special education pair professional in our middle school. Ra has a very clear sense of purpose as an educator. She's willing to really do hard work, which is required if we want students to grow. She embraces opportunities to be a leader. She's a problem solver and she just simply does what needs to be done to support our special ed program. There was a span of time, I don't know if you remember back a couple years ago when we really struggled in our special education department. She was the only consistent presence and just kept coming back. I kept begging her, "Show up tomorrow. It's going to get better." And she showed up every day for me. Um many times serving in a teaching capacity and just jumping in. She maintains again very high standards. She goes above and beyond to make sure her kids receive a quality education. Lastly, she's very resilient. Her role involves enduring some really difficult days. And thankfully, she maintains a positive attitude, a good sense of humor, and she just keeps moving forward and and returning. So, congratulations to Rana. All right, I'll come up front for this. Um, again, this is from Mr. Hennon in regards to Joe Barios, the uh S award winner uh from the high school. And congratulations to Joe as he's honored as the educational support staff recipient for the high school. Um, I appreciate Joe's willingness to help out in any way he is asked. Joe especially does so much with our night activities and is always willing to help the coaches and programs. Personally, I have always appreciate how Joe is there to lend a hand for activities when something needs to be done. He always is willing to change his schedule to tackle what's needs and what it what he needs to be done immediately. Thank you for all you do to make Watertown High School a great place for our students and staff. Thank you, Joe. So you get Mr. Hennon's presentation there. You're on the picture with with Joe up there, too. I mean, >> Mr. Henage, do you need pictures? >> Thank you, Joe. >> He's got to get to work. I know. >> Moving along to our state participation recognitions. Mr. Samansky. Got a lot of folks up here, so floor is yours. >> Yes, it was another good fall. Uh thank you very much for tonight and allowing us to recognize our state recognitions and our state uh teams. At this time my portion is to recognize our all state recipients this year class doubleA state volleyball Elena Burns. Elena stay yelled at here. Um, unfortunately a number of them are not here because of other commitments playing basketball and and that sort of stuff, but Ansley Blair and Abby Plane are first team all state uh girls soccer. Ellie Laml is second team all state girls soccer. Micah Schmidt is second team all state boys soccer. Yes, you too, Micah. >> Thank you. >> There you go. And section 6A, assistant coach of the year, Sarah Colgrren. >> Now you can sit down. Thank you. All right, moving along to the state girls soccer team. >> Hi everybody. Thanks for having us tonight. Um, honored to be here and I am Dan Mink. I have the privilege of being the girls soccer coach here at Watertown Mayor. Um, a team that embodies grit, determination, uh, amazing leadership, and uh, this year we had an amazing year. This is a team that set out to know exactly what they wanted to do from day number one and ended their season at US Bank Stadium in the state championship game. Um, unfortunately, a lot of them couldn't be here tonight because of the reasons that Paul just stated, a lot of multiport athletes, which is wonderful. But we'd like to recognize um all of our players nonetheless. We do have a couple of them here. Elena Agu, Lauren Grim, Isabelle Sanquist, Ashlin Egimman, Holly Sinnen, Bin Stookie, Grace McCabe, Aninsley Blair, Leah Stenmire, Ellie Loml, Abby Plane, Ryan Hazy, Kaylee Pashki, Ellie Allen, Kaylee Egimman, Greta Gutskow, Lily Kratic, Audrey Nton, Drew Illies, Emma Johnson, uh, Bella Lensen, our team manager, and as Paul had mentioned, our section 6A assistant coach of the year, Sarah Shalgrren. And the two that we do have here tonight, Elise Mink and Lydia Hower, please come up. >> You go. >> All right, ladies. Represent. There we go. Excellent. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right. Well, thank you for having us. This I'm Ashley Wise and I'm here with the swim team. And this has been such an incredible season for the swim team. Since the early 2000s, we haven't sent a swimmer to the state team uh meet. And we sent six girls, two as alternates, and each one of them scored. And so that was incredible. Um in the 14th position, and all of them are coming back next year as seniors, um and a junior. Um so without further ado, we had Julia Con who placed 14th in the 100 freestyle, 200 freestyle, and as a member of our tour freestyle relay. We had Sophia Danielson. We had Sophie Schleer. We had Ellie Winker. And I clearly missed the memo on the attire tonight. We had Ally Grossinger and then we also had Reagan Dunham who is um part of our co-op with Southwest Christian. >> Great job. Congratulations. >> Congratulations. >> Thank you guys for coming and congratulations on all the good recognitions in state. Mhm. >> Good board representation from the daughters. >> Very well. >> Way to go, girls. >> I know. >> Bye. Thank you. >> Thank you guys. >> But we won't be offended. >> Do you have a ride? Board members. Children have a ride. Yeah. >> Okay. >> We're just going to give another minute for everyone to walk out. >> Thank you for coming. >> Yes. Thank you guys. >> Congrats. >> Nice job. >> I love that part. >> I know. It's so good. >> Very nice. >> What do you >> Now the boring stuff. >> It all down. >> All right, moving on to the action items. The first action item is the acknowledgement of donation, contributions, and fundraising, which is resolution 2606. Mr. Scheler. >> All right. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'd like to walk through our donors and um the amounts today. Uh Russ Runk and Associates would like to donate to the third grade service project, adopt a family, $350. Marketplace food uh donating to robotics um also for $250. Midwest Motion Products uh to robotics for $2500. American Legion Post 121 to robotics for $1,000. Um WaterTown Merit FFA Alumni Association to robotics for $500. Mayor New Germany Lions Club robotics again $500. Watertown Pharmacy Robotics $250. American Legion Post 121 for the Field of Flags fundraiser that you maybe saw during Veterans uh week. It's $1,500. >> Trinity Lutheran Church to the Royals room, the snack program of $400 and 84. >> Uh Norski Electric to the athletic program, more specifically the wrestling program for the wrestling spotlight, which is now installed and ready to be used at the first uh wrestling meet. And then um booster softball would like to donate to the softball program. $2,936.94 for the clay uh to upgrade the varsity softball field. Those are all the donations and uh big thank you all those groups. >> I may Oh, I'll second. >> Motion made by Mr. Onell, seconded by Miss Danielson. Any further discussion? And thank you to everybody who has donated. Um, you know, a lot of these groups I don't think could do them without a lot of the donations. So, definitely goes a long way. And with that being said, all those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. All oppose? Nay. Motion carries. Item B, the annual fundraiser support. Mr. Schuler. >> Uh, thank you, Mr. Chair. This is the annual fundraising report. Um, as you recall, um, this has been, uh, recently updated. Um the way it works is our admin assistants and our principles take a look and update it um to the best of their ability um each year. So what you see today is is updated um as of the end of October. Um these are the 2526 school year fundraisers. Can I answer any questions you might have? And these get kind of moved off for ones that those groups are not using anymore. >> So these are going to be our active fundraisers for >> not necessarily. Sometimes they're earmarked. >> Okay. >> They may not use them one year, but they may use them a following year. They're kind of bookmarked for those groups to use periodically. If it goes for x amount of time, then the high school admin assistant talks with Mr. Hennon about that and then they decide together whether it's time to move that off the list. >> Move it off. Okay. Move approval. >> I'll second. >> Have a motion made by Mr. Burton, second by Miss Gatskco. Any further discussion on the annual fundraising report? >> All those in favor say I. >> I. >> All oppose, nay. >> Motion carries. Item C, first and only reads of district policies requiring review. Mr. Schuler. >> Uh, Mr. Chair, the policy committee met last Monday and uh reviewed the proposed policies. As you recall, we were into the 200 series, uh, the board policies. Um, this is kind of that second half of the 200s, as you can see. And there are some additional policies on the last two of the first column and all of the second column that are MSBA updates um that recently came out. Um, so we took some time reviewing those. Again, all very minor um changes. Uh, so we felt we could move these forward with the first and only read at this time. And thank you for the policy committees for for reviewing all of these. >> Yeah, it's fun. >> It's a big list. >> Awesome. >> With that, I'll make a motion to approve the first and only reads requiring review. >> I'll second. >> Have a motion made by Mr. Felt, second by Miss Gatskco. Any further discussion on the policies? All those in favor say I. >> I. All oppose. Nate. Motion carries. Item D, the comprehensive achievement and civic readiness annual report. Uh, Mr. View is not here, so Mr. Scheler, do your best uh, gift impression. >> Yeah, >> I'll try. I'm pinch hitting here tonight. I will, sorry. >> A lot of hats tonight. >> Mhm. >> I feel that way. He's making up for last. >> That's what happens, right? When you're gone, they get you. Uh, all right. Um, yes. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh this is the annual comprehensive achievement civic readiness uh report for the 2425 school year. So the results are from from last year. Um the annual um advisory committee did meet last week um and also went through this slideshow with them um and again um very impressive group. Um we've got a really active parent group that takes a takes time at that meeting um along with our principles uh to to kind of walk through this with Joe um and some really good dialogue. I know Katie Joe you were there that night representing the board and um I I think we continue to be impressed by their engagement um do a really nice job. Um again what is the comprehensive achievement and civic readiness as a part of a statewide accountability program? legislation was passed in 2013 requiring all school districts to create a world's best workforce plan. That was the previous name. Now it's called the comprehensive achievement and civic readiness uh plan. Um it's locally owned as uh Joe says and it is supported by the department of education. So we do report this back to the department of education for their review. Um if we don't make a specific goal, they are monitoring it. Uh there's no slap on the hand. there's no um uh monetary pullback or anything like that, but they do monitor and for example um if we don't make our special education goal for for just one example. Um they are tracking that and they could ask you to do an improvement plan. Um so uh we haven't been to that level yet, but um they do track this um each year for each every district in the state. Um so again um the the plan is based around five specific goals and and all children are ready for school. That's more of your preschool goal. Um all racial and economic achievement gaps between students are closed. All students are ready for career in college. All students graduate from high school and um prepare students to be lifelong learners. Um and then also there has to be a plan regarding equitable access to uh excellent teachers. So here's a review of the 24 25 goals. Um again our our goal one which is all students ready for kindergarten at the preschool level at our young royals classrooms. They take the core advantage screener and um you can see that was a nice increase uh from 91% in 23 uh 24 to 92% um in 2425. So um we did see an increase there. No, >> no. Wanted to get to 94. >> We wanted to get to 94 and we did not make that goal. Thank you. >> Um here are some more uh young royals um information. So this is a kindergarten um data on young royals. So um I don't know if Miss Okonnell if you feel more comfortable probably explaining this in regards to the young royals. Um but this is our incoming uh kindergarteners in their fall assessments and where they scored. So, I think we're about 90 n or 9.2% higher um in our young royals coming into kindergarten compared to kids that were not in kindergarten and young royals, excuse me, young royals preschool. Um same in um young uh young royals early math scores. So, in the fall data that was from the fast data um 39.8% 8% um and were passing and 23% higher than um with the young royals students that were not in that program last year. Um so again seeing some nice growth with their young royals program and monitoring that as they come into kindergarten. Also goal two is close the achievement gaps among all groups. Um 2024 goal was uh was a three-year goal. So again, a proficiency gap in reading on the MCAs that exist between special ed um student group, so 30.1% and the non-special education group uh 64% um for students in grades 3 through 8. So what we're trying to do there is again is to close that gap and um decreasing that from 34.2 to 31.2% in 2025. And our results was um the non-education um proficiency rate was at 67%. Students that were um on IEPs were 33.9%. So that was up seven points from 24 um 2024. So we were starting to close that gap and it's 33.4 overall goal not map. um MCA reading achievement gap. Um as you can see there um again um 2020 was a co year so no data was collected. Um you can kind of see again how we are starting to close that gap. So the red is your students on IEPs. Uh the blue are students on uh general ed students. So again the goal there is to make that gap uh smaller so there isn't that wide achievement gap uh on the MCAs. So in theory, the goal is to keep the blue high and raise >> raise that red. Yes, exactly. >> All students are ready for career in college. There's a familiar face on that slide. >> Um 2024 uh 25 goal. Again, 100% of sophomores will update their personal learning plans. um 67% of graduating seniors will have enrolled in at least one experience based on um and one experience-based program and 65% enrolled on a concurrent credit course. So 70% took a um experience-based course program. Awesome to see. And 66 or 65.6 took a concurrent enrollment course. So that goal was met. Everyone did the personal learning plan. >> That's the goal. I don't see it in there. >> Okay. >> They did. >> Joe didn't provide that in. I >> was going to say. >> No, that's an assumed thing that they have to take it. I know Miss Shannon's not here to confirm that, but I'm pretty sure they it's a part of the requirement of being a sophomore. They have to complete that. >> They do it. Yeah. In class. It's not like Okay. >> And again, that number continues to grow, which is great to see. Goal for all students graduating. uh 97 uh percent of uh seniors enrolled in Watertown Mayor at the beginning of the school year will graduate on time. Result we had 100 so 131 of 31 131 students graduate on time in 2025. So goal was met. Um again uh the enrollment one thing to note is grades 9 through 12 uh if more than halfime at water prior to dropping out. So um that is something that uh we track as well. It's hard to to when students do drop out where they go and how we're tracking them. But uh MDE as you can see is tracking that as well. Um and where the state average is in red um our grad rate is in blue. So, we're continuing to track upwards there as well. And then goal five is prepping to be lifelong learners. 30% of our 11th and 12th graders enrolled in a clear career exploration elective. Um 43% took um concurrent education courses and that goal was met as well. Um as we said the last goal is equitable access to excellent and diverse educators. Um just a reminder our the way the state license is tier and tier three and four are your fully licensed teachers. So um state average is 94% um of teachers um in the state are considered tier three or tier four which are your highly qualified licensed teachers. Um so we're about 97%. Um so in some internal data there um looks like 90 uh7 um of the 10 um who are listed there four were counselors two were in sped uh four were regular ed uh one was in a oneperson department and one person taught every student in that grade. So, one of the things again that um I think at the high school level especially where we start to struggle is um as we want to continue to offer more offerings for our students, lure areas become a larger issue and and trying to find staff and creatively um put staff in places where um we can either get a variance potentially. Um, one of the things we have to complete each year is called the STAR report and we have to report back to the state on this exact data on how licensed uh what licensed area are teachers in. So, if we're trying to be creative with the class, I know Mr. Hannon has to use some creative um language in terms of getting that person qualified at the state level to teach that course. And that's another way we generate some funding is through the star report. Um so the state is watching making sure that we are um putting license to teachers obviously in class in courses. Um but it continues to be an issue and I know that's one of those areas that we continue to lobby um for giving us more flexibility especially small schools um that can't find folks in those particular areas. Um here are some of the goals for this upcoming year um from the from the committee. Um again the looking at the percentage of students indicated as kindergarten ready by the core advantage screener. Once again uh we're looking to increase from 88% um this past year to 91% in 2526. Um again one of the things that we're looking at uh with that sped um group and trying to close that gap a little bit. Uh we want to decrease that gap from um 33.4% 4% to 30 uh.4% so 3 percentage points um in 2026. Um again 100% of sophomores will complete their personal learning plan. 67% of graduating seniors will have enrolled in one um experience-based program and 65% enrolled in a concurrent credit course. Our graduation goal again shooting for 97% of students graduating on time. Goal four and goal five um 45% of 11th to 12th graders