member Castle >> here. >> Everybody's here. >> All right. I would entertain a motion to approve the meeting agenda. Move to approve. >> Second. >> We have a motion in a second. Is there any discussion? >> Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying I. I. >> I. Those opposed? The motion carries. That brings us to our scheduled and unscheduled visitors portion of the meeting. One here. I have a number of green cards. I have six green cards. It doesn't look like we have any more, so we should have plenty of time to hear all six of them. Um although the board is not legally required to offer public comment, we believe it's an important part of community interaction and have included on tonight's agenda. We ask that speakers keep their comments relevant to the indicated agenda item, be respectful, avoid personal comments about board members, and refrain from sharing private or sensitive information. This process is non-interactive. We request that everyone present be respectful of commenters and refrain from making their own comments or applauding to help keep things moving. Speakers will have three minutes. The clerk will give notification to speakers as their time is expiring and the chair will strike the gabble once your time is expired. I have shuffled the deck of green cards and will call speakers by first name and last initial. Please be ready when it is your turn. Um we will start with Claire L and we'll have Diane S on deck. >> Uh good evening. Thank you for the opportunity to speak. Uh my name is Claire Luger. I'm a proud parent of three Force Lake graduates. Uh a graduate myself, a former educator in the district, as well as a voting and taxpaying community member. I've lived in Wyoming nearly my entire life, and I've been honored to serve my community in an elected role. I'm here again tonight because I believe deeply in the value of public education as equally at the value of public trust. I'm here tonight to speak about agenda item 7.2, 2, which has been updated from the shady as well as illegal backroom crafted agenda item for the not yet vacancy without any process, community knowledge or regard for state statute or legal opinion to an agenda item that determines a process for filling a vacancy as of 11:59 tonight. It is an insult to our students, staff, and community, and completely unacceptable that it required regional media coverage and a potential lawsuit to respect the law enough to entertain a more appropriate and transparent process that follows basic democratic principles. This is a strategy that no civics or other social studies teacher in this district would ever promote to our students. In establishing a process to fill the vacant seat as of 11:59 tonight, parents, teachers, and students deserve to know that decisions affecting their schools are made openly, honestly, and with their voices in mind. When a seat on this board becomes vacant, the process to fill it must not just follow the rules. It must honor the spirit of open government through transparency, inclusiveness, and the respect of the people you serve. This community deserves to see how decisions are made and who is being considered and why. Trust is earned through transparency. When a school board member is replaced, it's not just an administrative process. The people and staff of this district are not outsiders to be informed after the fact. We are partners in shaping the district of our schools, and we deserve better than dirty tricks. The initial approach taken to fill a non-existent vacancy has created suspicion, embarrassment, and eroded trust that now must be overcome. I hope that going forward, every member of this board will commit to a process that can see, understand, and participate in from the start to finish. I hope that every member of this board will commit to following state statute and MSBA guidance. We teach our students that integrity means doing the right thing even when no one's watching. But in this case, the community is most certainly watching. You have a responsibility to show them that the board lives by the same standards that we expect from our children. Thank you. >> Thank you, Claire. Um Diane S. And on deck will be Jane R. I'm Diane Smith and I just want to say thanks to Luke. Um, you've done a great job and I'm proud of you and you've spoke up for a lot of us who don't have a voice because we're not on the board. Um, but we support everything you've done and I just we're really very appreciative of that. One thing comes to mind, I mean I could list a lot. Um, there was something that was voted on that I don't think was fully maybe understood what the board was voting on because the outcome was not what they wanted or what was intended and it was around um students having groups or something like that. Anyway, but you came back, Luke, and you said, "Should we have a revote?" because you felt and you sensed that some of the board members were not happy with the way they voted because they didn't understand that that meant maybe no groups or whatever it was something like that. Anyway, that was integrity and I really appreciated that and I know the board members really appreciated that too. So, thank you um on the fact that you are resigning and I just looked up the law because I had a feeling it might stir some upset. you know, as Claire had mentioned and the law, there's a statute that clearly states that the board gets to come together and not have a special election, but they can have a regular board meeting about who is appointed and that you can vote on that. So, hopefully I read the law correctly. Maybe I can send it to you. I don't know. You probably already have it, but there is a statute that backs up um hopefully what you're going to be doing tonight. So, and good luck to you, Dr. Massie. Thank you for serving. And I know we didn't always meet eye to eye on some things, but we did meet eye to eye on other things. And you were always so good about meeting with me and uh talking it over. You know, I had a lot of concerns, but you were always so patient. You always set the tone very beautifully, and um I am appreciative of that. So, thank you >> and good luck to you, too. >> Thank you. >> All right. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right. Thank you, Diana. Um Jane R on deck is Dean E. >> Good evening. Um I'm Jane Ryder and first of all I want to thank you for the letter that you had sent down to the capital about the Title N. Um I understand that there are some of you on the board that disagreed with the signature. What you need to realize is when you have young men and women competing together, biologically, biologically there is a big difference between a male and a female muscular bone structure. even here the thinking they men tend to be a little more aggressive and I don't mean that in a negative way but that is just the way they operate and to put a young man in with girls in a particular sport does not work and I appreciate you sending that letter and I fully support that young men and young women should not be in the same sport together where there is physical contact. I care about the women and the girls. I care about the young men and the men. But you have to be careful physiologically, biologically. There is a difference. And I value both of them, but I want safety first. Thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you. All right. Thank you, Jane. Um Dean E. And on deck, um I reshuffleled deck here having I received another one. It's John S. >> Let's remind the board chair. It has to be germanine to what's on the agenda for tonight. You usually are so good about reminding people that. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> We were back there reminding >> Yeah, we agree that's not on the agenda. Um Thank you. >> Thank you board for your service. I uh I want to just acknowledge that you guys have been I admire all of you for being willing to step up and do this this role. Um, but I want to specially thank Luke tonight and appreciate your efforts. Exactly what uh Diane said earlier about recalling that situation where you you spoke up for the board saying, "Hey, let's revote on this and let's make sure we knew what we were voting on." I thought that was a a really good example to set for everybody. So, thank you for that. Um, wasn't thinking about Dr. Massie is just being close to his end of his time here, but thank you so much. You you've listened to me nicely and thank you. But um yeah, so mostly I wanted to thank Luke and thank you all for your willingness to serve in this way. Thank you. >> All right. Thank you, Dean. >> And that that's a good reminder from board members. Please keep it gerine to the agenda. Um John S. and Jenny R. I don't know if this is gerine to the agenda, but I believe that handing out uh brochures or handouts during a meeting or before or within a meeting is not uh ethical. I I cannot say one way or the other that uh I am for or against Title N issues, but I do not agree with having information passed out to people in the audience to show within a board meeting. I I don't think it is it they should be at the table and they were handed out. I maybe outside. You can't do that at elections. You can't do that anywhere else. I do not think that is an ethical procedure to have at a meeting. >> Thank you. >> All right. Thank you. Um John, >> Jenny R. and on deck will be Daniel T. >> Hi, I'm Jenny. It's good to see everybody. Um, I'm really excited that we're going to have a new board member come on and I really hope to know nothing about their religion, nothing about their politics. It's a nonpartisan position. And I hope whoever is there will sit and look at the people talking just as you are right now because it's very obvious some body language when some people are up here that you're too busy, don't care. Your body language speaks more than your words sometimes and you don't look as very as a whole as invested in the community. And I really hope whoever your new board member is is invested in listening to the community, wants to hear what we have to say, comes with an open