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. >> Good evening and thank you all for coming. Tonight is our regular schoolboard meeting for the month of November. Um we will start off tonight with a recognition public forum of Wayne and Patty Zabinski. Um you guys want to step to the podium and just a reminder you have five minutes. Connie, can you give them about a one minute warning? Um matters that are currently under negotiations or litigations or related to personnel will not be discussed and no personal attacks are permitted. So >> and just make sure the mic is on. >> Yeah. Hello, school board members. There is mold in the Becker High School building. We emailed all of you a complete detail of the events that brought us to this point and the reasons why this statement is true. The stained ceiling tiles in multiple areas of the building are evidence of past roof leaks. It is absolutely feasible and likely that moisture remains trapped in between the layers of insulating roofing materials which is fostering the growth of harmful mold. Those areas are concealed between the concrete structure of the building and the external roof. We have repeatedly requested that the school hire an unbiased, qualified contractor with the tools and the expertise to test for the presence of mold and remove it properly. Our requests have been met with denial that mold could possibly exist in those areas, a refusal to contact a professional, and a refusal to meet with us in person to discuss it. Our daughter Sonia began showing symptoms of mold exposure during the first weeks of school this year. It escalated to dizziness at which point she was sent home by the nurse for her own safety. We recognize those symptoms from prior experience. Her illness is caused by mold in this building. She has been unable to attend Becker High School since September 29th due to the presence of mold in the building. We relayed our concerns to the school administrators and were told that we needed to provide a doctor's note for her absence. We provided a doctor's note from a qualified and recognized naturopathic doctor along with formal lab test results confirming that she has a mold infection. In the note, the doctor recommends that Sonia should not return to the building until it is proven safe. We were told that this note was not sufficient. We then provided a doctor's note from a medical doctor, an allergy specialist, along with more lab test results, again confirming her mold infection, and again requesting a proper evaluation of the school building. This was still not sufficient for her absence to continue to be excused. We have prior personal experience with mold. In our case, we contacted mold professionals and resolved the problem swiftly and properly. Every administrator and individual we've spoken to within the school district has told us that they don't have experience with a mold issue like this. Then why not hire a professional who does? That's what you do when you're not an expert on a subject. You contact an expert. We provided the administrators with contacts information for three qualified contractors. We also contact the department of health. They also recommend opening up the areas of concernness and assessing them. Back in February of this year, there was an anonymous air quality complaint in the early education center. In that instance, the school coordinated with the department of health. They received assistance from the Becker Fire Department and every family in the school district received an email detailing the incident and how it was handled. Why did that anonymous complaint receive an all hands-on deck approach while our specific documented air quality concern at Becker High School is being silenced and ignored? The school administration has stopped excusing Sonia from her classes which is forcing us into truency. If we don't send her back into this environment that is making her sick, there is no option in Becker schools. We have received zero assistance for other options going forward. Our son, who is supposed to start high school here next year, also has no options. They are being abandoned by this school district. The entire burden has been on us to figure it out. I assume all of you are parents, so put yourself in our shoes. What are we supposed to do next? Our family has been in Becker schools since small wonders. Our kids have grown up here. They very much want to continue with their friends through Becker High School. We're here asking the school board to help us make the Becker High School building safe and healthy for everyone. >> Thank you. We have any questions? >> All right. Thank you. Do we have we looked at hiring a third party? >> We we uh contacted the Minnesota Department of Health. I went to the indoor air quality meeting myself. Um they recommend not to do anything like that because there's no visible mold, there's no standing water, there's no musty smells. Um so the recommendation from the the Minnesota Department of Health and there's a few other agencies that I reached out to as well is you need to have some type of you can't remove something that's not there that you have no evidence of being there. Uh, and they also I talked about the stained tiles and the stained tiles do not mean that there's mold. It just means that they there was some water damage and we've replaced I think almost all those if not all of them. Um, do we chairman do we have any like documentation stating that the areas are mold free or is that just I mean >> we documentation we have? >> Yeah. So Rick does regular air quality tests. We have a filter rotation where we change our air filters. We have some tools uh such as we have a moisture sensor where we can test moisture which we just we purchased because of this um request and so we've used that but there's we haven't identified