It's 700 pm on August 4th, 2025 and I call to order this regular meeting of the Richfield School Board. Attending this evening's board meeting live and in the boardroom are board members Paula Cole. I had to look my list all screwed up. Ken Liss, Kirk Spencer, and I'm board chair Eric Carter. We will be joined by Rachel Banks, Cupo as well. Uh, and we have our student representative Vanessa Rosa Miguel. Uh, also the table of superintendent Steve Yianowski and assistant superintendent Cassandra Quam. I'm just like pointing at everybody tonight. Other members of the district leadership are in attendance and may be participating throughout the meeting as well. Richfield Public School's mission is to inspire and empower each individual to learn, grow, and excel. and we aim to keep that focus at the heart of our discussions this evening. Thanks to all of you joining us live and in the boardroom, all two of you staff members. We also want to thank those streaming in the meeting or watching it after the fact via YouTube. We appreciate when people bear witness to our meetings where we conduct the necessary official business of the district. Our first item of business this evening is to approve the agenda before us. As approval of the agenda is routine business item. I will briefly pause and see if there are any comments or questions related to the agenda. >> Just one question. We do have a closed session. Need for a close session tonight. >> We do. Yes, we have an update uh for that conversation. >> Okay. >> My own question. >> We're going to be in close session fun for a while, right? I mean, >> we should anticipate closed sessions for the near future. Yeah. >> So, just bank on it. Yeah. Ah, any more questions on the agenda? Hearing and seeing. Well, it seemed there more questions. Move to vote. A move to a motion would be great. First >> move. >> Too late. >> I will second. We have a motion by Director Cole and a second by Director Spencer. All in favor, please say I. >> I. >> I. All post, please say nay. I don't know why I'm looking again because I heard you all say I. Chair votes I. And we have an approved agenda. Tonight is information proposals. public comment or no public comment. Um be just a reminder for the next opportunity for public comment will be at our next board meeting on August 18th, 2025 and that schedule can be found online on richville publicschools.org about calendar. On to the superintendent update for the evening. >> All right, so we have two items today. Uh we have a first draft of school board member goals. Um, and then we also have a draft reading of a schoolboard member handbook. Um, and uh, we sent that out, uh, to try to gather some feedback on how this can be most helpful to new board members. Um, as we could be looking at some in the upcoming election. Uh, so let's start with board goals. Um, and so what we wanted to do was set out a first draft. Um, we uh, we provided for you the board self-evaluation form. Uh you'll notice goal setting um with three goal areas talking about how does it align to the strategic plan and what are our measures. Uh but then really trying to craft with the initiatives and the things that we are working on um annual governance reflection areas straight from the guideline which is partnership of the superintendent connections with student staff and community and then orientation to policy the strategic plan mission vision values in board meetings and as board representatives. So knowing that those are the three areas of annual governance reflection um that the board participates in um and knowing the things that we will be going about uh within the area of partnership with the superintendent. We are suggesting that board members set a goal to effectively orient new board members to become a cohesive group um and to partner um as an overall team. And so bringing those new people in um and making sure we become a cohesive board that works uh well together. Uh connection with students and staff. And this is uh some of the conversation that we had already had last year. Uh engaging family and community members in a way that aligns with the district's equity policy. Um and then um as we think about orientation to policy um we will be at the end of our strategic plan. And so we are beginning a process to lay out um the process for a new strategic planning process. So uh board members within their role leading and participating in the planning process resulting in an updated plan published prior to the 2627 school year. Uh so what we wanted to do is provide that for conversation to board members um without putting too much effort into um measurement um and connecting it to how it aligns u but we wanted to get some initial feedback from board members to see if we are on the right path um for board member goals. So with that I will turn it to the board uh to see um if there's any feedback or thoughts. >> Thank you for that update. That's quick. And um looking at the packet at comments, thoughts from the board. >> It's going to be a really short meeting. >> That's right. Well, as board members think about that, um what we would then want to do is think about what the measures for success or what the activities connected to that would be. Um and so sort of the first step would be board members um agreeing to if those make sense those goal areas and then board members talking about perhaps even in a study session um what are the specific steps that we would all undergo >> you know when I look at this um I mean I think uh because we'll have to start the strategic planning >> immediately >> right >> um so having gone through a tenative review process um and I plan on presenting um an overall draft of a timeline um actually at our first meeting in September. Uh we actually talked about this with leadership today. It would look like um just roughly October, November reviewing and probably having a study session with the board to make sure that we are moving and committed to going in the same direction. uh in December getting feedback and summarizing our current strategic plan and then going January to March to utilize community input and gather voice uh prior to a drafting and publishing process with feedback over the next three or four months after that. But I will have the full timeline. The reason why I asked I think to me that's a great goal just because it's it's kind of an obvious one because it's a big deal and you know I was um having now been on the board being my fourth year right it's like this is something new for us and exciting so I think this being a goal obviously an area of focus is a big one um as I look at the engage family and community members and continue to think about that discussion item as to how we can do a better job because this is one we think we struggle with right >> um you know it's I I would out there. Uh I don't know if it's it's a study session or if there's a way I try to make it a point personally and I don't know about other board