mind, does not just have their these are my what I stand for and only what I will do. I hope that whoever comes doesn't make it a 4-3 split on either side. Come in the middle and be somebody of the community that we can respect and that we can be proud to have on our board. Thank you. >> Thank you. That brings us to our final uh green card here, Daniel T. Good evening. Just wanted to 7.1. I wanted to say thank you, Luke, for your service and uh just honor you for your time, commitment, and and all the board really. I mean, that's a huge sacrifice to families um to be away from every month throughout the month. And uh thank you, Dr. Massie for just your amazing dedication to the uh district. So, just wanted to wish you the best and uh as they've said before, thank thanks for I have a nine-year-old daughter, so thank you for protecting our girls and sending that letter. I I appreciate that as well. >> All right. Thank you, Daniel. >> Um that will conclude our uh scheduled and unscheduled visitors and will bring us to the committee reports. We'll start with a committee report on 9:16 and that one is mine. Um very short update for you. Uh this month uh we had a presentation on the language access plan. [clears throat] Um as some of the board will undoubtedly know here, the language access plan um is something that's create or required this year. The 916 community includes families who speak over 40 different languages and and that kind of came as a surprise to me. And these families represent 26% of the district. Um, we had a first reading on that um, just so we can ask any questions uh, prior to bringing it for approval in November. And I suspect we will have our own language access plan coming in November as well here at Forest Lake. And then we, as we do here pretty much every meeting, we had some policy work, very light on the policy side of things, uh, first reading and a couple of minor approvals, uh, minor changes. Um, the last thing that uh I can really speak to is we had insurance renewals. We accepted two-year contracts from health partners to provide health insurance. There was a 9.4% aggregate premium increase for the calendar year of 2026 and a rate cap of 12% for 2027. Um, they're also working with health partners and they had an 11.9% increase for calendar year 2026 and a note rate cap for 2027 just because of the volatility in dental. Um, I point out the renewals and the rates just to help us put into perspective when we're talking about our local rate caps for our insurance plans here at Forest Lakes. That's uh something to keep in mind that this is something that other districts are looking at as well. And uh their rate caps were nearing double digits, too. Um any questions or comments on 916? All right, seeing none, we will move to buildings and grounds. Director Renbergy. >> Hello. Tonight at the buildings and grounds meeting, we did a conversation about the wrapup of phase two at the high school. Very excited that if graduation decides to be rainy, we have our air conditioning for our main gym. So, yes, lots in the making. Uh but project is complete there. Education center. We're on our flush and fill uh of our boiler system and so that'll happen through Friday and then hopefully if it comes clean then we'll be able to fill that system and get that fully operational. Uh we went on to Wyoming Elementary will be next summer's plan. So the HVAC work in the center of the building along with uh some additional work in the building, bathrooms, painting, things like that. And then we reviewed the um proposed preliminary levy information um within that and ended with maintenance items from our buildings and grounds supervisor. >> All right. Thank you. Does anybody have any questions? Member Tyson, >> I don't have a question, but thank you for that report. I just want to add that, you know, we've been through some hot graduations with big graduating classes that are stuffed in there. Very uncomfortable and awkward for the families. Um it's just not good. But also we hold the big sing in there and that as well is very hot. So there's other events that take place in there that it's it's really hot and very crowded which we're very happy we have that now and that was at the very end and it's completed. So, thank you for all your work on that. >> Member, >> I can echo that too as as we've been asking for many I don't how many years have we been asking director Martini for 10 years? I don't you know many years but that just makes me happy for the for the parents too in case of rain and just that we have that availability now because it can get over almost 100 degrees in there. It's been incredibly difficult. >> It's an asset to our community and we're really excited. >> It really is. But thank you. Yeah, I'm I'm so glad it's all done. But thank you. >> Yeah, I would I would concur. I mean, uh we will continue to pray that we do not need to use the interior space for graduation, but uh it is nice to have that as a backup. >> Um if there aren't any other questions or comments, we can move directly to director Renberg i.e. for finance. >> Finance night, we reviewed our final dates for the audit. the auditors were out October 6th through the 8th and um completed uh all the rest of the tasks on the list. We did get our final tri trial balance to the auditors this afternoon. So, we should uh be all set for the November finance committee meeting to have Jackie Hegel uh for LB Carlson come in and present that information. And then the December 4th board meeting is our goal to get the audit to everyone. Uh we did do the run rates, so our budget for 26 and how we're doing. Everything looked really great there and then again reviewed the uh preliminary tax uh levy that will come as the truth and taxation hearing on December 9th and then the board will vote to certify that levy later that evening. It will be at 6 pm. People will get their tax notices uh that lays out all those taxes. We did also review our surrounding cities. So we see that our increase um somewhere in the 2 to 3% range um cities looking at closer to near double digits. So, it is a um good thing to um look at your tax statement, make sure if you have any questions about it, uh there's a phone number right on it. It's my desk phone, so give me a call and uh we'll be able to walk you through uh if you see any changes that you're questioning on your tax statements. >> All right. Thank you very much. Any questions for finance? >> All right. Seeing none, we will move to uh Director McKinnon for communications. Good evening. At our communications committee meeting this evening, we talked about crisis communication and in the- moment communication. We talked about the array of situations that certainly can come up um anything from small to quite extensive. And uh the process that we use uh certainly if it were an on-site process, it's getting a hold of Dr. Massie, getting a hold of Director Freriedman if necessary, bringing Renee into the mix and then really use utilizing a teamed approach um when it comes to what the messaging is going to be, talking about the who, the what, the when, the how the messaging is going to go out and also following our crisis manual that we have and a commun we have a communications checklist. Um, one of the things that we we talked about is how over the last 10 years, we really have have come a long way in ensuring that we are not making it up as we go along, but we have a really solid sound procedure that we follow. We know that not all scenarios impact or are affecting all families. But there are some scenarios that come up that will be relevant to all families. So, we want to make sure that the the communication that the district puts out is it's timely. It's accurate. It says what it needs to say. Um but it's also done in a in a fashion where uh folks can get what they need and then and then we address any follow-ups. We also talked tonight um briefly about the district annual report that is actually at the post office and ready to go out. Uh it's it's actually at the printer, so it will be at the post office soon and families uh household in the households in the district can be expecting those um hopefully in the near near future. >> All right. Thank you, Director McKinnon. Any questions or comments? >> I have something to add. So, Director McKinnon, I really liked how you said that communication is our relationship with our community and we do a really good job of that and I think you talked a lot about that team approach and the importance of that, how you need input from all those sides and then Renee works out the messaging and it's got that concise, same tone, same feel. And I hear really positive comments about our messaging, our communications, [clears throat] how they're fast, they're effective, they're easy to read, people can digest and synthesize what's being said to them, which is important when it's something that could be a crisis or could be something fearful of in their building or of their student. >> And just like everything else we do, it's um it's very collaborative. If a situation comes up, say at the ed center and I'm there working through that, my brain might be going in a couple of different directions, but then we get the team around that situation and it's what about this, what about that? And then we do get that that singular voice, if you will, that's consistent um that our families are used to getting so that they can interpret and and understand what's going on and um you know, be responsive to the situation at hand. >> Well, thank you. And Renee Reed, kudos to her. She does an excellent job. Is our communication? >> Yeah, she's the bos. [cough] >> All right. Seeing no additional questions or comments, we'll move to curriculum and instruction. Director Jacobson, >> Chair Rioline, members of the board, Dr. Massie, thanks for having me. Um, at our curriculum, instruction, and equity committee meeting tonight, Dr. Brad Ward, who is our secondary curriculum coordinator, uh also overseeing our assessment system within the school district, gave a pretty thorough um