001I'm going to call the regular school board order meeting to order. Show that all board members are present. First, we need a motion to approve the agenda. >> Moved by Shabilian, >> second by Sixberry. Any other discussions? All in favor? >> I oppose. Motion carries. Please stand for the pledge. >> 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. >> Okay, we have one open forum. Uh before we do the open forum, I will read the rules for open forum. If you would like to address the board, please fill a slip with your name and address and provide it to chair before the meeting. Speakers must state their name. Each speaker will provided
002three minutes. No action can be taken unless the matter addressed is formally on the agenda. Speaker will not make negative comments regarding any employee of the district. The board chair can end open form at any time. Please note that data privacy laws do not allow for any matters concerning individual employees or students to be discussed. Okay, Greta. Thank you. Okay. Are there any other open forms? Any other open forms? Okay. We will move on. Uh we have the consent agenda, the previous minutes from the December 17th truth truth and taxation hearing, the December 17th regular board meeting, the January 7th organizational meeting, and the January 7th work session. Claims and accounts in the amount of $1,815,164.73, the credit card report, the personnel report, and the audit report. >> Make a motion to approve the consent
003agenda. >> Motion made by Shabilian, second by Hancock. Any other discussion? All in favor? >> I oppose. Motion carries. On to donations. I will make a motion to approve the donations. Second by Sixberry. Any other discussion? All in favor? >> I oppose. Motion carries. Financial report. Angie. Good evening, school board members. Uh we'll talk about the next on the next slide we'll give an enrollment update and um this will be an interesting update this month. Uh so typically I measure I measure from December 1st until like the 1 of the next month. So December 1st to January 1st or in this case January 5th because that was the first day we were back. Um during that time period we gained three um three students, three ADMs and um but yet at that point in time
004we are still below our budget by five ADMs and we saw during that time period we saw an enrollment shift from the middle school high school to 612 Big Lake online. I checked enrollment as of today at 400 pm. So from January 5th to today, we are actually up 24 students. Um mainly in both our online programs. Um we are up in 612 online 27 students. We are up in K5 online 10 students. And then we've had a shift. I mean some shift like middle school and high school and independence all decrease some students but we have a net gain. Um, so what that's telling me is that we've got students enrolling um, el from elsewhere into our online programs. So I just want to share that good news with the school board because as
005of January 5th um, you know, we were we were still short of our budget by five students, but with this influx, you know, I don't know how long it's going to last. Um, but we'll we'll see that change. Um, so just wanted to give you up-to-date information um, regarding that shift. And again, this graph, you see this every month and um it shows, you know, our enrollment is is below that budgeted yellow line. We're below the budget, but again, I anticipate that may change um in future months if we keep those students in in Big Lake Online. Um this is the summary budget report that you see every month and there are no budget revisions for January. Um yeah, keep going. That's fine. Um, but I do want to take a little bit of time
006and talk about specific fund balance types because the district has several different types of fund balances and I just want to explain what they all mean. So, we'll start out by talking about the restricted fund balances. And this first the first paragraph there is language that I pulled right from our audit. These amounts are restricted for specific purposes typically as a result of laws or regulations of other governments such as the state of Minnesota or imposed by law through enabling legislation. So some examples include LTFM um operating capital, capital projects levy or you you'll hear us talk about our tech levy staff development and basic skills. So I I just want to talk a little bit about those examples. LTFM restricted fund balance accounts for our levy proceeds for for LTFM as well as as
007our facilities projects that qualify for LTFM. Um we can't use that that fund balance can't be used for for example like for staffing wages. Um it's just basically facilities projects. Um operating capital kind of the same concept. We we get a separate aid for um like for example like equipment and also facilities. There's a limited amount of staffing we can take from that fund balance but we we it it's not for general operating expenses. The tech levy is the same way that that is that levy that was approved by the voters several years ago um was renewed I believe it was two years ago and um so we get that's a levy an an additional levy technology levy that is used specifically for technology items such as Chromebooks um servers and so on. Um, so
