Woodbury City Council — Transcript

Tuesday, February 18, 2025

Story

School board approves budget revisions, celebrates community donations

Finance Report & Budget Management

Superintendent's Update on Weather Closures and E-Learning

Board Communications and Retreat Recap

Votes (3)

American Indian Parent Advisory Committee (AIPAC) Letter of Concurrence

Approved Unanimously

Dissent: None

Moved by Sar [34:55] · Seconded by Nardi [34:58]

The AIPAC presented its annual compliance letter, voting for a letter of concurrence with ISD 622, citing new initiatives addressing student academics and attendance. These initiatives include transitional support for 8th graders, alternative high school options, arts exposure through the FLIGHT program, urban debate, and math support via the WIN program. They also noted collaboration on integrating American Indian components into K-5, middle school art, and high school science curricula. The committee requested continued input and consultation of Indian education staff in the alignment of newly revised standards for all curriculum areas, particularly concerning Minnesota tribes (Ojibwe and Dakota), and asked for all curriculum lessons featuring American Indian teachings/history to be shared with the committee. A board member expressed concern about potential impacts of a recent federal DEI letter on Indian education, to which the superintendent affirmed the district's unwavering commitment to equity and inclusion, emphasizing local investment and the historical importance of Native American history, while acknowledging uncertainty regarding federal funding outcomes.

Acknowledgement of Contributions

Approved Unanimously

Dissent: None

Moved by Unidentified Board Member [37:29] · Seconded by Nardi [37:36]

The Director of Finance presented a resolution for the board to formally accept various donations and gifts to the district. Notable contributions included monetary donations for North High School's show choir and football programs, a significant $14,400 from the Minnesota Vikings football team for a new girls flag football program, and other donations supporting Meals on Wheels, Tartan High School's senior party, and the DEC Pantry for kids in need (including snow pants). A board member specifically asked about the Minnesota Vikings' contribution, and the Director explained it supports a growing club sport promoted by the NFL, designed to allow girls to participate alongside traditional high school league sports, with schedules built to avoid conflicts.

Approval of 2024-2025 Budget Revisions

Approved Unanimously

Dissent: None

Moved by Yenner [39:31] · Seconded by Swore [39:35]

The Director of Finance presented proposed budget revisions for the 2024-2025 school year, emphasizing the need for financial accuracy aligned with updated revenue projections and expenditure adjustments. For Fund One (General Fund), revenue increased by over $69,000 due to higher enrollment than initially projected, while expenditures decreased by $166,000, primarily from reduced stipend and salary costs. Fund Four (Community Service) saw a projected revenue increase of over $369,000, driven by additional state funding for adult basic education, general community education, early childhood family education, school readiness, and non-public pupil aid, with a corresponding expenditure increase of over $51,000 to cover program costs. Fund 20 (Self-Insurance) had both revenue and expenditures reduced to $22.6 million, an adjustment made in collaboration with the district's insurance broker, USI, to align spending with available funding. A board member sought clarification, confirming that the General Fund's increased revenue was indeed from state money attributed to the higher enrollment numbers.

Notable Quotes (10)

the American Indian parent advisory committee has voted to file a letter of concurrence for ISD 622 This decision comes from reviewing the new existing initiatives put into place this year that have addressed many of our concerns regarding the academics attendance data for our children and are confident that we will see a rise in the overall achievement of our American Indian students.

Perry Stone, Aipex Parent Member [25:03]
American Indian Parent Advisory Committee (AIPAC) Letter of Concurrence

we the parent committee would like input and consultation of our Indian education program Indian education curriculum Specialists being included in the district's alignment of newly revised standards in all curriculum areas that have specifically standards for Minnesota tribes isab oju and Dakota in elementary middle school and high school the AI pH AC would appreciate any curriculum lessons that include American Indian teachings history be shared with the committee.

Perry Stone, Aipex Parent Member [26:28]
American Indian Parent Advisory Committee (AIPAC) Letter of Concurrence

so it where are we and is the American uh Indian education going to be affected by um all the changes what a great question and I'm really glad you mentioned that because it's so interesting we talk all the time about how equity and inclusion are part of what we do it's part of everything that we do and we've been very clear that you know we're not going to let up on that work.

Board Member [30:47]
American Indian Parent Advisory Committee (AIPAC) Letter of Concurrence

I'm very confident that whatever you know know um whatever things roll down round heill at us we are an amazing team that's going to stay focused on this um we've got such a strong collaboration with our parents our Indian education parents our staff our staff out in the buildings and um there's a very very strong sentiment among all of our staff and and our families that we're going to continue to do right by our kids and families and and stakeholders.

Superintendent Tuio Soro [33:19]
American Indian Parent Advisory Committee (AIPAC) Letter of Concurrence

beer wood roofing company $100 for North High School um show choir Donna Miller $20 for North High football program Diane Jones $30 for North High football program Beverly and Paul Charlton $25 for North High football program Joanne Carlson $25 for North High football program Minnesota Vikings football team $14,400 for new girls flag football program.

Tim, Director of Finance [36:13]
Acknowledgement of Contributions

it's a growing Sport and it's an a club sport it's not a Minnesota State High School League official sanction sport it's a club sport um but the NFL and the Vikings and NFL teams around the country have been promoting flag football for girls and so we are starting flag football programs for our girls teams.

Tim, Director of Finance [38:09]
Acknowledgement of Contributions

Each year budget revisions are presented to the school board to ensure Financial accuracy in alignment with updated Revenue projections expenditure adjustments and other evolving Financial conditions.

Tim, Director of Finance [8:25]
Approval of 2024-2025 Budget Revisions

In fund one our general fund the revised Revenue estimate has increased by just over $69,000 reflecting updated state and local funding adjustments and the expenditures have decreased by approximately $166,000 primarily due to a reduction in projected stien and salary costs.

Tim, Director of Finance [9:01]
Approval of 2024-2025 Budget Revisions

Fund four community service a projected Revenue increase of just over $369,000 primarily due to additional funding for adults adult basic education General Community Education Early Childhood family education School Readiness and non and non-public pupil Aid an increase in expenditures reflect an increase of $51,320 primarily driven by higher costs in general Community Education and early childhood family education programs.

Tim, Director of Finance [9:23]
Approval of 2024-2025 Budget Revisions

I have a question question about um you said that there's increased uh revenue is that from State money or uh where does that come from correct to be from State money uh based due to our higher enrollment than we projected back in June when we adopted the budget awesome looks like things went in the right direction so.

Board Member [10:27]
Approval of 2024-2025 Budget Revisions

Ordinances & Resolutions (7)

Letter of ConcurrenceOther

Annual compliance letter from the American Indian Parent Advisory Committee to ISD 622.

Minnesota statute 123 b.2Statute

Permits school boards to receive and apply donations/gifts.

ResolutionResolution

Resolution to accept contributions to the school district.

ResolutionResolution

Resolution to approve the 2024-2025 district budget revisions.

Federal letter talking about DeiOther

A recent federal communication regarding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, raising questions about its impact on funding.

School Closure MemoOther

Internal document revisited annually to update calculations for school closures.

Title Six of the Civil Right Acts of 1964Statute

Legislation referenced in relation to the federal letter on DEI.

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