It is Thursday, January 22nd in Cottage Grove, Minnesota. We would like to acknowledge that the land on which we gather is the land of the Washington Dakota people. Washington means of the spirit lake. First item on our agenda is 1.0 that is our call. here. Lines >> here. >> Brian Clark >> here. >> Do >> Katie Schwarz 2.0 of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. 3.0 is approval of our agenda. Can I get a motion to approve? >> So moved. >> Motion by Oh, sorry. An amended agenda adding 8.4 tenative agreement with office professionals. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Brian and Simmyi. >> Yes. >> Okay. Any comments? All those in favor? >> I. Any opposed? Motion passes. 4.0 O is student highlights and that is an athletic activities update and that will be introduced. [clears throat] >> Good evening school board chair Schwarz, schoolboard members and superintendent Nielsson. Tonight we're pleased to be here to highlight a student accomplishments and activities and athletics at Eastridge High School. Sarah Palachuk is here with me, activities director from Eastridge to share those. She's here to share some highlights from two programs that got recognized at state. Thank you. Thank you for this opportunity to share some really exciting accomplishments from this past fall at Eastridge. Um, as the activities department at all three schools, uh, a ways back, we said if we have any highlights of third place or higher at a state tournament, we would like to celebrate and recognize those students. So, at this time, we do. and I have the privilege of introducing a student athlete uh from Eastridge High School that has exemplified um what it means to be a champion. Logan Hoververman is a junior at Eastridge and she's on our swimming team. Logan is a twotime state champion in two events for swimming. So she um in the fall of 2024 and then just this past fall of 25 she placed first in the 200 individual medley and the 100 breast stroke. So the 200 medley is all four strokes, right? All four strokes. What order is it? >> Uh fly back breast. >> So that and not not only did she place first in that last year she broke the state record. So, she is the record holder in that. And if I have it accurate, it was 2 minutes. 0.06 seconds is she's in the record book still holding that. I wasn't sure if she's going to break her her own record again this year, but came kind of close. Um, with that accomplishment, Logan's success is the result of her resilient and hard work. True grit. Watching her swim is just it's a pleasure. It is so fun. The energy she brings. um this year is a little nervous in the races. If I remember, she came maybe from behind and then that last stretch just kicked it into gear and um touched the wall first, which was super fun um to be part of. And if you haven't been to a swim meet, it's at the U of M. It's loud. It's crazy. It's just super It's super cool. So, we are extremely proud of Logan and her accomplishments, not only in the pool, but in the classroom. She's an amazing student athlete, a role model. Um, and we are excited that she's only a junior, so she'll be back to to try and break those records and more championships as well because she's also in two of the relays. Both relays, right? And they took fourth at state. Which relays were they? >> Uh, the two. >> So, we have more hopefully to to add to that next year as well. At this time, I'd like Logan if she has anything she'd like to share or questions you have for Logan. Um, hi. I'm Logan Hoverman. Um, uh, I I just I absolutely love, uh, swimming on the Eastridge team and they're just a bunch of support, supportive group of girls, and our coaches are super great at pushing us and, uh, encouraging us to do our best. Uh, I am committed to, uh, the University of Louisville. Um, so I'm going to be continuing my swimming and academic career there. >> [applause] >> We are so proud and coach Jay Gillard would be here tonight but our boys have a meet this evening. Um so that's where he is at. Our second program is our district Thunderbolts our adaptive program who's uh the program is always extremely successful. This past fall for soccer they placed second in the state tournament. Um exciting quarterfinal game. They uh beat the South Suburban 7 to6 and then the semi-final game they won 7-2 and then the champion uh match was against Dakota United who was the champs from last year and they um came short the score was 5 to1. Again, if you haven't had an opportunity to watch our Thunderbolts, they are just a joy. They love coming to um their practices, their games, and to excel in that. Because of their success, we had three players that made the all tournament team. Um Jordan Endy, Caleb, Toby, and Logan Curtis um were all part of that state tournament team. When we have teams that compete, uh they created like an all-star tournament team. They're currently in their their winter season of floor hockey and they have a six in one record right now. So, it looks very promising for them. And our last just a quick shout out is just this past weekend was the debate state tournament. So, just fresh. Um such an amazing event as well. And we had a team in public forum that placed their state champions in debate public forum. Ayasha Singh and uh Jason Jang were um our state champions. So hopefully they'll come after their next seasons and be able to be recognized for that. I appreciate your time and thank you for letting us celebrate our students. >> Thank you. >> Okay. 5.0 is comments to the board. We do not have any this evening, so we will move on to 6.0. 