members of like trying to attend events, right? And so in events it's still challenging to get get outside your comfort zone, right? I mean and it's like and as I've joked and maybe we need to revisit this of like how do I how do we identify us as board members um so that people know it's like they can come up and talk to us, right? It's like I try to engage with random people, but I'd say 80% of my discussions are with people I know, right? It's like there are some people who come up and maybe have a specific thing they want to talk to you about like but you know at the the mayor presentation where you and I were together and like someone came up to us, right, kind of proactively that's not normal, right? So, is it, you know, are there ways that, you know, could we have like a meet the board night or maybe an unofficial night? And I don't that would need to be a meeting or a study session if there were several board members together where people could come talk to us because like in a public comment, it's not an interchange, right? It's more of a oneway. Um, and I don't know, that's another way for us to hit goal number two. I guess I'm trying to solve the goal as I'm looking at it, but that's something to think about. I'll show >> you might have a thing with open meeting law. If we ended up talking about That's why it might have to be on the books, right? >> But I don't know if that would be if people would show up to it. That's just again trying to think outside the box and not necessarily the goal of the night, but since we got a little bit of time, >> sounds like an opportunity for personal growth for you, Eric, because not all of us have a hard time getting out of our um um comfort zone. As my daughter would say, sounds like an issue, not an ish me. I'm just kidding. Gosh. >> So, if that is an area for board members where board members can commit to, we could absolutely look at, you know, as we talk about um a study session in October, November, uh we could certainly look at if we've agreed to these goal areas, what are the specific tangible steps? So, that could include an outline for a strategic plan. That could include board actions for how to engage the community. Um and and that could engage steps of what would we do with the new board members if and when they are elected. Uh we certainly would plan on doing that or could >> I think I' I wouldn't mind having a study session to go through this where it's just a we're sitting at a table together and hash out because when I read these measure I think the goals are really good but I think what you're getting at Eric is how do we measure the success of that and you know maybe it's two of us are at the high school open house night and two of us are at the middle school openhouse night. So that there's a table. It's like here's a couple board members for all the parents that come in or something >> something that we can measure. Maybe it's >> um you know with the the schools that we partner with. It's a certain number of we're going to we commit to visiting three times, four times a year, whatever semester, whatever that that number is just to kind of give us a goal that's tangible. And you said we're probably going to have a study session for the >> So I think we'll need a study session for strategic plan to walk through timeline um to make sure to just sort of review our commitment. But if we wanted to have a study session that went through all three of these things, >> uh we certainly could have a study session where we focus on how to orient board members and make sure we're we're becoming cohesive and create a plan around it. We could create a plan around engaging the community and we could also create a plan around um steps for board in relation to strategic planning. >> A lot of study sessions. >> One study session. >> Three goals. >> Three goals. Got to check. >> Yeah. >> I think maybe we doing it and you reach back out to board members and check and see if we all are. >> I will follow up with board members individually. Sure. and just see where we're at and then we will tenatively plan a study session for October, November. >> Sounds great. >> Uh, next thing is um so MSBA publishes um a board member handbook. I would say it is not for lack of a better description richfieldized. Um and so as um one of the proactive assignments of the secretary to the board as she was looking at the likelihood of us orienting possible new board members um trying to think about how do we document our systems in a way uh that makes sure that um everybody is working from the same handbook so to speak. Um and so uh it has been sent out to board members um but basically a richfieldized um board member handbook which describes um how are we organized as a board, what are our rules and beliefs and then each of those components that really lay out um what is it to be a Richfield school board member. Um and so you have before you a draft. Um if and when board members um were able to fully review uh give feedback. Um we would either use this internally as a procedure as part of our orientation and training. Um as you think back to goal number one. Um and we could also use this as a guideline if we decided to go that direction as we think about roles and responsibilities of board members. Um but that's a that's a different conversation. So, just wanted that in front of you and to gather feedback or input um or to see generalized thoughts on having a handbook like this. >> Thoughts from the board? >> You know, having a handbook like this is is a good idea. I mean, this is what we get trained on in phases one and two, >> but having it hard copy, >> I like that. And I think that, you know, you it's a reference. >> So, >> yes. >> Okay. >> I will second that as a well, I guess I don't have to second it, but you know what I mean. Um, as an HR person, this makes sense in a lot of ways. And I know for, you know, very um visual people. Um you also mean electronic also though, so we don't have to kill a bunch of trees to print it out. >> Sure. Sure. Sure. Um just want to make sure too that electronic is just as great. Um that I think this makes a lot of sense because a lot of questions can be answered simply by referencing this. So I'm all about this section. more comments, thoughts. >> I would say that I think it looks great. Um will we expect to hand this out or make it available um in the July session in the July study session for candidates? Uh yes, once we once we have reviewed to see if there are any other areas to be edited, updated or revised, um we would then have part of this as our orientation. >> Um so both in July, but then we also do a formal orientation with elected board members between the time they would be elected in November and between the time they're seated. Um and so we would be reviewing this in in multiple occasions plus have it as a handout. >> Yeah. I was more just asking about the July session of like, you know, you get a lot of questions and having