Stacey Gray Akyea

The Committee of the Board meeting agenda covered several key areas. The Legislative Update section detailed the status of omnibus bills, the Governor's requests regarding formula increases, and specifics on school safety funding proposals from the House and Senate. The Policy Update included discussions on amending Policy 713.00 (Sweatshop Free Purchasing) to increase the purchase value threshold, a new policy (534.00) for Unpaid Meal Charges to meet USDA requirements, the rescission of Policy 603.02 (Holiday Observances), and proposed changes to Class Rankings (Policy 510.03). The S-Term 2018 presentation outlined goals for preventing summer learning loss and credit recovery, detailing enrollment projections across various program types. Finally, the FY 2018-2019 Budget Update provided a preliminary general fund overview, noting a projected shortfall and outlining the budget adoption calendar and departmental expenditure summaries.

The meeting agenda covered several substantive items. Discussions centered on the impact of State Legislation on the FY12 Budget for SPPS, detailing revenue comparisons, the adverse effect of a state payment shift on cash flow necessitating potential mid-year borrowing, and the proposed distribution of $2.8 million in additional general fund revenue across schools, district-wide needs, and school service supports. There was also discussion regarding the Strong Schools, Strong Community update, including renaming 'managed instruction' to 'aligned learning' for better public understanding. Minor revisions to The Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook were presented, leading to discussions on translation standards and engaging parents regarding behavior definitions. Lastly, the committee addressed scheduling future Board Meeting Dates through August 2012, with one date adjusted due to a conflict, and deliberated on appointments to the Capital Expenditure Advisory Committee (CEAC), ultimately deciding to reappoint six prior members, appoint two new members, and reopen the application process emphasizing diversity and expertise.

The meeting began with the rescheduling of the December 17, 2024, Regular Meeting to Thursday, December 19, 2024, to accommodate superintendent search interviews. Key discussions included the ongoing search for a new superintendent and the annual Truth in Taxation hearing. The committee reviewed and discussed the proposed 3-Year School Calendar for July 2025-June 2028, focusing on instructional quality impacts related to end-of-year scheduling. A significant portion of the meeting addressed the alarming District Outcomes for the 2023-24 school year, involving detailed discussions on math and reading interventions, curriculum investments, and the need for improved student engagement and culturally responsive teaching. Furthermore, the board discussed the FY25 Budget Update and FY26 Budget Assumptions, focusing on potential deficits, enrollment figures, and the impact of state funding formulas, leading to a request for a dedicated work session. Finally, the committee voted to approve a resolution changing district general elections to even years, which involved lengthening the current school board term by one year.

This document reports on the progress of the Board Initiated Goals Governance (B.I.G.G.) student outcome goals. The strategic objectives aim to increase student passing rates in Civics/U.S. Government from 84% in 2024 to 90% by 2029, and in Personal Finance from a September 2025 baseline to 75% by June 2029. Key action steps include continued professional learning, investment in academic programming and instructional models, and refinement of the Personal Finance curriculum to achieve these educational objectives.

This document reports progress on the Board Initiated Goals (B.I.G.G.) for Saint Paul Public Schools, specifically focusing on the programmatic goal to increase district funds dedicated to art and music. The goal is to raise per-student funding from $243 in Fiscal Year 2025 to $284 in Fiscal Year 2029. The report details the measurement parameters, data sources, and provides current allocation figures for FY26, noting progress towards the FY29 target, along with a snapshot of art and music investment.