001Good [clears throat] evening. I would like to call to order the Senoka Henipin School Board meeting for today, January 12th, 2026. Please join the board in pledging our allegiance. All right, board. Our first uh order of business is to approve the board agenda. Is there a motion to approve the board agenda as presented? >> Uh thank you, Director Langenfeld. Is there a second? >> Uh thank you, Director Adet. Any discussion? Hearing none, would all those in favor say I. I. >> I. Any opposed say no? With six in favor and zero opposed, the agenda is approved. Members, the next item on our agenda is item four, the organization portion of our agenda. So, the first meeting in January is our organizational meeting. Uh, and there are several items that we will move through. And the
002first is the ceremonial oath of office for schoolboard members. Uh, we will welcome Tom Hunt from the In Noa County elections. And um as we are all returning members, uh when we rise, we could just stay at our seats to take our oath of office and Tom will lead us through that. >> Thank you. >> That I will support the Constitution of the United States. I will support the Constitution of the United States >> and of the State of Minnesota. >> And that I will faithfully discharge my duties >> and that I will faithfully discharge my duties >> of the office of school board member >> of Anoka Henipin Independent School District >> of Ana Henipin Independent School District. >> To the best of my judgment and ability. to the best of my judgment and
003ability. >> Congratulations. [applause] >> Thank you, Tom, for being here with us tonight. And congratulations to all reelected schoolboard members. Members, the next item on our agenda is item 4B, the election of officers, as referenced in appendix B. So with this uh I will open the floor for nominations for board uh co-chairs or chair. Uh are there any nominations for board chair or co-chairs? Uh director Langenfeld. >> I would like to nominate our current board co-chairs. Um you've provided the consistency at support and I think right now we are at a place in a time where stability in our organization matters. um you have worked through some uh challenges and opportunities and I believe that uh board members at least from my perspective have had their agenda items rise to the the top and that
004you have worked in partnership with the superintendent and kept us informed as well. So that's where I stand. >> Thank you. Um are there any other nominations for board chair or co-chairs? Director Aette, >> I'll nominate uh Director Hulman and Director Langfeld. >> Thank you. Are there any other nominations for board chair or co-chair? Any other nominations for board chair or co-chair? Okay, hearing no other nominations, we have nominations for Duchaine and Arco to remain as co-chairs and we have a nomination for Hulman and Langenfeld to become co-chairs. Uh, is there any discussion that board members would like to have with two nominations on the floor? >> Director Arco. >> Um, well, thank you for the nomination. Um, I'm happy to continue serving in that role, but I will also just throw it out there,
005Director Hulman, if you are interested. I'm more than happy to vote for you and Director Langenfeld. So, just let me know. Um, I could go either way to be totally honest. So, it's whatever you guys' preferences are. >> Uh, Director Simon. >> Thanks, Casey. Um [clears throat] I think it's um I mentioned this before a meeting so I don't think it'll be a a surprise to board members maybe to the community so I can explain it a little bit but um I understand that there's probably a not not another option. Um but I personally don't think the co-chair model has served our board well. Um, and I'll just I'll try to be brief, but when I first started on the board, um, and over the majority of my time, um, Tom Heidman was our chair.
