Cody Christensen

The meeting was a Truth in Taxation Hearing for 2025. The primary discussion item was an informational presentation provided by the Executive Director of Business Services regarding Truth in Taxation, which was presented for future Board consideration before a vote.

The special meeting included a Land Acknowledgement statement recognizing the Dakota and Ojibwe peoples. The primary agenda item was the canvassing and approval of the November 4, 2025, election results for Independent School District 283. The Secretary of State's unofficial results for the candidates were presented before the Board unanimously canvassed and approved the election results as required by statute.

The primary focus of the meeting was the Truth in Taxation Hearing for Taxes Payable in 2026. Discussions covered the legal requirements for the public hearing, background information on Minnesota school funding, and the relationship between the tax levy and the budget, noting that a change in levy does not directly determine a change in budget. The presentation detailed the district's budget, the proposed property tax levy for 2026, and included a comparison of actual tax levies from Payable 2025 to the proposed levies for Payable 2026 across various funds such as General, Community Service, and Debt Service. It also outlined the School District Property Tax Process, highlighting the steps controlled by the district versus external factors. The agenda concluded with a dedicated period for public comments on the proposed levy.

The meeting commenced with a land acknowledgment recognizing the Dakota Nojiway peoples. Agenda items included the approval of the agenda, the superintendent's report, and a discussion item presenting an update on student support services, detailing priorities like special education, 504 services, mental health, and support for homeless students. The superintendent highlighted professional development focused on emergency preparedness (reunification training) and state standards, as well as updates on new block scheduling at the middle and high schools. Significant discussion centered on student services, including data on special education placements, collaboration with DHS, efforts to address disproportionality in placement and discipline for African-American students (noting a significant reduction in discipline incidents), and addressing staffing shortages through targeted training. Action items included the approval of the consent agenda containing payroll, accounts payable, expenditures, and personnel matters, and the approval of the payable 2026 tax levy following a truth in taxation hearing.

The agenda for this meeting included several discussion items. Key topics involved an Enrollment Marketing Presentation focused on building trust and sparking interest among prospective families, presenting CARE Team data, and outlining strategies for improving the enrollment experience, such as digital marketing and hosting pop-up events. The meeting also covered a Finance Advisory Committee/Budget Update, providing an update on the FY2026 budget, preliminary information for FY2027 budget preparation, and considerations for action, including legislative advocacy and whether to call an election to increase the capital projects levy for technology. Future technology considerations were also discussed.