Good evening and welcome to the regular meeting of the St. Peter School Board. It is Wednesday, August 20th, 2025. We are in the governor's room. We will call the meeting to order at uh 5:02 p.m. >> Uh first thing we'll do, pledge of allegiance, please. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> All right. Next up, we need to consider and adopt the agenda. The agenda is in front of you in the packet and in the board book online. I'll move the agenda. I have a second. >> We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Oppose. Same sign. Agenda is adopted. Kimberly, do we have any requests to speak? All right. Next up is the consent agenda. Um we have in front of us uh page 3 through 13 and also online on the board book. We will seek a motion to approve the consent agenda. >> I move. >> We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? I will say I did look at the bills and things seem to be in order after a little extra work but they they're in order now. >> Thank you. Treasurer count. >> Any further discussion? >> Mr. Chair. >> Yes. >> With the resation teaching role of Mr. Keading. I'm assuming that we have a science teacher for that role. >> Yes. He was on a leave of for a year >> and because of that >> we didn't have to make a cut in the science department. So >> continuation of that individual. Perfect. Good. Thank you. >> Any other discussion? Discussion. Discussion. Discussion. Hearing none. We'll proceed to vote. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Oppose. Same sign. Motion carries. The consent agenda is approved. Thank you. We do not have any student spotlight because it's the summer. No student council report because it's the summer. >> Again, Mr. Chair, >> given that it is summer, but school starts obviously in the very very very near future. Um, is there a possibility to have a student council rep or is there >> if there's if the student council officers are are not as heavily involved in activities, they will be the representatives. Otherwise, we're going to reach out to we're going to go to the National Honor Society >> and see if one of their one of their kids is going to be able to do it and that be >> really nice to have. >> Oh, absolutely. And be a really good experience for those other students as well. It spreads out the opportunity. Thank you. >> Yeah, >> thank you. >> Uh we'll move on to our action items. Item number one, consider acceptance of gifts, donations, and grants. Dr. Graph. >> Yes. So, we have four uh donations to talk about this evening. Uh the first one is the governors. The governors donate um time as instructors for a percussion uh program and then they also have donated $750 to help to defay the costs of that program. Uh, next is a donation from the St. Peter Booster Club for $11,36749. Uh, and that's to cover the final items that were purchased in 2425. And then lastly, um, a donation from St. Peter Youth Wrestling Association for $10,624. And that donation will be used uh for a rollout protector mat to cover the practice mat in the wrestling room. And then Annette is here to talk about a really, really large grant uh that we have. >> Yeah, this one is really exciting. um our partnership with through our partnership with Habitat um we co-wrote a grant for the um to the Minnesota Housing Challenge uh and we found out this spring late May sometime that we received $99,999. Um again, the majority of that will go toward building materials, but the school district is getting um $20,000 worth of new building equipment um to assist with the build. and we were ready for some new equipment. So, it came at a great time. >> And that's due to the history that we have with that builds, do you think? >> With what? >> With the number of builds that have been done, >> you know? I I don't know. The grant was I don't know why I ended up reading the email because some of those come through and you're like, but it just seemed like the grant was specifically written for school partnerships. >> Nice. >> Um to do with housing. So, and they were also very interested in the um job the job opportunities for kids who had taken the course. So, that was part of it too. >> Thanks. >> Just out of curiosity, 99,999. Was that the limit on the grant? Was that what we >> That was the limit. >> Just a curiosity. It's an interesting number. >> Yep. >> Incredibly generous and great. Like, it's awesome. But >> it's great. >> Maxed it out. >> Maxed it out. >> I think there's there will be another opportunity to write another one. So, >> that would be great. >> Awesome. >> Congratulations. >> Yeah. Thank you. It's exciting. Scott Robinson had a lot to do with this one, too. He's the teacher who does the build. >> Great. >> I move that we uh accept these grants and donations and gifts. >> Second. >> I have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Discussion. Discussion. Discussion. We'll proceed to vote. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> I. Oppose. Same sign. Motion carries. Thank you very much to the generous donors and to the grant givers. Next up, consider adoption of student parent handbooks for 2025 2026. Dr. Graph and others. >> So, on an annual basis, uh, buildings review their student parent handbooks and if there are changes, those changes are presented to the school board. um with a recommendation to approve uh those changes and tonight the principal team is here to present those changes. These changes have also been shared uh in advance with both the policy committee and the education committee and both uh supported the changes. >> Youngest first. How about that? >> Second youngest. I'll start with me. the >> I never get to start. I'm going to start. I'm going to start. Uh updates with our handbook at North Elementary School. Uh just about five of them. Uh just minor language things. On page nine, we put some specific information in there as far as running a background check. Um if u this goes a little bit beyond what we had before. Usually it was a typical um somebody coming in to volunteer on a regular basis, they would have a background check. Um but now it's like basically any school sponsored thing um field trips um things like that where our volunteers are um supervising our students. So and we'll keep track of that in the office. So that specifically is in there now. So that's a change. Uh also on page nine, check-in procedures, present a valid governmentissued ID. Everybody had to check in anyway, but just put that language in there about governmentissued ID. Uh a daily attendance tracking has shifted a little bit now. Um, if a student arrives after the start of the instructional day at 8 o'clock, but then prior to 8:15 in that window, that's marked as a tardy. Uh, anything after 8:15 would be an absent. Um, and prior to that, we had tardy all the way up until what 9:00 a.m. So, it was an hour. So, it shortened up that quite a bit. >> Uh, so that's in there. And then we um also uh between now uh north and south, we actually track attendance by the minute, the instructional minute. So that has an impact if a student leaves early, gets there late, um basically that's subtracted by the total number of instructional minutes, which are 500 or excuse me, 400 minutes a day. Um let's see, student expectations at high school athletic events. Um any students that uh may not be following expectations in those events can be asked to sit with their guardians or their parents or uh be dismissed from the event. And that's new language in the handbook. >> Yep. Yep. Yep. watch the game. Cheer on the Saints. Absolutely. Uh and then uh just page 17 has building wide uh student assessments. Just a little more dialogue and narrative in there about the assessments that students take in second through fourth grade and um what they measure. And then that along with um just policy update in the appendix of the handbook. >> Thank you, >> Mr. Chair. >> Thank you. Can I ask a question concerning the uh governmentisssued ID? >> Is that going to be a problem with some of our immigrant families? >> Um we have been doing that already. So, our um raptor system, which you know, people bring in their IDs and drop it in the scanner, which then generates a log on the computer of who they are because it pulls that date off that magnetic strip on the back and then makes them a name tag with their picture and everything. So, that's been happening, but we just didn't have the language in the handbook. >> So, I don't think No, it hasn't been an issue. >> I mean, so what's acceptable like a driver's license? >> Yep. >> Anything else? Passport. >> Passport. >> Mhm. >> Yep. >> Yep. Good question. It hasn't been like we haven't had an issue so far, but that's in all our buildings. >> Well, I noticed it's in all your handbooks, too. That's thought I'd just get that one out of the way. >> Yep. Yep. It has not been Good question, but it hasn't been so far. So, do you think maybe you could add something to the handbook about expectations? And if adults don't live up with that, they have to sit with their kids. >> Yes. Done. >> You must stay with your children, your students. Yep. >> All right. >> I can go from south. Um, so I've got I updated just some basic things like our principal letter and our conference dates. I also added some information in our academics section about our grading scale. Um we had some questions about that last year from parents and I just wanted to clarify a couple of things in that. Uh we also added information about our universal screening for new read act requirements and there wasn't previously language about math and screening. So just in order to be transparent with families added that in. Um seconding the information