Good evening. It is Thursday, March 5th, 2026 at 6 PM. We are at the District Service Center in Cottage Grove, Minnesota. We would like to acknowledge that the land on which we gather is the land of the Minwakatan Dakota people. Minwakatan means dweller of the spirit lake. Our first item on the agenda is 1.0 and that is the roll call. Dana >> Elizabeth Bachmanber >> here. >> Luis Hines >> here. >> Ryan Clark >> here. >> Melinda Dos >> here. >> Smi Patnneak >> here. >> Sharon Venlier >> here. >> Ta Alvaringa >> here. >> Andrew Chastine >> here. >> Matilda Samuel >> here. And Katie Schwarz is absent. >> Let's stand for 2.0. Our pledge of allegiance. To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >> 3.0 and that is can I get approval for the agenda? >> Second. >> It was moved by Smi, seconded by Melinda. Any comments or changes? >> Those in favor? Any opposed? Motion carries. We move on to 4.0 student board representatives reports and that will be introduced this evening by our superintendent Julie Nielson. Thank you. I'm going to give you a second to shut your microphone off because they are on high speed tonight. I noticed as microphones were going on, they were echoing back and forth, so they're definitely louder. Um, good evening and thank you to our student representatives for being here this evening. um we had the opportunity to connect this week to talk a little bit about how the trimester is ending and how we're going to be winding back up. So this evening they're each going to share just a couple of highlights. And sometimes when they don't have like a special highlight, I might ask them to highlight and focus in on a class or an activity that they're doing just so that as board members and community members uh can learn more about what our students are engaged in. So this evening we'll start out with Matilda and then we'll go right down the line Matilda to Andrew and TA. Thank you, Matilda. >> Thank you. Okay, so I'm not sure if this is working. >> Okay, so the first thing I want to talk about is this Black Student Union event that just passed. It was last week. Um, it took up a lot of my time personally because I am on the board for BSU, but it was a really successful event. It definitely paid off and there was a lot of community members are all welcome and we had a bunch of food and it was dancing and singing and all of that. And it really shows the variety of opportunities that there are for clubs at my school. And it goes for any club. They can have an event if they want to and it can be open to whoever they want. And yeah, it just shows a lot of community that we have with the students and also with just generally Woodbury. And then for my second thing, it's things related to being a senior. So there was a yearbook deadline yesterday for buying our yearbooks. It was $90 and had to make that deadline. And then um in relation to the yearbook, there's senior superlatives, which is like saying like who's the best dressed or who's the best duo and everything. So there's a form that recently came out for that to be included into the yearbook. And then my last item is about the stamp test. So I'm ASL and um okay, I'll do a little introduction of myself in ASL. Okay, so that was my introduction. And so there's a stamp test on March 31st. It's basically sealed by literacy, but for ASL, it's called the Stamp Test. So I'm in level four, and that's something that's really been on my mind recently, getting ready for studying for that. It's like a comprehensive test or cumulative test of everything that we've learned thus far in the four years. So yeah, I'm excited for that. and also trying to get ready for it. >> Good evening. Um, I mainly only have two main things to talk about and mainly they're both highlights from trimester 2 and trimester 1. Would first like to talk about how a main class of mine which is AP Lang really benefited me based around writing skills and especially public speaking skills. um was very beneficial for me to understand more about the punctuation and grammar of how writing truly works and to understand how colleges look at that and just the real world looks at that in the same way with public speaking. Then my second highlight is more of the end of the trimester too where sports some sports are coming to an end where basketball both men's and women's for our um for Eastridge are going to the tournament and our swimming had a very good season. They went to the tournament as well and same with wrestling. Um overall we have new sports starting. I don't know which ones exactly but I'll have to take a look. And those are truly all my highlights. Hi everyone. Um, the first thing I'd like to share is that our South Washington County adapted hockey team, the Thunderbolts, went to state this past week and a lot of students were able to go and support them and cheer them on and help them feel celebrated. And I think that's just a prime example of how inclusive and connected our community is between um, students and those with special needs. And there's just been a lot of um, connections and friendships made this year. And I just really love that about our community. Um, another thing I'd like to share is that Park hosted its career fair this past month. Um, and that happens during the school day and students are able to um, sign up for a time slot during the school day to go visit the career fair. And there's a variety of jobs and professions that are represented at this career fair for students to ask questions and really just get insights into maybe what they want to do um, what kind of steps they want to take after high school or even during high school. So yeah, >> thank you students. Just to add on to what TA shared, I happen to be at the job fair too. I was recruiting on behalf of South Washington County Schools and uh we did have a booth and we did have some individuals from human resources there. We also had our architect out there um and he was showing students uh Park High School and uh how to look at 3D versions, was it Mark? 3D versions of Park High School. So, um very well attended by students. Um and thank you to Matilda for showing off her ASL skills. I did tell her that when Miss Schroeder, our indigenous education coordinator, comes and when she