Good evening everyone. I'd like to call to order the Roseville Area School Board meeting for Tuesday, September 9th. Clerk will please call the role. >> Good evening. Director Basheski >> here. Treasurer Clark >> here. >> Chair Anderson >> here. >> Director Gaggin >> here. >> Director Shaw >> here. >> And Clapchu is here. >> Thank you. Agenda adjustments for this evening. >> There are no agenda adjustments. >> Thank you. Under announcements, comments, and recognitions. Uh this evening's land acknowledgement will be read by Director Frank Shaw. >> Thank you. Roseville Area Schools acknowledges that we reside on traditional ancestral, contemporary, and unseated territory of the Dakota people. From Bedote, Bedote, a confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers, a place the Dakota people poetically claim as the center of earth directly beneath the center of heaven. to Indian Mounds Park, a sacred place of burial built by ancestors of living people and home to the only known remaining burial mounds within the Minneapolis St. Paul urban Corps. Indigenous people have cared for this land through warfare, genocide, relocation, and removal perpetrated by colonizers, the state of Minnesota, and the federal government. injustices that reduced over 150 million indigenous people to around 300,000. Indigenous people have given their blood, tears, heart, resilience, and love to this land. Enduring boarding schools that were in operation from 1879 through the 1930s, where assimilation through humiliation was the curriculum and unspeakable atrocities occurred daily to the foster care system where more kids were removed from indigenous homes than any other group in Minnesota. Indigenous people have not lost their culture or identity and still reside on this land. Roseville Area Schools is committed to ensuring the culture of our indigenous relatives, the original and rightful caretakers of this land that is studied, preserved, and celebrated. We are committed to understanding and honoring the sovereignty that has been denied to nearly 600 indigenous nations, including 11 federally recognized tribes in Minnesota, through the breaking of over 400 treaties. And we are committed to the truth of the history of our indigenous relatives, the success of our indigenous students, and to the healing we hope to create through this commitment. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Director Sh. Right, moving on to recognition of school supply donations. Superintendent Jenny Lake. >> Yes. I'd like to share as we begin the new school year, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our community for their ongoing and everpresent generosity. From individuals to faith-based groups to local businesses, our community has once again stepped up to show incredible love and support for our students through school supply donations. We were literally overwhelmed by the donations. From papers and pencils to glue, scissors, backpacks, and so much more. Thanks to this generosity, every student is starting the school year equipped with the supplies they need to learn. Thank you to our community. >> Thank you. >> Moving on in this evening's agenda. Um summary of community input received for action items. I have not received anything this evening's action items. I don't believe the clerk has received anything. All right. Moving on to this evening's consent agenda. We do have retirement. Uh, I will entertain a motion to approve the consent agenda minus the retirement. >> So moved. So moved. >> Okay, it's been moved. Is there a second? >> Second. >> All right. Moved and seconded. Um, minus retirement. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> I. All those opposed. Motion carries. >> Clerk Shu. >> Yes. Um, I'm presenting to you one retirement Belinda Jones from the Empetto Teta Education Center. uh our English language teacher. She has been with the district for 19 years. We really thank her for her service and um wish her the best. >> So I move for her retirement. >> Thank you. Been moved. Is there a second? >> I second with great appreciation the service that she has provided for us. >> It's been moved and seconded. Um any further discussion? All those in favor signify by saying I. I. >> All those opposed. >> Motion carries. Thank you. And um reading gifts this evening will be director Kitty Gogggins. >> We are incredibly fortunate as Dr. Lake mentioned on the amount of support we get from the community. So I beg your patience as I read this extensive list this evening. Abettocha Center received from Koma Park Lutheran Church funds for meals on wheels. Falcon Heights Elementary School received from Terry Kirak school supplies for students in need and also from Koma Park Lutheran Church school supplies for student in need. Roseville High School received from the Roseville swim and dive booster clubs funds for additional coaching staff for the girls swimming and diving program. uh Roseberry High School receiver Marggo and Robert Olsen, funds for the girls soccer program. And from Tony Robard, funds for the volleyball program from the Roseville Anderson Neielson VFW. Auxiliary number 7555, funds for the trap team. From the Wilson Foundation, funds for the trap team. Um from the North Suburban Evening Lions Club, funds for the food shelf. um from the US Bank Foundation, funds for school needs from Tina Beacon, funds for school needs. Um and then Roseville Area Schools generally received from Rose Point Senior Living uh funds and school supplies for students in need. From Sonia Baker, school supplies for student in need from Little Canada Candidate Days. uh funds and school supplies for students in need for Midwest Radiology school supplies for students in need. Ramsey County Library also um school supplies for student needs as well as St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church and from Corpus Christi Catholic Church and from St. Christopher's Episcopal Church and from Meguire Agency and from the FedEx Express and from Amira uh Choice Roseville. Um all those uh groups and individuals uh provided school supplies for students in need and we also received from Karen Dohy some funds for district needs and from Erin Mastrian. Um, obviously we have a lot of generous uh individuals in our community and our students greatly benefit um from the um donations that are being received. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Director Gogggins. >> Right. Uh we are now moving on to reports and non-action items. Uh first day of school report. Come on up, our associate superintendent. >> A very fun and exciting report. It is. It is. >> All right. >> Welcome. >> Thank you. Good evening, distinguished board members. My name is Mora Wyan. I'm one of the associate superintendent and >> Dion Smith, the other associate superintendent. >> And we are so excited to be here this evening to share with you about these first few days of school. >> Absolutely. So, as you know, um because we've all um well, I would say most of us have experienced the first day of school. >> Um it's always an exciting time uh filled with hope uh and the promise for the year to come. The first day of school is important because it sets the tone um for the entire academic year. >> Yeah. Yeah. And I um just add a little bit more to that. Uh would you like to add? >> All right. You go. >> A successful first day of school uh can build confidence um and excitement for learning uh making it a critical opportunity for students, families, uh teachers, and the staff to build a strong foundation for the year. Uh both Moore and I have had the privilege of visiting uh schools and programs for their first day of school. There's like eight for first days of school right now uh in the district, but um all of them have been a joy to uh to to experience. Um so um this presentation will touch on uh these areas um of the strategic plan. Um as you know, goal area one, our graduates are prepared to achieve their goals and aspirations. Go area two, our learners can contribute to an equitable, caring society. Uh number three, we are a culturally responsive inclusive anti-racist district. and for the community is united behind meeting students needs. So part of this presentation uh just just to kind of lay it out for you uh will show how the first day of school supports the strategic plan and how the strategic plan impacts the first day of school. So, we wanted to start um uh capture a quote that could sum up the essence of the first uh day of school or a new school year. And it just reads, "A new school year means new beginnings, new adventures, new friendships, and new challenges. The slate is clean and anything can happen." >> Uh which is uh it's just a great thought and and I think a feeling that everyone has on that first day of school. So, we know this is like true for every student who walked through our doors this past week. um everything is possible on the first day of school, right? And we get a chance to write the next chapter of uh of of the story um every single school year. Uh so Namorea is going to give us some highlights and give us some stories um for how our you know in our travels uh we saw our strategic plan in action on the first day of school. >> Thank you. I also love that quote and we saw that sense of adventure, the new friendships, new challenges being taken on these first few days. And another way to say all of that is that we saw innovation, excellence, and equity. Um, one quick story I want to highlight is how our students are being prepared to achieve their goals through a story core, the press story core at Harambe. These students on day one were exhibiting student leadership already out interviewing their younger classmates and peers and talking about like what do you look forward to this year. So day one they are ready to go. And then when we look at goal area 2, we had multiple sites that were truly rolling out that red carpet with intentionality and a radical welcome for the first day of school. And this is joy in learning. We witnessed student leadership. It was many students last day of summer and they showed up for someone else's first day. We had Raz upper classmen outside greeting our freshman, the ninth graders to bring them in, give some guidance, show them around. We had football players at every elementary site welcoming students off the bus. And I just think that's so important to point out because this is community and it was done so well. >> All right, for G goal area three, we see lots of smiling kids. And when you see a smiling kid, you you smile or adults too. And I just want to say that walking alongside every smiling child is a smiling educator. our staff have also been seen in this joy and challenge and new beginnings of a school year. Um so for example at Rams they are really leveling up this year. Their theme last year was what's your ripple effect and they're