enrolled in the career exploration elective. All right. So I think we've passed on the MCA data has been passed on. Uh, one thing I think he noted uh, at the meeting was just the ACT um, numbers. And again, you can kind of see where our ACT numbers are falling. Uh, last year in 2024, um, 23.1 um, was the number. Um, and again, you can see where the state average is. Uh, it's a pretty high number and I think we're pretty proud of that. Um, especially at the high school level. So um again that's trending in the right direction as well as more collegebound students are getting back to taking the ACT again. Um and we are offering it during the school day and I don't know if people know that but um it has become uh a positive for kids. Uh I think especially when they're busy on weekends typically acts were Saturday mornings as you recall. And I think by having it um done at school, even though it takes them out of their class, um more kids are coming to take that again um just because of the convenience of that opportunity. So, >> um, the only comment I have is, um, goal three, >> cuz I know when we had our meeting, I think Joe kind of had those numbers backwards cuz he originally had said we didn't make the meet the goal um, >> for the 24 >> for the 2425 >> and now I see it's the same numbers for next year's. So, I didn't know if we are wanting to maintain that 67 and 65 or if we need to up that just a little bit. >> I'll make a note of that. He might not have updated that slide. >> Cuz I think he had them back. He had them backwards when we were >> He did. Yep. >> Yep. >> And my only comment is on goal two, which is the achievement gap. Mhm. >> Um struggle a little bit that the uh general ed number comes down as we're special ed is coming up to and that is to me not the way we want to meet that achievement gap. So I'm hoping that we can you know that we continue to see that number go up and >> again ideally that top number stays or goes higher and it's bringing the >> higher up. That's how you would close the gap ideally. >> Yes, correct. Yep. >> But right now that top number is dropping. >> Yes. Cuz prior to that 2020, we were kind of in the 70s >> for the reading. >> For the reading. Mhm. >> And we took a significant dip after I mean co >> Yeah. Yep. Absolutely. And I know I mean it's good to see that we're climbing >> back up with the exception of >> well special ed stayed fairly yes last year was down but that looks like it took a nice jump again but >> I'd like to see our gen ed number stay high. Mhm. >> I think it's hard just with our numbers, right? Like, you know, where other districts or other might have, you know, other areas where they are looking at different populations when we're taking special >> just one, right? We don't have a lot of subgroups that we can gather from. Right. So, that is part of the problem. >> Yep. and also one or two students on either side of it makes a huge difference when you >> well I mean class >> sizes are several that you know are not going to score right so >> yeah it's really kind of an unfair advantage that's a whole another story of why are we putting kids who have a learning deficit through an MCA test you know and expecting them to score at the level of their peers it's just not a fair playing field which you can argue now some of our students take what we call the MTAS test, which it's a subtest. They don't have to take the real MCA test. Kids are on an IEP. But, um, again, that's a limited amount, but um, yeah, it it is tough. And that is one where I think you can certainly argue that, um, the playing field isn't real fair. >> Right. I mean, if we had more diversity where you're looking at other >> subgroups. Absolutely. Yep. But >> still, you see our agenda in state high. >> Mhm. Are we done? >> Yep. That is the end. >> That is the end. >> So, we are looking at approval of of this, Mr. Schuler. >> Correct. >> With the exception of validating those numbers with this review. >> Exactly. >> Is there a motion? >> I make a motion to approve the khacker. I don't sir, however we say it. >> I don't think we have a great acronym for that one. Yeah, >> CA. >> It's a weird one. I'll second. >> Motion made by Miss Danielson, seconded by Miss Nathan. Any further discussion on the comprehensive achievement and civic readiness annual report. >> Said it much more eloquent. >> Uh, all those in favor say I. I. >> I. All oppose, nay. Motion carries. Moving on to item E, the 2026 2027 uh school board calendar first read. Um after the last board meeting, um and following feedback from fellow board members, constituents as well as as staff, I did ask the administration to kind of take a review of the calendar again and maybe bring a different version up that we can talk through. um this version that's up on the screen now. Um again, it's a first read. So, pending our discussion tonight and approval tonight, it will be coming back in December for the final and second read. Um prior to that, I just want to say thanks to everyone kind of working together on this. Um and and with that, Mr. Scheler, you can kind of uh go from there. >> Yes, thank you, Mr. Chair. Given the feedback that we had received, we did go back and uh produce another draft. Um this draft uh does include a spring break at the traditional uh end of March uh time frame. Um you have the Good Friday there on the 26th and then you go into your your week-l long spring break. Um we also kept um the Labor Day um starting on September 1st. So in the previous version um we were able to start before Labor Day as we discussed. We kept that. Um I think you know those are some of the main pieces there. We eliminated the March 5th uh vacation day, the April 26th and the May 14 May 14th. Um those were all those singlets if you recall from the previous calendar that were kind of uh three-day weekends if you will. Um, and uh, graduation stays on the 21st and and we're still done by Memorial Day. So, I think we accomplished kind of the ending point where people have given feedback on when they wanted to end. U, we kept that same ending point. Um, I guess if if there's a disadvantage, you know, there's a pretty long stretch from April to May uh, without a day off. Um, but, you know, generally speaking, I think it accomplishes, you know, keeping a traditional spring break. um and getting done relatively early and starting, you know, um after or before Labor Day, excuse me. So, uh those are some real some good positives, at least in my mind. Um so, >> I would just like to note that Easter Sunday is actually April 5th. >> We missed that. >> 2027. >> Oh, sorry. You're right. Never mind. >> It always it trips everybody up. It's not just you. >> Yep, you're right. The 28th. Okay. Um, but I feel like in the past we normally the the only April day that we would have off would be that Good Friday usually. I feel like and we don't typically have a day off in May. So >> it feels fairly normal. >> Yeah. >> So it reverts back to that full week versus the 4-day weekends, right? >> Spread over through March and April. >> Um, are we going to see it? So like this year we did spring break. is early March. Are we going to see some fluctuation in that you think with future calendars? Like sometimes it'll be beginning of March, late depending upon where we start dates or >> I don't think so. I mean, it's hard to say obviously, but I I think, you know, it's not uncommon for, you know, schools on a trimester to go >> start the trimester, go two weeks, then take a break. Um, you know, you can argue is that ideal or not, but it I I think that's not uncommon. you know, so I >> I I foresee it staying here. I think when you run into the issue, and I know our neighbor to the north had that problem where you stuck it in the second or first week in May, and then you're getting a lot of those um winter sports seasons, >> March, March, March, >> or the March, excuse me, um end of the state tournaments. Um so, uh I know they've got a lot of push back on that. >> Um so, this seems to stay out of the way of those tournaments. uh does get into the spring sports a little bit starting. Um but I think traditionally that has people have been able to work around that and make that work. >> I do like I appreciate the administration, everyone working on this with the feedback we got. I think this was it just showed that >> um we care about what people are saying, what the parents are saying, what staff are saying. I do like that we're willing to to be flexible. I just want to state that publicly that this I'm pretty impressed with the ability to uh make a pivot. >> Thank you. And I think the the the grandiose idea is to have it more or less two years in advance at least right you know right now let's say so then every year we're always a year ahead >> so it's not kind of coming down to crunch time just trying to be more proactive when it comes to the calendar. >> Um and who knows in a couple years with the Labor Day we might go back to after Labor Day. It all depends on where it falls in the calendar. So it's these these two years. I believe MDE said we could start before >> we're taking advantage of that so we're not going into June. >> I'm just curious what determines like because this year we have two full weeks, you know, for our winter break. >> Um what determines when we can do a two like two full weeks and when we don't? >> I think it's just basically