Good evening. I'd like to call this meeting to order. This is Independent School District 8:32. It is a regular schoolboard meeting on Monday, October 27th, 2025, 7 o'clock p.m. for the Mamedai School District. Please join me for the pledge of >> allegiance to the flag of Call of attendance, please. >> Done. >> Approval of the agenda by director Peterson. >> Second. >> Second by director Domen. Any discussion? All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> Motion carries. Approval of the consent agenda. >> Moved. >> Second by director Peterson. Any discussion? >> All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Okay. Presentations. We'll start with Mara the fall fun. >> Welcome. >> So much for having me. My name is Mara Winky. I'm on the board of MATE and I'm so pleased to be here tonight in front of you all. And I also want to introduce Nora Sullik. She's our new executive director of MATE. Happy to have her in the room, too. So, I want to talk to you a little bit about MAFE and our fall fund drive and invite you to participate in it. Um the a little bit about MAFE in case you don't know or you're new to MAFE. Um we support Mamedai public schools in a variety of different ways. Um we do fundraising and hand out student grants um for scholarships uh for students who are looking for some support after they graduate from here. We give a lot of money to classroom grants um for teachers to integrate new technology or learning into their classrooms and affect student success. Um we also give grants for student enrichment and that could be everything from student clubs, afterchool activities, um things to support uh student interests. And then every year we give uh some capital money um to district initiatives. And that can be everything from uh money to support new playground equipment to um new reading materials in the classroom. So, we rely on Oh, and this is just a little bit of of examples of classroom grants that we've given throughout the years. And I can tell you that we rely on on donations from community members like you um to distribute these grants across the district. And here's an example of a couple of our initiatives that we've done at Wildwood and O. and we kind of spread it around to every school in the district depending on the year. We also support the Angel Fund um which as you know it uh provides uh essential supplies to families in need in our district and that can be everything from the backpack food program that sends food home with kids uh for the weekend to care closets um just basic uh human needs materials that kids might need when they show up at school in the morning. Uh we also give gas cards for families that need help um transporting to school. And the angel fund is uh something that's evergreen. We always have a need for it and now more than ever we have more requests than we've had in past years. So the fall fund drive, our goal is to raise a little over $50,000 this year. Um, I went out and met with every single school here um and talked to your employees about giving uh through employee giving and it it's just that's a really fun thing to do. Um the teachers and staff here are so generous and this year so far um they've given us over $8,000 and uh lots of new gifts and um payroll deductions which come out of every paycheck. So it's it's really great to see that kind of participation in the school district. And then also we challenge our May board 100% participation. So we ask each board member to give at an amount that's meaningful to them. And we ask everybody to give so that when we go out to the community like I'm doing right now, I can say the entire May Ford is behind what we're doing. So your gift does make an impact. Um we thought it would be kind of fun to do some math. Um, this is about as as evolved as my math skills get, but um, so an example of uh, how a gift would make a difference through MAVE. If you give $50, um, you can support mental wellness resources in our schools. $100 helps with student enrichment activities. 250 could provide some significant professional development opportunities for teachers, and $500 would support a classroom grant. Um, but when you do give to MAFE, um, there's an ability that you can you can go into our app and select how you'd like to have your uh your gift directed. So, it can go to something like the angel fund. It can go to something like classroom grants. It's it's up to you. You get to direct it. So, I brought some flyers with me with a QR code that I can hand out after this. Um, all you have to do is take your phone, scan the code, and then, as I said, there's a drop-own menu. You just fill out some basic information and um designate where you'd like your fund, your gift to go. So, that's it. I just want to thank you again so much for your service to our school districts. We really appreciate the hard work that you put in and the leadership that you provide. And I'll just uh leave these flyers behind >> so much. and thank you for all you've done and it's been fun to see the playground in use. >> Yes. >> Um I just wanted to say that being the schoolboard rep for MAFE, um I just hear all the great things and get to see all of the ways that the fund drive um has impacted our schools and our classrooms over the years. And um I guess I would challenge this board to do the same as the MAF board is is to contribute 100% Um, I would love to see us think about a 100% contribution and thinking about how can we um, if possible, if you're in a place to give more than you did in years past to do more. I love when you do scan the QR code. I do like that if you're passionate about the angel fund or whatever that might be, you can choose where those funds are going to go. Um, so finding what your passion is to help out. Um, I think about the call to the teachers. They go out to the schools and ask all the educators to give to something that potentially will go back to their classrooms. And so they're helping fund that as well. So, um, I would just love to see our board do maybe more than what we have in the past if you are able to do so. Thank you. >> Okay. Well, now we will move on to >> Okay. Excellent. >> Why should I stand up here without you guys? >> Great. >> All right. It's really a pleasure to be here tonight um on behalf of the Monomidai Teacher of the Year Committee and the Mona Education Association. Thank you for taking time to recognize Jim Lane, our teacher of the year. Uh I know many of you have heard this before, but I'm going to go a little bit through how the teacher of the year is selected. Each year it starts with nominations made by colleagues in our schools and the nominated teachers are asked to share information with the committee regarding their philosophy of teaching, professional highlights and what they see as challenges facing education today. Then a committee made up of former teachers of the year reviews the materials that are submitted and um from that pool the teacher of the year is selected. The teacher of the year throughout the year gets to do some fun things. Uh Jim participated in the homecoming parade and sat in his own cool car which was kind of cool. Uh and uh also uh the tree of light ceremony. The teacher of the year is asked to read names. There's a couple of MAF events. Just some really um great community events throughout the year that the teacher of the year is asked to participate in. And um it's for me personally those events really meant a lot um to do and uh I'm really happy that the community asks the teacher of the year to participate in those. Then in the fall the teacher of the year is nominated for the statewide teacher of the year through education Minnesota. That's been done. So now Jim will get to do some more writing and some more paperwork. And um there's a process for that also that happens during the wintertime and then the teacher of the year for state of Minnesota is announced in the spring. There are semi- finalists and things like that. So it's it's um it all is part of the process to find that teacher of the year. I've presented the board many times. as I've presented the teacher of the year, but I can say for sure that Jim has quite a list of outstanding and impresses impressive uh accolades and really um recognitions. He goes above and beyond. Jim's taught courses over the last 13 years at the high school in life science and engineering, including biology, field ecology, biomimicry, and engineering. at Mi MHS. He's adviser of the MAPS team, who I know has been in front of the board before, eco club, ethical debate club, and the power walking club. And he was the student leadership council for nine years. He's been recognized by the National Association of Biology Teachers as Outstanding Minnesota Biology Teacher of the Year and has presented at national and international venues highlighting innovative teaching and he has been published numerous times. Jim really does have a great ability to connect with his students and get them to try hard and meaningful things in his classes. He helps his students to build a deep understanding of the concepts they are learning through thought-provoking discussions and challenging assignments. He encourages both students and colleagues to think critically and embrace learning amongst uh our staff at the high school. He actively inspires and supports his fellow teachers to continually improve their teaching practice and really think about new innovative ways um that we can collaborate and continually improve our teaching practices. His willingness to engage in conversations about teaching methodologies and grading practices have proven instrumental in fostering a collaborative and supportive professional environment. When asked to describe his philosophy of teaching, Jim wrote, "The greatest honor of teaching is the opportunity to inspire and rekindle a sense of wonder and amazement in others. Teachers must develop deep relationships with their students and have a deep understanding of themselves to find success. I believe effective teachers should embody the traits of reflection, connection, empathy, and cur curiosity." Um, in the past I've had quotes to read from colleagues and students, but this year we have a real live student who's going to give a little testimonial. This is Julian Chisc and he's going to talk for a minute about Mr. Lane and share some of his insight into from a student's perspective. >> Uh, good evening everyone. As Miss Gary said, my name is Julian and I'm a student um I'm a senior at Madame High School. Throughout my time at the high school, I've