Morgan Baumbach

The discussion items for this special meeting focused exclusively on the process, the instrument, and the report format to be utilized for the evaluation of the superintendent.

The work session involved procedural matters and several substantive discussions. Key discussion topics included an update on Early Childhood and Early Childhood Special Education, an update on Alternative Learning Pathways, a mid-year update on academic progress, and a discussion regarding the 2026-2029 Achievement and Integration Plan. Operational actions included the approval for the Purchase of Electric School Buses and the approval for Alternative Learning Pathways Designation.

This document details the agenda for a School Board Work Session. Key discussion items included an update on Early Childhood and Early Childhood Special Education Programs, which covered enrollment statistics, program offerings, screening requirements, and strategic goals, including mid-year progress on reading benchmarks. The board also discussed updates on Alternative Learning Pathways, focusing on the transition from an Area Learning Center (ALC) to an Alternative Learning Program (ALP) designation and a new partnership with 916 Mahtomedi Academy for credit recovery. Another segment provided a Mid-Year Update on Academic Progress, showing student performance gains in foundational literacy (K-2) and elementary math (K-4) based on universal screening data, while noting areas requiring deeper investigation, particularly in upper elementary math and secondary levels. Finally, the board addressed the 2026-2029 Achievement and Integration Plan discussion, outlining goals related to achievement disparity, integration, and teacher equity, alongside strategies like Collaborative Inquiry Team Engagement and postsecondary credit attainment for specific student groups.

Key discussions included an overview and presentation of the revised Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget and the projected Fiscal Year 2026-27 Budget. The board also heard first readings for several School Board Policies, including 101 (Legal Status of the School District) and 203.6 (Consent Agenda). Actions taken by the Board included approving a resolution directing the administration to make recommendations for program and position reductions, accepting bids for the Sunrise Park Roof Replacement Project ($1,181,000 to McPhillips Bros. Roofing Company) and the Mariner Middle School Roof Replacement Project ($1,447,370 to Central Roofing Company), approving an easement exchange with the City of Vadnais Heights, authorizing official depositories and bank signatures for 2026, and approving the revised Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget.

The meeting included procedural items such as the approval of the agenda and a partially approved consent agenda, which involved resolutions regarding acceptance of gifts, field trips, personnel items, a Quarterly Investment Update, and a Quarterly Revenue and Expenditure Report. The Superintendent's Report covered recent district news, including the Coffee with Dr. K series, 2026 Wall of Fame nominations, and Black History Month events. Discussion items focused on an overview of the Revised Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget and Projected Fiscal Year 2026-27 Budget, and the first reading of several School Board Policies (101, 101.1, 103, 203.6). Operational items involved approvals for an Annual Resolution Directing Administration to Make Recommendations for Reductions in Programs and Positions, bids for the Sunrise Park and Mariner Middle School Roof Replacement Projects, a Trail and Parking Lot Easement with the City of Vadnais Heights, authorization of Official Depositories for School District Funds, and the approval of the Revised Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget.