North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale School District — Transcript
Tuesday, June 23, 2026
Student Achievement Recognition (North High School)
Recognition of Retirees
Student Achievement Recognition (Tartan High School)
Votes (9)
Acknowledgement of Contributions
Moved by Unknown [00:07:37] · Seconded by Swore [00:07:44]
The board accepted several contributions, including monetary donations from Scooters Coffee ($840.99 for Beaver Lake Early Childhood) and Evans Transportation Services ($5,000 for North High School BSU club activities), and an in-kind donation of a trumpet and clarinet from Jeff Linham for the music program. The total monetary contributions for FY25-26 reached $49,289.65.
Approval of the FY27 Fiscal Year Budgets
Moved by Unknown [00:19:35] · Seconded by Livingston, Board Member [00:19:38]
The Director of Finance presented the balanced FY27 budget, detailing revenues and expenditures across nine funds. Key assumptions included a 2.69% basic formula allowance increase and flat enrollment. Board members expressed appreciation for a new budget book resource and inquired about salary reductions (attributed to less experienced new hires). Extensive discussion followed on the district's ongoing structural deficit, the impact of flat state funding since 2003, rising costs for utilities and insurance, and the critical need for an operating levy in the upcoming November election.
Approval of the June 2026 Budget Revisions
Moved by Swore, Board Member [00:21:28] · Seconded by Rosemark, Board Member [00:21:30]
The board reviewed and approved revisions to the FY26 budget. Key changes included a $1.8 million reduction in salaries and wages due to natural recruitment timelines and unfilled mid-year vacancies, a minor adjustment increasing benefits by $200,000 within Fund 20, and increases in state aid revenues based on updated enrollment allocations and special education reimbursement formulas.
Resolution Calling for the General Election
Moved by Livingston, Board Member [00:22:42] · Seconded by Rosemark, Board Member [00:22:44]
This resolution officially called for a general election to be held in conjunction with the state general election on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
Resolution Establishing School District Election Official
Moved by Natardi, Board Member [00:24:34] · Seconded by Swar, Board Member [00:24:36]
This resolution delegated general day-to-day administrative responsibility for the special election to the Executive Assistant to the school district's Director of Finance and Operations, authorizing them to serve as election clerk. An amendment was proposed and approved to strike 'and capital project levy' from the resolution, clarifying that only an operating levy will be on the ballot.
Resolution Establishing Dates of Filing for Candidacy
Moved by Swore, Board Member [00:25:34] · Seconded by Rosemark, Board Member [00:25:35]
This resolution set the period for filing affidavits of candidacy for the office of school board member from July 14, 2026, to July 28, 2026. A board member inquired why the board needs to approve dates typically set by the Secretary of State, with a response suggesting it's due to the board being an independent governance body aligning with the statewide calendar.
District Insurance Renewal (Fiscal Year 2027)
Moved by Yenner, Board Member [00:24:00] · Seconded by Rosemark, Board Member [00:24:01]
The board approved the district's FY27 insurance renewal, which includes property, liability, auto, and workers' compensation coverage. The total estimated premium is $2.385 million, a 9.4% increase from the prior year, attributed to broader market conditions and rising claim costs, particularly in liability, umbrella, and auto coverage. The increase remained within budget assumptions.
Fiscal Year 28 10-Year Long-Term Facilities Maintenance (LTFM) Plan Approval
Moved by Livingston, Board Member [00:29:20] · Seconded by Yenner, Board Member [00:29:21]
The board approved the FY28 10-year LTFM plan, a requirement for eligibility for Minnesota Department of Education funding. The plan outlines projected expenditures and revenue sources, including an anticipated $5.4 million LTFM levy. Due to successful bond issuance in spring 2026, no new facility bonds are needed. Board members praised the refinancing efforts that enabled more buildings, including Cowan, North Weaver, Gladstone, and Beaver Lake, to receive improvements.