had the pleasure of interacting with Mr. Lane on uncountable occasions. Uh my my freshman year, he was my teacher for my freshman year biology class, and I got to experience his firsthand his uh unique teaching methods that focus more on the the actual learning that students undergo rather than just points in a gradebook. I know he despises the the point system that is so so prevalent in our current um educational system. In addition to uh his being a student, he's also my adviser. So I've been in his advisory every other week for the past four years. He's make he makes sure everyone feels included. There's there's a whole blend of different sort of personalities in each advisory and he makes sure to remember everyone's hobbies and activities and he checks in with the people who are even on the quieter on the quieter side while also balancing the more energetic individuals and I'm certain he knows exactly what I'm talking about. Um, in an effort to keep my speech short, I had to kind of glaze over a lot of a lot of different things that Mr. Lane participates in. But he is an adviser for numerous clubs. Miss Gary listed a couple. Uh power walking is a popular one among the students. He's our uh tea club adviser, which is a little bit smaller, but me and Matt are are core members of that, and we appreciate him offering his room and his his storage, and it's it's very convenient for our for our club's needs. He um the band knows him as Santa the Barbarian, which is if you have questions, ask him. That's kind of a more uh interesting reference, but he he narrates most of our band pieces that require um his his one of a kind voice. In addition to inside the school, he's also my neighbor and has helped volunteer work at our local park. Um I my family adopted it kind of and I've I've worked there for NHS hours frequently. So he he's around, helps out removing buckthornne and all sorts of activities and uh countless other community events. I could not even imagine listing them all. So Mr. Lynn has had a very positive impact on me as a student and as a person and I think he is incredibly deserving of this award. So thank you. >> I know we don't know. >> I don't know. Um >> I don't think you need >> Yeah, I I I would just say echoing the idea that supporting innovation uh requires risktaking. Um and I think students, staff, and the board alike can embrace that idea of innovation through risk-taking. Um if we stay in our comfort zones, we don't really grow as people. We don't grow as a community. So the more we take those risks, uh the more we learn about ourselves, the more we learn about our each other, and the more we learn about and strengthen our community as a whole. So keep taking those risks and thank you for this opportunity. >> School board recognition certificate for you. Congratulations. >> Thank you. >> And we'll come and take pictures in a minute, but do you want to say any anyone want I'll just echo I mean I two of my kids have been fortunate to have Mr. Lane and uh I'll echo the so the the younger the young the daughter the Ava um was struggling a little bit because Mr. Elaine teaches differently than other teachers and she talked to her brother about it and he kind of gave helped helped uh her out with understanding what he's what the approach is and and he was he was you are his was his favorite teacher. So for sure >> good kid. >> Yeah. Well, I remember being invited to a maps presentation and I was overwhelmed and I was like, I don't even know what they're saying most of the presentation. They are so smart and prepared. So, I just I mean that's just one of the things that we see you do. Um, and it's just it it's those kinds of opportunities that you bring to students and then you help them find these paths that they then go on to follow and do additional stuff and and their education and maybe career and maybe just interest. So, I just think um yeah, you really go above and beyond and we're really fortunate to have you. Yeah, I will say as well that um you know my boys having had you as a teacher um they are taught way more than what's taught in the classroom. They're taught future skills, life skills. Um when I told my son Tanner that I was at conferences last week, he asked for two teachers names. Can you go and stop and see teacher I will not name and Mr. Lane. Can you make sure to say hi to Mr. Lane? you just made a connection with my kids personally and I know that's just a few of thousands of students you've impacted. So, thank you for what you do in the classroom, but more than that to me is what you teach them to be as they are a citizen and an adult. Thank you. >> I also I'll just um recently Mr. um came to present at Rotary with a couple of the maps students and just blew everyone away with what they could talk about and how they could talk about it. And one of the things I really appreciated that you emphasized is that as part of the maps, we don't always see all that goes into this, but as part of the preparation for their presentation, they also learn about grant writing and what it t because you said as a scientist, you need to write grants as well. So really thinking beyond even this exceptional experience, but thinking about all the other layers to that exceptional experience that are behind the scenes that