Welcome everyone to the uh business slashstudy session meeting we have tonight. We have a couple one one item of business at the at the very top of the agenda. So, if everyone would join me, stand and and join me in the pledge of allegiance. 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 members are present and I will now uh entertain a motion to approve the agenda. So made by director France, a second by director Atinson. Any discussion? Hearing none. All in favor signify by saying I. I. Opposed. That motion carries 70. Moving down to new business. We have proposed premiums and RFPs for benefits. Director Hearn. Thank you, Chair White. Members of the board, um today we're bringing forward our benefit administration and rate changes proposals that were reviewed by the insurance committee on March 10th. Um first, we're recommending staying with Voya for our long-term disability group life and supplemental life and staying with um Delta Dental for our dental insurance. For health insurance, we're recommending a 5% rate increase um which would adjust for the increases in claims along with um maintaining our fund balance at the the top of our our bal healthy balance premium there. And then the for the dental rates for the active employees, a 5% increase um with a 10% increase for the retirees of a 65 plus um bracket. All right. I will entertain a motion to approve these premium changes. So made by director Atinson. Second. Second by director Bullion. Is there discussion or questions? All right. Hearing none. All in favor signify by saying I. I. Opposed. That motion carries. 70. I will now entertain a motion to adjourn the regular portion of the uh the regular portion of the meeting. So made by director Fran. Second. Second by director Johnson. There's no discussion. All in favor signify by saying I. I. Motion carries at 70. All right, we'll start the study session portion of our evening and move on to the public forum. We do have one speaker tonight, Joyce Weissad. Did I get that right? Wad. Wad. You may come up to the podium if you wish. Hello. I'm just going to pull out my fancy paper here. So, my name is Dress Walstead and I work at the life skills program in Westwood Elementary with my co-teer, Alex Fischer. And we just wanted to take a moment today to share some positive things with you guys, especially since there has been a lot of tough decisions going on lately and tough things going happening. Um, and we just also kind of wanted to brag a little bit about our amazing students. So, in February, our life skills, excuse me, our life skills students got to participate in the readathon event at the school. For some context, most of our students spend a lot of their time in this in a specialized classroom where they focus on learning school expectations, social skills, and emotional regulation, but they're also working on the hard things like academics as well. So, seeing them take part in this readathon event was a really big deal. They transitioned to new classrooms and environments they weren't familiar with, sat down to read, and participated in 20-minute rotations with their general education peers. And they did this all with great behavior and engagement. It was great to see. This to me is a true example of inclusion. Something that definitely wouldn't have been possible back in September, but because of their hard work and dedication, they've come so far, and we're very proud of them. So that's all. Thank you. Thank you. Appreciate you. [Applause] All right. Now, moving on to the purpose and agenda. Dr. Thomas. Thank you, Chair White. Um, so for our board study session tonight, we've got a few agenda items that we're going to be covering. Uh, we'll do some, uh, budget updates. Uh, that's kind of standing for us until the end of the school year. a brief staffing update. Uh we'll have our long-term facilities maintenance report which will be your tenure that you'll see in cumulative, but we're going to focus our conversation on the next two years because obviously the longer we get out there's a lot of of unknowns, but we'll be focusing it there. And then we've got a series of proclamations um that we will review with the board and then I believe we'll take a short transition uh break while the board then sets up for um uh I'm sorry we'll do policies a series of 800 policies and then we'll have a transition um for the board to uh then go into your 200 policies um as well. So that is our content for this evening to dive into together. All right. Thank you. First on the agenda is then uh the 2526 budget updates. Director Frederickson. Thank you, Chair White. Um I have two updates for you tonight. One of them is the kindergarten enrollment which I've been giving you at every board meeting. U this update is as of March 14th. We have 444 kindergarteners currently enrolled with six open enrolled for a total of 450 which if you look at the previous five years mean uh we're about 88% of where we are expected from October 1st which means if you calculate that out our October 1st enrollment would be 511 kindergarteners which again is still um just under 40 um below what we had last year. So, we're kind of still tracking on that 30 to 40 students. I can take any questions. Are there any questions for Tammy? Okay, can you move on? The second update I have for you is our revenue projection. Uh, as you know, we've been tracking at about $120,43,30. Um, for a revenue projection, I've adjusted that. The formula allowance, we've been using 2.5. It's actually going to be 2.74. So, I've added an additional.24% to that formula allowance. I've also reduced the U per pupil by about 36 kindergarteners, but then I've also added 14.4 for voluntary pre kindergarten students that we'll be getting u the voluntary prek count as a 6 ADM. So if we add those back in then our new revenue projection is 120,356,825. So again we'll keep updating that as the legislature moves on and if there's any changes. I know the the governor released a new budget proposal um last week. So, we'll track that and see what makes it through till the end. Um and we'll again we'll continue to monitor our kindergarteners. Okay. Any questions? Mary. Um Tammy, do you have any word or updates on reductions in federal funds? For the minimal that we do get, it still is significant considering our budget situation. Do you have any idea? There has been no updates. We have gotten an email from Commissioner Jet and he says as of right now, they haven't heard anything. So, we're just going to be moving on assuming that we're getting what we've expected. We'll continue to monitor that, but until we get something definitive, um we'll keep going the way we have planned. We can always pivot later. Um those are dollars that we can certainly um track separately as we move along. Thank you. Uh Chair Chair Way, if I may just um extend a little bit on that uh question. So this Wednesday, I'll be heading out to DC and this is actually a big conversation topic that we were initially planning to have with the Department of Education. So we'll see what transpires there. Um but with the changes with the department and potentially those things coming to us with block as block grants um we're going to be pushing to understand what federal um guidance will be attached to those block grants and or what autonomy do the then states have around those block grants as well. So that will be a big conversation that we intend to bring to the department of ed for whoever is there um when we when we go out there this Wednesday. So um I will update the board more when we uh return you know on Friday. All right. Thank you. Anyone else? All right. Thank you Director Ferguson. Yes. Chair White, if I I'm sorry, just I was going to just add one more thing and and as part of our updates, one of the things that I just want to share with the board. So, as we're forecasting um for next year, as you see here today, we are also really hitting the brakes on all of our cost containments for this year as well. So, we're really pumping the brakes on a lot of uh unnecessary spending, meaning that if we have contracts or things that we can live without between now and the end of the school year, um we are um pushing pause on a lot of that so that we can monitor that uh spending level. Um I will continue to go through um contracts as we foreshadow for next year to see which contracts we may begin to continue to eliminate and not begin to that we will eliminate for next year to contain additional costs. And one of the measures that I'm engaging in for this year as well is like how can we move um and repurpose uh administrative functions to maybe uh rep prioritize and reorganize uh departmental budgets so that we can put as many resources directly into our schools. As a district services center, our number one customer are our schools. So that's why we exist and we want to make sure that we are putting as many resources into our schools because we know that's where our number one co customer for the district is and that's our students. And so I will be looking at ways that we can contain administrative costs by way of shifting andor repurposing um administrative functions appropriately so that we may be able to uh continually free up resources that go directly into um student support. So, we'll be bringing some of that into our April budget update to the board, but just know that those are continued conversations that we're going through as an administrative team um so that we can contain costs not only for next year, but also pumping the brakes on our spends as we monitor um to try to bring this to a structurally balanced um budget for uh future years. Uh so, just want to give you that update. Okay. Thanks. Any questions or comments for Dr. Thomas? Okay, we will move on then to see here where we at staffing update 2526. Director Herman, Chair White, members of the board, thank you. I just want to give you all an update over the last few weeks. Um, district uh leadership has been working very um hard through some pretty tough decisions and had a lot of really tough conversations last week with a lot of our staff members um that we had to um give announcements to. um we were dedicated to continue our timeline to let them know before spring break and we worked really um diligently to try to even move up that announcement even further so that they can be competitive in the market. So we did a lot of announcements last Friday um and we'll bringing those to the board on April 14th for action but just wanted to give them a heads up as soon as we possibly could. So, I just wanted to um give a public um uh gratitude for the union leadership that collaborated with us um the district leadership and then all of our staff. We heard a a lot of great stories about our staff being very uh supportive of each other, really ringing together to support the individuals that were receiving some tough news last week. So, I just wanted to give a kudos out to our staff community for um always um focusing in our students and um being there for each other when we're processing difficult news. Thank you. All right. Thank you. Moving down to the LTFM report. Director Powers, you want to come up? As Superintendent Thomas mentioned, um I want to focus on the first two years, but I wanted to make sure I've had Can everyone hear it? I don't know if it's even I don't know if that's on. Oh, there. Um, many people have asked for a more complete vision for the LTFM for the 10-year. So, I included all of the identified projects um that can be used on our LTFM funding. So, there are projects that aren't on here because they can't be used with