building on that this year to make it they're making waves and they are demonstrating from day one their commitment to anti-racist practices. And now the first day of school, it like I said, it's not just about our children, it's about our educators. And it truly is also about the whole family. The first day of school is a tradition that is often a family affair. We see this on social media through the joyful pictures and people listing their hopes and dreams. We see, you know, the tears as parents leave the first day of prek yesterday. Um, it's just a really it's a big deal for the whole family and partnering with families and building that culture of belonging takes work from all of us. And I want to say that family can be defined in so many ways and family is about honoring those that came before us. The start of the year really symbolizes the hopes and dreams of that child, their family, and their ancestors. I did not get a picture of this, but my favorite first day of school outfit was a second grade child at Central Park with the t-shirt that says, "I am my ancestors wildest dreams." >> And next slide there. And that is like as we head into this, every child that walked through one of our schools doors, someone in their family believes that. And we we believe that, too. And we've seen that. >> Absolutely. >> Yeah. So, let's take a look at at some more special moments from the first day of school. [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] All right. Yes. Absolutely. Absolutely. So, we're going to close with this quote. um wake up and and own your greatness. Um that's what we hope each student feels um on that first day of school and every day that they step into um our buildings um and here at Roseberry Schools. We want them to um remember this um and remember this feeling and um you know that's up to us and and how we love on our students and how we live into our strategic plan. So students wake up, >> own your greatness. >> Yeah. All right, that's our presentation. >> It was really well done. I feel as though I'm exercising my smile muscle again. All of last week, I think I had sore smile muscle and I'm feeling it right now. Really, really proud. Thank you for the presentation. Thank you to all of our staff for providing this welcoming environment. >> Absolutely. Any question? Any questions board members? >> All right. All right. Any comment on numbers of students? Was there sort of a typical school year where those we expected showed up? >> Um, that's a good question. >> From the elementary level, more than I could check the numbers, but more came on the first day than a year ago. We also had a higher amount of kindergarten students enrolled >> than but K6 more students came the first day than last year. >> Yeah. >> Great. And yeah, I would say secondary from from just from region, I think we're >> strong enrollment. Yeah. >> Good. >> Biscuit. >> Yeah. >> Uh at the Falcon Heights PTA meeting last night, there were comments approving comments of the uh new bus system. What uh can you give an overall impression of how that went? >> That's my overall impression. I I continue to hear so many great things about how committed the drivers have been, how clean the buses are, how on time they've been. We have a few little pocket areas and people have I had two conversations today. People are aware of those and have plans to make improvements. This is a vast improvement from last year's the routes in the beginning of the year. Great. um they've been on time in the morning >> on-site staff from Schmidian and Suns helping with the the routing and the safety plans and the >> you know Sher if you want to provide any comments. >> I think for the most part we've all covered it. We are very happy with them and >> we have daily conversations with them and looking at how the few bumps we have how we can iron out those wrinkles and they're working on that. >> That's great. >> We're overall we're very happy. Uh they've retained a lot of the centerline staff >> which is great >> and um and the center line staff seem very happy. >> Great. >> Yeah. Thank you for asking. >> Yeah. >> All right. >> Thank you. >> All right. Well, thank you both. >> Thank you. >> All right. Moving on to this evening's action items. Um Don, you'll be staying right there. >> Yes. Policy 510, the second reading in the student address, second reading. >> Absolutely. Uh thank you, Chair Anderson. As part of on ongoing uh policy review, I'm bringing forth policy 510P student address for a second reading uh of the policy revisions. The first reading of this policy um took place uh on Tuesday uh uh August 19th, 2025. Um, we're conducting a second reading of this policy because there was a suggested addition um to the current policy that we have. Um, it was advised that the district adopt the following addition to the policy to clarify our stance on headwear and to align our policy with MSBA model policy 504. And just to refresh memories, that suggested addition reads uh 4.0 No headwear, including hats or head coverings are allowed provided that it does not cover the student's face to the extent that the student is not identifiable. Um, so at that last schoolboard meeting on the 19th, the school board did not have any additional suggestions. Um, and so it's recommended that the board approved policy 510 student dress as presented. And I'm open for any questions. I have a question. >> Just going to say I appreciate the explicit um layout of that since I think that's the policy we've been following for >> for quite a while, but having it uh clear so it's all understood by everyone. I think really appreciate that clarity. >> Absolutely. >> And then I move approval. >> Good. I think I was just going to ask. Okay, it's been moved. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Okay. Moved and seconded. Uh policy 510. Uh any further discussion? All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> I. >> All those opposed. >> Motion carries. >> All right. Thank you. Appreciate you. >> Thank you. >> All right. That moves us to policy 722 public data and data subject request second reading. We welcome Director Kenya McCarti. >> Good evening. >> Good evening. Thank you. This evening I'm bringing forth the second reading of policy 722 which is public data and data subjects request. The revisions are based on feedback from the first reading that we had on August 19th schoolboard meeting and they include the following. So in section 1.0 of the policy there was a request and recommendation to include the types of data and data requests referenced in this policy. And so we outlined those there to be um clear in that in that portion of the policy. On section 3.1 for confidential data on individuals definitions, it was requested that we added the word that for readability. And so in that section now it reads data may not be public um by statute or federal law applicable to the data and that are inaccessible to the individual subject of those data. Section 3.3 we um reference responsible authority and there was a recommendation to identify where it is also stated further in the um policy and so we did provide that clarity as well and so it's referenced that it's in section 3.14 on section 4.2.4 four under request for data, public data, there was a request in recommendation to remove the word responsive in reference to data just to be clear about what that looks like and I think there were some questions around that. So we eliminated that word and um there was also a recommendation under section six and seven to perhaps look at those to combine them. Um while we heard those responses and heard those recommendations, we are recommending that we keep those sections as they are provided in the MSBA model policy because there are some nuances and differences between the two types of data and the process for that. So we have left those as is and those are the recommendations that you provided on the 19th and the second reading of the policy. open up for any questions. >> All right, Director Gogggins. >> Um, on section 4.2.4, um, I know you told us last week what MGDPA uh, is, um, but what I I would ask is that the acronym be spelled out. Okay. >> Yeah, that was Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thanks, Dr. Gogggins. Okay, I'll entertain a motion to approve policy 722. Second reading. >> I move to approve policy 722 as is with the addition of writing out what MGDPA stands for. >> Thank you. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Okay, it's a moved and seconded. Any further discussion on policy 722? Okay. If not, all those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> I. >> All those opposed. >> Motion carries. >> Thank you for your >> Thank you. >> All right. We are moving on to item 7 C. This will be a resolution stating the intention of the board to issue general obligation facilities maintenance bonds. We welcome Director Sher Thompson. >> Thank you. So, this is a followup to the action that you took last month on the um the annual action on our long-term facility maintenance uh projects. Uh every other year we issue bonds. So, we fund the deferred maintenance, the LTFM, in a combination of pay as you go levy, and then also bonds. So, what this resolution will do is authorize the issuance of bonds next spring. And this the cap on this the maximum is 30,745,000. Um the amount may actually be less as we're working through our LTFM right now with the Department of Education, but we're going with the maximum amount so we can um work with uh the Department of Education and also Ramsey County to get the preliminary levy data in >> is part of the reason for authorizing this now is to offer some flexibility and timing for when the market is at a good point for issuing these bonds. >> Um well, typically we just we typically do it in the spring just before we're starting >> um our projects when we do it every other year. So um we do it now so that it can get they can put that into our preliminary levy. >> I see. >> And that needs to be in by September 30th. >> Just coming up. Is there any benefit to thinking about whether it would be financially attractive to do earlier or is it make the most sense financially to do it in spring? >> Typically, um, traditionally it has been the spring, but I will say, you know, we work closely with Ellers on this >> and and they, um, they know, so they will start watching. We have very close contact from like December on, >> depending on what the market's doing. So, that's a real that's a very good question. Thank you. >> All right. Any questions before we read the resolution? All right. >> Clerk show. >> Okay. I move for the resolution stating the intention of the school board to issue general obligation facilities maintenance bond bonds series 2026A in the maximum aggregate principal amount of $30,745,000. >> Okay, been moved. Is there a second to that