we wouldn't think of. So, um, just to add on to to what everyone contributions and how you're always thinking beyond just the classroom, but a much broader experience. So, thank you for that. >> And we're gonna take a picture with you now. Okay. So, all right, here we go. Well, not Oops. Oh, there's only one. It's probably just one more day, right? They're quick, aren't they? When they How long does a corpse flower last? >> Uh, this particular one will bloom for over a month. >> Oh. >> Um, >> I give it to another two days before the room will smell too bad. I'll have to cut it because it is >> it's ripe. >> Okay. >> But I encourage you all to come look at it is once every four years or so. And it is fantastic >> in its own way. We'll trust you. >> All right. >> All right. All right. Thank you. >> Okay. Now, we are >> going to hear from our student representative, Matt Stadenski. >> So, Matt, before you start reporting in, it would be great for you to introduce yourself to everyone a little bit about yourself. So I knew you're going to want to hear a little bit about me even though so um personally I just I love being active and outside. That's just uh who I am. I do a lot of yard work for neighbors, but that's kind of the surface level stuff. Um in the community I ran cross country for three years and I individually qualified for state two years. Um I ran track and field two years. However, I am not doing cross country this year um because of an injury that kind of sidelined me and I started to pick up some other things um instead of that. But I still stay active. And uh I wanted to note that I am not from Midai. I still live in Roseville, so I am an a district kid. Um but I do love Midai's small town feel that you get. Um just like Julian and Mr. Lane. Um I was driving out here and I actually saw my former chemistry teacher running down the trail with his kid in the stroller. And you know, you can drive past and you see Mr. Oswald mowing his grass or we were hanging out, me and Julian, and we saw Mr. Lane and his family going to the beach. So, I just think it's awesome that um everyone gets to be so close. >> And Matt is a member of the student cabinet, superintendent cabinet, has been for the past couple years. And and you are the reason Julian's here. Am I right? >> Right. I invited. >> Yeah. So, he recruited somebody to and that's so that's why we have something unique this year because Matt Matt recruited someone. Thanks for doing that. >> It worked pretty well, I think. So, um if there's another opportunity where I can bring in someone who's maybe more um better suited for the task, then maybe I will if that works. Yeah. >> Um but to report related the my duty uh I wanted to talk about kind of the referendum and the voting is coming up is November is that so it's very soon >> and um I would just like to say that speaking to current students when they hear about the changes like the handprint hallway and the lunches um and the wait room is that current students believe it is necessary even though um they think that it's maybe not so much related to them because they won't see the changes in their time at Monia High School. Um but they know that if they were to come up through the high school, they would want to see these changes. And that goes for kids in the performing arts, kids in athletics, um just if you're academic folks or if you have safety concerns like with the middle school entrance, um I think the referendum covers bases for a lot of people. So you should go out and consider voting because it's important. um for May funding which we talked about earlier. Um I have a personal story about that because I'm president of bird nerds at Mameidi. So I work with Kirkwoods and we we get a group of people and we go outside and we take binoculars and we go and look at u birds and other things we see outside but we do that during flex time on Thursdays. So we have 35 minutes go outside and beautiful weather and we get to enjoy the birds and we identify them and we use our apps, we use our phones and Mr. Kirkwith loves it but Last year we would only get, you know, 10 15 people. This year we get in easily 30 people every time that showed up and we just haven't had enough binoculars. Um, and his class was or his not exactly sure how it works, but he was approved for a mate grant. So we are using it to purchase more binoculars. So everyone has a pair of so that's an example of the good work it does. Um, Mr. Lane I um I had him in biology and it was awesome. I never there's a lot of classes um where it can be day after day the same thing and you start to you know not pay so much attention but his class was every day you were awake and you were paying attention you were learning so it's awesome. Um another thing I wanted to note about Midai which um maybe isn't necessarily true with other districts is the school trips that we have um I can name at least four that I know of. People are going to Japan. I think that's this year. Um there's at least two trips to New York City. I think there's two separate trips in New York City. Um there's a trip to England, Scotland, there's a trip to France and Spain. So I think I went on one to Europe. Um and it's a cheaper alternative and you get to go with classmates. And it's not even just for