Richfield Public Schools — Transcript
Monday, August 17, 2026
Superintendent's Update and Annual Goals
School Board Goals Discussion
Board Vacancy Appointment
Annual Policy Reviews and Updates
Workers' Compensation Insurance Renewal
Acceptance of Community Donations
Votes (7)
Appointment of City of Richfield Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee Representative
Dissent: None
Moved by Not applicable · Seconded by Not applicable
The board discussed the city's request for a single representative from the school board for their 18-member advisory group on the comprehensive plan. The criteria emphasized having an elected official living in the community. Board members discussed availability for the three scheduled meetings (September 14th, March 8th, September 13th, 2027). Ken Liss volunteered and was accepted by consensus.
Approval of Policy 452 and Administrative Guidelines 452.1 (Third Read)
Dissent: None
Moved by Director Dennis [0:47:33] · Seconded by Vice Chair Spencer [0:47:48]
This item was presented for its third read and recommended passage. Superintendent Unowsky highlighted a specific language change on page 51, clarifying that a 'teacher on special assignment' fully trained in the Charlotte Danielson framework may 'support' formal observations in partnership with a licensed administrator, rather than conducting evaluations themselves. This change followed consultation with HR and the union team.
Resolution to Appoint Tim Palmis to Board Vacancy
Dissent: None
Moved by Clerk Liss [0:51:50] · Seconded by Vice Chair Spencer [0:51:58]
Superintendent Unowsky reported on his outreach to former board members to fill a vacancy. He confirmed that Tim Palmis, a former board member residing in Richfield, was willing to accept the appointment. Palmis indicated he would not run for re-election, ensuring a smooth transition without requiring extensive orientation due to his prior tenure. The board voted to appoint him to serve the remainder of Ms. Cole's term, starting in October.
Annual Review and Approval of Select District Policies
Dissent: None
Moved by Vice Chair Spencer [1:00:23] · Seconded by Director Dennis [1:00:29]
Eleven district policies underwent their annual or biennial review. Most changes were minor, focusing on language updates or statutory alignments. A notable update was the addition of a 'cardiac emergency response protocol' to Policy 802, as mandated by state statute. There was discussion regarding striking the 'fundraising committee' from Policy 602, as it currently does not exist, aligning the policy with current practice while acknowledging it might be revisited with a new activity director.
Approval of Workers' Compensation Insurance Renewal
Dissent: None
Moved by Director Dennis [1:04:12] · Seconded by Clerk Liss [1:04:18]
Mr. Holtzclaw presented the workers' compensation insurance renewal, highlighting a significant cost decrease of 22.62%, totaling $105,232. This reduction was attributed to a decrease in payroll due to fewer students and an improved experience modification rate from 1.25 to 0.9. The success was credited to the finance team, insurance committee, and the health, safety, and wellness committee's preventative efforts, supported by SFM and IEA consultants.
Acceptance of Donations
Dissent: None
Moved by Clerk Liss [1:06:23] · Seconded by Director Dennis [1:06:28]
The board acknowledged and accepted several donations. These included $25 to the Black Bow Giving Fund for Stem Elementary, $700 to the RHS Spartan Food Shelf from Susan Hoff Hoffseth in memory of Nick Hoff Hoffseth, and a substantial $38,000 to the RHS Scholarship Fund from the Richfield Spartan Foundation. Speakers expressed hearty gratitude to the donors and congratulated the student recipients.
Motion to Move to Closed Session for Labor Negotiations
Dissent: None
Moved by Treasurer Tompkins [1:10:47] · Seconded by Clerk Liss [1:10:59]
The final item of business was a motion to adjourn the public meeting and move into a closed session. This closed session was for the purpose of discussing labor negotiation strategy, as permitted by Minnesota state statute 13D.03.
Notable Quotes (9)
They want one. They do not want two, and that they prefer one of you all, rather than one of the team members because you are in the committee or in the community, living in the community, and are an elected official representing the school board.
A teacher on special assignment who has been fully trained in the Charlotte Danielson framework for teaching may support the formal observations in partnership with a licensed administrator.
Tim Palmis does still live in our city. Tim Palmis is willing to accept if you all were to nominate and to resolve filling our board vacancy with Tim Palmis.
He's able to hit the ground running without orientation, and wouldn't be a board member coming in for just 1 year.
Policy 802 crisis management has added cardiac emergency response protocol. So, all of our schools are now required based on statute to train a team in cardiac emergency response and so we have laid that out for you in the appendix.
The way we're currently looking at it is if it's not currently existing, we need to take it out of that guideline. We can have it happen without it being there.
The renewal results in a total projected cost of $359,899, which is a decrease of 22.62% or $105,232. It's rare to say uh our insurance is costing significantly less.
Looking at our work comp experience is something that our health, safety, and wellness committee does. It's a great committee that brings people together from all over the district. Um we look at what the experiences are, look at preventive ways to kind of reduce those experiences, and this is the result of that paying off.
RHS Scholarship Fund received a donation of $38,000 from the Richfield Spartan Foundation. So, we thank them for their ongoing support of our students, ongoing scholarships, and the strength of the Spartan Foundation in our community.
Ordinances & Resolutions (15)
District-wide plan guiding superintendent and board goals, and community engagement.
Evaluation process used for superintendent goals, tying data-based gains to performance.
Assessment used for measuring student proficiency and growth in reading and math as part of superintendent goals.
Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments used for measuring 3-8 grade achievement and gap closure as part of superintendent goals.
District initiative for literacy, focusing on secondary schools and special education teachers as a superintendent process goal.
Grant supporting the relaunch of beacons and after-school programming consolidated at stamina elementaries, a superintendent process goal.
District policy governing the evaluation and development of professional staff, with specific language regarding teacher on special assignment (TSA) involvement.
Administrative guidelines accompanying Policy 452, detailing procedures for staff evaluation and development.
District policy for community education, undergoing a second read with minor branding and style updates.
Resolution used to formally appoint a new board member to fill a vacant seat.
District policy on crisis management, updated to include cardiac emergency response protocol based on statute.
District policy that previously included a fundraising committee, which was struck out due to not aligning with current practice.
State statute allowing for closed sessions for labor negotiation strategy.
Long-range vision and policy document for the City of Richfield, for which the board appointed a representative to an advisory committee.
Data presentation tools to report on district progress and outcomes, to be developed as part of the strategic plan.