008just want to kind of share with the board, you know, what what that fund balance is for. Staff development kind of self-explanatory. That's a fund balance that's set aside. We get a portion of our genet aid that is supposed to be set aside for staff development, not only for teachers, but also for pair educators and um other district staff. And so we have to set aside um that that's basically as a as a result of a law, the state of Minnesota. And the last one, and we have more restricted fund balances, but I just picked the larger ones just to talk about basic skills or you'll you'll hear you'll hear me talk about compensatory. So that fund that's money that we get set aside that is supposed to help our at risk learners. Um a
009common example of that fund balance would be we might be adding teachers in a classroom to lower class sizes. Um so then they can spend more time on servicing some of the atrisisk learners. Um we can we can pay for like um for example social workers out of basic skills again because they work with our at risk learners. So um just wanted to give you some examples of those restricted fund balances. And then we have another type and this is called a committed fund balance and this one that they're amounts that can only be used for specific purposes pursuant to constraints imposed by the school board. So in other words, the school board has to take action and the school board has done that several years ago in the committed for severance that that are
010dollars set aside for future contractual severance liabilities. Um, this fund balance is looked upon favorably by bond rating agencies knowing that the district has been setting aside resources to pay these liabilities. The next type of fund balance are assigned fund balance and this one the school board delegates to the director of business services after consultation with the finance committee the authority to assign fund balance for specific purposes. So examples there too, um, athletics and activities. Um, you might hear me call call it our fund 11, but that accounts for all the resources and expenses of our of all our athletics and activities costs. Um, building level activities is is um, another word for that is student activities. A big example here is student council. Um, curriculum materials. Um, I know Minda has presented several times
011about the about how the cost of curriculum is going up because there there's a shift from using the traditional textbook to subscriptions and they are ongoing costs every year. So, we set aside dollars to basically help fund those increased costs that we know we're going to be seeing every year. The next one, insurance deductible. This is this has been a change and I'm thinking many of you may have felt this is that we no longer have a 25,000 or a $50,000 deductible. Those days are gone. Um we we have a deductible of 1% of the value of our buildings. Okay, our property insurance I should say. So if we would have a catastrophic I use the example of a tornado um our deductible in the millions of dollars and that's just the insurance market right
012now. It's a hard market. I don't know that it'll ever go back. And so we've got to set aside money in the case that that catastrophe does happen. E even if we um you know have a storm where even one building is damaged, it's just 1% of the value is our is our deductible. So we set aside money in the event that that would happen. And then last example is replacement of of vans in the activities bus. Um what we do is we take depreciation. Basically, what we're doing is setting aside money so we have money when we need to replace them. Um, again, the biggest example is activities bus. We have um we spent over $100,000 on it and when it ages out, we would have the money then to re to replace it.
013So, we we set aside um money in that fund balance. The last one of of like a a fund balance set aside, and this is um it's called non-spendable. Um, basically what this is, and again I I took this language right from the audit report, but essentially the district has spent the money. So, and a good example is prepaid insurance. Okay, our renewal is July 1st and um but we have to pay our insurance premium prior to July 1st. So, we spent the money. So, in other words, that money is not available. So, we have to set that aside in what's called a non-spendable fund balance. And last but not least, then we have the unassign. And this is this is the fund balance that's not been assigned to other funds. It's not been restricted,
014committed, or assigned for specific purpose. This is the fund balance that's available for general operating costs. Um our the district's fund balance goal is 9 to 12% of general fund operating expenditures. It does not include any committed, restricted or assigned fund balance expenditures. And so I just took basically the budget that you see every month. Um so our projected fund balance at the end of 2526 will be 17.8%. Um and that's after $2.1 million in deficit spending which which you are all aware of. And just just some couple slides here. Why? Why does a district need a fund balance? We all know there's some uncertainty at the federal level. Um federal funding uncertainty. Um unfunded state mandates. We I if I remember correctly, we talked about that last month. Um and I use the example