the students because um teachers go along and the teachers go with other teachers and the teachers are friends with other teachers just like um the history department at Monidai. They're all very close and they'll go on those trips and they have fun as well. And oh, I forgot to mention one thing about is I'm a Packer fan. >> And that wraps up my report. >> All right. >> How long is his tenure here? >> My mother is from Wisconsin. >> Yes. >> Have a question. The your bird nerds. >> That's cool. So, how many do you know how many different birds >> you guys have identified? >> So, I will say >> in our little woods here, >> there's a lot. We see a lot. Um, and it's surprising because especially uh there are several woods around Monavid. There's that swamp in between St. Andrews and the blue lot and then there's woods all along the the blue lot in the middle school and we walk around to the athletic fields and you see a lot especially with um birds migrating. You see that but I will say I'm even though I am president I would think I'm more there for the social aspect but I I like to get people there and then a lot of people do like the birds. Um, but I'm a little more disconnected from that. >> There's probably more than we would think. >> Yeah, >> it is. It's impressive. Yeah, we see new stuff. >> Okay, >> that was great. Thanks. >> Um, >> okay, I'm up. >> Oh, I have I can drive. Thanks, Um, okay. Just as always around the district, some awards and awards and noteworthy news and upcoming events and those are our some of our students who have been helping with referendum tours right there. Uh it October is principal recognition month and so these are are I hope you saw something on um social media and have an opportunity to like it and comment and um thank our principles for the work that they do for us. A few of us had the opportunity to attend a passages graduation for Caroline Smith and um it was a wonderful experience. I think there were times there was not a dry eye in the house um because it was just a really you can just see her her middle name is Joy and um that it just so suits her. She um radiates joy and it was it was wonderful to be able to celebrate her. I um I was able to attend the um the middle school theater production of the con and I thought it was amazing. I know Jenny you were able to go as well. Um, I just, you know, I I love middle schoolers on stage in general. Um, but it they did such a nice job of including so many students. Um, clearly having a good time and um, and also just I thought the performances were were really well done. They um, they did a really it was a really great middle school play. >> Oh, >> they got me. >> Yeah. It was really well done. Uh so some community education events. U middle school youth night is coming up. I know we've talked about Marita and as you know we're always happy to see you at the community lunch. We can see Jenny made it one uh recently >> on the left. >> The globe is out. Um, and this was recently mailed to all district residents, staff, and families. And so I hope you'll take a look if you haven't already. There's a lot of really good information that you all have heard as a board, but um, our community might not. So, um, make sure you take a look at that. Recently, we also had our academic achievement recognition for the academic achievement letters for uh, last year. Um, and if you saw the first picture, it was the biggest turnout we've ever had. Um, it was a packed house. We didn't have enough seats for everyone. Um, but it's just a nice way. There it is. It's a nice way to be able to recognize students for um, their academic achievements. It's a breakfast at the high school that we do each fall. And we always have to make sure we mention referendum voting information. And I heard that um we we want to make just a little plug to all of you as you're talking about u voting. It is the case that um that combined polling place might be surprising for people. Typically the DEEC is for Delwood, but also the city of Grant and um part of Hugo. So that the um the areas in our district that don't have another election as well have the combined polling place of here. So that might be something that people will be surprised by and it's been we've put it out a couple times but it might be something I'll just emphasize it here. So residents of Madameai will vote um where in St. Andrews in the normal spot residents of White Bear also have an election and so they have their normal what I believe be their normal um but everyone else is here >> as a polling place. That's important to know like that. There's also early voting as well. We have a number of students who are participating in state competitions. And so we have here are two of our students who um won the um first place for the bass fishing competition. So that we had announced that earlier, but we thought we'd make sure we include them with our other fall um high school state championship um winners. Um so our tennis team ended up placing third at state. Um and to my knowledge, I don't know that we've gone to state in the past few years. I don't remember the last time. Was it 2016 maybe? I think that is that right? So um that's exciting. They ended up placing third at state. Our girls soccer team uh is headed to the state