[Music] Hey, hey, hey. [Music] Good evening. It is Thursday, July. No, it's not. >> August, >> August 21st at 6 pm. Uh 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 Midawakatan Dakota people. Midawakatan means dwellers of the Spirit Lake. Our first item on the agenda is roll call. Dana >> Louise Hines >> here. >> Ryan Clark >> here. >> Sharon Venlier >> here. >> Eric Tesmer >> here. >> Melinda Doza is absent. Sydney Pnik >> here. >> Katie Short >> uh here. >> Uh 2.0 pledge of allegiance. Please stand. I allegiance to the flag 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. >> Okay. 3.0 is approval of the agenda. Can I get a motion to approve? >> So move. >> Second. >> Motion by Sharon, seconded by Louise. Any comments? All those in favor? I. >> Any opposed? Motion passes. Uh 4.0 would be comments to the board. We do not have any this evening. So we move on to 5.0. 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 the meeting, board members have had the opportunity to review each of these items and may request that any item be moved to an action item for individual consideration. That has not happened this evening. So, can I get a motion to approve? So moved. >> Second. >> Motion by Sharon, seconded by Simmyi. All those in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion passes. >> And now we will move on to 6.0 information items. We do have one this evening. And summer construction update. And that will be introduced by Tyrone Brookens, assistant superintendent. >> Chair Schwarz, school board members, superintendent Nielsson. Good evening. In April, we broke ground on five of the seven sites for the 2023 bond project. Tonight, we'll give you an progress update on those five sites, ensure critical information about student arrival and building access for the start of the new school year for all seven sites that are under construction. Presenting tonight is Alexander, we call him Alex Sloum, our construction project manager, and myself. You may recognize his name from the weekly images that are provided to you via Julie's uh superintendent bulletin. To help answer your questions, we also have our principal, high school principles on site, uh Sarah Sonson Wagner and Todd Herbert. Uh Jim Smokovich is also on his way. And we also have our architects in the audience. Tonight's presentation will begin with the construction compilation video and then after that, Alex will provide you with a site update. [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] Hey. Hey. [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] Hey, [Music] [Music] bear. [Music] [Music] Good evening. Okay. Um, Eastridge High School. We have our June versus current photos. Um, on the left we're showing the entry as it was before we started our demo. Um, and here we are currently showing the weather proofing outside of it as we prep for the new addition on the east side of the building. Scope of work at Eastridge. Um, this is the construction of the um, previously planned addition increasing capacity of 2,300 students. Um, our cafeteria expansion, construction of additional career and technology education, science, technology, engineering, math, and robotics classroom spaces. the work we've completed so far at Eastridge um demolition for um the new activities entrance and cafeteria expans expansion interior renovation to the lower gold pod interior collaboration areas in pods have been upgraded with carpet and new furniture um freezer space has been added in the kitchen. new offices in the media center and then we have our new temporary activities center entrance in place as well as our new parking lot on the south side of Eastridge High School. Things to know when you're visiting Eastridge. Um there's a new temporary entrance at the at the activity center. Um there's a now a two-way access on the north end of the parking lot. Um here we have the site logistics plan just calling out the temp activity center entrance um our construction fencing and then just showing you that the south entrance is open for um staff and buses and students on that end as well if needed um as well it shows the new two-way access on the north side. Holman Middle School in June. Um we had our temporary wall up in the cafeteria um just behind the uh just behind the glazing there. And then currently showing the structural masonry that's out in front of that for the new cafeteria edition. Um scope of work at Ultman. We have the new addition increasing capacity to approximately 1300 students. Expansion of the cafeteria and kitchen serving areas. Um new STEM and special education spaces. Um, this is just showing how far that new classroom edition is at Old Man. We have the pre-cast uh panels on site already. Work completed at Old Man. Um, the demolition has uh completed for the new addition areas. The temporary walls are installed at those new addition areas. Um, the new additions are started, as you can see from that photo, with the tipup panels. Um, and then we have the classroom expansion and cafeteria. Uh, the footings and foundations are complete. Um, I jumped around there. The pre-cast panels are installed as well. Things to know when visiting Oldman. Um, the former parent drop off lane is closed for the duration of the