006And, um, I thought that his leadership and management style as, um, chair, greatly helped our board and our district for effective governance. Um, in my view, he focused not only on really the will of a quorum of the board, but on each um, individual board member. Um, honoring both of those things equally and often um, as board chair, he would even compromise perhaps even personally for the betterment of the board and the district. and board meetings were very efficient, effective, still allowing for individual views, but we didn't get bogged down when we couldn't find agreement. Um, and I thought one of the most important roles of a board chair is the partnership with our superintendent. Um, and really for a successful board and super overall board and superintendent relationship. So, I'm really convinced that that
007type of a model um would have really avoided many of the difficult situations that this board had um and that we faced over the last two years and would have likely brought about the concerns and criticism of administration acting as an unofficial board member or bringing forward recommendations that didn't fit would have uh corrected those. So, I completely understand others won't agree with me. I accept that and I accept your views are just as valid as mine. So, I'm not trying to disparrage anyone. I just wanted to make sure that I um that I I gave my viewpoint um to the board and for the community. Um I think that so I don't know how I'm going to vote, but I think that um what we're currently doing hasn't worked. So, if it's a co-chair
008model, maybe changing up the personnel has a chance. Um, but I don't know how I'm going to vote until we get there. So, that's it. Thank you, members. Any um any other discussion? Um, I think, you know, as I reflect on this, I think our district and our community deserve a functioning and low drama school board, one that works together for the betterment of public education and for our students. To that end, uh, we often have individual discussions with each other leading up to this meeting. And just in transparency, that's kind of normally how this would go. we would maybe come to conversations and as of now you can see like we haven't landed um on an approach. I think many of us thought maybe as of last night we sort of had a a
009plan and there was some new information shared earlier today. Um I think that's uh giving us an opportunity to go in with an open mind and think about what could work for this district and what might um be best. I do think that in my opinion after being co-chair for two years, um I've learned that you need to be able to work well with all of our staff. You have to show up for all of our students and you have to have an open mind when considering board business. Um I do have concerns with board members uh who choose to um not represent themselves as a part of the board in group activities. For example, um if if we're walking in parades for the district um and people are not attending, if we're attending or
010not attending important district events, ceremonies for our students, recognition activities, um the foundation fundraisers, um choosing to speak on legislative issues before the legislature, uh and representing themselves as a board member of the largest district. I I don't think that serves the goal of cooperation, of working for the best interests of our district and of our students. And so I have grave concerns with with that um uh with that uh on the co-chair model. So, like Jeff, I I don't know exactly where I'll I'll land on this vote, but I I do have have serious concerns um with with [clears throat] some board member behaviors and what that would look like as a co-chair. I think because we have two nominations and there's multiple names, we'll have to um vote on each one individually. Uh
011so since the first nomination was made as uh Arco and Duchaine continuing um I'd like to go through and and call for a vote on that one and then we could also go and call for a vote uh on the second nomination if if board members agree to that approach so that we can have clarity on the vote that's occurring. Is there any any concern with that approach? Yeah. Okay. Um so uh for the first nomination of Arco and Duchaine, would all those in favor signify by saying I >> I. >> And all those opposed say no. >> No. >> Okay. So that uh does not pass. There are three in favor and three opposed. So that is not going to carry. So then uh the second nomination of director Langenfeld and Director Hookman. Uh
012would all those in favor of that nomination say I. I >> Okay. And all those opposed say no. >> No. >> Okay. So, we have four in favor of that nomination and two opposed. So, that will carry. Uh, so our new co-chairs are Director Langenfeld and Director Hookman. Congratulations. And I do want it stated the will of the board is what makes this a functioning body. And so when the majority of the board makes a decision, um I as a part of this board support that decision and wish nothing but success for those serving in this role and um am happy to be a source of knowledge if I can and transition to make this uh work well. Um, I would like to ask if we should consider um continuing through the rest of the
013votes or if we should pause and shuffle chairs. Does anyone have a have a preference? I'm happy to continue just facilitating the the few conversations we have here to keep us moving efficiently, but it has also been passboard practice to shift to the new co-chairs after that initial vote. I think we need to shift. >> Okay. So, we'll pause for a minute here and do some uh musical chairs and then we'll be right back. Is this like Thank you for the support. Um, continuing forward, we are now to the next officer role and that is of clerk. Are there any nominations for clerk? >> I'd like to nominate Jeff Simon. >> Are there any other nominations for clerk? Any other nominations? Hearing none, we'll take the vote. All in favor for Jeff Simon for our
014clerk, please say I. >> I. >> All those opposed with 6 passes. Jeff Simon is our clerk. Thank you. And moving forward now, we have uh nominations for clerk. We did that. All right. Moving on for treasure. Are there any nominations for treasure? Director Hulman, >> I'd like to nominate Director Adet. >> Director Adet. Any other nominations for treasurer? Any other nominations for treasurer? Hearing none, we'll be taking the vote. All in favor, signify by saying I for director Deep for treasurer. >> I. >> All oppose, say no. With six in favor and zero opposed, the nomination is approved. And so this completes our elections. And I'd like to thank everyone for placing their trust in us as board co-chairs. And we will do our very best um that we can do to serve. We'd