speaks um indigenous, how nice that is to get just a little feel. So, thank you for highlighting for us um some of your proficiency in ASL. >> I guess yeah, I don't know if mine is working either, but anyway, I talk loud. Um anyway, 5.1 is is a construction update and that will be given this evening by Dr. Tyrone Brookens, assistant superintendent. >> All right. Good evening. I will not be doing the presentation. I will actually be introducing the young man who will be doing the presentation. He's actually approaching his anniversary. Uh we were we were talking this is about the time where he actually stepped into this room and he was actually interviewed in this room and it kind of reminds this structure reminds him of walking to the interview. So, are you suggesting we all have questions that we just start firing at him? We'll go around the space, Alex. >> Yes, please. >> So, Alex uh Alexander or Alex S Log Slogan will be uh walking us through many slides on updates regarding our construction project for some of our elementary schools, but we also have our architects here, Mark Dubo from KMA and Joe Oconor from Wool. And we also have principal Jen Holt from Red Rock Elementary School to be on site to answer any questions that might come up. And so when we look at um our bond summary, we are focused in on question two and that is the elementary uh additions and support for expansion. So tonight you're going to hear from BA about Bailey Elementary School, Greycloud Elementary School, Pine Hill and Red Rock. Um we are in the green phase of 2026 and that is where the construction at these elementary schools will uh begin this summer. And with that, I will turn it over to Alex. And this is not an interview. >> Okay. Good. Good evening, everyone. Okay. Bailey Elementary School. Um, we are increasing capacity to 835 students. Um, we are accommodating two preK classrooms. Uh, we're going to provide a dedicated cafeteria space. Um, we are providing a code required storm shelter, renovating existing for first through fourth grade classroom pods, um, renovating existing gymnasium spaces, and replacing fluorescent lights with dimmable LED light fixtures. Okay, the overall site plan, you see the kindergarten edition and the gym and storm shelter edition. Um in the on the top of plan, bottom of plan in the blue you first and fourth grade pod renovations. Um in the blue on the left side, the cafeteria gym renovation um the fifth grade commons renovation and the kitchen storage and staff renovation. All right, this shows the um proposed classroom pods uh 14 classrooms. Um there'll be update upgraded technology um better flow to the spaces and they'll have the com This shows the interior of those new classrooms with the upgraded teaching walls, the upgraded casework, um, and, um, just the overall classroom layout. This is the pods. Um, you'll have the handwashing stations, um, the new wash tub for activities, the new casework, and updated drinking fountains. This is the new prek location. Um this was in plan um south of the pods. The new kindergarten proposed addition. Um these are going to match existing kindergarten classrooms with the um inclassroom bathroom, sinks, storage area, and office. um the proposed kindergarten classroom layouts um showing the um sinks and drinking fountain and upgraded um teaching walls. Um proposed exterior to match existing uh the cafe, gym, and kitchen. Um we're building a permanent wall between the cafeteria and the gyms. Um we are upgrading and kind of rec reum configuring the freezer cooler dry storage area of the kitchen as well. Um the gyms will get resurfacing and a new curtain wall in between. This is the um rendering of the proposed cafeteria. You can see the um extra seating we're going to be getting on the south end with the windows um and then just the better flow of that cafeteria. This is the fifth grade commons. Um we're going to add some windows. Um there'll be some flex seating. Um it'll be a great space to add to this school for um flex learning and teaching. This shows that uh fifth grade commons. Um the gym and storm shelter. Um, we'll get a new gym, new restrooms, um, Dape gym with new DAPE storage, new kids club storage, um, and a new vestable vestibule, excuse me, um, for entering that space. Proposed exterior to um, excuse me. Um, this is the interior of that new uh, gym and storm shelter. Um, we have gone through design and bidding and like Dr. said we are starting construction in the spring here and we will be wrapping 2027. Raycloud Elementary School. Um, we are increasing capacity to 835. Um, two preK classrooms, dedicated cafeteria space, um, code required storm shelter. um renovating the first through and fourth grade pods exist uh renovate the existing gymnasium space and the upgraded lighting to dimmable LED light fixtures. Um we are adding the special education um wing here um and the gym storage or gym and storm shelter, excuse me. um very similar interior renovations. Um the first and fourth grade pods, first through fourth grade pods, and then we're adding the prek spaces. We're adding the kindergarten space near the existing kinderg. And then we're adding offices in the um existing multi-purpose space. This shows that new layout with the 14 classrooms. Um the prek spaces with the on-site restroom as well as the kindergarten with the restroom storage sinks. Um again the interior of the new classrooms and the interior of the new pods very similar to Bailey. Um this shows that prek renovation with the restrooms connected to classrooms. Um the entrances there's an entrance outside of the pods um which helps for drop off. The new kindergarten space um like I said with the with the restroom and the storage and the sink in classroom. Um, again, we're taking over some storage for um extra seating in the cafeteria as well as putting the permanent wall to um break up those spaces um and then resurfacing of the gym and then the kitchen work as well. Um interior of the new cafeteria, um the sound panels, the drop ceiling that will help for sound dampening as well in those spaces. Um this is showing the new sped wing. Um they have the restrooms, storage, um inclassroom breakout spaces, um and then the connectivity between the spaces um for support. Uh