where Christmas falls, you know. And um you know on this one >> cuz this one looks like it's pretty close. I mean pretty similar to this year >> you like on a Friday. So you know in some districts you could take off the 23rd and make that a school day. Uh potentially then you're running the next day would be Christmas Eve. You run a little tight there. Some families struggle with that. >> Um so it really just depends truly on on the year and where Christmas falls. And then when you got New Year's on the backside, >> um you know, like this year, um it works out pretty neat too where where it falls. I I think don't we get three weekends essentially this year, which is a rarity, right? >> Uh over the break. So >> it just depends really on I mean that accurate Heather Heather helps us on the calendar. I think that's pretty pretty much the why. >> Yeah. Seems to be the way any further discussion or feedback or um >> so this will be a first read. We'll bring it back in December for a second read. >> Potentially we could have a proposal for a 2728 calendar as well for you for a first read. >> Wow. >> So uh I think it's the the skeleton is there. We have it ready. Not you. The >> the calendar. >> The calendar. >> Wow. >> Ready. >> Do we do we know do we know when Christmas is in 2028 already? >> Oh, all right. >> We also know when New Year's is, too. >> Do we? Just >> What day is that again? >> Uh, I'll make a motion to approve the first read of this revised calendar >> for 2627. Have a motion made by Miss Gets, seconded by Mr. O'Neal. Any further discussion on the first read of the 2627 revised calendar. Hearing none. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. All oppose. Nay. Motion carries. Moving on to item F, the January board meeting date. January just around the corner. Um, as you guys may realize or know, the first Monday in January is is typically the organizational meeting. We said officers, board meeting dates, um, whole bunch of other things, committees, and this this year, next year, it's January 5th is the first date. So, it's a little bit after, you know, the the New Year's. Um so that is the date for that we're um proposing here for the reorganizational meeting with the first regular board meeting on the 26th. Both of the meetings um in January will be held here at Watertown City Hall 6 PM. Um and just a heads up to uh for the organizational meeting, I would like to have maybe a a workshop after the organizational meeting kind of we've done that historically for another hour maybe whatever because the organizational meeting usually is is fairly short. So agenda on that is still being discussed and developed. If you have anything, let me know. But um more to come on that. So with that being said, kind of looking for approval for the organizational meeting on January 5th and the board meeting on January 26th. >> Approval. >> I'll second. >> Who was the second? >> Katie. >> Okay. Okay. >> Motion made by Mr. Burns, second by Miss Danielson. Any further discussion? All those in favor say I. >> I. All oppose, nay. Motion carries. And uh Miss Huan, can you send out calendar reminders for that, please? >> Awesome. Thank you so much. Moving on. Item G, substitute teacher and substitute paraprofessional rate increase. Mr. Schuler. >> Yes. Thank you. Um bringing forth today some increases. We've done this traditionally with the board getting your approval. um substitute teacher and pair professional uh increases aren't tied to a teacher contract or anything like that. They're just a standalone. Um we went back and looked and the teachers uh sub rates have not changed since 2022. Um and the PAR rates have not changed since 2023. Um and we're just finding that uh again to stay competitive in this market, we need to be competitive with our pay. Um so uh we're proposing uh an increase. Uh we did some local surveying. Um the average for um area districts and again about the seven districts around us. Um the average for a daily teacher pay is about um $164.50. So right about $165 um in in our local area. That's the average for pair professionals. It's about uh $17 and a quarter. um for their average pay. So our our goal is to be a little bit uh at least at the average or a little bit above uh to stay competitive um with the area groups. Our you know our teacher subs um again a lot of them come from former retired teachers. So as you can see in the proposal we are looking to add an additional uh $5 a day if you're a retired Watertown Mayor teacher. Um, I know especially at the elementary, uh, we get a lot of former teachers that do come back. We appreciate them, uh, cuz they are awesome in terms of, uh, coming back and, uh, they know our building, they know our staff. Might have to learn a little new technology from time to time, but um, you know, that's that's been a really good thing for us. So, we want to reward them and thank them for doing that. And again, not a lot, but it's a small token of appreciation for that uh, for them coming in. Um, so again on the right hand side of that column, uh, we're proposing an $18 an hour pair professional rate. Um, and again I should add pair professionals is where we really struggle. We're averaging about a 20% fill rate on pair professionals. So um, of all of our absences that are out there, 20% of them get filled, which leaves 80% obviously not getting filled. and and special ed staff, principles scrambling to find um uh subs or filling the gap. So, um we hope that this gets us a little bit more um interest in terms of sub rates. And then um with teachers, we're proposing 165 a day for a typical subteer. Uh and then with the retired subteer, we're looking at 170. So if you can only if you're retired from Watertown Mayor is where we're making that a little more specific. >> So questions. >> Nope. I make a motion to approve the new teacher or substitute teacher and pair professional rates. >> Second. >> We have a motion made by Miss Danielson, seconded by Mr. Burns. Any further discussion on the substitute? uh pay hearing none. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. All oppose, nay. Motion carries. And that ends the action items of the evening. Uh moving on to review items. Uh item A, strategic plan update. Mr. Schuler. >> Uh yes, thank you. Just real briefly, um I want to just give a quick update. Um we are now at the halfway point of our strategic plan. Um we are starting to look at some ways to kind of assess how we're doing uh halfway through our plan. So one of the things that we did recently with our admin team was just do a little bit of a walk through with with four pillars. So we took the learner outcomes profile of a graduate all means all and people took those four and we broke them down into four questions. So we asked ourselves you know are we making progress towards this commitment? uh do we have any data, soft data to show that we are making progress? Um are there some barriers that are preventing us from getting to uh where we want to be with that commitment? And then lastly, is there any action steps that we need to take to to get us over the hump, if you will, in these last two and a half years um to to to get our plan to completion? So, um was a really good exercise. Um we had some really good engagement. Um, so they were kind of the test run uh for doing this potentially maybe even with a with a board retreat. I know Hunter mentioned uh in January spending some time doing a similar exercise with you as board members getting some feedback and then possibly even doing that with staff at each building just saying hey how are we doing um from their view and then possibly even reaching out to a parent group and seeing how our parents are feeling about our plan halfway through its its uh um implementation. So, it's been good to get take some time to pause and just kind of reflect on some of the areas. And we had some really good conversations and we'll continue to have some really good conversations on next steps, but it kind of uh hit a nice reset for us and and just kind of where we're at. So, um wanted to share that. Uh any questions? >> Thank you. >> Item B, school resource officer discussion. Yeah. So, I want to bring this to the board tonight as more of anformational item. Um, the city of Watertown has reached out um both um council member uh Everson and and uh city administrator TSMA about a possibility of a resource officer. Um obviously a lot of us have had this conversation ongoing off and on over time. um I know prior to me being here and and uh well before that um about the value of it and from my understanding we had a resource office here 20 plus years ago uh maybe some people remember that um but it's it's been a while um but the city is looking at this from a standpoint of potentially using the months of June, July and August to have an extra deputy uh on the streets here in town and they would they would own that. So that person would be here patrolling the city of Watertown. Um their proposal to us is that they would take a 50/50 stance on this. So the costs would be split 50/50. Uh even though we would get nine months out of that. So uh September through May, the the resource officer would be ours um to to help in our building. So um there's some really neat positives about that um that we're starting to research. Um, one of the things that I've done, um, is reached out to the non-public schools, um, Zion