been there like what does it mean to be a board member? scary. This might for those who want to read it and ingest it, right? >> Yes. >> Take a look. >> Okay. >> Uh and then are we looking for a final date for feedback? >> Um not necessarily a final date, but um with the filing period for election in the uh ending on the 12th. Um I would say if there's any other feedback or input over the next couple of weeks, that would be great. We'd love to uh share this out with candidates um those who are prepping campaigns or moving themselves forward just to just to support them um as we continue to help out with tools. >> Okay. I mean it's a solid draft >> um as I reviewed it and it's in public record now. So I would absolutely encourage potential board members to go and read it. >> Okay. >> What are you looking at me for? >> I do have a question. This would also be on the website too once it is >> yes >> approved and >> correct correct and we need to decide so we're deciding whether or not we'll decide um and we'll decide that by the next meeting as we gather the input um if this is just a procedure that we do then we would publish it uh we would share it or we can also make it a guideline add it to the board materials somewhere in the 200 section as a new guideline um and put it in there also and so I'll I'll see how people feel in that area. Um, and we will decide that prior to our next meeting. >> Okay. All right. >> But we'll make it readily available. >> Okay. And is that something that we are going to decide on or is that something that the >> strong opinion? Why don't you What would you prefer >> that we decide or that the district >> office? Yeah. I mean, if you all wanted a guideline, you could give that input. >> Okay. I mean, I I personally just think it should be like publicly available just because I know people like >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Just to like end confusion as to like what our roles are and what the scope of work entails. I think this could >> support um >> out in front when you say I mean it's public >> from a transparency standpoint, right? >> The more information the better. Let people decide what they don't need. But I think it from a transparency standpoint, let's let's put it out there. >> Perfect. >> Okay. >> And the what does it mean to be a board member PowerPoint is already out there, right? >> Correct. And we can figure out a way I would say right now um we have not done it as we'll say an advertising method. What I'm hearing from Rachel, it is available right now in our board notes in our archived packets which you'd have to dig. Um I am hearing if I am translating correctly uh some kind of web page or thing that says what is it like to be a board member or something that connects to that and then having these things very available. Um perhaps a link connected to the school board component >> that I you know >> the technical >> that is that feels a little bit different but this um this is guiding our work. Perfect. you know, so this feels very relevant and um important to um and should be available to the public. So, >> perfect. >> Agreed. >> We can hit that intention very easily. >> Sounds good. We will bring it back for you at the next meeting. Um with a if there anybody has any updates they want into it. Um we'll bring bring it back in non-draft form and we will have a methodology by which it is already now or going to be shared shortly thereafter the 18th. >> Okay. Any more questions? Moving right along to commendations. >> All right. So, uh we want to commend our bus drivers. I received a communication from the mayor who uh specifically wanted to reach out because she had heard positive feedback about our bus drivers. Uh our resident reached out to the mayor to share their appreciation for our drivers always following the speed limit and prioritizing safety for our students as well as other drivers and pedestrians. And so as we near the start of our new school year, just want to share that we are grateful and we commend our bus drivers for ensuring that we are able to get students to and from school safely every day. So thank you bus drivers. I love that. I really love that. >> It's great. All right. The next item is approval of consent agenda, which contains a collection of routine or fairly routine business items that can consent to pass in bulk without individual discussion. I'll pause for a moment to just see if there's any questions or requests before we proceed hearing. And seeing none, is there a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented? I move that we accept the consent agenda. >> I will second that. >> We have a motion by director Liss and a second by director Banks Cupchro. Is there any discussion? Doesn't look like it. All in favor, please say I. >> I. >> I. All post, please say nay. The chair votes I and the consent agenda is approved. Brings us to old business. There are policies before this evening for continued review and possible action. policy 710 pettic and administrative guidelines 710.1 third read. >> All right. So just minor changes uh but changes in regard to district branding and styles and then also the cash amount um that actually are in RPS location have been updated to align to practice. Um and so we have this before you today um for any questions or uh for recommended passage >> but I guess I got a quick question. >> Yes. Um, so the the amounts given are $100 >> or up to $100. >> Uh, so it's the goal for petty cash is to reduce transactions with checks for under $100. So it doesn't mean they can only have $100. Uh, the numbers that they have is down in the lower end of the policy guidelines$1. >> The goal is so that we don't write a whole bunch of $10 checks. >> Yeah. Uh, and then I wasn't sure. Um, this is kind of where the red lining catches you. Yeah. I was just looking through and it's like the the very fun location and amount. So, high school athletic office and then their petty cash would be 1050. >> Yes. And that is because we asked why that one was so hard. We or higher. We actually followed up. They might have multiple games and multiple things happening at the same time and need different money boxes with different amounts of money. Okay. >> It would have been smaller if there was only one game, one money box, but they could have three to four games at the same time. >> Check. More questions or a motion? Move that we pass policy 710 pay cash fund as presented. >> Second. Guys are super excited. You sit here and stare at each other all night. We have a long night. >> We have a motion by director Spencer and a second by director Cole. Any more discussion? >> Shaking heads means none. All in favor, please say I. >> I. I. >> All post, please say nay. I go quick. Chair votes I. And the policy 710 pettash and administrative guidelines 710.1 is approved. Brings us to policy 712 credit card usage and administrative guidelines 712.1. Second read. Uh yes. And so this is just to review um not for