015also like to thank our board members who were willing to serve in these roles these last two years. Thank you very much. These are very hard and challenging jobs and we appreciate people willing to take these on. So thank you as we move forward. Now we'll move on to the next organizational item 4 C and that's our meeting dates. It's referenced in appendix C. As you look at that, is there a motion at this time to accept the 2025 2026 board meeting dates as presented? >> So moved. Okay. And my pen isn't working. Is there a second? >> Second. >> All right. Mr. Adette. Any discussion at this time on the dates? Any discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Any opposed say no. With six in favor
016and zero opposed. The 2026 27 meeting dates are approved. Moving on to 4 D. Designate official depositories referenced in appendix D. Is there a motion at this time to accept the designate the designate official depositories as presented? >> And that's director Simon. We have a motion from director Simon. Is there a second? >> Director Adet with a second from Director Adet. Is there any discussion? Yes, director Dasha. >> Thank you, co-chair Langenfeld. Um, just wanted to alert the board that I will be abstaining from voting on the designate official depositories as I don't want to create the even appearance of a conflict of interest with my day job. Any other discussion at this time? All right, we will take a vote on that. Um, those in favor, please signify by saying I. >> I. >>
017Any oppose say no. with five in favor and zero opposed and one abstension. It passes. Moving on. 4E is the designate official investment finance financial institutions. Is there a motion to accept the designate official investment financial institutions as presented? >> So moved. >> Move. Moved by director Simon. Is there a second? >> Second by director Adet. Any discussion at this time? Director Duchaine. >> Thank you, co-chair Langenfeld. Uh again, I will be abstaining from voting on this particular item to avoid even the appearance of a conflict with my day job. Thank you. >> Very good. Any other discussion? >> We will take the vote. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Any opposed say no. >> With five in favor and zero opposed and one abstension. It passes. Moving on. 4F
018delegation of authorities for MEGS which is the Minnesota education grant system referenced in appendix F. Is there a motion to accept the delegation of authority for MEGS as presented? So move. >> Thank you Director Simon. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Thank you Director Duchaine. Any discussion hearing? None. All those in favor say I. I. >> Any oppose say no. With six in favor and zero opposed, the agenda is approved. Moving on to 4G, designation of official newspapers. That's our next item. Moving on. Is there a motion to accept the designation of official newspapers as presented? >> All right, we have that motion. Thank you, Director Dashaine. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Thank you, Director Adet. Any discussion? All right. Hearing none. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Uh.
019Any opposed say no. With six in favor and zero opposed. Our designation of official newspapers is approved. Moving on. Delegation of authority for electronic fund transfers. And this is the authority for that. [clears throat] Is there a motion at this time to accept the delegation of authority for electronic fund transfers as presented? >> Thank you, Director Simon. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Thank you, Director Aette. Any discussion at this time? Hearing none, all those in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed say no. With six in favor and zero opposed, our delegation of authority for electronic funds transfers is approved. Moving on to 4 I, authorization to sign contracts referenced in appendix I. Is there a motion to accept the authorization to sign contracts as presented? >> Thank you, Director Dashaine. Is
020there a second? >> Thank you, Director Adet. Any discussion at this time? Hearing none. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Any oppose say no. With six in favor and zero opposed, our authorization to sign contracts is approved. 4 J. Designation of identified official with authority for education identity access management referenced in appendix J. Is there a motion to accept the designation of identified official with authority of education identity access management as presented? >> Thank you, Director Adet. Is there a second? Second. >> Thank you, Director Simon. Any discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Oppose say no. Six in favor and zero opposed. The designation of identified official with authority for education identity access management is approved. Expenses of board members. It is letter 4K and it's
021appendix K as well. Is there a motion to accept the expenses of board members as presented? >> So moved. >> Thank you, Director Simon. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Thank you, Director Duchaine. Um, any discussion? Yes, Director Simon. Thank you. Um, Michelle, I just a note that and I'm not sure when it started, but this has not increased or changed since I've been on it. So, for at least 13 years. Um, but I think even much longer than that. So, I just wanted to make note of that. >> Thank you. Any other discussion or comments? All right. Hearing none, we'll take a vote. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed say no. With six in favor and zero opposed, the designation Oh, I'm in the next one. Expenses of
022board members are approved. Moving on to appointments by the chair. These were actually from the prior chair of the co-chairs. We'll talk about that. Is there a motion to accept the appointments by the co-chairs as presented? >> Thank you, Director Duchaine. Second from anyone. >> Thank you, Director Simon. Any discussion? All right. hearing none. I do I do want to thank you for the work, co-chair Arco and co-chair Dashaine, for for uh taking our our priorities and putting them into our assignments. Thank you for doing that. All right, hearing none. Um all those in favor say I. >> I. >> All those opposed say no. With six in favor and zero opposed, the appointments by chair are approved. Moving forward to the consent consent agenda. Members, the next item on our agenda is item five,