015of paid family medical leave. Extra costs, no funding. Um future state budget deficits and future budget cuts. I am anticipating this may happen um if the state continues to have budget issues. There's something called a payment shift. Right now it it's what I call you'll hear me say it's currently at 9010. So we get 90% in the current year, 10% in the following year of funding that that is owed to school districts. Back in the height of the recession, we had gone to 6040. So what that means is we got 60% of what was owed to us and we still had to recognize the revenue but we didn't have the cash and then 40 and then we got 40% in the following year. And so what happens when they shift payment shifts and then um
016the tax shift is is another I call it an accounting gimmick. I don't know what else you call it. It was something MDE has used in the past to solve their budget problems where there again money is shifted into the current year. We have to recognize the revenue but we don't have the cash. And what as a result of what what happens when when something like this happens is we have to cash flow borrow and cash flow because basically we need to cash flow borrow to make payroll and there's cost to cash borrowing. I mean just think of it as like a line of credit. Um, I can remember back in the recession years when the payment schedule was 6040 and they had the tax shift. I mean, we were borrowing millions of dollars and
017our interest cost. Um, you know, I think if I'm remembering one year, I thought it was close to $100,000. You know, that's that that's a significant cost hitting our fund balance and fund balance available for operations. So that is probably the biggest reason why we have to have a fund balance is is to prevent for these unknowns. Um lastly I want to give a uh district office staffing update. Um currently, uh the superintendent and myself, and I just shared this with the finance committee, um before this meeting, um we are working on a succession plan for myself. Um I am looking at retiring probably in July of 2027, so I'm not going away anytime soon. Um but I would like to reduce my hours. And the good news is we have a very strong internal
018candidate. Um but there could be a domino effect. Um because we got to replace that per you know if she would get the position we'd have to replace that person and so on. So that is one of the reasons why I wanted to give the school board uh superintendent troubach plenty of notice um so we could work on that succession plan. I can mentor the new person. Um because there's not a lot of people going into this position. I just spoke with another district that has an opening. Um that person is retiring June 30th of this year. They only have four applicants. No one with school district experience. So they're kind of beside themselves right now. So I just wanted to give the district I care about this district. I care about these kids. And
019I wanted to give plenty I just want to give plenty of notice so we have a successful succession plan and the district can operate as normal when I'm gone which you will. >> So good job Angie. I know that was that was a lot. I do I do I just I just have to say you know when she first mentioned this to me I was like oh no how many of us at this table were like come on. But I also know that she's worked really hard and she's earned this. So you're here for another year and a half or so. So, I'm not going to do that whole piece, but I do thank you for letting us know well in advance and we can figure out a succession plan to uh umffect efficiently and
020effectively uh transition to a new person in your role. Won't be the same. Uh but we appreciate the heads up on that and and also too we'll we what we'll do is we'll build that succession plan into our budgeting process >> as we move into the future here. So stay tuned on those details as we kind of that kind of unfolds. But um Angie was adamant that she mentioned it to all the board members kind of the same time. So u appreciate it. >> Yeah. And and and like I I'm a phone call away, >> you know, after after I'm done. And we're not going to talk about that yet. We're not going to talk about year. >> You got a year. We have plenty of time and plenty of time to figure things out
021and and you know, one of the things we talked about with the finance committee is documenting some procedures. Yes. You know, so so to set up the my successor so they've got something in writing that they can refer to. So, all right. And um I guess that's all I have. Unless there's any questions for me. >> Any questions for Angie? Any motion to approve the financial report? >> A motion. >> Motion made by Nelson. >> Second by Brown. Any other discussion? All in favor? >> I opposed. Motion carries. Thank you, Angie. >> Thank you, Angie. uh resolution for program reduction. >> Uh yes, Madam Chair, members of the board, this is a standard resolution that uh over time school districts use this resolution to kind of engage uh the budgeting process um which basically directs
022uh the board directs administration um and the employees to consider um some adjustments based on our financial situation. And uh so this is a standard resolution that I would recommend that you approve at this point. That's a resolution. We'll do a roll call vote. Is there a motion to approve the resolution? >> I'll make the motion. >> But who wants it? >> Motion made by Sixberry. Do you want a second? >> Second by Shabilian. Any other discussion? Okay, it's a roll call vote. We'll start with Nelson. I >> Hancock. >> Sixberry. I >> Rezner. I Shabilian. >> Brown. >> Okay, the resolution passes. Okay. Approve noncore program class size range. >> And that's me again. So, um, so what you have up there, th this is the current board approved class size ranges. Um but
