All right. Welcome everyone tonight. We are going to start tonight off with our recognition. And tonight and everyone that's representing our Nordic our state champion Nordic skiers, come on up to the table here coaches skiers. And we just want to bring up our state champs here first time. Since you know, do you want to start off here where there's a microphone and then and then maybe we'll do a picture. But so welcome. So I just want you guys to introduce yourselves as coaches and then players and then maybe we'll ask a couple questions. My name is Tory Crafton. I'm the boys Nordic coach head varsity coach. I'm Ralph Aptis one of the assistant coaches on the team. I'm Will Foot. >> [laughter] >> I'm Talbot War. I'm a captain. I'm Kyle McBride. I'm Wyatt Wolf. I'm Charlie Sanderson. I'm George Nelson. Great. Well, thank you guys for coming. We just want to celebrate this amazing accomplishment and hear a little bit more about your season. So I kind of wanted to let the coaches and or captain players whoever speak about maybe some of the highlights. Obviously there's the state championship but maybe just some of the progression of your season some of the ups maybe some of the challenges that sort of thing. >> [laughter] >> I'll start at least and you can. You know, this is a really special group. It's I've been coaching 16 out of the last 20 years. And this group is definitely the most special group I've ever coached not just in the results but just the team. At the end of last season we took seven boys and two alternates to the state meet and none of them were seniors. So we were hearing nine out of nine. And never done that before and I knew we had a really special group and I was kind of sitting last spring kind of thinking about the upcoming season and I was like I don't know if these boys really have an understanding of quite what's special of a group they are. So I decided I would invite them over for a little barbecue. So we had a little barbecue last May. And I was like you know, I don't know if you guys really realize what you have here but you have the potential to do something really special. And I want to just kind of wet your appetite a little bit and talk about it when it's still a long ways off. So we have some time to prepare for it and all of them were like yeah, we're we're all in. We we really want to go after this and so they really just committed themselves. I mean we set a goal last May of winning the state championship and they worked all summer all fall all winter and just really dedicated themselves to that goal and and to a to an athlete. They were just really wholehearted about it. Um and um you know, I think probably one of the things that really stands out in my mind looking back on the season is about 2 weeks into this season we use we had about 2 weeks of dry land training we're doing some running and roller skiing in November and then right as it was about to change over and get some snow. We had a day when it was pouring rain and 45° and it was a couple days before Thanksgiving. And we're kind of like man, what do we do? Do we try to do something indoors and I'm like no, we're going to go for it. We're going to practice and we did an hour and a half roller ski workout in 45° pouring rain. And [laughter] I didn't see a frown. I didn't see anybody complain and they just really came together and it sort of set a tone for the rest of the season. We practiced when it was we didn't cancel when it was 10 below. They were just really and and even you know, we do a lot of our practices at Battle Creek and there's a lot of other teams there and and and we just really set a tone when we're there for 90 minutes. We're working hard for 88 of those minutes and you don't see that from a lot of other programs and I think that's really what separate separated these guys was their their work ethic during the off season and all through the season. We did some really hard workouts and it really paid off. They were really ready and when we got to our big meets they just really performed amazingly well and um you know, that we we mostly compete against our conference and frankly we were quite a bit ahead of most of the other schools in our conference. So we didn't really see a lot of competition throughout the season. So we won most of our regular season meets and the conference and the section meet all by pretty convincing margins. So when we got to the state meet frankly we were a little bit untested and didn't really know what we were going to see and the the state meet is comprised of a sprint relay where there's two guys that tag off to each other and each of them do this loop twice and that's what starts off the scoring. So we had two guys in that and that was Talbot and Wyatt. Um standing behind me here raise your hands guys. Um so those two guys they had done a bunch of sprint relays and and most of the ones they had done they had like I said one pretty convincingly but that race they were just neck and neck with a handful of other teams throughout this whole loop and it kind of came down to the last loop and um and Talbot took his leg and got a little bit of a lead but he came in right with another guy. So there were really two teams when Wyatt got