Richfield Public Schools — Transcript
Monday, August 3, 2026
Board Goal Reflection & Future Goals
Board Vacancy and Appointment Process
City Manager Hiring Engagement Sessions
Votes (9)
Policy 702 Investments and Administrative Guideline 702.1 (Third Read)
Dissent: None
Moved by Clerk Ken Liss [0:30:52] · Seconded by Director Kelly Dennis [0:30:57]
This item was a third and final reading for Policy 702, which governs the district's investment practices. The policy was updated to align primarily with Minnesota state statutes and the School Boards Association policy. Key changes included clarifications and the addition of a table to Exhibit A, suggested by the finance team, to more clearly illustrate investment methods.
Policy 452 Evaluation and Development of Professional Staff and Administrative Guideline 452.1 (Second Read)
Dissent: N/A
Moved by null · Seconded by null
This was the second reading of Policy 452, which details the methods for evaluating and developing professional staff. The discussion highlighted a complex area concerning the roles of Q-Comp peer reviewers and Teachers on Special Assignment in the evaluation process, particularly in buildings like Central that lack a full-time licensed principal. Due to ongoing complexities and discussions with Ed Richfield, it was noted the policy might require a fourth read.
Election of Open Board Officer Roles
Dissent: None
Moved by Clerk Ken Liss [0:37:37] · Seconded by Director Kelly Dennis [0:37:51]
Due to a board member's departure, the Treasurer role became vacant. Director Haley Tompkins volunteered for the position. After a formal call for nominations three times without further interest, she was unanimously elected as the new Treasurer.
Strategic Plan 2026 to 2032
Dissent: None
Moved by Clerk Ken Liss [0:42:36] · Seconded by Director Kelly Dennis [0:42:47]
The board approved the final draft of the 'Richfield Rising' strategic plan for 2026-2032, the culmination of a year-long process with significant community input, including from BIPOC and multilingual families. The plan outlines new goal areas and its approval initiates the next phase of work, where the administrative team will plan key actions. Chair Carver emphasized the importance of dedicating sufficient time, potentially multiple study sessions, to thoroughly define the metrics and vision cards for the plan's long-term success.
Authorization to Proceed with Richfield High School Stadium Storage Building Construction Project
Dissent: None
Moved by Treasurer Haley Tompkins [0:52:15] · Seconded by Clerk Ken Liss [0:52:25]
The board re-approved the construction project for a storage building at Richfield High School Stadium. This re-authorization was necessary due to a shift from the TIPS purchasing agreement to Sourcewell Gordian for better alignment with Minnesota standards, and an increased project cost of approximately $75,000. The cost increase resulted from the new purchasing agreement's terms and additional site work required by geotechnical engineers. Preliminary city authorization has been secured.
Administrative and Management Support Professionals Collective Bargaining Agreement 2026-2028
Dissent: None
Moved by Director Kelly Dennis [0:56:56] · Seconded by Treasurer Haley Tompkins [0:57:07]
The board approved the collective bargaining agreement for administrative and management support professionals for the 2026-2028 term, which had been previously ratified by the unit. The agreement includes salary increases (75 cents/hour in year one, 85 cents/hour in year two), increased medical insurance contributions for dependents, adjusted longevity rates, an enhanced bilingual stipend, reduced years for tax-sheltered annuity matching, and an additional personal leave day. Language changes also allow for flexible breaks and establish a committee to study new title and classification systems.
Policy 715 Purchasing and Administrative Guideline 715.1 (First Read)
Dissent: None
Moved by Treasurer Haley Tompkins [1:01:21] · Seconded by Clerk Ken Liss [1:01:31]
The board approved Policy 715 and its administrative guideline, opting for a single-read passage due to minor, recent updates. The changes included updating contract signing authority from 'senior executive officers' to 'cabinet members' to reflect current operational practices, and revising federal procurement thresholds from $10,000 to $15,000 to align with recent federal legislation. The Superintendent confirmed that a robust system and protocol are in place for oversight of contract signing.
Policy 901 Community Education (First Read)
Dissent: N/A
Moved by null · Seconded by null
This item introduced Policy 901, Community Education, for its first reading. The policy establishes the purpose of community education within Richfield Public Schools, outlines opportunities for community involvement and growth, and defines the essential, legally required role of the community education advisory board. This policy is set for two additional readings before final passage.
