Roseville Area Schools — Transcript
Tuesday, January 11, 2022
National Board Certification
Community Input on School Operations and Policy
School Gifts and Donations
Annual Audit Update
Futures Project Overview
Legislative Session Preview and District Curriculum Activity
Edgerton Family Story Circles and PTA Meetings
Social Studies Standards and Community Character Project
Votes (7)
Adjustment to the Agenda
Moved by Unknown [00:02:10] · Seconded by Unknown [00:02:14]
The Superintendent requested to move the 'COVID Health and Safety Update' from a non-action item to an action item (9b) to include a proposal for distance learning.
Oaths of Office for Board Members
Re-elected and newly elected board members took their oaths of office, swearing to uphold the US and Minnesota constitutions and faithfully discharge their duties. This included new board member Director Clark, and re-elected members Kitty Goggins and Curtis Johnson.
Reaffirmation of School Board Governance Policies
Moved by Unknown [00:12:49] · Seconded by Unknown [00:12:50]
The board moved to annually reaffirm its governing policies, a standard practice to ensure continuity and adherence to established governance frameworks.
Board Organization and Election of Officers
Moved by Kitty Goggins [00:13:58] (for Chair nomination) · Seconded by Unknown [00:14:56] (for Chair acclimation)
Following Minnesota statutes, the board elected its officers for the next two years. Curtis Johnson was nominated and elected as Chair, Director Anderson as Clerk, and Director Rose Chu as Treasurer. The outgoing Chair, Mike Bogashevsky, passed the gavel to Chair Johnson.
Designation of Official Newspaper
Moved by Unknown [00:19:44] · Seconded by Unknown [00:19:49]
The board designated the Pioneer Press as the official newspaper for the calendar year 2022-2023, maintaining the same designation as in previous years.
Appointment of Equity Alliance Minnesota Board Representative
Moved by Kitty Goggins [00:43:24] · Seconded by Unknown [00:43:30]
Mike Bogashevsky, the outgoing chair, expressed his interest in continuing as the district's representative to the Equity Alliance Minnesota board, a role he has held for several years and currently serves as the board's chair and a liaison to its newly formed foundation.
Emergency Proposal for Distance Learning
Dissent: Director Anderson voiced strong opposition to the model of distance learning itself, citing concerns over student mental health, but ultimately voted yes.
Moved by Curtis Johnson [01:14:31] · Seconded by Unknown [01:14:38]
The Superintendent, along with staff (Josh Collins, Deb Leiding, Melissa Sonic via D. Leonard-Jake), presented an emergency proposal to shift all grades to distance learning for two weeks (Jan 18-28) and cancel school on Jan 14 for staff preparation. This decision was driven by an unprecedented staffing shortage due to COVID-19, with extremely high case rates in Ramsey County and significant staff absences. Mitigation strategies discussed included synchronous learning, support for emergency workers and families facing extreme hardship, and opening secondary schools as learning spaces. Director Anderson voiced strong reservations about the mental health impact on students but supported the motion as the best option given the crisis.
Notable Quotes (9)
I would like to move the covet health and safety update from a non-action item to an action item 9b along with their proposal for distance learning.
I would like to nominate director johnson for the chair position.
Chair uh I nominate director anderson to the position of clerk.
Chair johnson I would like to nominate director rose chu for the office of treasurer.
I've enjoyed the work I I am interested in continuing in that role so uh would would welcome the chance to get to keep keep on as our rep to equity alliance minnesota.
I'm recommending the school board approve an emergency proposal to shift all grades to distance learning for two weeks beginning next week and cancel school this friday to allow teachers time to prepare for this transition and ensure that elementary students have devices for distance learning.
We are currently facing significant staffing shortages. What is especially complex is we have staff absences that are typical code flu life events sick family members personal leave etc but in addition to that we have absences due to covet.
The upside the good side of this is that people are testing and this is what we wanted we wanted to keep the people who have positive cases out of the school but um this surge is truly extraordinary and it's unlike anything we have ever experienced during the whole period of time.
I can't say that if this continues that I'm going to be able to vote for business learning again I'm just laying that on the table I I that's not trying to sound harsh to anybody but there's just it's it's not the right model it's just and I choosing between it it's just a horrible choice.
Ordinances & Resolutions (9)
The meeting agenda, adjusted to make the COVID health and safety update an action item.
Document upheld in the oath of office for board members.
Document upheld in the oath of office for board members.
Policies reaffirmed annually by the school board.
Designated as the official newspaper for the school district.
Individualized Education Programs, which guide support for special education students during distance learning.
System used to report positive COVID-19 cases to the Minnesota Health Department.
Type of home COVID-19 test provided to staff and families.
Curriculum standards open for public comment until January 14th.