and Mayor and Mayor Lutheran and Mayor as well as CCLs to see if they have any interest, um, in in pairing with us. That might be a day a week. It might be an hour or two a day. It just we don't know what that would look like. But anyways, we've just had some preliminary discussions with them to see if there's any interest in maybe even sharing the cost. I think where the struggle is for us is just making sure, you know, that we have enough on uh the plate for an SRO officer. Um certainly there are needs and we have moments in time where uh boy it would be nice to have a deputy on site and to handle some of the more legal things that do come up from time to time u including suspensions or weapons and and those type of things that could occur. Um so um we we definitely have a need. Um the question would be just how much time. I see it primarily being a middle school high school SRO. Um from time to time the elementary you know gets a situation where they might need some assistance. Um the thing that comes to mind sometimes is custody issues that come up and we have to have uh a deputy come and kind of sort that out with along with our principal or our um social worker. So that's a value that uh definitely is needed. Um high school, middle school certainly where the primary uh time would be spent. And again I look at it as three three things that an officer could bring for the district. And number one it would be safety. You know overall safety um just being an educator. So educating students and staff on the law and in terms of what you can and can't do. um pulling kids aside from time to time and saying, "Hey, you know, just a reminder, you know, this could be a misdemeanor, this could be a felony." These are all conversations that would be helpful. Um even in the lines of vaping and and illegal use of of of drugs. I mean, there are some there's definitely a value in that. Um, and then a mentor, you know, someone who is available to to talk to kids, you know, and I think if you find the right deputy, and I've seen this in other districts where uh the SRO can be a a huge mentor for for kids who may be struggling u with theft or whatever the topic it is, drug use, um, and uh can really can step in and be that person, a trusted adult, if you will. Um, and that, you know, for for a deputy to do that's a that's a pretty good skill to have. Um, and a lot of times I know we've talked about Deputy Crips who's a former deputy um that was here in town was fabulous with students and coming into our district understanding um you know the needs of our kids understanding kids with disabilities and working with kids with disabilities. So um you know that's it's a rare find. Now he was an SRO but um had some really good skills that would have matched well with the position. Um, so, uh, initially I think some of the dollars that we're talking about, um, for a year, I'm guessing it's going to be around that $60,000 range, um, is the preliminary number. Uh, Dan, the city administrator, and I have talked about uh, in the share agreement. Um, that could get a little lower for us obviously if the non-public schools got engaged and and wanted to share in some of that time. So, we'd have to work through that. Um so um again very preliminary um the city has decided that they will probably build this into their budget. Their budget meeting is I think the first week of December. So again they're on a different fiscal year than we are. Uh we're that June 1st to Jul uh June 30th. They're on the calendar year budget cycle. So it looks a little different for them. Um but they're certainly going to budget for the next three months and then push that out hopefully um for the remain excuse me the next three months meaning next September um and all the way through. So I don't think it would officially start till the start of the school year. So it'll be pushed out a little bit further um in 2026 September. Um but obviously they want to build it into their budget. Um and they're asking if we have interest in in building it into ours. Um obviously the funding is a big piece. Um we currently use we have safe schools money which uh safe schools money is is really would be a great place for an SRO officer. We're currently using that as a that additional high school counselor position that we we added a few years back if you recall. Um highly valuable obviously you know we think very highly of that position um and the value that brings to kids and certainly mental health and guidance. Um, so you know, there there that's money well spent. Um, we will continue to look um, you know, at other options in terms of grants that are out there. I've just kind of started to scratch the surface. There's a grant called the COPS grant, COPS, um, that could be, you know, additional funds. And as I I think I've shared with um Chairman Felt here that I I think the state is going to come up with more additional dollars in terms of safe schools um just because of some of the um incidents that have occurred more recently and certainly last August. Um so there's been rumblings of that you know that we don't have a lot of money at the state level but that's one area that we could potentially fund. So there's a lot out there right now but I guess tonight what I'm looking for from you is number one do you have any questions? Number two, you know, do you want me to move forward with, you know, a deeper dive into this and come back in December with some more firm numbers and then um kind of what we're looking at? >> I mean, I think it needs more exploration, right? Like I I'd be curious to know how often do we have the need for officers at school now? Is it >> once a week? Is it once every other month? Like how often is that? and and do we really want I mean I think there's a lot of value in the relationship building and all that kind of stuff like that's good reason certainly wouldn't want it to take away a counselor because we have to do that I mean I I would want to know more information before I could >> well and I I think more information you know is this a one-year agreement is this a twoyear is it a threeear you know what is this length of term because >> for from my perspective I would like the metrics on those engagements >> right right you know making sure that the money if if we go down this path that the money we spend is is well spent. Like we are getting our bang for the buck so to speak. You know, so many interactions at the high school, so many at the middle school, you know, at at the elementary school, at the CLC, even for for you know, meeting with those kids and making sure those kids feel safe around officers. I mean, there there's lots of positives there. >> Sure. But just the metrics, making sure that they're not just sitting in an office all day every day, not doing anything. And Mr. Schuler, you were saying that we would get them get that officer for 9 months. That would be specifically for for us. They wouldn't be patrolling Watertown. Yeah. Good question. Be 40 hours a week, let's say, not 30 or 20. >> Yeah. No, good question. It would be um Yeah. every day of the week uh September through uh May. And >> was it only school hours and then they're going patrolling the city then the remainder of the day or >> typically in in SRO's my experience has been that is their full-time job is just the SRO piece of it. So they're not going out and patrolling after they finish their shift at the school. Um >> Okay. >> Typically it's it's considered a full-time role. Now again >> city's paying for half the cost and only getting a quarter of the >> they're willing to do. Oh, yeah. >> Um, with that being said, I one of the things that we've talked about is possibly doing a um like a a small subgroup of our board with a small subgroup of the council to work do a work session just on, you know, once we get down to logistics on the dollars to have some, you know, both groups get together and hash that out if if we're serious. Um, I think they'll build it into their budget regardless. if they decide if we decide to say we're not interested, I think they'll just use that those dollars elsewhere in their budget. So, it's not a pushing us to say you got to do this kind of thing, but um obviously there's good partnerships um that can happen with this. I appreciate the city, you know, thinking of us and reaching out and making that first initial uh offer. And I think, you know, they've changed the the policing model in the county for Watertown and and the two surrounding cities, New Jersey and Mayor. And so I think there's maybe some some another look that they want to provide some more coverage, especially in the summer when they're got the most happening, right? When schools out and things are going on in the city and the events going on in town, they would just like some more coverage um you know, in June through August, which benefits them greatly. We obviously don't need someone at the school in those months. So, um, there's some real some real benefits for both of us, I think. Um, again, to to your point, I think we have to understand, you know, the need and make sure we're um making sure it's it's a relevant position and and definitely it's needed. There's no doubt about that. Um, other thing we're going to do, I know, uh, we've reached out to some Wright County schools of similar size. Um, uh, Lichfield is one for sure and I want to say