passage. And this one just uh updated mostly in regard to um our branding and those branding methodologies just to clarify a set of the wording. Um there are not uh significant changes to this policy. Um so most of these are just title or updates. And so that again just before you for an extra review. Uh we'll be back at our next board meeting again. Any questions? Alrighty. Brings us to new business. Flying right along. Uh this evening we have several items for new business. The first item is amended resolution designating polling places for 2025. >> Uh yes. So a small update in regard to polling places. So we did approve our polling places this year on December 16th. However, uh the city um requested some changes basically that the polling location for precinct 8 needed to be relocated um and that is the Edina precincts uh consolidated within Richfield City Hall. Uh so the city already approved these changes. Uh we have these before you tonight. Uh there are no changes to the other polling places. Um but what you will see is uh that those precincts that typically are in the city of Edina but the school district of Richfield uh would be then at city hall. >> Not that it's our decision but curious does is that usual to put somebody to go kind of like outside their >> um sometimes they are consolidated. We have had situations where we have moved polling places. Um, and so I'm not 100% sure of the specific reasons, but they have to consistently confirm and and figure out where uh where each of the voting places will be. So, >> I've never voted for a Richfield issue any Dina before, though. I will say that. So, this is this will be a first. But is it city hall in No, it's the Richfield city hall. >> Oh, the Richfield 6700. No city hall because I thought that was weird. >> Got it. No, the precincts that are the Edina precincts that are in the city of Edina and Richfield schools. I'm sorry about my communication. >> I heard Edina City Hall. >> 6700 Portland. >> Could have been my mistake. >> Roll it back. >> Roll back the tape. >> Yeah. Can I please? >> 6700 Portland at the original. >> Got it. Rich. Okay, that makes way more sense. same place there is early voting. >> Okay. Okay. Okay. >> I'm sure it's a cost. >> My question was more around like accessing to voting on and on an election that's already low >> low turnout >> turnout. >> So I guess it's just me worried about democracy >> the challenge. So this is one of the things that is happening within the challenge between odd and evens. So Edina no longer has any elections in odd years and so there is nothing on an Edina ballot and so I'm sure this is just part of our tough transition. Uh I could see this happening again in a couple of years and then uh going back when we get back to even years and we're at the same time as the EIA elections. >> Everyone's going to feel so popular when they run in even years. >> Maybe I'll reconsider. Hey, just kidding. Just kidding. >> Totally joking. Uh, and the the ward or precinct aid. >> Uh, yes. There's also Thank you for catching that. >> Yeah. Well, I'm just I'm also trying to figure out where is that at? Veterans Park indoor shelter. >> That's the ice cream shop. >> Ice cream. >> I think so. >> Ah, >> next to the shelter. Next to the outdoor shelter. >> Got it. >> I think that's >> Thank you. I was just trying to get my head around where like where would that be? Get ice cream and vote. That sounds amazing. >> And it's on port. The address is Portland. So that's got to be. >> Although I'm I'm sure that they're not gonna be selling any. >> We'll have to find out, >> right? >> Make sure you vote. >> Is so good. >> All right. So, now that we've got that all cleared up there, >> uh, the magic word resolution, my favorite thing. Sorry, I didn't hear your smart comment over here. I was wondering if any of us were going to move to W eight so we can go have ice cream while we vote. >> While we vote. Nice. That's that's a lot of work. Uh so favorite thing resolution first. We need a motion. >> I move that we approve the amended resolution designating polling places for 2025. >> I'll second that. >> We have a motion by director Cole and a second by director Liss. Favorite thing resolution. We'll start to my right with director banks. I >> director list >> I >> director Spencer >> I >> Dr. I >> the chair votes I and we have an amended resolution. We have we've approved amended resolution designating polling places for 2025. Bring us to miscellaneous pay rates for 2025 2026. All right. And uh director of human resources Michelle Axel is stepping up to talk about our pay rates for those that are not re uh represented by typical collective bargaining agreements. So with that, take it away, Michelle. >> Uh thank you. Uh good evening. As was just shared with you, I'm here tonight to recommend the board approve the miscellaneous rates for the 2526 year. Um, these rates applies to positions that are uh not part of a collective bargaining. They're casual in nature sub or substitutes or unaffiliated roles. As part of our annual process, we always review for internal alignment and to remain competitive within our external market conditions. I just want to share a few key updates. Um, across the board, there are hourly increases for all positions excluding the community education positions. And you'll notice they have ranges. So those who are newer or those who have been with us before there they have seen some changes in their amounts. Um otherwise any exceptions with the community education positions have been noted. I also want to call your attention to the specialized uh student support and health resource center positions. They reflect a higher rate increase to match the breadth and the depth of their responsibilities. We've added a few new positions uh to the miscellaneous pay rates that I just want to highlight a few. One is the lead student engagement specialist. They will be a key resource and point of contact for student engagement practices across the district. Another new position is the food service returning substitute position uh individual. uh they provide a valued contribution of substitutes who con consistently meet staffing needs and who are there over 65% of the time. Another new position is our communication support. This is a new role designed to a amplify the voice of our schools and promote Richfield pride. And another final one just want to highlight our technology interns. They provide seasonal support for back to school readiness and with a pay range that recognizes both entry and returning interns. Kind of went through a few of them. Are there any questions? >> Um I have one question. So, um I recall us um making some changes to the aquatics um pay. It looks like it was April of last year and that it was pretty it was relatively significant compared to some other um periods. Is that is that because we made such a big bump last year, that's why we're keeping it the same range this year. >> Correct. And and last