explanation of our overall assessment plan with a special emphasis on [clears throat] MCA tests and how they are informed by state standards. state standards released every 10 years and then a process that our district and other districts like ours go through in order to align their curriculum and their and their teaching with those standards so that students are prepared to do well on the on the test. Um, we took uh sample MCA uh questions that are put out on the Minnesota question tool uh that you can go and see for yourself at any time. And uh teachers use these to help prepare students uh for the rigor of the MC test. Curriculum review teams use them to help understand what our assessments uh the rigor of those assessments and how they can inform what we do on our own assessments. Um, board member Tyson and and board member Castle got an opportunity to look at uh sample questions, MCA series 3 in both reading and in math and then MCA series 4 in science. And we talked about how in the science test uh the the the test is adaptive and students go through and they'll input data and get t different tables based on the data that they input and have to make conclusions or or draw inferences or apply that that learning on the test. Um, and so, uh, we we we did a pretty deep dive on that and and left all of our board members or or members of a committee, uh, with the ability to take some of those sample items home and and continue to look at them. >> Thank you, Director Jacobson. Um, did, uh, member Tyson or member Castle meet proficiency? >> Uh, that's >> Oh, that's probably good. [laughter] >> I'll be looking forward to having them turn in their assessments uh, at the next board meeting. And I if you need I could probably produce a report on that. >> All right. Thank you. Are there any actual real questions or comments? >> I have one. >> Yes, member Tyson. >> Well, I just want to say that you know I asked Dr. Ward when uh it was that Forest Lake area schools had the highest test scores in science. And it wasn't that long ago because remember my younger daughter was in school. So it was like 2013. Mhm. >> And he said that this year, in comparison, our science test scores look really high again at our high school. >> Yeah. At the high school, um >> proud of that. >> We've we've only they haven't released a a distribution of all all all Minnesota districts have done on the science test. So, but we've been curious to compare our results with metro area districts. We were able to find one that uh did have um uh some uh a proficiency rate above uh the students here at high school, but just our high school, but just one district is the only district we found. Yeah, our students at the high school did fairly well on that science test. And again, I I think what what we saw during the committee and maybe um you and member Castle might might have some thoughts about is what students are asked to do on the series 4 test is even more complicated, more applicationbased. What I think that our community is looking for out of education um uh in terms of students being able to apply skills than than what even we see on some like the MCA series 3 in reading and in math. So >> there's a lot that goes into it. >> Member Castle. Uh so one of the unfortunate things that we discovered is that they are no longer unless you have an e IEP offering paper to do these tests. And it was mentioned by a committee member that it's actually better to have paper. people retain things better than they are if they do it electronically. So that is perhaps you can lobby for that to move that around. Although there were things that um it was interactive. >> That's hard to do on paper, but >> you could set up an experiment and do it that way. >> Yeah. Yeah. Member Castle is correct. So statewide that they the the requirement is that all students take the tests on a computer uh unless they have an accommodation written within their IP. Um I think in part that's probably done to keep the scoring of the assessments cost down and to get data back to school districts more more quickly, but there is a there is a downside to that for sure. Students typically have done historically better on a paper pencil assessment uh than on a computer- based assessment. She didn't provide the research, but there is research around that. I'd like to read more about that. >> Yeah, good point. >> All right. Any additional questions or comments here? >> All right, seeing none, we'll bring Director Freriedman. Uh, you're very popular this evening in policy. >> Well, I guess it helps to have interesting topics, I guess. Okay. Um well, we had two not so interesting topics that you will see coming to you. There's just a a couple of very very minor changes in our mandatory reporting of maltreatment of children um policy that come out of the the statute. There is also a preliminary reumbering um as we look to the larger set of reing um our other um that policy is in the 500s right now. MSBA has it in the 400s. Call if you have questions. Um it's easier that way. And the other one is uh the mandatory reporting of maltreatment of vulnerable adults which is another obligation that school personnel have. We have adult students um who may be v vulnerable adults and also that those duties extend to the community. We also did undertake the student attire portion of the discipline policy and that yielded a couple of kinds of pieces of conversation. One will be a broader conversation ongoing. Um we'll figure out whether that's, you know, before it comes back or maybe it's after it comes back. I'm not quite sure at this point. Um and the other point uh having to do with um um the the types of apparel um a student wears and and how much of one should one reveal when it when one is in public um I think is about the best way to summarize that. Okay. Um the other of course you've wrangled with at length um you've heard a great deal of feedback from and I think how I would characterize what the committee tried to do is was to try to honor what the board has said it wanted and also trying to strike a way to honor what many community members have said they want. So you'll see a recommendation from the committee come forward and I am sure you'll have some more conversation about that at this table but um that is sort of the where the the bulk of the committee landed. I cannot say that it was a completely uniform. >> Okay. >> All right. Thank you. Uh does the committee I guess my my first question would be is the committee ready to send 515 back to us or is there some more review needed? >> I think so. I'm going to actually ask my my board partners um if I think we can do that um if you agree to that. I think we can do that without doing the other portion right now. I think that we can concur to revisit that as we go forward unless you have disag. >> Well, I I would just add that you know if the committee is not comfortable quite yet then retain it and and continue the discussion on it. We want to get that right. Um, we want that to be uh >> there were also conversations though that if we're going to make some changes in the other portion, those maybe should not be a rightway sort of thing because >> okay, >> sometimes families make purchasing decisions um based upon certain expectations and saying to a family that well maybe some of the things you purchased aren't aren't what Yeah. Um, so it might not be for a while if we do that. Um, >> yep, that makes sense. >> Yeah, I see where you're going. And in fact, that was one of the reasons that we started looking at this in uh March or April when we when we first brought it up was to give families the summer to adjust to whatever changes might need to be made. So, it all makes all makes sense to me. Um, do any other board members have any questions? Member Tyson. >> So, can you clarify purchasing items? I'm not following. I'm not on the committee. >> Clothing. There is a There there was a concern voiced that maybe some of the the styles that we permit [clears throat] while they might be popular and certainly are the fashion of the day maybe not may not be the thing to do and then there were alternative viewpoints voiced as well as [clears throat] one might expect. >> So >> okay >> and then you referenced that a recommendation would be coming forward. Is that coming with 515 or >> I didn't understand that. >> Yeah. Yeah. A recommended form of 515. >> Recommended form. >> Yeah. Um >> that I would de that I would I would phrase as general consensus of the committee. Although I will be clear that that is not a 100% everyone is on board. >> Okay. >> Okay. Thank you. member >> can I ask it was a majority of the board though that moved it forward >> committee >> well >> or the I mean the committee that's >> the way we try to operate the way h that we have tried to operate is >> if there is essentially a a pretty significant feeling um that can be >> agreement >> that it can be said yeah a a a good bulk of the group. >> Okay. >> Would recommend this. >> Okay, that's good. >> All right. Thank you, >> Christensen. >> Well, just to your point, since we were just in the meeting, I would say, you know, an overwhelming, you know, >> amount >> amount of the um committee made I think there was a really good sort of a compromise type of suggestion. I think um the majority of the vast majority of the committee agreed with to and then to be able to bring it forward with that um language. >> All right. Thank you. Any other >> questions or comments here? >> All right. Seeing none, we'll move to staff welfare. Dr. Massie, >> we had a long conversation around a number of topics. Uh, number one was an update on school district enrollment. October one is a relatively critical date in the school year when enrollment begins to settle in and we can trust the enrollment numbers on October 1st. I'm happy to share that enrollment as of October 1st is sitting at 122 kids above our budgeted number. You'll recall that we spent almost a dozen years talking about declining enrollment and 122 over our budgeted number also represents a similar enrollment number