Woodbury City Council — Transcript
Tuesday, December 17, 2024
Story
School board approves 4.98% property tax levy increase
School Finance and Property Tax Levy
Middle School Programming and Strategic Plan Implementation
District Advocacy and Operational Efficiency
Votes (3)
Approval of Consent Agenda Item H: Grant Awards
Dissent: None
Moved by Nardi [1:11:19] · Seconded by Livingston [1:11:27]
Board member Michelle highlighted two significant grants: $6,400 for electric school bus planning and 16 grants totaling $8,000 from the 622 Education Foundation awarded to individual staff members for innovative projects. The Superintendent emphasized the volunteer nature of the Foundation's work and its support for teacher creativity.
Acknowledgement of Contributions
Dissent: None
Moved by Livingston [1:41:59] · Seconded by Nardi [1:42:04]
The board formally acknowledged three contributions: $5 to Gladstone home-delivered meals, 30 bags of coffee for Tartan High School staff from Sy's Coffee, and $300 to Math Masters from Michelle Saaj. The total monetary contributions for fiscal year 2024-25 were reported as $27,600.
Adoption of 2024 Payable 2025 Property Tax Levy
Dissent: None
Moved by Martins [1:43:26] · Seconded by Yenner [1:43:26]
Following a detailed finance presentation on the 'Truth in Taxation,' the board discussed the 4.98% ($3.2 million) increase in the property tax levy. Concerns were raised about doing 'more with less,' the underfunding of special education, and the need for state-level advocacy. Comparisons were made to other districts' levies and county increases, highlighting the district's modest ask despite high student needs. The importance of strong schools for community and property values was also stressed.
Notable Quotes (6)
it's great that we have a grant for electric School Bus planning 6,400 for the year that's super but really I was excited to see the 622 Education Foundation gave 16 grants to um throughout the district to different schools for $500 each and I just wanted to highlight that because every year they do the um silent auction as well as other fundraisers and it's just really cool to see that money go back to the schools like that
these were grants that were awarded to individual staff members who submitted their ideas for Innovation and and trying different things and so the foundation was really diligent about combing through those applications to um support teacher um Ingenuity and creativity and Innovation
sounds like we're doing we're we're doing more we're being asked to do more with less and so aside from um asking the taxpayers uh with the levy uh I was wondering you said the set the set formula you know that's what we have that's those are the funds we have to educate the kids
something that I'm constantly talking about with elected officials that's an equity issue when certain districts by your ZIP code especially when you think about how important we all know technology it's not just about laptops and devices it's also cyber security infrastructure um a lot of our textbooks and things now are are software subscriptions they're not hard books anymore and so when you think about the fact that in Minnesota that is dependent on whether your local community votes yes or no to the question whereas that's such an equity issue across the board I think for us that's a big one to really continue to advocate for
I also feel like the conversations around efficiency are I mean I get it but it's a little bit unfair because we're already so much more efficient than the other schools and our students are the more High need students and we have just ex you know we have a whole lot of kids in poverty in our district and so while I do you know respect the idea of efficiency I feel like that our solution cannot be just efficiency
a couple of things of we all do well we all do well and strong schools build strong communities
Ordinances & Resolutions (7)
The proposed property tax levy for 2024 payable 2025, discussed during the Truth in Taxation public hearing.
16 grants of $500 each awarded to individual staff members for innovation.
Statute permitting school boards to receive and apply donations.
The approved district budget breakdown discussed during the finance report.
A framework implemented in middle schools in collaboration with the Search Institute to improve student safety and connection.
An acronym and program at Sky View Middle School focusing on community, attitude, respect, effort, and safety.
A set of collaboratively created expectations for student behavior and engagement at John Glenn Middle School.