the tag for our last leg. Um and Wyatt the the course kind of goes up fairly steeply and then it gets kind of gradual and and Wyatt just put out everything he had and this guy is just staying on him but then he hit the the last part of the climb and Wyatt just distanced himself and was able to get four or five second lead and um it was really fun to see. I lost my voice cheering for those [laughter] guys. Um head-to-head competition is really exciting but that really set the tone for our state meet. We won that sprint relay and and that's about 40% of the team scoring and then in the pursuit the next day there's a five there's five of our guys that did a 5K skate race and then a short break and then they go out and do a 5K classic race based on how that race went and and those guys we had kind of said way back when we met in May that what we thought it would take to win the state meet would be to put three guys to win to get in the podium in the sprint relay and then to get three guys in the top 25 in the pursuit race and these guys were fourth eighth and 16th with our top three. And then our next two guys were ahead of every other team's third guy except for Eli and their guy was kind of right about where they were. So just a really outstanding performance and and in the second half of the pursuit they all moved up and gained positions. There was no playing defense. So we ended up winning the state meet by a 41 point margin which was actually quite a lot. So super exciting. I don't know if you have any questions for me or if you want to hear from any of them. Yeah, does anyone have any questions or comments? Yes. >> Sure. You know, I have been to some of your meets and you know, these the skiers you're you're working hard. So but then the coaches they're like the Michelin Man. You got so many layers on just to watch that and you freeze if you're the spectator going there. So I appreciate all those the family members that you got going there. And I want to go on record here apologizing for all the times I've said cross country instead of Nordic. I I know better now. >> [laughter] >> And I won't do that again. So These guys won't take any offense. Okay, thank you. >> [laughter] >> And maybe the other thing I should mention is two of our guys went went on to compete at the junior Nationals a couple weeks after. It was about a 2 weeks ago now. And they got to do some weekend qualifying races to qualify for junior National. It's outside of the high school league racing. So two of our guys were able to qualify for junior Nationals and George here kind of our team leader throughout the year. He had two seventh place finishes at junior Nationals in top 10 are all American. So super impressive and one of our other guys Mo who can't be here tonight had a 20th place finish. So those two guys did a great job at junior Nationals as well. Wow, that's amazing. That's so cool. I just had a question maybe for some of the seniors. Are you I mean is there a collegiate level that you're going to pursue in This guy is George. Yeah, George. Yeah, I'm going to be competing for Colby next year. And so I'm excited for that. Yeah. Great. It's out in Maine. Well, it's far away but it'll be fun. Awesome. That's so cool and congratulations. Yeah, thank you. Any other questions? Yeah. Um one more thing. Tory I think, Mr. Crafton, I believe your own kids were state champions themselves. And now you have a team that is state champion, so extra congrats. My kids did well. They actually never won a state meet as a team or an individual, but Oh. Um, they did really well. My My My youngest is still competing in college up at Northern Michigan, and we were just out watching him at NCAA's in Utah. So, yeah, he still races himself. My foot in the mouth again. Okay. No, that's okay. >> [laughter] >> But maybe you won a state championship. Super too. I did. >> [laughter] >> I would have gotten there. So. Great. Well, we appreciate We know it's like everyone's coming back from spring break and everything, and it's just such a pleasure when we get to have our students and our coaches come in and share a little bit about their story from the season. Um, and so just the detail that you've shared is really awesome, and we're so proud of you as a district, as a school board, as a superintendent staff. You guys all make us so proud. Um, and so I hope that you're like just relishing in the championship and your accomplishments, especially since I think they're all seniors. Three of them are seniors. Actually, quite a few of them return, so Oh, good. Good. So, you know, we'll have high hopes for next year. Yeah, there were There were There were a couple things I realized that I forgot to mention. One was that for the boys team, this is the first state title that we've won since 1996, so it's been 30 years. Um, the other thing that you'll probably appreciate is um, the high school coaches association gives an award for academics, and they give a gold award to They They look at the GPAs of the top five in the group, and they average their their GPA, and they give a gold award to teams that achieve a 3.75 or higher. And these guys achieved a gold award, but they actually had a top five average GPA of 3.87. Wow. So, they're