semi-finals um on Wednesday as well. We also have a number of individual and individuals who are going to be participating in or who have participated in the state um who advanced the state as well. So, it's a been a very productive fall and we're not done yet. There's still more to come. Um, just a reminder, we have our referendum learning session on October 29th at 5:30 at the high school. And um, once again, early voting coming up opportun. We'll move on to our board member calendar. Does anyone have anything they'd like to point out? Yes, director. >> Um, so, um, I noticed our retreat in December. Um, so that's Sorry, I'm just It's opening right now. Um, yes, December 15th. Um, and so I guess, um, what I was the reason I was calling it out is I follow the the calendar that you create, which is amazing. So, thank you for all of our meetings. Can that item be added to that calendar? Whatever that calendar is, the district. Yes. Yes. Oh, that would be fantastic because I almost missed it when I was looking through all these dates. I didn't have that one. Other than that, um everything is always up to date. Leslie does an amazing job because otherwise I would be so unorganized without her calendar. So, thank you. Um that was the only thing I noticed is the retreat. So, I would assume then we're that's before the board meeting and then we'll have the board meeting immediately following. Yeah. And so what we try to do is make sure there's very little on that board meeting so we can end with just a um quick you know vote whatever has to get done. Um so that's what we'll try to do for that for that make it very brief so that we can focus more on the retreat and I have um asked MSBA to facilitate that for us. for a meeting on Wednesday, November 5th at 9:30. I'm unable to attend the morning meeting. Um I'd be happy to switch with someone if they had also had a conflict or if there was someone that would be interested in attending. It is a um it is a pretty fun meeting to attend. A lot of babies are in get a lot you get a lot of Oh, I can take that >> November 5th. >> Probably ask about it. >> I am not as organized as Kelly, so I'm surprising myself. Okay. Um, yes. Okay. Anything else? Oh, I was going to see I I'm going to see if maybe we can do that. >> We could talk. Well, we had talked about the fact that it's very difficult to get all of you in the room at the same time and so we were we can give it a shot the policy. >> Okay. I will follow up. >> All right. Okay, racing towards the end of the year, >> right? And so do note that um we only have we have regular meetings only in November and December. There's no study only one meeting. Okay. Now on to action items. Approval of donations and grants for September totaling $17,45541. >> Move. Second. >> Any discussion? All donations and grants are great greatly appreciated. The use of these funds will be to further the mission of the school district and are used towards the wishes of the donor. All those in favor say I. I. Motion carries. All right, superintendent goals. So, you've seen this these a few times. Um, and so, um, I think we're bringing them back for approval. Again, it has to do, uh, first with all tied to the strategic plan, um, literacy and college and career readiness, um, budget process, communications plan, um, supporting board learning work. I'm just reading down the topic because a couple times now define uh school and district success metrics um and portrait of a graduate are the areas that we've talked about. Um so I >> have gone through them a number of times. Um or we've seen them. Does anyone want to none on? I don't have anything. I feel like we've talked about these and I don't have anything I want to call out. Okay, then questions. We can move on. >> You have to approve those. >> Oh, okay. I thought you were moving on to this. Let's approve them. Okay. Sorry. >> You don't want to bring them up at the next meeting. >> Oh, no. >> So, we need to move forward with the approval. So, I'll make the motion >> by director Dman. Second by director Woodson. Any further discuss. >> All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> Opposed. Motion carries. Okay. Moving on to the schoolboard goals. These are the goals we set for ourselves. They obviously we've discussed this also um a couple of times and they still look very similar to ones we've had previously but there are some additions in there um based on comments that um many of you have made. So, um I I don't want me I could um well I could call out the ones that you updated. Um so under sorry I just have to remember if there was I think it was starting with the second one under augment understanding of strategic plan implementation. Um there was participate in board learning walks and and um you just kind of expanded that based on um some of the qu the feedback that you had gotten. So participate in board learning walks to gain firsthand insight into the implementation of district initiative. That was one of them. Um you had uh increased understanding of the district's academic performance including strategies and resources needed to address gaps. That was one. Um, and then invest in district academic priorities and portrait of a graduate implementation. Kind of calling out the fact that um, as a board that's part