to the enrollment number we had last year. So we're beginning to turn the tide from declining enrollment to steady and increasing enrollment. That's what the backdrop of declining birth rates. You've heard me talk before about where our kids are coming from. We have kids coming back from charter schools, home schools, neighboring districts, and there's some development and even more development beginning to emerge across our community. So, some exciting development and news there with respect to the boundary changes that we put in place last spring. We're beginning to develop communication plans for in immersion families at Lino Lakes who will be going to Forest View and communication to families who are scheduled to move from their current home elementary school to their new elementary school. Needing to get early indications of which families are indeed planning to move or would they open enrolled to stay in their current school. We'll need that information as we get into our staffing work in January and February. So, some early work developing there. We also talked about the strategic plan process and there'll be an update here later in the meeting on that topic. We spent some time talking about branding, especially with Wyoming Elementary, going through some bonding work, construction work this upcoming summer, some interior painting, an opportunity to begin to brand across our elementary schools, our maroon and gold, Ranger colors, Ranger logo, those kind of concepts, uh, so that our outline communities identify as Forest Lake area schools. We also talked about the importance of civic engagement, civil discourse and and when we look out into the audience, a number of folks that are online, we have a large degree of civic engagement and involvement which is really exciting to the governance work that the board does. I'll share for uh for my report um some words that I shared with staff earlier this week. Um and again at tonight's staffware staff welfare meeting uh we had a robust discussion around civic engagement and civil discourse. I would share the perspective that schoolboard meetings and committee meetings are the place in time when the critical work uh critical governance work of the school district takes place and ideas are shared and discussed by community members and elected officials. It is through civil discourse that ideas are shared and policies are shaped and enacted. Civil debate assumes the difference in ideas and the opportunity to share one's point of view and to be heard by elected officials. This essential school district function must take place in an atmosphere and environment of trust, civility, and free from disruption. Recent board meetings have seen breaches of these fundamental principles of decorum with dis displays of obscene gestures and profanity. This behavior is inappropriate in the boardroom setting and demonstrates a poor example of the importance of civil discourse in the presence of the young people who attend these meetings. While the person has free speech rights, this conduct is counterproductive to the governance operation of the school district. Ideas and opinions matter and are important in the governance process. We have ample opportunity for public input. We encourage public input. We invite public input and public comment and the board listens and and through the green code process and the listening session. Schoolboard member email addresses are posted on the district's website and engaging with your schoolboard members is encouraged easy to access and engage with schoolboard members. I encourage the community to continue to do that. Schoolboard meetings are also livereamed and recorded for the public to view and follow the work of the school board. I encourage staff and the community to remain engaged in the important work that takes place at schoolboard meetings and participation and participate in a manner that fosters respect, civility, and decorum during important school board proceedings. And that concludes my report. >> Thank you, Dr. Massie. Are there any questions or comments on staff welfare? >> Well, very excited to hear the enrollment news. I mean, how many years have we sat around this table not hearing that? So, that's exciting and that's just proves that this district has been working hard at a lot of things and in a lot of areas. So, that's to be celebrated. >> So, thank you. >> I agree. >> Yeah, I would concur with member Tyson's statement there. When I first started on the school board, I remember uh getting these same reports and and writing, you know, minus 30 students or minus 20 students or uh um you know, looking at projections of uh a negative 100 year-over-year. So, it's really exciting to see that uh um that trend is starting to reverse and that uh we're seeing positive enrollment. Um I'd also like to thank Dr. Massie for his statements and his reminders on decorum and at the same time thank the audience here tonight. We have a a large crowd and um this is incredible. We we love the input. We love the involvement and um we love the support and one thing that I would like to piggyback on Dr. Massiey's comment there is just to add that uh I went through some business training years ago and um when you whittleled it all down that the topic of the entire week-long training session for 40 hours was um assume a positive intent with the people that you're working with. Uh and and I I look through that lens when I look across especially the boardroom or the board table is I know that everybody that's sitting at this table, all eight of us here, we have a positive intent for the students in our district. We want to do what's best for every single student. We want to do what's best for their academic future and their success. And I know that's true of every member here at the table. And I trust that's true of every individual here in the audience tonight. if if you didn't care about the success of students, you wouldn't be here spending your Thursday night with us. Uh we're a lot of fun, but we're not that fun. So, I just think that's an important reminder for all of us is just to remember that uh we're all in this together. We all have the same end goal in mind. We just might disagree on the strategy or how we go about getting there. And those are things that are best uh left for discussion. Like Dr. Massie mentioned uh civil discussion and civil disagreement is okay. We're going to arrive at much better solutions. We've already seen evidence of that. Uh it was brought up earlier about member Hegeland making the motion to reconsider on student groups. Um if he hadn't done that uh and then again voted against it, uh just a few minutes later, uh our district would be a very different place right now. the the report that we just got on policy 1801 and the student groups forming that would have never occurred but that was made possible through the assumption of positive intent and the uh the willingness for this well the seven voting members at the board table here and Dr. Massie included um having the willingness to to look through a disagreement and find a solution that worked for students. So, um, that that's all I really have to add to Dr. Anassi's report and that that was a very long thank you, but I do appreciate it. So, if there aren't any other comments or discussions on, uh, uh, staff welfare, we could move to the superintendent search update. All right, I I will provide the superintendent search update um, myself. And, um, unfortunately, I don't have a lot to share. I was really hoping tonight to uh bring some identified applicants to the board, but uh if you remember right when we first authorized the superintendent search, we authorized it between myself and member Hagglund. And member Hagglund has been uh um working on another issue that we're going to address here in 7.1. So, what we ended up doing is we we put out a a public posting on our internal website to just see what kind of applicants we would get early in the uh uh early in the process. It was set to expire yesterday. Um, I asked our human resources department to extend that to um through uh December and I'm hoping that we'll have another uh board member appointed by December and we'll we'll be at full strength so to speak so we can uh bring some of those applicants forward to the board and we can start having that discussion. Um, what I can report on the uh applicants that we've got that we've received thus far is I have not yet had an opportunity to review any of the resumes, but I did recognize some of the names of the applicants that came in and we have at at least one really strong choice here um or a a strong option uh for the future of our district. So it looks bright um as we start working through the month and as we figure out the uh process to fulfill the vacancy that uh um we now have on our board that we've received the resignation. Uh we'll we'll solidify the plans moving forward. Maybe bring it back to the board and say uh now how do we want to move now that we have different representation? Um are there any questions on my report on superintendent search? Member Tyson. So, I have one question for you, member chair. I saw on the posting that it was going to your address and your email or did it >> how did that work? >> I'm I'm not particularly sure um how that worked. I I just asked for the posting to be put up uh um by human resources. I do know that my name was on it. >> Okay. >> Um and I think my email was on it. But I do know that any of the résumés that are submitted go into the system. Okay. >> And I have not seen any of the résumés. My >> my preference with the resumes is that we would ask administration to first uh um redact the personally identify information from their resume so that we can give them a thorough review without really having any of that inherent bias of, you know, seeing the name or seeing the school district they associated with and we can really look at their credentials first. So I'm really glad I haven't got uh that I'm not directly receiving resumes but okay >> as to the specifics of the posting I I