Orono Schools — Transcript
Monday, June 8, 2026
Recognition of Orno Girls Class AA Track and Field State Championship Team
Superintendent's Report on Excellence
Board Committee Reports
2027-2028 Academic Calendar Approval
Policy 625: Responsible Use and for Technology and Artificial Intelligence
2026-2027 Preliminary Budget Approval
2026 School Board Election Resolutions
Social Studies Curriculum Adoption
Votes (12)
Recognition of Orno Girls Class AA Track and Field State Champion Team
Dissent: None
Moved by Chair [00:01:04] · Seconded by Board Member [00:01:13]
Superintendent Dr. Christy Flesher praised the Orno High School girls track team for winning their first-ever state championship, achieving nine school records, and setting multiple state records in relays. Individual team members and alternates were called forward to receive congratulations from the board, with their specific achievements highlighted. Coaches Nathan Porter and Addie Helen were also recognized for their leadership and dedication.
Consent Agenda Approval
Dissent: None
Moved by Board Member [00:33:43] · Seconded by Board Member [00:33:47]
The consent agenda contained routine matters including approval of minutes from the May 11th, 2026 meeting, personnel recommendations, the Orno education agreement for 2628, acceptance of donations totaling $32,988.96, the April 2026 treasurer's report, April 2026 electronic fund transfers, designation of official with authority for the Minnesota Department of Education, and approval of various payment registers.
2027-2028 Academic Calendar Approval
Dissent: None
Moved by Board Member [00:23:55] · Seconded by Board Member [00:24:00]
Dr. Flesher explained the recommendation for the 2027-2028 school calendar to start after Labor Day to ensure balanced semesters at the secondary level. The proposed version one calendar would begin on September 7th, 2027.
Policy 625: Responsible Use and for Technology and Artificial Intelligence
Dissent: None
Moved by Board Member [00:25:28] · Seconded by Board Member [00:25:32]
Dr. Flesher presented Policy 625 for action, noting minor tweaks from previous revisions. A board member highlighted specific language in the policy emphasizing the importance of students developing cognitive skills and engaging in 'productive struggle' without initial reliance on AI, ensuring foundational learning is prioritized.
Resolution for Continuation of Membership in Minnesota State High School League
Dissent: None
Moved by Board Member [00:26:15] · Seconded by Board Member [00:26:19]
Dr. Flesher confirmed this is a routine annual resolution completed in June. The recommendation was to approve membership for the 2026-2027 school year.
Population Estimate Certification
Dissent: None
Moved by Board Member [00:26:54] · Seconded by Board Member [00:26:58]
Dr. Flesher explained that this is an annual resolution required to certify the 2024 census population estimate of 13,410 to the state demographer. This certification is crucial for the 2026 payable 2027 revenue calculation, related to the district's levy.
2026-2027 Preliminary Budget Approval
Dissent: None
Moved by Board Member [00:33:31] · Seconded by Board Member [00:33:35]
Nick Tainter, Director of Business Services, presented the preliminary budget. He highlighted the district's stewardship, with 82% of the general fund directed to classrooms and 82% of expenditures to staff. He noted stable 1% enrollment growth, 70% of funds from the state, and 24% from property taxes. The district aims to grow its unassigned fund balance to 10-12% to improve its Moody's bond rating. Board members complimented the clarity and stability of the budget.
Appoint Election Clerk for 2026 School Board Election
Dissent: None
Moved by Board Member [00:34:39] · Seconded by Board Member [00:34:42]
Dr. Flesher introduced the recommendation to appoint Kristen Palm as the election clerk for the upcoming November 3rd, 2026 school board election. Board members expressed gratitude for her willingness to serve in this role.
Establishing Dates for Filing Affidavit of Candidacy
Dissent: None
Moved by Board Member [00:35:36] · Seconded by Board Member [00:35:40]
The resolution established the filing period for affidavits of candidacy for the school board election from July 14th, 2026, through July 28th, 2026, to be conducted at the Orno Schools District Office.