our LTFM money. Um, but these are identified projects as of now um that may change as I continue to do inspections and in um going through the rest of the buildings. uh the first two years of this cycle, I wanted to concentrate on the things that we could be most impactful with. Um which is why you see a lot of uh seal coating jobs um at the schools. Um if we can keep up on the seal coating, maybe I can get those parking lots to last longer. Um so we don't have to replace them in uh two years. We can go maybe five, seven years before we replace those. So that's why you see a lot of seal coating. And you see I've got uh overlays on this schedule down several years. So hopefully if the parking lots behave, we can keep that schedule up there. Then we've got a lot of other things including um some docks. Um there's at least two docks in the next couple years, loading docks um that we need to replace. Uh the one at Five Hawks is is falling apart and the one at Glendale is not doing much better. So, it's issues like that I want to make sure that we address um when we've got a safety concern and when we've got a a concern um about indoor air quality for the the students. So, those are the primary things I'm going to be looking at for the first two years. If you saw any of those things in there that you had questions about, um I would love to uh hear your thoughts about any of those. Um, like I say, especially for these first two years, but if you're seeing something down in the following years, um, I would lay humongous odds that, uh, we will be looking at all those years in more detail and changing them around again. As our priorities change, um, my department has to deal with, uh, the priorities more than almost anything else for those buildings. Something will pop up and we'll have to make quick changes. Um, I think I mentioned earlier in the season, one of the things I wanted to make sure and highlight on that is we work really hard to do things as well as we can with the money we have. And sometimes emergencies happen and thankfully um this winter we had an opportunity to make an impactful decision um because we were planning ahead a different type of replacement. What it was was the the boiler that was going to be replaced at Hidden Oaks. Um we had a desperate need at Jeffer Pond. Um right before winter was coming on, we were going to we one of our boilers went down and going into the heating season. Um only having one boiler would have been we would have had a Chili's building at the best. Um if we would have lost the other boiler, I would have lost the building. So, we were thankful that we had that boiler and that it was able to be able to installed um so that we were able to make sure that those problems didn't happen. So, we'll continue to look at things along those lines and we'll make sure that like I mentioned, we want to be as impactful as we can, um as conscious with our money as we can. Um, one of the things on the list or a couple of things are uh with the Hidden Oaks swimming pools. We want to make sure since we're looking at closing Twin Oaks that uh I got the work done at Hidden Oaks that I needed to make sure um well, we still had two pools. So, I can close that one down. Um, so you see a few line items on in regards to that. Were there any questions about any of the ones that were coming up? The ones that were highlighted in green were for the this two years. Um, the ones in 10 are not on the schedule. I'm just honestly, it's not that they weren't important. Some of them are scheduled after the 10-year period. Some of them I just don't have places for on the schedule yet because of the amount of funds that we have available. Any questions for Yeah. So, I have a question. Um, so I compared this plan to the one that we approved in July and I would just like to get a better understanding of the two years that um only the two first two years that we're looking at when I com when I'm looking at I'm sorry, let me go back. I'd like to get a better understanding of things that weren't on the plan that are now on the plan that are deemed urgent um because you're doing them within the next two years and sort of your your um how do you say your rationale of why and for an example and I I hope I got this right because I I have my little marks on here like for example in five hawks replace the egress doors I don't believe that was originally on the plan it was not right so maybe if you can give more visibility I mean I see that the overall budget it looks Looks like we're still on budget for the total budget if I correct me if I'm wrong. Um we were at 1.4 million. Now we're at 1.582 for the 2526 school year. So we're just a little bit over bud a budget of where we were budgeted. And then yeah, so if that's what I'd like to understand is because there's several items on here that weren't included originally on the plan, but now they're included. So let's do for the overall one first. um the plan that was originally in place um I didn't have a chance to really evaluate buildings before then as I'm evaluating them I will look at the priorities for all of those different things um for the egress door situation at five hawks that was actually a a fire code um violation that we had to correct um which is why it's been scheduled now um hopefully we don't run into any more along those lines because that's expensive Um, were there any in particular other than that one that really stood out? Um, uh, I I'm replace the fire alarm panel system atenddale. There's actually quite a few at Glendale. And then the movable gym wall, repair, replace curtain wall, and crack ceiling and seal coat all locks. Those were not on the original plan. I don't they were not. And those there's where we run into that priority thing. um that uh fire panel actually degraded this winter. We are at the point where we're worried whether it's going to fail imminently. So, it absolutely needs to be replaced. And this is one also I'll just say that we've gotten multiple calls on not from our own staff but actually from the community um as well when they hear these things going off intermittently and uh wondering is there is everything okay at the school. So, this one is really kind of giving us a run for our money. It's it's currently functioning, but it's functioning at about 85%. So, we absolutely have to replace it or there again, we can't occupy that building. Um the uh the curtain wall in the gym, um the company that originally built that wall, Huffcore, is no longer in business. We cannot get the replacement parts. Um, so I've got a I got a couple of different estimates on that one to go with the exact same style of door would cost us just shy of 180,000. The type of replacement I'm looking at is going to cost us much smaller percentage of that. That's why the number is on there. Um, thank you. And then the um let's see, Hidden Oaks has a ex the loading dock. Yep. And then um at the high school replace the fire curtain in the auditorium for 52,000. So that there again that's one of those periodic inspections that we have. Um last year the fire curtain had to be treated in order to maintain being used. Um it was not able to hold that treatment. So it absolutely has to be replaced otherwise that space must not be used. Thank you. I think that's all I had and I appreciate you sharing that clarifying the you know I think it's really helpful for our community here that definitely you know kind of the logic behind these decisions and and that um that there you know there is needs out there that need to be repaired. So thank you. Anyone else with any question? Director, a general question about um as we make decisions on building closures um obviously that will impact this plan I assume um and things we maybe choose not to do or shift funding. That's actually a very good question. So um there are certain things it it depends on how we proceed with the building closure, right? If we proceed with closing, there's a good chunk of these things I still will need to do. Um, if we proceed with closing and selling a property, that's a different story, right? Like when we were when I proposed to Dr. Thomas originally, the chance that we could sell the district services center, those projects could be just I mean, what we can push, we're pushing. If it's an absolute urgent need, we'll still be doing those things. But in this case, I want to push them as long as we can so we can make those savings and spend the money in other places. Um, the schools, the same thing. I'm not recommending that we close and sell a school. Um, but if we did, then yeah, those costs for the LTFM would be shifted to something else. But we would still need I'm going to need to replace the roofs. I'm going to need to keep the the air conditioning and the heating running. I mean, there are a lot of things that I would need to keep going. Um, a cost that I wouldn't necessarily need to keep doing would be a carpet replacement. you know, if it's going to be a district services center at the new school, I mean, we can deal with carpet aging a lot easier than we would in a classroom situation. Anything else, Director Mason? Um, no, but I assume like we don't have district services center on here, right? So, that's it's that's been put on that's one of the ones I put on hold and I believe it's at the very bottom. If it's not, I apologize. Um, I wanted to make sure and differentiate that. Um, like I I also differentiated the the swimming pool at Twin Elks, the work in there and put that on. I am still proceeding with getting those estimated estimates verified. Um, but I as of this time I'm still putting that section on hold. Got it. Thank you. Anyone else? Yes. I just had a question. Um, Director Powers, the you mentioned at the very beginning that there's some projects that aren't on here because we can't use LTFM money for those. Can you just what are some examples of those? I'm sure you have lots. By the way, I had to look up what tuck pointing was. Thank you for that education. Um, something exactly. Um, I have, and this is something I can share at a future date, but it's it would be overwhelming. I really don't want to throw that much stuff at you and I'm just curious. Totally. Lighting. Lighting. Um, initially I had put the lighting on um the initial budget I submitted to all of you at the first part of last week, conversations with the state. I'm not allowed to use the LTFM funding towards the type of replacement I wanted to do. Why? It's a convoluted argument. Um, partly because even with these blink and fluorescents, I can find a bulb type replacement for LED and they don't consider they consider that a light bulb, which is something that is expendable and can be changed out. you I mean ideally we want to replace the entire fixture but they don't look at that as a a good use of that money. So I'll be proceeding for stuff like that to try and find an alternate way to do it. Um there are lots of different things and I'll bring those forward as I identify them. Um some of the other things that we are looking at uh that have been identified but not necessarily um anything to do with capital um the entryway um having a different security entryway at the high school was discussed with the capital levy. I can't put that in without capital money. I can't use LTFM or anything along those lines because it's new construction. Um there's several things that we consider in that. Um, the camera servers, I mean, the camera servers are about to fail on us. I cannot spend LTFM money on those. So, there's a lot of different types of things like that. And I could go on for a while. That's helpful. Thank