of how you can support it. Yeah. Um, then undercreased board visibility and efficiency, you had um, I think the only update there was down under business partnerships and workbased learning. just leverage and share business and community connections with the superintendent to enhance options for relevant student experiences for real world learning. Again, it was um your interest in um effective being able to as a board member, how could you support the work of uh workplace? Those are the ones that you had worked up. Otherwise, it's the same as you talked about previously. Madam Chair, I I seem to recall discussion related to our goals, the board goals related to how do we measure um particip participation? Maybe that's not the the best word. Um, uh, I think it was director Witson who brought that up. Is that my No, I'm misremembering. >> Yeah. As far as uh I think it was the last goal um related to um >> Yeah. And I think there was discussion about how do we how do we measure any of that, right? Whether it's relative or not, I just recall some discussion. I don't know if we ever circled back on it. >> Yes. And Leslie did provide you you went through correct and sent you sent me a list of Yeah. on previous Yeah. So I think um yeah that's a good call out because we do want to try to capture that and so you I think what you sent me was kind of an example of well what could we capture if we you know based on what we've already done? Um, do you want to note that in here that that we'll be tracking it or do you want us to just >> just offer it for discussion if we want to go down that path or >> we can just we can side track it. I I'm fine with that from my perspective. second. >> All those in favor say I. >> I. >> All right. committee report. >> I I was on Was it the demographer? Yeah, I was I I was online. Um and I've got a few um things I wanted to highlight and if you could augment anything I've missed perhaps, but the state I think the from the last AMSD meeting which was on October Third, Susan Brower, the Minnesota state demographer, made a presentation and a couple of things that struck my attention. Um, the so overall, which this was surprising to me, but overall, I believe the state of Minnesota's population increased by 40,000 compared to the previous year. I don't recall what year this the measurement was, if it's a two-year lag or just a one-year lag, but I I I I thought there was a net uh you know, a net loss, but it's a 40,000 increase. Um, and that's made up of 61,000 new births. basically the category 61,000 new births, 30,000 international um migration and 50,000 death. So, um, essentially the Minnesota is losing population as a whole to other states, but we're making up in our increase as a result from international folks residing moving to Minnesota. So, that I found that really interesting. Um the largest county the largest areas of growth um in are occurring in Sterns County, Washington County and Noa County. uh 5 to 17 year old the population of 5 to 17 year olds that's where the largest growth is uh and 5 to 17 year olds because that's who we care about right um and the loss population losses largest in in the counties around the state Henipin Ramsey and Scott County so those are the things that caught my eye from the state demographer I don't know far have you hit anything So, found it interesting. And I did pass Leslie passed that presentation around. I'm sure you guys have all read through it already. Thank you. Um um so MAC met on October 14th. Um and the MAC meeting overview is that They discussed the Zephr get together being a great success. They had over 400 participants at the get together. It was a beautiful fall day. So that helped with attendance. I think from last year I think it was not the best weather. Um also um as Mara um presented to us um the fall fund drive is underway. And at that point then um Superintendent Duffren and I exited the meeting because that's when our soccer teams were playing in um sections. So we that's the part of the meeting that we attended. Um at after that point um I don't have a report because we went to the soccer game update. kind of late news. Um, are you busy Wednesday from 9:00 to 1:30? >> Be at a soccer game maybe. >> Yeah, that does overlap. >> Okay, it is the state school board rep meeting. So, I'm sorry you'll miss it. >> Sounds exciting. >> Sorry for the late notice. Anyway, um >> he would have attended, >> right? Yeah, >> I know. >> Only there was. >> Uh I just think that's it's only the fourth year they've been doing that. But >> I was going to ask if anyone has a previous student school board rep has gone. >> Um >> Max did not go. It's down in Farmington, right? Yeah. And then it has also been we haven't had anyone since Kaya because when it was in Fidley then it wasn't such a long drive but it's been down in Shak for a few years. So we haven't had anyone though. >> Maybe maybe Matt can recruit somebody again. >> There you go. That's right. >> So what do you know what goes on? >> Sure do. Um, you get a morning, it's a breakfast, then you meet morning, you do breakout groups, a lunch, and then another breakout group when you're done. >> Um, I'll just, >> it's to connect and collaborate. >> So, they'll have some topics. Um, yeah, around things that students