a pretty sharp group, SO AWESOME. >> [applause] >> THAT'S IMPRESSIVE, cuz you guys do a ton of practice and time into it, and then to keep up with your studies, too. It's impressive, guys, so Great. All right. Well, thank you guys for coming. Thank you. Thank you. Did you Yeah, did you Let's take a picture. You guys want to The board want to be in it, or just the team? I mean, sure. We can Okay. Yeah, we did. You can come around if you want. Hold. Hold on. Hold on. I'm pictures, sorry. >> [applause] >> Thanks. Have a good meeting. All right. That's always exciting, so congratulations, and um, we do not have public comment tonight. So, that concludes um, kind of the opening session here, so we'll call the meeting to order. Joan, roll call. Uh, Director Grussendorf. Here. Director Haaker. Here. Director Kelsenberg. Here. Director Lauwer. Here. Director Parker. Here. Director Thilander. Here. Chair Sherman. Here. Do you have a quorum? Great. Let's stand for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Okay. Um, I am going to make a motion to modify the agenda. We have um, several MOAs that were added um, that we're going to tag on for after close session. Um, the uh, you guys are looking at the accurate um, agenda now, but I'm going to go ahead and make that motion if I can get a second. >> Second. Great. Second. All those in favor of modifying the agenda, raise your hand and say I. I. Opposed? Agenda modified, and we will go to Zach and Aurora for our student reports. Oh, I'm sorry. We modified. Now, all those in favor of approving, raise your hand and say I. I. I. Opposed? Okay. Agenda's modified. Okay, now we'll go to the students. I'll move to approve the agenda. I'll second. There you go. Thank you. Okay, I'm all messed up today. Thank you. >> [laughter] >> All right. All those in favor of approving the modified agenda, raise your hand and say I. I. I. Opposed? Okay, now students. >> [laughter] >> Thank you guys for having us. For our activities, we have um, everyone's back to school now. Spring break is over, and student council is hosting bingo during the lunches this week for all the students to have during lunches, and there'll be fun prizes for all that. And then upcoming events, we have prom coming up next month, a month from now, April 25th. So fun. And then for athletics, um, all of our spring sports are started up. And then just a special shout out, um, a pony wrestler, Noah Nicholson, won state. So, yeah. Yeah, awesome. And then arts, today actually, our band and orchestra went to state for band and orchestra at Eastridge, and they both received two perfect scores of 40 and then a 38. And which ranks them as a superior rating, which is awesome for them. And then they're also heading to San Diego tomorrow for their tour field trip, so that's really exciting. Awesome. Super fun. And then the week before spring break, all the juniors took the ACT or different testing that they could take, and everyone's just going to work super hard last semester of your last quarter. >> Yeah, last quarter. Goes quick. Yeah, it does. Okay. Um, superintendent. Two things tonight. Uh, first of all, last month Marie Curtis and I met with uh, our community advisory finance committee. So, that was a kind of a good introduction to the intricacies of uh, school finance for the for the group. Um, we have another meeting coming up here in April. Uh, second, uh, I want to talk a little bit about middle school athletics. You know, we've cut uh, we're in the process of cutting about $5 million from our budget. And the biggest thing people have been talking about is middle school athletics. So, I want to provide a little bit of clarifi- clarification on that. Um, as a part of a $5 million budget reduction, we are making targeted adjustments to preserve student opportunities, including middle school athletics. No middle school sports are being eliminated. What will remain the same? All current middle school sports will continue, including cross country, soccer, tennis, track, baseball, softball, basketball, swimming, volleyball, and wrestling. Practices and competitions will remain after school at their respective schools, just like this year. Students will continue to represent Stillwater in competition. Coaches will remain district employees and be compensated under the SCEA agreement. Student access and programming will remain intact. What is changing? Athletics will shift from the general fund to community education. Participation fees will increase. Transportation is under review, and all models are being examined from no service to one-way service to games to full service. These changes will allow us to sustain programs during a significant budget reduction. Why this approach? Middle school athletics are a priority. This plan preserves all programs and avoids deeper cuts elsewhere. Just want to clarify, there's been some confusion suggesting sports Middle school sports are being reduced or eliminated. This is not accurate. All programs will continue. Next steps, final decisions on fees and transportation will be communicated before the next school year. Thank you. Great. Thank you. Any questions or comments for superintendent? Okay. Um, now we will move on to my report, and I