any moisture anywhere. Um, then we have another tool that measures air quality within the building and you can do it outside as well. And our air quality in every instance has been cleaner inside the building than outside the building um, every single time we've done it. And it it's really good quality air because we do change the filters and we do regular maintenance on those types of things and we don't have, like I said, standing water or the musty smells or visible mold anywhere. Do we have any other students that are reporting absences more more often with this? >> No, we have no other reports of of any reports of mold or any type of smells or anything like that. >> Students haven't called in or parents haven't called students in ill because of mold type issues. >> Uh not that I'm aware of I don't nobody said mold that I'm aware of. Um, people have sinuses and and different things like that that have escalated recently, but um, but that's typical. I mean, nothing's been atypical or anything like that in any building. We we're following MDH, we're following the asthma, there's a AAI recommendations. Um I think the other one was the CDC was the one we we u looked into. Um so we tried to follow all all of those type of things. We we could bring in somebody but I don't know where they would go to remove mold or anything like that. >> If there were if there if there was a mold probably wouldn't we feed more students out because of the same symptoms? I I mean I'm just kind of wondering my daughter goes here and she hasn't had any symptoms. I mean if there was a problem like there'd be more kids missing school. >> Yeah, that's I mean we again we haven't had any other >> not just staff in the building would also be >> Yeah. I I guess I would I would like to know the cost of having somebody come in and do a test. Do we know what wing of the building we're talking about? >> I mean, because the whole construction lab was just all brand new. That's totally been redone in the last two years. >> Yeah, I think there [clears throat] the Binsky family I think provided like a hundred pictures. I don't know. They went into and we went into these rooms, Rick and I both did together. Um I think there was seven or eight classrooms we went into to use the moisture test, do the air quality test. Um, I just don't know where unless you wanted to go through the whole building, that's probably going to be a few hundred thousand dollar to do something like that to look this size. It would be. Yeah. >> And maybe more. I don't I mean to do like if we had a water spot right next to me here and it's standing water and it smelled musty like you could have in a basement or something like that and they came to get rid of that then then we can we can do stuff like that. And that's probably a 10 $15,000 bill if you have an isolated spot like that. So, we don't even know where where we would begin to to look for it, I guess. Well, then the cost would be to go through the whole building and not just I mean it's one thing if it's isolated to one area, but if we don't have an isolated area, >> but again, that's where MDH says. It's not you don't you don't bring in somebody to mitigate the mold unless you know you have a mold where the mold is, where the standing water is, where the musty smells are. That's exactly what it says in uh MDH, CDC and the 4 AI. Um >> so the idea locate those potential areas >> the source of Yeah. Yeah. >> If you find something there then you move on to the next step. >> Correct. Yeah. >> At this point we have it. >> At this point we have Yeah. Again the musty smells the water um or mold itself. Any further discussion? >> Okay. >> Sure. >> We identified the specific areas that we're concerned about. Like I'll give you one example is the area above the principal's office. There is you know a concern there and the the information that we send you details all of that put together a comprehensive report said this area this area this area. We made a recommendation in the email, hire a professional and do an air sample test in that spot of we're we're suggesting that it's in the the the layers of of styrofoam insulating roofing materials up between the concrete structure and the outer roofing. So if you walk around rooms with the moisture tester, no, you're not going to detect moisture. It's concealed up in there. That's what we're suggesting. And we had experience with this from an instance in our own home. Patty was able to detect exactly two places in the house where it was. We hired a professional and she was right. Exactly there. Exactly there. That's that's what's all detailed in the emails and the documents that we sent you. Um so this five minute discussion isn't enough to explain all that. So that's why we emailed all the information to >> So well the principal one would surprise me because that is also all redone. That whole thing was just >> we didn't move tiles and and test up there. Um and that air the air movement that we have above these drop ceilings like this is pretty high actually. Like people don't I don't know if they all realize how much air movement we get up there. That air circulates really well and um things would dry out if there was any water up there pretty easily. I don't remember what Rick called it like but the air moves quite a bit up there. Some of you have been in tunnels and stuff like that in around the school buildings like you have a lot of air flow and you don't feel it when you're standing in a big room like this but up above and sometimes in those tunnels and things you you can feel that air movement but yeah I mean we went to the office um and and used it up above the tiles as well and we just haven't identified anything in in there and we switched out the tiles so if it was on the tile um that that should be gone. So that was staining. And again, MDH