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. >> Okay. Next item on the agenda is public comment. Patrons are given the opportunity to address the school board regarding items that are not on the agenda. All patrons will be asked to state their name for the record. While the board appreciates feedback from the public in this forum, board members will not comment on or discuss topics brought up by speakers at this time. Is there anyone here for public comment? Anyone here for public comment? Anyone here for public comment? All right, there being no one, we will move on to our program review, which we have the truth and taxation hearing with Miss Mary Reer, our business manager. All right, thank you very much. This will be our annual truth and taxation hearing that we are required by statute to present to our public each year. So, we can go ahead and get started. Our agenda for today is to look at the levy certification recommendations and analysis of the 25 pay 26 levy as well as looking at the budget summaries for last school year 2425 and the current school year 2526 and I'll take any questions at the end. I always like to show our operating referendum revenue comparison. Last year we certified at $634.7 per student. Due to the inflation factor figured onto our operating referendum that was passed this year, you're going to be certifying at $65247 per student. The average state average for operating referendums is almost 1 $1,500, which is over two times higher than what Delano is at. So local property tax levies they're set by um statute or state of Minnesota statutoily defines the formulas most of them are set by pupil units also some are very specific for capital LTFM those are more specific expenditure types population voter authorization and property valuations so this is the last year our levy was at a little over 11 million we're actually going down almost $130 $30,000 this year. So, we're going to be certifying at a little um little under 11 million uh almost 10.9 million. So, we did go down 1.17%. The biggest factors related to that, the general fund went down a little over 56,000 operating referendum revenue increase due to the inflation, but overall the levy decreased. But a big portion of that we had got some large adjustments last year in abatements that were not in place on this year. So just because we didn't have large increases like last year brings it down. Community service, same thing. They're decreasing a little over 56,000. We had a large child care school age child care adjustment last year that we don't have a place this year. And then also they have a couple components that are going to be covered more by state aid than by the levy and debt service that goes up or down just based on our required amounts needed for our bond payments and if our we have a higher fund balance everything just kind of gets brought down each year. budget comparisons. We'll look at last school year compared to this one. And last year, our um fund our unassigned fund balance did go up a little bit, a little over $83,000. Um but overall, it did decrease, but we did put a new phone system in last year, as well as some um we got Tiger Dive Tiger Drive Repay, so we did some LTFM projects. Food service remained about the same. it increased $495. Community service fund did increase a little over 250,000 but that was due to increased participation in many of their programs and debt service increased 104,000 but again the state monitors our fund balance and they decreased it through the levy process if we were carrying more than the 105% required. FY26 we just did our big budget revision. So, our unassigned fund balance, we're still projecting to deficit spend a little under 400,000 for that. Um, the state did increase the gened aid formula by 2.74%. And overall, which our cap our operating general fund, which includes capital and LTFM, is going to decrease by almost 1.8 million. But a lot of that has to do with our more LTFM type projects that we have going on. Um, we did a and some capital things. We purchased math curriculum for 300,000. We did a special ed area reconfiguration over at the intermediate school. Just couple of the things that are taking place this year. Food service, we are deficit spending that fund balance by 400,000, which was anticipated. We needed to bring that fund balance down, but we put new equipment in both the elementary and the high school buildings this year. Community Ed service, right now we're looking that it's going to increase its fund balance by $325,000. We're going to be looking at that a little closer. We know that some of the program their revenue might be going down a little bit just over below what we had anticipated due to numbers not being as high as they were last year. But Abby and I will be working on that over the next month or two as we look at moving forward for next year. and debt service. It's projected to decrease almost 50,000, but that's just because we're taking in less revenue and less revenue is needed for bond payments in this current school year. And I'll take any questions. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you, Mary. Next item on the agenda is the consent agenda. This section of the agenda has a variety of different reports and minutes from prior meetings. Do I have a motion to approve the consent agenda? >> Dep will first. >> Second by black. >> Any discussion? All those in favor? >> Any opposed? >> Motion carries. Next item on the agenda is the resolution of the acceptance of gifts. Um, the following organizations have generously donated for the funds designated below. disp $1,830 for the fifth grade Biztown, $285 for Jake Osen's Math Fact Lab, uh $1,100 for bucket golf basketball club, $5,788.13 for booster paid girls basketball coach and Delano Boosters, $6,32621 for two booster paid dance coaches. As mentioned, all of these organizations have generously given um the proceeds for the items designated. Do I have a motion to approve? >> So, and a second. >> Second. >> All right. And this is a roll call vote. >> I missed. Who said it first? >> I did. Brian did. >> Sorry. >> Thank you, >> Miss Roser. >> Hi, >> Miss Deppa. >> Hi, >> Mr. Black. >> Hi, >> Mr. Mr. Gerky. >> Hi. >> Mr. Shust. >> Hi, >> M. Baker. >> I. >> Thank you very much. >> Right. Motion carries. Next item is the personnel matters report. It's a relatively small report for the month of December. Any um comments or questions? If not, I'll entertain a motion to approve the personnel agenda. I'm sorry. Report. Depa >> depa first we have a second >> sh second. Any discussion? All those in favor. Any opposed? Right. Motion carries. Move the personnel matters report for this month. Next up are our administrative reports. First on up is superintendent Shane. >> Yes. Thank you ladies and gentlemen of the board. I'll be very brief. I have just two major um topics to cover with you. We did discuss this um at our work session, but I wanted to make sure that uh our community knows that we are going to start an artist to investigate options for our community at building. Um I've proposed to the board that next month at our uh January uh work session, take a little bit of a deeper dive. I'm going to be meeting with the task force the second week in excuse me I'm going to be uh meeting with uh architects from Wald take a look at some conceptual ideas of how this would look like in the second week of January the third week of January the task force is going to meet with Wald to kind of go through some visual optics of what conceptually this could look like that will give us more details and prepare to bring to you um which will also be a proposed type timeline too of how do we get to certain stages to keep this moving to keep it going because we definitely know that uh there's motivation to do this because of the current state of the building. So I propose that we'll do that and we'll start in earnest the first month in 2026. We also are just finishing up feedback processes for two key leadership positions in the district. Uh, I will be finishing feedback processes for both the director of finance and operations and the new high school principal. That will be completed this uh this week. Um, and then uh we will post and we're going to stagger the two postings uh by about a week or so just so we can keep pace and and not doubled up and in certain areas. It'll be an extensive process that we've used before with a few changes here and there. Um, but we will post the high school principal position uh probably by the week of January 5, the first week we come back and then potentially the second or third week for the director of operations or director of finance and operations. So, we stagger it along. So we'll over the break I'll be working on organizing site interview teams questions all based by uh uh the profile that we've developed or we'll finish developing this week because we'll get all the feedback that we have from our constituents. Surveys went out last week to both students and parents and we included a listening session with sixth grade students too. Took a little sample from each section of sixth grade and did a listening session there. uh right at the beginning of school last week as well. So, and so those are my two major areas that I'd like to update the board, entertain any questions, great. Next up are our principles. First up, Miss Thompson. >> Perfect. Timing. >> Good evening, ladies and gentlemen of the board. Um, thank you for having me this evening to present to you on behalf of the intermediate school and thank you for allowing me to be in two places at once this evening. I was enjoying the melodious sounds of the seventh grade band. Um, Miss Schultz was kind enough to text me so I knew when to come down. So, I'll share with you a little bit what is happening at the intermediate school. Um, for our site base update, um, the topic that we're working on right now at Sitebase is looking at our conferences. Um, and I think you guys were talking about that a little bit at the work session as well. Um, or it came up last month when I wasn't here. So, I'll share with you a little bit. Um, some of the things that we're looking at, um, at the intermediate schools, some, um, tweaks and changes we're considering. Um, the first thing that we've been talking about, um, just has to do with um, we kind of were getting, um, going round and round about changes we might make. Um, and we decided we needed to take a step back and talk about what do we see as the purpose of our conferences still? Um, do we still see it primarily as just