the proposed exterior to match existing uh the interior of the special education classroom and again the new gym and storm shelter. the gym, Dape Gym, DAPE storage, vestibule, and kids club storage. Um, exterior to match existing as well. And the interior of the new gym. And again, we are starting construction in the spring and we will be wrapping August 2027. Uh, Pineh Hill Elementary School. Um, we are doing a classroom edition, gym edition, um, special education classroom renovation. Um, we're working on some central bathrooms and some, um, renovating some existing non-compliant facilities. This shows the classroom edition on the north end and the gym and freezer upgrades on the south end. Um, here is our new addition. Um, it's six classrooms, two flex spaces, uh, multiple restrooms, a small group room, and then the dotted line shows our storm shelter, or the red dotted line. Um, this is the interior of the new addition. Uh, you're facing into the flex space from the media center would be at your back. This is the second flex space looking back into that flex space we were just in. And then this would be standing in the existing media center showing the new resource room um with the entrance into the addition. This is the classroom finishes and again classroom finishes. Um exterior again to match existing. Um, we are showing some upgrades in the main office here. The new finishes in the main office. Again, your second view of the main office. And then for the gym edition on the south end, extra storage um, and better flow into that space. the new interior finishes of the gym and exterior to match existing. And then again, we're starting starting this summer, right in the spring um for the spring for the exterior interior renovations will start in the summer um wrap up in August of 2027. Red Rock Elementary School. We are doing classroom additions and expanded seating cafeteria. You can see the classroom and sped room addition near the bus slot there. And then we'll be doing in the cafeteria. This shows the um classroom with storage and restroom on site um and as well as the special education room. The expanded seating in the cafeteria will take over um existing storage and we will be starting this work in fall of 2026 and wrapping up in summer of 2027. With that we will conclude the presentation and entertain any questions. >> Uh I have a couple. Um so my primary question is around the classroom impact with construction starting this fall and so it'll be in the schools over the course of the school year, right? So, how are you how do we plan to renovate the you know the pods where students presumably are learning while we're also you know while school is in session. How does that work? >> So, the uh the pod renovations are are essential summer slam. So, those will start in the spring and we will have those back to the school before starts in the fall. >> Okay. All right. I mean I Those are not >> correct. >> So they they shouldn't take the amount of time that >> No, it's the it's the additions that are going to take like into that um August of 2027. So it's the exterior work that we're doing there that will take to August. >> Okay. And then my second question was actually just a financial question for Chris, which is for any of the cafeteria renovations that are going on that that's all being funded through the bond and none of that is being funded through the nutrition services budget or is there some mixing and matching? Do I have my right one? I think I have the good one. Um, so it is a little mix and matching. So I know that um and I'd have to I'm kind of looking at I know at Pine Hill particularly that they um they're a little more restricted on what they're allowed to pay for through nutrition services, but there is some um ability to utilize some of their funding. So, I know Wendy and her team have worked really diligently and closely with Alex and there's been a consultant in there as well to make sure that what's meeting their needs and what maybe perhaps um you know if the bond allows can we fund it strictly through there or there's some specific requests maybe that they have that maybe they're willing to um and willing and able to put some dollars towards as well. So, a little I think I want to say there's maybe a half a million at Pine Hill. I feel like um abouts from food and nutrition for some equipment. And I see Alex nodding. So, yes, I'm on track so far. Okay. And so, and that's something that um because I remember Wendy when she came here, however many months ago that was, right, she was talking about like all of the different equipment or whatever and that they were deliberately had a spend down plan for their fund balance, right? So, this is incorporated into this, correct? >> Yep. >> Any other questions? >> Yeah, I just had one question about um Greycloud and Bailey. Um just having been in those buildings and they are adding the new storm shelter and gym. Is there a proposed is that like a new hallway or because it kind of goes behind their offices, right? And that I know has been kind of private in the past and so I was curious what that might look like for students. Yeah. So, the new hallway will, like you said, cut behind there. Like, as you're going to the existing cafeteria, you'll take a right and you'll go through what was our old storage. So, that will be delineated. There'll be a hallway to go to the left for back of house and then you go straight into the new space. >> Thanks. >> Any other questions? I'm talked Chris that you talked about the equipment. Some of the equipment is older than Okay. Thank you, Alec. Anybody else? >> All right. Thank you, Alex. >> Thank you. >> Next is 6.0 and those this will be ourformational items and we'll begin with 6.1 revised budget and that will be presented by Chris Black, director of business services. >> Thank you. Good evening everybody. Um I don't know that mine is exciting. I don't have nearly as many pictures, but I do appreciate all of um the work of our architects and Alex and the facilities team. Um so with that financial bud is the revised budget tonight. So every year um typically in March we bring the revised budget to the board. So the significance of why we bring that now school district revise to