actually at the indoor air quality meeting showed a picture of a stain. And I asked specifically, I'm like, "Is that mold? Does that mean there's mold?" And they said, "No, staining is much different than mold." Um, lots of schools, lots of places have stained tiles, but that doesn't necessarily mean mold at all. From that's from Dan Tranter from MDH, >> right? >> Which I believe they contacted as well, too. You haven't inspected where the water penetrated. >> All right, we'll move on to item [clears throat] number two, reports. We'll start with student report. >> All right. Um, boys soccer wrapped up their season with an 0 and1 game against St. Francis in the first round of sections, getting second in the conference for the first time in their program history. yearbook has worked hard to include everyone in their respective pages, create meaningful templates, and credit captains by including Colts about their experiences within their sports seasons. Um the football team wrapped up their season on Halloween with a final season record of five and five. Um at the true team meet that was held in Becker the 11th um for swim and dive. Um the team came away with a second place overall finish. They also won their dual meet in Olga Levi putting them at 6 and2 for a season record. At the section meet that was also held in Becker. came away with second overall as a team which is the highest the team has placed in years. Um they also had two relays to qualify for the state meet as well as Grace Mor and Isamor that qualified in both their individual events and Megie graining and diving. They had four new team records go up at sections breaking a 17-year-old record by two seconds. The girls cross country season or sorry the girls cross country team wrapped up their season with the conference and section meets. Both JV and varsity were conference champions on October 14th and varsity took their first win in the fiveA se not their first win they took first in the fiveA sections. Um at the state meet the girls team took ninth overall out of 16 teams. Um and with only two seniors graduating they are a pretty big state contender again next year. The boys cross country team wrapped up their season taking fourth in state and also winning both the conference and section meets. Overall it was a great season. They appreciated Dr. Schmidt's state video that they sent us. Sweet. >> It was pretty cool to see that. Um, the Becker band had their first concert of the year in addition to playing on stage for the Veterans Day services. Drama has been doing full runthroughs of shows now with uh their costumes, microphones, and the pit orchestra. And girls tennis just had their final banquet. They had a great season this year and had one girl make it to state for individ individuals. Overall, they think it was a very positive season. short. Um, in the upcoming month, yearbook is coming up to their fall deadline pages. Um, the swim and dive team is bringing 12 girls down to the state meet at the U of M November 13th through 15th, and they have some big goals to meet. DECA is preparing for DECA the halls on December 17th. Right now, they're looking for more sponsors. Student council is coming up with new ways to brighten the hallways as winter approaches. and drama will have a very busy weekend of performances for MMA Mia with opening night tomorrow. Two shows Saturday and one last performance on Sunday. That's all I got. Any questions? >> Did you run down the state meet? >> I didn't run. I was alternate, but >> Okay. >> All the boys ran pretty good. >> Yeah, it was fun to be a part of that. >> That's really cool. >> Congratulations. >> Congratulations. >> Awesome. Any questions for the two of them? So, >> talk about >> tomorrow night 7:30. I got my tickets. >> The damn show going on at the same time. >> Yeah. It's going to be busy. >> Yeah. Dave does a good job of >> trying to get it all. >> Yeah. At the right time. >> Yep. Yep. He does. >> All right. Moves on to 2B superintendent report. >> Yeah. Uh congratulations to our teacher of the year. Uh we had our celebration at resource training. Actually, it was at St. Convention Center uh on October 29th. So, Rosanne Winsky from the primary school, Shelley Freiling from the intermediate school, Lauren Paulie is in the audience uh from the middle school, uh Tracy Matias from the high school. So, they were recognized on that 29th and we had probably our best uh entertainer at we've ever had at that event. So, that was it was good dueling pianos. So um and then next week on Wednesday we'll recognize our support staff who won the leadership and educational excellence award. And again that's next next week on Wednesday at uh the convention center in St. Cloud, Kristen Imhold, Chantel Kudson, Jennifer Nelson, Jessica Webster, Deb Wilkey, and and Sue Willing. And I get to be the name reader and the guest speaker for that as well. So, it'll be be good to to recognize those those staff members who from our custodial team, technology team, and our support staff. So, uh November 11th, we had our Veterans Day ceremony. It was a good opportunity, great opportunity to hear our Veterans Day and honor those who served. Uh Caleb Hansen was the guest speaker. He did a fantastic job uh with his message and he wrote four different speeches uh one for each of the the buildings. they were similar, but um he really did a nice job of catering to different grade levels and and things like that. So um and the concert, the band and choir were were fantastic in that event as well. And we always put on a pretty good show and um get intermediate, middle, and high school were all in the PAC and then uh primary school which draws the biggest crowd. Did some fantastic singing. There's some Facebook posts I think with that too. So yeah, good good recognition and thank you to our veterans. MSBA