023as we discussed at the work session here a few weeks ago um we talked about changing the non-core programs from variable and change those also to a range of 26 to 30 but also have a caveat in there um that that any non-core program class sizes below 26 requires the approval of the superintendent and assistant superintendent. So we may have some non-core program class sizes that are below 26, but it just would require appro approval from the superintendent and assistant superintendent. >> And we discussed last time some of those are for safety reasons. They have to be smaller class. >> Yep. Exactly. >> But they just need to be pre >> Yeah. So we we just we want to memorialize that and then we'll change this document. >> And if I can just add um
024with the engagement of that resolution that uh allows us to take a look at some of those reductions. This kind of builds the parameters and that we're looking at from a class size perspective. Just to note, we're not necessarily um increasing class sizes. We are just clearing up that term variable um so that we're standardized so that we kind of have a gauge as to what we need to look at. So it's building it's building the box in which we have to live with it. >> So you want us to make a motion? >> Make a motion to uh Yes, >> just to change the variable. >> Yep. >> I'll make a motion to change the um noncore programs um the word variable to 26 to 30. Um, with the caveat of any non-core program
025class sizes below 26 require approval from the superintendent and assistant superintendent. >> Okay. Motion made by Sixberry, second by Nelson. Any other questions or discussion? All in favor? >> I opposed. Motion carries. Okay. Uh, approve amended LTFM plan. Uh, second one. Oh. Oh. Oh, okay. You're going to project. >> You want the second one? >> Yeah. I don't know what just one >> Oh, it's very small. It's very small. >> Zoom in. >> Okay. Yeah. Zoom in on that. Yeah, there we go. >> Yeah, there you go. There you go. Right there. Right there. Right there. Okay. >> Do you want to start or you want me to start? >> I'll let you. >> Okay. Okay. Um we did review this actually with the finance committee too um just before the board meeting. But this
026amended plan, what we're bringing to you is that our pool project um which which is what we call a pay a pay as you go um IQ indoor air quality project. >> Um we initially had approved a plan of those costs of being 1.3 million. Um but after we got bids and maybe I'll let you talk about that a little bit further. The costs end up being higher. I'll let you take >> So, after the initial design, we just kind of looked at just kind of replacing the unit. Once we actually got into it and looked at, you know, the actual space, all the different components that need to be replaced, um, access to some of those components, um, of course, some of those costs start to add up a little bit as the piping
027had to be replaced, the lighting had to be replaced in order to get to the duck work. Um, so we're putting in products that will have new anchors, so that way there's nothing has been, you know, hanging up there in that chlorine environment for the last 27 years. Um, so everything will be fresh, freshly anchored and then they'll be um longer lasting products. So we're trying to move away from as much metal as possible. So we're doing a fabric duct and and stuff like that. Plus, we also are replacing the locker room air handling unit as well as the pool air handling unit and then the office area as well. So that way all of those spaces will be properly conditioned to help prevent further erosion of those facilities. So if there's any other questions,
028>> I just want to go over one more thing. Sure. So I'm going to take over. Um can you can you actually so they can see that I want them to see the whole fund balance. >> So if you keep Yeah. What what I what I want to mention is so TJ and I um we actually had a virtual meeting with Sarah Miller at the Department of Education and so what she like what she mentioned is so so you see that it's like highlighted is that a kind of yellowish green that's the extra cost the 1 million78 677 um but the but the way this works is is that it comes through as a levy adjustment like two years later and so essentially what the district has to do and you can see see that
029negative. So we we have to cash flow it. So bottom line what happened is is the project costs more than the original estimates but we have to wait a couple years to get them get the revenue from the department of education. So again another reason to have fund balances. So we're going to have to cash flow the LTFM will go into a deficit LTFM fund balance but that's allowed knowing that we're going to get this revenue a couple years later. It just takes that long for the levy to catch up. Um because the because they'll they'll take our final UFAR's data June 30th of 2026 which is not final or which the state pulls the numbers in January of 27 and then it comes through as a levy adjustment like a year later after that.