about attendance and tardies. They just adjusted that um to be consistent with North Elementary. Um added we also added some language about encouraging thirdparty documentation. So right now if students are reaching significant um absences, we do request that they bring in thirdparty documentation for excused absences just to confirm the absence. And now the language just really encourages everybody to bring that. It's really good practice. Um so there's just some added um verbiage in there. We added clarification about uh governmentissued ID ID when not only when entering the building but also if you're picking up a student. So um that if you're not the parent or we don't know who you are, we can confirm that that's a safe adult for our child to leave with. Um we added language about uh drop off and pickup um stressing the importance of using our loop instead of the parking lot just for safety. Under guidelines and procedures, we just cleaned up some language about recess. Um, school visits not including recess. That that's lunch unless the visit specifically um was a request for recess. We added scooters to our policy. I'm sure you've seen scooters all over town this summer. Um, but there was nothing in there about scooters. It was just bikes and skateboards previously. Um, updated language about flexible learning. We've not sent iPads home in a number of years. So, just making sure that was in there. I'll be talking about this more later, but we removed our information about snack cart. Uh added language about treats. This is a big deal at South Elementary. Birthday treats, half birthday treats, 100th day of school treats. So, um it's important to to be safe and have language in there. Um we updated our athletic information, admissions costs, and athletic passes. Under technology, we added a device policy per MSBA recommendations, just that we are not allowing devices in our classrooms. We previously didn't had it have it because we didn't see that with five, six, and seveny olds, and now they have fancy watches and things like that. So, just um adding that language to our handbook. Added something about AI. And in our health section, we have um just cleaned up some language about recess. um added language stating that medications that families leave will be disposed of if not picked up and then included the house sick is too sick handout from the health office and updated policies. Can I just roll into Asha? I only have two at Ashawa. Um the two at Ashawa um we added l or just changed the language about our rotating electives. It was very specific previously about the electives that were rotating and with our change in staff um that's just no longer accurate. So um we made that a little bit more broad um not promising more than we were able to deliver. And then under devices and internet we added language about monitoring computer activity with um securely which is a a software program that teachers use to moni monitor what kids are doing. And again we just want to be really transparent with families if we're calling them and saying hey we noticed this through securely that they're not surprised um that we're monitoring. So that's all for those two. just skip all over the place. >> Yeah. >> Uh in the high school handbook, um that those first ones we're just cleaning up. We're adding some language that uh we noticed during the school year was confusing to some students. Um uh so students can be referred to the structured or guided study hall, which means they they're supposed to be studying off of their devices, that sort of thing. Um they can also be placed there for behavior referral or poor attendance. Um and but that is reviewed at midquarter and at the end of the quarter. So they have all kinds of opportunities to work their way out. Um attendance the only change in that is that non that excuse me it's a letter letter G. Um work is not considered an excused absence. um our co-curricular participation. Uh we wanted to clarify that uh if doctor's appointments, those sort of things were um those are approved absences. Um but otherwise, anybody who wants to participate in their co-curricular activities that evening has to be in school for the whole day. And then there's our technology and cell phone use um policy. It it might not look like it's a big change, but it is quite a big change. If you look at the um former language, cell phone use in the classroom will be allowed per teacher discretion and teachers were to have their cell phone policies posted in their classrooms. um with the help of the schoolboard policy, uh cell phones are not allowed in in what we have determined to be the academic areas, the classrooms that that pod space, the shared space between the classrooms. Um they are allowed to use it if they have a common study hall during passing time or lunch. And again, it's still, you know, that it's up to the classroom teachers to to police this, but I think having it in board policy gives them a little bit, you know, it's their it's their job to know make sure they're not using it during class. I'll keep you updated on how it goes. I'm sure it'll be great. >> If they are, it we're really kind of following the same process that we always have. um teacher takes their phone, second time comes to the office, third time parents will pick it up. Um and beyond that, then it will be a um family family meeting to try to determine a course of action >> and that's consistent with the middle school policy as well. >> And South Elementary, [Laughter] >> not North. We do we do one and done. It is like basically if they're using it in a way that they're not supposed to, they they keep them in their backpacks or lockers or whatever, but they have them out in the class like the teacher just takes them go down the office and a parent comes in and gets it picks it up. >> Just a curiosity question. Obviously, it's going to change from high school to to South percentage of students that would have cell phones like 98% at the high school or whatever. 99.9% of the high school, >> all of them, >> unless we have it in the office. >> And that's all >> not many South students have cell phones, but a we're seeing more and more smartwatches. >> Um I would say 10 to 15%, two or three kids per class. >> That's significant. >> Uhu. >> Yeah. Same at North two, probably two to three of these, maybe four. But then you see fourth graders will have cell phones >> and some third Do they answer them when they ring >> in their lockers? >> No, not really. But I answer them if they're ringing in the locker when I walk. >> So, the theory is that as they get used to this policy, it'll just move on up and it won't be a big deal. But, good luck. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> All right. Good evening, everyone. Uh, I've echoed a lot. I've relied on my counterpartners here to kind of help me as this is my new year going in. So, um some of the pieces are very similar uh after school co-curricular events. Um same as what North had put in there, just if they're not meeting those expectations, they will be asked to leave or set with a parent. Um guidelines and procedures for visitors, same thing. Government issued ID when they come in as well. technology, the security, just making sure that our parents um caregivers know that the they're monitor teachers are monitoring this with securely classroom. So, and then the last one, we didn't really have a piece on assessment. So, just giving some background on why we do the assessments and what type assessments, but then it also led into our readact. And so, um grades four through 12, um there's a no component for that piece of it that we'll have to continue to pay attention to as we continue move forward. and then the appendixes. >> Uh, I move to accept the changes to the various handbooks. >> I'll second that. >> We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? Further questions? >> I do have one question and then I promise I'll quit asking things. Um, if a student is 15 minutes late, 8:17 they arrive, uh, they're considered absent for the A.M. or PM if they leave early in the afternoon. Correct. >> A stu, if a student is more than 10 minutes tardy for a class, they're considered an excused absent at the high school. >> Okay. So, if it's an unexcused absence, it obviously is an issue in and of itself. But if there is a high stakes examination of something during the time they're absent in an unexcused fashion, they still can partake of the test etc. Correct. >> Yeah. >> So the consequence is really what >> the consequence for a tardy. >> Yeah. >> Um >> once once there So an So unexcused absences add up can add up really quickly at the high school level. it's once they hit three. Um, and that can be in different just different days, different class periods. It doesn't mean they're even gone for a whole day. >> They kind of enter that um they enter the pushing the pushing the boundaries of truency, >> right? >> Um, and at seven that is actually a referral to the county and they're they're considered truent at seven unexcused absences. So that also gives it some teeth at the I think it's 12 and under, it's considered ED neglect, >> but 13 and over, it's >> like you see that that can compound very quickly. >> Yeah. >> Yeah, it can. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> And in that example, a single unexcused class for your morning would also >> make you ineligible to play your sport that day. >> Yep. >> Which we might see. I can imagine seeing that. >> Yeah. >> Frequently. >> Can they practice? >> No. >> I feel like the consistency that you have put into the handbooks on all levels is really good. and the fact that it's no longer the teacher has to take the blame for something that it's all right there and the decisions then are easier to make and the kids can understand a consistency. >> It's nice. >> Our attendance has been very good. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> And then I noticed >> that since co so we're among the highest in the state. We were at almost 95% of students attending school regularly at the high school. Yep. >> Good place to be. >> Yeah. >> I noticed one of the changes is that work is no longer considered an excuse for absence. I'm asking you because I think it probably would happen at the high school more than any place. What if the parent keeps the student home for part of the day because they need child care? >> No. >> For >> that's also not considered excused. >> Can they get out of study hall to do that >> if they have junior or senior prep? >> Okay. >> Consistent attendance is very important. So we are we have been But just so parents realize that now too. >> Yep. >> And we've tried to remain consistent with our policy and state statute >> on that attendance. >> Showing up quote unquote is very important for life. >> Yes. >> Any further discussion? >> Discussion. Discussion. Discussion. Hearing none, we'll proceed to vote. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Opposed. Same sign. Motion carries. We've adopted the handbooks. Thank you all very much. >> Uh next up, consider adoption of changes to the 2025 2026 mobile device handbook. >> Yes. So once again, every year we review the mobile device handbook. The mobile device handbook outlines guidelines and procedures for our onetoone program. Um the big change and not that it's substantial in terms of our management uh but we've removed reference to iPads in the fees section of that um because our students who sign that are grades 5 through 12 and we no longer issue iPads to students in grades 5 through 12. So Gus just changed that to um reflect our current practice. >> This does require a motion. >> I move that we accept the device handbook as stated. >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? >> Discussion. Discussion. Discussion. >> All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Oppose. Same sign. >> Motion carries. The changes have been approved. >> Item number four, consider adoption of changes to the 2025 2026 crisis management plans. Dr. graph. >> All right. Per policy 806, um, our crisis management or emergency action plans, as we call them in the district, require annual, uh, review by the board and approval. And there are some substantial changes to this year's emergency uh, action plan or crisis management plan, however you want to call it. Um, and they can be summarized in three different categories. Uh the first category is the adoption of three crisis management teams. We've always functioned with two um but guidance from homeland security and policy 806 suggests that we should have three. Um so those three teams are a district emergency response team. We call that the safety and security team. It's made up of administrators um and school resource officer and nurse. Uh that's the team that kind of drives the district policy and practice around safety. The new addition is the building emergency response team. So each building this year will uh create and function with an emergency response team that governs the practices of each building. That team that just ensures that the drills are getting taken care of. Um kind of doing the triage after the drill, what worked, what didn't work. Uh and just making sure that those plans are in place. And then lastly, which has always been in place, but this is the third team outlined in the policy are the uh management plan is the building medical emergency response teams. Each building has a group of staff members who will respond in case of a medical emergency and those staff members typically have some form of uh specialized training um to support in that situation. The second big change is uh language uh around communication protocols. So pol the new policy 806 or the policy that we hope to adopt 806 outlines the need to describe uh the chain of command within our emergency response and how we communicate. So we've added language to our crisis management plan uh to describe the flow uh of decision-m and how we use cell phones, dispatch radios, overhead intercom, crisis go and thrill share all communication tools that we use within the district. And the last major change to the crisis management plan is the addition of the standard of response protocol language uh which we've been talking about um for a good year now. Uh and that is now in in the the manual. Uh these plans have been shared with both the policy committee and the education committee. Uh and they support approval as well. >> Any questions? >> I do have a question. on the building or I mean the district emergency response team. Was any consideration given to including the building and ground supervisor? >> Seth? >> Yes. >> Yes. Seth is a member of that team as well. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> And then in addition to that, we do meet with the chief of police, uh our detectives and our SRO on a monthly basis. And often this is on the agenda, just how emergency action plans are going and and kind of asking for advice on on how we respond in certain situations. >> I would say thank you to you and the team for working on this. Obviously, these are the the things we don't want to do, but these are the things we need to have in place, and I I feel really good about the plans that are in place as a as a district parent and as a board member. So, >> and from the classroom standpoint, I really like the consistency and the fact that everybody's using the same language. The protocol is really clear. That makes it much more manageable in your brain. >> Mr. approval crisis management emergency action plans as presented. >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Discussion. Do All staff members then get copies of these or >> uh they're available but this is a big topic of conversation during workshop week. >> Okay. >> And then of course we drill our required drills throughout the year. >> So do we have a a substitute handbook? >> Not officially. Um, but I my understanding is every building has substitute folders and one of the things we talked about this year is making sure that that one pager for standard response protocol goes in there and that first time that that substitute enters the building making sure that they're aware of what that is and and what that would look like. >> That's a great question. >> We do have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Discussion discussion discussion hearing. None. We'll proceed to vote. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> I. Oppose. Same sign. >> Motion carries. We've approved the crisis management plans. Thank you. Item number five, consider approval of adult meal and second entree prices for this academic year. Dr. Graph. >> All right. So, uh, Megan, our business manager, was unable to be here tonight, so I will do my best to work through this. But each year, uh, we are required to set the prices for our adult breakfast and lunch um, costs, and that is driven by MDE's guidance. So, in your packet is a document outlining those prices. In summary, um, for the prices that we get to set, Emily, uh, Emily Craig, our food service, uh, coordinator, and Megan would like to set those prices the same as they are this year. And then for our adult meals and the second entree, we'd like to set those keeping those where they are today, but knowing that those may change. MDE has not provided us with guidance yet. They're a little bit behind on setting those prices, but we're going to start school soon. Um, so we are recommending keeping the prices where they are with approval to set those at MDE's minimum once that information comes out. And those increases are typically 5 to 10 cents. >> Yeah. Not much at all. >> Not much more than that. >> The guidance from MDE um what what Megan told me is MD said we'll just set them 5 cents higher. Um but we didn't feel comfortable doing that not knowing the real numbers. >> I don't remember a time that NDE did not have this. >> I know probably this point we're pretty close. >> In fact, some schools have probably started We're close to it. >> See man is in workshop. So >> yeah. >> Uh one other thing is if a student wants a full second meal, they have to pay the adult price. >> Correct. One thing I remember from business committee that >> they'll subsidize one >> lunch. >> Yeah. >> Uh I move to approve the adult meal and second entree prices for the 25 to 26 school year with the caveat of adjusting it to the recommended min minimums once those are approved by the state. >> I'll second. We have a motion and a second. Further discussion questions, discussion, discussion. >> Mr. Chair, just another curiosity question if I may. Do we have any idea the percentage of the students that are part are taking of the free breakfast and the free lunches? >> I'm sorry. >> I'm sorry. The a percentage of students free lunches I'm guessing is a high percentage. How many take advantage of a percentage of the student body of the breakfast? >> Almost every body does. >> Okay. Okay. So, it's being well utilized. That's that's good. Thank you. >> Any further discussion? Hearing none, we'll proceed to vote. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Oppos. Same sign. Motion carries. We've approved the prices pending adjustment to the state minimum once the number is given to us from MDE. Next up, item six, consider approval of behavior, approval of behavior and reading support assistance individual contracts. Uh we do have two separate items here, but uh unless the board desires otherwise, we would approve them in one motion. Okay, >> Miss Bky. >> Yep. So, just to give us some background, as you may recall, last spring, we became aware of and applied for a grant opportunity through Minnesota Department of Education called the ADS grant. ADS stands for alternative delivery of specialized instruction services. The goal of this grant is to provide support in the areas of behavior and academics to potentially prevent unnecessary referrals to special education assessment. Um so we were notified in late May that we did receive the grant. So we we are very excited about that. This $142,000 approximately allows us to shift funding from the current behavior interventionist position to the grant to save some um move shift some funds around there as well as add a behavior um um support specialist at North Elementary and St. Peter Middle School and an academic support specialist at St. Peter High School. Those positions were determined based on a needs assessment done by the principles through a data review um etc. As I mentioned, it's about $142,000 and following the practice that we've had in the past for a behavior intervention um or behavior interventionist. These are individual contracts. Um so if you have any questions, I'm happy to try to answer those. Um I do want to note that the grant is for two years. These contracts are one-year contracts because we're waiting for guidance from for guidance from MDE regarding any reading requirements and if we need to shift the funds to more of a uh that reading side of things >> questions >> any questions for Miss Prefy >> are there any education requirements or certificate. >> It does require a bachelor's degree. >> Okay. >> In an area, >> but not in education or anything like that. >> No. Okay. >> Or related field. >> So those position Yeah. Go. I'm happy that it's a two-year a grant two years in length. Um would like to see more of that or some more stability there. But >> well, in what from what what we've heard from neighboring school districts is this has been ongoing. So it isn't as though after two years the funding has been cut. You we never know what's going to happen, but past practice has been that these grants continue. So be it. >> Is it coming from the federal government or the state government? >> Megan can better answer that question. But >> yeah, >> but it is a one. Right now we're at a one-year contract. >> Language under hours and duty. >> Okay. >> Hours and duty days. It says the work here shall consist of 1,746 and 3/4 hour days. I'm not quite sure what that means. >> It's 1746.75 hour days. >> Exactly. >> Yeah, there's a comma in a space. >> No, I I understand that. Yeah, I said yeah, that was 746.75. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. So it's a 6.75 day hour day and there are 174 of them. >> So >> okay. So it's 174 days semicolon. >> Yep. 6.75. >> Exactly. Okay. Y Okay. Okay. >> We can certainly make that correction. >> I'm sorry. >> We can certainly make that addition. >> Yeah. It's just a little bit confusing. >> Sure. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> Thanks for for asking that. >> We want to make sure we get it right. >> Any other questions before we would make a motion? >> Okay. I move to approve the behavioral reading reading support assistance uh individual one-year contracts. I'll second that. >> We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion >> or questions from these drafts? >> I think the speaker is quite excited about these positions. >> Um, and we feel like they're really going to make a difference. And so we're very grateful that, you know, our team found out sort of at the last minute um about this and spent some some quality time together um to put that application in. and we're just really grateful that we received it. So, and we are required certainly to provide um data to the state and how things are moving along and so on um to ensure that we're following those guidelines. I know that's a little bit different than the contract, but wanted to provide you with that information. >> We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Discussion. Discussion. Discussion. Hearing none, we'll proceed to vote. Uh all those in favor signify by saying I >> I >> oppose same sign. Motion carries. We've approved both of the uh the behavior and reading support assistance individual contracts. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Thanks Steve. >> Next up number seven. Consider the approval of a resolution for MSBA legislative platform. >> Mr. Cout, it's got your name on it. >> I see that. [Applause] Okay. Um, part of the process that MSBA uses to develop its legislative platform is to seek input from school districts. and the school districts can submit proposed resolutions for the um delegate assembly. That's usually the first weekend in December to consider and if approved by the delegate assembly, it goes into the MSBA platform for the upcoming legislative session. So, as we're all painfully aware of, money is extremely tight in education and trying to get more money added to the formula sometimes becomes extremely difficult. So my idea here is instead of adding more money to the formula or in addition to adding more money to the formula, we add more students to the formula by allowing pre kindergarten students to count towards your pupil count. And so when you have your per pupil expenditure there that um and that's how they figure your basic aid. We and every other school district in the state will get an additional amount of money based on an increase in their student count if they have prek kindergarten programs. So the information that has to go is in that form that's in here. And obviously the stuff that's in the boxes, the boxes slide up and down. So you can't do all that. But if you look at what was included afterwards, um that kind of was the basis for this information as far as the um resolution goes. So, we have um data from our kindergarten assessments last year and they'll be doing that again within the first couple of weeks. So, we'll include that and I don't know ET can we go back further than a year. >> We do have longitudinal data that's >> Yeah. So, and hopefully it's as favorable as this past year was. >> They've been real consistent over the last several. >> Yeah. So, I think including this data gives rationale to this uh um resolution. Also because of changes in statute which now requires salaries to be comparable to the K12 teachers which um requires that they be in the bargaining unit unless they have their own separate one I guess and that uh they are now considered as teachers as part of the definitions in Pelra. Um we therefore think that the students should be considered just like K 12 students. So it be my hope that we would approve this resolution. I'll go online and fill it all in and send it to MSBA. And I would like Superintendent Graph to try and bring this to MASA principles to your your uh principal organizations. I mentioned it to the pair of professionals because Ed Minnesota is and they seem to think that that was a good idea. So hopefully we can get a ground swell of all educational organizations to get behind this and see see it passed at the legislature. Heaven forbid that we could get a bipartisan approval of anything, but so >> certainly appreciate you going to for us. >> Well, it was one of those in the shower, early morning, late night ideas that happened and it was too late to get on the the delegate assembly agenda last year, but they said bring it forth this year. So hopefully we can get it across the finish line. >> Well, thank you. >> So I'll move it. >> Yeah. >> Great. >> So we have a motion. We need a >> I'll second it. We have a motion and a second for the resolution. >> And this isn't a resolution as such that we have to do. >> It's it's a resolution for the delegate assembly. So we don't have to do a >> around the table. We can just do a a voice. Okay. >> So we have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? >> Um I mean it's a it's a great idea. I'm like how did this not come up before? It seems like when you see it, you're like, "Oh, yeah. Obviously." Yeah. >> Well, the statute changes just took place a year ago. >> Yeah. >> So, prior to that, the teachers weren't considered teachers for purposes of >> collective bargaining, PELA, so costs were different, etc. So, when I'm sure Ed Minnesota went to bat for those individuals to get those changes but didn't do anything to increase revenue and there are districts that get scholarship money. We applied for that. My understanding was years ago did not make the initial cut. Whenever the legislaturator has increased the scholarship money, they haven't added new districts. It's just the districts that have the scholarships get more scholarships. So, >> we used to receive about $127,000 in scholarships through the pathway program and now that particular pathway gets into different areas of the state. And I want to congratulate you for trying everything you could to get it into this year this past year's delegate assembly process. So this is the official way. >> Well, I didn't try everything. I did get I didn't kick kicked out of the delegate assembly. >> I don't know. >> Yeah. >> So, >> all right. We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Discussion. Discussion. Discussion. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. I. >> Oppos. Same sign. Motion carries. Thank you. And thank you Mr. Cout >> for your work. >> Thank you. >> Item number eight, consider policies for approval with a single reading. Dr. Graph. So we have a number of policies that have come up in our regular policy review uh that require um minimal changes based on legislative changes. Uh so these were brought toward or forward with the policy committee. Uh and they recommended passing them with one reading. So if the group's okay with it, I'll just give you a brief overview of each and then be able to answer any questions. Uh and please policy committee chime in. So, we'll start with policy 414, our mandated reporting uh policy. There's an update to a legal reference is all policy 501 is our school weapons policy. There's an update, the MSBA model policy update um dealing with the definition of a dangerous weapon. Dangerous weapon is referred to in the policy, but previously there wasn't a definition for what that meant. So, they've added that. Student attendance. There's updates to procedure for applying for an excused absence. Previously, policy allowed students, families to apply for an excused absence to school board or superintendent. That has now been removed in the MSBA model policy. Uh parents need to go to principles. Next one is 516-5 overdose medication. There was a change in legislation that essentially makes it okay to carry nlloxxone and and anti-opioids uh medication. And that would allow school districts that choose to to make it allowable for high school students to possess and administer um opioid antagonist medication to their peers. So the model policy had a big note that said optional. Our policy committee chose to not include that in the policy. We do not feel it is uh necessary for our students to carry that and administer that. Instead, training our students on who to contact in the case of an overdose. Policy 524, internet technology and cell phone acceptable use. There's an update to a legal reference. Policy 602, organization of school calendar and school day. There's a update to a legal reference. And that legal reference um signifies that schools are allowed to start before Labor Day the next two school years. Policy 707, transportation of public school students. There's minor updates to language referring to students with disabilities. 709, student transportation safety. They've eliminated the deadlines um that were placed on schools for teaching active transportation safety. So, all schools are required to do bus safety training, you know, how to unload, load buses, things like that. But we're also required to teach students how to cross roads, be safe on bikes, um pay attention to stop signs, things of that nature. And there used to be deadlines for when that was uh needed to be completed. They've removed those. Policy 802, disposition of obsolete equipment and uh material. uh they've added a addition or a section rather um that details a district's ability to get rid of school books. Um so it is now allowable uh for schools to get rid of library books, textbooks, uh they can be donated, they can be disposed of uh and so forth. So uh once again those policies were reviewed by the policy committee and recommended to be approved by the board in one reading. Any questions? or anything to add policy committee. >> You were going through these rather rapidly for my forehead, but >> sorry, >> the uh transportation one. >> Mhm. >> Is there still a deadline as far as when the bus transportation has to go? >> Yep. It depends on the age group, but it's either within three or four weeks is if I remember correctly. So, that's something all of our buildings do right away. Uh, get in contact with Saints Bus and we we run through that active transportation training right away. And so how how do we do like I mean some of this seems so common sense, >> but how do we do bike training and now electric bike and scooters and >> believe it or not, and we discovered this by reviewing the policy, it is illegal in the state of Minnesota for an individual under the age of 15 to ride an electric bike. So that has to be part of the training uh is to describe that. So how we've done it in the middle school is we've done it essentially during an advisory time, same day as bus training. We walk out to the road and we talk about this is how we cross the street. >> Here's how we be safe on bicycles. I know North in the past has done pretty extensive bicycle activities in PE. Um so teachers are really creative on on how to do it and it's good stuff. It's just one more thing. Those scooters scare me. >> All right, we need a motion. >> I would move that we accept these policies um on a first for first reading approval. >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Discussion. Discussion. Discussion. Hearing none, we'll proceed to vote. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> I. Oppose. Same sign. Motion carries. We've approved all of those policies on single reading. Thank you. Yeah. >> Policies. So that's why I didn't bring it up with discussion. But what is the policy now relative to radius where in town students are given bus transportation versus not having bus transportation? >> I believe it's one mile. >> It is one mile. Okay. Yeah, one time it was a half mile. So, okay. Thank you. >> And that can be waved, right? Like if there's a major intersection or something. >> Yep. >> I don't know if any of ours would qualify, but >> And we have a lot of nice new sidewalks. >> Yes. >> That are helping with safe to school routes. All right, that's it for the action items. Next up is information items number one, first reading of revisions to the policy manual. Let's go right back to policy. >> All right. >> Uh so there were two other policies that were reviewed by the policy committee. Uh those policies are 806, crisis management, and policy 515, privacy of pupil records. Policy 806 we've already talked about. Um, we designed our crisis management manual after this policy. There's some pretty substantial changes in there um in regards to communication uh chain of command ma uh requirements around maps uh that that the school district has on hand um and then also teams. So, uh really recommend uh that people read through that and see if there's any questions. So last year when we were thinking about uh standard response protocol, we created a spreadsheet and that spreadsheet there's a line for every new item in policy 806 and we went through and we put the check boxes next to them to make sure that our potential emergency action plans meet this policy. Um so take a look at that. Let us know um if there's any questions. Policy 515, protection of pupil records. there was a change in legislation that clarified what is allowable in the state of Minnesota for directory information. So, previously their policy had essentially the federal guidelines for what what can and cannot be shared in terms of student information. And then underneath that was but in Minnesota you can't do this this and this. So what the recommendation now is from MSBA is that districts put their own definition in that section based off of the law. So we have added our definition to that policy. It should be in red on the like kind of a maroon color in your board packet. Um but essentially what we have described as directory information for St. Peter public schools is a student's name, dates of attendance, grade level, enrollment status, participation in officially recognized activities, height and weight of members of athletic teams, and um honors and awards received. So, we're following Minnesota's guidelines for directory information. The difference is we're simply stating it in this policy. Good overview. >> Thanks. >> Any any questions? Any otherwise we'll review them for to bring back for a second. >> Yep. So certainly let Dr. Graph know or any members of the policy committee. >> All right. >> Both are very lengthy. So popcorn and beverage and some comfy shoes. Uh, next up, South Elementary breakfast snack schedule. >> Miss Sakora, >> Jana has been working on some efficiencies at South Elementary and she will share those tonight. Uh, in regards to snack and breakfast. >> Yes. Well, before we talk about the efficiency, it's really about kids. Um and so as you know with little humans um you know activity is really important, fresh air, playing is really important and also food is really important uh for learning. And so in the morning um uh previous previously our kids would get to school buses drop off beginning at 7:40. Parents start dropping off in the loop not the parking lot at 7:40. And kids have an option. They are they were able to come in and go to the cafeteria for breakfast or they would go through the doors and out to the playground and have recess. And we found that participation in breakfast was highly dependent on the weather. And um we were also finding that kids would play at recess and then come in really hungry and want to have breakfast, but now breakfast was over and they were going to class. So it was just kind of a a difficult uh decision for 5-year-olds to make in the morning between playtime and pancakes. So, we wanted we wanted to take that um decision and just do something better for kids. And so, we know that kids benefit from playing in the morning and that's also what they really want to do. Um we also the Minnesota legislation provides free breakfast for all students. So, what we are excited to do at South Elementary is allow all kids to play outside in the morning before school until 7:55 and then come in and we will serve breakfast as part of our school day. Um, previously all of our students received a snack between like 9 and 10:00 a.m. with their class. Um, parents paid $20 per academic quarter so that we could purchase those snacks. Um, and admittedly they were