leadership conference is January 15th and 16th at the convention center in Minneapolis. Uh everyone is registered for the complimentary conference, part of MSBA membership. Uh if you'd like to attend any early bird sessions, let us know. Hopefully you're getting emails from that. If you're not, let me know and I can get you emails on the early bird conference. They're switching it up a little bit this I think you're going to have like a a networking event on Wednesday night before the conference. So, if anyone's interested in that, you can go to that too. Uh but that's the 15th and 16th on is the main conference. The MSBA delegate assembly takes place uh Friday uh December 5th and Saturday, December 6th at Hilton Hotel in Bloomington. Uh just let me know if you would like to go to that or register. We did get our our resolutions in two months ago, I think. now. Um so so some of those will be voted on. Some of them are combined with other school districts that had similar things as well. That's there. And then uh this one other one we just got a grant awarded um from the high school. Some students started applied and with the counselors for the open mind project. Uh the purpose of the project is to create a club that creates a safe and welcoming space where students can openly talk about mental health, support one another, and build a stronger sense of community. uh promoting self-care, stress management, positive coping skills, uh discussion and events. And so they were they received a $500 grant for that. Um I think there were like 40 applicants in Becker, Big Lake, and Oldenford, I want to say, was the other school that received the three grants for that. So that was that was good. And um yeah, we're also one other thing I just I have after I've start completed this, but uh we did uh we are working on getting a CTE shed grants. We've applied for a few grants with that. The Lions are going to give us a donation of $20,000 toward that um shed and building for CTE students and then our students will hopefully build that once we get enough funding for for that. But um the Lions stepped up big time there and we've applied to some other grants. So hopefully we'll get those and the Lions one will show up on their donation request probably next month or I don't know if they dropped it off yet or not but next month or in the coming months at least it will be a nice shed. Concrete electrics most of it. >> Big cost there. >> All right. Any questions for Dr. Schmidt? All right. Thank you Jeremy. Um committee reports. Connie, you have two of them, I believe. >> October 27th. >> Yep. Thank you. >> Um, so October 27th, the activity council met and we went through um like the boys swimming and diving co-op, which we as a board agreed to go with Monello um the Monaceel area co-op. Um then boys and girls across co swaps were discussed with Danavale for uh spring of 2026 and they'd like to get the MFHSL paperwork to the school board in November but I don't I didn't see it on is it done? >> Yeah, it's 6. Sorry. Um so yeah that was discussed and then um we did talk quite a bit about uh games club pro sport pro start and knowledge bowl as possible areas that we will bring into the district and now knowledge bowl already exists um but talking about some of that stuff. So, they're going to do a presentation so we can find out more about games club and we'll start um for next time I believe. And so that that's kind of what we went through for >> the games thing is really neat actually. So I'm looking forward to that talking about that and just the stuff that they do with it competition and >> seems just like you know on a TV where they go out actually have competition, >> right? I've seen that library a couple times. It's cool. >> And I don't know if any of you have toured a college lately, but a lot of colleges have really nice game rooms like like with the chairs that I don't know >> sports, right? Or >> like hard. >> I don't know what they play, but they like both of my daughter's colleges have have like a team and they there actually a lot of scholarships that go to that, too. So, >> fishing all the things. Where were they when I was a kid? >> Right. Yes. >> I can't wait to get scholarship. So, >> all right. >> And then, uh, budget and finance committee met last week on Wednesday and we talked about the, uh, budget to audited financials and that'll be discussed more in depth with um, with Nancy. So, coming up with that budget. >> All right. Pete, you have ECP? >> Yeah. Um we had our meeting um just on the November 3rd uh last week. Um it was my first opportunity to uh meet Michelle Anderson, our new uh CF coordinator over there. Um very impressive, a lot of energy. Um she's really excited to get going and um she's working real close too with Jen and community ed. Um, and that that whole thing is really impressive on how they've been able to, you know, communicate with the community better. Uh, use our social media and online platforms to improve, you know, just getting the word out and enrollment. So, um, really excited about what's coming from there. Um, got to meet some of the new, uh, people the first meeting of the year. Um, so a lot of compassionate people uh that are involved with that program there. That's it. Uh, a lot of good feedback and talk. Um, couple updates, program updates. Uh, this summer they, um, new this year, um, they've got a gearing up for kindergarten. So, they have already had 23 um, kids moving to the ca moving into kindergarten. So, they, you know, kind of getting prepared to that. Um, EFC in the park, this this year they had over 70 kids participate in that. Uh then some of their returning classes. Um they had a let's go camping down on the farm and ooey gooey science. Um so who wouldn't like to do that any time and very good as far as attendance goes. They had