motion? >> Second. >> Okay, moved and seconded. Any further discussion on the resolution? We This will be a roll call vote. >> Okay. No further motions. Start the roll call. Thank you. >> Director Shaw >> I. >> Director Gaggins. >> I. >> Chair Anderson. >> I. >> Chair Clark. >> I. >> Director Bosski. >> I. >> And um Clark Chu. Yes. [Laughter] Thank you. Thank you, Director Thompson. >> Thank you. >> All right, that moves us to our study session report. Director Katie Gaga, thank you. >> Okay, at our study session last month, we had two topics. We talked about uh kind of our our board policy revision process. It is outlined in policy that we can either uh approve a policy with one reading or we or with two readings and we've traditionally only done two. So it was a discussion around when would it be appropriate to just use the one and um the conversation was really around if if the revision if there's no changes or if it's not substantial changes in terms of how we operate that just doing it in one policy reading uh made a lot of sense and would be very efficient. However, if it's a new policy or if there are substantial changes, we want to continue using the first and second reading because that allows the community to have input between the first and second reading before we take our vote on approval of the policy. The uh second topic we had was re reviewing the draft uh schoolboard handbook. Last winter, there was a task force created by the board um to uh draft a um uh manual for the board uh kind of processes and procedures using the Minnesota School Board Association's template that they issued last fall. Um this uh manual is really it I mean references uh you know govern our governance policies and also applicable laws in the state but it it is more to just get the kind of the norms of how we operate, what are our processes, our practices to get those down um so that we kind of have a a mutual understanding of the processes. Um we were concerned that this was particularly important as we're going to have um two new two new members on the school board starting in January. Um the key areas that are covered in this um document are district information um kind of an overview um around the board post-election procedures the board's organization um h u tools and resources uh for learning the job individual board membership the roles responsibilities and how it operates working as a board team and the role of the superintendent um board meetings and governance and Then board communication guide um are the major categories and sections currently in there. Although at that meeting there was some discussion while we are comfortable that we have the content correct um there's still some conversation around we may be changing some of the organization to make it flow easier for new members to access. It is certainly a resource to new members as well as to existing members but we wanted to make it as accessible as possible. Another area that came up was that uh this is a good time to be reviewing board policies since we had to all refresh our memory of those board policies because they're all referenced in this manual. So that will be a task that the board is taking on and has identified a task force to do that. We'll be getting back to the board later this fall with potential areas of change or or the where it's not necessary. Just kind of review them. Thank you. Thanks, Kitty. All right, this brings us to board reports for the evening. Um, why don't we start with Clerk Chu, please? >> You might do that. >> Um, I think in the spirit of uh kind of the beginning of the school school year, I had the honor to visit the open houses for Park View Center School and also Little Canada uh elementary school. I have to say it just made my day. It was just the energy. Um just people were excited to come and I really want to thank the school. I mean the staff and uh everyone who really welcome our students and family back especially given what was happening that week. Uh to just see families, hey we are here. Our students are excited. It was just really wonderful. And at Park View, the one thing I would call out is that that inclusive um >> playground >> inclusive playground. >> I was very impressed and really thank the parents for like raising the money and making this a reality. So really thankful for the community support to make that happen. So can't wait to see it when it when it's going to Now I can't remember when it's going to start. >> Is it? >> Well, there's some that should happen this fall. Yeah, >> there's some work. It's kind of um can't think of the word, but spaced out over the year. >> Uh so we'll see we'll see some things happening. >> Yeah, it's it's great. Yeah. >> And then the the third thing that I did was um went with um here to Falcon Heights. >> Yeah, it was great on the first day. Man was there. >> Uh just the buses were all working trying to get make sure people go to the right place. Just wonderful. Wonderful to know that our district really are welcoming all our students and family back. >> Thank you. >> Wonderful. >> All right, Director Basheski. >> I don't I don't really have anything actually. Did was the I not even remembering was the the welcome back thing that was since the last meeting, right? >> It was. >> So, assuming someone I'll defer to someone because I don't want to pile on, but it was great. It was fant. I was very proud again >> to be part of this district just