023the consent agenda. And as normal, members can remove items from separate considerate for separate consideration and discussion if that's their desire. Is there a motion to accept the consent agenda as presented? >> I'd like to move the consent agenda as presented. >> Thank you, Director Simon. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Any discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. >> Any oppose say no. With six in favor and zero opposed, our consent agenda is approved. So we've not removed any items. >> All right. We're moving forward to communications, delegations, and petitions. Our next agenda, this is our agenda item six in communications, delegations and petition section of our meeting. This is the time for our community members to provide input directly to our school board about issues that fall
024within the school board's authority. And we plan for about 15 minutes. Right now, I only see one card. Our policy allows for community members to speak for up to five minutes, but if there are several persons that want to speak, the chair has the discretion to reduce the time to comment to hear from all and also to keep the meeting on schedule. During times of large community input, we have been flexible in allowing meeting to run late. Tonight, we have one card. Are there any other cards? We have one card. All right. So that will keep the meeting on time and I will ask co-chair uh Hman to monitor a timer and I would assume we can give this speaker up to five minutes tonight. Um so please um I have this yellow card. If
025there are others who would like to also fill out a yellow card at this point, you can please do so and give it to Miss Ball. And just a couple of procedural reminders, our meeting participation procedures are in place to assure open and orderly public comments as well as to protect the due process and privacy rights of individuals under the law. If speakers use specific names of students, of staff, or board members, I will need to interrupt and stop the speaker. Please remember to direct your comments directly to me as you speak. And members of the audience, please we invite you to and ask you to listen respectfully. And if the board cannot hear speakers, I may re have to reset the timer to allow those speakers. At this time, I would like to welcome
026Marian Yuma. Is that how you say your name? Welcome. Welcome to the board. Good evening, chair and members of the board. My name is Maryanne and this is my fiance Shelton and [snorts] we are parents in this district. We are here tonight to speak about student safety for everyone, students with disabilities and students without disabilities because safety is the foundation for learning. For students who are nonverbal, who may elope or who struggle to communicate distress, safety has to be built into the system so it doesn't depend on luck or whether a parent finds out after something goes wrong. First, we need strong, consistent training and accountability. around restrictive procedures and seclusion. Restrictive procedures are serious. When they're used incorrectly, they can escalate behavior, cause injury, and destroy trust, especially for children who can't tell you
027what happened. We are asking the board to ensure training is practical and ongoing, not a checkbox. Uh please ensure that staff have prevention and deescalation first. So restrictive procedures are truly a last resort. Clear guidance on what is permitted, what is not, and who is authorized. [snorts] Ongoing refreshers, not just one-time training. meaningful supervision and review when restrictive procedures occur, including pattern tracking and follow-up supports. And when restrictive procedure happens, families need timely, clear communication. Parents shouldn't have to chase information. Trust is built with transparency. Please allow Angel sense or comparable safety devices as a reasonable accommodation for students who are nonverbal or at risk of elopement. For some children, this isn't about convenience. It's about life safety. I'm asking the board to take action in three ways. Create a clear district procedure for requesting
028Angel Sense through the IEP process. Train administrators and staff so decisions are consistent across buildings. Balance privacy with safety by setting reasonable guidelines rather than blanket denial. To be clear, I'm not asking to disrupt the classroom or violate anyone's privacy. I'm asking for structured, thoughtful pathway for students who need additional safety supports. I'll close with this. When a child is non-verbal, families often carry the heavy burden of proving what their child cannot say. That is exhausting and it's preventable. Please prioritize safety for all students. Strengthen training and accountability around restrictive procedures and adopt a clear accommodation pathway for safety devices for students who need them. Thank you. >> Thank you. if you would like to leave a copy of your testimony or you're welcome to send it to um Miss Ball and then we can
029get it out to the rest of the board as well. >> Okay, sounds good. Thank you for your time. >> All right, the next agenda item is one more card. >> Oh, we do have one more card. All right. Very good. >> Hello Thank you and welcome to the board. >> Well, I feel very welcome here, which I think I told you last time I spoke, we have such a long history in Anoka Henipin and in the Sandberg building. Um, I'm Kathleen Seccon. I am a 49-year Anoka Henipin participating parent, teacher, retired teacher, and a community member that's been very involved in this school district over the years. I have a story that I'd like to tell you. And I think when I spoke last, I told you another SECON story. And I may have
030other opportunities to do that as well. When we first moved here in 1977, my husband accepted a position to start a new program called experience-based career education. And their location was right here in the Sandberg building was down on the bottom floor. They had a couple of classrooms. They had three primary teacher facilitators and they would make job assignments for students that would go out into the community and they'd have one day a week when they'd be back in school. So that's how we arrived here in Anoka County. We bought our home in Burns Township and at that point our son was a fourth grader who transferred to Ramsey Elementary. Our little girls weren't yet in school, but the following year, Rachel started kindergarten. She really became well known at Ramsay Elementary for a number
