Becker Public Schools — Transcript
Monday, July 6, 2026
Permanent School Fund Modernization
School Year Preparations
Community and Intergovernmental Collaboration
Legislative Advocacy and Local Elections
Summer Infrastructure Projects
School District Policy Updates
Substitute Teacher Compensation Structure
Future Operating Levy Strategy
Votes (4)
Policy Review: Policy 721 (Emergency Purchases)
Dissent: None
Moved by Board Member [00:20:56] · Seconded by Board Member [00:20:58]
The board reviewed a new provision in Policy 721, which grants the superintendent authority to make emergency purchases in response to catastrophic events like floods or fires without prior board approval. This measure aims to expedite recovery and minimize school closure days, with the board retaining approval authority at its subsequent meeting. The policy would allow bypassing sealed bid requirements (typically for amounts over $175,000) in such emergencies.
Policy Review: Policy 722 (Home Participant Privacy Data)
Dissent: None
Moved by Board Member [00:23:44] · Seconded by Board Member [00:23:49]
Policy 722 was updated based on changes from the MSBA and the 2026 legislative session. The revised policy enhances privacy protections for 'home participant data,' specifically addressing students who may be on protection plans. It ensures that personal information, such as addresses, cannot be disclosed and that these individuals are not discriminated against in data requests.
Substitute Teacher Pay (26-27 School Year)
Dissent: None
Moved by Board Member [00:26:07] · Seconded by Board Member [00:26:10]
The board approved a change to the substitute teacher pay policy for the 2026-2027 school year. The new policy modifies the eligibility for a higher pay rate from a threshold of 90 days worked to 720 cumulative hours. This adjustment was made to encourage substitutes to accept half-day assignments and was recommended by the substitutes themselves. The district aims to remain competitive with neighboring school districts in terms of substitute compensation.
Operating Levy
Dissent: None
The board deliberated on whether to propose a new operating levy to voters in the upcoming November election, following the failure of a $200 per pupil referendum last November. The district has already implemented $600,000 in budget cuts. Concerns were raised regarding potential future state funding cuts for special education and unemployment, as well as the impact of the Permanent School Fund constitutional amendment. Board members discussed voter fatigue, the current economic climate, and the timing of a potential vote, ultimately leaning towards deferring the decision until the next legislative session (May) to gain clarity on state funding and to formulate a more robust 'winning formula' for a future levy, likely at a higher amount.
Notable Quotes (11)
Um the one one of the ones we wanted to kind of talk about was the 721. Um, that one adds a provision regarding thresholds for emergency purchases by the superintendent or anyone else.
So it's less days that kids have to be out of the school.
It does say in there that the board would approve it at the next whatever the next meeting is.
Um but we did because MSBA did update some of it. Um as far as home participant data and that creates home participant privacy data is if somebody's like on a protection plan or something like that where they're like we've had students where their address is St. Paul and they go to school here but because we don't we can't give out their address and they can't give us their address. Um so those people can't be discriminated against in a data request.
you went from is it 90 days to 720 hours because some subs were not taking day or half day, excuse me, sub positions because they wanted to get to the 90 days to get to the higher role pay. And so we just said, well, fine, if you just cumulatively get to 720 hours or which is 90 days or more, then so um then they would qualify for that higher rate.
I think we're very prepared. Oh yeah. Competitive to those around us.
We had the obviously had the operating referendum last November. It didn't pass. um was for um $200 per per studentum or per pupil. And we we made budget cuts tied to that. So, we've cut what's about $600,000.
If we decide we want to go back out to the voters in November, it essentially becomes a free election for us because the county runs it.
If that permanent school fund passes, when does that take effect? Would that be the 207 school year? It would be No, it would probably be the year after 27 28.
It's nice that it would cost us anything to put it on the back.
I just worry with the economic status of everything right now. Asking for more money is not going to be a winner. Yeah, it it's just it's tight for a lot of people.
Ordinances & Resolutions (6)
Proposed amendment to modernize the distribution of Permanent School Fund revenue.
Due in mid-September for MSBA delegate assembly.
Document required for filing for school board positions.
Adds provisions for emergency purchases by the superintendent.
Updates provisions for home participant privacy data.
A tax levy proposal previously rejected by voters, now under discussion for future consideration.