really couldn't address that >> tracks and it goes right to HR. >> Correct. It goes to HR and um like I said my intent is to have most of that identifiable information retracted prior to reviewing it so that we can look at these applicants purely on uh the merits. >> Has that ever been done before? I've never heard of that. Um I I don't know if we've done it here in the schools. It's one of the hiring practices I utilize in business and it's really served us well. We we end up with a a list of really diverse and powerful candidates that we can select from uh after going through the interview process. So it's it's really been beneficial in uh in my professional life. >> Okay. Did HR get to weigh in on that decision or did you just make that on your own? >> That hasn't been made. I I'm just sharing it with with I'm just sharing that with you. as that that would be my intent, but uh um as we discussed this morning, I'd really like to have uh that seventh member appointed so that they can be part of that decision-making process. I think we owe that to our community. >> Absolutely. Okay. Thank you. >> So, member Anson, did you have a question or did I >> inadvertently answer between all the coughing and I don't know time? Um Oh, you Yes. So, you said you put it out internally. Did I miss something at some point? Does there go >> what what I meant by internally is it's on our internal HR system. We have not engaged a search uh firm. So we haven't engaged uh like MSBA or >> um meaning I have had a number of uh different search options reach out to me >> but I feel that if we're going to engage search that that needs to be a board decision. >> Okay. >> Um that shouldn't be something that uh >> sure >> either myself or member Hagglin uh just make that decision for the board. So >> okay >> that will come back. So you said it's internal and external. I mean >> external candidates do have access to it. Yeah. So when I when I said internally, I meant it's on our >> when you go to flaw schools and you click on it, it's there. >> Okay. >> But it's not uh advertised through like MSBA or through any of the executive search. >> So you don't know how many internal candidates there are yet? You said there was a strong internal. I I did recognize curious at least one of the names and I do believe it was an internal candidate and uh >> okay >> would I I feel it would be a really good choice and that's one of the reasons I'd like to see the >> redacted resumes because I I don't want to look at it and go I I like >> I like this name >> I I like what I know here I want to I really want to look at the merits of the applicants. >> That's that's a good idea. Thank you. >> Yeah. Member Tyson something could you clarify? I know member Corkin kind of asked this, but is it posted to uh MASA and MSBAs? >> I don't believe so unless >> unless they look at other districts and then they crossost, but I don't we are not paying anybody to post it for us at this moment. That that that I feel is a more of a board decision. >> Okay, great. >> Thank you. >> All right. Any other questions on the superintendent search? All right, seeing none, um that will move us to the consent agenda. Is there any item on consent that any member would like to pull? >> All right, I would entertain a motion to approve 6.1 through 6.5. >> So moved. >> Second. >> I have a motion and a second. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Those opposed. >> All right, the motion carries. That brings us to action item 7.1, resolution accepting the resignation of a school board member. Um, member Hegelin. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh, board chair Rebeline, please accept this letter as my official notice of resignation as a board member of Forest Lake Area Schools. I am grateful for the opportunity and trust the public has bestowed upon me to bring academic excellence, fiscal responsibility, and parents rights back to Forest Lake Area Schools. I feel this board has made tremendous progress over the past 10 months in achieving those goals. However, due to re relocating outside of the school district boundaries, I will not be able to serve the remainder of my term. I pray for God's continued guidance over Forest Lake Area Schools and the school board. My last day at Forest Lake Area Schools will be Thursday, October 23rd, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. >> Thank you, Member Hegeland. Um, it pains me to do this, but I will move to accept the resolution. Do I have a second? Second. >> Second. >> All right. We have a motion and a second. Is there any discussion? >> Member Antinson. >> Oh, >> can I just say a few words? Absolutely. Okay. I'm going to try to get through this without so multiple uh members here and then uh member Rebeline did speak to >> Well, I'll just start from the beginning. I was just want to take a moment to thank member Haggland uh for his nearly three years of dedication and service on the Forest Lake School Board. I am grateful for his eye for detail, his courage to ask questions and speak openly on sensitive topics and his willingness to compromise, collaborate as opposed to serving his own interests. I think we've talked about it enough tonight. >> Thank you. the the the meeting in which you know the end result was the fact that we do have clubs in our high school and eighth graders to have that opportunity and that is because of your willingness to compromise and and Julie as well but this is a vote [laughter] Luke. So, um, anyway, I, uh, I think that action alone is speaks to the content of your character, Member Heaggland, and I will miss your calm and steady presence on the board. I wish you and your family well. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Any other discussion? Concur. Member Tyson. Well, I just want to say member Hegeland, school board is definitely a commitment and I know it takes time away from your family, from our families, and you have the smaller children. That's that's not always easy. And we've had a lot of late meetings, so I'm always like, "Wow, he might not even see his kids. He'll be in bed." So, anyway, I appreciate your commitment. Um, you know, we've always not always seen eye to eye. I appreciate when I broke my wrist. You're like, Gail. That's a story, I'm sure. But, um, you know, thank you and I wish you well. >> Thank you, >> Member Corkran. >> And I also wrote a little something here. I just wanted to thank member Hegel for his years years of service. um is with your background in finance is added to the board by serving on finance and buildings and grounds and you had a critical way of thinking which always you know you looked at it things a different way just to explain that because of your background and I do appreciate that and it's it's it's never easy to resign a position that you're committed to and and I know it's never easy but life changes and your family does come first so I do value that and um I wish you all the best for your years to come thank you so Member Christensen. >> Yeah. I also just wanted to say to member Hegeland that um serving on a school board takes time and energy, dedication. We may have had different perspectives at times, but I want to thank you for your service and I appreciate and your family well. >> All right. Thank you, Al. Um I didn't prepare any statements. I'm a a terrible friend. But uh I will will say what a lot of people don't recogn or realize that because Luke and I have worked together um and worked with with one another on the on the school board here uh since being elected. Um we didn't know one another until oh gosh the day or two after I um put my name in uh for the election. So we've really only known each other for a couple of years. And uh I'm honored now. I mean, he was my colleague a few years ago when we first took our seats, and now I feel very honored to call him my friend, and I think there's other individuals on the board here that uh can share a similar statement of not knowing member Hegel, but getting to know him over the the last few years. Um, we've worked handinand quite a bit uh the the last three years on the board, and I'm I'm really going to miss that. and miss our conversations uh not just about the school board but about uh uh you know some of the medical trials and tribulations that I I experienced in my life and uh some of the the things with just just having kids and growing up and um how do you move a tractor across the state things like that so um I I'll miss those discussions just as much and I'm sure we'll remain connected and uh as I mentioned earlier this is kind of a painful motion for me, but uh um I think it's the right call. So, if we don't have any other comments, um I'd ask member clerk to please take the roll call. >> Okay. All right. Member Castle, >> I. >> Member Hagland, >> abstain. >> Member Tyson, >> I. >> Member Rebeline. >> I. >> Member Corkran. >> I. >> Member Christensen. >> I. and member Antonen votes I. The eyes have it. >> All right, the motion carries. That brings us to action item 7.2, determine the process and timeline for filling a schoolboard vacancy. Um, I'll kick that off. Uh, Minnesota State statute 123B.09 subdivision 3 states that a schoolboard member vacancy occurs when a member resigns. Having accepted member Hegeland's resignation, the legal requirement for a vacancy has now been met. Subdivision 5B of the same statute continues. Any vacancy on the board must be filled by a board appointment at a regular or special meeting. The appointment must be evidenced by a resolution. If the vacancy occurs less than two years prior to the expiration of the term, the appointee of the board shall serve the remainder of the unexpired term. Because member Hegeland's term is due to expire in approximately 14 months, we will begin this process by establishing a method to appoint another individual to the board. I would open this discussion by saying uh let's first establish a date and a time for a special meeting. Uh does anybody have a proposal for that uh to occur next week? >> Do we need a motion to hold a special meeting? >> Um we