reflect currently available data. So as you recall last June we approved the original budget. So at that time we had to make some estimations regarding student counts, state allocations, any federal allocations. Um if the state in a funding year sometimes things can change. We know that particularly um the federal allocations usually come in that um kind of May to June. So sometimes when we're doing the original budget, we have either just gotten them or were um sometimes they're getting finalized yet by the state. labor agreements, we sometimes have finalized settlements for contracts um because we know that as we're looking in, we always have built in some assumptions and projections, but that kind of uncertainty. And so once that finalized as well as finalized staffing, so once people are actually hired that we can make some better estimations on those costs as well. The last item is new agreements or leases. So if there's any um you know new lease agreements, I think of technology. Um I know that Bob Burkwitz is always working diligently to do that. Sometimes we have bus leases that have come up as well. So we can revise to reflect just what's known now. As a reminder, the budget is based on the best information we have today. So the one thing that we always know is that that's ever changing, right? So we students kind of can eb and flow a little bit too. Um you know, sometimes we have staff go out on a leave, perhaps we need some long-term subs. Uh maybe we have some some other just need that arises during the year as well. And so we based on the best information, I always call it a snapshot in time. um that what we have today we can base that and make our best um estimations of costs and revenues but again it's that snapshot and it's always ever changing. So the revised budget gives us an indication however of the reserves remaining at the end of the fiscal year and that aids us in preparing next year's budget as well as our long-term um forecasting. So on the next slide is just a summarized of the revised budget. Um and so the top shows the revenues with the state aids um the local levies again which we're extremely fortunate to have a supportive community um the federal aids which doesn't um it's about roughly 2% of our budget um and then other which includes interest um and we'll talk about a little further what some of those items are the expenditures by um kind of program area. So the one thing they'll notice certainly revenues increased um but expenditures unfortunately increased slightly more um or also I shouldn't say slightly more but also increased. We are though um anticipating a slightly better improved um financial situation from our original budget. So about $500,000 improvement. That said, we are still anticipating right now a uh budget deficit of 1.4 million yet. So we'll have some more information coming in the next slides. So the reason we always put the enrollment side in is we know that enrollment drives the budget. So since so much of our um aids are driven by enrollment and as well as our staffing needs, right? When we have additional students perhaps we need additional staffing and so enrollment is so important and vital to as we set the budget whether original or revised. So the green bars are historical enrollment. Um the blue was this past fiscal year 2024 25. The red is current projection. And so this year we're anticipated to be a almost spot on um to last year. Um we'll just I think a slight down tick at 192 is our current anticipated. The gray projected out then are um the future kind of projected enrollment and they do reflect the impact of math and science academy. So, we know for next year they're opening their um high school um kind of across from Eastridge out there and that they will um be opening elementary as planned for the following so in 2027 fall. So, this does reflect um kind of our anticipated enrollment loss for that expansion of that charter in particular. The 1922, the one thing I'll point out with enrollment um as we look forward that that's pretty static. Some years we've picked up enrollment, some years we decline a little from original budget. This year we're anticipating coming on right about um about spot on to where we had original budget set. So some years it's um you know we see that increase or decrease. So just know that this year we're about spot on. On the next slide then on the revenues for state aids. So um it's always helpful just to have a little context. So I always try to just remind people what's in those numbers. And so basic formula this year is by far our predominance. we receive about 154 million just shy of um and that formula increased 2.74% from last year to this year um to 7,481 per pupil. And so we call that basic formula that we can use for any unrestricted purpose. So teachers in classrooms, we can use it for custodians, we can use it for pair of professionals, um bus drivers, like it's just wide open for any use. We can use it to keep the lights on or to plow the snow if we have um or maybe mow grass early. I'm not sure. Hopefully. Um but just a reminder with that that's about 44% of our budget. So the reason again that enrollment drives that formula and that's why it's so important. Special education aid is the second largest state aid in that right now in the revised budget we're anticipating a little above 66 million 66.3. Um and so again that's a significant portion of our um revenue as well and that is based on prior year expenditures as a reminder. So as those get finalized we can update this information to better reflect what our anticipated aid. The last categories, I won't delineate all of them out, but they are kind of the other state aids. And so most all of the other state aids are assigned to a specific category. For example, English learner aid, we can only spend on English learner services. Um, staff development has to be utilized under statutory allowable uses. Um hourly worker unemployment is actually a reimbursement on what we've spent for the hourly worker unemployment that was new a couple years ago and that's for that summerterm unemployment for those hourly workers who um elect to utilize that program. Our federal aids then is um again really a small percentage of our total budget