0 and that is our consent items. All consent items are considered routine and non-controversial by the school board and will be approved by a single motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items. Prior to this meeting, board members have had the opportunity to review each of these items and may have requested for an item to be moved to an action item for individual consideration. That did not happen this evening. So, can I get a motion to approve? So, moved. >> Second. >> Moved by Sharon, seconded by. >> All those in favor? I. >> Any opposed? Motion passes. [clears throat] Now we'll move on to 7.0 and that is our information items. We do have one this evening and that is 7.1 construction update and that will be presented by Tyrone Brookens, assistant superintendent. >> Right. Good evening, Chair Schwarz, school board members, Superintendent Nielson. Uh this evening you will receive uh what we call a winter construction update on seven of the projects that are underway. Uh this update will connect to the strategic priorities of student experience, student pathways and supports, operations, planning and finance and also engagement with in partnerships with the community. Presenting this evening would be myself and Alex uh Alexander Sloum who is our construction project manager who has been plenty of busy with all these seven projects that are underway. And so what you're going to see right here is a uh what we call a a video, a drone video of the work that's taking place on the outside. And then we'll get the slide deck up and let and go through the our presentation. [music] Wait, let's go down. [music] [music] Everything. [music] [music] [music] This guy didn't look like the [music] same school. [music] [music] Wow. [music] >> [music] >> Everyone outside. [music] Heat. Heat. [music] [music] [music] >> [music] >> This is all indoors. There's no motion. >> [music] >> Well, as you can see, the construction is definitely continuing. Um, we did an update to our staff at the DPC and DSC, and I made the statement. I'm from Texas and in Texas, you know, there's no such thing as winter construction. Like we get a couple inches of snow, everything shuts down. So, I'm uh totally impressed with the ability that the construction continues uh through the winter months. So, it is definitely progressing. So, I'm going to bring Alex up now. He's going to show you some inside uh photos uh of the construction that is progressing. Good evening everyone. Um just a quick reminder of Park High School's uh scope of work. Uh renovation to consolidate student services spaces for added visitor security. Uh relocation of the main office and support services to um consolidated locations. Uh construction of new cafeteria and kitchen. uh renovation of the CTE STEM and robotic spaces. Um construction of an additional CTE space. Um in the new addition, um all interior concrete slabs have been poured. Uh the roofing is almost complete. Um the kitchen area, we're framing in everything um for the new freezer cooler area. Um and then the kitchen itself and the loading dock is open for deliveries. Um, our interior renovations. Um, our new admin area is 90% complete. Uh, we're finishing up some punch items in there. Um, our online learning area is open for extra cafeteria seating. Um, our area G offices have been completed. Um, our area H spaces that are off of the front atrium um, are completed. And our new windows in the admin area, which have been a big hit, are finally installed. So, we're very excited for that. Um, here you have the slab being poured in the cafeteria storm shelter edition. Um, and there are the new and exciting windows at the front entrance. Uh the scope of work at Woodbury High School, construction of new cafeteria and kitchen, uh renovation of the CTE STEM and robotic space, uh construction of additional CTE space, um realignment of the parking lot to increased pedestrian safety and traffic. Uh construction of the new secure entry and student services wing. Um and the renovation of the media center. [clears throat] Um to date in the new addition, the exterior walls are up, the roof deck is completed. Um we're really close to being ready for the interior slab. Um area A, our steel joist and deck have been completed. Um the roof prep um has started. Uh we're fighting the the weather here these next couple days, but we'll get going back on that next week. Um new walls on the south side of the addition are still in process. As far as