will, but uh um we have a lot of discussion items before we determine the motion. So, um, yeah, member Christian, >> what will happen at this meeting? >> Um, the special meeting will be to, uh, potentially appoint an individual or to that, we'll carry that out, uh, in the remainder of our discussion here. >> Well, I just wonder if before we do that, we maybe should talk about the process because if the plan is to appoint someone next week, I mean, that doesn't give anyone time if we want to have a more extensive, transparent process. Well, per per statute, we are to appoint an individual at a regular or special board meeting >> by a resolution. So, >> but that has to be next week or that could be >> could be November 6, the main meeting of the month. >> Um, it could be my I do have some concerns when I look at the uh the dates on this and this is why I would propose a special meeting. If we wait until November 6th um and the resolution is not valid for 30 days that pushes us out um me do the math here. That would be 28 29 30 if if my quick math here is correct. it it pushes it out to Saturday 12 126 before the uh appointment would become a active member of the board which is past our 124 board meeting as director Embery mentioned that is our truth and taxation meeting um so we'll be finalizing the levy that night I think that's an important piece we have a committee uh meeting on the I believe November 20th um for finance Uh, member Hegeland is part of that committee as well that that will prep for truth and taxation. Um, and as we just discussed, we have a superintendent search and we also have the recommendation of a strategic plan. I think we just have a lot of pieces in place to really push this out that far. Conversely, if we were to hold a special meeting on any evening next week, including uh Friday the 31st, the resolution would become active would would become um an active member of the board uh prior to December. Um and the last date that that that would occur would be December either 29th or 30th depending on how those days are counted. um which would make them available as a full serving and voting member on the floor. So that is why I would recommend we have a a special meeting um next week. I know that uh in conversations with Dr. Massie, he mentioned that staff would be available on Thursday the 30th. In discussions with other board members, though it sounds like there might be some conflicts on that date. Um, are there dates that would work better or does the 30th work? >> Again, I I'm I feel like we're kind of putting the cart before the horse because if if we're just anointing someone, then next week works fine. But if we're going to be asking for community involvement and applications, then next week doesn't work. So, I guess I I'm reticent to agree to a meeting next week if I don't know the process first. >> Okay. So, are are you suggesting that um well, what process are you suggesting? Let me >> Well, I did go back and I found [clears throat] um a policy that the school district used to have policy 515. Um it was last the last date on it that I could find was um 2001. So I I realize it's it's um not in effect anymore, but it is uh termed schoolboard vacancies purposes policies determine the process for filling a vacancy that occurs blah blah blah. Um the VA and this is what it said at the time. The vacancy shall be advertised. I'm making this shorter here. The vacancy shall be advertised. The vacancy shall include instructions on application. Each more board member will be provided copies of application materials. Each board member may select one candidate to be interviewed. Up to six applicants may be interviewed. Final selection would mean resolution at a regular board meeting. The school board member elect will be administered the oath of block as well. So I mean I um and not only this but um pre I looked and kind of tried to look up um where this has happened recently um in Robbinsdale. This just happened recently. Resignation of a board member. they did have an application and interview process. Uh Columbia Heights, they did appoint someone, but it was the former board chair, someone obviously familiar with the um with the schoolboard procedures. So, I just feel really strongly that there should be some process that a community member should be able to apply and there should be some sort of an interview. I mean, I think all of us up here went through the campaign, went through the interviews, questions, you know, legal women, voters, all the things, chamber of commerce, all the things. And we had to sit up there and answer questions. And so people knew who we are, who we were, knew what we stood for. Um, and so I just feel super super strongly that we cannot just um appoint someone. We already I feel like um um although I mean you know to be clear uh you could um you know there's not something in the statute that says exactly what you have to do. I understand that. But I just feel like um it this would just really trigger a lot of distrust in our community if we just if a certain certain group anoints someone that they know and that the community at large doesn't really know, hasn't really had experience with. And I just feel like that's just gonna do a disservice to the person who is announced because that person might be looked upon whether whether they are um uh not worthy is not the word but whether they are qualified. They might be they might be a really great person to do this. But I feel like by just anointing them then people might be like well geez how did that person get it? Is there some favoritism going on? Do who knows this person? How did this person, you know, there's a wealth of people in the community, former board members perhaps, uh, um, also recently at the city council, uh, Mayor Roberts was had a seat and then he was elected the mayor. And so that's what they did. They did an application procedure or process and they had interviews. And I just feel really strongly about that. And um it's going to go a long ways to build trust in the community if that's the way we do it. If we just go annoying someone, I I think I think that's going to be a problem. >> That's a >> serious support. Member Tyson. >> So I guess what I'm looking for is doing it historically how our board has done it before. We've done this twice. We've had two vacancies that we filled and we've done the application process. And I think it's really important that the person gets vetted appropriately by our seven member board and the process is fulfilled and we're agreeing upon together to create that trust. And I want to thank the board chair for removing what was supposed to be an appointment tonight because I think we want to be very transparent in who's selected. We want to get to know them. We want to know what their what their perception of the district is and how we can have shared common goals. So I would like to see us do a process much what uh member Christensen talked about where we take applications and we find out who in the community is interested and um I think that'll bring a lot of value and stability to the board. I think it'll bring a person on board that will be comfortable and will be able to fit right in. I think if we do it a different route where we're kind of ramrodding someone, they're going to be uncomfortable and our community will push back on that. So, >> member Corker, >> well, I actually asked Joy to look it up look up um so in 2006 um Keith Dunham lived here and he actually moved out of state just like you are doing, Luke. And um we had um five candidates that were interviewed and that's when Dan Keeer got appointed and so I was part of that and I was involved with the whole thing. It was it was ran wonderfully. We had a lot of great candidates um all different kinds of candidates and he did get um the position and then he did run again after that um after that ended. But I think it just um it was really good to get a diverse group and like I said, you know, we're going to have differing opinions. So, it's get someone that's more that we can both get behind as far as someone that's going to be levelheaded kind of looking at things and different perspectives. And there's a lot of people like that out there. So, we just need need to make sure that we give give the community have a chance to get to know the people. And I believe it's better for that person, too. Like I know Scott, I mean I did talk to him. He's I can't say anything either way, but I just don't think it is fair for him to come on board like that. I don't I don't think he would get the support that he would need from the community. Also, >> so that would be best for us. >> Just a a quick question. Do you know how long that uh application, interview, appointment, then the 30-day [clears throat] wait? because this statute's changed >> a half a dozen times >> since 2006. >> Well, it took it says um he resigned on May 25th and Dan Keeer was appointed August 3rd. >> Okay. So, it took just over two and a half months. Yeah. >> So, it maybe takes a month, you know, to do the interviews and get people lined up and then another third. So, within a couple months, >> which puts us into January or February, that and that's my biggest concern with doing a an application process versus an appointment. Um, I did look at this extensively. Um, >> and to see what other districts have done, what city councils have done. It seems like the most favored option is to go to the um the highest unelected vote getter of the most recent election because you know that that person has community support. you know that that person has been fully vetted by the community. In fact, that is what Spring Lake Park did just two years ago when uh Senator Michael Karun won his resounding uh victory for Senate is they went back and they appointed the next highest vote getter. They actually did that >> um pretty much immediately following the election. Um Mr. Senator Krun was still a board member when they made that appointment. um and he was able to serve through the end of the year. I I don't remember the individual's