project. That student drop off will run through the parking lot loop. Now, um the special education dropoff zone is located near the loading dock on the north side of the building through the loop um off of the loading dock. Um here's the site photo for that. So, it shows we'll have entrance only um for the parents to loop through the parking lot as well as an exit only. We'll have the delineated drop off zones um and then the bus lane will stay the same. And then in the loop behind the exit only sign there is where the special education buses will drop off. Um, another site logistics. This is calling out um the sidewalk that we're installing next week for students to travel from the bus lane um to the main entrance. Woodbury Middle School. Um here on the left showing the site work starting uh in June and then currently we have our new u buson drive lane on the east side of the school. scope of work. Um we're remodeling the existing old pool area um for an additional educational space for the multi-purpose room. Um construction of the new secured entryway, relocation of main offices and the new bus road. And then below there that shows the progress in the multi-purpose room. The pools infilled um and getting ready for finishes. Work completed so far at Woodbury Middle School. Um, the pool has been demolished, filled, prepped for the new multi-purpose room. Uh, the pool bleachers have been removed um for the new storage space. New walls have been built. Uh, the new bus road, the new bus only road is 95% complete. Uh, finishing up this week and then demolition of the outdoor storage area as well. Things to know when visiting Woodbury Middle School. Um, new bus road is for buses only. Um big big important point. Woodbury Middle School site logistics. This just shows the new bus road um where the buses will come in. Um they'll loop into that south lot the way they were parking last year. Um and then one more photo here just to show their path back to exiting north onto Upper Aton Park High School. Um May versus current on the left. This shows the lecture hall when we were beginning the demolition. Um on the right shows the um new abn offices getting prepped for flooring and glazing and um uh the new ceilings go in. Scope of work of Park High School. Uh renovation to consolidate student services space and added visitor security. Relocation of the main office to support services. uh excuse me, relocation of main offices and support services to consolidate the location, construction of new cafeteria and kitchen, renovation of CTE STEM robotic space, construction of additional CTE space as well. Work completed so far at Park High School. Footings have been poured for the north edition. Uh curbs have been poured for the new pavement. New pavement has been installed at the stadium road as well as the roads in between Crest View and Park and the um exit and entrance that we will use for buses. Um new new admin offices in old lecture hall are completed. Um phase one classrooms will be ready for school start. New fibers ran to the press box. The new storm water management has been installed as well. Things to know when visiting Park High School. um no traffic allowed behind the building where we are doing the addition. We will have that closed off and delineated for um safety. The new road behind the ice arena um between Park and Crest View will be used as the temporary bus road for the afternoon pickup um for the school year. This just shows that new bus route um for the afternoon pickup. Just for your information, Woodbury High School. Um, June versus current. Um, in June, we were starting the demolition of the old pool space. Um, and currently we're pouring footings outside of the old admin space out in front of the pool. Um, getting ready for that new addition. Scope of work at Woodbury High School. Um construction of a new cafeteria and kitchen, renovation of career and technology education, science, technology, engineering and math and robotics space. Um construction of additional CTE space as well. Realignment of the parking lot to incre increase pedestrian safety. Um construction of a new secure entry and student services wing. Um renovation of the media center as well. Um here this is just a zoomed in photo of where the old admin office used to be and the footings that are going in. Work completed so far at Woodbury High School. Um the temporary walls are installed. New temporary activities entrance on the north side of the building. Um demolition of the pool and admin offices. Uh new data room in the media center. Um the new fiber optics as well. Um, the underground plumbing tie-ins at the new addition are complete and the footings for the new addition are being poured. Things to know when visiting Woodbury High School. U, please use the new main entrance for students and parents on the south side of the building. There's also that new temp entrance at the activity center. Um, this will be used for all sorts of activities, all sorts of students on that north side. Um, this calls out the activity center entrance on that north end. Shows where our construction fencing is and where that southside main entrance will be. Scope of work at Lake Middle School and Codgrow Middle School. Um, construction of new