South Washington County Schools — Transcript
Thursday, June 25, 2026
School Activities and Athletics Highlights (2025-2026 School Year)
Superintendent's Summer Updates and Community Engagement
Votes (5)
Approval of Proposed Policy Changes (7.1)
Moved by Board Member [1:00:00] · Seconded by Ryan Clark [1:00:00]
Superintendent Nielsen presented four policies from the 400 series (Human Resources) and three from the 700 series (Transportation). These policies had been reviewed and discussed by the policy committee at a previous meeting, with no further comments from the board during this vote.
Approval of Guiding Change Document for Budget Adjustments (7.2)
Moved by Melinda Dos [1:03:00] · Seconded by Elizabeth Bachmanberg [1:03:00]
Superintendent Nielsen sought approval for the finalized 'Guiding Change Document,' which will act as 'guard rails' for approximately $13 million in budget adjustments. She detailed several revisions made since the last meeting, including clarifications on funding sources, the acknowledgment that additional levies alone cannot resolve the deficit, and updated deficit projections for fiscal years 2026-2028. It also addressed enrollment impacts and open seats in elementary schools.
Approval of 2026-27 Preliminary Budget (7.3)
Moved by Ryan Clark [1:05:00] · Seconded by Luis Hines [1:05:00]
Chris Blackburn, Director of Business Services, presented the 2026-27 preliminary budget for approval, a requirement by Minnesota state law. She noted that the General Fund and School Nutrition Fund budgets remained unchanged since their earlier presentations, but the Community Education Fund budget was updated to reflect changes in fee revenue, salaries, and benefits following recent negotiations. A roll call vote was requested for this item.
Approval of Northeast Metro 916 Fiscal Year 28 Long-Term Physical Maintenance Program Budget (7.4)
Moved by Ryan Clark [1:08:00] · Seconded by Board Member [1:08:00]
Chris Blackburn presented the proposed $600,500 Long-Term Facility Maintenance (LTFM) program budget for Fiscal Year 2028 from Northeast Metro 916 Intermediate School District. South Washington County Schools' proportionate share is $116,87, which will be levied in 2027. The allocation is determined by a blended rate based on net tax capacity and ADM utilization.
Approval of Tentative Agreement with District Office Support Specialist (7.10)
Moved by Luis Hines [1:10:00] · Seconded by Smi Patnneak [1:10:00]
Abby Baker, Director of Human Resources and Operations, presented a tentative collective bargaining agreement with district office support specialists for approval. The agreement, effective July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2028, includes annual wage increases (3.25% in 2026, 3% in 2027), an adjustment to step six for equal deltas, and significant increases (15% in 2027 and 2028) to the district's contribution for high-deductible medical plans, plus a new contribution for family dental plans.
Notable Quotes (6)
This evening I am asking for approval on four policies that fall into the 400 series which are human resources area as well as three policies in the 700 area and the three this evening happen to be around transportation.
A guiding change document really acts as the guard rails as we begin our work around budget adjustments. What we're talking about is approximately $13 million worth of adjustments.
What is worded as a current reality due to the size of the anticipated adjustment we will not be able to solve it by only seeking additional levy dollars from our taxpayers and I think the board was really very clear about we know that we can't levy our way out of this budget adjustment it's something that we have to work together and make those adjustments.
I would highlight there was some changes to community education. And again, that was pretty early to present um yet as we're still working through numbers and legislative um and negotiations. And so they've been updated to reflect um particularly fee revenue and then u salaries and benefits as a result of negotiations this spring.
Member districts pay proportionate share determined by utilizing a blended rate based on net tax capacity and a ratio of ADM utilization by the district. So again, as the largest participating member, we um do appreciate that because we know our um tax base is a little different than some of the other member districts.
The economic costing of the tenative agreement includes the following. As of July 1, 2026, a 3.25% increase. As of July 1, 2027, a 3% increase. and then an additional $55426 to step six, making the delta between steps all equal. For health insurance, as of January 1, 2027, a 15% increase to the district contribution for high deductible medical plans and as of January 1st, 2028, a 15% increase to the district contribution for high deductible medical plans. Also for dental insurance effective July 1, 2027, um a district contribution of $12028 toward the family dental plan.
Ordinances & Resolutions (7)
Human resources policies reviewed by the policy committee
Transportation policies reviewed by the policy committee
Finalized document providing guard rails for approximately $13 million in budget adjustments
Preliminary revenue and expenditure budget for the upcoming fiscal year
Component of the preliminary budget, updated to reflect fee revenue and negotiation-based salary/benefit changes
Budget for facility maintenance approved by Northeast Metro 916, with a proportionate share requested from member districts
Agreement outlining economic terms for district office support specialists for July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2028