001The Monday, September 22, 2025, Kimber Grove Heights Community Schools Board of Education regular meeting is called to order at 5.34 p.m. We are meeting at the district office. As a reminder, all public comment during ISD 199 regular school board meetings must be related to a specific item on that night's agenda. ISD 199 holds public listening sessions prior to all regular board meetings to allow participants to speak on topics that are not on the agenda. More information on public comment and public listening sessions can be found on the district's website. This meeting is being recorded. Access to the recording will be made available on the school district's website as quickly as possible. Our school district's mission is to inspire, innovate, excel a community commitment. Roll call board chair, Kerry Lounsbury is absent this evening. Board Clerk
002Larson, will you please take attendance? Of course. Member Warrick? Here. Member Nehemiah? Here. Member Klinger? Here. Member Dukes? Here. Member Larson? Here. Member Pearson? Here. All right, please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Do I have a motion and a second to approve the agenda's items? So moved, Member Nehemiah. Seconded by Member Warwick. Okay, motioned by Member Nehemiah, seconded by Member Warwick. Any discussion yes, we'd like to add one item that we omitted from the agenda and that would be right after this the district highlight We for some reason admitted that you wanted to make sure we draw attention to a couple aspects
003that we'd like to have today So make up a motion to amend the agenda to include district highlights following this I'll amend my motion to include that item And on a second by Member Klingner to amend that item. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? The motion is carried. Do I have a motion and a second to approve the consent agenda items? Before you do that, can we do the district highlight? Oh. I've got a couple district highlights this evening. One is I'd just like to formally introduce our two new directors that serve our district. Our director of community education, Chad Sexauer, and our director of human resources, Eileen Herman. Just wanted to welcome them to the district formally. They've been on the job since July 1st. And just give them an opportunity just for a
004couple things that they may would like to share with us about their experience so far. Chad, do you want to go first? Yeah, absolutely. First of all, thank you. I'm excited to be here. The two and a half months on the job have been spectacular. It's been very much that inspiring debate and excel piece, the 199 way and relationships. Not only here in the district office with the cabinet and the team, but really getting out in the community and being at the elementary sites and the middle school and the high school have been great. Our early learning has been phenomenal and kind of partnering with our 55 and older crowd as well. So the community ed piece is a new space for me. I'm used to a little bit more K through 12. educational spot
005so it's been exciting for my own growth and development and we're just trying to do the continue to do the great work that was being done and maybe energize a few areas as well so excited to be here and I'll eventually start getting more blue and red swag. I guess I don't know. But not yet. So thank you. Thank you. And Emily? Thank you all. As Chad said, very excited to be here. It's been very clear since the day that I started actually throughout the interview process that the commitment to relationships and belonging is actually words felt, not just said. and whether it's working with the internal team here or being able to actually be in the buildings and be connected to the real mission seeing and hearing kids each day or the bell is
006a wonderful opportunity to stay connected to the mission so really appreciate the the warm welcome from everybody i've had amazing opportunities to connect with union members and play group members to really focus on solving problems and been a wonderful opportunity so very excited to be here and continue this wonderful work So welcome. Thank you. I have one other highlight to share with you this evening and September is Minnesota School Board Recognition Month, an opportunity to recognize the dedicated community members who volunteer their time and energy to support high-quality public education for youth. Strong schools help build strong communities and school boards are the compass of our district. They keep us focused on what matters most, student success. The Invergoe Heights School Board is entrusted with the responsibility of guiding a district that serves approximately 3,400
007students, employs around 600 staff members, and manages an annual budget of over $57 million, and oversees six school buildings. School board members make decisions that can be complex and challenging, require careful consideration of both community values and educational needs. They are also responsible for developing a long-term vision that will guide the district for years to come. Working together as a team in partnership with district staff, the Invergoverite School Board provides governance and advocacy that helps strengthen public education and build a future for our students. We encourage community members to take a moment to thank a school board member. Their service represents an essential civic role that forms part of the foundation of our democracy. public education. As a bridge between the community and the school district, school board members play a crucial role in helping