you very much. And Director Powers, is are any of the LTFM costs that you have that you are newly identified costs, are they being driven by legislative changes? None of the ones I've identified. Okay. You'll notice most of the ones that I've added to this list are um things like indoor air quality type things like the heating and air conditioning system or the roofing projects. Now, a lot of those roofing projects are past the 10-year, but I included them on here because I know they're coming up. They're going to be a cost that we need to associate with these things. And my goal, and I've talked to Superintendent Thomas about this, I make sure I'm planning. I'm I'm doing the snapshot for 10 years, but I want to get the life cycle of everything I possibly can. One of the things that we're doing right now is an evaluation of every boiler in the district, all of the heating and air conditioning systems, all the motors that go with that, and finding out what their life cycle is, more than what their warranty is. there's a often a very big difference between warranty and life cycle. Um some of our stuff we're two to three times past what our warranty period is. Um so I need to make sure that if I at least identify, okay, where are we looking at for what do I look at for life cycle? We're 110% of the life cycle on this one. Then I better look at replacing it. Even though it's working right now, there are critical system things that I cannot let go that long. um if they fail, we're in trouble. So, it's those types of things I'm going to continue to keep identifying and then we'll probably add on to that list and that's where the priorities will shift. Again, um I would love to replace all the carpets and all the older buildings, but there again, that's to me is a lower priority than making sure that the kids are safe and comfortable in the environment they're in. I think the one that I was the one that I was sort of referring to has to do with refriger refrigerant or um I don't even know. I just know my air conditioner guy talked to me about it, but um converting to a chilled water system, which is a hefty fee. So, I wondered if that had to do with the legislative changes. It doesn't. That's something. And I'm glad you asked about that. That's more of a um So, we've got a different I don't know how detailed you want me to do. You don't need We've got It's a different type of heating and air conditioning system attachment. You think of it as like a air conditioners for each one of your rooms versus an air conditioner that deals with the entire building. So it's it's more of a economy of scale type of upgrade, you know. So So those are the types of things that not only gives us better air quality, but gives us cost savings. So that's why I have a couple of the schools scheduled already in the tenure. Um and I will add more as we evaluate those buildings that could use that type of a system. Okay. Thank you. Anyone else? All right. Thank you, Director Powers. Appreciate it. Thank you. Moving on to the proclamations. Our first proclamation is for the National Assistant Principles and Deans Appreciation Week. Director Atinson, would you mind reading that? Yeah, thank you. Prior Lake Savage Area Schools recognizes April 7th through the 11th of 2025 as assistant principal and dean appreciation week. Our assistant principles and deans provide essential support to more than 8,600 PLSAS students and more than,400 employees. This week we celebrate our thanks and gratitude for these essential leaders. Whereas Prior Lake Savage Area Schools employs six assistant principles and 11 deans. Whereas assistant principles and deans are vital members of their respective VI build buildings and the broader district leadership teams, instructional leaders to students and staff, culture and community builders, facility managers, special program managers, and are trusted with the education development of young people. Whereas assistant principles and deans provide students with opportunities and guidance to ensure their success and development as positive contributors to our schools and broader community. Whereas assistant principles and deans inspire a passion for learning, whereas assistant principles and deans work with all stakeholders to foster a sense of community and pride within our schools and districts. Therefore, let it be resolved, the board of education hereby extends its appreciation to assistant principles and deans for supporting the education of our students and proclaims April 7th to 11th, 2025 to be Assistant Principles and Deans Appreciation Week in Prior League Savage Area Schools. Thank you, Dr. Edwards. Yes, thank you uh board members for this recognition of very key uh players in our system. Uh they are frontline folks who each and every day are working with our students often outside of the classroom setting um to help them navigate their days and help them be successful. As is noted, um they also are engaged in uh instructional leadership in the case of the assistant principles. uh very much working with their respective principles to uh support uh all of the great work that happens uh for our students uh via our teachers. And uh in the case of the deans, they are truly the front line when it comes to student management and helping our students to um engage in proper conduct and choices and uh help support uh in setting the stage for what that looks like. We uh very much believe in our positive behavior uh intervention system and making sure that we're uh teaching our students what our expectations are and our deans are uh key leaders in that work in helping our students uh navigate their days each and every day. So, thank you for that recognition of uh these two these uh two key u employee groups within our system. Thank you. Thank you. Next the proclamation is media specialists. Director Olstead, would you mind reading that proclamation? Absolutely. Prior Lake Savage Area Schools recognizes April 7th through 11th, 2025 as media specialists appreciation week. Our media specialists provide media support and guidance for our more than 8,600 students, preparing them for success in a globally competitive world. This week we celebrate our thanks and gratitude for these essential staff. Whereas media specialists provide guidance to students through print media, literature, digital resources, and technology. Whereas media specialists provide professional development and support to teachers and other school and district staff. Whereas media specialists set students up for success in their future education and careers by teaching them how to search for and research information. Whereas media specialists support students in their use of technology to help pre pardon me to help create equitable access for all students and to empower and enhance the teaching and learning experience. Whereas media specialists are a wealth of knowledge and information who come up with creative ways to teach and connect with students. Therefore, let it be resolved the board of education hereby extends its appreciation to all Prior Lake Savage area schools media specialists for supporting the education of our students and staff and declares April 7th through 11th, 2025 to be media specialists appreciation week in Prior Lake Savage area schools. Once again, board, I'd like to thank you for recognizing this group of employees. Um, they uh represent a group that really has uh evolved over time with regard to the types of support that they lend to our students. Um, it truly is a frontline uh group that helps our students adapt, develop some adaptive skills. Uh in in this proclamation, we reference the skills of research, for example, and helping our students navigate and understand uh and investigate and in the case of our elementary students uh help find that love of reading um that is so vital to their success and in development of their literacy skills. Uh so we very much value uh the work that our uh media specialists have done and continue to do in helping our students uh find uh the skills that they need to be successful in a variety of ways. Thank you. Next proclamation is the equity services staff appreciation week. Director France, would you mind reading the longest of the four? Fire Lake Savage Area Schools recognizes April 7th through 11th, 2025 as equity services staff appreciation week. Our equity services staff support the development of learning environments to ensure high achievement for each and every student. This week we celebrate our thanks and gratitude for these essential staff. Whereas the month of April is celebrate diversity month, a time to recognize, honor, and celebrate the diversity surrounding us. Whereas the equity and inclusion department staff consists of a director of equity and inclusion, administrative assistant, American Indian ed staff, cultural liaison, and teachers in the English learner department. Whereas members of the equity services staff have developed an achievement and integration plan to address the achievement gap by developing cultural awareness in our staff and students, providing equitable academic opportunities and support and increasing student and family engagement. Whereas members of the equity services staff support staff and students to overcome barriers to closing the achievement and opportunity gaps that many students face through providing professional development and connecting to community resources. Whereas the equity and inclusion department provides resources to staff close the lang to close the language barrier and increase the understanding of the refugee and immigrant experiences through collaboration and various refugee resettlement agencies and providing interpreting support. Um whereas members of the equity services staff works collaboratively with teachers and principles to support the marginalized students focusing on building inclusive and safe classrooms where every student feels a sense of belonging seen safe and secure allowing them to reach their fullest potential. Therefore, let it be resolved the board of education hereby extends its appreciation to all Prior Lake Savage area schools equity services staff for supporting the equitable education of our students and declares April 7th through 11th, 2025 to be equity services staff appreciation week in Prior Lake Savage Area Schools. Dr. Thomas, thank you on behalf of Director Oak and all the staff that he gets to work with every single day throughout our district and I want to say thank you um in their honor. This amazing team of folks are working tirelessly to meet the unique learning needs of each and every one of our students and staff. You know, one of the things that Sam and I or Director Oak and I talk a lot about is, you know, how do we define equity? And equity is to give students and staff what they uniquely need to be successful. And that's something that I think our district prides ourselves on. And it's something that we see at the center of our strategic plan as well that uh everybody has uh a unique way of learning a unique need that they uh need to possess and and and um that's something that our staff has committed to to doing um irrespective of the backgrounds and uh situations that our students and our staff may come from. So again, thank you so much for the commitment on behalf of the work that we do here in Prior Lake Savage Area Schools around the work of equity. Thank you. Our last proclamation is for National Occupational Therapist Month. Vice Chair Bullion, would you read that one? Absolutely. National Occupational Therapist Month, April 2025. Prior Lake Savage Area Schools recognizes