year we moved from just a one rate to a range. >> Yep. Okay. which allows um returners, right, who are coming back uh to to receive a a change in in their rate of pay. >> Okay, that's all I had. Thank you. >> I got a question and community. Okay, so I'm looking at all of these and every one of them has a higher final rate at least except the community ed program assistant youth. That hasn't changed. Is that a minimum wage thing or >> Right. And and they've already been hired for this role and position this year and so there wasn't um didn't find that there was a need to make that change. It aligned with the market. >> Okay. And so in in all of those community uh um positions, you know, we created this range to allow for um obviously in early April, right? There individuals are applying and allowed for that opportunity for beginners, right? Youth might be beginning in there and then being able to um see an increase if they return with us. >> Okay. What's another question? >> Well, I guess I'd follow up on that one. So, the um just thinking about community ed program, youth assist or youth assistant. >> So, they're community programs. They're youth assistance. So, students um I just look at that number of like 12 to 13 and that's market. But I like going to go like a local pizza shop is $2 more an hour. And did we take that into account as well? >> You know, these particular positions um that the youth is at a younger age than what you're probably referring to at this time. So this is from what I understand this is right within that market for the the particular age range that is um is being hired. So sub 15. >> Okay. >> Any other? >> No more questions. Sounds like we need a motion. We can sit and stare at each other all night. >> I move that we accept the miscellaneous pay rates for the year 2025 to 2026. >> I would be happy to second that. >> We have a motion by director listen, a second by director banks. Any discussion on it. >> All right. Bring to vote. All in favor, please say I. >> I. I. >> Oppos. Chair votes I. and the miscellaneous pay rates for 2025 2026 is approved. Brings us next to authorization to award supplementary student transportation services agreement. All right. So um we have for you recommended um a new transportation partner Frontier Transportation Services. Uh we actually have two major partners. One is Metropolitan Transport Transportation Network MTN and the other is Twin City Transportation TCT. Uh TCT um actually had their original contract not expiring at this time. Um and so they were not up for bid for the part of services that they have provided. Um and so we will continue on with that contract. Uh we then went out for a request for quote uh with 16 proposals coming back to be our secondary partner. Uh you have a set of data that was gathered including their capacity, their capability, their technology and their experience. Uh we screened through all of those 16 coming down to three providers for a final vetting round. American transportation, Frontier Transportation, and Quality Transportation. Um given um that transportation tends to get a lot of scrutiny and press, uh we went out and did on-site visits, interviews, and reference checks. Um and so we are recommending awarding the new contract to Frontier Transportation. Um they are an experienced transportation provider. uh has been supporting some of the larger districts including uh those with 70 plus routes like in No, Henipin in Minneapolis. Uh they have the capacity to supply very strong CDL qualified drivers to supplement us as needed and we have had trouble at times uh filling all of our driver responses. Um and uh their pricing is competitive with the others who are in that overall capacity. So uh we have recommended to you um Frontier Transportation Services to be our secondary transportation provider in the contract in front of you. >> Any questions? Um yeah, just a question about um primary versus secondary transportation. it is our contract with TCT like they get first refusal or first >> um no we're able to use whichever the transportation companies make the most sense based on routes and decisions. Um Frontier will mostly be um individual routes. Um okay I'm going to have Mary come up and assist. Um and Dr. Clarkson is um new to supervising and supporting transportation. Um we will use TCT as our primary. We'll give them more of the routes just to begin with um just to onboard Frontier to make sure that we can test them out actually. And so um TCTU is a better company to use for single routes or out of district routes. Um but they're pretty competitive. So we're going to there are more experienced have had real good luck with them. Um positive experiences. So, we will start off heavier with TCT and as um we get to know Frontier and Frontier gets to know us, we will increase routes that way. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Got it. And then just to clarify because I have used the term primary. Our primary transportation provider is our own bus driver. Um what I mean is our primary contract for those who we are subcontracting with. So TCT will get the most routes with Frontier is the second. These are all type three vehicles for the I mean and then maybe they're vans. So our special transportation vehicles transporting predominantly our students that get special education services, early childhood and um our homeless highly mobile out of district special transportation. Do you have a general idea of percentage of like routes that these uh subcontractors would be taking to >> um they do all of our special transportation so we don't have any type three transportation that we provide. >> Okay. >> Um in district so they do all of that. >> Thank you. Since I've got the floor, I'm gonna ask question two of and can we ask like our incumbent just didn't make the top three? >> So MTN, as you recall, we're going to have uh we have some concerns about how they have interpreted some of the billing. Um we have been working with them on an agreement that we'll be bringing to the board at our next meeting. Uh we also had a list of questions, complaints, and challenges with the transportation routes that they have provided. Um and so they were in the original 16. They did not make it to the top three. And even just looking at dollars and cents, they were not as competitive. >> Okay. Thank you. I got one thing. With Frontier serving all these really big districts like Minneapolis, we do know they have the resources to serve us as needed. >> Yes, we confirm that. And they are also uh they they are just one of the contracted providers in those other districts. More questions, comments, or a motion? >> I will move to authorize the agreement with Frontier Transportation Services. >> I'll second that. >> We have a motion by Director Spencer and a second by Director Liss. Any discussion? Super excited tonight. Bring it to a vote. All in favor, please say I. I. >> All post, please say nay. Chair votes I. And we have