about 2% but the largest portion of that dollar amount is the special education and so those c there's a like kind of threefold that we receive again from kind of birth to 22. Um but those aids account for four million. So I would say the vast predominance of our 4 point um of our 5.2 million is special education. The remaining categories then are the title funds. Um and so there I know sometimes there's been some uncertainty last year particularly about those kind of the release of the dollars. And so we're hopeful this year that perhaps we're a little more stable with that. Um American Indian Education Aid is the one that we received direct from the federal government. Um and then Perkins which flows through our consortium with 916. So again our federal aids um not a huge dollar amount but very impactful to um still to the schools and the students that receive those um benefit from that. The last category for revenue then is local levies and other revenue sources. And so um the predominance of these those top three operating referendum again that support from our community that was voter approved. Local optional revenue is a state program that we can um opt in at one point in time actually in Southwash. All of those levies had been approved through an operating referendum and now is just shifted over um to local optional long-term facility maintenance. We participate in that program as well. And so there's a levy component to that. And then the bottom um category is the third-party billing um is when we bill for medical assistance. So special um student services that qualify such as maybe nursing services um for an example or uh maybe occupational therapy services interest participation fees. So when our students there activities or athletics they're participating in or maybe they're attending the um theater production I believe we heard back a few months ago as well. Um that that all goes into there as well. And then lastly, again, the support through the donations from our community. I'll point out the top three is 90.6 million. So again, when we talk about that overall um kind of local amount, right, that that predominance is really in those levy portion. Um and then that other is about 7.4 million of all those remaining categories. So here's just the on its own summary of revenues and um wanted just to point out again that that state aids that increase there and we'll talk about on the next slide kind of um kind of why the revenue overall went up about um $4.8 million on this slide and so kind of we'll talk about the wise behind it but as you can see on here you know local levies again that's really set um sometimes there will be little fluctuation just once tax um statements you know and they can appeal and all those fun things. So that um can flow through here and then federal aids again that finalized number that we have. The other we always try to just encapsulate if there's any changes that we're aware of whether it's interest is maybe coming a little high or lower perhaps donations are on track maybe we've received some other revenue or not received perhaps and so we can accommodate that and reflect that in here. So in the following slide I'll say real quick it was an overall 1% increase 1.3 from original budget. So the why why did it increase 4.8 million from original and the two predominant categories were state special education aid um $2.7 million that largely based on that prior year expenditure. So as we finalized our 25 expenditures so u Mary Beth Collins on my team each year reconciles those dollars about 70 million worth of expenditures and re-reports them to the state and then they utilize that information to um project our next date. So that's due by November of the that year. So sometimes you think that timing leg of when we're setting that budget and we're finalizing reporting it and then they utilize that information to set this revenue or to kind of update their estimates. And so again they updated to reflect prior year expenditures. Now um and again that's state I will say that state special ed education aid isn't finalized until like another year following. So really next January is when our current year special education aid will be finalized. So sometimes it can be a little um kind of a some people get surprised like why did that number change again again as it flows through all other state aids increase 2.1. So across those categorical again that restricted use revenues um including as well as the primary formula 2.1 billion across all the other state aids and so it's updated estimates based on current data. So as we finalized last year's final enrollments and they have that now to put into the um formula as well because some kind of have a look back was there how much change there was and we also updated our current year estimates again. So no change to the original enrollment projection but because of that updated information the prior year there are some that reflect that. So overall increase of $2.1 million in other state aids. This slide then expenditures by type. So, what I'd point out in here, this is really the um kind of the what do we spend it on? So, we spend it on salaries and benefits predominantly. What I'll point out in this slide, if you add those top two numbers, it's nearly 77% of our um school district budget. So, I know that we always talk somewhere between 75 and 80 is direct on our employees. And so, the reminder, the investments we've made in our staff in the past few years through our contract settlements and continues to be the case here. Um and I would say this is not unique to Southwash. It's very common across the metro, across any school district to be um to have in that 75 to 80% on people. So the services, supplies, capital, and other um services can range anywhere from transportation to again the snow plowing, lights, utilities. Um it can also be any contracted um perhaps special education, maybe we need to have some contracted nurses or have some contracted staff of some sort providing um through there. And so that will also flow through that. Um but again that salaries piece is by far the biggest. And so as we finalize again what what that reflects is really at the time when we budget we have open positions. When we do the