Mahtomedi Public Schools — Transcript
Monday, June 23, 2025
Superintendent's Report: End-of-Year Celebrations and District Updates
Board Member Calendar and Policy Review
Legislative and Committee Reports
Votes (6)
Approval of Donations and Grants for May 2025
Dissent: None
Moved by Director Rean [0:10:07] · Seconded by Director Witson [0:10:09]
The board discussed the total amount of donations and grants received for May 2025, which totaled $14,537.25. It was noted that these funds are highly appreciated and will be used to further the school district's mission or honor donor wishes.
Approval of Northeast Metro 916 LTFM (Long-Term Facility Maintenance)
Dissent: None
Moved by Director Gonna [0:13:58] · Seconded by Director Peterson [0:14:00]
Director of Finance, Tim Ericson, presented the annual approval for a long-term facility maintenance allocation for Northeast Metro 916. This is a routine 'in-and-out transaction' where member districts levy funds because 916 cannot directly. The amount for School District 8:32 was clarified as just under $19,000 ($19,077).
Approval of District Long-Term Facilities Maintenance Plan
Dissent: None
Moved by Director Regan [0:18:27] · Seconded by Director Domen [0:18:29]
Adam, the director of facilities, presented the annual Long-Term Facilities Maintenance plan for the district, covering 2026-2035 but focusing on FY26-27 projects. Key projects include stadium turf maintenance, gym inspections, floor refinishing, tennis court resurfacing, parking lot crack fill, carpet replacement at Wildwood, HVAC repairs, septic maintenance for Wildwood, and some salaries. The plan largely follows recommendations from a 2021-22 facility assessment, with no major surprises or new large projects for the upcoming fiscal year.
Approval of the 2025-2026 Preliminary Budget
Dissent: None
Moved by Director Witson [0:27:08] · Seconded by Director Donna [0:27:10]
The Director of Finance presented the preliminary budget, reflecting recent legislative funding changes. The budget includes approximately $100,000 in aid reductions (e.g., out-of-school support personnel aid) and $102,000 in additional expenses (student devices, Safe Routes to School engineering costs not covered by grant, November election costs). This results in a total $200,000 negative impact. The budget assumes flat enrollment and aims for an estimated unassigned fund balance of 9.05% by the end of FY26-27.
Resolution Authorizing Cooperation with Washington County for Safe Routes to School Program
Dissent: None
Moved by Director Peterson [0:31:36] · Seconded by Director Rean [0:31:38]
The board considered a resolution to partner with Washington County on a Safe Routes to School project. This project involves constructing approximately 500 linear feet of paved trail (a $150,000 grant-funded construction portion) and an additional $50,000 in soft costs not covered by the grant. The project aims to improve safety for students and community members by providing dedicated pedestrian space. The anticipated timeline for the project's start is next year, with funds committed by December 2026.
Resolution Calling for a Special Election (November 4th Referendum)
Dissent: None
Moved by Director Domen [0:43:53] · Seconded by Director Donna [0:43:56]
A resolution was presented to call a special election on November 4th for a two-question referendum. Question 1 seeks an operating levy of an additional $575 per pupil to maintain class sizes, ensure academic programming, and strengthen financial stability, driven by financial pressures like inflation and unfunded mandates. Question 2, contingent on Question 1's passage, proposes a $28 million facilities bond for safety, critical infrastructure (HVAC), learning spaces, performing arts accessibility, and athletics (turf field, weight room). The board highlighted its responsible financial stewardship, including bond refinancing to lessen tax impact and consistent financial awards. The district committed to informing the community about the proposals and their potential impacts.
Notable Quotes (8)
So our LTFM bond those are so those are just oh I is well was that the so when I say the the reduction is that what you're referring to that bullet point the last bullet point on the previous page the shift of 285 from the general fund right debt service fund to accommodate increased sure debt service. Yeah. So what what that is is as we see our fund our debt service in the so as we see that debt service increase if it increases there's almost a dollar for-doll decrease in the general fund.
All of the the what I was talking about with the facility board, we're kind of at that point. We have no big projects or anything like that um for next fiscal year that I'm proposing. It's stuff that we have to do kind of on a yearly basis.
I guess I would view the $100,000 of aid reduction is is pretty small. Um, as as we were talking about before, they the legislature did keep the 2.74% increase, inflationary increase on the basic education aid in. So, um, that uh that helped us and that was about 705,000.
So our project is about $150,000 and uh as I said um that's the that's the construction part of it and that's the part that's covered by the grant. And then there's another 50 roughly $50,000 in soft costs that are not covered by the grant.
I know it's taken a long time to even get not through us but that green trail on that south side. Um there's been advocacy for that for a long time and I'm really happy to see the sidewalk going in. I think um we have a lot of teenagers driving on that road and I see bikers and there's not really a place for them to move over or or walkers. So, um I'm really really happy and I appreciate I I think it was Kate who was advocating for this grant.
Question two is to is proposing a $28 million investment for safety and security districtwide critical infrastructure updates like HVAC, learning spaces and modern academic environments, performing arts accessibility and functionality and athletics including a turf field weight room and weight room improvements.
The board should feel really good about taking that action at this time and then the timing of this this operating levy as well so that it isn't quite the same impact it otherwise would be on our homeowners.
I I I know everyone sitting up here does not take it lightly that we're going to be asking the community for for dollars to fund operations and the facilities plan. And I know a lot of time and effort went into um not only by the board but administration in putting forward um you know proposals both on the operational and facility side that you know do a really good job I think of balancing what we need um with the limited resources we have and also given the you know the budgetary um issues that we're going to be facing here going forward.
Ordinances & Resolutions (9)
Financial report detailing incoming donations and grants to the district.
Annual allocation plan for facility maintenance, approved by member districts.
Annual submission to MDE outlining health, safety, and facility maintenance projects for the district.
District's financial plan for the upcoming fiscal year, incorporating legislative funding changes.
Official document approving partnership for a pedestrian trail project.
Official document to hold a two-question referendum on November 4th for operating and facility needs.
Guiding document for district initiatives, linked to proposed operating levy.
Indoor Air Quality bond, discussed in budget adjustments related to debt service.
Survey results indicating high community trust in district's financial stewardship.