Resolution to Call the School District General Election for Board Members
Dissent: None
Moved by Board Member [00:36:26] · Seconded by Board Member [00:36:30]
This resolution formally called the general election for November 3rd, 2026, with the purpose of electing three school board members to four-year terms on the Orno School Board.
Curriculum Report Curriculum Adoption (Social Studies)
Dissent: None
Moved by Board Member [00:52:24] · Seconded by Board Member [00:52:29]
Dr. Aaron Rulan and Miss Michelle Naylor presented the social studies curriculum adoption plan. It outlined how new Minnesota standards, district vision, and 'Orno look-fors' guided the selection. Key beliefs included critical inquiry, multiple perspectives, and civil discourse. Recommendations included building upon K5 Arts & Letters, renewing Scholastic News and TCI for K-5 and middle school, and a substantial investment in McGraw Hill core resources for high school US History, World History, AP courses, and government. McGraw Hill was praised for its digital platform, differentiation tools, and inquiry-based approach. The total new expenditure was $161,000.
Motion to move into Closed Session
Dissent: None
Moved by Chair [00:52:50] · Seconded by Board Member [00:52:54]
A motion was made to recess the public meeting and move into a closed session at 8:10 p.m., pursuant to Minnesota statute section 13D.05 subdivision 3A, to evaluate the performance of school district personnel.
Notable Quotes (8)
it's a longstanding tradition for the Orno school board and administration to honor our state champion athletes and teams at a regular school board meeting. So, we are beyond thrilled to bring the Orno High School girls track team here tonight for the first time in school history.
The state championship is never won in a single race, a single meet, or even a single season. It's a result of countless moments that build upon each other. Early morning practices, long bus rides, weekend meets, carb dinners, volunteer concession hours, encouragement after setbacks, and celebrations after successes.
This policy seeks to ensure student learning remains focused on requisite cognitive skills and productive struggle. Students must be provided with the opportunity to develop the skills needed to conceptualize, reason, and write as well as edit their work free of AI first and foremost.
stewardship is obviously one of our core values. Um you can as you can see how that budget um and and and and how that budget advances the mission in different areas. I want to really point out that the focus is obviously classroom and academics of the district. 82% of the general fund operations go directly into the classroom while 82% of the general fund expenditures are um go to the people we uh the people that serve those students um throughout the district.
We feel very well informed. This is not the first time we've seen this. There are no surprises. It's very, very stable. So, thank you. The word of the night.
my three teachers had this thing in common. They all loved what they were doing. They did not tell. They catalyzed a burning desire to know. Under their influence, the horizon sprung wide and fear went away and the unknown became knowable.
with the number of teachers or number of teachers teaching a variety of classes within the social studies department at the high school, we really felt like it was important for us to streamline the type of textbooks that we are offering because McGraill has a um all of their textbooks are using the same assessment platform. all of their textbooks are using a similar digital platform where you can g uh gather primary sources from.
Looking through the books um What I appreciate, I said this at our curriculum meeting, um it seems very um user friendly that you know when you get to high school, you're not learning how to read the text, yet the text becomes so much more complex than maybe they've had before. Um and so the text features, the organization seems to be make the text accessible. um for a variety of students who may otherwise struggle through it.
Ordinances & Resolutions (9)
Agreement for 2026-2028 approved as part of consent agenda.
Responsible Use and for Technology and Artificial Intelligence.
Academic calendar for the 2027-2028 school year, starting September 7th, 2027.
Routine annual resolution for MSHSL membership for 2026-2027.
Annual requirement to certify population estimate to the state demographer for levy calculations.
Proposed budget for the 2026-2027 school year.
Appointment of Kristen Palm to serve as election clerk for the November 3rd, 2026 school board election.
Establishes filing period for school board candidacy: July 14th, 2026 through July 28th, 2026.
Formally calls the November 3rd, 2026 Orno Public Schools general election for the purpose of electing three school board members for four-year terms.