April 2025 as National Occupational Therapist Month. This month we celebrate the occupational therapy profession and the contributions occupational therapists make in the school setting. Whereas the school board recognizes the invaluable contributions of occupational therapists to our educational system and the well-being of our students. And whereas occupational therapists play a vital role in fostering student success by addressing physical, cognitive, sensory, and emotional challenges that may hinder school progress. And whereas occupational therapists collaborate with educators, parents, and other professionals to create individualized interventions and support plans that promote students independence and participation in school activities. And whereas occupational therapists employ innovative strategies, inclusive and evidence-based practices to facilitate students engagement in learning, socialization, and daily routines within the school environment. Therefore, let it be resolved. The board of education hereby extends its appreciation to all Prior Lake Savage Area Schools occupational therapists for their work supporting students and proclaims April 2025 to be National Occupational Therapist Month in Prior Lake Savage Area Schools. Thank you. Um we have uh five occup six occupational therapists that work with us birth through grade 12. And sometimes people ask me, well, what do they do? And I honestly reply back with, what don't they do? They really are um their breadth of knowledge across so many different things, it seems endless. And they do quite a bit of work um across 11 buildings and about 320 kids that they serve just in the six of them. So, thanks for honoring them. We certainly are lucky to have them here. And thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you. Okay, moving on to policy. Uh Dr. Thomas, we requesting a break now or after the 800s. Uh after the 8 and 9, sorry. All right. Then we'll move on to policy. Uh we have a number of policies presented tonight in the 8 and 900 categories uh for first readings. So we'll start with policy 801. Director Herman. Thank you, Chair White. Members of the board, 801 is a new recommended policy. Previously, um this was um there was sections of this combined with policy 902. Um when questions arose at the policy advisory committee, we sought legal counsel and with the two being combined, it was really conflating um the the legislation around these two areas. The recommendation was to pull them apart um to align with MSVA's model policy. So 801 you see here as a new policy in response to that. Okay. Any questions or comments on 801? Yes, director. Sorry. Um, under definitions, um, which is section three, letter E, um, secondary school, shouldn't we include sixth grade in that? Dr. Olstead, I can double check the statute, but that might be coming directly from the statute language on that. Okay. I wondered about that, but can it be by school district? Because there's some middle schools that have sixth grade, others I know don't. Uh, Director Olstead, I'm happy to look into that. But I again I believe if it's statute driven, then I would my recommendation would be to follow the statute on that. So if we to that point if we so then it sixth graders wouldn't apply to this policy then is my again I mean you can ask that question but that's stood out to me director Olstead members of the board I'm h I'm happy when looking into that to get clarification on that. Okay, thank you. Um, and then the one piece, unless I missed it, does this I know there were a couple of places where you know like a a staff member who like attends doesn't nec it's they need uh like in a sponsor role. Do meetings like this require a staff member to attend? Director Ols had um members of the board that um my understanding is that they are not required to attend. There would be a facilities use situation. Okay, that was my understanding too. I just wanted to make sure I was reading that correctly. And does uh does statute um have anything like this for staff as well? Director Olstead, can you please expand on that question? That like the equal access to school facilities, does that um exist for staff as well? In our purpose, it says for students, director Olstead, um I I do not believe so. I think that the equal access to schools is strictly in regards to student access. Okay. Is there anyone else on 801? Okay. Move on to policy 803. Thank you, Chair White, members of the board and community. My um laptop is being slow. Uh this one we have limited um recommendations, just some cleanup from on the policy. So I had a question. Sorry. Um so I had a question on this policy. Um, I this is not an MSBA policy and my only question is that as we've been working to get procedures out of policies, I personally feel like this is more of a procedure and wondering kind of why we have a policy on this when it feels like more of a procedure. Um, Director Atinson, members of the board, I'm not aware of the history of when this policy was originally um, brought forward in uh, 1987. It maybe it was required at that time and it hasn't since been required. I I do not know that policy uh, history there, but I can confirm it's not a required policy. Any other questions on this one? Should under number four under uh section three the general statement um just a question should it should it say institute a districtwide lockd door program instead of just or am I being redundant dire sorry chair white um that was actually a very robust conversation at the policy advisory committee so I don't feel you're being redundant um at the end we decided to to strike it so that it could be open-ended for whether it's district or whether it's building uh related because there could be some different needs and different times when the facilities are in use. But I welcome Vice Chair Bullan and Director Johnson to share if they have a different recollection of that conversation. But um your question was a very robust conversation at policy advisory committee. Okay. Right. Fair enough. Any other questions on 803? Oh, go ahead. I'm sorry. I was just going to add while I do feel that this has a lot of is really heavy on procedure I do think it's an important policy to keep so I just I don't want to um take away from that um there's other ones in here that I feel are more procedure that we don't maybe necessarily need but this one I do think is necessary I think there's a lot of important information um that our community can reference like the locked door policy and then keeping um number three especially keep all employees students and parents legal gardens informed with accurate information if an incident occur if an incident occurs. So I do think it's important to keep it even though it's procedural. Thank you. Anyone else? Okay. Moving on to 804. Director Herman. Chair White, members of the board. Again, there's no substantial changes to this, just uh clean up of the policy structure. Questions or comments? I was just going to comment to I didn't see this in MSBA so I assume this isn't a required policy like is that something we need or it's just kind of process procedural? Director Mason um I can confirm this is not a required legislative policy and that would be um the will of the board if they would like to strike this and move to procedures or leave as policy. Yeah, that was uh for this one in particular. I feel like it could either be moved to be one tiny bullet point in 805 to basically you know because in 805 we are talking about waste reduction and recycling and being energy efficient rather than having a separate policy. So my um I would I would go with that recommendation of not needing it and then you could we could move it into um 805 as a bullet point and members of the of the committee or director Fran's comment. Energy efficiency is different than waste and recycling. Um, and I wanted to ask a question if we do uh perform with our utility company to come in and actually do the annual energy efficiency review that we've done periodically before. Director Powers. Sorry, Director Powers. um in particular for the energy um efficiency side of things. We actually it's part of a contract that we have that we're monitored constantly and then it's gone on it's um there's a specific site that we put all the information on which shows us how energy efficient we are compared to our peers. Same size buildings, same size industry. So we are constantly that's constant and I actually have one of the my maintenance lead um is working on this that's part of his job function is to make sure that we are maintaining that level and trying to do the best we can on with the resources we have. Is that still done uh with the uh utility companies where they come in and actually perform that and also a cost savings. We haven't done it this season but yeah every other season we do it. It's depends on usually they have really good specials when they do it. So we want to hit it on the good cycle but yes I plan on having them in on the next time. Okay. Great. Thank you Director Olen. Chairway. I'm sorry before we move forward I had one little thing on 803. Okay. Is that okay? Um it's just um it's very simple. It's just um legal guardians should be plural. That's all in the two spots. I just saw that. Dr. Olstead. Thank you. I have that noted. Absolutely. And then would either one of the committee members want to speak to Director Atinson's um concern on 804? I have no issues with removing 804 and moving it in with 805. I think it makes sense honestly to combine them together and just putting all and uh if director Herman can tell me is 805 MSBA as well. Director Johnson, members of the board, the only two policies we're reviewing tonight that are required legislatively are 806 and 810. Okay. Um, in terms of MSBA policy, I can I can look that up quickly on which ones they have templates for. 806 and 810. That's so we can 804 is not that large. So, I don't think, and please correct me if I'm wrong, it doesn't look like it would be that much of a ad if we were to take that and just put it as a bullet. It would be a total change of purpose because the waste reduction and recycling is focused on disposition of waste materials and the energy efficiency is focused on cost, our building utilities, our ability to save on heating and air conditioning costs. The one of the reasons why we replaced a lot of our lights because the utility company was to save on uh electrical costs. Uh so they are two different purposes. Um, and you would have to change the title of 805 because obviously waste reduction and recycling is not energy efficient. Director Grants, I'm sorry, just to ease your mind about that. Under the G general statement of policy, it does talk about rethink reduce, which when you think about reduce, I would think energy efficiency would fall into reduce. It also says reuse and recycle which is more the waste reduction the recycling but we do reference the word the four Rs and reduce I would see as energy efficiency. So I do think it could be underneath there. Um and I would be fine. This is actually an MSBA policy as well and there are some statutes that it does follow. Um, and there's my question also in this is there's things that we don't have in this policy that MSBA does have in their policy that are very statutoily required like they recommend using a certain kind of paper and double printing and there's lots of things that we don't have in this policy. So, I was kind of wondering like how close was this reviewed in the policy committee of how it aligned to statute versus what's stated in our policy because I felt like