030It just takes that long with the levy process for these adjustments to come through. So I I >> did we have any other projects that we were expecting to pull from that that now we have a deficit? >> Were we expecting to have any other projects you know expecting a fund balance in there? Is this postponing any other projects by having deficit? >> No. No. >> No. Because this is an additional levy authority um >> okay >> funding. So it's not affecting the other balances. Um, we are kind of in our kind of low period right now for funding with LTFN just because we had bonded for so many projects over the past. Um, so once those payments start to drop off, which we'll start to see here in a couple years, then we'll be
031able to start doing either more payroll projects or, you know, relatively soon here, we could even look at maybe tackling maybe a little bit more bonding and paying for stuff a little bit further out, but being able to address the needs now. So, you know, we still have windows and doors and some of those types of things, but we still have funding that would be available to pay for those. >> So, so essentially with this additional levy authority, >> we I mean what we would have had to have done was take that million dollars out of other resources and >> we're just adjusting the levy is what we're doing. And then we have to borrow from our fund balance and then that money when that money comes in, we'll pay the fund balance back. Does
032that make sense? >> Right. Right. We're kind of borrowing from ourselves. I I guess is is a way to >> I just want wasn't sure if there was any. >> Yes. >> Yeah. Yep. >> Yeah. And so so I also, you know, if we take this out a bit further, so because this is going to be coming in future years, um we know we have the um um blinking out the track project. We have the track project coming up. So, what what I'll do is is work with Ellers, our financial advisors. So, when we set up that that lease that lease to fund the um >> track track Thank you. I'm mixing up all my projects to fund the track. We will factor that that in so we still maintain the board goal of having
033a stable tax rate. Does that make sense? I just want to assure the board of that that we will we will be in communications with them that this is happening in the future so they can structure that lease accordingly. >> That was my next question. >> Okay. Okay. Yep. Um I think that's it. I guess there's any other questions. >> Yeah, it is a resolution format. Yeah. Yeah. Sarah mentioned we have to do the same thing that we do in July. So, yeah. Other discussions? This is a resolution vote. So Nelson, >> Hancock, >> hi, >> Sixberry. >> I, >> Rezner, I, Shabilian, >> I, >> Brown, >> hi. >> The resolution passes. >> Okay. Liberty Elementary School short-term radon testing results. >> It's exciting. >> Get this back to John. That's my favorite. >>
034I'm going to break it. All right. So, radon. Exciting time of year. >> It is. >> It's that time of year again where we get to talk about radon. So, um we've had 111 radon test kits installed over December 16th to the 19th over at Liberty Elementary School in 94 locations. Wonderful news is all 94 of those test kits came back with a clear bill health, which means we have good indoor air quality. Um, in case you don't know, radon is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, radioactive gas that according to the United States EPA is leading cause of uh lung cancer in non-smokers. So, for those of you that have a basement at home, I highly recommend from time to time doing a radon test. um you spend a lot of time in your home and
035you can get exposed to this gas just because it's present in the soils here in Minnesota, especially Sherburn County with our our sand and gravel. So, any questions? I think next year we get to skip the radon for one year and then we get to jump back into radon again. So, I just need to uh inform the board. So, we don't have any resolution or anything. So, >> okay. >> All right. Thank you. TJ >> uh school board committee representative updates uh finance committee Amber. >> Yeah. Um so we met right before this meeting um and we did review the preliminary um budget projections and um as we all know the operating levy didn't pass and so unfortunately we're looking at having to cut up to $1.5 million um over the next year. Um, our
036goal is to have final budget projections out um by the March meeting. So, >> decisions, sorry. >> Yeah, decisions by the March meeting. >> So, >> we'll probably have some discussion in the next couple work sessions, though. >> So, not the best news, but we're working on it. >> Okay. Policy committee, you haven't met yet? >> No. >> Okay. Uh, buildings and grounds, we haven't met yet. TJ will be tracking you down to get a date. >> So stay tuned. >> Stay tuned. Any other school board representatives? Right. Touch or >> no. >> Tomorrow night we have our our co-op board meeting. >> Yeah. Staff meets next week. >> Staff meets next week. >> Right. >> Ashley and I were able to attend the Minnesota school board conference. >> So lots of interesting speakers there.