name who took that position, but uh there is legal precedent for an outgoing board member to vote on their replacement and to select their replacement. Um it's been done several times both in city councils and on school boards. >> So, there is no legal question about moving to an appointment even uh an appointment that member Hegel was able to vote on. But uh um that's my biggest concern about the application process. Member Tyson. >> Yeah. And I you know I see where you're thinking it's getting down. It's getting out there in ways. And I know that you looked at the MSBA's rules kind of their scenarios and what they're what to do with a two-year less than two-year vacancy. But one thing on here is that and I don't know if everybody's aware that there's that 30-day waiting period. So once we appoint someone, there's a 30-day waiting period and there can be a petition that garers x amount of votes on that petition and then you know they cannot we cannot appoint that person if it meets that threshold of votes of of of names on the petition. The other thing I wanted to mention is Jill had me remember Christensen had one policy. I have the other one. It's 115 in the 100s. And if you remember back in the fall all of these were committed so they're gone. So we don't have a policy on this and I do agree with member chair that they are outdated. This one is 3501 but again it states kind of how our district has historically done that and that the vacancy shall be advertised using the same procedure as used for public notices of schoolboard meetings included printed in official district newspaper and posting at the school district offices. I mean, it's it goes on. There's six >> points, but >> yeah, we we spoke to that >> just so everyone's aware of the 30-day. >> Yeah. And and actually, when we rescended those policies, there was two >> uh uh policies that we had for appointing a a board member vacancy, and neither of them were consistent with state law. >> In fact, uh when I look at the uh Minnesota statute 123b.09, 09. There have been one, two, three, four, five, eight revisions on that just since 2015. Um, so it for whatever reason that the legislature likes to make adjustments to this uh um statute quite often, which I think is why MSBA went away from their guidance on recommending a a policy on this because it's just easier to refer back to statute and what is in effect at the time that uh >> well I think the statute was for us to have the authority over it. Yeah, this the statute does not give us any um declarative requirement or process to do this. Um all it states is that an appointment must be made. >> And we know in 1960 there was an attorney general opinion out there too. So >> uh the 1960 attorney general position goes back to um whether or not an individual could uh vote for their successor, right? And there's some debate over that because like I said that the precedent that's gone on who know countless times. I I found a half a dozen to a dozen just on a cursory search over the last couple of years. So there is legal precedent for doing that. Um that that isn't the suggestion tonight. I I don't think we're going to leave this evening with a appointed individual for the board. But, uh, member Christensen, >> well, I would also like to say, I mean, I know you you keep coming back to that it might take a while, um, or the timeline, and I I would say with all the important things that we have coming up with the superintendent search, with um, our strategic plan, with all these important things that we have coming up, I think we should take the time and get it right. This we're not in a hurry. There's no rush. There's no deadline. Um, I really think the community would be best served for us to take our time and do it right. >> Would you like to see if there's a majority opinion on seeking applications? I'm okay with that. >> Sure. >> All right. Uh um, we'll vote then. I'll just ask all those in favor who would like to seek applications, just say I. >> I. >> Well, hold on. I'm just setting it up. Sorry. And uh if if we end up with a majority of four of us, we'll do that. Otherwise, we'll just uh assume that we're going to work down the appointment process. Does that seem reasonable? >> I'd like Can we have a roll call vote? >> Um sure. Yeah. Um >> Okay. >> Okay. So, the the question on the table is um all those in favor of going down to the application process to fulfill the vacancy vote in the affirmative. Um and member clerk. >> Okay. Uh member Castle >> I. >> Member Rebeline. >> No. >> Member Christensen. >> I. >> Member Antsen votes no. Member Hagglund. >> No. >> Member Corkran. >> I. >> Member Tyson. >> Hi. >> The eyes have it. >> All right. We were looking at the application process then. Unless there's a uh >> we can lay the motion to reconsider on the table and then we need to set a timeline for applications. So, we would have to have a special meeting to set up and request applications. >> Should we revisit reviving one of these policies or do we just want to make it up as we go? >> You know, what what do you what are your thoughts? I would say let's make it up as we go. See how it works if this is what we're doing because otherwise I'm going to wait for that to come through because it's got to go to policy committee and all that business cuz >> let's just work with the ideas. That's my thoughts. >> Are we trying to what are we trying to get to trying to get to to it tonight or do you want to do a special meeting to talk about it? >> Well, we we have a special meeting to uh because we're going to have to set up the applications. We're going have to set up a deadline for applications. We're going to >> I'll make a motion for a special meeting >> next week. >> Yeah. That kind of gets back to my original question of what what date works. >> Well, it'd be great if it wasn't Halloween. >> Yeah. Well, I will say that >> I would make a motion. Can we make it for >> Yeah. Is >> I would make a motion to I mean for me Monday night I know we mentioned is Monday night. >> We need a three-day posting period. three day posting. >> Okay. So, we're looking at from Tuesday to Friday. >> Okay. >> And we've already kind of uh >> pressed up against Friday and said no. >> So, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. >> Um Dr. Massie mentioned that staff was available on Thursday. >> Um I know I see the cringe from member Cork and I think her >> can't >> she has a challenge there. Mhm. >> Um does anybody else have a strong Wednesday? >> Wednesday night works for me and we cannot do Halloween because um hopefully the football team will be playing that night. >> That's right. Right. >> Halloween for Tuesday the 28th. >> So Tuesday. Does anybody else have a conflict on Tuesday the 28th? Tuesday does not I can do Wednesday and Thursday and I could >> Thursday works for me. >> It doesn't work for you. >> Can we do like a afternoon meeting or something? Like when we did the strategic plan we did it at like 4. >> I mean I don't know. I'm just throwing it out there. >> I don't know if there's guidance on that. I I know that >> some meetings are really specific about uh 6 p.m. like truth and taxation. I don't know if our board regular board meetings or special meetings have that. >> Five on Thursday. >> Same requirement. >> I'm sorry, member chair. >> Oh. >> Oh, I could do I could do five o'clock on Thursday, >> right? >> Oh, on Thursday. >> Mhm. If that works for everyone. Do we know if there's a uh legal binding on >> I'm not aware of legal Thursday on that. >> Okay, let me >> look at that. Thursday night. >> Other boards have their regular meetings at 5. >> Okay. Then then we should be >> fine with a five o'clock meeting. >> Okay. >> Um What day are we on there then? >> We're looking at Thursday the 30th. >> Oh, >> yeah. So, if members want to check their calendars and see if they're available on the 30th, >> I'm available. >> I'm available. >> Oh, available. You're welcome. >> At 5. That's okay. >> Yeah. Five five o'clock on Thursday in the boardroom here. >> Okay. >> All right. All right. In that class, uh, I'll move to establish a special board meeting of the school board scheduled for o Thursday, October 30th at 5:00 pm in the Forest Lake Area School District office to solely address the uh uh the process of a or the the election process of a how do I want to word this? Sorry, I got I got a >> the application process. >> Application and timeline. >> All right. So, I'll move to establish a special meeting of the board scheduled for October 30th at 5:00 PM in the Forest Lake Area School District office to solely address the application process for a new school board member. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Okay, we have a motion and a second. Do we have any discussion on that? All right. Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> I. You want to abstain? >> Yeah, I'll abstain from that one. >> Okay. Joy, make a note that member Hegland abstained there. Um, >> could I just make a quick remark? >> Yeah. >> I just I just want to thank um I'm very happy that the chair decided to change course this evening. [clears throat] >> I thank her. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. >> All right. Um that will bring us to uh action item 7.3 approved 2024 to 2026 technology specialist agreement. Dr. Massie, >> this agreement represents the final agreement within the classified groups. And this agreement is consistent with the other classified agreements with a $100 increase in dependent coverage in the second year of the agreement and wage increases of 3% in each of the year um each of the two years of the agreement. And with that, administration recommends approval. >> All right, I entertain a motion. >> Move to approve. >> Second. >> I have a motion and a second. Is there any discussion? Member Tyson, >> I do have a couple of questions for the superintendent. I was reading over this and when I got to the wages portion, how does how do we compare to other districts >> uh for this position across all of our classifiers? It's consistent, you know, that we are >> and how many in this group then? >> Uh there are less than a dozen. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> So this is the classified portion of the technology. Correct. >> Correct. Yeah. >> Okay. Thank you. >> All right. Any other discussion? All right. Seeing none, member clerk, please take the roll call. >> Okay. Member Corkran. >> I. >> Member Tyson. >> I. >> Member Christensen. >> I. >> Member Antonson votes I. Member Castle. >> I. >> Member Rebeline. >> I. >> And member Hagglund. >> I. >> The eyes have it. >> All right. That brings us to action item 7.4. for job description for superintendent schools proposed policy 1304A. Dr. Massie, >> uh this is um updated language in our policy series um including um language from the Minnesota School Boards Association. You'll see with the red line in this document. Um so this would be adopting essentially Minnesota School Board Association language on this policy. >> Yep. And I will add to that the uh the red lines that are on here are based uh primarily on policy number 2011 which is our existing policy. Um so the motion on this would be to resend policy 2011. Well, so I will move to resend policy 2011 and replace it with policy 1304A. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> All right, we have motion to second. Any discussion on this? >> All right, seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Those opposed. All right. Policy uh action name 7.5 administrator code of ethics proposed policy 1306. You'll see in uh this policy on the first page the um item B2.B um educational administrator. You'll see a series of 10 different components related to that. Those come straight from the uh Minnesota statute related to code of ethics. Then you'll see item item actually um 2B uh items 1 through 12 not 1 through 10 on the second page. And then um the item four and five speaks to complaints and enforcement procedures. That language is also from the rules related to the statute pertaining to this provision for code of ethics. the these items are really referencing the board of school administrators, not our local school board. So, I I would recommend that we commit this back to policy to provide that clarification in the policy so that we're really clear that these provisions point to the board of school administrators, not necessarily the local school board. >> I see what you're saying. Yeah, there I think that's a really important distinction here that we just want to make sure we have crystal clear within the policy. >> So that board of school ad can you just say it? >> Yeah, the board of school administrators governs the is the govern is the licensing agency state agency for school administrator >> at the state level. Correct. Gotcha. Okay. >> Well, that was not how I read that. >> Yeah. All right. >> Yeah. So, and and we just don't need >> amb ambiguity on this part. Exactly. >> No, in that case, I'll make a motion to commit. >> Second. >> Second. Yes. >> A motion and a second to commit. Any additional discussion? >> All right. Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Those opposed. >> All right. That motion carries. Brings us to 8.1. Um, it's noted as a first reading and the recommendation of the strategic plan to school board member subcommittees to full board. Um, I can make that report being a member of that subcommittee. Member Christensen and member Antonson uh also joined me on that so they can hopefully help me supplement this. But uh it's gonna my my recommendation is going to fall um pretty much in line with the superintendent search update. Um, we spent some time discussing this with uh MSBA and what their recommendations were, especially with the hiring of a new superintendent and um, this wasn't even part of the the calculus a few days ago or a few weeks ago, but uh, now that we have a board member uh, turnover occurring here that uh, they were recommending uh, some sort of a facilitated discussion with the MSBA to help us determine what our two or three primary goals are of the district and then to adopt that as our strategic plan for a short term let's say a two or a three-year strategic plan and that would be um a part of an aid to onboard a new superintendent rather than giving them a very extensive um 10 goal with with 30 sub goal type uh strategic plan they would have something to to really zero in on. Um we were originally going to uh recommend that uh discussion to occur with MSBA sometime in mid December or early January. Uh depending on how the application process and appointment process works of the new board member though we would have less than we would only have six of a seven member board. So, my personal recommendation would be that uh this similar to the superintendent search update essentially fall on or go on hold until we're able to get back to full strength and move forward. Um so, that that would be my update on that. Member Christensen, do you have anything to add? >> Well, I was also just going to add um Gail Gilman from MSBA, she was really helpful. We um >> Member Antonson, Chair Revline, and myself and Dr. Massie and some others. Um she just had some really great points. I mean first of all they are very busy and I think she said they were 6 to9 months out which actually works very well um with our time frame. And also she had a really good point that I wasn't thinking about. I don't know if you guys were but you know to really um get the new superintendent to be able to have input on that strategic plan. She really I'm looking for I don't see it here in my notes but basically she said you know you really don't want to have a new superintendent and then go here here's your strategic plan you know she really recommended uh superintendent first followed by the strategic plan and also she recommended what was the um not >> I don't recall what it was called that's why I said kind of a facilitated discussion >> interim or I don't know she said school board what did she call it >> the board evaluation >> board thank So she's she also suggested >> we take a board evaluation >> and then I guess I'm not sure but some of the information maybe Dr. Massie could help some of the information that comes out of that >> it's part focus on that. >> She was she was super super helpful. >> I would encourage uh uh the other three board members that weren't part of that to go back and review it. We did record it. We did res we did stream it. >> So I would go back and and review her >> uh recommendation. and we have ample time to do that now. So, uh, >> that would be my recommendation there. But, uh, we have any other member Tyson? >> One quick question, a conversation following up I had with you, member chair. You said that you were possibly suggesting Barb Dorne come and do a remote >> um, >> oh, it would be Galeational. >> Yeah, it would be Gail >> or Gail Gman. either one of them can do because you weren't sure if >> some of the new members understood the process but maybe you're >> are you still planning on doing that? >> Um I was thinking that would be the right way to go but uh as I stated earlier I I think we want to get that seventh board member >> okay wait till then >> in seat >> before we would go about doing that. >> Yeah. >> Well yeah good idea though. I think it's a great idea to do that. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. after you have thatformational. But when we did the superintendent search for our for superintendent Steve Massie, we used them and you do a full board evaluation. You kind of do some in andout boxes and find out what you're looking for individually and what your strengths are and what strengths and >> you pivoted to superintendent. I I thought we were still talking strategic plan, but yeah, the the same the same would apply. Yeah, the same would apply. We we want to get that seventh board member seated and then we'll we'll go forward. >> I get that. I didn't know if you had already done theformational remote with them on that, but >> No, no, I I just had a private one-on-one conversation with them to >> Okay. >> to kind of figure out what our options were. >> Okay. [snorts] >> And just in light of a resignation, we'll we'll put that on hold as well. >> All right. All right. If we don't have anything to add here before we move to adjournment, since we talked about uh um the truth and taxation and some of the big things that we have going up in finance and with member Haggland uh being a member of finance, uh I I attended that forum this evening, but I I just I think it's really important that we have our treasurer there and we have another dedicated board member. Um, I would like to actually make a motion that uh um member Corkran um leave whatever committee it was we assigned her to at 7 p.m. and take member Hegeland's place on finance. >> Second >> effective immediately. >> I'd second that. >> That'd be great. Thank you. >> Second. >> Okay. We have a motion and a second. >> Is there any any discussion on that or did my preamble kind of set the table for that one? All right. Member Corkin, I should ask, are you are you willing to make that shift? >> I would I'd love to be back on. Yeah, I think that I would like that. >> I I think that would be extremely beneficial to the district and I I recommend you for that role because I know you'll be able to to slide back into it and the transition will be very simple for you. You'll be able to get caught up with Director Remberg relatively quickly. >> Yeah. >> Um I I just think that's the prudent thing to do. >> Well, thank you. I appreciate that. >> All right. If if we don't have any additional discussion on that, all those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Those opposed. All right. Member Corkran, you have a new appointment here for at least two more months before we go into uh um the organizational meeting. And with that, I would entertain a motion to adjurnn. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All right. We motion second. Any discussion? >> Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Those opposed. >> All right. We are journ. Hey.