there was actually some misses compared to MSBA. I'm going to ask um Director Powers to come up in regards to the review of this policy. And while he's coming up, Director Johnson to confirm 804 is not an MSBA and 805 is an MSBA. They have have model policy for 805 but not for 804. Yeah. And I'm referring to Minnesota statute 16c.073 purchase and use of paper stock printing. I mean there's a whole bunch of statutes in here that are represented. So they're not represented in our policy. I not even the reference of the law as they are in the MSBA policy. I can honestly say it would have been a miss on my part. Okay. That would have been all I can definitely review it and and we can look at um however we need to with the policy committee. Yeah. I mean my recommendation based on that was I think I'd almost recommend going back and reooking at it and comparing it to MSBA because I feel like there's some big misses in the policy from my just from my viewpoint of looking at it. So would anybody object to So are you are you still talking about the desire to see if we can combine 804? Then you could see if you can combine them as well. Yeah. I object I object to that because the first one's a cost savings and the second one the four Rs the reduce rethink recycle reuse is what we place on garbage cans to and our thing in the cafeteria and the entire policy is on uh and all the statutes are about um obviously the correct paper that can be recycled um and uh management of solid waste certain dry cell batteries, rechargeable batteries, mo the disposition of uh and the disposal of motor vehicle fluids, which I do think is a separate totally separate process and um policy than our energy efficiencies with regards to what the other one focuses on which is our utilities. So I would and it would require a new title for the other one and also the MSBA does not have that in there. So I personally am very proud of the fact that we are we are concerned about our energy efficiency and have been for some time and make extensive strides to make sure that we are utility wise energy efficient. Um, so my only comment would be if excuse me for interrupting director France. My only comment would be if 805 is um a part of the regular policies for the state that I would not necessarily want to combine something that is not a part of um the regular policies. Um but I will definitely go with the will of the board. I was just thinking since this this is not a very it's a few paragraphs and not a huge deal. I am a little more concerned about what you brought up to make sure that all those statutory requirements are included in in 805. That's a bigger deal to me than whether or not we have another page in our gigantic policy book. So, um if that's okay with uh the rest of the board, we can leave this one as is and and then I'm sure the policy committee can relook at the uh the next one. Thank you. Okay. So, I guess we're down to 805 then even though we kind of already discussed it. So are we are we you're clear on 805 think okay then let's move down to 806 chair white members of board this is a required policy also there is MSBA um model policy on this one um there has been some changes there was very robust discussion at the policy advisory committee around the balance between um including important um information required by statute but also not including information that could be accessed by bad actors that would give them intel that we wouldn't want are um I want them to have. So there are some changes um based off of that um based off of that conversation from policy advisory committee to try to strike that balance. Any questions around 806? Um I have a couple questions. So the first question I have is under the purpose we include the word as appropriate. Why is that necessary? That's not included in MSBA policy. Dr. Atinson, members of the board, um this was part of that conversation at the policy advisory committee um where we were delineating between what the community members um need in terms of making sure they have the access that they're they need in order to be in our our buildings um safely versus not um putting out information that bad actors could then access. So that was as part of that conversation to add those words to make it clear that we would only be providing information as appropriate to ensure the safety of our students and staff. Thank you for clarifying that. And then the other question I had is um under section um my apologies. Uh let's see three I believe it is. It's called the active shooter drill. There's a lot of reference. There's actually a lot of information in the MSBA policy about the active shooter drill and I some of the language I really appreciated because it says things like a student must not be required to participate in an active shooter drill simulation and talked more about like parents rights and students rights about participating. Um we don't list them. um we just list the statute and I think under this one specifically due to the sensitivity of the the nature of the topic I would almost like us to see us include some of the language that's included in MSBA regarding the active shooter drill participation. Um it's really falls under statute. It's actually under um let's see the Ever Student Succeeds Act, the unsafe school choice option and the disaster relief. And actually those two I think are the biggest ones that it's under. So Director Atinson, members of the board, um this was a change that was made a couple of reviews ago and the policy advisory committee recommended keeping it this way um because of the the changes in statute and then the need to then correspondingly change the the the policy from there knowing that we would be following the statute requirements if we were to choose to do an active shooter drill. Um and so that was the recommendation at the time that the policy advisory committee discussed at um at length at the last committee meeting. Um and that's just where the policy advisory committee fell. But again, if uh Vice Chair Bullan or Director Johnson has anything to add um that was my recollection of the conversation. Director Johnson, this was another one that we discussed in depth to less is more um due to bad actors. We didn't right want we didn't want them to just be able to go to one place and find out anything that we did when it comes down to it right to crisis management. So if somebody wanted to do something that is negative towards us they would have to really search right to find out anything for us. So that's why we kept it very vague and said this is what we're going to do. Um, all of the schools, please correct me if I'm wrong, have have everything that they would do if this was going to happen. Um, but that's why we kept it vague within the policy. All right. Thank you. Comments, director. Um, I appreciate that. My only question is is that do we hyperlink statutes in our policies? I know they're listed, but are they hyperlinks so that a parent could click on it and see that they have the right that they're to opt their student out of an active shooter drill if we were to do that? Director Atinson, members of the board, um we we determined at the policy advisory committee and subsequential board meetings at that time to not link into uh the statutes because they do change frequently and then the links get broken. Um we did decide to move forward with linking to our district policy is because we have more control over the district website. We know when those changes are happening to make sure we don't have broken links for long periods of time. Um so that was the decisions that were made at that time that we have moved forward with. But if it's the will of the board to start attempting to link to statutes, um, we can we can certainly move forward with that. Anyone comment on that? Was that discussed? That the hyperlinking was that was also not at this past policy meeting. It's been discussed. Okay. prior that because the statutes change so often it would potentially cause more issues then then I would just I mean I would ask like I don't know key yeah no I understand but like key important points like a student must not be required to participate in an active shooter simulation I mean how many parents are out there reading the statute to know that you know I mean sometimes it takes research after the fact after something happens unfortunately Dr. Jinson, members of the board, it's my understanding from the statute that we are required to inform them if we were to do such a drill with students. We do not do active suited drill with students um if we were to make that change. There are also communication requirements that we'd have to follow per statute um for that exact point that you brought up, Director Ason, that um not everybody is aware of that. So, we would be it would be our responsibility and our commitment to um make that communication to parents before we would ever move forward with a drill of this nature. Okay, that's good to know. Thank you. There's nothing else on 806. Move down to 807 naming buildings and facilities. Chair White, members of the board, I apologize. My computer is being slow again. This is another policy that we do not have substantial changes for. Um it is not a required policy. Um, and there's just um minor editorial um changes questions or comments. I had one comment. Um, I I found this policy very interesting because the rarity that it actually happens, but I can understand maybe even with your history on the board how important it is to have a policy in place. Um the only thing that I found to be interesting about the policy is the the purpose really says that the naming of the school boards of the school buildings is the responsibility of the school board. But then when you go under general statement of the policy, it says when naming a sp a school building, major portions of school buildings or school grounds, the school board shall and they grant that that to the superintendent who establishes a committee and then it is subject to board review. So I'm just wondering if the board should establish an ad hoc committee versus willing it off to the superintendent to do that. So I think since it we're saying in the beginning that it's our authority and our responsibility I think in the end my go ahead you can come in first. Well, when we when we named Hamilton Ridge, um the uh superintendent at that time um sent out actually a survey of ideas and the board approved what the superintendent said. And then I know that when um when Red Tail Ridge started um that's um before a lot of people's here's time um they did set up a committee um who then decided to send out a survey. So um we kind of ended up in the same place each time. Um, and then it was, you know, the superintendent and staff came to the board with ideas and then we discussed it and then delegated it back down. And I think the spirit of this is that um some some kind of a community organ a committee is set up and we receive some options usually four or five for us to choose from so that at least we have a sense of what the community might want. Um, so I have no problem leaving it the way it is as long as the end result is we have something come back to us that we can choose from. And it does say at the end of the policy it says the school board retains the right to make the final determination in the name of the building. So I'm I'm I'm fine that it's basically the picking of the committee is that that authority is granted off to the superintendent to establish a committee. So that's the part where I was like should the board be establishing the committee? Most of the