031of reasons, but she was a very Oh, she just loved school and she just loved finding out everything that was going on. and she was in third grade and we were all having supper I think that night and we were talking about our day and she said can I give Mrs. Rehus a birthday present present she's going to have a birthday next week and we said sure I think that would be good do you know what Mrs. Rhinus would like. She said yes. She would like a box of chalk. Chalk. This was spring of the year. They were running out of supplies. There was very little chalk left in the storoom. Teachers, of course, were supplementing by buying their own and probably telling children they had to limit their use of chalk on the board,
032drawing and writing little messages and all the kinds of little things third graders like to do. And yes, this was still the years of chalkboards, not whiteboards with your markers. It was chalk. And so we said, "Well, sure. and we wrapped up that box of chalk. She made a card for Mrs. Reinus and took it to school. And Mrs. Rhinus was very appreciative of that box of chalk. And the reason I chose this story is because I think it illustrates that you should not be concerned about asking for help when you're in trouble. I don't think Mrs. Rhinus asked kids for chalk. In fact, I'm sure she didn't. I think my observant Rachel just noticed that Mrs. Rhinus was kind of limiting the chalk because there wasn't much left. the parents, community members who have
033never been parents, community members who are grandparents, all sorts of community members want to be able to help. There have been numerous times over the years where Anoka Henovan has had budget trouble and I think the responsible thing to do is to ask the voters for help. They can let us know whether or not they are willing to approve some additional funds. And I'm a bit confused right now whether the correct word is an operating levy or a referendum. We're not talking about building schools. We're talking about operating funds. Whatever the proper term is, my request of you is please let us help. I would request a vote in the spring so that we have an opportunity to let those who are coming into our schools next year not have to face the dilemma that
034the students and parents and teachers are facing this year. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you Kathleen. Okay, moving forward. Our next agenda item is item seven, board calendar and district update. I'm going to turn it over to Superintendent McIntyre. >> Thank you, co-chair Langenfeld and board members. Good evening. Tonight, I'll be presenting some items of interest to the board and our community regarding the activities and events that we're proud of in our district. And we do this to celebrate our students, staff, and community members who are contributing to the accomplishment of our mission, which is to effectively educate each of our students for success. So, first of all, tonight, I just want to take a moment to address our efforts to ensure school safety and support during increased immigration status enforcement. We did
035send a message out earlier uh kind of late this afternoon, um to our community and our staff. Um, our schools have been working very hard to reassure our students and families that schools are a safe place with strong policies and procedures to protect student safety amid the increase in immigration enforcement concerns in the the metro area. As the school board's aware, the school district works closely with our local law law enforcement partners on matters of school safety. So, while immigration and customs enforcement activity has not been happening in our school sites, it has affected students and families we serve. And our administrators and teachers have been provided with information to help support families. And we've posted information on our district website as well to inform our community of our efforts to do our best to
036ensure uh students are safe. I've also reached out with a message as I mentioned earlier um today. So students and families should consider, you know, always having those uh family driven and agreed upon safe places and uh work with our caring staff uh to make sure that um they have the best plan for their family in regards to safety during uncertain times and really at all times of every day of the school year. All right, we'll move on to our next item and it's just a reminder of our district hiring event scheduled for February 11th. Anoka Hannipin's first hiring event of the new year for operational and support positions is Wednesday, February 11th from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the educational services center. Um, those attending can enter on at door 7. It's an opportunity
037to get hired on the spot the same day with interviews happening uh for PAR ed para educator custodian food service uh positions as well as after before and after school care positions. Uh if there's interest people complete can complete our application in advance at jobs.hschools. us and be ready to uh come and interview with hiring managers. Also a reminder that student registration's underway for the 2627 school year. So students in grades 5 through 11 are in the process for reg registering for classes for next year. For fifth grade students, this process is primarily about considering their preferred music course. Students in grades 6 through 11 have the option to select electives as well as the level of rigor in certain subjects. Parents and guardians are encouraged to review their children's selections and the registration process
038is completed online with details on how to register being sent out from individual schools. The district does use these class selections to determine the number of sections in and in turn the number of staff needed in each curricular area prior to our staffing deadline in early April. Now that process has been launched here in January. Anoka Henipin takes pride in providing a robust curriculum op set of options to meet the interests of our students and residents can review the registration guides for both middle school and high school on the district website at ahschools. us. And lastly, just a plug for our Anoka Henipin Educational Foundation. They are gearing up for the annual fundraising gala, the northern star celebration set for Saturday, February 7th from 5:30 to 10 at the Bunker Hills Event Center in Rapids.