that, um, academic update? Um, knowing now that parents have a lot of access to Skyward, email, all of those things. Do we want to make it more of just a broader parent engagement opportunity? Um, so we kind of backed up and we're starting there just to look at um, getting input on would we want our conferences um, to prioritize and then from there looking at the time we have um, do we have enough time and then does the format allow us to accomplish what we want to accomplish knowing that you know what our priority is. So we're just having a lot of good conversation about that. Um, our grade level teams are having that conversation in grade level teams. Um, we're doing some surveying of parents. Um, I reached out to some area principles in my principal PLC to talk about and find out how they do their conferences, what formats do they use, um, what have they found to be successful, um, some of the things that they're doing. So, we're just spending some time really this month, next month, doing some research, um, trying to find out what's the best fit, how we can best connect with our parents. Um, parent engagement is something at the intermediate school that we have always kind of struggled with. Um, it's just an interesting age. Parents still really want to be involved. teachers don't need as much in the area of parent volunteers. Um it's a transition to the high school. So, it's always been an area of growth for us. So, um it's just a good conversation that we're having right now. Um we'll continue our team discussions. I'm going to keep our parent survey um in our parent newsletter for a few weeks. Um we'll look at that input um and some of those things. So, that's kind of our main topic of conversation at Sitebase right now. Um and then um for professional development, we have an early release this week. It's going to look very similar to our other early releases. We have letters training um curriculum work um that our teachers are working on and then some vertical teaming for our specialist groups. Uh for our MTSS, we are coming up on our next um window for universal screening. That's happening in January. When kids come back to school, we'll do our fast um our fast screening again in reading and math. that's always a good time to check in and see if our kids are still making the progress we're hoping um that they're making. Um if they're not to kind of make adjustments to our interventions. So, it's a really important window for us. Um and then finally, just um some events happening the last week before break. Obviously, just some small I mean, it's not a lot. We try to keep it, you know, last week before break. Um we have some door decorating going on. Our student council is serving some hot cocoa to everyone on Friday morning. um some dress up days, but nothing too crazy. Nothing like Adam Sandler coming to the high school tomorrow. So, sounds that sounds fun. Um but we're not doing anything too crazy like that. Um keeping it try trying to keep it low-key, but the energy is definitely there as we head into the break. So, that is what's happening at the intermediate school. Questions or comments for us? >> Questions? >> Thanks. >> Thank you, Mr. Voit. >> Good evening, ladies and gentlemen of the board. It's a pleasure to speak with you on behalf of the high school. I'd like to open my report with uh recognition of two of our seniors, Kaia Georgees and Luca Gillland. They were uh recently named as our AAA award winners for Del High School. So AAA is for uh success in the arts, academics, and athletics. So we have two very very highly qualified individuals that were recognizing this year. They will receive their uh awards in January. Donica Gustavis for our region and then they'll also um you know be compared to the other region nominees and see if they move on to uh the state level. So congratulations to them. I also just want to recognize actually all of the students and staff at the high school. U I I I can't really say it's a record for sure, but I got to believe it's a record. This trimester 1, uh, we only had seven students in all of grades 9 through 12 that received one F on their report card. So, seven students accounted for nine Fs total for trimester 1. Uh, that's got to be some sort of record. None of the students in 9th or 10th grade had any sort of F or U on their report card for trimester 1. Um, so I think I mean it's just uh evidence of the fact that we have really hardworking kids. We have really hardworking teachers and our teachers I think are really uh effectively utilizing our win time. So that's paying off. Just for a little bit of context, um last year we had uh 70 during trimester 1 and the year before that we had 70 at trimester 1. So this year um as I said we had nine. The 70 is my report number. Um when I reported our number this year that was 19. That's also some evidence I talked about before about how students when they're experiencing some adversity they withdraw. So that 19 number includes students who are no longer enrolled at Delo High School. They have chosen to go online or wherever. So of active students, seven students, 9s. That's phenomenal. Um the only other thing I wanted to report was that our sitebased team is meeting tomorrow morning and we are going to be finalizing our registration guide so that when