seeing the event that you guys put on and the great job that you two did the associate super just your your embassying the event um >> and with the guest speaker we had was just fantastic and >> the music and everything. So I'll I'll let other people get into some details. >> Oh my god. >> Thank you for every board member >> being there. It was very impressive to have full participation from our school board. every single one of us. >> Can I add real quick? >> Yeah, please. >> That there's, you know, the team be behind me here, um, you know, there there's there's so much work they put into that day. >> U, there's so much playing that happens, collaboration that happens. And so, you know, whereas Mo and I get the privilege of being able to be up there and speak, um, there's, uh, so many people that deserve credit for that, for for how that day went and and how smoothly, how much fun we had. Um, so think of this team and there's plenty others that um aren't here tonight as well. >> Well, and you know, maybe the only other thing I'll add about it is um it's a celebratory fun day, >> but at the same time, it is a learning day. >> And even the guest speaker was like, >> you know, laying down the law about, you know, do your job, right? Do >> your job. >> Your job is to do your job. >> I love it. >> And so there's there's a serious piece to it also. But I think it sets a uh just the right tone, you know, for the staff to understand that yeah, we we're all happy to be here at the same we have work to do. You know, we're taking care of our future with the kids. So, uh >> it's just a really really great morning. >> Yeah. >> And it's the year for us to level up, Da. >> It's the year to level up. >> Level up. >> Yes. >> Wonderful. Treasurer clerk. >> Um a couple things from 9:16. one of the highlights um of our meeting this time. They um said that the weight list is less than it's been in the past. We still have a wait list, but it's better than it has in the past. And I also toured the 916 student built house that they do every year. It's the 31st year that they've done the student built house um there. There'll be a little change next year. I think they're taking a break because there's some thing with the city of North St. Paul who they've been utilizing how that goes. But um the students there are always excited about that. I did do the zoom of um AMSD. I see Peter Leatherman's presentation about is it perpic um >> and art center. >> Art center that was also very good. That was very good as well. Um and yeah, the first day was mentioned got to go to Falcon Heights as well as um Raz with with Todd as well was always good time. Got a little rain but the students were excited about the rain coming there. Um, and the buses I can report that my junior >> bus is good. He said he he likes the new bus and everything is good. So, >> oh, and that's a lot from him. So, I >> wonderful. Thank you, Director Gogggins. um regarding the welcome back. Um our speaker um was Gloria Ladden Lansen Billings who is kind of a um one of the key authors of a lot of the work around making sure every student is welcome in school. And I have to say I was so impressed because it was it was at a high level in terms of you know big ideas but then it got down to what does that mean when you go to your classroom and and covering that whole distance. That's really um impressive for speaker. So I just think that was really uh an amazing back to school and very inspiring from everybody I had a chance to talk to and of course myself as well. Um the Harambe steering committee met and also I met with a group of of individuals um uh predominantly from Harambe around discussing how do we describe the environmental learning that will occur and I just wanted to share uh this came from a uh the Harambe staff meeting was just some original initial concepts of around what is makes Harambe unique. Harambe is defined by community and belonging, equity and justice, a deep connection to nature and a commitment to student centered culturally responsive learning. And it was just uh really powerful to hear about how the environmental learning is incorporated in in and it's not just about the environment, how the cultural pieces incorporated when learning for example about mar monarchs and their migration, how the um so many different geography and all these different components are integrated and it was just um lovely to get more experienced about that. Um then I had an opportunity to attend the Roseville area senior programs u meeting. Um they are very much in need of volunteers for meals on wheels and that program is not just about providing meals but it's a check for people. It's a it's a very powerful um way to stay connected with the community and it you can do it once a week or once a month. Um but they're very much um looking for opportunities. They are offering 44 different um programs for or events for um seniors this fall. So very engaged with lots of work going on and um they will be again having their senior housing program later this fall. Um so lots of exciting work there. Um and then I did get to go to one of the schools the first week um which was Harambe and got to get some of the experiences that others have shared. >> That's it. >> Thank you Dr. Shaw. >> Yeah, I mentioned earlier that uh I had I was at the PTA meeting last night for Falcon Heights. So it was an exciting event and um it was mentioned there there were a couple of