Shakopee Public Schools — Transcript
Sunday, August 3, 2025
Legislative Update and Education Funding
School Crisis and Safety Management
Leadership Development and District Priorities
2025-26 School Handbook Updates
School District Operating Levy Referendum
Votes (7)
Resolution for Donations Approval
Moved by Aldrich [0:10:07] · Seconded by Johnson [0:10:09]
The board considered and approved a resolution for several donations made to the school district.
2025-26 Online Handbooks
Moved by Brophy [0:47:49] · Seconded by Aldrich [0:47:50]
Updates to the online handbooks were presented, including a new technology guide for parents, the Stopfinder rollout, an updated attendance document, and new general AI policy language. Elementary changes include formative passing time and increased advisory. High school changes address retake grading, EPO recognition, and parking lot challenges. The board discussed the novelty and local control aspect of the AI policy.
Resolution Relating to Determining the Necessity of Approving a New Referendum, Revenue Authorizations, and Calling a Special Election
Moved by Peterson [0:54:02] · Seconded by Johnson [0:54:03]
The board formally approved the resolution for a two-question operating levy on the November 4th ballot. Question 1 is for $620 per pupil, intended to be tax-neutral due to expiring debt service. Question 2 is for an additional $310 per pupil to reach the state cap. Financial projections and the contingency of Question 2 on Question 1 passing were clarified.
Notice of Special Election
Moved by Johnson [0:56:59] · Seconded by Aldrich [0:57:00]
This item detailed the special election notice, specifically reviewing the tax tables for Question 1 and Question 2. It clarified the tax impact on a $400,000 residential homestead, explaining the difference in taxation forms (net tax capacity vs. referendum market value) that lead to slight variations in the 'tax neutral' calculation.
Meeting for the Canvasing Election Results
Moved by Aldrich [0:58:34] · Seconded by Valdez [0:58:36]
The board discussed and approved a meeting date to canvass the special election results. The proposed date is Thursday, November 13th, at 6:00 p.m., adhering to the requirement that canvassing occur within 10 days of the election.
Addition of Temporary Committee Constructive Feedback
Moved by Brophy [1:02:18] · Seconded by Aldrich [1:02:20]
A temporary committee was proposed to run from August 5th through November 11th (later corrected to November 12th due to Veterans Day) to provide constructive feedback on district communications. The committee's role will be to ensure clarity and effective communication with the community, potentially including student school board members and developing consistent talking points for board members.
Resolution for Approving Mike Redmond as the OWA (Identified Official With Authority)
Moved by Smith [1:04:49] · Seconded by Aldrich [1:04:50]
The board approved a resolution formally designating Superintendent Dr. Mike Redmond as the Identified Official With Authority (OWA) for all permissions related to the Minnesota Department of Education's website and systems. This formalizes an existing practice and clarifies the timing for such approvals in the future.
Notable Quotes (8)
I hadn't even considered an AI policy and again shock could be taking the initiative to put something in in the handbook. Is this a conversation that's happening at maybe MSBA level and maybe vice chair Peterson has a perspective on that as well because you know governance over use of AI I think needs to be part of that conversation.
I'm not aware of any at this time. Um you know a lot of the model model policies from MSBA are legislative driven um and statute driven. So, I I believe that this would probably be one of those things that would fall into a category of local control because every district is going to utilize it differently. Um, but I don't have any knowledge of MSBA working on any sort of a policy at this time.
Question one is tax neutral on a $400,000 home that's outlined in and part A of the resolution. And then part B is the $310 uh question two and that number was updated to include the CPI which is the consumer price index or tax payable in 2026.
Question one fails. The vote on question two doesn't matter. Correct. So either question two passed 99% to one or the first question fails second question doesn't that both doesn't matter just that's what I figured I just wanted to the public to know another clarification question both questions fail or I guess if question fails will that be $800 that needs to be
On an estimated market value of a $400,000 residential homestead. Uh the the outgoing taxes from paying off our debt service levy is $29. Um, and then question one would would be an investment of $29 such that the impact the annual impact is tax neutral on a $400,000 home.
We're open to suggestions, but that seems to, you know, kind of people seem to have preferred evening meetings when we've done that. Um, the other time we've done it is 7 a.m. on that same day. So, again, this would be an action item and the proposal would be for adding a schoolboard meeting for Kansas City election result 6 p.m. on November 13th.
Will this include talking points, you know, for purposes of to be consistent uh if the school board members ask questions, right? And obviously we stay neutral in terms of position, but in terms of that communication and consistency, is it fair to say that you have kind of a a one pager?
It is. Yes. it and I and we've we've tried to do it in our organizational meeting in January and we did it there. What we run into is there's kind of conflicting language and it talks about hey you need one for the next school year. So rather than have the risk well we apply in January was that for the calendar year so I think in the future we're going to look to do this in June or July and probably remove it from the organization meeting. Uh but yes, I you know, typically the superintendent is the Iowa um you know, for a school district.
Ordinances & Resolutions (14)
Governs remote participation in public meetings, enabling Vice Chair Peterson to participate remotely.
Discussed by Rep. Baker, detailing funding cuts to schools and increased Department of Ed budget.
Mandated to identify $250 million in cuts to special education.
State legislation requiring schools to have a heart safety plan, which Shakopee already meets.
Used by schools to evaluate comments or social media posts related to threats.
Comprehensive guide for staff on responding to various crisis events.
Rolled out by the district, emphasizing 'hold and secure' levels and introducing 'Run Hide Fight'.
Previous national training for staff on critical incidents, being replaced by a more tailored model.
New safety training model tailored for Shakopee staff and students, empowering decision-making during critical incidents.
Used to track staff training completion and updates.
Updated handbooks for the upcoming school year, incorporating new policies and guides.
Formalizes the decision to place a two-question operating levy on the November 4th ballot.
Details the tax tables and specific financial implications of the two-question operating levy.
Designates Superintendent Mike Redmond as the primary contact for Minnesota Department of Education systems permissions.