time we do delegate that. I have no problem with that. I guess personally and and the board has to vote on the naming on the final. Yeah. Okay. Any other comments for that one? All right. Moving on to 809 parking parking and traffic. Thank you, Chair White. Members of the board, um we did have some uh changes on this one. And if you go to the end of the policy under the penalties for violation, um we reached out after a policy advisory conversation um to our SRO's to ask about that statement. And because the changes for parking and traffic do change quite frequently and they they go across multiple different statutes, it was difficult to link to any specific ones or state any specific ones. So based off of the recommendation from the SRO's, we did strike the in and the shall be guilty of a penny misdemeanor and to just be generic that it it shall be subject to the Minnesota statute because depending on the violation, it could be something more or less than a penny misdemeanor. Um and the amount of statutes that it could impact were far too many to list. So um that is the the major change. Um, the rest are just um editorial changes for for cleanup. Questions? Director Atkins? Sorry, I'm happy we have policy. I just want to know who enforces the policy. Um, honestly, from a procedural standpoint, I mean, it's great to have a policy, but if nobody is enforcing it, you know, I mean, because I'm thinking football games. Everybody parks on the lawn. You know what I mean? So, I I just like there's violations left and right that I can read through the lines on this one. So, I was actually thinking the same thing. A homecoming game where there's 6,000 people there. Is it Mhm. How do you And again, I think accommodations are made and you'll see at homecoming games, even with our police there, you typically wouldn't have police supporting people parking on boulevards and things of that nature out on the uh on that back on that upper hillside where the RV sits. Um so, so again, I think within reason, we know we have anomalies. um that yeah our staff are there to provide safety and security along with you know our um community law enforcement and you know first responders etc. Um but generally speaking on your day-to-day normal activities uh yeah this is something that our staff adhere to um you know through our building monitors uh parking lot monitors our deans our ad building administration they are they are very responsible for the healthy health and safety of our students and staff at all times. And actually those big events, I appreciate the police working with us and understanding that it's a community event and and and and there's a little bit of leeway there. So, I've always appreciated that. Thank you. Anyone else? Okay, moving down to 810, health and safety. Chair White, members of the board, this is another required policy um with a MSBA model policy available. Um there's not substantial changes, just um cleanup. Any questions or comments on 810? I just had one question around um under section I guess it's two after the change um under the general statement of policy and this paragraph the last paragraph um so the school district's um health and safety committee um it the MSBA says may form do we have this committee and I think it's optional right yes we have a district crisis response team which serves as our health safety um committee. Okay. But is that mandatory? I guess do we want to mirror MSBA saying May form or Director Mason, members of the board? Um we also have a health and safety committee that is run um through our um and I'm blanking on the acronym for them now, but we have a consultant for like workers comp and different things like that. So we have a health and safety committee that comes to together to meet to review frequently these plans. our workers comp injuries. Um any trends in that data and moving forward with that. Um so that is something that we we do have and we have continued to um we don't have any news yet but um we also are aware that there might be changes on the aware program on what we are required or not required to do for for in terms of workplace injury. Um, so it would be my recommendation that we leave it as that we will have that committee because I do believe that the importance of it will remain and potentially increase um based off whether or not that that changes in the near future. Thank you. Anyone else? All right. Thank you. Moving down to 902, use of school district facilities and equipment. [Applause] Um. Oh, go ahead. No, you're Sorry, Chair White and members of the board. It's still loading. Okay. Mine's slow tonight, too. For some reason, it's spinning. Mine's right here. Do you want a hard copy or you I have I have one. My apologies. It's it's it's loaded now. Okay. Um so this one we do have um changes to that's based off of the pulling out of the 801 that we referenced to earlier. Any questions or comments on 902? Um I have a question. I have a couple questions actually. So this policy is driven by Minnesota statute 123.51 that which basically talks about um I believe correct me if I'm wrong uh the authority of the school board and overseeing all the school sites and all that that kind of stuff. I think that's the one but my question goes down to E. So 9023E where it says um general community use of school facilities. So it says the school district reserves the right to reject or cancel any request for use of school district facilities or equipment that is contrary or detrimental to the purpose of the schools or school district policies or if deemed not in the public's best interest. The final authority concerning the denial of a facility or equipment request rests with the superintendent. And so my question is should that authority rest with the school board? And the reason I bring this up is I do know we've had situations and in my term that I've been on here where there may have been some questions about which group gets to use a facility and and granted it everything all worked out great and every you know everything was done well but um I think you know I feel like this should lie within the authority of the board that way you have seven members of the community who represent the community. Um, and I'm I'm talking about outside groups coming into our school district to use our facilities, which is what this is all about. Um, so that was my concern about this is that the authority I believe the authority because the statute says we have that authority again. Why are we why are we pushing it off to the superintendent? Um, and there has been difference of opinions of should this dis should this organization be able to use the facility? Yes or no? This one? Yes or no? I mean, and in order to make sure that we have equal unbiased decision- making, that authority could go to the board. And I should go to the board. I can understand what you're what you're saying. I'm just practically speaking wonder how that would would work. Um, I'd have a hard time wrapping my head around how we would somebody declined. I think if there was a decision made where somebody doesn't, you know, no, you can't use the facility for whatever reason. Georgia friends, I believe that if someone uh was declined and wanted to bring that up in a letter to the board, then they could and we could deal with that. But we are a governing board and this is very very managerial level and we delegate a lot of that stuff to the superintendent and quite frankly if any group, you know, we want to be consistent if we make a decision. So, if if if the board had to sit in there and make a decision at this level, I mean, first of all, people wouldn't get approved in a timely manner. Second of all, um it's probably not where we want to spend our time. Um but if there is a conflict um or somebody has an issue, they're more than welcome to bring it up to the board so we can discuss the the method by which we have delegated the superintendent that and that I imagine would happen, which that's where I'm saying we could leave it saying the school district reserves the right, but then it goes to the final decision goes to the board versus the superintendent. And and honestly, in our law, it says that we have that authority. So, I don't know why we would want to grant that. Would it make more sense then maybe to to um just increase the to take into account maybe what you're talking about, Director France? Uh I I'm comfortable with leaving it just because of the the practicality of this being a day-to-day type of thing. Do we need to in this policy somehow state that if there's a you know, if someone's rejected and and they have the opportunity to to um come to the board for Yeah. Do you know what I'm saying, Director Herman? If somebody had a dispute, yeah, some kind of a dispute language going to suggest to it maybe instead of like the final authority say if a conflict arises, you know, comes to the board kind of almost like almost anything else any an employee or anything. I mean, we have similar with the book policy like if there's, you know, board has final authority over, you know, if you go through the whole process and you're still, you know, you can go to the board for final decision. I wanted to quick reference what does MSBA have because I feel like they had the word that the word was different in theirs as well. So I was going to quickly pull that up. I don't think they have e in here. Oh, they don't have e in here. That's where it got tricky. See, that's where I found it. Yep. So why we have that? That's So yeah, and here's the thing. I, you know, people need to remember that when the MSBA writes policies, they're template policies. Um, and every school district is an independent school district per statute in Minnesota, which is why the law is so broad. So, we decide for ourselves. And, um, so MSBA has a lot of language in there that's meant to be broad, so we make it our own. We can put our own policies in here, etc. Um, I just want to make sure that no matter what we put in here, we're consistent. Not to say final decisions come to us or all disputes of decisions. If it's if it's necessary, then just remind people if there is a dispute, they can always notify the board and we can have a discussion. But to write language that says that we're the final authority, um that's the law though. That's the law 23 B1. It says that the board So 1231 may authorize the use of school houses. Yes. Use of school houses. the board may authorize the use of any school houses in the district for divine worship, Sunday services, public meetings, elections, posting elections. It's in with there. So that that's that is where when MSBA writes it in the policy, they write it in there because it's the board's authority. So I think that I understand what you're saying about um independent school district, but when it ties right back to the law, I don't want that authority to be um how do you say disregarded. So, we delegate that just like any other board would delegate to the CEO. Here's our policies. Here's You don't have to delegate it though. We delegate stuff like that to the leader to then follow through with it. Um, so if we were to actually do that, we would then be a managing board, which by the way, true actually. The the the the MSBA templates do kind of conflate that information in there. So the question is is if we're if we're going to delegate to the superintendent, we want to be consistent. You either do it or you don't. And you can't say, well, maybe in this circumstance we do it, in this circumstance we don't. What we need to do is put ourselves at the level of saying we delegate, but when there's an