008us realize the hopes and dreams we share for the children of our community. Our school board members are Shana Dukes, Jay Klinger, Sarah Larson, Carrie Lounsberry, Darcy Pearson, Liz Nehemiah, and Sherry Ward. I want to thank you for the work that you do, and it's customary every year when we do this. I also share something I learned growing up. My dad has always said one of the hardest and most involved public service opportunities that there are is to be a school board member, because you are working with people's children. that is their hope, dream, and their most valued piece that they have in their life. And I want to thank you for the service that you provide and I pass that on and I'll say this for my dad because last night I told him
009it's that time he's like you got to tell him that because it's so essential and as we talk about public education right now there's different crossroads that are happening the support that we provide and make sure that we are ensuring the best education possible for all students. We actually had a ribbon-cutting before this at hilltop elementary where we have an inclusive playground and that inclusive playground again is about an opportunity for all students so thank you for the work that you do and then as we progress tonight i'll hand out we've got some certificates to honor you for the work that you do i want to thank you again on behalf of our district committee and hopefully someplace along the way somebody will say thank you for serving on our school board so thank you
010do i have a motion and a second to approve the consent agenda items second by member larson okay emotionally remember duke second member larson any discussion all those in favor aye opposed the motion is carried all right so on to donations um thank you to those who have donated to the school district this past month your generosity and support of our schools in the community is much appreciated as they make a difference for our students then on to information items With regards to committee reports, the Facilities, Finance, and Personnel Committee has not met this month, but Liz, or member Liz, will give an update on the Policy Committee. Sure. The Policy Committee met prior to tonight's meeting to go over several policies from the previous cycle and the current cycle. Thank you, Liz. On to
011membership reports. Dave, Superintendent Berenson will read an update on the Association of Metropolitan School Districts, AMST. Thank you. Yes, AMST met on September 5th. Their agenda included routine business and a guest speaker by the name of Peter Leatherman from the Morris Leatherman Company who presented an overview of a Minnesota public opinion survey. And as a reminder, it's the same group that we use when we're looking to survey, especially when it comes to pre-referendums to see if that's something that we want to pursue or not. Hopefully you've had a chance to take a look at that survey. It's got some interesting information. Thank you, Dave. Shana will give an update on our IGH Best Foundation. Yeah, the Best Foundation met on September 15th. The agenda included updates on the financial report, executive director's report, and the
012strategic investment team report. Thank you, Shana. Sherry? Liz. Oh, Liz too? Another one. Okay. Elizabeth, would you mind giving an update on the MSBA? The MSBA has been holding virtual meetings focused on their 2026 legislative platform. More information can be found on their website. Thank you. And then lastly, Dave, we'll give an update on the Intermediate School District 917. Sure. 917 met on September 2nd. Their agenda included approval of routine business policy review and approval of their superintendent goals for the upcoming school year. All right. Next we're moving on to action items. First is a 2025 payable 2026 property tax levy. Superintendent Dave Bernenson will introduce the recommendation to approve the 2025 payable 2026 property tax levy. Thank you. Heather Onyer, Director of Business Services, is unable to be here this evening, so I'm honored
013to share this action item with you. State statute requires the school district certified proposed property tax is payable. and 2025 by september uh excuse me 2026 by september 30th of 2025. proposed levies for school districts carry the option of loving the maximum versus a specific amount due to continuing updates by the department of education this maximum option protects school districts whose levies may increase levying a specific dollar amount prevents further increases Truth and taxation statutes require a hearing be conducted during regular school board meetings, which is where that levy will be set. The state statute also requires that the state and time of the regular school board meetings when hearings are scheduled to be announced at the time the proposed levy is certified. The regular school board meeting at which the Truth in Taxation hearing