don't have anything for this evening. So, we'll move to the consent agenda. Items A through H. And is there a motion to approve consent? I'll move. Director Thilander makes the motion. Is there a second? >> I'll second. Director Haaker with the second. All those in favor of proving tonight's consent agenda, raise your hand and say I. I. Opposed? Consent agenda passes. Okay, we're going to move to uh, strategic direction C, utilize systems and align resources in an efficient manner. And [snorts] we have an action item, which is a resolution for probationary release. Hi, Chris. Hello. Um, good to see you all this evening. Um, so um, we have before us the um, um, resolution to release probationary teachers. So, as um Dr. Funk mentioned, we have all of our budget cuts that um we've been working very diligently on. And so, as a result of um those cuts, um before you is the list of um probationary teachers uh whose contracts will not be renewed for um the 2026-2027 school year. Um can you just give a little bit background? I mean, this is um pretty typical this time of year. Obviously, the number of teachers varies from year to year, but this is um done in Yes. based on contract process. >> Yes. So, every year um we have teachers who go out on leave, um who have rights to a to return to a position. Um that's the most that's the most common reason, but then there are always um staffing and position shifts that occur. Um and so, pretty much I I don't know of a year when we wouldn't um release probationary teachers. Um this year it is there are a few more um in the previous years, we average around 30 teachers per year that are released. Um and often many are um rehired when the when the internal posting process closes. Um so, this year there are, as I said, [clears throat] a few more names on the list. We had to go a little bit deeper this year. Okay. Uh any questions for Chris? Okay. All right. Um Oh, yes. Do we expect to be pulling more people back any more people back this year or fewer people back this year than we normally would? Um it remains to be seen. Um um retirements can still be submitted um if people are um interested in that. Um that would be one way that we would be able to open other positions. This year we don't have as many options for um just vacant positions that folks can can post into. Um so, we'll go through the bidding process and then we'll see what we have left after that. I mean, if if if other staff members resign, that would be another way that folks could get back. Um but it's um given the cuts and the depth that we've had to go, it it's not as um optimistic maybe this year as it's been in the past. Thank you. Um So, uh is there a motion to approve? I'll make the motion. Okay. And I will second. Um any other questions for Chris? Or comments? I guess I would just like to say, um this is never the fun part of what we do in the spring. And this year is, uh you know, deeper than what we've had in past years and not surprising. I mean, our the majority of our budget is made up of I mean, we're a service organization, so it's people and um and teachers are a large portion of that. So, unfortunately, when things like this happen, um the it's a sad reality. And so, I'm always with a heavy heart cuz it's impacting people and families, um but necessary to be fiscally responsible, too. So, with that said, we have a first and a second. Um if there's no other comments or questions, all those in favor? I have to roll call. I think it's a resolution. Oh. We'll do a resolution vote. Thank you, Joan. Yeah. Director Griswold? Yes. Director Hackett? Yes. Director Kelsenberg? Yes. Director Lawler? Yes. >> Director Parker? Yes. Director Thelander? Yes. Chair Sherman? Yes. Resolution passes unanimously. Thank you. And then, um Chris, you're sadly staying around and we have another action item. Yes. Um so, this resolution before you um is unusual. Um we had um we had you know, one partial last year, but um that was resolved um very quickly. Um [snorts] so, in the history of this district, we have we haven't done this in a while. Um like maybe nine or 10 years. So, um this process, the unrequested leave process, follows state statutes and contract language and it's very um scripted on how we can go about doing this. Um and again, this is the result of um the cuts that we have had to make and the changes that we've had to make to staffing as a result of that. So, before you is a list of 10 um teachers who um whose continuing contract will not be renewed for the 2026-2027 school year. Each of these teachers um does retain rights to a position for 5 years. So, they can be they have recall rights, but they um their position will end this year and um they will not have um benefits or pay after that. So, this one was um definitely more challenging. Yes. This is not something we've done. Um Okay. Before we vote, um I'll go ahead and make the a motion to pass this. Is there a second? I'll second. Okay. Director Thelander with a second. I know it's a uh resolution, so we'll do a roll call vote, but any questions or comments? Mhm. Is there Excuse me, is there seniority involved in this or is it based on program areas that are being cut? So, this is absolutely based on seniority. Okay. Um