over 90% uh capacity at those. So it was really good. Um enrollment [clears throat] updates. Um they again they're going to continue to work on you know online registrations and and getting uh getting in making it easier for people to sign up for it. But um I did ask him what it was and they are at at least 90% um at capacity on on most of uh most of the program ramps the prek and small others. Um so that's good. U a lot of fun family events that they're getting the words out. They did a dad's measure it and build it event in October. Um coming up in December they got a mom's holiday night. Um February uh mom or dad STEM night which is really popular. um dad's pizza night in April, grandparents at ECF in May. Um and then they have some gym nights where it's open to anybody in the community that wants to come out and check out the building and play um play at the gym. And that's uh November 12th, January 22nd, and March 16th. Um I had a couple prek and small wonders happenings. They're going to have their uh book bags kickoff. Um they're looking for ways to kind of turn up the numbers on that program for next year. So, um just trying to get more people involved. Um prek conferences already. Well, conferences for everybody. Uh they're coming up November tw 20th. Um and they are going to be running their book fair, their scholastic book fair again looking for volunteers, but uh that's always a great um great event. So, a lot of good things happening over at the >> complex. All right. Um, Connie, I hate to put you on the spot, but I see BEA is up for approval tonight. You just want to speak to that? You're on negotiations? >> Have a tenative agreement with the DEA and that was um I think finalized beginning of November if I'm not mistaken um with some language items and and such. So, that'll be on the consent agenda. And you also see that we have the transportation. We met with them end of October, middle of October. I guess it was September. Was that last the transportation? >> They had seven. >> Oh, they had to Yeah. >> So that's also up there. You'll see that on consent agenda. Um any other committee reports? Corey, you have a committee report. >> I do. >> Ryan, you have one? Yep. Uh for the community ed advisory council, uh they met on September 30th. Um a lot of things that we covered over the summer just a lot of the programs and offerings that we had. Um we had a lot of growth. I think it was due to the mailing and just a little extra effort to try to bump those things up. um just year like versus last year we had a lot of increases in like adult programs which is really good to see cuz that wasn't doing as well. Um we're also looking at getting a dedicated Facebook page just for community ed. And then as Pete talked about as well um like the enrollment at Camp OP because of the new ECF building was up too. So, lots of positives going on in our community head department. And then we will be meeting again in December, >> right? >> And today is community ed day. >> Ed day. You guys are missing out. >> That's why everybody got the mints and uh >> the flyers. Yeah. So these are flyers that community had made and yeah a lot of lot of growth in the you don't see the comparisons to previous years or anything like that but there was a lot of these numbers are larger than they would have been last year or the year before. So 59,000 hours of building use 1150 plus options during 2425 3,928 participants. That's impressive. Yeah. >> Good. Well, thank Jen for that. So, Corey, do you have a committee report or is it just negotiations? It's probably in a conference. So, all right. Moving on to item number three, consent agenda. I will entertain a motion for that. >> Make a motion to accept that agenda. >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second to accept consent agenda as seen before us. All those in favor say I. I. I. All opposed. Motion carries. Brings us to item number four, fiscal year financial audit. >> Yeah, I'll put it up there. It's a beautiful skyline, isn't it? Now I can't see up close with my glasses on. That's why they're on my head. [laughter] >> There we go. All right. Well, good evening everyone. Um, thank you for giving me some time to go over the results of our audit. And I want to start out um, this evening talking about the communications that we issue as part of the financial statements and the communication letter. So, in the front of the financial statement document, there's a three-page letter. It's the independent auditor's report. That's our most important communication. Summarizes all the work that we do related to the audit and has that most important second paragraph, the opinion. And what we're issuing is an unmodified opinion which is an indication that the financial statements are fairly stated in all material respects based on the results of our audit. And then we have several other communications um in addition to that in the back of the financial statement document. So if you're looking to read them in their entirety, they're there. Um but the second one is the report in accordance with government auditing standards. And these standards are required by Minnesota state statute. and they require us as auditors to look closer at internal control and also compliance with laws, regulations, contracts, and grants. And based on our work, we just have one internal control finding, and that is the lack of segregation of accounting duties. So, not new. You've all heard that before. Um, simply due to the limited number of people that you have in your business office. No compliance findings related to those standards. And then next we would normally have our single audit report, the report in accordance with uniform guidance, but we don't have a compliance supplement yet. So until that is issued, we're issuing just preliminarily. Um we're planning