Red Wing Public Schools

The meeting commenced with the recitation of the vision statement. The agenda was approved as amended, with one item added and another postponed. The board held a student showcase featuring fourth-grade students presenting enrichment projects designed for California sea lions, developed through the Minnesota Zoo's Zooms Project. Administrative reports noted that preschool registration is open and discussed upcoming events, including the cancellation of the Minnesota Music Educators conference due to external factors. Recognitions included several staff and retired staff members for various achievements, such as Kirby Hansen receiving an officials award and Hie Johnson being selected as a AAA winner. Committee updates mentioned the settlement with teachers and generally positive feedback on insurance ratings. A significant portion of the meeting involved reviewing donations and grants from various community sources. Additionally, the board reviewed a draft preschool survey designed to gauge community support for expanding preschool offerings, noting that fewer than half of students entering kindergarten are currently assessed as fully ready.

The 'Flight Path 2030' is a five-year strategic plan designed to establish a system of learning that integrates data science and artificial intelligence responsibly. Key focus areas include developing robust computer science education, cultivating critical thinking for evaluating information, and imparting ethical, human-centered skills necessary for current and future societal challenges. The plan aims to prepare students by making these modern competencies as fundamental as traditional academic subjects.

The meeting commenced with the reading of the vision statement and the pledge of allegiance, followed by the approval of the meeting agenda. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to a student showcase highlighting an innovative program involving adaptive art, music, and physical education (STAR program) for students with specialized needs, including testimonials from participating teachers and parents regarding the profound growth and successful inclusion of students on IEPs into general education settings. The public comment section featured a critique of a proposed "Hope Squad" crisis program, citing concerns about placing mental health triage responsibilities on untrained children and questioning the motivations and track records of some proponents based on past incidents involving bullying and social issues within the district.

The session commenced with the reading of the vision statement and the pledge of allegiance. Key discussion topics revolved around preparatory items for the upcoming regular board meeting. These included a review of the process for the Truth and Taxation meeting, where public concerns regarding tax statements, often related to property valuation changes, would be addressed. A significant portion was dedicated to the budget review, focusing on assumptions for student enrollment (using 2,200 students for revenue cushion) and the expected timeline for presenting the final budget (anticipated for the January board meeting). Discussions also covered negotiation budgets, the feasibility of providing a five-year budget projection, and the process for the upcoming audit presentation. Furthermore, the board planned for the Superintendent's midyear evaluation, which will be conducted in a closed session during the subsequent week's board meeting. Finally, the agenda for the upcoming organizational meeting on January 5th was reviewed, noting that its sole purpose is the election of officers and designation of legal depositories and newspapers.

The meeting commenced with the reading of the vision statement and the pledge of allegiance. Key discussions included a student and school showcase, public comments, and recognition of upcoming events, such as a choir concert, a Dakota language speaker event, and the rescheduling of the Flight Path 2030 meeting. Administrative reports highlighted various student fundraising activities, including donations to food shelves by Sunnyside, Twin Bluff's food and hygiene drive organized by the Black Student Union, and thousands of dollars raised by the Student Council. A successful middle school dance featuring a unique putt-putt course was also noted. City updates featured information from the Community Education Advisory Committee regarding preschool programs and community partnerships. The Superintendent reported on budget planning, noting that the Truth in Taxation hearing is scheduled for 6:00 PM or later. The financial audit for the year resulted in a clean opinion with no findings on internal controls, although one recurring finding related to reconciling items for outstanding checks was noted, showing significant progress in remediation. The federal compliance audit timeline was adjusted due to external factors, pushing its submission to the first calendar quarter of the next year. A new accounting standard regarding compensated absences liabilities (vacation, sick pay, severance) significantly impacted the current year's reporting load. Finally, the consent agenda was approved following comments recognizing a retiring staff member.