039This is an entertaining and uplifting way to support students in our schools through the foundation's efforts. The event is open to members of the community who wish to attend. Now, I know the spaces are filling up fast, so I wouldn't wait much longer. Anyone interested should visit the a the ahf. us website for tickets and additional information. The dis district appreciates the efforts of our noipin educational foundation. They do so many things from a fundraising standpoint that turns into resources for our teachers in the classroom and uh we appreciate many corporate donors and individual donors who are also helping support the learning needs of our students. So thank you for that. So, Cochair Langenfeld, that uh concludes my superintendent's report this evening. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you, Superintendent McIntyre. Are there any comments
040before we move forward? Questions? The next item we have on our agenda is labor relations. Please welcome Dr. Jennifer Cherry, Chief Human Resource Officer. Good evening, co-chairs, new co-chairs, um members of the board, Superintendent McIntyre. Uh this evening, uh in your packet, you will find in appendix V, uh an updated contract for the 2025 through uh contract years for our school office supervisors. I'm pleased to announce that our school office supervisors represented by the Enoka Hannipan Educational Office Professionals Association have ratified a new 2-year agreement with the effective dates July 1, 2025 through June 30th of 2027. Thank you to the members of the employee and the district bargaining teams for their work in negotiating an updated employment contract. The updated terms and conditions include stop uh step in and longevity movement each year of
041the contract, a 2% increase to the base rate each year of the contract. Medical insurance contributions increased $40 um for single coverage and $75 for family coverage per month in year one. and an additional $95 for single coverage and $255 for family coverage per month in the second year of the contract. Uh it also includes a dental insurance contribution increase of $5 per month and a 403b matching district contribution is increased $130 per year. This total compensation package includes a 5.99% increase or approximately $217,000 in new money. The contract equals 7.5 million over the course of the two years of the contract. The proposed agreement is within the authority provided by the school board and as a result I'm seeking approval of the contract as presented. >> Board members, are there any comments or questions
042for Dr. Cherry? See none. If not, members, at this time before us is the approval of the 2025 2027 school office supervisor's master agreement as presented in appendix 5. At this time, I would entertain a motion to approve the 202527 school office supervisors master agreement. >> So moved. Thank you, Director Simon. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Thank you, Director Duchaine. So, motion by Director Simon, seconded by Director Shane. Any discussion? All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. All opposed say no. Hearing with six in favor and zero opposed, the motion is approved. And thank you for your work on that, Dr. Cherry. Thank you board. >> And now we have the next item which is a labor relations update. And again this again welcome again Dr. Cherry. >> Wonderful. Uh thank
043you again. Uh our labor relations update is getting a bit shorter each month. Um and uh just a reminder I do provide this labor relations update at our business meetings. Um, and the purpose of this is to review the status of negotiations at our public school board meetings in alignment with policy 209. It's consistent with open meeting law in Pelra that our detailed negotiation discussions are addressed in close session of the board. And this is our opportunity to present a status update um so that uh the board and the community is aware of um how our our contract negotiations are progressing. When we look at our contract negotiations, uh we have um four distinct bargaining goals that we uh strive for. The first is to focus on a collaborative bargaining pro process. Um we seek
044to have a legally sound and operationally manageable agreement with clear and concise language. Uh we are focused on recruitment and retention of very high quality staff throughout our district. And anytime we are uh seeking updated terms in a contract uh we ensure that we are fiscally responsible stewards of our taxpayer money uh within a fixed budget. When we think about the overall facts of our budget and um where uh and how we pay our salaries and benefits in our school district, our fiscical year 26 general fund salaries and benefits total approximately $539 million. Our salaries and benefits are about 82% of our general fund budget. And when we um are looking at our fiscal year 26 budget um that is uh for the current year, it did include a 2 and a half% increase in