on an unmodified opinion on compliance for your child nutrition program and also no internal control findings. So when that compliance supplement does come out, we'll take a look at it, make sure there were no significant changes, do additional test work if we need to, and then issue those reports. Um I don't really anticipate that prior to the end of 2025 at this point. So on hold. And then our last official letter is going to be that Minnesota legal compliance report. Um you'll find that in the very back um as well and that covers the state statutes that we test as they relate to accounting matters and no written findings there as well this year. So really just the one written finding for the audit. And we have a communication letter which houses the financial analysis that I'll go over this evening. And then also some required communication, all the things that we need to put in writing to you as the governing board. U would be our tool if we had anything significant or any difficulties with management's disagreements, those types of thing. Nothing strays from our standard language. So that's all good. And then in the back there's light reading, a legislative update, and then also some new Gazsby standards that are coming in the next couple of years. So Gazby is always busy. So moving then to the financial analysis information starting with the basic formula allowance. This is important because general education is still your largest funding source. Uh we give you a a 10-year history and then also looking forward one year uh for the year under audit 2025 you did receive 2% on that formula. And then next we get into student counts because those are the other important part of the calculation of general education aid. So starting with your residents, these are the students that live within Becker's boundaries, not necessarily those attending the buildings is what you see on the top here. That number is down about 24. Between 24 and 25, but right below that, you'll see total adjusted ADM. So this factors in the open enrollment effects and that number that decrease is much smaller down about four students for the year. We have a graph of those um average daily membership numbers for your residents. on the next slide and you can see the relative stability of the five years that you're looking at that graph doesn't change very much and that's a little bit unusual in um this we're getting closer to the metro area so that helps but in central Minnesota we've seen a lot of declines so to be able to have that holding steady um is a positive next uh slide we take those numbers weight them by grade level uh again factor in open enrollment with a little bit more detail here um and uh take a look at the 5-year perspective again. So, your residents on the weighted basis were down about 31, but you had positive impacts of open enrollment changes, both those coming in and those going out. Um, so overall, the decrease was six for the students that you served. So, you can see the impact the open enrollment is having on Becker schools. Overall, if we look at the five years, you're up about four and a half students. So again, very consistent on that five-year picture, which is what you see highlighted then again in the graph. So we like to do charts and graphs because everybody looks at things differently and sees things differently. So you'll see that theme. All right. Then we have budget to actual information. So on the far left, you'll see your original budget, anticipating a decrease in fund balance of about 500,000. that budget was modified um increasing that deficit spent to almost 2.3 million. Uh you did outperform that and deficit spent by 1.9 million. So definite decrease in fund balance for 2025. When we look at the variance column uh you'll see revenues over budget about 1.8 million that's about 4 and a.5%. Two categories contributing to that. First of all, your state sources with conservative budget for special education and that coming in higher than what you had expected and then investment income in the other category also outpacing the budget. On the expenditure side of things, those were also overbudget by a lesser amount 3.2% or 1.4 million and most of that um came in the area of salaries and benefits exceeding what was expected when the budget was put together. And you can see it's crossed most of the categories of spending as well. So, a positive variance in total of about 342,000. And on the next slide, we bring back that five-year picture looking at the high level activities of the general fund. And you can see that um 2025 did produce that deficit spend of about 1.9 million and you ended the year just under 6 million in fund balance. On the bottom portion of this chart, you see all the categories of the fund balance or the segregations of fund balance. Starting with your non-spendable, that's for prepaid items. So, you've paid in advance for things that will be expended in the future. So, that cash is gone, but it is in a in a fund balance of value. Then, we have all the restrictions. Those are mandated by the state of Minnesota. Some fluctuations there in your operating capital and your long-term facility maintenance. Operating capital decreasing, long-term facility maintenance increasing. Um, some new categories you see there. And then finally, if you go two numbers up from the bottom, the unassigned number, that decreased about 600,000 for this year, and that's what's available for future spending at the district. So about 3.6 million. And we'll look at the fund balance a little bit more in a few slides. Um, but before we do that, we're going to look at the details of revenues and expenditures. So starting with the revenues for the general fund by source. So overall revenues were up about 5.2% or 2.1 million. And when we look at the graph there, um you can see