Stillwater Area Public Schools — Transcript
Tuesday, August 25, 2026
Custodial Staff Recognition
Student Transportation Changes
2628 St. Croy Paraprofessional Association Master Contract
Teacher Retirement Association Part-Time Teacher Program
Superintendent's Strategic Report for 26-27 School Year
Policy 610: Activities and Programs Away From School Campus
Policy 506: Student Discipline and Code of Conduct
Votes (3)
Approval of the 2628 St. Croy Paraprofessional Association master contract
Dissent: None
Moved by Chair Sherman [0h33m36s] · Seconded by Director Kelzenberg [0h33m42s]
The presentation highlighted that the paraprofessionals were motivated to negotiate over the summer, leading to an expedited agreement. Key updates included standardizing language across contracts (probationary period, insurance, health exams), streamlining spring postings, adding a retirement notice date, eliminating short-term disability, shortening the LTD period, increasing longevity pay, and adjusting 403b contributions. Wage increases were set at 2% for both year one and year two, though it was clarified that this is an average and not a flat increase for every individual. The settlement was confirmed to be within board parameters.
Teacher Retirement Association Part-Time Teacher Program Approval
Dissent: None
Moved by Chair Sherman [0h37m13s] · Seconded by Director Lowour [0h37m21s]
Chris explained that this item was a new requirement from the Teacher Retirement Association (TRA) allowing part-time teachers to continue collecting full-time TRA benefits. The district would pay its portion up to the teacher's current FTE, and the teacher would pay contributions beyond that. It was emphasized that this program incurs no additional cost to the district but requires either a policy or a resolution of consent from the board for a teacher's participation.
Policy 610: Activities and Programs Away From School Campus (Second Reading)
Dissent: None
Moved by Chair Sherman [1h17m29s] · Seconded by Director Kelzenberg [1h17m35s]
Marie presented the second reading of Policy 610, noting that the existing policy dated back to 2003 and needed updating. The policy committee, staff, and legal team had reviewed it. The main change highlighted was the inclusion of language for 'school sponsored celebratory or recognition trips' (e.g., 8th-grade river cruise), aligning it with MSBA recommendations and current district practices. No further changes were recommended since the first reading.
Notable Quotes (4)
So that is not a 2% across the board. That's 2% maybe averages to 2% across the board but it is not necessarily 2% for every person. It's a little bit different. So, it's it's it's not just a flat 2%. It it changes within the schedule, but that's what it equates to. But I think it's important for the board to hear that uh that we're not just adding the 2% on top of everything else.
I just want to say um this has been uh helpful and I know it's just a ton of work on your end and also from our pair of professionals and so this is like the first time we've had something settle so early so that commitment is super appreciated.
So the district will pay the portion of the of the teacher's TRA up to their current FTE and then they will pay um for their TRA contributions beyond that. So it doesn't it doesn't cost the district anything to do this.
The biggest change from MSBA is letter C there school sponsored celebratory or recognition trips. Okay. So we do have trips for example I think the eighth grade goes on a river cruise as their event. So we we added that language, the celebratory language. That was the biggest change from uh um the MSBA one.
Ordinances & Resolutions (11)
Agreement outlining terms of employment for paraprofessionals, approved by the board.
Program allowing part-time teachers to continue full-time TRA collection, requiring district resolution for participation.
Activities and Programs Away From School Campus; updated from 2003 version to include celebratory/recognition trips.
Student Discipline and Code of Conduct; presented for first reading, notably includes procedural details within the policy text.
Data used to track student literacy improvement.
State assessment data for reading, math, and science, to be reviewed in October.
State-level commission with recommendations due in October, impacting district special education funding.
State-level commission with recommendations due in October, impacting district compensatory education funding.
Proposed statewide health insurance plan for employees and schools, its local impact to be discussed in November.
Community survey tool used to gauge support for potential levies, typically conducted in spring and before election.
Study of student trends, birth rates, housing units, and future enrollment, last conducted in 2022, estimated cost $30k-$50k.