an approved authorization to award supplemental supp. I was good there for a second. Supplementary student transportation services agreement. Brings us to policy 301, organizational chart and policy 302, position assignments. First read. >> Absolutely. Um, and these are things that are actually typically passed with one read. Um, because they are just an update of things that you all have already passed in terms of contracts and updates. And so I'm just going to give you the updates in the org chart. Um, and just as a reminder, um, and then the updates that are below. Um, obviously with Dr. Daniels moving on to Burnsville as the superintendent. Um, and with, uh, Dr. Clarkson every time I talk to her excitingly reminding us that she is retiring at the end of next year. uh we're doing um we're going to be changing these a couple of times in the next couple of years. And so um in a change of roles, responsibilities um and just to try to confuse you all with the slightly different titles um both Craig and Mary um are going under the uh equivalent titles of senior executive officer. uh we are trying out some things um because for me um I will be determining what our overall leadership structure looks like a year from now um as Dr. Daniels is gone and as Dr. Clarkson will also um be riding off into the subset. Uh so there's a shift of areas of responsibilities. Mr. Holgi has taken on some of our extended partnerships which aligns to his overall experience. Uh he has already been serving in this as one of our lead partners for the city and with the chamber. Uh so Mr. Mr. Holgi is taking on community education um in addition to his finance and human resource role. Uh he is also partnering with uh principal Collins in regard to activities um and also working on extended learning at REP. So he has those extended programs of ours um that he will be working on in this next year. Uh Dr. Clarkson in addition to special education and support services um nutrition services is a function of health and something that um is already an area of Dr. Clarkson um and special education of which she is the cabinet member who has been overseeing has a very large role um as you saw tonight in transportation um and special ed transportation is one of those significant areas so she has agreed to take on facilities and transportation um and for this year as you look at uh myself in addition to principles I uh will be leading teaching and learning um and then also overseeing communications and so a couple things to share there is a blend of instruction and operations across Ross all of our three senior leaders. Um, and this will be taking place this year as we sort of hypothesize and come up with ideas um, and learning about what is going to be the most effective leadership and reporting structure a year from now because that change will be Dr. Clarkson leaving and then figuring out the impact of that. Uh, just to make the unspoken spoken, there are three reductions in that org chart. Um, there is not a replacement of the assistant superintendent. Um and so that is a position that has been taken as a budgetary cut. Uh the director of extended learning no longer exists as a separate role. Uh that was Jonathan Hire and he is retaining some of those responsibilities um as he slides over to the STEM assistant principal. Um and then we also reduced one supervisor position within special education. Uh so there are three administrative reductions off the management team in this budget. Uh again things that you all have seen as we have moved things forward but that is reflected in policies 301 uh the org chart and position assignments um 302. So with that I will see if there are any questions otherwise again not new information for most of this um and typically done with one read. >> Um couple clarifying questions. Did you say that Dr. Clarkson is retiring in a year? >> Dr. Clarkson is retiring in a year. We have requested and suggested she reconsider. Um but she is suggesting that grandmother duties are more important than others. Um so she is currently dug in. We still have >> 11 months. Thank you. She's counting better than I am. 11 months to change her mind. >> How many days? >> I don't think she has that one figured out just yet. >> 3:30ish. >> Um and maybe you said this and I missed it, but Dr. Wilhight is connected to two people. Is that >> uh yes, the REP component is connected to Craig. Um and so Craig is seeing extended learning and extended programming and Dr. Clarkson is retaining the multilingual learning special programs part >> and then um just a comment there's a lot of direct reports to you. I'm sure you were intentional about like >> that you can handle 12, but 12 is a big number especially across six buildings. So uh >> seven buildings >> that is a relatively large number. Um part of this is for so I have been very fortunate to have a very stable cabinet over 12 years. Um Mr. Holgi has been on um our executive leadership team the whole time. So has Dr. Clarkson. I had Dr. Ledrien Roby before she went off to Grand Rapids. Um and now I've had Dr. Latana Daniels. Um so with her change out and with uh Dr. Clarkson. Um I feel like there's a pretty significant structure change that we're going to need to do and so I absolutely can manage this for a year. Um I don't plan on having this many direct reports over an extended number of years. Uh what we have also um had happen um as part of this. Um there's a couple of responsibilities we have shared out um and they will be part of our conversation about management handbook. um director of elementary education Rachel Jens has agreed to be the point person um without a promotion but with some stipen support um in teaching and learning and so she will be handling uh the lead in that area. Um and then um in regard to some of the responsibilities that Dr. Daniels had managed um director of student support services Christina Gonzalez has agreed to handle any significant issues that need district intervention at buildings um as a first line of contact rather than where that had been the superintendent. So those are a couple things that I had been doing um or Dr. Daniels had been doing that are then shifted in other directions for now. >> Okay. And then there's one other dual reporting structure and that's Chris Peterson. Can you just talk? >> Correct. Chris had been reporting to me and to Stacy Collins. Um, and now he is reporting to principal Stacy Collins and Craig. >> Okay. >> And again, Craig, >> how does that work? >> Um, we performance review who? >> So, Principal Collins does the ultimate performance review in the end. Um, but um, for Chris for example, uh, Principal Collins and I would meet, we would talk through goals, we would talk through expectations. Sometimes we would meet as the three of us, sometimes it would be the two of them. Um but but we are a pretty collaborative team and so we don't silo off things um in a way that would would keep us isolated. >> And when you consider