the blue in the middle, that's your state sources. And for 2025, it was 72% of your total revenues. So heavy reliance on what's happening at the state of Minnesota. On the top, those are your local property taxes. That was up about 4.7% related to just an increase in that levy. And then on the very bottom, that skinny portion is other and included in there is federal. And that is driving the change in that category. So down about 500,000 related to those ESER funds ending um in September of 2024. >> Howard other schools that you work with as far as state >> um the state funding is high here. Um we see that in the upper 60s, mid to upper 60s in a lot of cases. Some are 70 um but that's probably higher. uh local property taxes, it's not really small, but that other category because your federal is low um your normal federal. I mean, we all saw the COVID funds come in and that bumped that number up, but um just, you know, the demographics of your students that you serve, you're not getting those large amounts in that federal category. that >> what >> I started looking really into that during COVID time and Oh, sure. >> I think I just sent something out a couple months ago, too, about >> Yeah. I don't know what your per student is for local property taxes, but the average is like 3,100, I think. And I'm guessing you're not there. I think it's 3100. >> Federal. >> No, local property taxes. Yeah, federal 2 is higher, I'm sure, than what you're seeing because your number is small compared to the total. >> Yeah, I don't have detailed numbers. I certainly could get you more because we have all that. Um, some people like all of that in this documentation, some don't. So, all right. Anything else on that? Then we'll switch over to expenditures. And we have two pie charts that show you where the spending is happening. Overall expenditures were up about 11% or 4.4 4 million and most of that is wages and benefits and then some equipment purchases that happen during the year. When you look at the pieces of the pie, your direct instructional categories uh made up 65% in 2024 and up to 67% in 2025. So still spending well over half of your money on direct instruction of your students. The next two graphs take a look at your revenues and expenditures per ADM. And this is really high level. Shows you where Becker is at compared to the statewide average. But you can see for 2025, you had an increase. You had an increase in uh your revenues and overall pretty stable enrollment. And then if you go 2024 and prior, you can see where you're at as far as being compared to state averages for the revenues per student. So definitely below. And when we look at the expenditures, the chart looks almost exactly the same, which is what you would expect. you're going to spend what you receive and so are all the rest of the districts. So again, an increase for 2025 and below those statewide averages. The next chart takes a look at the categories of spending and then compares those percentages to state averages and then gives you the 2025 for your district. Um so when we look at this, a couple of things jump out. But when you look at 2024, your district is at 46% for regular instruction. The average is just under 42%. Um the flip side of that, you look at special education, you're lower than that average. Lower in pupil support, um lower in district and school administration. So all of those other categories allowing for that regular instruction to be higher. All right, now we're back to that fund balance information that I promised earlier. So um taking a look at the chart here, what you're seeing is unrestricted fund balance is a percentage of unrestricted expenditures. So the state of Minnesota provides this for us and then it gives us the ability to compare. Um this is your non-spendable, your assigned and your unassigned fund balance compared to unrestricted expenditures. So long-term facility maintenance, operating capital, uh medical assistance, all of those expenditures are factored out in calculating this number. So, you did decrease uh for 2025 and you're at 11.3% at the end of the year, down from 14.6. And that overall state average has hovered Oh, sorry. Yep. I'm still on this one. So, that overall state average has hovered right in, you know, in that low 20s for a lot of years. Well, definitely below that. Not saying that that is the benchmark, just saying that is the average. And then we have um general fund financial position taking a look at your cash balances and your fund balances. So you had been on an upward trend through 2024 and then fell back in 2025. The gap between those um you have more cash and investments because you have taxes that come in in May that are not for this year there for next year. So we don't recognize the revenue um salaries payable that is in the expenditures. So it reduces the fund balance, but the cash is still here until those summer payoffs happen for your teachers and other other employees. So that creates the gap, but it's good to see that your lines are, you know, similar. That gap isn't um changing significantly and it's not flipping the other way, which would be concerning. So that's the general fund. Um just two more graphs or charts, excuse me, to take a look at your um special revenue funds. So, first of all, food service uh revenues were up, expenditures were down. You had a small excess revenues this year and ended the year at just under 1.1 million in fund balance. Um the state has extended the six-month um limit through 2026, but then I think we're going to be going back to three months after that. So, um keeping an eye on that fund balance and making sure those um those funds are spent as they can be. And then finally, community service, which is a good place to end, I think, for tonight. Um, so this fund did see an increase in revenues, also an increase