not highly nutritious snacks. They were affordable snacks on $20 per quarter per kid. Um, and so this this change um moving away from snack time, so there will not be designated snack time in our day and moving towards having breakfast for everyone um provides a something that's free for everybody um and something that is a lot more nutritious and filling also for everybody. and it allows for that recess before school. So, we feel like this increases um likelihood of kids having those basic needs met in the morning right away. Um we're hoping that this cuts down on health office visits for tummy aches and the need for crackers in the morning before school. Um and then we're also like that operational efficiency piece. Um previously, uh cafeteria staff are not allowed to help with anything besides designated meals. So, our cafeteria staff could not help with snack. So, we had our title one reading pair professionals helping with snack and our office staff ordering snack and managing the $20 funds that were coming in every quarter for 300 kids. And so, um we are also looking forward to those operational efficiencies. Um the folks that were doing breakfast will continue to do breakfast just in a a higher quantity. Um, and our office staff will no longer need to be ordering and our title one reading staff will no longer need to be organizing granola bars and oatmeal cream pies. So, those are good things. Um, you know, we some of the concerns I've heard from parents are, well, what if my kid eats at home? Now they're going to be eating at 8:30 and 11:30. That's a little bit wider gap. Um, and so those are things we're just going to have to kind of see how it goes. Um, if kids eat at home, they are still certainly welcome. my kids eat breakfast again at school, they're certainly welcome to have a second breakfast. Um, or if they want to just sit and socialize, they can do that as well. Um, one of the the things that I really want to clarify that I think it's important for you all to know as anformational item is that instructional minutes, um, we were able to count snack time as instructional minutes and part of our school day. Um, meal times like breakfast and lunch cannot be included in instructional minutes. So when Chrislair is reporting our minutes to the state, we are losing 15 minutes per day of instructional time. We are still well above the minimum of what's required for elementary schools. We are still 107 hours over which I think we calculated to 15 days. Um but I think that's an important piece. Um so we're trading 15 minutes for snack for 15 minutes for breakfast. logistically it doesn't change really the number of minutes that kids are learning in the classroom but it does change what's what's reported. So I think that's important. Um but yeah I think I think this is a good move. Um we have some logistics yet to figure out um with the teaching staff and um in communication with parents but I think overall this is a really good thing for for kids. So I'd be happy to answer any questions. If I can just add, there's a lot of research um out there about recess and the power of recess. So, one of the things Jan and I talked about is really using this as an action research project and and really trying to see if there's any correlation or or >> connection if we can see in the data a benefit to that. >> Yeah, absolutely. >> Cool. >> I like the access. Everybody has access. >> Absolutely. Not choosing. >> Okay. Great. Thank you. >> Next up, St. Peter facilities use terms and conditions agreement. >> Hi Tammy. >> Hello. >> Welcome. >> Thank you. The purpose of this agreement is really to allow us to have a formal communication with the facility users that we have so that they understand what our expectations are and it would minimize any confusion and it also ensures that we have consistency for outside parties who are utilizing our facilities. So this is a document that I put together. I researched uh what a lot of the metro area schools do and just took portions from their policy manuals and applied it. Our plan is um if this is implemented the process when someone outside of our district contacts us to utilize our facilities, we would send them this along with um asking them for proof of liability. We have a whole system where um we have a spreadsheet where we check off that we have done all of these things. A lot of times groups will contact us many months in advance of the date that they actually want to use our facility. So the plan would be then a week before their event happens. We would send this as a reminder to them. These are the things that you agreed to. Do you have any questions? So when we built the new high school, uh it was really important for the community and for the district to be able to share that space to make it truly a community place, a community location. And this provides some clarity. Uh it protects both the district and the users uh so that everybody knows what's expected. Uh clear clear is kind. Uh so we feel that this is really going to increase our ability to to provide the service that people are requesting. >> For sure. >> Didn't we have no terms and conditions agreement prior or was it just slightly different than this? >> We had something but it wasn't a formal document that groups signed, >> right? It was like >> it was just a little bit of a note that came in the email. Here are our expectations, but there wasn't anything that said they agreed to those. Got it. >> I also like the reminder just before the event >> that that this is what is expected. >> And it appears to be in my layman's eyes very well done. Has legal counsel looked at at all? Is that something that's needed or not needed? I will defer that to >> we we have not gotten this. >> Probably a good idea to if when we have questions to bring that up. >> There's an abundance of caution. >> Yeah. Y >> nicely done. >> Thank you. >> Any other questions? >> Yeah, I think it's going to be really helpful. Thank you. >> Thank you. [Applause] All right, item number four, building and grounds update. Think you're on, Seth. >> There's only a couple things going on in the district. >> Actually, just putting on another fire right now. >> Not literally. >> No. >> Okay, good. >> Nope. Nope. The new alarm system's working beautiful. They're working on it all week making sure that happens. So, since the last time uh had the opportunity to take you guys around to show you the building, what's going on is a completely different building. What's going on? Um the inspector was out there today for an initial visit and as of right now, there should be nothing holding up our certificate of occupancy, which is going to happen on Friday. Um the only thing they need to come back check on Friday is they are working on the fire alarm system and then have to get the sprinkler system charged, tested, ready to go, which that's what they've been working on all week, trying to get both systems integrated, ready to go between phase one, phase two, and phase three. And everything's right on schedule with that one, too. So we are we as of right now we are opening Monday for business. Teachers should be there at whatever time they start 7 7:30 and we should be good to go. The parking lots, all the crews are working their hardest to get things cleaned up, get the parking lots emptied out, get things squared away, so we do have won't have any parking issues. When students show up on the 2nd, I believe there will be no busing issues. There will be nothing in the way. Everything should run as smooth as possible. Uh everything that we wanted to get done, sadly, I can't say has been done. They'll be working on it a little bit later. Some of the Terazzo, the new stairs, they had an issue with the machine uh lightning strike hit their plant. That's the only machine in the United States that does that. And they had to get parts from Italy to get it to work. So, they were pouring, they were doing the infills on the stairs because they could do that by hand. The pre-cast as of right now is on schedule for August 22nd. We do have a steer steel stairs in place and they have been okayed by the inspector that they are safe to use. They do have a kind of a rougher surface on it, so there's going to be no issues with slipping. There's no rough edges. They went through, checked everything. Is it going to look as pretty as I want? No. Is it going to be functional? Absolutely. It's not going to hold back. So once everything gets done, the crews are going to be working diligently to make up what they haven't been able to get done or been behind on like MEA breaks, Christmas break, working afternoons, possible weekends to get things to where they need to be to looking as pretty as they are. So there are some things because of supply issues that we've pushed back to phase two. Um about I would say half the windows have been replaced. Uh there was a supply issue getting them. So they did as many as they could. We're going to hold off. We moved the other half back to phase two when they do the rest of them. So that one is not going to hold up anything. It should be good to go for the most part. Might have to deal with a little bit leaking. Not nearly as much, but we should be good to go. Um, budget-wise, we just had a meeting on Wednesday, >> yesterday, and we are on budget, which is a big one. So, there's been a few things that shown up a little higher than expected and quite a few things that have come back a lot lower than expected. So, I'm going to take that as a win right now as we're sitting here. We still got two years to go for the project, but everything's looking really, really good. So yeah, any questions? As you can see, since last