we return from break, we're going to go full steam ahead with registration. And our expectation this year is that we're going to produce our informational sessions via video. That way it's going to be a little bit more accessible for parents. they don't have to necessarily change their schedules to attend a meeting and then everybody can hear the same information and um access it at their own uh time. So that's all I have for the high school. I'll be happy to have happy to answer any questions that anyone has. >> Thank you, Mr. Next, Miss Schultz. >> Good evening everybody. Happy to be here on behalf of the elementary school. I have also a brief report, but I'm excited to share a little bit of data with you. Last month, we did not have all of our Savers information in and we have that in. Um, so there's four areas. There's a behavior composite which kind of culminates the academic, the social, and the emotional and kind of puts a score on it, if you will. Um, and 90% of our students are in the low risk for that behavior composite, which is great. Um for the academic behavior there's 85% in low risk and emotional behavior 85%. And social behavior 80%. So feeling pretty good about where our students are coming in with that social emotional piece. Um then the next area would be that some risk and we have between a range between 16% and 7% um within those categories. So the kids that are noted as that high risk area, very very small percentage um and those we have as many services as we can um you know working for those kids. So a lot of those kids either have um an IEP where they're getting specialized services, they're working with Janelle Olsen, our social worker. Um we have two behavior access paras. So they're assigned to them. So we feel really good about the supports that we have for the kids in the high-risisk and a large majority of the kids that are in that sum risk are receiving either our tier 2 services with Janelle Olsen our social worker or um Holly and Carrie as well. So that is our savers data. If you have any questions let know about that. Um two other data pieces that I wanted to share. Um last year in December at this time we had 157 log discipline referrals. So I wanted to do a little you know comparison and as you can maybe see by my tone I'm pleasantly surprised that this year in December we have 95. So you know there's it's it's not like we're ever going to have none. Um, so the most common would be like our um disruptive um we have some physical stuff, but that to me is all very developmental of this age group. So they're trying to figure it out. They're trying to figure out what's okay, what's not okay. Verbal processing versus just like, you know, you're kind of in my space, a little shove once in a while. But those are all things that we skill build in a lot of our classes at that tier one. So, um, it's great to see that there's a a decrease in that number. Um, I think that also is reflective of some of the Sabers information. So, it's all kind of lined up nicely. And then, um, just a quick update on our attendance rate. We are sitting at about a 95% attendance rate. So, our kids are at school and we love that that that's where they're at. So, we hope that that trend continues as well. Um, in addition to reviewing some of that data, um, we have two new paras that started recently. So, we're excited to to feel that. It's it it it feels really good to have all the kids getting their needs met with with that regard. So, it was a little trying time to get those all squared away, but that feels really good. And then in our next sitebased meeting in January, we are looking at our master schedule review, trying to make sure we have the common times in there that we need for our grade levels. um looking at the MDE composite um screening as we get that started. So that's just sort of the readact information. That's what is in our local lit plan as well. So um Lindsay Westfall and Monica Kungl have done a really nice job putting together all the data and the thresholds and edge climbers so that they can give us these really great graphs and spreadsheets very easily. I don't know how much work it took on their end, but as the the receiver of that information, it is very slick and it's great to see. So, um, summer school and ESY planning comes quickly. So, January and February, we start to get that stuff going right away. Um, just those initial who do we have for staff, what are we looking at for numbers? So, that all starts really early. Um, and then our math curriculum implementation plans, looking at what that's going to look like for the upcoming year. Um, we're rounding out the the end of this week with our sing along. Um, and we Pi is bringing in cookies for our staff. So, that is all I have for report today. Any questions, comments? >> Thank you. >> Thank you guys. >> On the agenda is our business manager, Mary. >> I will be very brief. Um, we did a big update last month on our FY26 budget. I've now started working on FY27. So the plan is to meet with our ELT in January, early February and then also have a finance committee meeting probably end of February, mid-Marchch and then we will bring it the preliminary preliminary to the board maybe in April but for sure in May work session and then we'll be approved by the