014will be conducted is December 9th at 6 p.m. This information was shared as the September 8th work session. The recommendation is for the board to approve the 2025-26 payable 2026 property tax limit this evening. And as a reminder, this is something that we do annually at this time of the year, so we set the stage for what comes next. And some people have asked sometimes why isn't it set specifically? And it really comes back to what we shared earlier that the Minnesota Department of Education is still formulating what that will be and allows for that to be at where it needs to be, where it's going to be set a specific amount and it happens to be over that. We couldn't change that. Thank you. Do I have a motion and a second to approve
015the 2025 payable 2026 property tax levy? Motion by Member Pearson. Second by Member Warwick. motion member Pearson and a second member Warwick is there any discussion did you see December 9th all those in favor aye opposed the motion is carried Moving on to a second reading for review of policies and Superintendent Dave Bernardson will introduce the recommendation to approve several policies for a second reading for review. All right, the second reading of these policies, we've got no changes to 414 mandated reporting of child neglect or physical or sexual abuse. 503 student attendance and then we have minimal changes to 707 transportation of public students 709 student transportation and 802 obsolete equipment and material and we have limited changes again to 418 drug free workplace and drug free school and 602 organization of school calendar and
016school day and then we have total revisions to our 535 which is a school meals policy And this is really due to provisions on payments for meals, a second breakfast, a second lunch, and other aspects that apply to what kids would have to pay for. And this was also reviewed with our Director of Food Services, Dori Pavel, and was also reviewed by our Policy Committee at their last meeting. So this evening we're asking the Board to approve these policies. Thank you. Do I have a motion and a second to approve the policies presented for a second reading for review? So move, Member Nehemiah. Second by Member Dukes. Motion by Member Nehemiah. Second by Member Dukes. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor? Aye. Opposed? And the motion is carried. So we'll move
017on to the next. Action item three year policy review cycle for 2025 through 2028. Superintendent Dave Bernitson will introduce the recommendation to approve the district's three year policy review cycle for 2025 through 2028. Thank you. This is something we also do annually and one of the things we want to ensure is that our policies stay up to date. So we do have them on a three-year review cycle. So our policies that we'll be looking at or proposing to look at for 2025-26 are the administrative policies, which is series 300, the personnel policies, which is our 400 series, and then the 600 series educational programs. And then we move to in 26-27, the 100 series, which is school district. 700 which is non-instructional programs and 800 which is buildings and grounds and then for 27-28 we
018would be proposing the 200 series which is board of directors the 500 series which is students and then the 900 series which is school and community relations so that's going to board approve this three-year cycle for the next three school years for our policy review Do I have a motion and a second to approve the three-year policy review cycle? Motion by member Larson. Second by member Klinger. So motion by member Larson, second by member Klinger. Is there any discussion? I wouldn't say discussion, just a note for anyone that could be watching. This is the cycle we use, but a policy could be pulled at any moment. Like if I were the bus or something happens in the world or something's going on. Somebody out here brings up something to one of us we a policy
019could be pulled in and review But this is how we how we chunk it out So we don't get too overwhelmed by all the things that that we might need to look at That's a great point and also there can be some things that happen legislatively that also Make it that we will policy look at it outside of its regular cycle as well. And there's some we see every year just because of the way the world Thank you any other discussion All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? And the motion is carried. Okay. Next action item, proposed resolutions for the Minnesota School Boards Association's legislative initiatives. Board Member Liz Nehemiah will introduce the recommendation to approve several proposed resolutions for the Minnesota School Boards Association MSBA legislative initiatives. We talked about this at our work session
020a little bit. This does not diminish the ability of Dave and his staff to go ahead and make more legislative priorities. What is becoming really evident is that we need to advocate at the state level because some local control is kind of going away. The state is controlling a lot and mandating a lot, both policy-wise and budget-wise, and that is really what we are here for, right? Is policy, our purview is budget policy, right? And budget and policy. So these four resolutions are things with consulting with Dave and some staff and then just kind of Looking at the pulse of what has been covered previously by the MSBA, the Minnesota School Board Association, is a group of over 330 school districts, right? And to get on their legislative platform means we might get a little