Gleno, Silver Lake, um, all have full-time SRO's. Um, so Mr. Henna and I are working on phone calls with the principal and the superintendent in those districts just to understand the lay of the day. You know, we can come back next month and explain to you what their day looks like. Um, obviously Carver County has to supply the the officer. Uh, one stipulation that I would have is we need to be a part of the interview process because we want to be the person people that select this person because I think I've heard both ways. You get a not so good SRO officer. It could be more work for the high school and middle school principles um or myself. It it you know, so you want to make sure you get the right hire and I've been in districts with them and I know that's very true. Some are very good, some are overly aggressive, some are find that sweet spot where, you know, they they make a true difference. So, um, >> are we getting feedback from parents saying that this is something we should be looking at? Just curious. We've seen, >> you know, from time to time, Jeeoff, yeah, I we do get some parents that have asked about that, you know, and said, are you have you ever considered an SRO? And we certainly have. >> Or is it just maybe a couple of year? I would say a couple a year probably come up. Yeah. You know, and especially around a time of an incident. So, if there's something that happens, they want to go, why don't you have an SRO? >> Right. >> Hasn't been in the budget. You know, we seem to manage um without for the most part. But I I I think our principles would attest to the fact that, you know, there are some pretty big situations where and couple weeks ago, you know, we had a situation at the middle school that warranted probably x were about 6 to 8 hours of the of the deputy's time. Um so, you know, and that was just in our building, you know, not to mention the time that uh he was spending outside doing investigating, doing the other pieces of his job in relation to a school incident. So, um, and it and with this new policing model, it's a little different. When we used to have the town, um, deputy, um, it was a call and they'd be there within minutes. Now, they're coming from potentially mayor or New Germany to to get there. So, it's maybe taking a little bit more time. We don't have a relationship with that deputy, which is, I think, you know, um, has been a little bit of a adjustment, if you will. Um, with an SRO, you've built that relationship. They know the kids. they know your protocols. Uh they know where not to cross the line into school affairs and we know when it's a legal issue and so we you know you start to work really well together. So I mean obviously there's there's there's definite benefits like I said and and you know even being in the building walking through the buildings being at lunch with the high school seniors and juniors and even the middle school kids um you know there's some real value to that too. So, um, uh, and even possibly coming to a homecoming game. We have not had homecoming. We try to get a deputy to homecoming. And they'll tell us, Carver County, we don't have anybody. And, you know, we would shift this person's hours to potentially say, "Hey, you know, we need you at the homecoming game. We need you at big events. Graduation's another one where, you know, we got a lot of people there. We don't have a deputy on site." And there's years past where at every football game you'd see a deputy, maybe two deputies patrolling the football game, you know, just just walking through. Uh we can't find that. So there's another maybe hidden benefit of having, you know, a resource officer available. >> Is this one of those items that we could add to our like day at the capital potentially? >> Like just >> stealing a little bit of my thunder, but yeah. >> Yes. No, I I I I I think that that would be a very good talking point there. Yes. >> Yeah. Just I mean because I know it is I mean I've heard you know through on the news that legislation is I mean it's come up >> you know amongst our representatives that maybe >> but it's kind of also too do we wait for something that may or may not happen. >> Right. I I think you know >> right that's what I'm saying the day at the capital may be a good one. You know, I think we continue to collect data and figure out >> the investment and benefit and, you know, make decisions once we have more information. >> Yeah, I I'm in favor of that as well. I think it's definitely worth pursuing if there's a great opportunity to the partnership with the with the city save us some money in the long run. Um, I have some experience and with these contracts with Carver County from my time on the township board. So, you and I should talk offline >> because there's some nuance in there around overtime and some things like that that we've got to be a little bit careful of. >> Um, in in the way they write that contract. So, >> thank you. We have reached out to Wakonia. This is their second year of having a school resource officer. Um, again, Carver Countyy's model is not a resource officer model. Um, Reich County has a SRO in every district in Reich County. Um, that's just been their model. Uh, where Carver County does not. I think Norwood does not have one. Uh, Wakonia just got their one last year. This is their second year, but I think, uh, Eastern Carver County uses either a Chanhassen officer or a Chaska um, you know, city officer to be their SRO. So, they don't use the county to my knowledge. So, it's it's a little different model for for Carver. Uh although, you know, the city's done a lot of the upfront work um with the county and asking these questions. Um but they are willing to provide someone if if there is a need. So, >> so what I'm hearing is we're definitely not opposed to it. We just want to explore >> more that value piece of it. >> Fair enough. And I mean, even if it's having, you know, Mr. Hen, Mr. Girtton, Miss Okonnell, you know, kind of for you guys to give us that input of how you would utilize that type of a resource, too. So, again, we know it's not going to waste per se. So, it would be, you know, sell us on it, too. Anything else? >> Value of investment. >> Valued investment. Yeah. All right, moving on to our admin reports. We're going to start with Mr. Hennon, which is Mr. Scheler. >> Yes, here we go again. Um, Mr. Hen, like to report that, uh, the end of trimester 1, believe it or not, is tomorrow. >> That went fast. Uh, we are tracking attendance and grades uh to compare to last year um to see if there's any changes um if any has occurred since the schedule switch. We'll be interested to hear if uh how that has has played out. Uh registration process is in its early stages. So again, this will start to pick up in December. We will be reviewing what we currently offer and seeing what else we could change. Um one change for next year is the great u American uh excuse me, American government is required for next year's juniors. State requirement. the state law says that they must take their junior or senior year um making sure they get American government. And then we'll have a parent information session in early January about registration. And lastly, um just a recap of the Veterans Day assembly um a few weeks ago and just wanting to thank um Bob's staff and and Bob and uh just the work that was put in. Um just a really great program. um the band, the choir. Uh Miss Mant does a great job of getting the boys and girls state uh participants to be a part of the program. Uh Bob and I have kind of stepped back and the kids literally have kind of taken over the program, which the way it should be. Um which has been really neat. Um but again, we just get some awesome feedback from from folks um and the vets. This year we had a someone who saw Heather's post um school post through a second post. So they must have a 1979 school class uh Royals class Facebook page and then someone posted on there. This guy lived in New Alm former graduate graduate said, "Wow, I'm going to come up from New Alm to be a part of the program. Brought his daughter who was a Navy nurse um and uh and she lives out uh in up in St. Michael. they came and just were so grateful and very kind and we had a chance to visit with them afterwards. Um but again just going to show you know the appreciation and and the thanks. Uh he said I'll I'll definitely be back next year and this has been really neat. So, it's fun that the outreach and and I think we're up over 60 folks uh registered, which I think we were at 40 last year and continues to get bigger as the word gets out. And so, and our kitchen staff too, uh do a wonderful job of preparing a a really good breakfast. Um I know they appreciate that. And yeah, Heather as well, uh helping pull out pull it all together and um just a really neat event. >> Yeah. And the flags the flags look so cool out there. Definitely. Every year there's just more and more which is nice to see. >> Yeah, they had a full day between breakfast and the dinner. So the boys and girls state kids um participate in the evening event as well. So >> yeah. >> Yeah, it's amazing. All the different restaurants they can go to and the bets that is to get a meal and a lot of >> the official dinner here. Yeah. That night >> but even lunches and different spots. They were all going to get their >> immaculate conception. >> Yeah. Oh, night midday. So