Amber Bentley

The session began with the approval of the agenda and a consent agenda that included the payment of invoices from January 17-30, 2026, and the approval of Policy 731 - Debt Compliance Policy. Key business items involved updates and discussions on several policies: Policy 213 and Policy 423 will proceed to a second reading in a future meeting, and a minor correction to Policy 613 - Graduation Requirements, following its first reading on January 20, was approved. The workshop topic involved receiving an update on winter FastBridge results for reading and math assessment across grades K-12, and seeking Board guidance on priorities for implementing required budget reductions of approximately $5.5 million, following prior reductions of $5 million. The Board later moved to a closed session to discuss strategy for labor negotiations, returning to the open meeting shortly thereafter.

The meeting included public comments concerning staffing and attendance within the immersion program. The Superintendent reported that student safety, privacy, and continuity of learning remain priorities, with no current plans for a district-wide shift to remote learning. The Board Chair provided an update on presenting the cell phone policy at a recent MSBA Leadership Conference. Under the consent agenda, various items were approved, including minutes from prior meetings and personnel reports. Discussions focused on Strategic Direction C, where updates were provided on the upcoming sale of authorized bonds to fund school construction and remodeling projects, totaling $74,845,000, and facilities maintenance bonds totaling $15,490,000. The board reviewed a fiscal forecast projecting multi-year budget shortfalls starting at $5.5 million next year, driven by enrollment changes and inflation, and discussed cost containment measures and priority-based budgeting. The board also approved a resolution directing administration to make budget reductions based on priority-based budgeting and approved a legislative platform to share with local legislators.

The meeting commenced with recognition ceremonies for the adaptive soccer team and the girls soccer team, which recently won the state championship in a close match after trailing early in the game. The public comment section focused heavily on the proposed boundaries realignment, with speakers urging the board to reject Option A due to its high impact on displaced families and negative implications for student reading scores at Brookview School, advocating instead for Option C which minimizes disruption. Additional public comment addressed the proposed 2027-2028 school calendar, emphasizing concerns over a lack of evaluation data regarding student mental health improvements and community collaboration promised during the initial calendar approval in January 2024, as well as operational hardships for local businesses due to calendar misalignment with surrounding districts.

The organizational meeting included the election and confirmation of Board officers: Chair, Vice Chair, Clerk, and Treasurer. The board reviewed Policy 209-Code of Ethics as part of its annual review process. Key administrative authorizations were passed, covering the designation of district depositories, authorizing facsimile signatures, soliciting bids, authorizing electronic fund transfers, designating official publication, authorizing leasing/purchasing/contracting, utilizing joint purchasing agreements, and designating Deputy Board Treasurer/Clerk and an official for Identity Access Management. The board also approved the consent agenda, which included the payment of invoices for a specified period, and approved the 2024-25 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report based on the clean audit opinion received from LB Carlson.

The meeting began with recognition for the girls' high school soccer team and the adaptive soccer team. Key discussion points included public comments regarding district boundaries, calendar alignment, and property sale. The Superintendent provided a long-term perspective on district stability since 2022, noting systemic challenges in curriculum, professional development, and scheduling, and highlighted recent improvements such as new start times and elementary science curriculum implementation. Under strategic directions, the board certified the 2025 Payable 2026 Property Tax Levy, approved the purchase agreement for Lake Elmo Elementary School, approved the 2027-28 school calendar, and voted to approve a boundary change. The board also approved Policy 605 - Alternative Program and the 2025-2027 custodial master contract, and noted ongoing negotiations with SCEA moving towards mediation. The meeting concluded with a closed session to discuss labor negotiations.