School Board Business Meeting - May 22, 2025
Approval of agenda
Comments to the board
Consent items
Proposed policy changes (Racial equity, veterans preference, data, subpoena, travel, drug testing, land acknowledgement)
Resolution: Placement of assistant principal on unrequested leave
Resolution: Release of long-term substitute teaching contracts
Superintendent report
Future meeting dates
Closed session for labor negotiations
Full Document Analysis
Votes (5)
Approval of agenda
Moved by Sharon · Seconded by Luis
Approval of consent items
Moved by Sharon · Seconded by Eric
Approval of policy changes
Moved by Sharon · Seconded by Not specified
Placement of assistant principal on unrequested leave
Moved by Sharon · Seconded by Smi
Termination of long-term substitute teaching contracts
Moved by Sharon · Seconded by Melinda
Notable Quotes (3)
It is heavily based in critical race theory which is adopted out of Marxism. That is a that is a pure fact.
Don't tell me about white privilege. You don't walk down the street and somebody tells you or you're driving while black. Don't tell me you have experienced any of that. We have.
Until racism doesn't exist, which it does. I believe we need a policy to protect all students.
People (6)
Julie NielsenSuperintendentPresented policy changes and provided superintendent report updates.
Presented policy changes and provided superintendent report updates.
Sharon VanlairBoard MemberStrongly supported the equity and inclusion policies and land acknowledgement.
1 quote
Strongly supported the equity and inclusion policies and land acknowledgement.
“This policy all of these policies that have we have we have honed them we have made them... I am I am really upset to the point where we have enhanced our ability go to some of these schools.”
Defending equity policies.
Eric TesnerBoard MemberOpposed racial equity and land acknowledgement policies, citing political indoctrination concerns.
1 quote
Opposed racial equity and land acknowledgement policies, citing political indoctrination concerns.
“The pervasive obsession I guess you could say with racial identification is not going to get us there.”
Opposing policy 102.1.
Smi PatnneakBoard MemberSupported the equity and inclusion policies to address identified disparities.
1 quote
Supported the equity and inclusion policies to address identified disparities.
“Choosing not to act is also an action and I think it's an unacceptable action.”
Supporting equity policy adoption.
Katie SchwarzBoard ChairPresided over the meeting and managed procedural order.
Presided over the meeting and managed procedural order.
Abby BakerExecutive Director of HR and OperationsPresented resolutions regarding unrequested leave and substitute contracts.
Presented resolutions regarding unrequested leave and substitute contracts.
Places Mentioned
Events & Meetings (3)
- May 22, 2025 - 6:00 PM - District Service Center, Cottage Grove, MN
- June 12, 2025 - 6:00 PM - District Service Center (Workshop)
- June 26, 2025 - 6:00 PM - District Service Center (Business Meeting)
Ordinances & Resolutions (2)
Racial equity and inclusion policy
Indigenous land acknowledgement policy