board in June. So, still hoping to be positive fund balance going out into the next fiscal year, but I'm hopeful and thinking that we're going to be on the right track. So, thank you. >> Uh, community happy evening again. Um, being that everybody has been so brief, I feel like I have time and we can do a deep dive. >> Um, yeah. Yes, Mary is my new hero with her concise report. So, I will try to be more like you. Um, this year, uh, during Oldfashioned Christmas, ECF held a Santa's workshop and holiday boutique. Both were very highly successful. This is an annual program. Santa's workshop is free to families. Uh, staff counted over 500 people coming through the doors. This originally started a couple years ago at just one hour. It has now expanded to 3 hours. Um at 3 hours they were still ushering people through. Santa will not leave until he sees every student. So he was there to almost 1. Um the boutique was a very large success as well with it being sold out, even having a few vendors in the hallway to to meet those needs. So another great event. Um, winter spring registration opens tomorrow at 6:00 a.m. Uh, that being said, we are officially looking forward, planning purpose-wise, to summer. The 26 27 preschool registration and summer TKC registration will open very quickly here at the beginning of February, which may sound like a long ways away, but considering the new year is right around the corner, we'll be doing some marketing and communications. Um, as a leadership team, we ran an IROD process and decided that the pros outweigh the cons of offering TKC at uh the summer session at the CE building again. So, we will be doing that as we did this past summer. Uh, we're looking forward to winter break. TKC will be open Monday, Tuesday, both next week and the week after. We have a number of internal projects that we're working on. So, staff's excited to kind of carve out some time and and dedicate to that. Um wrapping up, we just completed staff just completed entering the data for our fall preschool uh assessment. So our TS Gold information is now all in the computer and staff are looking to carve out some time to uh assess that data and and look at where our students at are at in comparison to where we want to be in the spring. Cheers to 26. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right, our student board reps. All right. Well, I'll start us out with the high school. First up, the oldfashioned Christmas event was a big success. Many NHS students participated by playing different characters and well, everyone enjoyed the experience and I personally played Aladdin and it was great. Additionally, the NHS has bingo coming up this Thursday. And so this event is something students are looking forward to and it's a great way for NHS students to gather and celebrate the season. And last up, students recently submitted a survey regarding the search for a new principal. This gave students the opportunity to share their thoughts and input in the decision-m process. >> Thanks, Brady. >> For the high school, I personally was really disappointed that Brady didn't share a picture of him or Aladdin with the board, but you know, maybe maybe next year. Um, for the intermediate school, one upcoming item to share is that NHS members from the high school are participating in the hot cocoa handout. We helped last year and it was honestly just really such a fun morning. We got to hear all the music playing. We got to help the kiddos with mainly the hot water and just the things that, you know, sixth graders don't have the best time handling. So, we have about 10 volunteers coming up there and we've been in contact with the intermediate student council. And for the intermediate school, Brady and I unfortunately haven't been able to get down and volunteer in classrooms, but a few NHS members have mentioned to me that they've either signed up or have volunteered. So, it's really nice to hear that the spreadsheet is like up and running and in action. And yeah, we'll just keep working on that. I think that's all we have. Do you have any questions for us this month? >> Thank you very much. >> Next are our board reports. First up is Miko Sarah. Our November meeting happened two weeks ago in December. We were postponed due due to to the weather. Um we ratified the um the Ed Minnesota agreement with Maso staff. Um it's probably the biggest item. We also were we reviewed the audit and um Maso received a good report on the audit. Um we had some discussion about fund balance. It's a I've talked about this before, but the finances of of Masico as a special ed district is it's very convoluted and it doesn't always work exactly like a independent school district. So, um we had some deeper dive questions into the budget and the fund balance. Um and then we are going to there was a proposal brought forward to um increase the short call sub and parasub rate of pay but we wanted some more information. So um our our December meeting is tomorrow night. So we're going to be looking at um at some more information related to that. finding substitutes um in classrooms and for paras it's difficult everywhere is even difficult in a place like Masiko. So um we want to make sure we are being financially responsible and also um being able to support students on a daily basis um