Orono Schools — Transcript
Monday, May 11, 2026
School District Curriculum and Instruction Policies
Financing for Middle School Tennis Court Improvements
Orono School District 278 Long-Term Facilities Maintenance (LTFM) Plan
Intermediate School District 287 Long-Term Facilities Maintenance (LTFM) Plan Share
Votes (4)
Adoption of School District Curriculum and Instruction Policies (Second Reading)
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [1:16:40] · Seconded by Unknown [1:16:44]
Dr. Flusher presented six policies (601-606) for second reading, covering curriculum and instruction goals, school calendar, curriculum development, instructional curriculum, alternative educational services, and textbooks. These policies were presented with no corrections and were ready for action by the board.
Resolution Awarding Sale of Lease for Middle School Tennis Courts Project
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [1:41:48] · Seconded by Unknown [1:41:51]
The board considered and approved a resolution to award the sale of a lease to finance the middle school tennis court improvements. Five proposals were received, with Citizens Bank of Roseau providing the most favorable terms at 3.89%. This low interest rate will save the district approximately $130,000 on its lease levy over a 10-year period, with nearly $750,000 being deposited into the construction fund.
Approval of Orono School District 278 Long-Term Facilities Maintenance Plan (FY2028-FY2037)
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [1:52:03] · Seconded by Unknown [1:52:08]
Mr. Tanter presented the annual Long-Term Facilities Maintenance (LTFM) plan for the district, covering fiscal years 2028-2037. The plan addresses facility preservation, safety, health (including fire safety and indoor air quality improvements), and creating environments for educational success, managing over $200 million in assets with limited state funding ($380 per pupil unit). Priorities include parking lot improvements, roof replacements, and tuck pointing, with a submission deadline to the Minnesota Department of Education by July 31st.
Approval of Proportionate Share of Intermediate School District 287 Long-Term Facilities Maintenance Plan (FY2028)
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [1:55:18] · Seconded by Unknown [1:55:23]
Mr. Tanter presented the request for Orono School District to approve its proportionate share of the Long-Term Facilities Maintenance (LTFM) plan for Intermediate School District 287. Orono is a member district of ISD 287, which serves many of its students. The allocation method considers both the number of students served and the services received, with Orono's share for fiscal year 2028 being approximately $47,401.24, remaining flat from the previous year.
Notable Quotes (9)
We have six policy ready policies ready for action tonight for second reading with no corrections. These include policy 601 school district curriculum and instruction goals, policy 602 organization of school calendar and school day, policy 603 curriculum development, policy 604 instructional curriculum, and policy 605 alternative educational services, and policy 606 textbooks and instructional materials.
So, we're looking at things like prepayment, um upfront bank fees, any of those other factors that may um may lead you into sort of a different proposal. Um and so, the low bidder would have been from or is from Citizens Bank of Roseau, actually. Um and they came in at a 3.89.
So with this favorable term which speaks to not only the finances but also the Orondo school and how attractive it is and how well run it is that we end up getting a far reduced amount which save will save on our lease levy about $130,000 overall 10-year period.
I'll just make one comment that as a reminder to the board that lease levy can only be used for new instructional spaces. It can't be used for other kinds of facility upgrades.
It's a It's a very robust program and and some of the requirements I'll be going through here and and also giving you all just a share of what's what's happening in and around and behind the curtain. So here overall program overview It's a I like the word mandated stewardship because it really I mean it truly is and and it should be, right?
I can say this as simply enough, turn over your facilities, shake them, whatever doesn't fall it can be covered on an LTFM.
But to only have 1% of funding coverage um or less than 1% of coverage towards towards these facilities um pales into comparison of what we really need um at a certain time.
These items are long in our sights way ahead of time, right? I mean, we've this 10-year plan is a rolling 10-year. It uh we've been talking about these projects since I came on to facilities 4 years ago, and I'm sure you guys were talking about them before that.
But with that said, they do also have facilities um and they do have some authority um to uh to have us levy on their behalf for long-term facility maintenance um of their facilities as well. Um the fraction of of of the amount um compared to ours is very very very small.
Ordinances & Resolutions (11)
School district curriculum and instruction goals.
Organization of school calendar and school day.
Curriculum development.
Instructional curriculum.
Alternative educational services.
Textbooks and instructional materials.
Official action to approve the financing for the middle school tennis court project.
The district's comprehensive 10-year long-term facilities maintenance plan.
The proportionate share of the long-term facilities maintenance plan for ISD 287.
New policy addressing AI implementation, human agency, data privacy, responsible use, and developmental appropriateness.
Proposed school calendar for the 2027-2028 academic year.