this joint I don't even know what the word is >> partnered supervision or like what are what are the gains that you that you see like what are the benefits for someone who's like why would then he just like move it completely to the >> Sure. So if you think about activities director, which is a great example, the activities director functions at the high school, but he is overseeing the entire district. Stacy Collins is the principal of the high school. And so all of the activities connected to the high school have a pretty significant impact on her. Um, and there are activities, things that go across the district where Chris is the lead. And so there's also a district component that really isn't within principal Collins role. And so that needs district oversight, if that makes sense. Are there activities at the elementary schools that he's over or is it just the middle school? >> Um, so there's a smaller. So he does coordination across all of them. >> Um, are there competitive activities? There are not competitive activities at the elementary, but there are at the middle and he does oversee the there's a small stipen at activity director at middle, but he oversees that also. Sounds a little convoluted in my head, but it sounds like you figured it out. I I I think I I I don't know. I don't think I would like that to have Well, you have a lot of supervisor. So, I guess to you it's like, oh, it's just two instead of six. >> I mean, I have 13, which is a couple more than I have had. Yeah, you've got six supervisors. >> Six people supervising you. So to you having somebody being supervised by two means, you know, he's like, "Okay, fine." You know, >> right? >> So maybe I'll ask a clarifying question. Um on the previous or chart, yes. >> Was Chris, if we looked at it, was there dual lines? One from Stacy or one to Stacy, one to you? >> Uh there was not a dual line, but Stacy and I partnered on it. And so it was there, but it was not, I don't believe, on the org chart. Was it on the org chart before? >> No. The reason why I ask is that um from my perspective, >> I would have thought that that was natural because Stacy reported >> Stacy reported to you. So it was Craig or Craig. Um it was Chris to Stacy to you from a just a reporting structure. Now and I would say this as I hear the discussion and I just think about the experiences. I would be concerned from um an outside perspective that it it seems like we're putting a layer of management in there to the community that might not be received well. Right? Because if I've got an issue, I'm escalating it to Chris, then to Stacy, not a Craig, and then to you. >> So, it' be Stacy, Craig, then me. So, that's one >> Mhm. >> and then me. So there isn't an extra step in there, >> but it's it's just a now I'm CCing Craig if I've got an issue and it's Stacy and Craig. >> Again, it just it might seem a little like we're trying to push issues away. And I just say that just um when I think about just some of the ongoing challenges we've had of like and I've heard grumblings about, you know, it's like no Friday Night Football. And so, you know, then you get to be brought into that too, right? And it's like does that make it better or worse? It just is observation, right? >> Is this a chain of command issue that we're thinking of? >> Yes. >> Yeah. When is you know when do you have to go through Stacy on what >> you just said both? >> So generally if there's an issue in activities it would go to Stacy and or Craig. One of the two of them and then it would come to me. It wouldn't have to go Stacy to Craig because he is not supervising Stacy. The two of them are partnering on Chris. >> Do we go to Craig first or do we go to both at the same time? >> Depends if it's a high school issue. Um, so fair enough. I mean, but we didn't ask the same question when it was me. >> Yeah. >> So, there wasn't a line before when it was you. >> Fair enough. >> Fair enough. Fair enough. >> Don't forget, I'm very into chain of command people. But on that note, I'm going to change the subject. I don't know how many of us have met Iette Garcia yet. >> So she she has just begun. We will bring her for introduction to a board meeting in the near future. >> Thank you. >> Couple opportunities in the next couple weeks too, I think. >> Yeah. So what I would ask the board is I understand there are convoluted things or questionable things. Um, I'd like to try this for a year. Um, see how it works. I'm actually confident given my spread. Um, that Mr. Holgi is going to be able to be on the ground and more active in activities. Um, and he will certainly not have a better answer for Friday night lights than I'm going to have. Um, so which will be the same thing, which is Saturday sounds pretty good to him. >> I I want to be clear. I'm not worried. No, I >> I I think everybody will do these are this is a very talented group of people. So I have no concerns about the work being done. I think I did my my question was regarding sometimes I think we wanna in the office space >> at the level of the >> executive at the executive level there's this desire of control and like knowing everything at all times >> and then when I see people being supervised by two people and then I start worry about is there a trust issue like why you know like I don't know it it doesn't >> like I get the answer but but but that whole thing of like you know authority is it clear to staff members like if if if Stacy has more to do because yes the high school is bigger but like then maybe that should be a different job or go only to Craig but then maybe Craig doesn't have the capacity because now he has a lot. You know what I'm saying? So, it's like, >> right. Yeah. I'm thinking about um and I'm going to look at Miss Quam as I'm asking this question. Do we have lines? So, Dr. Clarkson and Dr. Daniels previously co-supervised the community ed supervisor Amy Shari Cler and co-supervised Dr. Quesa Wilhyde in her role. Did we have lines for that or did we not if you recall? I mean, so this is not a new thing to have two people supervisor and partnering. That's the first time I noticed honestly. >> Yeah. It could also be the first time we have it on a chart. What I'd also say to the board and I want to rewind it to Dr. Clarkson if we didn't hear is retiring in 11 months. >> Um what we're trying to do is we're trying out some different models. I'm actually not guaranteeing that these will be perfect. Um we're trying some different things with people who have done academics doing operations and people who have done operations doing academics. for me. I'll tell you why it's important to me. Uh there are some very traditional lines that have been drawn historically in schools that I don't think have to be drawn in that way. Um but it's not typically done. And so I want to try some different things this year because I mean I will call out my leadership senior team members. We all happen to be of a singular race. we all happen to be of a singular age