045salaries and a 5% increase in benefits. Uh overview of our employee groups. Um we have five unaffiliated these are non-bargaining groups in our school district and 13 collective bargaining groups. We have uh several now with 2025 through 2027 master agreements. uh we have uh a set that are still functioning on 2024 through 2026 master agreements and we have three remaining or I'm sorry uh uh three remaining groups with 2023 through 2025 uh master agreements in place. Next I'll talk about each of those three uh in greater detail. The first being our teachers is this is our largest group of employees. It includes all of our K12 teachers as well as adult basic education, early childhood family education and preschool teachers. Our teachers are represented by Anoka Hannipan Education Minnesota Local 7007. There are approximately 3,200
046employees in this group and I am um happy to announce that on January 7th we did reach a tenative agreement with this group of employees. Uh our teachers are in the process now of ratifying the tenative agreement. They're reviewing that this week. Uh if it is ratified, uh we will bring it to the board for authorization at the next board meeting. Uh just a note, uh with tenative agreements, that information of the the detailed information in that tenative agreement, uh we reserve revealing those details until we bring it forward for your authorization. Um then uh moving forward we have two additional groups that are still open um that we are in the process of uh moving forward with negotiations. The first being community school programmers and early childhood screeners. Uh these are education support professionals
047represented again by an NOA Henipin Education Minnesota. This is a small group of only nine uh nine individuals and um uh being that they are also represented by Noaniban Education Minnesota, we typically wait to begin negotiating with this group until the um teachers uh contract has has um uh been updated. Uh we also have one additional administrative group, our special education administrators. This is um a group that's represented by the Special Education Program Supervisors Association. We have approximately 15 employees in this group. And our first meeting with this group is um scheduled for January 28th. And like I said, our updates are getting shorter and shorter as we go through the year. Um we will provide regular updates at schoolboard meetings as needed. uh and then continue to update our negotiations website on the school
048district uh school district uh website. And with that, I'm open to any comments or questions the board may have. >> Thank you, Dr. Cherry. Any questions for Dr. Cherry? Yes, Director Simon. >> Thanks, Michelle. Um two quick things uh or one quick thing on this. Just thank you very much for all of your and your team's work. Um and also thank you to the uh Noah Henipin Education Minnesota negotiation team too. That was you guys had a lot of meetings. You [clears throat] had a lot of discussions. You were very flexible. I think your council to the board and the district was wonderful. So um thank you to both teams. >> Thank you. >> Any other comments? Yes, director. >> Um thank you. Uh just quick question. Why is it that many of these contracts,
049but I guess let's focus on the teachers. Why is their contract, at least for the years I've been on the board, always approved midschool year as opposed to like before school starts? >> Uh, that's a great question about the timing of of negotiations. Our contracts run from July 1 of any given year uh to June 30th, two years later. uh with our teachers being our largest group and it is the largest impact on our budget and they also um uh uh negotiate or their contract is up during uh the same time where it's also a a legislative session uh that includes some financial um um big financial decisions that are made around uh our own budget. So we typically wait until the legislative session concludes before we begin negotiating. So we we typically begin in
050late May, early June. Um and then uh it is always our goal to have a contract uh settled before the school year starts. Um so that um the the idea of retro or figuring out um what contract pertains to which year uh is not in question, but uh it is not uncommon for us to um take a little bit longer, especially with such a large group. >> Um it well I mean just since I've been on the board that's all I've experienced so far is it going into the year. So I guess the my question my followup would be is it reasonable that in the future we could do it before the school year starts like if that was a stated goal of both the union and the district. Do you think that could actually
051come to pass or >> it it could come to pass if there was a commitment on both sides to um uh not only meet earlier but come to consensus quicker. Um, we always have a lot of language items. The contract is for teachers is the most complex contract um, in that it's it's nearly 80 pages long. So, there's always a lot to talk about, but uh, I think uh, you rais a good point uh, director in that um, if there it does take commitment on both sides, both the the, um, the district and and the, um, employee group, the union. So, if I could do one more followup, if you had to put your finger on it, you certainly don't have to. >> Um, which side or perhaps both sides are lacking that commitment currently?