it was us in the morning. >> Oh wow. >> Dinner. >> Yeah. And our speaker uh Adam Folk again, former graduate uh 2004 >> 2004 and just um did a great job. Kids were just enamored by him and his story and um >> brought some pictures. We're able to use our LED board to project his pictures which is really kind of a neat app. Cool. >> Um so >> putting it to good use. >> Yeah. Yeah. So It's recorded on live stream. So if you missed it, >> yeah, >> see it live, you can see it. >> That is all for Mr. Hannon. >> Well, thank you, Mr. Hennon. >> Mr. Girtton. >> All right, a couple of quick announcements. Uh, just to echo what uh Mr. Scheler mentioned about the high school transition. It's been very smooth. Uh we're wrapping up our first trimester in the middle school. Uh students have really enjoyed the additional elective offerings, especially the career in tech and the industrial tech classes. Uh kids have adjusted well to traveling into the high school that has gone very smoothly and just our overall partnership with the high school and middle staff has gone really well. We have 30 plus% of our staff are now shared between the two buildings and have just done a really good job of collaborating. Um I'm able to get along pretty well with the high school principal. So that's been a very positive piece to all of this. Um couple of other things. We have an upcoming PD day on Wednesday. Uh we'll be busy in the middle school. We have trainings in the math department, the English department, and the FIAD department. Uh we'll also be working on school goals. Uh we're unpacking our student survey, the fall results of that, which is directly connected to our culture goal in the middle school. Um and then staff need time uh to take care of grading and transitioning into second trimester. If you have um seventh and eighth graders in the middle school, every trimester changes now for those kids just like the high school. So there's a lot of shifting, new rosters for teachers, but I think it's good for kids. um their transition from middle to high school will be really seamless, I think, with the shared schedule. So, uh with that, that's about it. Any questions? >> You ready for a turkey bingo? >> Oh, I'm ready for it. Tomorrow's a big day for us. We're giving out turkeys. We'll call some parents to have them pick them up. Really quick turkey story. Years ago, we used to send these home with kids. I don't know if any of you remember that. We had a call from a parent. they were following a bus home and uh they mentioned that there was a a turkey coming out of a window of a school bus. >> So now we hold on to those. We keep them in the freezer and and give them to parents personally. So >> they won't be on buses. >> Just had to share that. I wasn't around for that but I I can just envision right sitting behind a a bus and out comes >> as a turkey through your windshield. >> A turkey. So yeah, we'll we'll hand those to parents on Wednesday. They can come in and pick them up. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Oonnell. >> You think there were live turkeys back then? >> That'd be terrible. >> We held our fall conferences on November 6th and 11th. Once again, our conferences were highly attended. At those conferences, families donated shelf stable food items for the Gather & Grow food shelf. and our families that were in need were able to get connected with local resources including food bags and winter gear for their children for from our royals room in preparation for the cold temperatures that we're waiting on and the snow that we're waiting on. Um we also held our first royal recognition assembly on November 7th where we recognized two students from each classroom for showing excellence or great growth and the first skill from our second step social emotional curriculum which was focused on growth mindset and goal setting. It was great together as a school community and we had well over 100 parents and family members join us in recognition of those who were awarded. And coming up on December 16th from 4:30 to 6:30, we'll have our first family engagement evening of the school year sponsored by our PTO. Back by popular demand, it's our glow evening. Mr. Rosolt will be back spinning tunes in the gym, which will be lit up by black lights. Wear your neons if you come. Mr. De Mars and Miss Christensen are busy working on creating circuits that will glow and artwork that will glow in our glow gallery. So stop by and enjoy the fun. It's sure to be lit. >> Oh, >> any questions? >> That was awesome. December 16th, 4:30 to 6. >> December 16th, 4:30 to 6:30 because we have to wait for it to get dark enough. Last year we started at 4:00. It wasn't quite dark enough for all the black lights and all the glowing activities. >> Got it. Okay, let it glow. >> All right. Thank you, >> Mr. Dalton. >> Good evening. Yeah. Um, so we got um one thing I report that we're uh we've had our second meeting with our uh early learning and prek tok transition group and that has been really wellreceived by our staff and something that we think is going to do a lot to to talk about those those scores when we come from from young royals to to K and and improve that. Um, we've also had we had four of our staff, the three coordinators and myself attended the Minnesota State Community Education Conference. Uh, it was Halloween week basically. Um, for three days. Really a good conference. Uh, it was good to have good to have the whole group there and and uh attend that. Um, we've got our winter spring catalog is at the printer. Um, it will be uh hitting the streets here first week in December, later in the first week of December. Um, and one thing that we're doing with that is we're we've we've increased our in they call them in office copies. We got 75 last time. This time we've ordered 500. And we're going to be we're going to be around in the community distributing cataloges, making sure that city halls here, mayors, so on and so forth have plenty of our cataloges available so that people can can grab those and they're they shouldn't be gold. They they they should be available and in people's hands. So, we really increased that. Um, one thing that we're we're really pleased to see is our adult basic education program. We actually have some people participating in the program this year. Last year, we did not have any. So, we're we're thrilled to see some people coming for the uh adult basic education, work on their GED or or English as a second language. So, that's a that's a positive for our community. Um, let's see what else. Oh, one thing I'd like to highlight is uh we're collaborating with the uh festivals and events committee on the the festival of lights, which is a kind of a tour of the community and contest for for trees and lights um and lighting. There's going to be 44 homes and businesses that are involved. We collaborate in terms we took the registrations for those. There's a there's a another bonus for that is we get 44 more people that are used to registering in our system. they find out how they get a they get a profile and and they're ready and they're ready to go for reg register for programs. Um let's see what else we've got here. Um upcoming we've got some uh new programs that are going to they'll our programs generally start mid January that catalog that's going to come out here. Um and we're excited that we're going to have some a bunch of new programs for little guys recreational programs that are going to take place at the CLC. um whether it be te-ballish kind of things or just just movement and tumbling classes uh little guys little I mean like three and fouryear-old soccer programs and that sort of thing. That's going to be something new that that we're excited to see. Um and we've got our next uh community education advisory council meeting on January 9th and and probably the main topic there. going to be talking about ways to increase community engagement, public engagement with with our advisory council, whether it be expanding the advisory council or meeting it different ways or whatever the case might be. So, we'll be examining that. And something else we're excited about um is we're meeting with a consultant next week that says they can help us get get more staff for our care programs. Right now we have about 70 kids on our waiting list for our care programs and that's one of the things we really want to try and um accommodate our community. Um you know there's there's state rules that we have to apply. There's quality rules. So we can't just hire anybody and we don't we don't want that. But but this is a consultant. That's what he does. He helps people um find those employees and um fill those seats. In our case we've got the room physically have the room. We just don't have the staff. So, so we're excited about that. So, that's what we've got. Any questions? >> Good. >> All right. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you, >> Mr. Samansky. >> We're skipping over Mr. View. He's not here. And >> Darren's gone through enough of his pinch hitting. So, >> enough. >> Good evening. Um, just a little fall wrap-up. Overall participation numbers were 305 participants this fall, 26 uh compared to last year. Girls soccer, as you saw earlier, second conference title in the last two years, 105th in school history. Five Royals received all state honors. Six swimmers to state. Uh if you didn't get a chance or if you missed the musical this past weekend, it was a huge miss on your part. It was an outstanding performance. I think in my 30 some years of of doing this, it's it's one of the top performances I've seen. The kids were remarkable. They did a great job. Our of all the performances, Friday night was our most attended. We had 208 paid attendance there. This winter, um we have early participation numbers, 174 so far, which is one less than where we were at last year at this time. U middle school boys basketball is yet to complete their registration. They won't start till after Christmas. So, we'll um easily beat that number from last year. First winner contest is tonight. Mr. Hennon is off with the young ladies in Bell Plane for the first basketball game. By the end of next week, by next Saturday, all of our winter sports will be in action. And as we get into this time of year, there's really not a hard start date for all of our activities. But as we get into this time after Thanksgiving, you're you're seeing more and more meetings, more and more um you know, preparation for some of the activities as far as what's going on after Christmas. So with that, we're off and running for our winter season now. >> Thank you. >> Awesome, >> Mr. Schuler. >> Yeah, I'll be brief tonight. Um, one thing that we're working on in the district office is just getting up to speed with our Minnesota paid leave. Um, and you know, this has been kind of a pretty big talker with uh all employers across the state as this rolls out. January 1st, December 1st is our deadline to communicate um this um paid leave to our staff and we did that last week. um they have to go into our um smart er system sign off that they've read um what paid leave is and how it impacts them. Um but again um I think as you know the state will administer the payments uh the state will approve the leaves. Uh they have to let us know 30 days in advance uh if they are taking that leave. Um and of course you know the district we pay uh 044 um half of of the8 and the employee pays the other 044 of the premium um for the paid leave. Um and again it's a partial wage um replacement. 66% of your wage is replaced if you choose to go out on leave. Um the one interesting thing you know TRA is the teacher retirement um pension um during your leave that doesn't pay um so during that time that is is frozen. So uh there are some pieces to it that I'm we're continuing to learn. Um, Crystal Sunby's has done a great job in our district office um, helping roll this out and I think she's on different webinars daily because the language is is is so new and and how people are interpreting things and a lot of people are coming to her office asking questions that she just doesn't know. Um, but to her credit, she's learning and trying to get back to people as soon as possible. Um, a lot of people are curious obviously on what this can entail. Um, obviously from the employer standpoint, you know, we're concerned about how do we replace folks that are out. Um, could be upwards of 20 weeks if you combine a family leave with a medical leave. I mean, there's 20 weeks there where an individual could be out. Um, so obviously we're we're concerned on what that could potentially look like. So, just a quick update there and and um any questions? >> That's all I have. Last and certainly not least, board member reports. Anybody have anything to report since the last board meeting in October? >> You got all the updates from policy committee that took place this last month and the district advisory committee. >> All right. Well, so over the last month, um I've reached out to our uh student council adviserss and actually I've attended a student council meeting in each of our buildings. Um just to kind of observe what they do, learn sort of get to know the kids more. One of the things that I personally have kind of taken on this year is the decisions that we make here. How are they affecting the students? You know, we don't have any student representatives on the board. So, how can we kind of still get that student view, if you will? Um, and the principles were very kind to let me kind of come into those meetings as well as the adviserss. Um, I can give you little quick updates from from those meetings. So, at the elementary school with Miss Rankin kind of the the the what what is good and what is bad, you know, kind of in your school. How can we make it better for you? They were very appreciative of the music program that OK factory music residency which I believe the PTO play pays for. Okay. >> Very highly recommended. They were all jazzed about that. Um they loved all the technology in the in the buildings whether it's the Chromebooks and this this is the fourth graders um from the student council. So they they liked the Chromebooks, they liked the touch screens, they liked all the programs. They all kind of felt that that was a very good use and helped them learn. What I really liked about that discussion was sort of what they would like to change, what would they want to change in in in the building. And as fourth graders do, you know, one person brings up a topic and then it all comes together. Their discussion was the playground and it was not what they wanted but how to bring better the the kindergarteners, the first graders along. They said, "Well, the basketball hoops out there aren't adjustable. The kindergarteners and first graders can't play basketball. They can't shoot hoops out there. How do we fix that?" You know, whether or not it's a, >> you know, their service project or legacy project or, you know, those types of things. um they have some of that money for that as well as from the playground they wanted to be inclusive of the classmates with disabilities. >> How do how are you know the the students with disabilities how can they use all the equipment on the playground? Can they use all the playground you know the slides the swings all of that stuff. So they want them to feel engaged and and to me that was at a fourth grade level >> not something I thought of at a fourth grade level. So, I was very happy with that and and it just really was eye opening for me. Uh, from the middle school with Miss Singank, they run their student council meetings like we run our board meetings. I mean, it was very strict and and very, you know, point A to point B. Um, they're the only group that meets before school. So, to be on the middle school student council, you actually have to show up to school early. It's not over lunch type of thing. So, it shows extra dedication to those students and they all like the new schedule, but obviously with the new schedule there there's some hiccups and and they kind of brought that to my attention was sort of that transition from the high school to the middle school when they have to go to the different buildings for the classes. You know, the passing times, you know, some some teachers are giving tardies if you're late, some are not. So, it's kind of, you know, it it's those hiccups that you see as, you know, when you roll out a whole different schedule change. And then from the high school side with Miss Crowder, um, actually prior to the student council meeting, I met with two of the presidents and they wanted they they asked me how they could get more more funding for student council. I don't know how their budget works. So, I set a meeting with them and and we talked about how they get their funding. To see two seniors have the the ability and the and the want to to reach out to the school board to ask these questions shows me personally that they're they're ready for that next step. You know, they're they're ready to take on those leadership skills. You know, kind of how they can fund raise and what my role and our role from the school board and, you know, the chair role, how we can work together. Um but during the meeting I did talk a little bit about the profile of a graduate. How many students are aware of that profile of a graduate only about 30% raised their hand and said they were familiar with it including there was at least one or two students that were like what is it? Can you explain it to us? So to me there is some work. It's in all the classrooms. Our our our profile of a graduate and our strategic plan is in every classroom. But how are we communicating that? How is the staff communicating? how is you know Mr. Schuler and our admin and us communicating that down so the students understand the wise behind it you know at at their applicable level but again these were just the first the first meetings with the student council something I I I want to do on a more frequent basis you know and definitely you know I want bring you guys along you know if you have time and and you know availability in your schedules they're only about 15 or 20 minutes so there's not we can't get too deep into a lot of the questions that I had for them, but maybe kind of breaking them up into segments or every time you do it, you learn something else. So, I'll definitely keep you guys in the loop as as we schedule more and as long as we don't have four of us, we're good to go. >> And that is what I have. Anything else? All right. >> I make a motion to adjurnn. >> Second. Have a motion made by Miss Danielson, seconded by Miss Nathan. All those in favor say I. I. >> I. All oppose? Nay. Motion carries and the school board meeting is adjourned at 7:35