021more attention to some of these issues. We might, and we have someone in our corner kind of arguing and maybe making a change at the legislative level to help us get forward on some of these items. So the four that we would present and send up to the MSBA this week and ask them to make part of their platform as well would be the following. The MSBA urges the legislature to fully and permanently fund unemployment insurance. for hourly school workers between term breaks or repeal it. The MSBA urges the legislature to allow locally elected school boards to renew an existing capital projects levy one time without an election. The MSBA urges the legislature to increase safe schools revenue and add an inflationary annual increase or alternatively to expand the allowable uses under long-term facilities maintenance
022revenue for building security improvements and training. And finally, the MSBA urges legislators to fix the employer contribution of 50% under the Minnesota Paid Family and Medical Leave Law and or allow public school district employers and collective bargaining units the ability to opt out of the Paid Family Medical Leave Law. So, like, as I said, we discussed this kind of in-depth at the work session, but these are things that we, I think, really benefit kids, ultimately, because it benefits... Do I have a motion and a second to approve the proposed resolutions? Motion by member Klinger. Second by member Warwick. Okay, so motion by member Klinger, second by member Warwick. Is there any discussion? Thank you, Liz, for all your hard work on this. these sorts of things aren't my thing, so I'm really glad they are
023yours. Because you do a wonderful job getting input and putting it together and wording it all out. Thank you. And I want to thank staff, too. I mean, Emily, I'm so excited Emily's here, too. Not that Michelle wasn't great, but Emily is a font of legislative knowledge, I think, as well. And it's just nice to collaborate on what can we do to improve things. Procedurally MSBA will consider these and then for them to be on their legislative platform they have to go through the process of approval there as well. Yes, so delegates for the MSBA will come together and look at some of these items and vote as to whether or not this is part of the legislative platform or not. But anecdotally it seems last year a lot of items on the platform of
024the MSBA did make it to the finish line. So it's nice to... Nice to try and get some of these items out. Thank you to Liz again for pulling these forward. I think it's also important to highlight that some of these are as a result of legislative action that has put budget pressure on us as a school district and budget pressure that can be hopefully taken care of in a different way. We want to make sure we're taking care of our employees, but there are challenges. And that second one is one that we've carried through as well with the capital projects levy. It's something that with the regular levy, boards can approve at one time and really feel that that capital projects falls under that same category. And as a reminder, our levy that was
025passed in 2017, there was a question one, which was a levy, and then question two was a capital projects levy. And those are both coming up. So we're hoping that this is something that can yield some traction moving forward. And then yes, as you mentioned about Emily, Emily brought a different flavor to some of these to look at them in a different way that will hopefully help people to consider aspects, especially when it comes to paid family medical leave. We want to make sure people have leave, but also we have contractually different options for people or ways that we can work through that locally. Having the state mandate further complicates it actually for us as a school district and working with our employees. So thank you, Liz, for drafting this. And highly likely, whether they
026are something to get on the MSB platform or not, we'll bring them back to probably the first part of January on our legislative list of priorities anyway. Those are vital to us. Thank you. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? And the motion is carried. Moving on to superintendent and school board comments starting with superintendent Dave Bernardson. Yes, thank you Just want to thank everyone that's been involved all the way from our staff Our families our community members our students for a very successful start to the school year We really want to make sure that especially for families that they have that opportunity to connect and form those relationships with people at their schools So hopefully people were able to take part in family connections, but I want to remind people that there's another opportunity coming
027up before we meet again, which is conferences in October. So that ability to connect and be a part of what happens in the school is that primary piece that really sets students for success. So I want to thank people again, but also encourage them to make those connections with people at the school to help support their kids in their learning and their success. And then also want to just point out as mentioned we did have a ribbon-cutting before and it will top all mention I want to thank our state legislators Representative clarity representative Hansen state senator Matt Klein, but also representative Bianca Bernie who's not even part of our school district but they put together a source that helped provide $100,000 to ensure that our playground at Hilltop Elementary is inclusive and man it's a