category and it's not enough um diversity of viewpoints, life experience for a team. Um and so we need to have different voices, different faces, different partners on our team. Um and as we move ourselves forward into a year from now, um I need to figure out what options are there so we can restructure our senior leadership team for this year. Um and it's not on the org chart, we're doing what we're calling extended cabinet. Um, and so we are also adding into our leadership team meetings, Principal Kelly Woods and Principal Stacy Collins, um, to bring their voices to the table and we are adding in director Christina Gonzalez and director Rachel Jensen um, so that we have a set of differing perspective and different lenses in our conversations um, as we're making some of those senior leadership decisions. So I'm trying again some things that are just very different than we had done historically so that I can learn for our future in 2627 uh what I think will work best for us and in the long-term leadership of our system. >> Yes, if you want to hire me as a consultant I will make myself available. >> I'm just saying >> so gracious. Uh I I would say at least for me thank you for for experimenting. Right. It's I've had discussions with um a number of constituents just in general about um like what are we doing with cuts, what do we mean for back bills and and you know when I talk to people and I'm like you know as a board we try to look and we try to think ahead and think about budget and we don't want to be in a deficit at some point right they're like oh never really thought about it that way. I was like, "Yeah, right." And so, um, I appreciate you taking the risks, um, and also you putting up with our questions because for us to support you, we need to be able to have that answer when we go talk to other people about challenges or issues that we see up ahead. So, good luck. You got this. >> So, and again, so, so that talking point, because this is the one that gets asked a lot, we are not filling an assistant superintendent position. We are not filling a special ed supervisor position and we are not fulfilling a director of extended learning. That is three management team positions that have been reduced in this year's budget. Um and what is often asked um and so that I am making very conscious um saying out loud um and that is here and this will probably not be the org chart. It will be pretty significantly changed. And I could not tell you today what this will be because I need to learn from the experience. >> Well, in 11 months, of course, Dr. Clarkson will be retired, so it will look different a year from now. Just thought I would put that on the record >> just in case it hadn't been stated yet. >> Run the experiment. Do it. I I I'd actually take that a step further. >> Um let's be agile with this. And if you get four months into this and you're like >> 12 is too many. I need to do a little bit of adjusting. Let's Let's We can approve it again. >> Adjust the Yep. >> Absolutely. Thank you. I appreciate that. >> Was that a motion? >> Sure. I'll move that we accept this org chart. >> Approve policy 301 >> and position assignment under policy 302 301 302. >> Okay. We have a motion by Director Spencer to approve policy 301. >> Second. >> Already seconded by Director Cole. Oh, it's weird because I can't hear you a lot of times because you sit so far away from your mic. >> Tough lot. >> Yeah. >> Any discussion about the org chart policy in front of us? >> All in favor, please say I. >> I. All post, please say. Chair votes I. And you have an approved dual line policy or chart and position assignments bring us to policy 403, disability non-discrimination. >> All right. So this is a first read uh just reaffirming our commitment to fair hiring employment practice as well as reasonable accommodations for disabilities. Um and so it is a required statutory policy. You will see that policy in front of you today. Uh we will be providing those updates in read 2 uh for recommended passage in read three in our future. So again just to refamiliarize yourselves. questions, comments brings us down to advanced planning section of the agenda which always begins with the legislative update. All right. So, uh just super briefly um the theoretical federal education funds have and I'm using theoretical and now I'm going to say supposedly uh been released. uh we have uh not full uh agreement yet from MDE or they have not loaded up all of the budgets yet to tell us how many of those dollars and what exactly has been released. Um and so we continue to diligently work to make sure that we have afterchool programming launched at Centennial um as our top priority and then followed by Richfield Middle School uh to make sure that we are able to support our students. As a reminder, uh we have paid child care available through our partner fund club at our other three elementary sites. Uh that had not been fully sustained at Centennial because for the last 7 years, 21st century grant has provided free pretty comprehensive programming. Uh so we don't know if we are going to have funding or not still uh but we will figure out how to have programming and so we have been again working diligently on that and we'll have an update for you on April or August 18th and hopefully we'll also have an update on what the federal government releasing education funds actually means in a tangible way. questions, comments brings us to information and questions from the board. Brings us right along to suggested future intent items and then if not brings us to future meeting dates which would be too easy for me to have written down. Uh the next date for our board meeting is August 18th uh which will be a night for public comment and then brings us to September 2nd which is an exciting date. >> That is correct. That is uh the first night of school. So exciting. >> Exciting. >> Right. >> Go to night school now. >> Fair. It's the night after the first day of school. Thank you for the language clarification. >> Right. >> Which is a Tuesday. >> It is a Tuesday. unusual for us. >> Oh, yeah. Thank you. Right. I'm just not a Monday. Uh, okay. Next item on the agenda is our favorite thing. Close session as law for Minnesota statute 13 DO3 for labor negotiation strategy. Anybody would like to move? >> I will move that we move to close session as allowed by Minnesota statute 13 DO3 for labor negotiation strategy. >> I'll second that. >> We have a motion by Director Spencer and a second by Director Liss. All in favor, please say I. >> I. >> I. >> All All post, please say nay. Chair votes I. And we are officially in close session or moving to close session. Um after brief recess, the board will be closed session in private room. We'll return to this meeting to officially adjourn upon completion of close session. But there will be no further business other than to adjourn the meeting. For those of you following the live stream, this will be the end of the session. Thank you.