original budget that perhaps we're uncertain maybe there's an employee who left and now we've hired somebody else. Uh maybe somebody retired and so now we have somebody new as well. And so that will reflect the updated estimate based on the actual staff in place now. So that's often when we see that um number change. It also will reflect perhaps if maybe we had some difficulty filling a position. The other thing with services that I'll point out is that's now just a reminder that that's where our contracted substitutes whether teachers or pair professionals is also in that number. So it also reflects that overall we increased 1% on expenditures. So slightly less again but the 4.2 million and where did that come from? So largely as I looked around certainly we had some increases in some categories and some decreases but in that overall basis the two primary it was contracted services almost solely. Some others were just a shift in perhaps coding um that maybe it was I think of with the building in the construction sometimes is it professional services or is it building um down in that 500 facilities category and so in this case when I looked at all of those it's really these two contracted services and that's contracted transportation. We actually um when we looked at where we fully landed last year then and then projected out, we anticipated another $3 million that we needed to add to the revised budget and then the contracted education services um in two categories in special education as well as post-secondary that um just to really reflect what we're actually spending in those categories. So I believe Century College was a little late in billing us last year um and so sometimes we set an estimate too and then we oh little surprise, right? Sometimes we're setting that original budget. So to just reflect that improved estimate. So we anticipate about another million dollars needed to cover those costs. So this slide is an expenditures by program and it really is then kind of where are we spending the dollars? And so classroom instruction um and special instruction and pupil support those top three um and we'll have the dollar bill in uh next slide but on these three those three categories really is the direct students. So whether it's your classroom teachers, pair professionals, that classroom instruction piece, special instruction as well, the teachers, pair professionals, um related service providers that provide um that direct student um work, pupil support that can be um again sometimes our pair professionals, it's also transportation and pupil support. And so those categories when we add those up again, it's over 78% of our budget. So that direct student we've always prided ourselves I think on as keeping dollars as close to the classroom and to our students um that we're serving as possible facilities um I will I did the math because I'm always surprised at that number that 40 million I'm like oh my goodness but then I realize that we have 26 buildings and so when we do that and we divide that by it's about a million and a half and we averaged across all and so then I start thinking about what the cost of a roof is and I know that our friends just left us but I'd be willing to bet that they would tell you that a roof costs more than 1.5 million at our schools um because I do see those bills sometimes. So that said, it's just that sometimes those dollars can it's like oh my gosh, what's going on? Right? And when you average that across all of our buildings, it really doesn't um sometimes it makes it feel a little less like oh my goodness, what are you doing? Instructional support. Um again, that would be our assistant principles. Just note that they are in that um the actual head principles are in administration. Um along with um Julie um school board members um are also in that administration category. District support is myself, payroll team, human resources is in that category. Um instructional support includes our teaching and learning services. So when you see them come do presentations on math and reading and things the district um a lot of those staff are in that as well as um media specialists are in there as well. So with that on the next slide is our fun um always kind of maybe infamous dollar bill um but it really is just trying to visually represent how we spend those dollars again. And so again, that class those classroom instruction um in the blue, the green special education or special instruction and then the orange the student support. Again, that's those three categories that are really direct with to our students again that over um 78% of our budget. Again, the facilities piece um and that instructional support. We've always prided ourselves on having a as low um kind of being I'll say low percentage wise of ad administration and district support. And so I think that continues to reflect on here as well. And we do try to again to keep that dollars as close to the classroom and our students as we can. So this slide is our fund balance and I'll just I put the MD calculation kind of highlighted on top there because as a reminder the schoolboard policy is that our fund balance calculation is based on the Minnesota Department of Education statutory operating debt calculation. And so that takes um most components of fund balance but not all and then it divides it into kind of an adjusted expenditure number. And so that's what's reflected on screen here. And so again, even though we've had a slight improvement um over original budget, it does still reflect an anticipated um decrease to fund balance where last year we did hit a high of 19.1%. Um and then it would drop and right now we're predicting to about 16.8% this year. The green bars in there is really our expenditures. And so sometimes even as that changes we can see as that expenditures have gotten higher right that the fund balance even if the dollar amount is increasing sometimes it's at a lower pace. Um so that reflects that. So again that last column is estimated and projected on this revised budget. Next steps then so the board approves um or will hopefully approve the revised budget at our work um excuse me at the business meeting in March on the 26th in 20. We're already working on staffing allocations to