037>> Do you have something? >> I did. And then I totally spaced it. So then you brought it up. >> You did. I'm like, what did we do? We were really busy. Tanya, what are we doing? >> We spent two days down in >> That's right. >> We spent two days in Minneapolis. Um, so I just, you know, just kind of an overview of some of the things that um I participated in, just so you know what my time was spent on. So I did the federal legislative update. Um, basically everything is still unknown. Um, it was an hour to tell us that. Um it seems more moderated than it was a year ago. So that's encouraging, but there's still a lot of um things up in the air. Um I went to a very
038interesting presentation on navigating the AI frontier in education that was put on by the University of Minnesota. Unfortunately, it was a round table, so it was really hard to hear, but um I signed up for their mailing list, so I just got like a huge dump of information today. So I am going to start to go through all that. um went to a um good presentation on community engagement um that was put on by our neighbors. Uh Linda, you and I, Linda, >> yes. Yes. Um so kind of came up with some good good ideas hopefully to kind of engage our community a little bit more. Um I also went to a very interesting one about um scorecards for student success um and different benchmarks that other schools are using to track their students. um
039preparedness for career, college, and life. Um so that was kind of interesting. Um it was it's I I find value in finding and seeing what the other districts are doing. Um just hopefully uh we can bring a few ideas to keep us moving forward as well. So those are the highlights. I was just going to let you know for right tech, we really just worked on finishing up old business. So nothing nothing new. >> We did since the last meeting. I think I don't think we met the joint meeting. >> Oh, we did that. >> We did that. Yes. Yes. So, it was it was on the 15th and uh we met with the city uh county uh and the townships. Uh it's always a little bit different because we're the only entity whose fiscal
040um calendar is is starts on July 1. All the rest of them and uh December at the end of December. So, um they're kind of giving a summary of the year and we're like right in the middle of our fiscal year. So, it's a little bit different. Uh but it is always nice to kind of get caught up with all those uh different entities. There are some large developments. We just need them to get filled and uh um with families, students come to school here and uh so but I think they're they're really working hard for our community. So it's always a good meeting. And then also to yesterday, yesterday I went to a chamber lunchon uh and the city gave basically the same sit same presentation they gave at the joint uh meeting which
041was basically the state of the city and a large portion of that was around their public safety building and um that piece there and there was some discussions around that. So it's good presentation um but a lot of information it's action-packed as always. >> I don't think there's any other ones. So we will turn it over to So starting my reporting one of the largest senior classes ever really sad but excited to see what they do next. Next we have the one act production. Their performances have been underway for a while. Um and the big casting crew have had a few members win very support. Um next we have the winter council for a cause. We had around 100 items donated this year and um Cameron's class was donated the most and will be rewarded
042with hot chocolate in the upcoming week or next week. And then obviously snow day's week is this week. Um we started off Monday with a pep fest. Tuesday boys volleyball game. Thursday we'll have our snow cand session and then Friday following another pest. Saturday and dance student puzzles been working really and enjoyable. Um, got a little crazy with pizza boxes on Monday. Um, but it was really fun. Honor band and honor choir from Mississippi. Um, high school musicians got to go participate in St. Francis High School. Um, they spent time rehearsing all day at St. Francis as well as outside school and high school as well. They had a concert also on the 19th. Big Lake Robotics hosted Elk River and Marcelo for season kickoff and then poetry allowed us today. Students competed their chosen
043pieces of poetry. Um Linda Stokes first in second knowledge has their conference coming up and then that's the end of my report. We should have coordinated because because we got >> and you always have to follow her. >> I know. I always have to follow her. Madam chair, that's no fair. >> I have a question and I'm putting you on the spot. >> Oh boy. Answer how many student. >> Thank you, Alexis. >> Okay, now you get to follow that. >> All right. All right. I will do my best. A couple things. So, yes. Um I'm going to get to that afterwards. I'll get to some of the other things. Um, I do have a couple department updates. Um, TJ needs to visit with the B&G just to arrange uh, uh, committee just to arrange
044a date to meet. I mentioned that earlier. And Minda has just a couple things that she needs to talk about. Some assessment and PD, I believe, is what she's going to update us on. >> All right. I was afraid my computer was going to go dead, so I actually printed this. Um, so I just wanted you're gonna get to see me this month and I'm going to update you on some PD that we had. January 19th was our PD day. It was a busy day. Um, we had three hours of district professional development. Um, which included we had paraprofessional literacy and that's mandated by MDE. So we're implementing that. Um, we did a makeup session, so resource training and solutions and Katie Anenson helped with that. Letters training for our K2 teachers and K5 sped