secured entryways and relocating the main offices. Work completed so far. Um, temporary fencing has been installed. uh temporary wall at old main entrance has been installed. Um new door openings have been cut into the pool areas. Um the new temporary main entrance on the south side at the activity center or activities entrance. Um this will be in place for the duration of the project. Uh Lake Middle School. This is the greeter desk relocated to that new activity center entrance as well as the temporary wall at the old main entrance. Um, these photos are very similar to the ones that are at Cottage Grove as well. There's a same temp wall, same greeter desk moved to the um to that activity center entrance. Things to know when visiting Lake Middle School and Cottage Grove Middle School. Um, the new temporary activities entrance, it's on the south side. This will be used as the main entrance. Um, here's the site logistics plan for Lake Middle School. Um, calls out our construction fencing, the student dropoff lane. Um that's the same as last year. Um and then the temp main entrance. Lake Middle School also has some city road work. Um that is scheduled to be done on 8:30. They will temporarily have that open for um special elections on Tuesday so people can get in and out of there. Cottage Grove Middle School. This just shows the signage that we've dropped off at both sites. Um student drop off main entrance. Um, nice big signs for everybody to see. Cottage Grove Middle School site logistics. Um, this shows the student dropoff lane through the parking lot, our construction fencing, and that temp main entrance as well. >> I will hand it back to Dr. Brookens. >> Thank you, Alex. And I got to remind everyone that Alex started in April uh, and he hit the ground running and broke ground and he's been running ever since. but he's been a great addition to the team. Uh as far as the budget, overall budget for this project uh bond project was 200 million. Uh we are we are on track with the spending for all seven projects. Uh there we did have to make some adjustments through the process. Uh when we went out for the bond, uh we did not know of the uh required storm shelter uh that has to be put in uh in place when you're adding additions or renovations or new constructions. that is in both cities. So, we had to make sure we pull that in. Our architects did a great job with that. And then there was an opportunity to have public safety radio enhancements at one of our sites. And so, we had to pull that in as well. And then, Alex showed you that turn lane off 80th uh at Park High School. And so, that wasn't in the original plan, but we included that as well. Uh we also had to make sure that we mitigated for any potential risk factors. Uh with the legislation that is going on uh the talk of tariffs was out there but there has been no impact with tariffs at this point. And then there are also no impact on staff shortages. If anything we have a a surplus of staff when you walk through uh those sites a lot of green vests and yellow vests and hard hats. So that is uh in place. And then we also are in the design and planning phase uh for the uh option two of the of the bun project. So those elementary uh sites are going out for bid. That's Greycloud uh Pine Hill and then uh Bailey. And so that is uh coming up. Uh in closing like to remind everyone that you can find this information on our website sowashcode.org/construction. Uh we uh we are working with principles and uh athletic directors to make sure they have safety uh maps and they will be able to make sure that they communicate that out to their families. It's coming out from our district uh communications department at the district level. We also provide safe passage for our returning staff members and students and that has been communicated and properly delineated to the appropriate groups so that they know exactly what to expect. Uh we have great signage that's out there and we will do uh even more as needed. But if I had to stress anything, I would stress that families, please be patient with us, especially with drop off and pickup. And please follow staff directions. I know sometimes people get antsy and they got somewhere to be, but safety is at the forefront. So please follow staff directions. And with that, we will conclude this presentation and open it up for questions. And if there are questions directed to the principles, I'm going to ask the principles to come to the mic as opposed to uh responding from the audience. >> Thank you, Tyrone. Does anybody have any questions? >> I do. Um so my first question is for Eastridge, but I don't see Jim, so we'll just wait. Um at Woodbury Middle, maybe you can answer this. Um, do the cars the do the cars still have the same car line path? So, the buses come up the back side of the school. >> Correct. >> Right. And the cars still come in on the front and go around the parking lot. >> There's no change uh to how the current drop off has been. >> Okay. And so, and are the buses still parked where they were parked? >> Yes. So, when it's time for the cars, it's been a couple years since I've done this at Woodbury Middle, but when it's time for the cars to leave and the buses to leave, will they there's no intersection between