South Washington County Schools — Transcript
Thursday, September 3, 2026
Policy Updates and New AI Policy
School Construction and Operational Updates
Potential Real Property Acquisition
Votes (3)
Proposed Policy Changes
Moved by Ryan Clark [0:29] · Seconded by Sharon Van Leer [0:32]
Superintendent Julie Neilson presented seven policies for final approval, noting that policy 625 on artificial intelligence was new for the district. Board member Clark identified language in policy 520 that required further review, leading to its exclusion from the motion. The remaining six policies (515, 516, 516.5, 519, 530, and 625) were then put to a vote.
Superintendent Report
The Superintendent provided comprehensive updates on district activities, including construction progress for new buildings, school improvement planning with Dr. Anthony Muhammad focusing on PLCs and student data, a recent safety day reviewing the cardiac response plan and a case study from Cottage Grove Elementary, and upcoming staff onboarding for new and returning employees, alongside challenges posed by road construction affecting bus routes.
Closed Session for Real Property Acquisition Discussion
Moved by Sharon Van Leer [0:32] · Seconded by Elizabeth Bachman-Ekberg [0:26]
The board moved into a closed session as allowed by Minnesota statute to discuss developing or considering offers for the purchase of a leasehold interest in a portion of property at 4204200 Pioneer Drive in Woodbury, identified by Parcel ID 2802821130002. The purpose was for negotiation strategy, and no action was planned to be taken immediately following this closed session.
Notable Quotes (5)
625 just to point out that is a new policy for South Washington County Schools, responsible use of artificial intelligence and board members will hear a presentation in October around that policy.
Clark did find some language in 520 that we do want to have reviewed.
I think that question [Are you sure this is going to be done?] was asked at least a hundred times and Alex Slocum said, yes.
Last week we had a safety day that um included reviewing data, going through our cardiac response plan, taking a look at the scenario that happened at Cottage Grove Elementary School when the individual brought the knife onto school property and really using that as a um a case study for other principals in what went well and what we could improve on.
While in closed session, the board will be considering an offer for the district to purchase a leasehold interest of a portion of the property located at 4204200 Pioneer Drive, Woodbury, Minnesota 55129.
Ordinances & Resolutions (9)
Protection and privacy of pupil records
Student medication and telehealth
Overdose medication
Interviews of students by outside agencies
Student surveys (deferred for review)
Immunization requirements
Responsible use of artificial intelligence (new policy)
Minnesota statute allowing for closed sessions for property purchase/sale discussions
Parcel ID for the property under closed session discussion