Shakopee Public Schools — Transcript
Sunday, April 13, 2025
Mikasa Summer Camp Award and Community Education
Recognition of First Responders
Recognition of Principals Month
Elementary Math Curriculum Implementation
Capital Projects Levy Renewal
District Updates and Community Engagement
Votes (8)
Approval of the Food Services Contract
Dissent: None
Moved by Peterson [1:13:00] · Seconded by Belz [1:13:02]
The discussion centered on the new two-year wage schedule for food service staff, including adjustments to health insurance premiums and a total settlement of 7.31%. Director Keith Gray highlighted the district's efforts to remain competitive in pay against other industries, leading to improved staff recruitment and retention, despite the challenges of short, condensed work shifts typical of school food service roles.
Creation of the Committed Fund Balance Resolution
Dissent: None
Moved by Aldrich [1:20:49] · Seconded by Broy [1:20:50]
The board considered and approved a resolution to establish a committed fund balance for facilities rent income, as mandated by GASB. This action formalizes the allocation of surplus revenue from community use of facilities (e.g., $287,900 from last year) for future facilities maintenance, renovation, and improvements. It aims to ensure a dedicated and flexible funding source for facility-related needs, such as turf replacement, stemming from increased utilization.
Approval of the Transportation Contract
Dissent: None
Moved by Aldrich [1:23:44] · Seconded by Johnson [1:23:45]
The board approved a new transportation management contract with Palmer Bus Service for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 school years, with an option to extend for four additional years. The contract includes annual rate increases (4.15% and 4.34% respectively for 77-passenger buses) but removes the market surcharge previously implemented due to COVID-related uncertainties. The long-standing, productive partnership with Palmer was emphasized, including their support beyond regular transportation, such as during the pandemic.
Approval of Backup Meeting Date for General Election Canvasing
Dissent: None
Moved by Aldrich [1:32:00] · Seconded by Johnson [1:32:01]
The board approved a backup canvasing date for the general election results, setting Friday, November 15th at 7 AM, in addition to the primary date of Wednesday, November 13th. This proactive measure addresses a notice from Scott County about potential delays in providing election abstracts, ensuring compliance with legal deadlines despite challenges like Veteran's Day. If abstracts are not received by 5 PM on the 13th, the backup meeting will proceed.
Approval of Academy Champion Agreement for Canterbury Park
Dissent: None
Moved by Belz [1:35:10] · Seconded by Broy [1:35:11]
The board approved a four-year Academy Champion agreement with Canterbury Park for the Entrepreneurship Academy. Canterbury Park has already been a significant partner, contributing over 500 hours of invested time last year to provide real-world experiences for students in various fields like culinary arts, marketing, finance, and business. This formalizes their commitment and aligns their partnership cycle with other academy champions.
Approval of Cooperative Agreement for Girls Gymnastics
Dissent: None
Moved by Peterson [1:37:34] · Seconded by Aldrich [1:37:35]
The board approved a cooperative agreement for girls gymnastics, establishing a partnership with Prior Lake and Jordan school districts. This initiative is aligned with the district's vision and priorities of offering a wide range of activities to students, ensuring 'an activity for every student and every student in an activity,' thereby expanding participation opportunities in athletics.
Consideration to Approve Easements
Dissent: None
Moved by Broy [1:39:56] · Seconded by Aldrich [1:40:02]
The board approved three easements (temporary construction, highway, and drainage) required for the construction of a new roundabout at the intersection of County Highways 78 and 79, located on the northeast corner of the Saber Fields property. These easements are necessary steps to allow Scott County to proceed with the roundabout project, following review by architectural and legal experts.
Consideration to Approve a Resolution Regarding an Offer from Scott County for Real Property Rights and Damages
Dissent: None
Moved by Peterson [1:41:48] · Seconded by Broy [1:41:50]
The board approved a resolution accepting an offer of $6,500 from Scott County for a small piece of real property required for the roundabout construction at County Highways 78 and 79. This transaction, involving the sale of land, follows professional appraisal work and legal review. The funds received from this sale will be directed to the district's operating capital fund.
Notable Quotes (13)
I think we've made a pretty significant move to improve pay because you're right, we're competing against you know McDonald's and every other food industry for staff.
I think one of the other though realistic difficulties is um the people who entered the system, you know we serve meals in a really short time frame, it's not an eight-hour day typically.
This would be establishing a different classification called a committed fund balance, which is a little bit more now is when I'm going to use the word restrictive a lot, a little bit more restrictive than an assigned fund balance, but a little bit less restrictive than a restricted fund balance if that makes any sense.
It's taking the money from where it's being earned and putting it into a committed account so that it can be used to continue to foster that endeavor.
The market surcharge is now out of the current contract that we're recommending to you for approval tonight.
The partnership in which Bill described goes beyond just the transportation piece. We saw earlier today as we're recognizing our First Responders, they helped with evacuation, delivering meals during the pandemic; you've been a great partner, so thank you.
Scott County has reached out after the board had approved our initial canvasing date which is Wednesday, November 13th, just to share that they could be a delay where they may need to go to the last possible day to provide us our abstracts.
This is done so that you know we don't end up canceling on a Wednesday and then having to call an emergency meeting. We thought this is much better to be proactive, much more transparent.
Canterbury Park has been one for quite some time, and they've really acted, served in a champion capacity.
The contract that's in front of you is four years as well, so again we can get everyone lined up at the same time. It's focused on that time more than the funds itself.
This falls really into you know we talk about the vision and priorities and that statement of an activity for every student and every student in an activity.
These are actually these are the needed steps, the necessary steps for the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of County Highways 78 and 79, which is on the what it be the northeast corner of our Saber Fields property.
The offer price is $6,500 for the small piece of land that the county would pay us for that land.
Ordinances & Resolutions (14)
New elementary math curriculum resource implemented in K-5.
Agreement with food service group covering wage schedule and health insurance contributions.
Resolution establishing a dedicated fund balance for future facilities needs derived from facilities rent income.
New contract with Palmer Bus Service for transportation services, replacing the expiring agreement.
Existing levy up for renewal, funding educational technology and safety/security without a tax rate increase.
Required notice for the special election pertaining to the Capital Projects Levy renewal during the general election.
Four-year agreement formalizing Canterbury Park's role as an Academy Champion for the Entrepreneurship Academy.
Partnership agreement with Prior Lake and Jordan for girls gymnastics.
Legal right granted to Scott County for temporary construction related to a new roundabout.
Legal right granted to Scott County for highway purposes related to a new roundabout.
Legal right granted to Scott County for drainage purposes related to a new roundabout.
Resolution to approve the sale of a small piece of land to Scott County for roundabout construction.
Policies undergoing a second reading as part of a five-year review cycle for district governance.
District newsletter distributed to mailboxes across the community.