time you guys seen me, my hair fell out. So, but we're moving. >> Something is different, but >> thank you for your sacrifice. >> Yeah, absolutely. It feels much better. Any questions, feel free to ask. Um, >> nice vacation. >> Yes and no. Yes and no. Even though I was up looking at the Rocky Mountains, I was still working. I wake up in the morning, spend a couple hours answering emails and questions and stuff and then spent the rest of the day enjoying. So, yep. Kind of hard to get away in a situation like this. That's why three years I'm taking a really long vacation. >> Well, any questions? >> Yes. Maybe isn't even answerable. It's a long longer range question. Yeah, >> obviously a three-year project. Um, I continue to be concerned about inflationary pressures on materials. >> Are are costs pretty well established for the next two years or are risk at risk of significant? >> We're absolutely at risk. There's nothing we can do. I mean, even you look at the tariffs that have been put on, how things have changed on their shipping availability. We can't say that everything's going to stay the same. We're just holding out that everything stays close enough to where the >> suppliers can't control it either, obviously. >> Exactly. Right. Yeah. So, we're just holding out for that things are going to stay somewhat stable to where the contractors can hold to what they promised. >> Yeah. Well, that's about as good as I can tell you. >> That's understandable. Yep. Thank you. >> I would like to say, yep, we're good. >> Yeah. >> Honesty is good. >> Yeah. Thanks. >> How's the contingency fund? >> We haven't hit it yet. >> Yes. >> Okay. And that comes back to with Ken's question in the next two years. Yeah. >> So, we're we're sitting very well. We're doing okay. Everything is the forecast over the next three years is we're still going to be slightly under, but long range long range projection. Again, we don't know what's going to happen. just keep our fingers crossed everything stays level. >> That help? >> Absolutely. >> Okay. >> I think it's pretty amazing that this has happened this summer. This is you guys. >> It's insane. >> It totally is great. >> It is absolutely insane. From when I left for vacation to where I came back is completely a different school. It really is. I was blown away. And I actually when I came back did a walk through. That was one of the first things I walked through MVED, then did a walk through the middle school, and I actually felt a little more at ease doing that, seeing where things were at. So, >> yeah. >> Awesome. >> Thank you, Seth. >> Yeah, >> we appreciate it. >> You're very welcome. >> Time for reports. >> Building principles. You seem surprised that you're giving reports >> first meeting. [Laughter] >> All right. So, um, summer programming certainly has wrapped up. I feel like we would say we've had a really successful year at both SummerS Stars Academy and, um, Read and Feed. and we'll be providing a report on those numbers um at the September meeting. So, we're excited to have that wrapped up and and on to the next thing. Um certainly in early childhood, we are anxious to get in our site. Um Jesse from the middle school and I were able to meet with the movers and with Seth this afternoon and do a little bit of a walkthrough and get a game plan for Monday. Had teachers um requesting to get in early. Certainly, everyone wants to to get in, but we have we have full faith, but by by Monday morning, we will be good to go. and teamwork um will get things done. That's all I really have this round. >> Yeah. >> Well, I'm not sure if you know this or not, but today we welcomed 17 new teachers for new teacher workshop. It was a very exciting morning. Um and that will continue tomorrow. And of course, next week is our uh workshop for all of our teaching staff. And Thursday, August 28th, uh as a reminder, it's our district workshop day with breakfast beginning at Gustavis. So, we hope that you are all able to join us. Um, at South Elementary, we are preparing to welcome our kids back and welcome our first-time kindergarteners. It's a very exciting time. Parent teacher conferences of course for K8 are September 2nd and 3rd and those links have been sent out. Parents are signing up and we just really really want to say that I appreciate the parents that are willing to take a day off or take a partial day off and to come in with their student and spend time meeting the teacher and helping those kids with that transition. And that's a I know that's a sacrifice and difficult for the adults. Um but it is very important and appreciated. Um again we have two new teachers at South Elementary. And one of the other new things that I just think is fun to point out is that we have added a fourth imagination station. Um we previously had a classroom that was used as just kind of like a recharge space when kids needed a break and there wasn't a lot in there and we felt we could better use the space by adding some um creative play items in there. some gross motor play items. Um, and so that is a fourth imagination station room. It also allows us to have enough imagination station spaces that when we need to have indoor recess, the kids can utilize that more fun space. So, that's exciting. Um, and we are also looking forward to implementing some flexible reading groups with uh some of the things that we learned with ReadAct and some of the things that Darren's teachers are doing at North. We're going to put our own spin on that so that we can really indivi individualize reading instruction. Ashawa Learning Academy, we have 50% new teachers. It is a huge turnover this year. New secretary, new pair of professionals. Um, and that hasn't happened for a really long time. Um, and so we're just looking forward to starting kind of fresh out there. Uh, there's currently 22 clients um, at the Hoffman Center. So, we'll have 22 students um, and a little bit older age range um, going into this school year. So, things will be different out there. Seth's crew, shout out, did an amazing job. We got some new carpet. We got um paint. Um Gus's team got us a new copier. It feels We got a new parking lot. Feels like a new place. So, it's great. So, thanks to them. >> Amazing. >> I know. Good news. >> That sounds awesome. All right. Well, greetings from North Elementary School, aka Stage One summer hub, uh K8, and it's gone really well. In fact, um Jesse was talking about how thorough of an induction kind of onboarding system St. Peter Public Schools has for their principal team since she was able to office like just adjacent to me uh just down the hallway like >> it. It is like HR department has done a fabulous job just planning that onboarding out. That was really good. >> We do what we can. >> All right. Um absolutely. It's so good. So anyway, um, taking a look at but seriously, no, the summer went really well. It was really busy busy place. I mean, we had a lot of students. It didn't slow down at all with with Reed and Feed and summer school and, um, Saints OT and like every time I left there, um, you know, there's kids playing on the playground and it felt like it was a regular school day all summer long. So that's it was it was super fun. And then community ed also having like activities out on the, you know, they have their trailer they roll in on. So it was cool. It was it was a hub. >> We wouldn't have tried that in the circumstance. So sometimes good things come out. >> Yeah. Yeah. Uh absolutely. So can't wait for stage two and three of hub hub nation. All right. So um at North we two are obviously um it's gearing up. The building looks great. You know, we had extra set of hands with custodians from the middle school since they couldn't go to a building anyway. So they Mike and his crew um got North all shiny really quick. um even with all that action. So it looks ready to go. Um we have 459 students registered about uptick of eight kids as compared to last year at the end of the year and that so that's awesome and we're looking at about 25 or 26 per home room out of all uh 18 sections of home rooms at North uh back to school conferences. Uh look like an average of 77% of the families already registered uh for conferences. So that's a really good and that's not it. I mean we a lot of times push 90% participation. So that is awesome and that's engagement. Um and then uh student student leadership we have uh kindness crew members the new ones are going to be uh inducted here and trained a week from tonight right on the uh north playground wedding not wedding but weather permitting. Um and so like our our uh kindness crew uh leads which is our PBS team um have them make tie dyes kindness crew it says on it do training like what do you do on the first day? I mean, their big job on the first day is to help shake, you know, get rid of the jitters of the incoming new students, the whole second grade crew. So, they just gather by the door and they're celebrating that as kids roll into the building and showing leadership. I mean, that's what we're all about. And then, um, also like our student council is going to be serving up treats. It's one of the first times we've been able to be at our own building on the first day of workshop week. Um, and so they're going to be serving up treats to all the teachers uh that first day in the media center. Uh, so that'll be awesome. And then keep an eye open for YouTube. You know, that annual music video will be published sometime around that time. So, good stuff. That's what's going on north. >> Can't wait. we won't take up quite as much time as our elementary colleagues did. Um that doesn't mean we don't have just as much stuff to report, but I I believe they used