our interior renovations, uh we moved the dean's office over winter break so we can get some technology work going. Um and then we'll start our major interior renovations in the summer. Um here we have the new cafeteria and storm shelter. So that um currently since that photo, we have that graded and the vapor barriers down ready for the concrete next week. And then um the view of those great windows at the front end there. >> [clears throat] >> Um the scope of work at Eastridge, uh construction of a previously planned addition increasing capacity of 2,300 students. Um the cafeteria expansion and construction of additional CTE uh STEM robotics classrooms. Uh work completed so far. Um the area T, which is our CTE edition off the back of the school, our back filling is completed and our pre-cast panels are up. Um, area Q, which is the storm shelter and furthest away from the building. Um, the exterior walls and the roof are complete and our slab pores are about 70% complete. 75% sorry. Um, area R, um, our framing at the exterior walls is in process and area S, we have our ST steel columns and beams up. Um, this is the second floor in the storm shelter edition. This is area R. We have our framing on the exterior going up. And then this is that area S with the steel columns and beams tying into the um existing entrance there. Um scope of work at Ultman Middle School. New addition increasing capacity to approximately 1300 students. Um expansion of the cafeteria and kitchen space and new STEM and special education spaces. Uh work completed so far. Um our area C high roof is complete. Um our concrete slabs are complete in area C. Um the walls are framed in. The elevator shaft is dried out and cleaned out and ready to be installed. And the roofing is in process. Um area D, the concrete slabs are complete as well. Our walls are framed in and we're roofing is in process as well. uh areas A and B. Uh we're working on the vestibule there and our foundation and block walls are completed. Um and then since this update, our steel is installed at the uh cafeteria edition. Um so this is the second floor storm shelter new multi-purpose area. Um this is the STEM wing um with the new classrooms there in the storm shelter. And then this is a view of the roof in area C and D. Uh scope of work at Woodbury Middle School. Uh we are remodeling existing spaces um the old pool area. Um construction of new secured entryway and relocation of main offices and the new bus road um for um improved safety on site. Work completed. So far, we are about 75% complete in the multi-purpose space. Um, in the new orchestra, um, the new orchestra room, we're about 95% complete. Uh, the flooring's in, the cabinets are installed, furniture is installed, and, um, technology should be wrapping up this week. Um, in the gym storage area, we are complete there. We're moved in. Um, the outdoor storage is 99% complete. We just have to finish the flooring. Uh this is the new multi-purpose room. Um this is the looking at it on the north end. Um we have the um uh the lift there that shows the wrestling mats that will come down into the space. And then this is on the south end with the new paint and then the new ramp where you'll enter it from the um south end by the gyms. [clears throat] Uh scope of work at Lake and Cottage Grove. construction of new secured entryways. Um, and we are relocating the main offices. Uh, work completed so far. Uh, the roofing is completed, the slabs are complete. Uh, the framing is complete at Cottage Grove and in process at Lake. And our MEP ruffins are complete at Cottage Grove and in process at Lake Cottage Grove Middle School. Um, this is the exterior of that new addition. Um, [clears throat] we have since started the brick veneer on that building as well. This is the interior view of the new admin offices in that addition. And then at Lake Middle School, here's a photo of the slab being poured and then the framing um in process. So, as we begin to close this out, uh we are progressing with the uh next phase of the elementary, well, first phase of the elementary schools, Bailey, Great Cloud, Pine Hill, and Red Rock. And we will provide update to the board in March, uh regarding those projects. Uh we will begin the planning phase for the elementary bathrooms and that will take place late winter and then all projects will be completed by fall of 2027 with East Ridge and all the middle schools completing by uh this fall 2026. So you visit those sites in August. You'll see I would say 95% of completed projects. We always got to know go through those punch lists. And so all updates and information can be uh viewed at uh the website sowashco.org. org/construction. And with that, we will open up for any questions. >> Does anyone have any questions? >> Um, I had a couple questions. Um, thank you for this, Alex. Um, for Woodbury and Park because they are not going to be completed. They're not going to be fully completed for next this fall. Mhm. >> Um what parts of those buildings are going to be available for