028dynamite playground. Dynamite. And that partnership with our local legislators is something that's very important. We want to thank them for their efforts and thinking of us and thinking about how we can make sure that all kids have access to things and the opportunity to do the things that they should be able to do. Thank you. And then moving on to school board comments, beginning with Board Member Larson. There probably should be more in my head right now, but there's not a whole lot. But yeah, I attended the ribbon cutting, and it was fun to see the new playground. And I forget who said, where are all the kids? Usually this place is crawling with people. And Principal Byrd had said, well, we had to ask the Spartan Kids Care Network. stay inside for a little
029bit so we could do this. I'm sure they were at the windows itching to get out. Fun to be a part of that. And thank you again to Representative Burney and Representative Hanson. Yeah. Board Member Pearson? Just a huge thank you to the district meal staff and staff that kept all the kiddos on track and safe today during the power outage. My own little pine bender came home and First thing off the school bus he wasn't even off the last time he's like guess where we ate lunch Not the cafeteria, no! And it was a thrill to come to. But I knew when I got that little text saying that Power Art was well I knew they would still eat and I knew they would be taken care of and it was just really reassuring
030to hear the excitement in his voice for the little adventure that they had and just very grateful to the staff for everything that you do. Thank you. Board Member Warwick. Yeah, I just would like to say a big welcome to Chad Sechsauer, Director of Community Education, and Emily Herman, Director of HR. Glad to hear your first two and a half months are going well. So awesome. And to all of our directors that are here tonight, thank you. Thank you for your time and your dedication to this district. Also able to partake in the Invergermite's Day Parade with several of the people in the room right now and many teachers were there too and it was fun to see them reach out and hug their students that they saw along the road and then wishing all,
031everyone a great 25-26 school year. Thank you. Board Member Nehemiah? The MSBA stuff is really where I'm focused right now. So that's pretty much it except for I want to say the fifth quarter after the game on Friday night was fantastic. It was amazing and that was I think put on by Spark and a variety of folks. What an event. I mean my sixth grader was, it just was amazing. So thank you for that. And that maybe the fifth quarter probably was a little later than it. Oh, they went on. We just stayed and waited at the game, but they went on. They had a great time. Thank you. Board Member Dukes. Yeah, happy present year, no friends. To all our new teachers who may not know us and don't know what we do or
032where we're at, feel free to invite us to things. Feel free to invite me to things. I want to come to all the things. I want to read the books. I want to give high fives. I want to do whatever makes sense for you and your classroom and spaces, so feel free to reach out to us. Also, the new communication system is better. I don't know who. Is that you, Katie? I am Carolyn. It's amazing. I love it. You can see the message in the app. I get a text message. I can click the link. I don't have to sign into anything. I think it is amazing. And I feel like I read even more things because it is right in my hand. And it looks so good. I'm a fan. Big fan. I've been
033waiting to tell you that I'm a fan. So I'm really excited about that. And I love it. And if you haven't, If you don't have it, get it. Sign up, make your account, do all the things you need so you can get the information right at your fingertips and we can all be on the same page. So kudos to you guys for having that up and running. I love it. Thank you. And I was not able to make it to the parade, but we have been going to a lot of kids sports lately. I think about all of the routines that should be probably solidifying and the kids at the younger ages learning how to do school. I think about the older kids that grades are rolling in and some juniors and seniors are either
034making or finalizing plans for what might come next. I think about fall sports that are culminating and those memories that are being made. And I just want to thank the district for their flexibility in keeping our kids safe. I know the football game with the weather delay and everybody in the gym I'm sure was quite a feat. But kids had fun. They were safe. Today was the power outage. I'm sure it was a memory that will last. And so just thank you for all the things that go into all of those places to make the day memorable and positive for our kids. That is that. So, as far as upcoming meeting dates, the next work session is scheduled for Monday, October 13th, and the next regular board meeting will be on Monday, October 27th at
0355.30 p.m. at Hilltop Elementary School. Do I have a motion and a second to adjourn this meeting? So moved, member. Give me a second. Second, member. Most never in the EMI oh yeah, and this I get my member Dukes all those in favor. Yeah The motion is carried at 6 o 3