things. It was mentioned there that this new cohort of students coming in are the students who were born into COVID in 2020. So this is the I have a I have a granddaughter who who experienced this too. And you know, it's it's not a scientific observation, but it's an observation that these children play very well with themselves and are a little bit less comfortable than what we've seen in the past um in collaborative learning. And so it's something that they've that teachers immediately noticed um and have started to to to look at solutions for that. The other thing is that um out in front of the cafeteria there at Falcon Heights uh there was a bed of thistles. The thistles are a weed. We think of them as a weed and they're you know they you could look at them in various different ways. But anyway, the ground screws come in and scraped them all off and covered it with wood chips. And the thistles are coming back. They're all coming back. So they need and and this comes to what you have to do in education as well. You have to get down on your hands and knees and you have to deal with each one of those thistles >> by itself. >> And I get the sense that that's what's being done in our schools and in at Falcon Heights in particular. There was one parent there who is also a member for the next couple of years of math and I was delighted to hear that math core continues to be funded. I know that there are some Americanore programs. I thought all of them had been uh cut off but uh but apparently math core goes on and reading core. So that those interventions will be in our schools at least for another year. >> That's good. That's all I've brought. Wonderful. >> Thank you. >> Thanks, Frank. >> Um, yeah, just a couple things kind of to reiterate last week. Um, first day of schools welcome week. It's always, um, it was wonderful to, you know, visit Raz in the morning with Superintendent Lake and Treasurer Clark, you know, greeting the ninth grade students, seeing these brand new buses come up running very smoothly, running on time. a lot of the smiles, you know, faces of students and staff. Uh it's just it's just, you know, it just gets you going, you know, gets you going uh in the morning in the day. And Superintendent Lake and I had an opportunity to go to Park View, um and see the playground, visit more with staff and students, and then we proceeded to go to Edertton, >> met more students and staff, and we also, I should say, we met with both principles of both schools. Yeah. New principles. and we met some of the I think there was a new staff member at the the C program at Edertton >> that we were introduced to. So just kind of the same story. It's just you know fresh clean buildings, hallways, smiles, just the energy, the positivity is just fantastic and and I know we had Ezington at the right time. Students were just arriving. >> So it was wonderful. And then this past Friday, we had an opportunity to go to Falcon Heights >> and um again visit with staff and students and principal Beth Beni. And I think you and I even we kind of lucked out. We were able to join a kindergarten class in one of their welcoming >> round robin kind of participate participate in it. And so that um that was that was fantastic too. Um but just it was wonderful to I know we all had opportunities to visit schools and welcome week. It was just wonderful to be back and you'll see everybody and we're all ready to go. And then just one last little reminder that due to Rashaashana, our next meeting is Thursday. Remember that's also for the community to know as well. Thursday, September 25th. Uh same bat time, same bat channel, same bat location. Okay. So, same location time. Thursday, September 25th. All right. That's all I have. Superintendent. >> Thank you. Positive report from me as well. What a wonderful first week of school it was. It was a joy to see our students return ready to learn, connect, and make new memories as we step into this school year together. I hope it is filled with new friends, exciting experiences and moments of pure joy for our students. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to our incredible staff from our teachers and support staff to our buildings and grounds crew, our nutrition services team, our tech team, and so many more. Uh all of our staff ensure our students are thriving in clean, welcoming spaces, enjoying healthy meals, and surrounded by caring adults who know them, love them, and want them to succeed. And we are going to have an amazing year. Thank you. >> Thank you, Dr. Lake. >> All right, board members, do not go anywhere. We now enter our there is no study session this evening, but we do have a close session. So I will kick things off by making the initial motion uh motion to close the meeting for the purpose of considering strategy for labor negotiations with education Minnesota Roseville per Minnesota statute section 13D.03. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Moved and seconded. Any further discussion? All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> All those opposed. Motion carries. We will now enter into our close session. [Music] >> All right. All right. I'd like to call the regular business or regular school board meeting of September 9th back to order. Uh thank you everybody for your patience and for your contributions this evening. Uh if there's no further business for the board, uh the regular meeting stands adjourned for the evening.