Shakopee Public Schools — Transcript
Monday, October 12, 2026
Student & Staff Recognition
School Safety and Community Partnerships
Donations to the School District
Partnership with Southwest Metro Intermediate District
Saber Connection Program Update
Bond Sale for Facilities Maintenance and Tax Abatement
Teacher Pay Schedule Adjustment (Shakopee Education Association)
Pearson Early Learning Center Program Restructuring
Magnifying Abilities Program Renewal
Academy Champion Agreement Renewal (9th Grade Academy)
District-wide Visioning and Improvement Planning
Legislative Advocacy and Federal Funding Issues
Votes (7)
Approval of Donations
Moved by Brooke [10:52:03] · Seconded by Aldridge [10:52:27]
The board reviewed a list of donations from the community. A specific mention was made acknowledging Minnesota State Engineering for their generous contribution of 400 units of processor motherboards, highlighting the community's support for public schools.
Ratifying Resolution for General Obligation Facilities Maintenance and Tax Abatement Bonds
Moved by Brooke [11:20:01] · Seconded by Johnson [11:20:07]
David Dasco and Michael Hart presented the results of the bond sale for roofing and parking lot projects. The bonds were sold at a true interest cost of 4.49%, slightly higher than initial estimates but considered a good deal in the current volatile market. The district's A1 bond rating was affirmed, and it was clarified that the rate is fixed and will not impact the approved tax levy. The funds will be segregated and used specifically for the approved projects, with ongoing compliance monitoring for federal regulations.
MOU for Pay Dates Related to Shakopee Education Association
Moved by Peterson [11:29:40] · Seconded by Smith [11:29:43]
Keith Gray presented a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to transition teachers from a 26-pay schedule to a 24-pay schedule to address issues of employees being paid before work is performed. The plan involves a 27th payment in the current year to facilitate the shift and aligns pay schedules for all salaried employees, with future contract negotiations to formally integrate the new language.
Pearson Workgroup Recommendation of Plan A
Moved by Brooke [11:38:15] · Seconded by Zik [11:38:19]
Keith Gray and Jim McClowsich presented 'Plan A,' a long-term solution for the Pearson Early Learning Center. This plan addresses budget and calendar issues arising from previous contract changes by having Saber Connection handle student supervision. This allows Pearson teachers to teach two segments daily, aligning their instructional minutes with K-12 teachers, projecting a positive budget impact of over $250,000, and adjusting teacher FTEs to current enrollment, potentially reducing 1.5 FTE in the Stepping Stones program. Pearson will maintain its current practice of no early release days.
MOU for Pearson Workgroup Plan A
Moved by Johnson [11:43:08] · Seconded by Zik [11:43:10]
Keith Gray presented an MOU to serve as a bridge document, formalizing the changes to the Pearson Early Learning Center's Stepping Stones program until new language can be negotiated into the teacher contract. This MOU aligns teaching load, full-day programming, and calendar (with exceptions for early release and PD days) with K-12 practices, aiming for equitable instructional minutes and consistent benefits.
Magnifying Abilities MOU Renewal
Moved by Peterson [11:49:14] · Seconded by Zik [11:49:17]
Lisa Bond presented the renewal of an MOU with Eastern Carver County to continue the 'Magnifying Abilities' program, which offers enrichment classes for adults with disabilities. This renewal is significant because Shakopee is now able to use levy dollars for the program, a change from previous funding through the general community education budget, ensuring the program's sustainability and accessibility across partner districts.
Academy Champion Agreement Renewal with Valley Fair and Superior Shores
Moved by Valdez [11:54:19] · Seconded by Zik [11:54:23]
Superintendent Redmond presented the renewal of the Academy Champion agreement with Valley Fair and Superior Shores for the 9th Grade Academy. Valley Fair has been an integral partner since 2023, contributing significant time and resources to career expos and mentorship, aiding students in exploring passions and industries. The recommended renewal term, from October 1, 2023, through June 30, 2029, aligns with the partner's new ownership guidelines and district's contract structures.
Notable Quotes (15)
Want to have a shout out to Minnesota State Engineering for the generous donation of the 400 units processor motherboards. Incredible.
When I shared numbers with you back earlier this spring and summer, we were looking at numbers that we had initially put together in March. And at that time, we were showing you a plan that had a true interest cost of 4.37%. The final here is a 4.49%. So, it's slightly higher than that.
No, that this rate is fixed and it's fixed to the white.
the district being a good steward with funds and we've seen that bond rating improve certainly helps you go to marketable kids and again just want to make that front and center with respect to
we have now creeped forward to the point where people are being paid before they've actually put in the work. And that's problematic.
we want to make sure the language in the teacher collective bargaining agreement aligns with what we're doing and that's important.
the big solution was Saber Connection coming on board providing us the opportunity to really get the teaching group teaching two segments a day rather than teaching and kind of supervising.
I notic the the um first bullet that underly uses 2 calendar, no early release days. And uh now now wearing my other hat. So now the questions come up regarding transportation.
As much as this affects me personally, um I have to tell you it's the best option and it's what we need to recommend to you.
The goal here again is just to cover us until we can negotiate new language into the contract.
it really does do a lot to help equalize things and to bring more justification to the fact that they deserve the same pay and and benefits as other teachers.
this agreement was put in place because recently shots um was able to levy for dollars for adults with disabilities. And that is a change from a few years ago when we were not able to do that.
This is something this is programming that in very similar ways has gone on for quite some time but with the change in funding and just thought it was a good thing to bring before the board uh in terms of transparency because there is a contractual agreement between the districts and um and it's a change in how we're you know running the program if you will.
Valley Fair has really stepped in um since we had their last contract term which I had to look back. It didn't feel that long ago, but it was April of 2023 when we formally signed on a champion... really dove into some of these key support details.
having lived here my whole life, Valley Fair has always been a big part of Shaki and it's kind of a great fit for our schools, I think.
Ordinances & Resolutions (18)
Guides emergency response and defines incident categories (hold, secure, lockdown, evacuate, shelter).
District's strategy for emergency situations, defined by the safety matrix.
Communication tool for updates from Southwest Metro Intermediate District.
Manual created for Saber Connection, using the same safety matrix as the school district.
Relating to the General Obligation Facilities Maintenance and Tax Abatement Bonds.
Facility Maintenance Plan, linked to the bond funding for roofing projects.
Bonds specifically for parking lot projects, approved by the state.
Memorandum of Understanding for pay dates related to the Shakopee Education Association.
Collective bargaining agreement between the district and the Shakopee Education Association.
Long-term solution for Pearson Early Learning Center's calendar, budget, and K-12 alignment.
Memorandum of Understanding bridging changes for Pearson's Stepping Stones program until new contract language is negotiated.
Memorandum of Understanding with Eastern Carver County for the 'Magnifying Abilities' program.
Partnership agreement between the district and Valley Fair/Superior Shores for the 9th Grade Academy.
Draft calendar for the 2027 school board meetings.
Guiding document for developing school building and department visions.
Goal-driven plans developed by each school, based on their defined visions.
Weekly district communication, teasing new partnerships.
District news publication, sent out multiple times a year.