in their in their educational settings. >> Thanks. Next up, right tech was there. I don't know if >> I've got a note here. I thought I forwarded the minutes to Bobby, but I'll make sure the next two get on the next uh >> Okay. I know that the uh >> construction is in full swing and the house is almost done. And I know that literally a cabin uh it's literally perfect for that or actually a full house. But other than that, just really standard things. But I'll I'll make sure that the minutes get on there for now. >> Thanks, Jim. >> Next, uh Rachel Safe Schools meeting. >> So, Safe Schools had their meeting. It was last week actually at school here. Um we discussed our emergencies procedures a little more in depth. Um true Delano is down. The new K12 health standards have been released. So, we're looking at those. um the driving simulator and the seat belt condenser have been reserved for Delano for right before prom and I love you guys train at St. Michael schools that'll be free to all districts. Um CRG will be mapping all schools across the state for law enforcement to help with emergency responses that will be kept away from like random people but law enforcement will have access to every school. Um, we talked about resources for our 17 and older students with attendance issues and what's available to them um, service-wise. Things like um, using central Minnesota jobs as a resource. Um, staff isn't on here, Matt, but they also met. Do you want me to cover that? >> Yeah, you can. That's right. We we had our meeting last >> Friday. Saff met on Friday, which is um, another group. And so we discussed a variety of um, revenue related topics, a bunch of topics. Um, one area that parents probably are most interested in is they're looking at legislation that would require parents to pay the cost um for PSO students if they drop out. Um, and so that that argument is that the bill should not remain on the district because we're still educating the student if they drop out of their PSO classes. Um, so it's a double cost and expenditure to the school. Um, they discussed the statewide no cell phone law for schools and the possibility of arguing for schools being exempt for the or from the paid medical leave laws that are enacted right now amongst other things. So, those were kind of the big highlights. >> Okay, pretty full report. Thank you, Rachel. >> Um, next item, there isn't any old business, so we'll move into new business. First item under new business is to approve and certify the final 2025 pay 2026 levy limitation and certification report. Yep. So we're going to be certifying 10,884, $3247 this year compared to the little over 11 million that it was last year. Great. Any other questions for Mary on that? I know we've talked about this previously. So with that, I'll entertain a motion to approve this uh the limit levy limitation and certification report. >> Depa will first. Do we have a second? >> I'll second. >> Baker to second. Is there any discussion? >> All those in favor? >> Any opposed? >> All right. The 2025 pay 2026 levy limitation and certification report is approved. Next item on the agenda is to approve January 5th, 2026 as the date for the schoolboard organizational meeting. The meeting will begin at 5:00 PM in the district training room. >> Has that always been at five? >> Yeah, >> we moved it last year to five. >> Yeah, it worked. >> It used to it used to be seven. >> I like five. >> And we moved it to five and it's it's relatively short. >> And not not related, but then the admin is at six, >> correct? >> Sorry. >> Or right after. Okay. Thank you. >> I would have been really late for both of those. >> It's 5:05. You're going to message us and tell us to leave here and come down there. >> Yes. Yeah. >> Mhm. >> District training room. >> I'll move I'll make a motion to >> All right. >> Approve that. >> Thanks for the motion, Ryan. Do we have a second? >> Second, Jim. >> Second by Jim. All those in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Right. Motion carries for the date and time of the organizational meeting for 2026. Next item on the agenda is to approve the 2026 2027 schoolboard calendar. This um was brought forth and discussed last month and so this again was has a very robust process within the district um to work with different stakeholders and constituents um to arrive at the calendar. Anything else you want to add? If not, entertain a motion to approve the 2026 2027 calendar. >> Chust motions by Soust. Any um or a second? >> I'll second. >> Second by Black. Any discussion? >> All right. All those in favor? >> Any opposed? >> Fabulous. Motion carries to approve the 2026 2027 calendar. Next item is to approve the language access uh plan for the 2026 2027 school year. This plan was brought before us last time uh last month. Um and we had a discussion with uh >> Ashley Johnson. >> Ashley Johnson at that time who developed it. >> Do I have a motion to approve? >> Stepha made the motion. Do we have a second? >> Second. >> Second by Sarah. Any discussion? All those in favor? I. >> Any opposed? The language access plan for the 2026 2027 school year is approved. Next item on the agenda is adjournment. Do we have >> Jim chosen? And second by uh >> Cy and uh all those in favor. >> Any opposed? We are adjourned. Nice work.