student use like versus what is still to be done? >> So um excuse me. [clears throat] So the the cafeteria those new additions um for both schools we're targeting those kind of midsummer moving into those getting furniture and everything technology. Um so the cafeteria for next year that um the new kitchen um the stuff that will kind of lag behind at Woodbury High School. a lot of the interior renovation classroom work. Um some of we kind of have it parted out in two sections. Um so Woodbury High School will finish up the locker rooms this summer. Um the media center. Um some other on that second floor in that area. Um the new admin will be open at Woodbury High School. Um and then as far as park goes, the we're going to work on the art wing, so the ceramics and all that stuff will be done this summer. Um and then we're working on small engines this summer. Um, so that will be ready and then like carpentry and some of those other ones will lag a little bit behind that. >> So with the amount of um work that needs to still be completed next school year, how um how disruptive or how how much how much student impact is that? Because like I know for for example for the cafeteria at Woodbury, I mean kids aren't there anyway, right? So it doesn't really impact whatever is going on construction wise doesn't impact the students. What will happen next year as we're starting to do some of those renovations and what kind of and maybe Tyrone or somebody can speak to the kind of planning we're doing around that to help students you know navigate maybe a more narrow hallway or something like that. >> Yeah. So the larger phasing or the summer slams for Woodbury High School and Park will be done in the fall. Um some of the items like the phase three stuff for Woodbear High School goes all the way to 2027 summer. Um so there won't be any interruptions during the school year. And then park we have some classrooms that will be interrupted but we've got you know safety and temp walls and all those things [laughter] um accounted for while we're working in the schools and in those spaces. >> Awesome. Thank you. >> Any other questions? Okay. Thank you. >> Okay, we'll move on to 8.0 and that is our action items. 8.1 is fiscal year 202425 audit results and that will be presented by Chris Blackburn, director of business services. >> Good evening, Chair Schwarz, members of the board, Superintendent Nielsen. Tonight I'm here seeking acceptance of the fiscal year 202425 audited financial statements. Information related to the annual audit of the district's financial statements was presented by Erin Nielson of LB Carlson at the January 8th workshop meeting. The district again received an unmodified or clean opinion and full sets of financial statements are available. Um not only were they in packets but they were also are available under the finance section of the website and the district has again applied for the um certificate of excellence and financial reporting given by the association of school business officials international or ASBO and the district received the award for the 19th consecutive year last year for 2324 audit. So at this time, administration recommends acceptance of the fiscal year 202425 annual comprehensive financial report, special purpose audit reports and management report. >> Can I [snorts] get a motion to approve? >> No moved. >> Second. Moved by Simmy, seconded by Louise. >> No, Melinda. Sorry, >> I should look up. Any comments? >> Um, I did have one comment. One, I really appreciate when um Erin is able to come in and talk to us and answer all of our questions. And I know that some of us are geekier about the audit than others, but I I really do appreciate it. And I appreciate how well you and the rest of the finance team have done to generate an clean audit for yet another year. I mean, I think it's just really a testament to the work that you all do. One question I do have is that you mentioned that you've applied for the uh for that ASBO award for this coming year. When would you find out? >> So typically we find out this spring. So sometimes um so they have reviewers that review. So sometimes it's on their cycle. So sometimes we found out as early as kind of April. Sometimes it's not been until June or July even. So typically May. >> That was 100% my own personal curiosity. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> I wish I could give you exact deadline. >> Thank you. Any other questions? >> Okay. All those in favor? >> I >> opposed. Motion passes. Thank you, Chris. >> Thank you. >> Okay. 8.2 is our proposed policy changes and that will be presented by Julie Nielsson, superintendent. Good evening. Um, the six policies coming forward this evening were reviewed by board members last meeting. And so um tonight I am asking for approval on policies 104 school district mission statement 716 employee recognition 718 district credit card program um and 719 and 721 to be deleted and 7:30 to include updates in section three on the postisssuance of debt compliance. >> Okay. Can I get a motion to approve? >> Second. >> Moved by Shar and seconded by Louise. This time I got it right. Any comments? All those in favor? >> Any opposed? Motion passes. Okay, we will move on to 8.3 and that is our amending resolution relating to general obligation school building and facilities maintenance bond series 2026A and that will be presented by Chris Blackburn, director of business services. >> Good evening again. So tonight, um I am here to present the resolution amending and restating the resolution um relating to general obligation school building and facilities maintenance bonds 2026A series to add a refunding component. So, South Washington County Schools Board at its July 17th, 2025 meeting approved a resolution authorizing the sale of series 2026A general obligation school building and facility maintenance bonds for $131,820,000 that you'll note is the um it's twofold. It's the second issuance of our authority um that was approved for the building construction that you just received um an update on this evening. And then the second part is our um semian or bianual um long-term facility maintenance bonding which is for our deferred maintenance projects in our schools. With the recent decline in interest rates from municipal bonds, however, the school district's financial adviser recommends refunding two of the district's outstanding bonds. Series 2016A [clears throat] general obligation building bonds, which I'll note was the Ultman bond. So, um it seems like it was not quite that long ago. And the second bond is the series 2016 a general obligation facilities maintenance bonds. Refunding these bonds will result in a net reduction to future property tax levies of approximately $4.2 million. So that again directly goes back to our taxpayers via reduced property tax levy. The purpose of this amending resolution is to add the refunding component of approximately $94,430 million to the original sale resolution of 131820 million for the series 2016 u for those refunding components resulting in amended total of 226,250 226,250,000 not sure how to say that. Um apparently I'm having trouble tonight. It's too cold I think. Um, attached is a draft resolution amending and restating the resolution relating to series 26A. The pre-sale report. Um, Jody Zba of Ellers will be here at the February 5th, 2026 board meeting to um discuss the pre-sale report. So, the board has asked to adopt the resolution at this time. >> Okay. Can I get a motion to approve? >> So, moved. >> Second. >> Motion by Sime, seconded by Sharon. Any comments or questions? >> I just had one question, Chris. Um, so with the $4.2 million in [clears throat] savings, and I know you've mentioned that when we do our um when Ellers helps us structure the bonds, it's to keep our keep um property taxpayers um >> flat flat, right? >> So, thank you for being able to interpret my hand motions. Um and so is this 4.2 to will this then is this already factored into what we have done or this will be factored into the next year's next year's cycle >> right and so they'll factor that in as they overall look and we look forward for any debt issuance so you they try to um through all of our levy processes particular debt levies they look to try to maintain that flat structure if possible but certainly we want to realize savings where we can so this is an opportunity to capture that savings so I would anticipate it you know this is $4.2 million but stretched over time. It's not all in just one year. >> Right. Okay. Okay. Um and then the other question I had was for the bonds that we are um reissuing the 2016 and and noas frontier I'm assuming was part of that as well. >> No, just >> Oh, great. So for the man um for those bonds, when would those have been those would have been due 10 years from now then? >> Because it's the callable portion right now. Yeah. So this is just the callable portion. Okay. And so then so there's [clears throat] still some outstanding that is not callable, >> right? Okay. >> Nope. Actually, so this is the I think I don't >> I'm going to backtrack. We've already paid right nine years worth on those. Okay. This is the at this point the remainder is callable. Correct. >> Okay. >> So we're paying off 10 years early but then reissuing at a lower right lower rate. >> Thank you. >> Any other comments or questions? >> Okay. This is a resolution. So Dana, can I get a roll call vote, please? >> Elizabeth Bachmannberg, >> I. >> Louise Hines, >> yes. >> Ryan Clark, >> yes. >> Melinda Doss, >> yes. >> Smi Pne, >> yes. >> Sharon Vanlier, >> yes. >> Katie Schwarz, >> yes. Motion passes. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay, now we'll move on to 8.4 and that is our tenative agreement with office professionals presented by Mike Melany, director of human resources. >> Good evening, Chair Schwarz, school board members, and superintendent Neielson. I'm here tonight to present you with a tenative agreement with office and professional employees international union local 12 which is effective July 1, 2025 through June 30th, 2027. Members of the bargaining unit approved the tenative agreement on January 15, 2026. The economic costings of the tenative agreement include the following. An aggregate increase of 2.2% 2% effective July 1, 2025, excluding frozen steps. An aggregate increase of 2.1% effective July 1, 2026, excluding frozen steps. Step three is frozen for all classes in both years. Step one through step six for class 8 frozen in year two. Um, effective January 1, 2026, a 9% increase of district contribution for health insurance. In effective January 1, 2027, an 8% increase of district contribution in health insurance. Some other contract items, they include third-party billing stipend of $1,500 per contract year for licensed health care specialists who provide the district with third-party billing. This is effective July 1, 2026. There's a license premium ranging from $1 an hour at step one all the way up to $5 an hour at step six for health care specialists who hold an RN or an LPN license. There's a VIBA increase from $200 to $250 a month for family coverage for high deductible plans effective January 1, 2027. There's an addition of one vacation day per tier and there's an increase to the 403b district matching contribution from $125 to $150. Administration recommends the approval of the contract. >> Can I get a motion to approve? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Motion by Louise, seconded by Melinda. Any questions or comments? Okay. All those in favor? >> Opposed? Motion passes. Thank you. Now we move on to 9.0 and that is our superintendent report. >> Uh the district continues their focus on student safety and learning as we monitor the immigration enforcement that's occurring in our communities. There have been several community forums asking about how the schools are supporting uh both families and students uh with a core value of equity. Uh we know that it's important that during this time students have the access and opportunity to learning as well as to safety. Should attendance accommodations be in need, we are asking students and or their families to reach out to their schools and we will assign that point of contact. A plan of support is being put in place on an individual and as needed basis. Um we would like to thank the members in our communities for their outpouring of love for making sure that our students are safe and able to continue learning uh in our classrooms. We will continue to monitor what is occurring and provide any safety um updates as necessary to parents and family members. In addition, we will continue to work with local law enforcement, our city officials, state representatives, and other elected officials in asssuring that our kids are safe at school. Um the second thing, uh and I believe the board is aware, but for our community in particular, we are conducting our community survey that is also known as a Morris Leatherman. Um, and it's a kind of a tough time right now when a third-party vendor is making calls about the school district and wanting information. So, please, if you hear people asking about it, uh, our communications department did send out a message in the family update tonight just letting them know that we are administrating this uh, or administering this community survey. Um, we expect results in sometime in February and Peter Leatherman will be back to share those results with board members. And then finally, uh, school will be closed tomorrow. We know that when we leave this board meeting tonight that it's going to be significantly colder than when I came to work this morning at least. Um, and while we know that it may be difficult to get our vehicle started and that students I've received notes from them about getting from their cars to the school, I know that's a big deal. Um, really one of the biggest considerations that I'd like to be transparent about is that we are transporting over 12,000 students by school bus. And when the temperature gets as cold as it's going to be, we re risk not having stop arms or other safety features that are working. And so, um, one thank you I have is for all of our student meteorologists, um, at our high schools and middle schools who were very active today, providing me with minute-by minute, hour to hour around the weather. Um, and this started as early as Tuesday because they are always looking forward and being visionary. And so, um, [laughter] really when we take a look at temperatures this cold, it really is just too frigid and too extreme to have students, um, staff and anyone really outside, um, for any amount of time. And so, um, it will be an emergency closing tomorrow for South Washington County Schools. >> Thank you, Julie. Okay, we'll move on to 10.0. And that is our future meeting dates. February 5th, 2026 is a schoolboard workshop meeting here at the district service center at 6 p.m. Then we have February 19th, 2026 at schoolboard business meeting also here at the district service center at 6 p.m. And with that 11.0 and we are adjourned. >> [music]