045teachers. We're in our second year. They were on unit seven and eight. Um Sarah Edgar is leading that. Ola training, new K5 teachers and K12 sped teachers, Kiana Bolen Pearson and Ryan Pertie were leading that. We had curriculum adoption work happening, K5 social studies with Casey Young, which also just came back from Becker tonight because we were over there um looking at uh resources. We had K8 social studies, Allison Sand and City Patton helping with that. 912 social studies, Shallon Torter helping K5 math, John Advil, K8 math, Jake Clingalheads and Alicia Breast, and 912 math with Jake. Uh, we also had reading and behavior intervention groups by building with Ben Bonnet helping our CAP music project um with Perpich attending and Hannah Hermanson and Bri Hawkins. ELA implementation K8 with Katie Aninsson and various principal
046support with that. assessment groups. Ryan Pretty leading that as well. And then all the rest of our teachers were in curriculum groups working on standards, instructional practices, alignment, assessment, learning progression, student needs. And that includes health, art, fied, science, world language, CTE, STEM, STEAM, special education, EL, and SLP teachers. And that was just the morning. We then in the afternoon moved on to school goals, EL updates. We had our EL teachers present to all of our buildings about um translators and interpreters. And so that was a great presentation. Um we had MTSS, safety, researchbased instruct, instructional practice, assessment, grading practices, and data at the various school buildings. So you can see that our PD days are jam-packed and um everybody is doing a lot of work that day. Our next PD day is February 6th
047where we're going to continue to work on curriculum literacy and also our wellness initiatives. Any questions on PD? It was a lot. Um our assessment, I want to give you an assessment window because it is January. So that's our next dip into universal screening. So we have access testing which is our English English language proficiency tests. Um, our EL teachers do those and they test in listening, reading, speaking, and writing skills with all of our EL students. So, that is starting now. Usually takes about two weeks. We have some of our students have moved online, so it might take a little longer this year, so um, we're doing our best. ACT is February 24th. Um, by statute, we offer it to our 11th or 12th grade students. Um, and this year we're adding science. So,
048um, that's new. FastBridge testing is happening currently at all of our buildings in math, reading, and sabers. Um, our CAPY read basics, that's that new uh readact dyslexia test that we're doing gated. So, for our students who qualify, we started that and that's a 412 assessment. This year, remember, we're only doing 410 as we dip into that. And then our data digs have started and will continue into February. Any question on that? >> Never a dull moment in teaching learning. Never a dull moment. Thank you, Mr. Trouinbach, for letting me. >> Thank you, >> M. of course. I have just a couple more items if that's okay, Madam Chair. Uh, so following some recent parent meetings and interactions, I've decided to release a district-wide communication this week focused on safety and security. Uh, my goal
049with this message is twofold. Um, I want to affirm the specific protocols we have in place to keep our students safe. Second, and maybe even more importantly, I want to emphasize our shared responsibility for safety across the entire Big Lake community. Um, I'll be encouraging our families to look out for one another in simple, meaningful ways, whether that's being a backup for a neighbor at a bus stop, um, checking in on one another, or even utilizing personal technology to stay connected to their children's whereabouts. Um, I've always been in communication, uh, um, I've also been in communication with Rachel at Vision, the owner, and she is going to be releasing some social a social media campaign to remind families of these safety themes as well. Um, given the recent events in our area, I believe
050this is appropriate and will hopefully provide both comfort and practical ideas for our families. I just wanted to make sure that you were all aware that this communication was coming out before um I send it out later this week. So, I just want to make sure you're aware of that. Um another item uh legislative season kicks off on Tuesday, February 17th. It begins there are two dates of interest that I'd like you all to be aware of. One is on March 4th, which is our staff day at the Capitol. And uh that was just out today. I don't know if did you see that? Yeah, I I should have told you that, too. >> Oh, it's okay. >> I mean, I've just really fallen down today. >> I got you. This is a team effort.
051This is a team effort, Ashley. No worries. >> Uh, and then also on March 9th, which is actually just the following week, it is the MSBA MASA day at the capital. And I guess we're meeting at the historical center. Uh, it's different this year, so it's a little bit different. So, it's actually a nice evening or a nice uh day. we actually meet and they have usually a panel of uh legislators and then we go get to we get to go speak and visit people at the capital afterwards. So if you are interested and would uh like to come down to the capital on those days, come and join us. I know I'll be there and I'm assuming Ashley will as well as the legislative people. And now for my favorite portion of my report.
