Kerry Beton

The meeting commenced with the approval of the agenda. The Superintendent provided updates, highlighting the Community Expo's success, the naming of Samantha Moley as the Farmington Athena award winner, updates on various athletic teams (boys basketball, adapted hockey, speech team), and numerous student achievements in BPA competitions qualifying for nationals. The Superintendent also detailed the implementation of the FHS Chill Zone sensory room and the distribution of calming kits for mental health support. Updates on science fairs, Meadowview's PBIS reward, FES readathon and Jump Rope for Heart fundraising, and the upcoming honor for Dodge Middle School counselor Glee Slater were covered. Discussions also included legislative efforts concerning instructional minutes flexibility. Student board members reported on academic awards for hockey and wrestling, and updates on boys basketball and swim/dive team performances. Student council initiatives focused on positivity rates and March Madness contests were mentioned. A key administrative action involved the assignment of new developments in Cedar Hills to Akin Road Elementary and Dodge Middle School, based on capacity and boundary considerations. The board also reviewed enrollment and budget overviews, noting state and local enrollment trends, including continued declines in public school enrollment post-pandemic, particularly in elementary levels, and the significant increase in public online school providers.

The meeting commenced with a public comment period where speakers addressed concerns regarding a newly drafted staff professional conduct policy, specifically noting vague definitions of 'political' and 'political bias' and expressing opposition to its confirmation. Following public comment, the agenda was approved. The Superintendent provided updates, highlighting the retirement of Dr. Geiss and introducing Ms. Gallarno as interim principal at North Trail. Updates also covered the success of the Patriotic Day event and recent athletic achievements, including the girls cross country team qualifying for State and the adaptive soccer team winning a second consecutive State Championship. School board members provided updates covering final exams, the end of the first trimester, and reminders about impending cold weather. Principals from Aiken Road Elementary, North Trail Elementary, and Farmington High School presented updates on their respective strategic plans, focusing on literacy, social-emotional supports (including house programs at Aiken Road and PBIS at North Trail), and personalized learning elements. Farmington High School also detailed plans for implementing competency-based grading, academic support time, and creating structures for student access to support services.

The work session primarily focused on administrative actions and the 2023-2024 budget discussion. Administrative actions included authorizing the Administration to go out for bid for the Aitkin Road Elementary loading dock project, noting potential cost increases due to utility transformer access requirements necessitating re-grading and a retaining wall. A significant resolution was adopted concerning the successful refunding of $41.3 million in General Obligation School Building Refunding Bonds Series 2023A, resulting in estimated savings exceeding $900,000. The budget discussion involved analyzing various financial modeling scenarios based on legislative proposals concerning General Fund growth, special education cross-subsidy funding, and multilingual learner funding. Discussions centered on projecting the 2023-2024 deficit, which ranged from $7 million initially to closer to $2-3 million under optimistic assumptions, and determining appropriate budget parameters, including whether to utilize assigned fund balance to mitigate immediate shortfalls without affecting the commitment to maintain class sizes until 2025.

The meeting was abbreviated due to a 7 p.m. curfew, focusing solely on administrative action items. Key discussions included the award of contracts for roof replacements at Akin Road Elementary and Meadowview Elementary, with favorable bids received. The board also approved the high school tennis court replacement project, with the low bid significantly under prior estimates. A significant portion of the agenda involved approving joint powers agreements and construction contracts related to the 202nd Street extension involving the City of Lakeville and the City of Farmington, aimed at improving traffic flow around the high school campus. Additionally, the board approved granting a temporary roadway easement to the City of Farmington for constructing a turnaround circle for the 202nd Street extension until full road completion. Approvals were also granted for temporary construction easement access for stormwater pond improvements related to the Whispering Fields housing development, which will also result in the district gaining additional property and securing a new pedestrian pathway connection. Finally, the contract for the Boeckman Auditorium lighting system replacement was awarded, deemed necessary for the space to remain functional.

The board meeting commenced with an open forum where community members addressed concerns regarding proposed budget cuts to the band and music education programs, emphasizing the academic and social-emotional benefits of the arts. The official meeting began at 6:01 PM. Good news and superintendent updates included recognizing a staff member as the Schmidt Music Educator of the Year and sharing successes of students in the Bilingual Seals assessment and the BPA National Leadership Conference. Student school board members provided updates on AP testing, prom, and teacher appreciation activities. Administrative actions included the appointment of a new board member, Sue Dentinger, to fill a vacancy, and the approval of the 2022-2023 Food Service Management Contract with Chartwells. Additionally, the board approved the 2021-2023 Custodial Contract, which focused on increasing licensure pay for custodians through incentives and payment for related classes and tests.