the two? Because I I feel like the cars go >> there should not be any intersection on on the site level. If anything, it'll be on uh what's that? Uh >> like on the road, >> upper Aton. >> Yeah, on upper Aton. >> But aside from that, no. >> Okay. So, on the site like they'll they'll be sufficiently segregated. >> That is the plan. Now, we can account for for anxious parents. They want to take some alternative routes, but it's not a plan for that. >> Okay. Um, and then I saw in there that the office space at Park is completed or it's just built out or is it like completed for people to go see? >> Come on up, Alex. >> The word that Todd Herbert presented to me about two and a half weeks ago is that it's functional. >> Okay, >> functional. with all that happen. >> It it will be completed. We It's We're putting in the ceilings right now. The flooring's going in right now. Um we've got furniture moving in there. Um we're prepping everything for Todd's um team to show up. >> Okay. So, if I'm a new parent at Park and I I go in that main entrance, like where the lecture hall was is where the new admin offices are. And that will be done on whatever the first day of school is, September, whatever. >> Yes. That will be ready for parents and students. I think it's our definition of the word done. Um, and I think uh S in the audience said we have to go through some rain before we see the rainbow. And um I think whether you're talking outside of the school or inside of the school, we're probably going to have some rain, maybe literally too um before we have a rainbow. And so having visited just recently, there's going to be some things that people have to move around and walk around. And so we know we have Alex and our leaders to make sure that the hallways are safe, but part of construction is going through a little messy first. So, um, and then at Woodbury, so children will park in the where they normally park, correct? But the entrance they're supposed to, sorry, the entrance they're supposed to go into is the south entrance. So they'll walk down past the school and then come in. Okay. And so what are we sorry and I know one of the reasons why we had moved the parking at Woodbury the senior parking at Woodbury like a couple years ago was that they could walk in without having to go around the school and like >> before school they'll be able to come in the activities entrance and or the south entrance but then um at 8:30 then the activities entrance is locked. So that's how we maintain security and they all have to come in the main entrance with the >> um with the greeter desk and be buzzed in. Okay. And the main entrance is now the south entrance. >> The south entrance. Yep. >> Okay. >> Okay. And so they'll just walk along. I mean, Yep. They're they're young. >> And that's what they have to do now. We have the activities entrance. We had the south entrance open in the main entrance. So they had to walk from the general big parking lot all the way to the main entrance. >> Okay. >> Once school began. >> Okay. >> Then they weren't able to take the shortcut doors that we >> we only have open before school. >> Okay. All right. Um, and then I guess my last question, it's still it's still about East Ridge, is um, so the entryway into East Ridge, like by the football field and the tennis courts, that's currently a oneway with like parking on the side and so that's going to turn into two-way. It is that what I >> It's already two-way. Yes. Yep. >> Okay. Is that the main way that people are supposed to get in and out of the parking lot there at Eastridge? I mean, like if you're going to see something at, you know, like going to a concert or a whatever game, >> you can still access it at both ends. You can access it at the north end of the two-way and then that south roundabout there. >> Okay. And is that two-way that's just temporary for the purposes of this construction? And it >> No, that will remain in place. >> Oh, that will remain in place. Yep. >> Okay. >> Does that question? >> Yes. >> You want to go first? >> No, you go. um question. So, currently on Pioneer to to Lake from the uh north to the south is closed off. From the east to the west, it's closed off at whatever that street is. I I'm not sure. And the roundabout. So there are parents that live in Savannah Oaks that are concerned about that roundabout and how their children will cross and at will that be open because down by I don't what's that road that goes past East Ridge where the roundabout and you come down not is it military road is Bailey >> Bailey? Yeah, Bailey to at Pioneer is closed off. So how are they going to get up in the spot? >> That that will be open on the 30th. Oh, it the whole thing will open. >> The whole thing will be open on the 30th. Yep. >> All the way. All the way down to >> that whole intersection. Yep. All the way down. Yep. >> All the way down. >> Yep. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> Thank you. Any other questions? >> Okay. Thank you. >> Okay. We will move on to 7.0 and that is our action items. We do have one this evening and that is 7.1 and that is proposed policy changes by Julie Nielsen, superintendent. Thank you. Uh good evening. This uh I am bringing forth uh the 200 series policies that are board policies um and asking for approval. These policies were reviewed at our August 7th workshop meeting. Um policy 203 operations of the school board just to note um taking policy 203.1, 203.5, and 203.6 um and removing those and turning that into putting those three into a procedure that fits under 203. And the draft of um the information contained in those three policies has already been drafted into a procedure form for the board to review um I believe during our next workshop meeting um to have that conversation around the procedure. Um also asking for approval tonight 205 open meetings and closed meetings and then 206 which also has a procedure for the board. Um but 206 policy is public participation in schoolboard meetings and 207 public hearing asking for approval. 208 development, adoption and implementation of policies and 209 uh code of ethics for board members. So this evening I am asking for approval on the policies that have been previously reviewed. >> Can I get a motion to approve? >> Move. >> Second. >> Motion by Sharon, seconded by Simmyi. Any comments? Okay. Hearing none. All those in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? >> Motion passes. We will move on to 8.0 0 and that will be our superintendent report. >> Thank you. It's going quick again tonight, so I'm going to really delay this baby. Um, actually, we have had, I think, one of the most remarkable weeks. Um, I always say as the adults who who work in a school district, our class of kids have returned. And what that means is we welcome back back over 80 teachers brand new to South Washington County Schools. And just very quickly in having conversations with a number of them throughout the week, um just why they chose South Washington County Schools and the reputation of our school district. And so I think that we should feel proud about the students we serve, um the families we serve, the communities we serve. Um but just overall our brand new teachers along with teachers who are in year two and three spent four days um in organized and structured professional development opportunities to connect with their colleagues to get to know people and to have consistent training for teachers who are in year 1, year two and year three. And so we call that our South Washington County Schools um academy. And so just a lot of energy at Eastridge and fortunate today at Eastridge, not only did we have um a lot of teaching staff, but it was the rapture rally. So, uh, walking around the schools today were all the students and many parents. And when I did my board call with Sime, she didn't know parents were invited and I told her son didn't invite her. Um, but I saw a lot of parents and it was interesting sitting outside as I was making the board calls. Uh, you know, just knowing the freshman, one of them said, "You know, you look important. Could you help me?" And then after I introduced myself, he was just real cute and, you know, just trying to help the students as they were navigating um, going through the school. So, it's just a busy time, but we welcome back new staff. Um, this week we also welcome back back our bus drivers and transportation staff. So, had the opportunity to go greet them. Um, I took their little bus quiz that they're required to take. I think outside of actually maneuvering the bus, I could be a bus driver. I just not quite sure about the length of the bus and in actually driving. Um, in this space here, we also welcome back our back, why do I say back back our nutrition services managers and assistant managers. So, they were all in here talking about menus and what we're going to do to get the year started in our cafeterias. And then this afternoon, uh, we were fortunate enough to have author, public speaker, teacher, um, Cal Kalia Yang. Um, and she shared, uh, with our HPAC group and, uh, with our staff her experience growing up in a refugee camp. And so she has many published books. Matter of fact, um, she's one of the first M American authors to receive um, national distribution rights. So has her books out there nationally. Uh but just a wonderful presenter today for our staff um as well as for one of our advisory groups. Um and finally, next Tuesday, we have our welcome back event for all staff at Park High School on the 26th. And uh hopefully we're a go and the weather doesn't uh impede this year. Um but our students are excited to share their stories around team. Um, our district theme this year is together we can. And so students will ask be asked to talk a little bit about uh teams that they've been on, the characteristics of those teams, um, and what was important to them being a team member, and also to give our staff just a little, uh, smidg of advice as they start a new school year. And so, uh, they are busy preparing for that. So, we're excited to have students along with all of our staff at Park High School next Tuesday. Thank you. >> Thank you, Julie. Okay. on to 9.0 and that is our future meeting dates. September 4th, 2025 is a schoolboard workshop meeting here at the district service center and then September 18th, 2025 is our schoolboard business meeting also here at the district service center. And with that, we will move into 10.0 and we are adjourned. KDM [Music] I need [Music]