Yes. I'm just I'm just going to say yes. That's that's the answer to that question. So, with that then, if there's a new hire next year in any category, are these the first people that get dibs? So, it's not any category because it has to be the right license. But before we can offer um for example, an elementary ed teaching position to anyone outside the organization, the elementary ed teachers on this list have to be offered that position first. Okay. In order of seniority. Okay. And you said that last for 5 years then, right? Yes. Okay. Any other questions or comments? Okay. Seeing none, Joan, roll call. Director Griswold? Yes. Director Hackett? Yes. Director Kelsenberg? Yes. Director Lawler? Yes. Director Parker? Yes. Director Thelander? Yes. Chair Sherman? Yes. Resolution passes unanimously. Thank you. Thank you, Chris. Next up, we have some policy work. Um these are two policies where the first read was back in February. And Paul is going to do the second read before we look at taking action. Yes, good evening, Chair Sherman and members of the board. Um yes, we have we have two policies that are both second readings. Uh the first policy is uh policy 213, School Board Committees. Um and uh this had the first reading. Um since the first reading, we haven't received any input or any additional input uh regarding the language in the policy. Um so, I don't know if there's any additional questions. Well, um if there's any questions. Okay. So, how did the uh policy committee discuss how to think about the finance? Um there's been a lot of financial issues the last 3 years. Um over the last seven or eight meetings, we've had financial presentations with minimal questions, including an audit with zero questions asked at the board table. Um how did the committee handle that discussion around how to create a robust discussion or robust oversight in finances at the board level table if we're going to disband this committee? Do you Did you want to say? Yeah, I I'm happy to share some insight from my perspective having served on the committee for last couple years. Um not this year, but um I I think the the of the board's members that are a part of that that then essentially just regurgitates that at the board level discussions. So, my thoughts as I've shared before, I think it makes sense to have this be done at the board level where if we're making a presentation, it's being done in front of everybody uh and not being redundant. Um and I think um just to counter one of your your points, I think for me and and I believe for other directors, you know, I like to ask questions beforehand and send that to uh Marie or Dr. Funk or to get clarification on things and some things are just more maybe curiosity versus you know, substance matters that, you know, don't need to be brought forth at the board level. So, um I'm comfortable with the work that Marie is doing. You know, I think you do a fantastic job and and I'm and I think it's also something where with the community finance committee, I think that's a really cool opportunity down to get more input and more you community involvement, uh which I think is something that's been lacking. So, it then allows us then to have these discussions as as a as a board that I think will be more fruitful and a more productive use of time and, you know, just keep us focused on these other things that are important uh from a governance perspective. So, that's just my two cents. Thank you. Thanks. Um I was I'm not in the policy committee anymore, but I was for most of the conversations, quite frankly, about this policy. Um and we really were focusing on what the work of the board is in committees and the work that really needs additional board oversight, Um, we felt like is in policy just because of the minutia of that that work. Um, but that ultimately the finance and ops as Director Thelander was speaking to, um, is the work of the whole board. And that the the questions that we do ask, we ask ahead of time or at the board table, um, in front of the public. So, that wasn't necessarily a a high enough priority to keep that in a committee. And in the past, the way the committee has been run, as he was just saying, we would repeat the information at the board table. So, it became kind of a redundant, uh, practice to hold that, um, committee, which is why it hasn't been called for the last several years. Um, and in terms of the actual oversight of our finance department, um, I will say the last couple of years our finance department has been doing a phenomenal job with very difficult finances. A lot of the challenges that the district are facing come from the state level and a bunch of mandates that we were not expecting. So, the financial situation we find ourselves in is not due to mismanagement. It is due to so, um, issues beyond our control. So, and I I know that a lot of our directors have very much been following those issues and maybe are not asking the questions because they already know where that money is going. So, I hope that kind of gives a little more context on why we why I personally do not think that we need the finance and ops committee, um, and that I like the idea of having a community committee, um, to try looking at