up all of our time. um at the high school. Uh one one important um schedule change for our kids is um that we're getting rid of daily saints time. Um we're we're a little sad about that. Um it was especially nice for second chance breakfast and kids who needed extra time with teachers. Um, but with the schedule change, uh, moving math and world language back to back to skinned classes with that extra 20 minutes in there of saints time, those classes were like 40 minutes, which that you're just taking attendance and getting started and you're releasing them from class. So, the only day that we will be having a saints time is when it's they're meeting with their pops and that's on Wednesdays. Um, Rockbend location. and we're excited to get into the community center. We can move in as of Friday and I'm happy to report that as of today we're fully staffed. That means two staff members. We've got a teacher who's a new young guy who's really excited about it and I love the way he talked about kids um and opportunities. And special thanks to Tanner Neto who um stepped up and is happy to help out and come out and be the rockbend parah. So seriously thanks to Tanner Meadow. Um and Wednesday ne next Wednesday night is an open house at the high school for all grade level kids and parents. There's a specific time I believe it's 5:00 for um 9th graders and their parents. Um they're not requirement. We did a lot in the spring. Um but they can tour around the building and try to figure out their schedules and classrooms. uh the week before everybody else arrives. And our kids are starting Tuesday the 2nd. >> Okay. >> Construction, construction, construction. >> Yeah. So, I just want to say a huge thank you to Seth, Bryce, and Logan, and Tara from IC. I have felt like I have been very much informed throughout this process, and that has allowed me to communicate to our staff what to expect on Monday. So, we were just there at 3:00 and 4:00 today and it's coming along. So, um thank thank you. So, it's uh it it's going to be what it is. And so, we've just got to go in and be excited that we're back in the building. And honestly, um it kind of gets to this point of the school year where I'm ready to be back in a building where I get to see people and students. And so, um let's get that rolling. Right. So, um >> out of North. >> Yeah. Adam North. Yeah. So, I mean, >> Darren and I well, you know, just for the year and then I think I'll be back next year. So, yeah, it's been a great it's honestly it's it's a bittersweet and I've said that I think I would have been lost just by myself at the middle school and so having everyone there to kind of help support and rally and ask questions, it really has been a blessing in disguise. So, um I know it's probably been a big headache for Seth, but thank you to me. So, um we're finishing up enrollments. We have roughly 36 new students K through eight. So that's exciting. Yeah. So really exciting. Um we had four our four new teachers today. So middle school teachers. Got to meet them and um I hired some of them. I did not hire some of them, but um I'm excited to welcome them on board. They seem great. They've got the great mindset for a middle school teacher and what is about to happen. So I'm excited for that piece of it. >> First parent caregiver. Some more went out. This is our newsletter that we just going to be updating our parents on the things that are going to happen happen at the middle school and it's going to be a great opportunity to showcase what our teach teachers and our students are doing throughout the school year. So really excited for that. Got some great feedback from some parents already within the middle school. So um and we are actually because we didn't have our transition for our fifth grade fourth grade coming into fifth grade. Um, huge thanks to Michelle Dozy who is organizing for any student who is new to the district and new to middle school. She is creating um kind of a get to know you what do you what to expect middle school on August 29th. So, we'll be doing that with um 36 new of our our enrolled students. So, that's what we got going on at the middle school. >> Awesome. Thank you. >> Thank you, >> Dr. Graph. Uh, I would just like to echo the excitement and the thanks. Uh, there is so much work that goes into getting a school year ready from squaring budgets to setting schedules to cleaning the floors. Um, and our staff is incredible. So, just a huge thank you and super excited for opening day week of September 1st >> happening soon. >> Awesome. Anything else? All right, board members around the table. Mr. Russo >> uh two uh two things. First of all, the school backpack program with which you are all very familiar with is wrapping up and it's been a excuse me a labor of love. Uh numerous people, large number of businesses have contributed. Uh there were three of us who went around picking up the barrels that you see at the various businesses. We did that last Friday and I uh my pickup's not very big, but I had to make two trips which is a good thing. And one of the academic uh conference rooms that Gustavis is full of school supplies. Also uh one of the uh Mano uh moving companies is very graciously stored in one of their trailers large number of supplies and they'll be delivered next Tuesday and obviously you guys are going to be rather engaged next week. Uh but anybody who's interested in helping out in sorting materials by grade level for the uh that's going to be on Tuesday at Johnson Hall at the fairgrounds and then again Wednesday morning and that'll be them putting together backpacks per grade and then storing them and then I believe it's at four o'clock families can start coming in and picking up their backpack and it's kind of fun. That's a culmination of it. And the students get to pick out the color backpack they want as long as you're there early. And uh it uh it's fun. It uh it's a good deal. So if anybody's interested in helping out, we always need assistance. So please feel free. Johnson Hall next Tuesday starting later in the afternoon and then on Wednesday morning somewhere around 8:00 until until finished. >> That's it. Um yeah, I'll do this now. As far as uh committees also negotiations, we'll have our third meeting with the custodians tomorrow. I believe we're making progress, so keep your fingers crossed. Um, next Wednesday we're supposed to meet with food service. Is that going to bother your open house? Okay. And then we have uh we've met with um Paris. We have two meetings scheduled in September for with the Paris and our office support people. We've met once with them and uh have not set up another meeting yet, but we'll be working on that down the road. Um haven't heard from the other groups yet, have we? Officially. So, that's where we're where we are in uh negotiations. It's keeping me busy. Mr. Dixon of the arena night. >> Yes. Just one thing. The Native American parent advisory group, the um NAPAC is hosting on the 25th a back to school um kind of a picnic for uh Native American families. They like to invite the board and administration to come and participate. There'll be walking tacos and some games and some door prizes and so on. So be at Minnesota Square from 4 to 4 to 5, 4 to 6, something like that. Check your check your schedules. That's it. >> Thank you. Uh any updates from any committees that didn't get a chance to share those already? Obviously heard from policy, heard from business and negotiations already. Any other updates? I think everything that we address and things like education committee have come up in tonight's meeting. Yep. >> So, we're good. >> Uh shared programs committee did meet last week. Uh Bill, Tracy, and I and then members from the city council, Dr. Graph and Mr. Pfky were there. Um kind of just covered topics that popped up that we felt like we could discuss or wanted to discuss. um like we did with our joint city council and schoolboard meeting. It was that kind of thing. Just a wide range of topics that are mutual interests. So no decisions of course in that committee meeting but just lots of conversation about lots of things. So it was a good productive meeting. I think we're going to meet quarterlyish moving forward to keep uh conversations going between the two groups. >> That's the hope. >> Yep. Did we agree on a >> because they talked about the fifth Thursday. >> Yeah, I don't think we settled on it, but that made me think it must be about quarterly because >> yeah, >> there isn't a fifth Thursday every month. So, >> I didn't I didn't catch that part. >> Yeah, >> I meet with uh Mr. Pky coming up here, so we'll we'll hash that out. >> Great. Uh we have several upcoming meetings of the board. more HR and negotiations committee of course uh business committee policy education all of them meet before we're back here in a month Wednesday September 17th in this room at 5:00 >> Mr. Mr. Chair, I mentioned that with the business committee, we we met like all the committees have done recently and the the budget tracker, we're following that closely. Um Megan does a wonderful job with that as does John and the committee is tracking the funding and and doing the best we can with that enrollment. Good to hear the numbers are where they're at. Uh as of the date of our last meeting, we're up about 12 students. Uh I'm not sure if that's changed since that time, but the trend is positive. >> Awesome. Yeah, it is good. >> And we hope to bring that to the full board at an upcoming meeting, right? September meeting. >> Would entertain a motion to adjurnn. >> So move. >> Second. >> All in favor? I know meeting is adjourned despite your protests. Meeting is adjourned. >> Thanks everybody.