principles right now 426 27 and so um we've had several staffing meetings at the elementary and secondary already and really working through that um just you know what are those making sure that we have all the positions that need be and they're working through what based on for example at the high schools I always kind of a little more challenging right we might know how many third grades but um at the high school it's based on choice right you get to choose which classes you take and so sometimes they try to balance that out as to student interest and make sure they're meeting that the revenues are projected. So, we'll do that. We do already know that um again statute changed a few years ago and so the state is required to release the basic education formula um change because again that reminder that it's the floor of 2% to a high of 3%. They're required to release that in February each year that is now out then and so 2.69%. So again the reminder we had 2.74 this year a slight decrease to that increase decrease to the increase but 2.69 69 as we look forward to next year we'll compile all the expenditures u I know my team will be work especially Nikki Kasle and Amber Shower and again Mary Beth Colmes will be working diligently to um compile all those expenditures for all the staff um we do pretty detailed job particularly with staffing and that started for many years since I've been here um we'll present the original budget for 2627 um to workshop on June 11th and then we'll bring it for approval on June 25th and then the audit So, we turn around and go into audit. So, we always talk about being in three fiscal years and so we're still working on current year. We're already talking about next year. Um, some of these numbers are just finalized from last year, but then we'll start the audit again, too. So, we're kind of in budget and audit season, I tell people usually. So, with that, any questions? And Chris, you left out that through all of that those seasons, we also have new negotiations that will be coming up as well. And so, that's kind of an ongoing cycle as well. Um, I have a couple questions, Chris. So, one is, so you mentioned that there's an increase in special education funding that we got from the state, but I know that what's pending or impending, dooming us, uh, potentially is the state doing its own budget adjustment on special education funding. When is that supposed to hit? >> That is the bianium. So 26 20 um not this coming year would be the next their report isn't due until the following year and so um >> not start working on it in the spring of 27. >> Yeah that they'll be >> so at the end of the 28 >> so to the start of 2728 is when that first is my I believe what they're anticipating >> because the election is this fall correct. Okay. And so that we would anticipate about a $3 million decrease um will be our impact in year 1 and 3 million in year two. And again, that was based on numbers when I ran it um about a year ago when they first put that commission in place. So, >> and then we can expect that that $3 million decrease or that the $3 million or the $6 million decrease total would then become kind of our new ceiling. >> Yes. >> Theoretically. And so I'll say more to come on that because I know that their challenge what they'll really do is reduce our aid. So they're going to reduce it via the if they can't come up. So for those that aren't aware, the blue ribbon commission on um special education was formed legislatively last year. And so during session and so what they're tasked with is coming up with um statewide cuts. And so when I projected that based on what our kind of percent of the expenditures was on their cut, what they've said is that they can't identify the commission can't identify sufficient enough cuts to meet their targeted goals that the default is then that it will reduce our cross subsidy aid. So again, a reminder that that was scheduled to go up and so we'll see a little up and then we'll go down again. But it um right now is at 44% that cross subsidy and they would anticipate that will come down. I believe they're thinking high high30s is what I'd heard. if again they're not able to come up with any other adjustments. >> Okay. Thank you. And then my second question was around um you mentioned unemployment for hourly workers and I know like business owners tend to pay in like a percentage of of their payroll each each year to unemployment in Minnesota. And then you for on behalf of the district, we just send in the actual expenditures because we would come out worse if we le we're levied the way businesses are levied. Correct. >> Correct. >> Um but we cannot currently levy for unemployment. So that's another great question. So we cannot we so we can un unemployment used to be a levy. So and it still is a levy for those that are not summerterm. So, our regular if there would be an employee that for some reason just could I'll say like a regular routine type situation um that they would still qualify for unemployment through the I'll call it regular unemployment. Summer term is unique that anybody any hourly employee who's expected to return in the fall can file for unemployment during those summer terms and then that is this separate category. The reason we cannot levy for that currently, a the statute didn't allow it, but also b the state then knowing that that would be u perhaps a bit burdensome to schools would they also put aid towards that. The concern is right now that aid is projected to not be fully funded next year without legislative change this current session. And so, you know, I'm hopeful. Um I know that we had a little bit of a budget surplus that was announced by state. I always get a little nervous because I a little onetime money and maybe not won't result in long-term um improvements and it's not a funding year this year, but I would be surprised if they don't take action just to ensure that that remains fully funded for the next year. As to what that looks like the year after yet to be seen, but no, we cannot currently levy for that. Right now, we're reliant on state aid and again they're projecting that may not be sufficient to cover all the claims for next year. And is there any movement at the state to do to allow for