issue, we get involved. And that's and I think that that also allows us the opportunity then to deal with those issues as they become issues but not on a daily basis because then what happens when we start to break that barrier we become responsible for the implementation of policy which is exactly what you know when we two years ago when we had the attorney come in and talk to us about that walls So we we say here's policy, you go implement the policy, that sort of thing. And it also absolves somewhat the board of being legally responsible at the implementation level. So we have to be careful about that. Um you know we are we hire a superintendent and the superintendent hires staff and the superintendent then has the qualifications to do that. We are not in that role. So, but but putting language in there that says, okay, you know, reminding people that when there is an exception that they can bring it up to the board, but we don't manage by exception. So, Director France, I appreciate all that explanation, but just keep in mind that just the way we've done things in the past doesn't mean they've been right. And oftentimes we've delocated too much authority off and not taken responsibility as a board. So all I'm simply doing is stating out trying to point out in as we go through policies places where we have granted that authority where I'm saying we as a board we own that authority. It's written in the law. Um I think it's important for us to ensure that our law our policies are reflective of the law. And also keep in mind if if this helps um our community or even other board members um remember this is that we as the board are the the what and the why of decision-m and the administration is the how and how it gets executed. So if a school group came in and they were denied use of our facility, the it would come to the why did you do that and not necessarily the how of executing and of how you implemented that decision, but it would come back to the what and the why. So I think it's really just a simple word change of that. Um, if we're going to keep this language in here, which is not in MSBA, is just adding changing the word superintendent to the board, saying concerning the denial of a facility equipment request rests with the board versus the super and then it would align back to Minnesota statute. Chair Chair White and Director Atinson. Um, you're speaking that the law states the authority is with the board. The statute does not use that language. The statute uses the language the board may authorize. It doesn't use the language. The authority is the boards. um there is a there is a difference and so while um I can appreciate and understand what your concern is um practically speaking how would that look if it rest with the board for every um you know bu for every time a building is asked to be used like What might that look like? Um, I think we'd have to go back and ask MSBA sort of maybe for some guidance on that, but it's really taking that authority away from the final decision of the board. And and I only I don't think about it in our current situation as we sit here today, but I think about it in in future situations where a group may come in and I don't want to give specifics, but there are groups out there. There are activist groups in our community that may come in and say, "We want to use the building and they're granted the authority by the superintendent." And as a board, maybe that doesn't sit well with the community or sit well with the total board. Um, and so the board should have that ultimate authority. Again, I'm just I'm just like practically speaking what that looks like because uh going to MSBA um they they have their model policy. This part of our policy isn't part of MSBA's. Correct. And so, uh, there's many policies that we have that we um that we, uh, um, what's the word I'm looking for that we give, um, the superintendent the we delegate that to the the superintendent. Sometimes we delegate it to uh, human resources or the business office. Um and in this specific um you know we do have our buildings being used all the time by sports and you know different community things and so practically speaking I just think how um I mean unless there has been uh specific cases where there has been issue I would I would entertain um you know if there is a dispute like what that language might look like, but to take the to take that delegation away from the superintendent and bring it back to the board that I just don't see practically how that would look. Yeah. And I would just say that I know you you continue to director France and Director Bullan, you say we delegate things to the authority of the superintendent. Yes, we do. That's that's actually our authority as a board, but this one specifically is in the law. So there's other things that we grant authority and I'm wondering if we can if we can kind of get to the same perhaps we I'm sorry. Go ahead. I'm sorry. I'm trying to see if we can come to some kind of a compromise here. I mean if we keep the I mean maybe a compromise like can we just strike the sentence and maybe just add the word administration and this like school district administration reserves the right to reject. I mean any dispute in any policy ultimately the board would own, right? Like does it make sense? That's what I was getting at. Is there is there some kind of a either addition by subtraction or adding language to make sure that people know just in case you don't like the decision remember you can always bring come to the board come to the board we retain our authority while still delegating the the how chair way yeah I think that's an important distinction um you know whether you're a governing board or a man or a managing board and um you know a managing board centers themselves around the how what and why for crying out loud governing boards do not and and as a governing body of of the school district um to uh vice chair bullian's point there are hundreds of permits constantly the seven of you couldn't manage the load um on a in a timely manner you it would be impossible so again I think not to sound hierarchical but the reason we have a chain of command if you will in our school if you are the ones who are issuing the final say so to speak, um, for permits, building permits there. There's no way to contest that, right? So, this Joel Doll, Director Dah through community ed manages all the permitting, you know, community use of our public resource, these public buildings. Um, if there's a concern or question, then that concern or question comes to my office. if there's a concern or question from there like kind of like the district court you know or or court of appeals and then eventually it comes to the Supreme Court. So this chain of command of delegation is not to usurp board authority and power. I want to be very clear about that. That's not that's not what this role does irrespective of um what's written here. Ultimately the authority lies with the board on probably 99.9% of everything in this district. Right? But there are processes and procedures in place that allow kind of a chain of command or a an appeals process to kind of work through um how we can enact this because as a seven more as a seven board governing body this and you I don't know if you have the luxury to pick and choose where you'll govern or manage versus where you'll govern. It's all or nothing. It's whatever the body of the board is. So I think be I I caution you all to consider the magnitude of your scope as seven independent you know individuals um providing governance to the board um because you couldn't take on the load. That's why you have a district full of staff that adhere to district or board policy in their day-to-day management. Dr. Thomas, I just want to clarify. you are one individual as well and it really is this the sentence about the final authority concerning the denial of a facility or equipment requests rests with the superintendent so it's taking it off of your plate I'm assuming you don't get hundreds of denials as well yeah and I'm not questioning that sentence if that's what that's the question that's not what I'm speaking to I'm speaking to the request of the I'm trying to understand the language that was never my intent No, I'm just saying in the statute, I'm sorry, in the statute, I was trying to understand where the statute was explicitly stating the board's job is to do this management work of issuing permits to the, you know, I mean, I was just trying to understand that because that's what I was hearing. Yeah. Would it be reasonable to say, okay, I think the two members of the policy committee have kind of heard the discussion. take a crack at I guess you said softening the the language a little bit making it making sure that there's there's clarity here that just in case that rare occasion that that you're probably talking about that that there is that that final arbiter that that is us but that not to confuse that with the day-to-day things that Dr. Tom was talking about. So if if that's reasonable this is first reading that's why we have the first reading. Oh this is first reading. So, so we can if you guys want to take a crack at Well, and I would also wonder if are we supposed to because it does say in the law that we are to determine a reasonable charge for using the schoolhouse. Should we be reviewing these guidelines that also are like a um sub policy of this? Because in here it talks about like the charges and who's a group priority one here. Is is this part of the policy that we should be reviewing? is it's not included in the policy review which is this whole guidelines and procedures and I don't you know yeah so and I know that's been the discussed before is how much to be charge people it's not only been discussed we actually took it out and made it a separate and then we also have voted independently on facility use and all that but we took that out of here what is it two years ago I think I remember yeah um and per the will of the board because it was too detailed, too procedural and because it can change and then we do separately vote on that. So that's why that is high level. Um and for that reason so that does eventually come to the board that document I had the same question though because it states in here it's presented annually for review. Does that happen regularly? Okay. Yeah. Joel, uh, Director Dah brings this, um, fees structure back to the board every year in terms of what we end up charging, you know, for usage, etc. We used to have the fee structure in here I think at one time and then we took it out but we do vote on it every year and whenever there's a change um okay because of revenue or whatever um I would suggest that for the superintendent sake that we do change that out to say administration instead of superintendent also per the uh per the suggestion from director Mason um I think that's better fitting like superintendent does delegate to Joel for most of these stuff for director doll. So um doing that and then to say you know basically reminder if there is an issue they we that's our job that fair enough director I was just curious how often does this actually happen? I've never had I'm sorry. In my three years of being here, I've never had to um deal with a denied a concern of a denied use of space in my nine years. No, there's never been an issue brought up. There was one issue in the last two years where that had to do with the charge where somebody was charged and somebody wasn't. So, I do recall that in the last two years, but Okay. then we'll uh and you may be not not aware of it but so let's take a crack at