Mahtomedi Public Schools — Transcript

Tuesday, June 23, 2026

MAEF Fund-a-Need Report

District Financial Planning and Preliminary Budget

Long-Term Facilities Maintenance (LTFM) Plan

Minnesota State High School League Membership and Transgender Athlete Policy

Votes (8)

Approval of Donations and Grants for May 2026

6-0 Approved

Moved by Director Doman [0:18:32] · Seconded by Director Peterson [0:18:36]

Board members acknowledged the value of all donations and grants in furthering the school district's mission and adhering to donor wishes. No specific discussion points were raised beyond this general appreciation.

Approval of Northeast Metro 916 Long-Term Facility Maintenance (LTFM) Allocation

6-0 Approved

Moved by Director Doman [0:20:20] · Seconded by Director Stout [0:20:26]

The allocation is an annual flow-through process where revenues come to the district and are then disbursed to Intermediate 916 for facility maintenance, specifically for buildings 916 owns. Funding percentages are based on student count. Director Donna, representing on the 916 board, commended both 916 and the district's special education department for their collaborative work in supporting students, emphasizing the effort to keep students in-district when possible.

Approval of the Long-Term Facilities Maintenance Plan

6-0 Approved

Moved by Director Doman [0:24:6] · Seconded by Director Peterson [0:24:10]

Adam Gimmended presented the annual 10-year LTFM plan, focusing on fiscal year 2028 projects including health and safety, annual gym floor refinishing, mechanical systems, professional services, and a major solution for the O.H. Anderson parking lot. The plan allows for flexibility in years 29-36 based on building needs. Funding comes from a mixture of state levy (approx. $930,000) and aid (approx. $280,000).

Approval of the 2026-2027 Preliminary Budget

6-0 Approved

Moved by Director Peterson [0:30:26] · Seconded by Director Doman [0:30:29]

Tim Erickson presented the preliminary budget, noting adjustments to basic revenue allowance to avoid double-counting and an increase in TRA pension aid. Special education aid projections were conservatively adjusted upwards. The budget projects a planned deficit of $795,000 for FY26 and near break-even for FY27 and FY28, with a larger deficit of $676,000 (about 1% of expenses) projected for FY29, deemed manageable. Fund balances for various funds were reviewed, including an increase in food service and community education income, and the management of the construction and debt service funds.

Approval of the Mahtomedi Youth Hockey Association (MYHA) DEC Rink Enhancement Project

6-0 Approved

Moved by Director Whitsett [0:31:59] · Seconded by Director Doman [0:32:1]

The project aims to serve community and youth needs by enhancing the skating rink at the District Education Center (DEC). The administration will approve the project once all conditions outlined in a resolution are met. Director Peterson highlighted that Christina Lucius from MYHA obtained sign-offs from all neighboring properties and that the association raised $30,000 at a recent fundraiser.

Approval of 2026-2027 Resolution for Membership in the Minnesota State High School League

6-0 Approved

Moved by Director Peterson [0:33:14] · Seconded by Director Doman [0:33:20]

The Board discussed the Minnesota State High School League's (MSHSL) policy regarding transgender student participation in sports, specifically concerning males competing in female sports. Director Donna expressed concern over MSHSL's unwillingness to address the issue and communicate with districts, citing it as contrary to MSHSL's mission of competitive fairness and athlete safety. Director Doman reported that MSHSL has stated they do not plan to address it unless legal channels dictate. Superintendent DeFrain noted no specific concerns from district athletes or families have been reported. The Chair offered a counter-perspective, suggesting MSHSL's stance ensures participation for all individuals.

Approval of the Resolution Establishing the Dates for Filing Affidavits Candidacy for the Open School Board Member Position

6-0 Approved

Moved by Director Doman [0:38:1] · Seconded by Director Whitson [0:38:6]

This biennial resolution sets the filing dates for three open school board seats for the November election. It was noted that the filing period is now earlier than in previous years.

Approval of the Final Reading of Policies

6-0 Approved

Moved by Director Peterson [0:39:35] · Seconded by Director Doman [0:39:38]

The Board approved the third and final reading of several policies. Notably, Policy 615, 'Testing Accommodations,' was recommended for removal because its content (requirements for MCA testing) is fully covered in state testing manuals, rendering a separate district policy redundant and subject to constant review without necessity. The policy committee had reviewed all recommended changes.

Notable Quotes (12)

No, it's it's for intermediate 916. So, that's it probably does not go to Century College because I would imagine we lease that position that that building, but it's more along the lines of the buildings that 916 owns.

Tim Erickson [0:19:56]
Approval of Northeast Metro 916 Long-Term Facility Maintenance (LTFM) Allocation

I just want to say that um as the representative to the 916 board, I I see firsthand all of the work that um happens, and I really commend that commend the district for what they do. I also want to commend our special ed director and what we do internally. We work closely with 916 to ensure that if we can keep the students in district we do and then for those who need the supports of 916 then we work with 916 and I I think we we just do a really nice job on both ends of that and just really want to call that out.

Director Donna [0:20:27]
Approval of Northeast Metro 916 Long-Term Facility Maintenance (LTFM) Allocation

I don't have any questions, but as a member of the facilities sub committee Adam it was very thorough and well thought out and and uh I think everything was explained well, so I would be in recommendation of moving forward with approval.

