School Board Workshop Meeting - June 11, 2026
Roll call
Pledge of Allegiance
Approval of agenda
Student Board Representative Reports
Alternative Teacher Professional Pay System (ATPPS) update
Guiding Change Document for Budget Adjustments review
2026-27 Preliminary Budget presentation
Woodbury Graduation report
Student end-of-year wrap-up
Student summer activities and leadership
ATPPS program components and professional development
ATPPS program evaluation and budget adjustments
South Washington County Schools Confronts $13 Million Deficit Driven by Declining Enrollment
Memorandum of agreement for ATPPS funding
South Washington County Schools Faces $13 Million Deficit, Initiates Adjustment Process
Clarification of financial language in documents
Levy Alone Won't Close $13 Million South Washington County Schools Deficit
Community and family participation in budget adjustments
District financial solvency and fund balance
Full Document Analysis
Votes (1)
To approve the agenda.
Moved by Melinda Doss · Seconded by Ryan Clark
Notable Quotes (12)
graduation for Woodbury was on Saturday at 7 and we're a little bit worried about like the weather and everything, but it only it slightly sprinkled, but it was actually pretty good because there's double rainbow after.
for next year when me and TA return, I plan on me and TA both plan on adding in a student concern line so that way if they have any issues, we can bring it forth to our administration and if we get permission, we can bring it towards to you guys.
Mine's a little more low-key than Andrews, but um summer is a time where I transition from academics to sports.
I'm really just looking forward to my senior season this year and being a leader and a role model to the younger girls.
How lucky are we that school is out of session and our three student board reps still wanted to come back.
we will not be able to solve it by only seeking additional levy dollars from our taxpayers.
I would say the biggest changes in the following years, but we also our immediate concern is having to reduce $13 million.
Thank you. I do want to just Yes. Students, if you want to go enjoy summer, this is your chance.
this program that we are going to share with you tonight is something that when I was union president, we and uh really took the time at that point in time to have a grassroots program that was teacher led and impacted student outcomes and achievement through peer coaching and um teacher goals.
how do we have offramps to embed those completely into our system even if the this funding goes away?
many revenues and expenditures at this point are estimated and so we always try to say that it's a snapshot in time.
So, what exactly is fund balance, Chris? I said, "Well, it's a district savings account.
People (20)
Elizabeth Bachmann EkbergMeeting attendeePresent during roll call.
Present during roll call.
Louise HinesMeeting attendeePresent during roll call.
Present during roll call.
Ryan ClarkMeeting attendeePresent during roll call; seconded the motion to approve the agenda.
Present during roll call; seconded the motion to approve the agenda.
Melinda DossMeeting attendeePresent during roll call; moved the motion to approve the agenda.
Present during roll call; moved the motion to approve the agenda.
Simei PnikMeeting attendeeAbsent during roll call.
Absent during roll call.
Sharon VanerMeeting attendeeAbsent during roll call.
Absent during roll call.
TA AlvaringaStudent Board RepresentativePresent during roll call; reported on summer sports, youth camps, and leadership.
3 quotes
Present during roll call; reported on summer sports, youth camps, and leadership.
“Mine's a little more low-key than Andrews, but um summer is a time where I transition from academics to sports.”
Reporting on summer plans.
“I'm really just looking forward to my senior season this year and being a leader and a role model to the younger girls.”
Expressing enthusiasm for upcoming sports season.
“My coaches really do emphasize um, leadership and connections with one another and giving back to the community.”
Highlighting coach's focus in sports.
Andrew ChastineStudent Board RepresentativePresent during roll call; reported on band activities and proposed a student concern line.
2 quotes
Present during roll call; reported on band activities and proposed a student concern line.
“I mainly just have two main things to share. One being about band stuff, hence the reason why I've missed the last two or three meetings, I think.”
Explaining absences and main topics of his report.
“for next year when me and TA return, I plan on me and TA both plan on adding in a student concern line so that way if they have any issues, we can bring it forth to our administration and if we get permission, we can bring it towards to you guys.”
Proposing a new initiative for student feedback.
