Mahtomedi Public Schools — Transcript
Monday, April 14, 2025
Student Achievement and Curriculum Development
Financial Planning and Budget Management
Facilities Maintenance and Capital Projects
District Partnerships and Governance
Community Engagement and School Events
Votes (7)
Approval of Consent Agenda (with items H and I removed)
Moved by Director Peterson [0:01:21] · Seconded by Director Regan [0:01:25]
Director asked to remove items H (Minnesota State High School League discussion) and I (Banks discussion) from the consent agenda for separate discussion purposes. The remaining items on the consent agenda were then voted on.
Approval of Donations Grants totaling $143,300.31
Moved by Director Regan [0:29:16] · Seconded by Director Peterson [0:29:21]
The board expressed appreciation for all donations and grants, noting that the funds would be used to further the school district's mission and according to donor wishes.
Approval of the Long-Term Facilities Maintenance Plan
Moved by Director Peterson [0:32:37] · Seconded by Director Donna [0:32:40]
The plan focuses on the 2025-2026 year, with a major indoor air quality project for the current building estimated at $1.8 million. The project is partially supported by leftover bond money from an earlier IAQ project at O. Anderson. The plan is a roadmap, but the district acknowledges the need for flexibility due to unforeseen facility issues.
Preliminary Budgetary Approval (2024-2025)
Moved by Director Donna [0:44:27] · Seconded by Director Peterson [0:44:29]
State law requires preliminary budget approval before July 1st. The general fund projects a $2.3 million deficit, requiring the use of $1.15 million from the assigned fund balance. Major impacts include expiring federal COVID funds (Esser, ECF), increased transportation costs (26% increase), inflationary pressures, and a modest 2% basic education formula increase. The district was commended for its judicious use of COVID funds and for having personnel costs around 70-76%, lower than many districts.
Establish Dates for Filing Affidavit of Candidacy
Moved by Director Peterson [0:45:49] · Seconded by Director Donna [0:45:51]
As it is an election year, the board is required to approve a resolution setting the dates for filing affidavits of candidacy. The period for filing was set from July 30th through August 13th.
Selection of Official School District Depositories
Moved by Director Donna [0:49:15] · Seconded by Director Peterson [0:49:17]
Director emphasized the importance of having relationships with community banks and not just larger institutions. Two community banks, FranceBank and Trust and First Resource Bank, were recommended for inclusion as official depositories due to their beneficial programs for investment and collateral management. US Bank of White Bear is already in use.
Minnesota State High School League Resolution for Membership
Moved by Director Donna [0:29:00]
The resolution was removed from the consent agenda to allow the board to learn more about the High School League's operations, cost structure, and the dynamic of its relationship with member schools. The board decided to invite a representative from the High School League to address them and provide additional information before voting on the resolution.
Notable Quotes (8)
Madam chair yes um I would like to remove items excuse me one moment items H and I from the consent agenda for discussion purposes.
All donations and grants are great appreciated the use of the funds will be used to further the mission of the school district and are used according to the wishes of the donor.
The biggest the biggest thing for for uh 25 26 is going to be uh this building uh and the facilities committee and I know various members have been on it uh since I've been here um you've probably heard a lot about it uh it's a it's a indoor air quality project uh it's the estimate is about 1.8 million and uh that's uh probably we're hoping that's a very adequate budget for this and we're able to use some leftover Bond money from the IAQ project at o Anderson from a couple of years ago so that's uh that's very helpful.
We look at the the general fund uh you'll notice this is an estimated beginning fund balance and we're starting at 7.9 million at the with this estimate and the projected revenue and expenditures and you see the Gap that we have between the revenue and the expenditures so the 49 million and the 51 million and so that's about $2.3 million difference.
I mean this is a people organization right 80% of our costs are personnel and certainly those costs have gone up and it's a sign of what's Happening across the country so yeah absolutely it's yeah it it and even here when I look at mam you know a lot of districts run in that 75 to say 85% range with costs being you know uh Personnel um and we're in a 70 70 range so really at 75 76% so really uh not way over the top even so I think that's that that helps us as well.
So the uh it's an election year and so this is is required for us to for you to um have a a resolution establishing the dates for filing um affidavit cency and so for us it's the period is from uh July 30th through August 13th and so um you just need to approve this uh resolution.
I think it's just important that so this relates to depository relationships where do business with and I just think it's important that we have relationships with Community Bank as well um at least have the option not I'm not suggesting that we do business with just to have the option because this is a year um so you know I think having a relationship between Banks is beneficial for the district for the community because you know those Mone is are recycled recy theun that we may have on dep there business I think good it's good business to do that.
I removed it because or I asked for it to be removed because I would just like to learn more a little bit uh primarily about the high school league um kind of the dynamic of the relationship between the high school league and member schools kind of their you know their cost structure um and just get a a better overview of of how they operate.
Ordinances & Resolutions (9)
Standard list of routine items approved in one vote, with two items removed for separate discussion.
Annual resolution for membership in the Minnesota State High School League, tabled for further discussion.
Annual plan outlining facility needs and projects, focusing on the 2025-2026 year.
Initial budget approval required by state law before July 1st, showing estimated revenues and expenditures.
Required resolution for an election year setting the dates for candidates to file for board positions.
New elementary literacy curriculum being adopted and implemented in the fall.
State legislation driving adjustments to literacy assessments and curriculum.
Approved screener for elementary literacy, used for K-5 and anticipated for 4-12.
NWEA assessment tool used for middle school literacy and math growth data.