Setting August 10, 2026 Work Study Session Location and Agenda
Moved by Swarf, Board Member [00:31:36] · Seconded by Livingston, Board Member [00:31:38]
The board approved the location and agenda for the August 10, 2026 work study session. It will take place at 6 PM in conference room 202 of the District 62 Education Center, with agenda items including a Superintendent check-in, policy revisions, and a board check-in.
Notable Quotes (10)
By law, school boards are required to approve a balanced budget by, uh, June 30th for the upcoming fiscal year. And so, tonight, I am presenting the FY27 budget, which is based on the best information that we have available at this time.
Because most funding formulas utilize the adjusted pupil units, our state funding accounts for grade level waiting. Specifically, students in grades K through six are weighted at a 1.0 and grades 7 through 12 rated are rated or weighted, excuse me, at a 1.2. Because generally speaking, students in secondary programming cost more to educate.
Um, unfortunately, all those are kind of remaining flat at the moment. um the state h hasn't yet reached uh higher funding amounts than in 2003. So back in 2003, our kids were getting, you know, if you adjust for inflation, more funding per pupil than currently. Um and at the same time, you know, the costs continue to rise just like for every family.
Um, and you know, as an alum of this district, uh, 2017 Tartan graduate who went to Cowan, who went to Mwood Middle, um, you know, I think our community wants to. We just have to get out, um, and do so. And I really urge everyone to think really hard and to make sure we're supporting our our kids so that we don't have to come back here again next year and make more cuts on the back of more cuts.
You will see a reduction of about $1.8 million in salaries and wages um driven by what we talked about earlier, some natural recruitment timelines, uh some vacancies that weren't filled, mid-year vacancies. We do conservatively budget for 100% full-time positions for for full years uh for the full year. And so this um this gap is is normal um and is a natural result in that variance.
I my guess is because like we are an independent governance body, you know, like so we still have to set our own elections. It's just that we still do them on the same calendar like the same calendar, you know, as the as the rest of the state. So the filing period for the rest of municipal schoolboard elections is that same period. So I think we just, you know, keep it simple and go with this statewide version is my guess, but I could be wrong.
The total estimated premium for fiscal year 27 is $2.385 million, representing an increase of approximately $24,000 or 9.4% over the prior year. While we saw notable increases in liability, umbrella, and auto coverage due to broader market conditions and rising claim costs across the insurance industry, property premiums remain relatively flat and workers compensation increased only modestly.
It does factor in claims that we have settled also in the past couple years. Yes.
Under Minnesota statute, school districts are required to annually adopt a 10-year facilities plan and submit it for approval by the department Minnesota Department of Education in order to remain eligible for long-term facilities maintenance funding. This funding is highly restrictive and may be only used for qualifying facility related expenses including health and safety programs and projects, accessibility improvements, and deferred maintenance projects involving the replacement of end to end end of life building and site components on a onetoone basis.
Our kind of our refinancing and all of the amazing work that we've done regarding those 2019 bonding dollars is quite amazing. Um, and it has allowed us to do so much more, touch so many more buildings, provide a lot better spaces for students. Um, I'm a Cowin alum, as I said earlier, so I'm very excited that Cowin is getting a little bit of a refresh this fall or this summer. Um and am excited about the other uh projects happening according to this plan including North Weaver, Gladstone, Beaver Lake, all sorts of places. So super exciting.
Ordinances & Resolutions (12)
Permits school boards to receive and apply gifts/donations.
The proposed budget for fiscal year 2027.
The strategic plan guiding the district's goals and fiscal responsibilities.
A transparent overview of the district's priorities and budgeting process, available online.
Legal framework restricting the use of funds outside the general fund.
Adjustments made to the fiscal year 2026 budget.
Official call for the election on November 3, 2026.
Designates the election clerk for the upcoming election.
Sets the period for filing affidavits of candidacy for school board members.
Approval of the district's property, liability, auto, and workers' compensation insurance for FY27.
Requires annual adoption and submission of a 10-year facilities plan.
A 10-year plan for facility related expenses, accessibility improvements, and deferred maintenance, required for state funding eligibility.