Matilda SamuelStudent Board Representative (graduating senior)Present during roll call; reported on Woodbury High School graduation and senior all-night party.
2 quotes
Present during roll call; reported on Woodbury High School graduation and senior all-night party.
“graduation for Woodbury was on Saturday at 7 and we're a little bit worried about like the weather and everything, but it only it slightly sprinkled, but it was actually pretty good because there's double rainbow after.”
Describing her graduation experience.
“the ceremony itself it went really well in my opinion. I think we had a great speakers. We had a lot of speakers and it was still it all went well and everything.”
Reflecting on the graduation ceremony.
Katie SchwarzChairLed the meeting and agenda items.
1 quote
Led the meeting and agenda items.
“Thank you. I do want to just Yes. Students, if you want to go enjoy summer, this is your chance.”
Dismissing the student representatives.
Julie NielsonSuperintendentIntroduced student reports; presented the Guiding Change Document for budget adjustments.
4 quotes
Introduced student reports; presented the Guiding Change Document for budget adjustments.
“How lucky are we that school is out of session and our three student board reps still wanted to come back.”
Expressing appreciation for student representatives' attendance.
“this evening the purpose is to review the guiding change document.”
Stating the purpose of the guiding change document discussion.
“we will not be able to solve it by only seeking additional levy dollars from our taxpayers.”
Explaining limitations of levy increases for budget deficit.
“I would say the biggest changes in the following years, but we also our immediate concern is having to reduce $13 million.”
Clarifying the timeline and scale of budget changes.
Kelly JansenAssistant SuperintendentIntroduced the update on the Alternative Teacher Professional Pay System (ATPPS).
Introduced the update on the Alternative Teacher Professional Pay System (ATPPS).
Dana LarsonDirector of Professional DevelopmentPresented on the Alternative Teacher Professional Pay System (ATPPS).
Presented on the Alternative Teacher Professional Pay System (ATPPS).
Patty DiamondTeacher on Special Assignment / ATPPS CoordinatorPresented on the Alternative Teacher Professional Pay System (ATPPS); previously a union president.
2 quotes
Presented on the Alternative Teacher Professional Pay System (ATPPS); previously a union president.
“this program that we are going to share with you tonight is something that when I was union president, we and uh really took the time at that point in time to have a grassroots program that was teacher led and impacted student outcomes and achievement through peer coaching and um teacher goals.”
Providing historical context and philosophy of the ATPPS program.
“how do we have offramps to embed those completely into our system even if the this funding goes away?”
Discussing contingency planning for ATPPS in case of defunding.
SeanStaff memberOperated the clicker for presentations; mentioned in context of discussing fund balance.
Operated the clicker for presentations; mentioned in context of discussing fund balance.
Chris BlackburnDirector of Business ServicesPresented the 2026-27 preliminary budget and explained budget terms.
2 quotes
Presented the 2026-27 preliminary budget and explained budget terms.
“many revenues and expenditures at this point are estimated and so we always try to say that it's a snapshot in time.”
Explaining the nature of preliminary budget estimates.
“So, what exactly is fund balance, Chris? I said, "Well, it's a district savings account."”
Defining 'fund balance' during the budget presentation.
Nikki KasleFinance team memberCredited for significant work in compiling the district budget.
Credited for significant work in compiling the district budget.
Mary Beth CollinsFinance team memberCredited for significant work in compiling the district budget.
Credited for significant work in compiling the district budget.
Amber ShowerFinance team memberCredited for significant work in compiling the district budget.
Credited for significant work in compiling the district budget.
TimStaff memberReported on program evaluation last year (related to ATPPS).
Reported on program evaluation last year (related to ATPPS).
Places Mentioned
Events & Meetings (6)
- Meeting at District Service Center in Cottage Grove, Minnesota at 6 PM
- Woodbury High School Graduation on a Saturday at 7 PM (date unspecified)
- Senior All-Night Party from 10:30 PM to 5:00 AM
- ATPPS Professional Development Day (end of September)
- ATPPS Flex Day (personalized professional development)
- ATPPS June Professional Development Day (June 5th)