things from a different angle. Mhm. And I would just not having been on policy committee, but having been at the community finance committee meeting, um, last month, that was one engaged, numbers-driven group of individuals that really were they were asking questions that were ahead of where Dr. Funk wanted to be, I think in in that meeting. Like they they were already trying to look for ways to to help us get there, um, you know, to to find solutions, um, thinking probably, you know, they they've got ideas. I mean, that that that I think will probably bear fruit, um, as we move forward. Um, so, I I I do find hope in that, you know, that they they're really it it wasn't just, uh, here's some information and everybody nods their head. They they had questions. They they came came ready to talk. And so, I I think that's going to be really great moving forward. Quick question, uh, Dr. Laue, what what's how many people are Dr. Funk, how many people are in that community finance? >> 15 or so. About 15 community members and then some staff on top of that, yeah. That's good representation. Mhm. And all all all numbers-oriented people, you know, like you know, accountants and and business owners and, you know, people that that Pentagon budget. Pentagon Yeah. I mean, it's it's crazy. Yeah. That's it's great. A great collection of people. I >> Mhm. don't know where how how the call went out, but And and again, this policy doesn't preclude, um, if there's a need for finance to meet, like we've said, um, we can have an ad hoc committee if something comes up that is needs the attention of a small number of the board, where the entire board wants a select group to kind of make a recommendation to the board as a whole. Um, so, there's nothing in this policy that would preclude that, but I would I just, um, uh, agree with kind of the points that have been shared here and, um, I just I want to be careful when we when we talk about, I don't know how to say this. When we talk about questions that don't get asked, cuz I think indirectly, it's hard not to take offense to that, and I'm not assuming that that's how you meant it, um, Director Parker, but it does kind of call into question the job of your fellow board members. And I can only speak for myself, and the audit is the audit. We're not nothing we ask is going to change what that is. It's an independent audit that our staff work tirelessly to get accomplished. Um, I do ask questions. And I know there are likely people here that do ask questions and it and it and then maybe through Dr. Funk or through others just to help facilitate our own understanding. Um, but the audit is the audit. So, I just, you know, everyone here is very committed. Um, we've I can tell you we talk more about our financial situation, um, as a board, and I've enjoyed that much more than when I served on the board when there was a committee, um, that was kind of gatekeeping things. Not to say that there isn't going to be a need at some point to, um, to call an ad hoc committee, and I would support that, um, if the need arose. So. Okay. Um, any other questions? We will go ahead and take this to action. Again, thank you for, um, all your time. I know this has been one that we we've have had open for feedback for a while now. Um, all those in favor? Make the motion. Oh, I will make a motion to approve. Is there a second? >> I'll second. Okay. All those in favor of approving policy 213, raise your hand and say I. I. I. Opposed? Nay. Motion passes 6 to 1. Okay, the next one is our second reading for, um, policy 423. Yes, uh, 423, um, employee-student relationships. Uh, this did have the first reading. This is a, uh, recommended, uh, policy by MSBA. Um, it does replace our old, uh, policy 423, which was titled tutoring, and that was, you know, written and approved in 1972. So, um, this is a much, um, fully updated and reviewed by MSBA, um, and recommended regarding, um, the relationships regarding, uh, student and employee relations, um, and, specifies for the district the reporting and investigation components and the school district action and scope of liability within that policy. So, and since the reading, we didn't have any, uh, further, uh, input regarding the language of this policy. I think the the policy committee is going to look a little bit at that tutoring piece >> Mhm. to see if that's something, um, we want to include, uh, potentially in a different policy. I know in, uh, discussion and review with Terry Morrow, the MSBA attorney that, uh, writes these policies, he thought that the better place for that is in a, um, either kind of a staff kind of handbook, more of a procedures, um, and not necessarily required in a policy. So, but that's something that this I think that the policy committee will will will look at again and just to see if, uh, that's something that we want to have in a more formal basis. So, but Great. Okay. Um, any questions or comments on the second read? Moving on to action on this policy. I'll go ahead and make the motion. Is there a second? Second. Second. Great. Dr. Laue with the second. All those in favor of approving policy 423, raise your hand and say I. I. I. I. Um, opposed? Motion passes unanimously. Thank you. Thank you, Paul. I appreciate it. Okay, now we're going to move into a closed session. We will come back, um, after this closed session. So, the next item on the agenda is closed session pursuant to Minnesota Statute 13D.03, the governing body of a public employer may, by majority vote in a public meeting, decide to hold a closed meeting to consider strategy for labor negotiations, including negotiation strategies or developments or discussion and review of labor negotiation proposals conducted pursuant to sections 179A.01 to 179A.25. Um, I will go ahead and make the motion to move to closed. Is there a second? I'll second. Okay. I'll go with Kelsenberg with the second. All those in favor of moving to closed session, raise your hand and say I. I. I. Opposed? We are moving to closed session. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Okay, welcome back. We're now in open session. Um our next item is to uh approve the SCEA contract renewal and we have Chris at the table. Hello again, Board of Directors. Um Sorry. That presentation up. Sorry, Chris. One sec. I can't read there. I don't think it's all because of the language jumps. I have got a question for you afterwards. I think that's just a technicality. Okay. We're doing this is Okay. This is one action. Yeah. Sorry. I just have to upload it. I thought I had it on there. >> [snorts] >> All right. So, we'll just go right to the highlights, the first slide there. Um So, for this um round of negotiations, we um have agreed to um a settlement of 2% in year one um with a delayed effective date. So, the 2% will take effect um on 10/15. Um and then steps um the teacher will receive step increases effective retroactively effective July 1st of 2025. Then in year two, uh 2% will be added to the salary schedule effective 7/1 of 2026. And the step increase will also take effect on 7/1 of 2026. Um the medical insurance uh we did an MOA um to um for the insurance renewal. Um and that's uh outlines the way that the calculations are made. Um so, the district pays the first 6 and 1/2% of the of a renewal in the insurance premiums. Um or increase in the insurance premiums. Employees pay the next 6 and 1/2 and then anything over 13% would be equally split the district and employees. Um the MOA expires um June 30th of 2027. Next slide. Um these are some additional highlights. Um we sunset the short-term disability benefit in lieu of Minnesota paid leave. Um we um increased the longevity pay and that will take effect in year two. Um increased the 403B match um again beginning in year two. Um And then we made changes to the long-term disability benefit uh to make it both more sustainable and to align with um Minnesota paid leave. So, um the contract settlement is um within the the board's established parameters. Um we recommend approval um of the 25-27 St. Croix Education Association's master agreement. Um and as stated up there, this settlement does reflect um an effort to um work together to remain responsible stewards of district resources um and to um work together in partnership. Um and so, before um I actually ask you to recommend or that I recommend that you approve this, um I just wanted to thank a couple [snorts] of folks. Um I wanted to make sure that um I acknowledge the negotiations team on the district side, um the expertise and the um contributions um and all the hours and hard work, the details. I also want to acknowledge the SCEA negotiators um for their collaborative and um cooperative efforts toward um a mutually agreeable settlement. I also wanted to thank the board for its support um ongoing support throughout the process. Great. Um I'm going to go ahead and make a motion to approve this contract. Is there a second? I'll second. Great. Um Ms. Sarah seconds. Uh questions or comments um for Chris. Um I know I I actually don't usually do this, but um I've had a lot of reflection, especially given the uh action that we took earlier to release um positions, which is like just terrible, right? I mean, no one wants to see that, but that impacts people. So, I want to just take a minute to read a personal statement on behalf of myself. I want to acknowledge the hard work of staff and the SCEA in negotiating this agreement. While the district's offer remained consistent throughout the process, this agreement reflects the realities of collective bargaining. The board and our entire community value the dedication, talents, and impacts of our teachers. That value is reflected in the fact that our average teacher salary and overall benefits package ranks top in the state. It's important that we recognize that. It's a value we all share. At the same time, we can't ignore the reality in which this vote is taking place tonight. We are making the decision this decision while reducing 40 positions due to ongoing budget challenges. That is not theoretical. It's a real and it directly impacts our staff and our students. There's an inherent tension in approving compensation increases while also making staffing reductions and I think that's important to acknowledge openly. We also need to be honest about the broader system we are operating in. The cost of the value of our the cost of the value our community and this board places on education and on our teachers is not fully supported by decisions made at the state legislature where mandates are often not adequately funded. That disconnect continues to put pressure on our general fund budget and contributes to the difficult tradeoffs we are facing today. All of this, along with other budget pressures that we regularly discuss regularly discuss at this board table, reinforce my concern about the long-term financial impact impact of our labor agreements and the structural challenges our district faces. Looking ahead, I would like to see future negotiations approached collaboratively with a shared focus on what is best for the district as a whole, both for students and for our teachers, especially those who are the most vulnerable in these situations and too often are the last hired and the first to be released. This contract represents a compromise. While I have concerns, I believe it is appropriate to move forward and I will support its approval with an expectation that future contract negotiations and decisions continue to be transparent for the public and create a shared fiscal understanding for all vested stakeholders. And while compensation is important, we must equally value maintaining staff levels that support both our students and our teachers in their challenging daily work. We are not alone in these issues. Districts across the state are facing these same challenges, and I remain hopeful that the tough but necessary conversations will allow us to work more uh constructively and collaboratively, support supporting one another and staying focused on preserving what makes our district strong. Again, I want to thank our staff and the SCEA and all our stakeholders in appreciation for all the work done here tonight. Mhm. And but thank you. Uh Chair Sherman, you know, also since I will um be abstaining from the vote due to a uh um conflict of interest and in accordance with that, I want to um um maintain impartiality, so I will be abstaining from the vote, but I would if it's okay like to share some thoughts just for my own uh perspective and just uh for some reflection uh as well. So, um so I think, you know, as board directors, you know, we are tasked with balancing two critical responsibilities, you know, honoring our staff and safeguarding the long-term health of our district. This contract reflects a compromise, one that values our educators while recognizing the financial constraints we face. Uh these challenges yet are not unique to Stillwater. Um and, you know, districts across Minnesota are facing similar pressures, as you had mentioned. And but when we align around shared goals and shared realities, we can strengthen that foundation that supports every student, every staff member, and every school within our district. And as Chair Shine uh Chair Sherman highlighted, um yeah, we cannot ignore or the tension between compensation increases um and the difficulties of cutting staff. Uh that's why priority-based budgeting is essential. Yes, it does involve really difficult but necessary decisions, um but it allows us to align spending with what matters most for our students, staff, and sustainability. So, looking ahead, I'm hopeful that we can approach future negotiations with even more collaboration and shared understanding of our long-term financial picture. And, you know, tonight's vote, although again I'll have to abstain, um it's not just about this agreement, it's about setting a course towards a commitment to increased transparency, stability, and the shared responsibility of doing what's best for our students. So, thank you, and just want to share that. Thank you. Anyone else before we vote? Yes. Uh first, both uh I know I'm not supposed to address either of you, but that was those were very nice statements, so very nicely said, and um I agree with almost everything you guys said, so that was that was really well said. Um I'll just speak for me from the heart for a second. I didn't prepare anything, but um I just want to say I really appreciate uh how much I have learned through this process from our negotiating team and and staff. Uh this has been incredibly educational for me. Um this is a, you know, a very difficult process uh for all involved, and I think this is something that was made better through the process. So, good job. That's a hard thing to do is to do something hard and make it better as you do it, so um pretty proud of what uh what our staff did here. So, our team, I shouldn't say just the staff, but the team in general did here. So, thank you. Thank you. All right. Um we'll go ahead and vote on this. All those in favor of approving the contract, uh raise your hand and say I. I. >> I. Those abstaining? I. Great. Um and now the next item we have a series A through H of MOUs, MOAs, and we're going to lump them in together um to approve. Um I'll go ahead and make a motion. Is there a second? I'll second. Great. Director Hackett with the second. Uh any other comments related to this uh these items? Okay. Uh all those in favor, we have a we have a motion and a second. All those in favor of approving, raise your hand and say I. I. I. Those abstaining? I. Okay. All right. With that, we conclude tonight's meeting and are adjourned. Thank you again.