Acceptance of Donation for RHS Art Department
Dissent: None
Moved by Treasurer Haley Tompkins [1:04:19] · Seconded by Clerk Ken Liss [1:04:41]
The board formally accepted a donation of framing supplies, valued at $237.97, for the Richfield High School Art Department. This donation was made in honor of Willie Falwell, a former long-time art teacher at Richfield Public Schools, and was received with gratitude.
Notable Quotes (17)
It is based mostly in Minnesota state statute and aligning very clearly to the school boards association policy. Uh we also had some additional suggested changes coming from um input from finance team really to uh add a table to exhibit A to more clearly show um some of the ways that we might make investments.
We are trying to figure out we have a team of Q-Comp peer reviewers. Um we also have some teachers on special assignment who are coordinators. Um so we're trying to figure out their part in the evaluation process.
I am willing to be the treasurer.
So notice we are trying to move it to 2032. That would make it a 6-year plan because really that first year is a baseline... So if we allow it to go for 5 years, uh we actually will try to push it all the way through 2032.
91% um were from Spanish-speaking, multilingual, or and bi- BIPOC families um with 77% uh expressing overall satisfaction, and then there were a set of wording changes and some suggestions to the ordering um of the way some of the things were ordered.
I would almost rather plan on saying let's let's think about two study sessions and if we can cancel the the second one or trim down the second one, great. But just from a mindset perspective again as I look and I think of how critical this is over the next 5-6 years, right? That we want to make sure we get it right that us spending a couple extra hours now I would like to think that we're all behind that that we'd rather spend the time now so that it pays off for itself years going forward.
I just want to say um how I think the the team did a great job gathering voice really hearing from folks and saying actually this wasn't enough. Like let's go do more.
Um there are two primary reasons why we're bringing it back to the board for approval. One is we are recommending that we do this in alignment with the Sourcewell Gordian purchasing agreement. Um and then the amount also increased to $474,964.35.
TIPS was a um more value um in reduced cost project or program and stuff like that as far as the fees that were associated with it. But, it was much more complicated to administer that and in working with our attorneys and with um our architects, they felt more confident with the Sourcewell um program as well.
I am pleased to bring for your approval the collective bargaining agreement with the administrative and management support professionals for um uh July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2028. Uh this was ratified by that unit last week.
Specifically, it is first year um July 26-27, it's a 75-cent per hour increase to the base salary schedule. Medical insurance increased by $100 a month for uh the dependent coverage, specifically up to $1,700.
And we also agreed to enter establish a memorandum of agreement to convene a committee to study recommending potential new title and classification systems for the unit um as well as a handful of other items.
One is a wording change in who is approved to sign contracts given the addition of the assistant superintendent and previous titles of senior executive officers. We've just changed that wording to say cabinet members, which allows all of the cabinet team members, which has been our practice to sign contracts.
Federal resources have moved up according to federal law from 10,000 to 15,000. Um and so um we need to follow the practice and process for things not at 10,000 but now at 15,000 and up to 24,999.
Establishes the purpose of community ed, talks about opportunities for involvement and growth for everyone in our community. Um and also talks about the community ed advisory and their role, um which is a required part of having a community ed department.
So the RHS art department received a donation of framing supplies valued at $237.97 in honor of former RPS art teacher Willie Falwell.
I move that we accept the this donation with the utmost gratitude.
Ordinances & Resolutions (17)
Training programs for board member orientation.
District policy guiding community engagement and representation goals.
Refers to both the past plan and the newly developed Richfield Rising Strategic Plan 2026 to 2032.
The newly approved strategic plan for Richfield Public Schools, focusing on academic programming, outcomes, student activities, community engagement, climate, well-being, inclusion, staff, resource management, communication, community trust, and enrollment.
Tools planned for future development to track the measures and progress of the strategic plan.
District policy governing investment strategies.
An administrative guideline supporting Policy 702 Investments.
District policy outlining methods and practices for evaluating and providing professional development to staff.
An administrative guideline supporting Policy 452 Evaluation and Development of Professional Staff.
District policy governing purchasing procedures.
An administrative guideline supporting Policy 715 Purchasing.
District policy establishing the purpose and advisory role of community education.
A local purchasing agreement adopted for the RHS stadium storage building project, replacing a previous non-local option.
A previously considered non-local purchasing agreement for the RHS stadium storage building project, deemed more complicated to administer.
A collective bargaining agreement outlining terms and conditions for the district's administrative and management support professionals.
An agreement to convene a committee to study potential new title and classification systems for the administrative and management support professionals unit.
Referenced for updates to federal procurement thresholds impacting district purchasing policies.