that language and we'll go from there. Chair White, members of the board, I'll connect with Vice Chair Bullian and Director Johnson to connect on that sentence. All right. If there's nothing else on 902, moving on to 903, visitors to school district buildings. I just had one comment on um under appropriate director. Sorry. Go ahead. She Yeah, she's waiting for it to load. Let her comment first. Uh Chair White, members of the board, I apologize. It did come up. Um we just had um minimal changes on this policy. All right. Now, Director Mason, any questions? Yeah. So, under appropriate communication, I just feel like the language is like subjective and maybe we can make it a little more specific or just the words like respect and appropriateness, right? Like how do you define that, right? What what I might think is appropriate is not appropriate to you. I feel like in policy we should be a little bit more direct. I don't know if there's better wording or if we can, you know, call like I I appreciate that we're calling out the things that are not appropriate, but I think some of that language is just really it's hard to enforce, right? Like under appropriate I mean actually my whole concern about that whole section about appropriate communication. I would like does that how does does any of that go against somebody's first amendment rights? Because like director Mason said, what one person might consider appropriate and respectful, another person might consider to be appropriate and respectful. So I would I very caution in including any of that in our policy. it's not included in MSBA and I it just it raises a lot of red flags for me the appropriate communication under and I feel like it's more procedure driven than even um then like is it really even necessary in here from a procedure standpoint because it's not even in MSBA's policy itself we're calling out the items right that we aren't allowing so the language on top of that I don't know I just don't know so you're saying maybe the language on top isn't necessary since we call out what we it's hard to enforce from a policy standpoint because it's what I consider that are respectful. You might not or you know Dr. Friends I just have a question of numbers 1 through five. Shouting, yelling, using obscene language, insulting, demeaning language, threatening and intimidating, and use of physical force. And obviously there's a little bit more in there. What in there would be considered respectful or appropriate just to call it out? cuz I mean if if you're saying that is a violation of someone's first amendment right, I mean we don't allow kids to behave that way. So well there's a lot of shouting that goes on. So and and um I like the way I read it was just like a separate separate paragraph, right? We were like calling out like being respectful and appropriateness and then talking about the things we don't sort of allow, if you will, or won't be accepted. Um I don't know. I just felt like it's it's hard to define right what's what is. Um, and certainly like shouting or yelling, like that's one thing I might consider someone's yelling at me and you might not think it's yelling, you know? I don't know. Right. I mean, we've had presenters come and some people feel like, "Wow, that was intimidating and that was so threatening and other like well I don't understand." But um presenters here I would Well, it is they're visitors to our buildings and so this is visitors to our building. It's not just um it's just not just students. Um I believe it's any visitors to our school buildings which this is a school building. This is a or a dis a school property. DSSE is a school property. Um and we also I attended an MSBA um thing on first amendment rights and student rights are different than like the public's rights. And so I I just this I'm very like I said the whole appropriate communication thing is just it's not an MSBA. It just raises a lot of red flags for me in here. So, um, especially regarding the language, appropriate and respectful, because who determines what's appropriate and respectful? I I kind of think this is common sense. Um, but I would leave it up to the board. Um, I there's nothing in here that wouldn't be in my own company's policy, let alone in here. I I actually am the fact that we have to call it out like this and have had to call it out like this I think is kind of is is what's you know the sign of the times. Um but um yeah I I think most of it in here is kind of common sense. I don't disagree. I just think it's hard to hold people accountable to policy when it's hard to define what is respect. You know what I mean? It's subjective language. I guess that's my only point. It probably we can't get away from it being subjective to a point. I mean, there going to be a decision made by somebody in authority depending on what what unfolded during the situation. So, I'm I'm just wondering this this the way it's written still doesn't allow that leeway, if you will. Maybe maybe you're not comfortable with I'm wondering um you don't understand what I'm saying. Oh, I do. I just wonder if legal should take a peek at this really quick and make sure we're not doing something we shouldn't because again, it's not an MSBA. It's very specific to our district. Is it procedure versus in policy? I I just there's a lot of questions I have about it and I don't know. I I would ask the board if they want to pay for legal to look at this. I mean, is it do we need to to avoid any legal fees? Yeah. I would or a legal situation. I would think it's worth it at this point. means chair white. Um I do agree that appropriate communication and then everything that's listed is inappropriate. I do. So I I see what you're saying. Um, in in that I think the question I would ask maybe is if Director Herman had any thoughts on that being that it isn't part of MSBA policy. Um, I'm wondering if it's something that we could easily just ask the will of the board. um what whether we think that that whole section of appropriate communication um I I'd first like to hear if if you have any thoughts, Director Herman. If not, I don't mean to put you on the spot, but I'm wondering if it's something that we just asked the will of the board because um like Director France says, a lot of it is common sense. There is um and it is kind of mis listed. It it honestly should say inappropriate communication. Um um but is that something that should be in our policy? Um I think that if there is uh someone who is acting a miss at any time um building personnel, you know, and I think that's a distinction that we have to make. We're not talking about illegal communication. We're talking about inappropriate. And I think there there's a place for us to have some guidelines. We're not we're not saying you're breaking the law. We're saying we have certain rules here. If you're going to communicate with a teacher or administrator, he can't come in, you know, dropping the fbomb every other word. That's not going to fly. I mean, so that I think we have the I think that that seems reasonable to me as long as I think the biggest words I'm concerned with is appropriate and respectful because who determines that? And if we say if if we actually if we actually were to use um go back to our student code of conduct policy where we say no profanity, no, you know, those two policies, I mean, they sort of kind of come together. the two in the fact that if we are expecting our students not to use profanity then we would expect our adults not to use profanity and that's different than what's appropriate and respectful and this is this is very specific very specific I guess my concern is like if you're going to you know can I just say something it's specific the the appropriate communication is communication between parents and legal guardians and other visitors to school with school personnel that is stated up here. So when a a parent or a guardian comes in to speak at a school, you know, shouting and yelling, obscene language, insulting or demeaning, etc. This is really more or less to protect and maintain a respectful behavior in our schools um and with personnel. This isn't somebody speaking at the forum either. And I I tried to say that before that we have different rules for that. Um, but I do think it's important that we do protect our staff and and not allow our staff to in turn that's a two-way street behave that way. Um, so you know um just to make sure that we're talking about the scope and the boundaries of where this is and it does say above the one through five it does say inappropriate. It gives it example. It doesn't say appropriate and then give the list. It says the following are kinds of inappropriate. So if we read the whole thing, it it's fairly spelled out. And then the consequences, you know, again, they're not legal consequences. It's informed and then uh if it continues, then it gives staff or the other side the right to terminate the discussion. Basically, it's almost like a five-step process, which is very, you know, understandable. And um it's only in step five where it actually rises to that level that it does say that okay now you've got a statutory thing and charges may be filed. Um which I think is very reasonable. Yeah, I I have no problem with it actually. I I just wonder if there's a way to say something like this policy or call it a the purpose of this part is to uh determine or to give guidelines regarding communication between parents and legal gardens other visitors of the school district period the end because again it's that appropriate and respectful because who determines what's appropriate and respectful and I think there's so much vagueness in that and that's where we've gotten in trouble in the past as Well, I think I was reading it like like you could, you know, theoretically kick someone out of your building for not what being respectful, for example, what I consider respectful, but it may not be one of these five things, right? Like, so that I read it as two separate things. So, that's where I feel like it's just a language thing for me. Yeah, this is an example. Um, and the title of it is appropriate communication. So repeating the word appropriate, I don't have a problem with that and I do think that we do need to maintain a respectful environment. So I don't have a problem with the definition of respectful there. But again, I I I don't think this policy has ever been questioned before like this either. So yeah, I I guess I'm if we're trying to create a it's almost like a professional, we're going to deal with each other professionally. We're not going to go off the handle. I I I don't see anything um that causes me concern personally because it it's pretty specific in who we're talking about and we're not talking about um uh I think I think we have every right as as a district to say teachers or staff are not going to address people in a certain way and vice versa and because it's not productive and we're trying to act professionally in in our settings. Um, and it's it's again we're talking about appropriate ways to communicate now whether they're legal or not. I that's just the way I look at it. Chair White. Oh, sorry. Sorry, Director Herman. Um, I was just going to make an offer I think um based off of the robust conversation to date. So, similarly with with the 902 for um Vice Chair Bully and Director Johnson and I to get together to tackle that opening paragraph to better align it um with the discussion today. That was just the offer I was going to make. Good idea. Okay. All right. There's nothing else. We'll take uh'll take five minutes here and before we move on to the 200s.