052Um I I should ask for like a drum roll. Yes, it's from around the district. I like to highlight some uh pieces every month. But um Alexis, she she she covered the poetry out loud and I will tell you this. I went I was actually a judge this and I've been a judge for the past I don't know three maybe four years and what a great it takes a lot of courage to stand up in front of people and to read the poems. They're not easy. Some of them are long too. I mean I memorized some stuff but boy they did a really nice job. There were 32 students that participated. This is the 18th annual and um they had you you mentioned the the uh winners but I would like to also acknowledge uh
053Mr. Pertie for being the masters of ceremony the best. So he does a really nice name. Nice uh nice job at that. Huzzah. Uh and then also um I want to acknowledge uh Miss Crumby and Miss Meyer for the coordination of this. They worked really hard to make this happen for those kids and uh I know Ashley you were there this morning as well. Some great poems and they did a really nice job. So um really neat, really neat program. I'm so glad we have that there. Uh, but I'd also like to highlight the awesome staff that stand outside and welcome our students every day. Uh, rain or shine, warm or frigid, uh, they are there. So, I just want to say thank you for your time ensuring the safety and welcoming atmosphere at Big
054Lake Schools because that's what we do here. So, um, just want to make sure that they are acknowledged. Um, especially during these these cold days have just been miserable. So, anyway, I just want to mention that. So, uh, calendar, I've got a laundry list here. I, as always, I will send this out, um, by email as well. Uh, but tomorrow evening, we have the governing board session for the co-op. Um, at 5, we have mediation uh for uh with Bllem, Ashley, and Derek. Starts at 9:00. Uh, we have negotiations with Blah on the 2nd, Tanya, and Chelsea at 3:45. Um, also STMA legislative forum. Did you know about that one? >> I did. Yes. So, STMA has a wonderful legislative forum every year about the same time, and it's at 6 PM on uh February
0554th, and uh they do a really nice job of and it's pretty structured, so it's it's you're in and out within an hour, I think. So, it's it's a good evening. So, I'm hoping to uh hit that up, too. Alexis mentioned this, too. One of my favorite evenings that uh high school uh one of my many favorite evenings, the high school arts night. Super cool. Mike, I'm >> excited to the board members. >> Did you get invited that? Oh, that was awesome. So, all I know is that um I think it's Jared that makes those bowls and like it's the my favorite candy dish at home. So, if you get there, you buy the bowl and then you go check out a concession stand and fill it with popcorn. It's pretty cool. At least that's
056what I did last year. So, it's pretty fun stuff, right? And then also there's kids doing students doing all kinds of cool stuff. Uh poetry, uh one act, um all kinds of things. So, singing, all kinds of things. So, I would encourage you to come and check it out. Even just do a quick walkthrough because there's a lot of displays and things up, right? So, super cool evening. uh a lot of fun. Um reminder, there is no school on February 6th because that is a PD wellness day. Uh as well as on uh February 11th, reminder to all of you, we have a school board work session at 6 p.m. our new start time early. And then uh February 14th through the 16th, no school, President's Day. Um legislative session starts the 17th. February 18th,
057policy committee, uh 5:30. Um, so please uh feel free to attend that regular board meeting on the 25th. SAF general membership on the 27th. Is that right? I think that sounds right. >> I don't. >> It's one of those >> policy is on Wednesday the 18th. And then I mentioned the March 4th and March 9th. >> Is that um the 27th? >> Perfect. Yes. And that's in Roseville. Yes. >> Yes. So, okay. All right. That concludes my report unless of course there are questions. >> Any questions? >> Thank you, Mr. Trupbeck. Uh, the board will have a closed meeting as permitted by Minnesota statute section 13D.03 to discuss Big Lake School's labor negotiation strategy related to negotiations with Big Lake Administrators Association. I need A motion to enter into the closed meeting following the adjournment
058of the regular meeting. >> Motion made by Nelson, second by Hancock. Any other discussion? >> Yes, ma'am. Sorry. Apologize. I had I had one other thing to add because I don't think we mentioned the AAA award winners. >> No. May I? >> Okay. >> All right. All right. Uh Kyla Gwitch and Dylan Coun. Big deal. Remember that's the arts, academics, and athletics or activities I should say. is a big deal. Wellrounded students and those two individuals are really well. They represent really well. So that's a great thing. We'll move on to the next uh um next competition, next round for the AAA. I failed to mention that. >> Okay, that's okay. Okay, we have a motion by Nelson, second by Hancock to go into close session after the board meeting. Is there any other discussion?
059All in favor? >> I oppose. Motion carries. The closed meeting will commence five minutes after the the close of this meeting. Um I will just adjourn this meeting. This meeting is adjourned.