052>> Uh, I think it's a again it's a commitment on both sides. Um, and uh an understanding of what the priorities are and how how quickly um we can get to agreement on on the open items. Director Simon. >> Um, Zack, just a little bit of background. We did have uh a number of years where we settled before the school year started. So, in the history of Inoka Anand, we have had that, but I think Jennifer is completely right. Um, both sides have to well, I think the district would always like to settle before the school year, but both sides have to be in agreement. Um, and I think the key a key point is the legislative session. Sometimes sometimes just wait to see. Now maybe it'll be different going forward because we get what
053we get. You know, there isn't probably going to be big pots of money given to education potentially. So maybe that can change in the future. But in the past, we have settled a number of times before the school year started. And I would say that um in my experience um that partnership has been a huge benefit in not only the the contract, the final contract, put it that way. Um but also for the um morale of the entire district. I I think there's huge benefits to that. So I would suggest hopefully this board would agree that from the board and the district we always try to do that. I would hope so. I don't know if that helps or not. >> Thank you, Director Simon. Superintendent McIntyre. >> Yeah, thank you. Cochair Langfeld. Another piece
054of that puzzle is um the board acts on the adopted budget in June right before that window opens as well. So that helps set the board parameters around, you know, we go through that discussion throughout the year, but once the board officially acts on that, that really helps the negotiating team and the and the union move forward with um the the formal expectations of the board around that that coming budget. So all those things kind of come together um through the spring and when the session's on time, it helps land land those expectations. Any other questions or comments for Dr. Cherry? Thank you for your presentation and update tonight. And again, I echo Director Simon's comments and thank you for your team effort uh to get to a tentative agreement and as well as HM
05520 hours of straight discussion spoke to volumes in terms of people wanting to be able to get to a better place. So, thanks for all that hard work. >> Thank you. >> At this time, it is 25 minutes after 7 um which is we are nearing the end of our last board agenda item and this is a time for the board to share. Um members, this is our time to share happenings in our community, uh your community specifically, report on committee assignments or other items of interest. And at this time in board correspondence and communication, does anyone have anything to share? >> Director Desaine. >> Thank you. I just wanted to share um a plug for our unified clubs. I had the chance to attend a basketball game, Champlain Park versus Rapids. Uh two schools
056that are dear to me and it was an excellent game and over halftime, the unified club played a basketball game. they are focused on inclusion and acceptance and spreading welcoming uh environments inside of our schools. So, uh wonderful job to them to the program coordinators that lead that effort and I encourage you all to get the chance to see and live unified if you can. >> Very good. >> Director Simon, >> um so beyond just the um the great news of a uh tenative teacher contract, part of that was we got to continue activities. So, um, I was able to go out to the alpine ski meet and most of our high school, I think all of our high schools were there, but, um, the kids and parents were very excited. Um, so get out
057to activities if you can, the entire community. And the last thing is just board members, I know we're going to adjourn and you're going to want to run to see the GOAT quarterback play in a playoff game tonight, but stay. I need your signatures before you go, so please don't run out. Thanks. >> Very good. Anyone else? I would like just like to update folks. Um, we have the upcoming Minnesota School Board Association convention coming up here beginning on Wednesday. And on Friday, Anoka Henipin has a team that will be presenting on literacy and I am fortunate to be part of that as well. Um, talking about Bridge to Read and our journey as a district and Superintendent McIntyre will be there as well and to present. Um, this is an important story to share.
058um and students continue to be um improving in their literacy, which is our board priority. So, I'm very excited to be part of that and to uplift our story, and also learn with and from fellow board members um throughout this journey. And I know uh director Duchaine is going to be part of the elections down there as well on participating as well. So, thank you for that and that time to share this and uh looking forward to um other opportunities for the school board association as well. They do really great work. Any other comments or things for us before we adjourn. So, at this time we are to uh adjournment item 10. Do we have a motion to adjurnn? >> Thank you, Director Simon. Uh do we have a second? >> Second. >> All right.
059with a second from director Aette. Is there any discussion? >> All in favor say I. >> I. Any oppose say nay. With six in favor and zero opposed, we are adjourned and the current time is 7:30 p.m. These are the signatures.