in expenditures, but you had um an overall increase in your fund balance of 30,000 based on excess revenues, and then there was a transfer from the general fund to help cover um some of those overages in um the screening programs. And I don't remember which other program, Kevin, you can probably help me out. >> Okay. just general education. Oh, sure. Right. So, you can see that in the fund balances. Um, so this year your deficit in the community education program decreased substantially down to a deficit of 1,600. So, that looks good. Your early childhood school readiness, community service, all positive um as they have been for most of the years that we're looking at. So hopefully going forward that community education will also be able to to maintain itself. And that's what I have. So happy to talk about anything further or answer any questions that you have. Right. >> Yeah, I did see that. That's always disappointing. Uh but you weren't alone, >> right? >> Yeah, that doesn't always help, but you know, sometimes camaraderie [laughter] company. >> Yeah, exactly. Exactly. So, okay. >> Well, thank you so much, Nancy. >> Yeah, thank you. And thanks to Kevin and the team uh for being prepared for the audit again. uh things went smoothly and we we appreciate that. >> Thank you. >> Drive safe. >> Thank you. [clears throat] >> I will entertain a motion to accept the fiscal audit as presented before us tonight. >> I'll make a motion to accept the audit. >> I will second it. >> We have a motion to accept the audit. Seconded. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. >> I. Well, we got three votes. Passes. Those saying oppose say no. Motion passes. >> Do we have will we have to if the we have to come back and that >> you should I I can send it out to you or put it on like again what it is the federal gap. We hadn't put it out there yet. I just didn't know if we would have to come back and approve that would be fine >> because I don't think there's going to be anything. If there would be a fine then right forward if there's not that >> I probably >> Okay. >> All right. Brings us item number five. Acceptance of donations. Make a motion to accept. Oops. We have a motion to accept. We have any discussions. >> As always, we just want to thank everybody. >> Lion's coming through big. >> Absolutely. It's it's we're very, I think, blessed because we get to say thank you for this category every, you know, every month. So, yeah. Thanks very much. Right. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. >> I. All opposed. >> All opposed. Motion carries. They are fixing me by the voting. Oh, >> are they? >> Yeah. >> Brings us to item number seven, the canvas of election results. The whole reason why we have a meeting in the middle of November versus beginning. So, >> skip number six. >> Oh, number six. I'm sorry. Miss High School League. I wrote it down. That's why I jumped it. Um, this is the application for the cooperative sponsorship for Boys and Girls Lacrosse. Um, Connie spoke to it a little bit earlier. We discussed it last spring and earlier this fall about co-oping with Annale. Um, their numbers aren't so high. They're looking for somebody to partner with and that's Becker thought they could be a good fit with them. >> But you're right. >> Yep. >> Yeah. And I'll make a motion to approve the application for the co-op sponsorship for boys and girls as well. >> I will second that. >> Okay, we have a motion and a second. Any further discussions? I am assuming they will be coming this way. >> Yes. they from our understanding there's been a lot of dialogue back and forth and you know how to be make it you know as beneficial for all the programs was possible so I think we're generally excited especially you know talking of this activities committee so >> yeah my my hats off to everybody behind the scenes with that a lot of lot of lot of time went into it so definitely works out >> okay um we have a motion to accept the sponsorship for Boys and Girls Lacrosse uh co-op. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> I. >> Opposed. Motion carries. Now we're at item number seven. Canvas seeing the results. Um the results are there before you. I would like to congratulate Renee Regal um as our next elected board member. She will be joining us at the January meeting. um it just works better for her schedule to be able to do that. Um now I just lost my page. Um and then of course you can see the abstract general ISD 726 [clears throat] 500 yes votes and 840 no votes. Um so we had to make sure that we had the sevenday lapse for them to be questioned or whatever. So now we can go ahead and canvas that and accept those results. Entertain a motion for that. >> I'll make a motion accept the campus election results. >> I'll second it. >> We have a motion and a second. Do we have any discussions? All right. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Oh >> yeah. We're going to do roll call on this one. I don't know if Corey can chime in, but Pete, >> hi. >> Hi, Connie. >> Hi, >> Ryan. >> Hi, >> Corey. >> Results. I >> All right. So, there's five. Yes. All right. Um, there is a sheet of paper here. Corey and Ryan, you will have to stop in and sign it. Three of us will sign it here tonight. Um, Angel will have that. brings us to item number eight. The resolution of authorizing issuance of certificate of the election and directing school district clerk to perform other election related duties. >> I will make that motion. >> We have a motion. >> I will second it. >> We have a second. Any further discussion? All those in favor signify by saying I. I. I. All opposed. Motion carries. Brings us to item number nine, adjournment. Thank you guys for coming. >> Orian and Ryan, have a good night. >> Thanks, Ke. Well, you'll probably see it by the business end like it's a very intriguing