Director Doman [0:23:44]
Approval of the Long-Term Facilities Maintenance Plan

So, funding for this comes through a mixture of levy and aid. Um and so we got about $930,000 in levy dollars that come into the district uh depending on the formula. And then about uh I think we're about $280,000 of aid that uh flows through.

Tim Erickson [0:24:38]
Approval of the Long-Term Facilities Maintenance Plan

I have two. I happen to be sandwiched between two school districts that passed huge levies and building bonds and are now looking at they have very large deficits that their school board is dealing with. Can you go back up two slides? Yeah. So, this really helps to see those numbers at the bottom. Even on our worst day, which it won't be 676, we're not looking at millions. So, when you say you're conservative and we ask so many questions, is this keeping us from not being those two districts that build new schools, pass bonds and levies, and then now are looking at huge deficits?

Director Peterson [0:28:44]
Approval of the 2026-2027 Preliminary Budget

Well, it's a it's a great question. I I would probably start by saying, you know, when you when you're bonding for construction, that's all those funds can be used for. They can't be used for anything for any operating expense. So, um if if they have they're running large deficits, a lot of districts, which a lot of districts are, uh they're struggling with we're all struggling with increased cost pressures. Um we've done a few things to bring down some of our expenditure areas. Um I can't I can't quite speak to specifically about those two districts, but right, yeah. We're So, I'll I'll just add another piece that you know, when we look at what we're at we're adding we're adding about 10,000 square feet of space in different areas. And our only our our biggest one of our costs in personnel would be a half-time custodian and it's you know, it's very minimal.

Tim Erickson [0:29:16]
Approval of the 2026-2027 Preliminary Budget

Um Director Doman, I know last time we considered this, um there was discussion at the table regarding the State High School League's view with regard to allowing males to compete in female sports. Has there been any update from the State High School League concerning with with respect to their view on that?

Director Donna [0:33:23]
Approval of 2026-2027 Resolution for Membership in the Minnesota State High School League

Um no, I brought the topic up at multiple meetings and I've been told that it is not something they plan to address. Once there is an update, they will distribute the update via their legal channels.

Director Doman [0:33:38]
Approval of 2026-2027 Resolution for Membership in the Minnesota State High School League

Um so you were asking about I believe you're asking about when transgender students are participating in sports. And um I will just say that I I um we have to my know I have nothing has been brought to me in terms of concerns from any of our athletes or families. Um and so at this point I don't have anything to report. Um and I I guess in general I I just say that has not been something that I've I work with. And and I will say also that there a lot of issues that um happen with children and students and families that never make it to me because um our teachers and administrators work well with with uh our students to figure out how to best support all children in feeling safe and supported in our schools. So I'll just give you a very general answer because at this point nothing I have nothing specific to offer.

Superintendent Duffrin [0:35:1]
Approval of 2026-2027 Resolution for Membership in the Minnesota State High School League

I mean, frankly, um their their unwillingness to address this issue and communicate to districts uh it's now it's over 12 months when this issue flies in the face of their their mission, which is to promote competitive fairness, safety of athletes, um and the fact that they continue to, you know, just sweep it under the rug, so to speak. Um I I I just wanted to see if there was any further discussion and there hasn't been and that's I I'll accept that um and I appreciate the conversation.

Director Donna [0:36:20]
Approval of 2026-2027 Resolution for Membership in the Minnesota State High School League

I guess I would offer the perspective of the opposite of that that they're not sweeping it under the rug, but they're continuing to provide a place for all of all people to participate in activities and athletics. So, it's sort of a two sides of the coin in my opinion.

Chair [0:36:58]
Approval of 2026-2027 Resolution for Membership in the Minnesota State High School League

I do want to um call out that um one of the policies, policy 615 testing accommodations, we uh we discussed in the policy committee to remove it as a policy, specifically because um we anything it just talks about what is required for MCA testing and that comes out in a a testing manual. Uh the board does not get involved at all in in that. Um lots of districts do not carry this as a policy. Um I was surprised to see it in there, in fact. So, um we are recommending just removing that policy because, again, um any kind of testing accommodations, modifications, all of that is written out um for districts in the the testing manuals that come regard and if there are any changes, we would follow those changes in that have to bring it back to you for a policy review.

Superintendent Daffron [0:38:27]
Approval of the Final Reading of Policies

Ordinances & Resolutions (6)

Fiscal Year 28 LTFM Cooperative AllocationOther

Document detailing the breakdown of long-term facility maintenance allocation for member districts of Intermediate 916.

Long-Term Facilities Maintenance 10-Year Expenditure ApplicationPlan

Annual plan requiring school board approval, outlining facility improvements for the district over a decade.

2026-2027 Preliminary BudgetPlan

The initial budget for the upcoming fiscal year, subject to future revisions.

Resolution for Membership in the Minnesota State High School LeagueResolution

Annual resolution required for district participation in high school athletics and activities.

Resolution Establishing the Dates for Filing Affidavits Candidacy for the Open School Board Member PositionResolution

Resolution setting the filing period for school board elections.

Policy 615 Testing AccommodationsPolicy

A district policy recommended for removal as its content is covered by state testing manuals and does not require board-level policy.

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