are interested in talking about as students >> at the board table. Anyway, um I do not have anything that >> you know if there's another opportunity. >> Okay. Now for Northeast Metro 916, I did forward the last report to Leslie. So you all would have received that. Um I do think one thing worth noting is they are also for everybody. You'll see that. >> I'm say that again. >> The insurance for 916. >> Oh, yeah. Oh, gotcha. >> All of that. Um, okay. Other board reports. >> Um, just to just for the record, I guess we don't need to unpack anything that happened at the meeting, but the curriculum advisory committee met on October 9th and um the similar presentation to what Jen gave today. World's Best Workforce. And now you're going to ask me to come up with a new name. Already lost it. call it that something >> CACR. Um, so and the next meeting for curriculum advisory will be November 13th. I attended the PTO meeting um for Drew on September 24th in part because I was doing presentation for the PTO around the referendum information. So that was the main um part of the uh meeting. However, they also were talking about um just looking for more volunteers. They are constantly looking for more help um with all at the time they were looking for a book fair chair, but I'm guessing the book fairs already happened. They must have found someone. So um I see that they also need a spring plane chair as well and hospitality committee members. Um the only the principal's report really talked about the um that they're looking they're working on routines of getting in the habit of reading um each night. So that was what they asked of the PTO to emphasize that at home. Um I think that's oh um city leaders. Do we want to talk about city leaders? Um, sorry, I have to look at the notes on my phone though. Um, so city leaders got together October 24th. Um, so that was um leaders from around our surrounding communities like the mayor of Delwood was there, somebody from Willery Council, Hugo, city administrator. Um, there's probably others I missed. >> Mame. >> Yep, that's right. Mameida city council. >> Grant >> and Grant mayor, right? Yes. Okay. Um, so some of the topics that everybody always talks about at the city leaders leaders meeting what's happening in their own committee community and these are all the communities that our students would represent. Um, and so everybody there's always a topic that everybody always seems to talk about water but this time the water was not brought up like it had been every meeting but generally some sort of something always goes back to water. Um but really talking about everything from um like in Madameai talking about the city putting in trails through Katherine Abbott and the safe routes to school. Um so that was brought up this the upcoming sidewalk project. I know that Kate talked about that and it's what I really appreciate about I don't need to go through all the topics that were brought up, but what I really appreciate about it is everyone's doing their own things in their own communities, but how it impacts all of our students and how um everybody likes to hear I think everyone seems to appreciate what's happening around all of our communities and how what the work that we're doing here in Madameai and the improvements we're trying to make to our facilities and then also what's happening and Hugo and what they're doing for more opportunities. It's always about more opportunities for the community members, for the students and um I really appreciate the meeting. Um I think it's when one of our board goals it talks about the connections with the different cities. I think that's one thing we are doing already um to be connected with what's happening around the communities. It generally comes up around traffic or water or opportunities or um there's some road work projects that I don't need to get into right now, but they're going to impact our community um moving forward. So, instead of it feeling like everyone lives in isolation, to me, this is really a great collaborative network where everybody shares ideas. So, I don't know if you want to add anything, Stacy or Barb, because you were both there as well, but >> that's a good summary. Good luck with summarizing that. But it's great collaboration and networking and uh um >> I think that over the years now we've um the same people a number of the same people have been coming for a number of years now and you can feel that in our conversations because >> they can talk together about partnerships and um >> yeah I think I think as we think about our future partnerships like the I would agree the networking in the room feels different than even three years ago when I attended these meetings. It used to just be everybody gave their update and we kind of went around. Now it's more collaboration and question questions for each other and things like that. So I really appreciate the meeting. >> Was that the best participation from all the communities that you've had? >> That was that's what spoke that's what kind of perked my interest. >> That's great. >> We typically have Lake Elmo and they couldn't make it. So it's been well ascended. So >> here we call it it's our it's our meeting and we invite everyone. >> Okay. With that, I will ask for move. Motion carries. We are