levying or is that not really part of the conversation you know right now again not being a funding year but knowing that they're getting short knowing you know some of the challenges I haven't heard I certainly I will say that we have been advocating for at least having some um so that there's a reliance stream that we can you know each year we can budget for we know what that's coming not oh are we maybe going to be prrated where they're going to reduce because there's not sufficient aid. Um and so we always, you know, we certainly don't want to burden our taxpayers either, but I think since the program exists, right? Um it would be really challenging. Right now there's about 1.3 million, I think it was our aid this year. So I mean it's a pretty significant amount, right, in the grand scheme of our budget. Not huge dollars, but that would still be if we had to just take that on in general fund, that would be challenging. So more to come. I know that it's continued conversation. Um, I just don't know that there's been a whole lot of action yet this year, again, not being a funding year, too. >> Any other questions? >> Yeah, I had a question. Sorry, I didn't think to ask this ahead of time, but I looking at your slide four about enrollment driving the budget. I see that the next two years are projected to go down and you had mentioned math and science. Are there other factors because it continues to go down in your third year out. I was just wondering, are there other factors that you're kind of thinking about declining enrollment? >> So, even from small numbers? >> Another great question. So as we're looking right we're graduating classes of about 1500 and so even if that just goes out we're in coming right probably under 1,200 is roughly our current will less are likely kindergarten classes will drop below 1,200 and so again we have a pretty high capture rate but as we've seen that right wh um just in general families are having fewer children right there's fewer women I know that Julie's smiling at me but when we've had um Hazel Reinard who did the demographic study and I would suspect that maybe as we look forward forward and kind of embark on our next round of long range facility planning or long-range planning that we may have another um study just to see if that trend is still holding. But that's that really is the driver there that we're kind of just inherently los you know graduating 1500 and gaining a class that's about 300 smaller. So >> thank you. Appreciate that. I I didn't think it was all attributed to math and science. So I just wanted to clarify. Thanks. >> Any other additional questions? Okay, seeing none, we'll move on to uh our nextformational item and that is 6.2 and that is the first reading of proposed policy changes and that will be presented this evening by our superintendent Julie Nielson. >> Thank you. Uh this evening I am bringing forward seven policies. All seven of those policies are in the 200 series um all revolving around school board. To start with policy 2011, legal status of the school board. In that particular policy, we're looking at just one minor grammatical um one legal update and two cross reference updates. 202 schoolboard officers um grammatical legal and cross reference updates. 210 conflict of interest. Uh this is related to schoolboard members. Again, uh there is some grammatical updates as long as well as one legal update and one cross reference um was eliminated. In policy 211, criminal or civil action against board members, uh there were just some legal updates at the conclusion of the policy. 212, schoolboard member development. Again, a legal update. 214 out of state travel by schoolboard members, which I know that we are none of us are big travelers out of state, but we removed the notation around the National School Board Association. And then finally, 215 schoolboard memberships. Um that is not a required policy. Um and the group did not feel the need for that to continue. And so the recommendation is that policy would be um eliminated as policy 215. So with that, I would take any questions from the board. Anyone have any questions? Okay, David, do we have anyone signed up? Okay, then we'll move on to 7.0 and that's reports and comments. Does anyone have any reports or comments? >> She's going to catch me now. She's She's waiting for me. She's saving the best for last, aren't you, Sharon? >> That's right. >> Just a couple just a couple of things to share. First of all, is National School Social We Social Social Worker Week. Um, and we really try to Yes, we have one in the audience. We try to recognize um our various groups. We don't do big celebrations as a district, but certainly try to mention along with its maintenance appreciation, our maintenance workers appreciation week. Um, tomorrow is a work day for teachers. Um, and we hope that many of our staff have a wonderful spring break along with our students over there. I'm sure you're all smiling like, "Yes, spring break starts." Um, and then there are some of us who may be working um, who work full year round and we just take uh, vacations and days off um, at other times. Um, but nonetheless, it's a really nice chance hopefully for everyone to recharge and rest. Um, and then just two other dates to keep on calendars. Our elementary art show, and if you recall, our boardroom will be decorated beautifully. Our elementary art show will be March 25th. And then also just to mention the Woodbury Expo where South Washington County Schools is part of that will be held um March 28th and that will be at I'm going to say Belindenberg but it's not called Beielenberg anymore. Help me someone >> Health East. Thank you. Um a new location and that it's always been held uh in the district in one of our buildings. Um and because of construction they are not able to hold it. So, it will be held at Health East and that's the Woodbury Expo March 28th. Thank you. >> Thank you, Queen. All right. And thank you for your work. We appreciate you. All right. Future meeting dates. March 26, 2026, school board business meeting here at the District Service Center at 6 PM. And the next one is April 9th, 2026. And that is a workshop meeting here at the district service center at 6:00 pm and 9.0 we are adjourned.