Mounds View Public Schools — Transcript
Thursday, February 6, 2025
Student Representative Reports
Gift Acceptance
Superintendent's Report
Policy Review and Introduction
2026-27 School Calendar Approval
Adult and Summer Program Update
Superintendent Mid-Year Evaluation
Legislative and Intermediate School District Updates
School Board Member Updates
Votes (2)
Review and Revisions to Policies BG 0303 and EG 3115; Introduction of Policy EG 3116
Dissent: None
Vice Chair Heidi Danielson outlined a proposed change to Policy BG 0303, shifting to one reading at a work session and one at a board meeting for policy adoption or deletion. She also explained that Policy EG 3115 would be updated to reference the new Policy EG 3116. Superintendent Lennox detailed the extensive community engagement process, including surveys and community meetings, that informed the new state-mandated cell phone policy (EG 3116). He noted that the new policy largely reflects current practices, allowing cell phone access for secondary students outside of instructional time, but not at the elementary level. Final approval for these policies is scheduled for the next board meeting.
2026-27 School Calendar
Dissent: None
Moved by Board Member [0:34:10] · Seconded by Board Member [0:34:11]
Superintendent Lennox introduced the draft 2026-27 school calendar, highlighting that it was reviewed by the Joint Policy Committee, meets all statutory and legal requirements, prioritizes full-day weeks to minimize instructional disruption, and aligns with religious holidays. Board members expressed appreciation for the thoughtful process and the committee's use of an equity lens to ensure the calendar supports all students and families, and for planning two years in advance.
Notable Quotes (4)
One of the things that we want to revise in there is that policies will receive one reading at a work session and one reading at a board meeting before being adopted or deleted. That's a slight change to our previous process where we had two readings at general meetings of the board, and instead we'd like to dig into them at a work session and then read one over those at a board meeting.
The state legislature is actually requiring all school districts to adopt a specific cell phone policy as part of that development that we did in the district. The school board worked with administration to gather community feedback and we use that feedback then in the formation of this new policy.
In the end that policy really resulted in very similar to what we were currently doing, no access at the elementary, secondary no instructional time but they can access cell phones outside of instructional time.
We have very thoughtful conversations about what will serve our students and our families and our teachers best and I really appreciate as well I mean year after year... the committee's respect of taking a look at the calendar through the equity lens and and just making sure that again each student is thought about as we make those really important decisions so that families don't have to pull their students out of school.
Ordinances & Resolutions (7)
Prestigious program in Washington D.C. for top students, won by Emmy Ren.
Policy Formation and Adoption policy, proposed revision for reading process.
Electronic Technology Acceptable Use and Safety policy, to be updated to reference the new cell phone policy.
Student Cell Phone Possession and Use policy, a new state-mandated policy developed with community feedback.
School year calendar for 2026-27, presented for approval.
Goals against which the superintendent's mid-year evaluation is conducted.
State legislation requiring funding and flexibility for literacy initiatives.